Chapter 140 Taking Advantage of a Loophole
"Thank you, Madam, for your generosity! Your business is booming, your husband and wife are in harmony, and you have given birth to eight children!"
Goudan followed Cheng Weiyao to the corner and immediately started saying auspicious things. He was afraid that Cheng Weiyao would come back to haunt him, so he was being sweet in advance. If someone else was more sensitive, they might not be able to complain.
Cheng Weiyao looked at Goudan's whole body. His feet were torn and patched, with his toes exposed. His face was dark and yellow, and he looked skinny. This was a sign of malnutrition. She thought of Wen Chengming, the clean and fair-skinned man at home, and then looked at the little beggar in front of her who was about the same age as her.
"Okay, stop talking to me, Canru Lotus. No matter how smooth your mouth is, if it messes up the business, it's messed up."
Cheng Weiyao coughed lightly twice and said seriously.
I had been on the road of exile before. Although I passed through many towns, my personal freedom was limited and time did not allow me to do so. Therefore, I did not have a deep understanding of the local customs and naturally did not understand the beggar group.
I did know a term called Beggars' Gang when I read novels and watched TV. I wonder if this little beggar is a member of the Gang?
"I don't have any money, but I can still do some labor. As long as my wife doesn't mind, I'll do whatever I want."
When Goudan heard this, his face turned pale as if it had been hit by frost. There weren't so many kind-hearted people in the world! He was just too naive!
The corners of Cheng Weiyao's mouth twitched slightly. Was he discouraged? With Goudan's small body, he would be knocked to the ground with just two punches. He was very likely a person who could blackmail someone.
As for labor, what could Goudan, with his small frame, do? He would hardly be able to push a cart. She was a young woman who grew up under the red flag and had a red family background. She didn't like the idea of hiring child labor.
"How many little beggars like you are there? Doesn't the imperial court care about them?"
Cheng Weiyao reached out and pinched Goudan's little face, and began to inquire about the situation. However, Goudan was very alert and slapped Cheng Weiyao's hand away and took a few steps back.
"You weren't sent by Zhang Daming, were you? Let me tell you, we are all boys. There are no girls for you to capture!"
What the hell?! Cheng Weiyao was shocked. Wasn't Zhang Daming the county magistrate of Qingshi Town? He had made a brief appearance on the day the exiles entered the city.
From what Goudan said, why did he arrest female beggars? And why did he only arrest young girls?
"We were exiled to Qingshi Town with our entire family. We're essentially the same as you, all pitiful wanderers. If I have any bad intentions, will you come to my house and bang on the door, or file a complaint with the government? I don't live far away. Turn right after exiting West Street..."
In order to gain Goudan's trust, Cheng Weiyao began to take the initiative to close the distance between them. This frankness in introducing herself really made Goudan open his heart.
Most of the emperors in ancient times implemented benevolent policies. In order to demonstrate this, there were actually clear public notices regarding the homeless beggars in the government offices of various states and counties, requiring the government offices to take care of them. Relevant relief policies and specific measures were also introduced in the law.
According to Goudan, the imperial court should have formed a better relief mechanism, but unfortunately, the imperial court's relief mainly consists of rewarding old clothes and giving people porridge, which is a typical case of treating the symptoms but not the root cause.
"Don't you have food? Why are you and your friends begging on the streets?"
Cheng Weiyao rubbed her brows, somewhat puzzled. Although the relief provided by the imperial court was a drop in the bucket, it at least ensured food and clothing.
In modern times, a large number of beggars headed by Goudan would have a great impact on the cityscape. As a county magistrate, Zhang Daming would not want to be accused of poor management in his territory, right?
"I forgot to mention that the imperial court mainly provides relief to people of my generation, like my grandparents, as well as those with serious illnesses who can't take care of themselves. But my grandparents are old, so how could they possibly walk to the county government office to collect their relief on time? Even if they did go, they'd be met with such scorn..."
Goudan scratched his head. He had been begging with his grandfather since he could remember. When the imperial policy came out at first, his grandfather was very happy. But after receiving relief from the imperial court once, he came back and began to teach Goudan to be self-reliant.
"Isn't this just exploiting a loophole in the law? I'm afraid all the money saved will go into the county magistrate's pocket! Could you please take me to see where you live?"
Cheng Weiyao couldn't stand it anymore. This was a vicious cycle, forcing beggars to beg on the streets to be self-reliant.
Goudan, who was originally filled with righteous indignation, hesitated for a moment. One must be on guard against others...
Cheng Wei Yao noticed Goudan's expression. It was indeed difficult to make this child believe in herself in a short period of time. It was a good thing to be cautious.
"I won't force you. Go back and ask the adults for their opinions. If you need any help, feel free to come to me. As for the future, you can help me with the hawking, pushing the cart, and cleaning up the place. I'll take care of the meals. How about that?"
Just now, when Goudan's friends were begging, Cheng Weiyao noticed that some of them were somewhat literate.
Although it is not as exciting as singing Lianhualuo and Kuaibanshu, at least it is full of auspicious words, the writing is fluent and smooth, and new lyrics are incorporated according to different diners.
Goudan's eyes lit up: "We are big eaters!"
"It's okay. The more customers you attract, the better business my stall will have, and the more you can eat!"
Cheng Weiyao smiled. If she didn't have the golden finger of QQ Farm as a backing, she really wouldn't dare to boast about this. But since she had encountered it, she couldn't just sit back and watch.
The topic raised by Cheng Weiyao protected the children's self-esteem. Goudan nodded in agreement. Of course, he did not forget the original plan to ask the bun vendor for subsequent remuneration.
Cheng Weiyao was the first to leave the alley and go back to continue running the bun stall, while Goudan smeared dust from the ground on his face, came out immediately and gestured to retreat to his friends, preparing to go to the bun vendor together to ask for payment.
The bun vendor had already seen enough of the hustle and bustle. The soup dumplings were so delicious, and all those beggars were spoiling the fun by sitting there and not moving...
"Baozi! We've done everything you asked!"
"You're such a grown man, and you still refuse to pay your debts. Shame on you!"
Goudan and his friends blocked the steamed bun vendor's way, making it clear that they would cause trouble if they didn't get paid.
"What kind of reward? Look at the soup dumpling business. Has it been affected by you? You're a bunch of useless trash!"
The bun vendor was upset that his plan had failed, so he acted like a scoundrel on the spot and even pushed the little beggar who surrounded him.
"You hired this little beggar to cause trouble here. Do you really think I'm a pushover? Believe it or not, I'll go to the government office and file a complaint!"
Cheng Weiyao appeared beside the fallen little beggar and helped him up.
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