"Alright."
Liu Cui thought of a few lovable children. "Sister Zhang, you must take good care of yourself. If anything happens, just send us a message. If that Zhou guy bullies you again, I'll have Old Zhang break his legs."
Zhang Xianglian couldn't help but laugh.
Zhang Qiquan, standing to the side, touched his nose as if he were the one with the broken leg.
Finally, everything is sorted out.
Zhang Qiquan was about to limp out to rent a car.
Fang Heng parked his family's carriage at the door.
Zhang Qiquan's face lit up with surprise. "Is the master going to let us use the carriage?"
"Uncle Zhang, what are you thinking?" Zheng Ruqian chuckled. "This time, it's not just you going to Anshui County."
He also needs to go to Fucheng Youranju to discuss cooperation, deliver vegetables, and bring back 500 catties of cured meat.
Zheng Ruqian originally planned to go alone, but now that the Zhang couple has joined him, there are three of them.
Not too much, not too little.
To everyone's surprise, Fang Heng disagreed, saying, "Second Brother, I'll go too."
In the hearts of the siblings, the prefectural city was Fang Heng's forbidden territory.
But in Fang Laosan's heart, the safety of his siblings was the most important thing.
This time, not only will building workshops in the prefectural city be difficult, but even negotiating at Youran Residence will be dangerous. Fang Heng doesn't want to see Zheng Ruqian with a bruised and swollen face or missing all his front teeth.
"I'll go protect you." Fang Heng clenched his fist. "Don't worry, I've grown up now, no one will recognize me anymore."
Zheng Ruqian wanted to say something more.
Fang Heng asked him, "Second Brother, didn't we say before that we would never be apart?"
Zheng Ruqian was speechless.
That's not how you use "never apart".
And how did a trip to Anshui County lead to a separation?
But Fang Laosan rarely insisted on one thing, and Zheng Ruqian really couldn't refute him, so he could only look longingly at his older and younger brothers.
Unexpectedly, Xu Mo pondered for a moment and then nodded, "In that case, let's go together."
Zheng Ruqian's eyes almost popped out.
Fang Heng was also puzzled, "Big brother, aren't you going to school?"
Xu Mo smiled slightly.
He won the top prize twice this year and has been promoted to the rank of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations). The knowledge in textbooks is no longer the focus for him.
Even the schoolteacher told him that if a person wants to grow, the key is to broaden their mind and vision, and encouraged him to see more and travel more.
Most importantly, Xu Mo was also worried about Zheng Ruqian alone.
"So, you're all going with us?" Zheng Ruqian's mouth was practically agape. He mentally counted around and realized someone was missing. "Xiao Si isn't here either."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wen Zhiyun, carrying a small medicine box, pushed open the courtyard gate, panting heavily.
Jiang Sheng, who had slipped out at some point, followed behind.
“Xiao Jiangsheng said you were going to Anshui County.” Wen Zhiyun’s cheeks were flushed. “I asked Doctor Wu for leave, and he allowed me to go.”
After saying that, he let out a long breath, as if to say, "Luckily, I made it in time."
Zheng Ruqian put one hand to his forehead, feeling both amused and exasperated, yet helpless.
He was just going to the prefectural city to discuss cooperation, but his family is so worried.
However, these actions warmed his heart, making him realize that the siblings were indeed "never to be separated".
"In that case, let's go."
Fang Heng rode a horse, while the others rode in carriages, including Aunt Zhang.
Let's go to Ansu County.
The red-maned horse led the way merrily, while the carriage bounced along behind.
The new magistrate of Xiyang County only received the news after they had all disappeared from sight.
"What?" The young county magistrate, in his early twenties, was shocked. "What are they doing in Anshui County? Are they not planning to come back? Are they planning to stay in Anshui County?"
After saying that, I realized it was impossible.
Since they are from this area, Xu Mo will need a household registration certificate to take the provincial examination in the future, so it is impossible for him to leave Xieyang County.
However, Anshui County is the prefectural capital, with better schools and a higher standard of living, making it a more suitable place to live long-term than Xieyang County.
"No, I have to go check it out."
The new magistrate of Xiyang County hadn't even been in office for a full day when he ran away again.
The remaining yamen runners in the county looked at each other, wishing they could sit down and cry, "Sir, you may leave, but please leave us a clerk!"
The journey from Xieyang County to Anshui Prefecture takes a total of five days.
Upon arriving at the location, Zhang Qiquan discussed with Zheng Ruqian whether the workshop should be built inside or outside the city.
Building within the city limits results in smaller spaces and higher labor costs, but it exempts you from taxes upon entering the city. Building outside the city limits offers larger spaces and cheaper labor, but you'll have to pay a hefty entrance tax when entering the city.
Zheng Ruqian thought for a while and said, "Goods entering the city should be taxed, but people entering the city should not be taxed."
Therefore, it is possible to hire people from the vicinity of the prefectural city.
Zhang Qi fully understood; this meant they planned to build workshops in the prefectural city.
Although the two options seem to have similar advantages and disadvantages at present, once they are developed and strengthened in the future, the tax revenue will be much larger than the combined revenue from labor and local taxes.
Zhang Qiquan was very satisfied with his employer, who was described as a man of great vision and ambition.
After reaching an agreement, he began to rent workshops, preferably those with courtyards, so that they could be used as workshops and also as living quarters.
Liu Cui and Zhang Xianglian were responsible for helping to publicize the news of hiring people.
Zheng Ruqian then stood once again under the plaque of Youranju in the prefectural city.
Last time, he was unhappy about this place.
Now, they're actually taking the initiative to negotiate cooperation.
Zheng Ruqian lamented the impermanence of life and was also surprised to find that he had changed a lot during this period.
"Don't be afraid, Second Brother." Fang Heng patted him on the shoulder. "We're all here."
When Zheng Ruqian turned around, he saw an older brother, three younger brothers, and a younger sister standing at the door, all smiling at him.
Well, he had to admit that the anxiety he felt when he arrived had vanished.
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