Xiao He Ran played at home for a few days before going to school. He even shed a few tears when he left, which made Qiu Yu sad, but she didn't show it to the child. After sending the child to the private school, she secretly hugged He Zi Feng for a long time in the carriage.

He Zifeng hugged Qiu Yu and said, "The child will grow up sooner or later!"

Qiu Yu said, "I know." Then she looked down for a while. She had just sent the child away, and she was already looking forward to their reunion next month.

Qiu Yu's goods sold out long ago. He Zifeng, now a minor leader, didn't have to report for duty every day. Seeing that Qiu Yu was in a bad mood, he wanted to keep him company for a while, so he temporarily left the horse in the courtyard. Fang Shi was going to sell basket weaving in the county for a while, so he told them to go and browse first, and then come back together when they were done.

Fang's woven baskets were cheap, costing only a few coins in total. She took more than forty baskets, and sold more than twenty in a short time. She decided to sell the remaining ten or so to save space. She was making a lot of money from this small business, earning one or two coins a month.

He Zifeng took Qiu Yu for a stroll around the county. Occasionally, they would run into yamen runners patrolling the streets, who would not only greet He Zifeng but also address him as "Sister-in-law."

This made Qiuyu a little embarrassed.

He Zifeng said, "Your sister-in-law is shy." He even defended her, which made the yamen runners wink and smile, planning to go back and gossip. They all knew that He Zifeng had a male wife, but they didn't know that she was so handsome.

He Zifeng said to Qiu Yu, "That's just how they are, they're very mischievous, don't take it to heart."

Qiu Yu hummed in agreement. There wasn't much to see on this street in the county. Qiu Yu planned to go to the pharmacy to get some Chinese medicinal herbs and spices for herbal braising. After that, she would go to buy pork bones and offal.

He Zifeng happened to be free, so he went with Qiu Yu. He didn't bring his horse, so he could help carry it.

The butchers selling meat lived next to each other, and they had negotiated their prices, all charging the same price. Qiu Yu needed a large quantity, so she had to buy all the pig offal from each butcher to make sure she had enough. They had prepared everything in advance when she came before, and would even give her some worthless scraps for free.

As soon as Qiu Yu arrived, she heard the butcher she had worked with before say, "Sorry, we don't have any offal or big bones today."

Qiu Yu was taken aback. Seeing it clearly on the butcher's block, she said, "Isn't that it?"

The butcher said, "Oh, someone else has already placed the order."

He Zifeng glanced at the other butchers nearby and noticed that they were all listening intently.

Feeling uncomfortable as He Zifeng's gaze swept over them, they all turned their faces away. He Zifeng said, "Your pig offal and big bones have also been ordered?"

"Yes, it was reserved a long time ago."

"My house has been booked too." They said this even though everything was laid out on the counter.

He Zifeng then asked in a different phrasing: "So, were your tickets for tomorrow booked?"

The butcher closest to him was somewhat speechless, but then gritted his teeth and said, "They've been reserved too." He then added, "But... but they haven't paid yet. If you want them, I can give you this batch of pig offal first. But it won't be the price I gave you before." The butcher stammered at first, but soon got the hang of it.

He Zifeng asked, "How much?"

The butcher said, "Large bones are ten coins, and offal is thirty coins per catty."

He Zifeng was amused by the price he was offered. When did meat with bones become the same price as pure meat? The other party even said confidently, "Other customers pay us this price!" He seemed determined not to lower the price.

In a fit of anger, Qiu Yu said, "We don't want it anymore." Then she left with He Zifeng.

These butchers were determined to raise prices; they didn't even call people back when they left.

After they had walked away, the butchers huddled together and asked, "Is this a proper way to do it?"

One of the advisors said, "Sure, why not? Look at how much they buy every day, and then they resell it for thirty times the price. They're making all the money. Let's join forces and raise the price, then everyone can make a little profit." They say even a clever cook can't cook without rice; if we don't sell to them, they'll be the ones who get anxious.

The thought that worthless pig bones and offal could fetch such a price filled them with excitement.

It's probably because Qiu Yu and her group made it famous that a few scattered customers come by every day asking if they have any raw meat.

Pig offal, which has never been popular, has now become a hot commodity.

Since it's such a sought-after commodity, why would we sell it at a low price?

...

Qiu Yu and He Zifeng walked to the courtyard and Qiu Yu asked, "What should we do?" His business was doing well, and he thought that other competitors would also want to do it. They would win with their taste, but he did not expect that the butcher who sold meat would be the first to make a move.

He Zifeng said, "They must know the price we're selling for, and they're eyeing it with envy, wanting to make a quick buck too."

Qiu Yu said, "Although we can make some money, cleaning, braising spices, and firewood all cost money. Besides, the cooked food doesn't weigh much. If we really go by the price he quoted, we'll have worked for nothing." The other party knew they couldn't live without this stuff, so they were sticking to their price. It really didn't feel good to be controlled like that.

But they've just found a profitable business and already have repeat customers; it would be a real shame to give it up now.

He Zifeng said, "I'll go to the escort agency and the inn later and tell them we should take a few days off." He hadn't rested at all these days, except for rainy days. He'd need to think about it for a few days.

As for those butchers who were raising prices arbitrarily, he didn't want to cooperate anymore. If they're raising prices now, who knows what they'll do in the future?

Qiu Yu said, "This is the only way."

The two then went to the escort agency and the inn to explain, and both sides were astonished. The inn's braised pork ribs had become famous, and many traveling merchants liked to come here and gnaw on four-pound pork ribs. They would then stack the bones high, feeling both satisfied and accomplished.

The inn's cook also bought bones out of his own pocket and cooked them, but no matter how he cooked them, the taste was always bland and far less savory than the ones cooked here.

Upon hearing this, the innkeeper joined them in cursing these butchers and scoundrels for being unable to bear seeing others do well.

As for the people at the escort agency, this was a double blow, as they loved braised food. They used the braised cabbage they bought, some stir-fried it with chili peppers, and even used the provided braising liquid to make noodles. Several of the junior escorts, who had gone out on escort missions, wrote back, craving both chili sauce and braised food, eagerly awaiting their return for a feast. They were counting down the days until their imminent return, only to find that the braised food supply had run out.

He Zifeng said, "We might get something else to eat." But he hadn't decided what to get yet. Pig bones and offal were in the hands of the butchers, and if a few of them teamed up, he really wouldn't be able to get anything out of them.

These people are all Qiu Yu's customers, and although we don't know what they're up to, we hope they'll set up their stall soon.

He Zifeng accompanied Qiu Yu back.

Just then, Xie Rui ran over quickly and said, "Brother He, the county clerk wants to see you."

When Qiu Yu heard that He Zifeng had something to do, she quickly told him to go and do his business first.

He Zifeng and Xie Rui went to the county government office: "What's the matter with him?"

Why would the advisor meet with such a nobody?

Xie Rui frowned as well: "I bet it's not good news." Xie Rui was one of Constable Zhu's men, as was He Zifeng. Now, Constable Zhu was on the same side as the county magistrate. The county magistrate and his advisor were at odds, so seeking out He Zifeng at this time was quite significant.

He Zifeng couldn't understand it at all. He had just made a contribution; surely his advisor wouldn't kill him? He figured he'd just have to deal with whatever came his way and see how things went.

He soon went to the yamen (government office). These yamen runners rested outside and had never been inside the yamen before.

The county government office, with its ornate halls and pavilions, was quite well-built, with beautiful scenery at every turn, and even artificial rocks inspired by Taihu Lake. It was a sight to behold, but unfortunately, he had no interest in appreciating it.

Before he even went inside, Constable Zhu was already waiting for him outside, saying, "The county magistrate is also inside." This was a reminder to him to be careful.

He Zifeng nodded, and Xie Rui also stayed outside. Only He Zifeng knocked on the door and went in.

The county magistrate had met He Zifeng before and later heard about him from Constable Zhu. He was pleased to have such a capable subordinate and wanted to promote He Zifeng to deputy constable. However, before he could even say anything, his advisor found out. The advisor and the magistrate were at odds, and the advisor was waiting there.

After He Zifeng met the two officials...

This was his first time meeting the clerk. The clerk was thin, with a goatee, and looked very much like a scholar. He had heard that the clerk was also a successful candidate in the imperial examinations back then, in the same year as the county magistrate. Now, one had become the county magistrate, and the other had become a clerk; their circumstances were quite different.

At this moment, the clerk praised He Zifeng: "You are indeed a talented person. You made a great contribution to the county by bravely killing the male and female duo. I have always wanted to meet you. Today, I have seen that you are indeed extraordinary."

The magistrate raised an eyebrow. His advisor always opposed him, yet they seemed to agree on praising He Zifeng. Regardless, it was a good thing. The magistrate, unsure of his advisor's intentions, probed, "Perfect timing. I'm thinking of promoting him to deputy constable. What do you think?"

The advisor said, "Great minds think alike. I had the same idea as you, sir. However, He Zifeng has only been here for a short time. If he is promoted too quickly, I'm afraid he won't be able to win people's hearts. But I have a good idea for him. Lingshan Village hasn't decided who to send to collect grain tax this year. As long as this matter is handled well, I will personally write your appointment document."

The magistrate stroked his beard and said, "The clerk has thought this through very well."

He Zifeng said, "Thank you, sir, and thank you, clerk, for your promotion."

Seeing how cooperative he was, the two men waved him away. As soon as he left, he was questioned by Constable Zhu and Xie Rui, who were waiting outside the courtyard. He Zifeng told them the truth.

Officer Zhu gasped: "Lingshan Village has been unable to pay its taxes year after year, and last year they even had a brawl with our constables, resulting in several deaths."

He Zifeng's eyes flashed and he said, "Oh?"