Chapter 23 You craftsmen shouldn't go!

Upon hearing this, the gathered people frowned.

“What are you up to? Everyone knows that for so many years, Magistrate Zhao has said that the funds for repairs haven’t come through. But this year, Manager Su found out that the funds have come through and are building up the county for everyone. If it weren’t for this, we wouldn’t know when we would be able to repair our own roofs.”

"As Magistrate Zhao, you are practically officials. Why don't you consider the needs of everyone? The debt is owed by Magistrate Zhao, who is extremely busy. Manager Su has already paid, yet you shamelessly demand payment for the remaining work. Why don't you ask Zhao Zhou for it?"

"That's right! Why don't you ask Zhao Zhou for it? I think you're deliberately trying to avoid repairing it for us ordinary people!"

The group was thoroughly berated and became extremely flustered.

No one expected that Su Jingge would turn the situation around, saying that they were afraid the people would live well.

Su Jingge said sternly, "Since you are afraid that the people will live well, then you don't need to get involved in any future repair projects in the county!"

"What? This won't do! Our roof needs fixing too!"

The faces of the troublemakers changed drastically; they were terrified.

"From now on, you are no longer required to participate in the city's repairs!" Su Jingge gave the order.

"Why should I? You think you can keep your word? Without us craftsmen, how will you meet the deadline? Don't beg us!"

The man's eyes widened, filled with rage.

Just then, Zhao Liu arrived again.

When Su Jingge saw them, she realized that these people came to the restaurant on time every day.

It's like signing in at a hotel.

Before I even got close, I could hear Zhao Liu's distinctive mocking voice, which sounded like a megaphone pointed at a pig's nose:

"What's going on, everyone?" Zhao Liu put his hands on his hips, a smug look on his face, and a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, isn't this the craftsman? What's wrong? Has the project stalled?"

"Haha, weren't you supposed to be repairing the roof? Why has it stalled now?"

The underling beside him said again, "I heard that Assistant Manager Su owes wages!"

Qingyue came out with a shovel, and with a 'bang,' she stood the shovel upright on the ground, startling everyone.

"Bang, bang, bang! What are you all babbling about? Whose money is it that the workers' money? It was all made clear at the county government office: Assistant Manager Su contributed the technology, and Zhao Zhou took the money! You have those two big ears, flapping them all, but it's a pity you're deaf!"

"You, you, you little bitch, how dare you call me a pig?" Zhao Liu was about to order his men to arrest him.

His underlings looked around but no one dared to step forward, fearing that a flick of the finger from inside would break their fingers.

"Fine, I'll let you off the hook for now." Zhao Liu sneered at Su Jingge. "Now that the craftsmen are gone, let's see how you continue."

"They're here!" Qingyue shouted.

Then everyone looked up at the sound and saw a group of men walking over from not far away, carrying tools in their hands.

Looks like a craftsman!

"Holy crap, where did this craftsman come from?"

"Look, isn't that a craftsman?"

Xu Yuan approached Su Jingge and bowed respectfully.

The same was true for the craftsmen behind him.

"I've met Assistant Manager Su." Xu Yuan's voice was deep and resonant.

Everyone present heard it clearly.

"You're too kind, everyone." Su Jingge looked at Xu Yuan. "Thank you for your hard work, Craftsman Xu."

Xu Yuan said earnestly, "Serving the people is not hard work."

At that moment, a slender figure also arrived.

The man, dressed in official robes, walked hurriedly, clearly having heard the commotion and rushed over from the county government office.

"It's Magistrate Xie."

Xie Mo bowed to Su Jingge and said, "This humble official greets Assistant Minister Su."

Everyone's pupils dilated in shock at this scene.

Xie Mo bowed to Su Jingge in greeting; after all, he was an official!

"Actually, the assistant manager doesn't hold an official position, but if things really go on, even the county magistrate has to listen to her, since she has the final say on how the entire county is developed."

"Not only that, even the princess has to obey the assistant envoy. In higher positions, this is called an imperial envoy. Although Assistant envoy Su is not a dispatched official, his status is equivalent to that of a dispatched official!"

The craftsmen seemed to be deciding whether to use them or not.

"How is that possible? How could you possibly find a craftsman?"

The craftsman who led the riot was shocked.

“Now they are Assistant Manager Su’s men, the craftsmen who repaired Yuxiang County, while you are no longer craftsmen of Yuxiang County!” Xie Mo said, pointing at the troublemakers with the air of an official.

"Huh? What should we do then?" the group asked in a panic.

"Go back to where you came from!" Xie Mo said sternly.

The group looked extremely embarrassed. They had originally intended to make things difficult for Su Jingge, but they hadn't expected her to have her own craftsmen.

What about their livelihoods?

"Manager Su, we were wrong. We were just worried about not getting paid. Please give us another chance, Manager Su?"

"If we are not allowed to participate in the renovation, how will we make a living?"

“We’re not on the repair list, so we’ll have to pay for the repairs ourselves.”

Su Jingge sneered: "You all know, you all know, but you still make things difficult for others. Now that I've said my words, I can't take them back. Execute them!"

On the spot, Xie Mo's men crossed out the names of the houses to be repaired from the list.

The group was dumbfounded, and they slunk back home.

Upon seeing Zhao Liu standing to the side, he was dumbfounded.

"Who was it that said we don't have any repair workers? Why don't we remove their houses too? If they're so capable, they can pay for their own repairs!" Qingyue said.

Zhao Liu originally wanted to see Su Jingge unable to continue without craftsmen, and mock her, since she was competing with their Shangguzhai Merchant Guild for business.

Where the hell did all these craftsmen come from?

Why hasn't this girl changed much after the engagement was called off?

Love really does make people lose their senses.

Zhao Liu looked at the people who were staring at them with wide, angry eyes.

"Are you afraid that we'll live well too?" the people asked.

"No, no, no, I didn't." Zhao Liu shook his head like a rattle-drum, and smiled at Su Jingge. "We are businessmen, and we are afraid that Manager Su will block our business."

“Everyone has their own source of goods. Merchants can choose whichever supplier they want to buy from. You’ve monopolized the market for years. Aren’t you being domineering?” the people spoke out righteously.

Zhao Liu choked, smacking his lips: "Fine, fine, I won't stoop to your level, you uncultured bumpkins. Let's eat, okay? You have to treat us to good food and drinks!"

Qingyue smiled and said, "Guests are always welcome. We welcome such a generous gift of ten or twenty taels of silver from you!"

The group entered the restaurant.

All that was left were Xie Mo and the craftsmen.

"In that case, let's continue with the work. We'll proceed according to the household numbers on the list. Magistrate Xie's men will be with us the whole time. If any problems arise, you can come to my restaurant after work."

Su Jingge said.

Xu Yuan nodded: "I will follow Assistant Manager Su's instructions."

Xie Mo's men led Xu Yuan and the others toward the second circle.

Xie Mo said to Su Jingge, "I didn't expect Assistant Manager Su to be able to find craftsmen. I admire you."

He was growing increasingly impressed with this little girl; if his eldest daughter hadn't died, she would be about the same age as her now…

"You flatter me, sir. I am truly grateful for your strong support."

"Now that we have our own craftsmen, things are much easier to do, but there is still one thing I need to trouble you with, Lord Xie."

Xie Mo stood up solemnly: "Please speak, Assistant Manager Su."

“Xu Yuan’s craftsmen were previously private merchants. This is, after all, part of the county’s construction. It’s different from their own business. Please ask Lord Xie to give them a document so that they can participate in the city’s repairs as officials.”

Xie Mo nodded: "That really reminded me. That way, even if Zhao Zhou causes trouble, they will still be recognized."

“Very well, then thank you, sir.” Su Jingge replied.