When most of the people had left, Liu Quan said hesitantly, "Uncle Gui, could you... put in a good word for me?"
Chen Gui said irritably, "Can't you just say it yourself? Can't you apologize?"
"That's different. Boss Chen... he's an official now. I'm scared!"
Chen Gui: You're afraid of a bubble teapot.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and said awkwardly, "Brother Xian, you see, my nephew isn't a good person either. He doesn't have any bad intentions, but could you find him a job? Is there a job with the lowest pay but the most tiring work that I can give him? It's not like he's short of energy."
Liu Quan opened his mouth: "Huh?"
Chen Xian said calmly, "Uncle Gui, sometimes, trying to smooth things over is just another way of doing evil."
Upon hearing this, Chen Gui and Liu Quan were stunned. The man blushed with embarrassment, remembering how he had always protected Hongye Village and kept urging Chen Xian to let the matter rest, saying, "I know Uncle Gui, you can't handle this."
He opened his mouth but remained silent.
He left dejectedly.
Helpless, Chen Gui scolded, "You good-for-nothing, you'd better watch yourself."
“Well, since Uncle Gui has spoken, I’ll give you a chance. After all, he’s a relative of yours, and we’re all dear family.”
Liu Quan saw that the man had a kind and gentle look in his eyes, and the sunlight shone on his face, making his smile warm and gentle.
Chen Gui was initially somewhat disheartened. Xian Ge'er was becoming more and more capable, and his words no longer carried weight. It wasn't jealousy or resentment, but rather a growing sense of estrangement between what was once a close relationship between elders and nephews who could talk about anything.
Upon hearing this, he instantly grinned, feeling a warmth in his heart. He turned to Liu Quan and jokingly scolded, "You little rascal, come here now."
Xian Ge'er still cares about his elder.
Chen Xian stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the direction of Red Leaf Village.
"I want you to keep a close watch on that man, and report to me immediately if he acts suspiciously."
"I'll pay you thirty coins a day, hmm?"
Liu Quan quickly pledged his loyalty. Anyone who wasn't a fool could see that Chen Xian had gone from an ordinary peasant to a low-ranking official, which meant that the small mountain village couldn't possibly keep him.
This person is likely... destined for greatness sooner or later.
Liu Quan's mind was fickle. For a farmer to change his fate, there was nothing more to do than work hard to pass the imperial examinations or make a lot of money in business and make a wide circle of friends.
He simply cannot meet either of those conditions.
The problem is that, gritting his teeth, he can only rely on the help of a powerful patron.
Without a doubt, Chen Xian is the highest-level benefactor he can currently access.
Having witnessed Chen Xian's former glory, his composure and calmness undoubtedly stemmed from his confidence—a man who rose from a lowly peasant household to a ninth-rank official.
With a ripping sound, like a spark falling onto poplar fluff, almost instantly, something called ambition ignited wildly within him!
I want to be such a great person too!
I also want to get rid of my humble farmer status!
I also want to become a person with such a calm and composed demeanor!
Even the man in front of him now, if asked to lie on the ground and doggy paddle, would just bark a few times.
In a split second, Liu Quan cried out in his heart—
I will never die a lowly death like a farmer. I'm determined to be this lackey! That's what I said!
He lowered his head and knelt down with a thud.
"Please give your orders, Chen Zuolang!"
His voice was somewhat excited, hoarse, and distorted.
Chen Xian glanced at the other person, frowned, and said, "Call me boss. I don't want any special treatment."
"yes!"
With head bowed and eyes downcast, quickly get up.
Looking at his nephew who was quite sensible, Chen Gui said helplessly, "Ten coins a day is enough, thirty coins is too much. It just depends on the person."
Finally, at Chen Gui's insistence, Liu Quan was hired by Chen Xian for a high price of ten coins a day to monitor that person.
The Chen family has all arrived.
Sister Guihua looked at the imperial edict held up by Chen Dazhu with both hands, her face full of flattery.
"Big Pillar, can I touch that imperial edict?"
Da Zhuzi looked troubled. "Isn't this inappropriate?"
Tiger's mother lowered her voice and pleaded, "Just once, please? Since the village was founded, I doubt anyone has ever had this honor, to be rewarded by the emperor. Just once, please?"
Erzhuzi simply looked at the woman's rough, gravelly fingers, which were covered with grooves, fine cuts, and hangnails.
Her voice was crisp and cold as she said, "Auntie's hands are too rough. The silk is so fine; wouldn't scratching them be disrespectful to His Majesty?"
The woman gave an awkward smile.
He rubbed his hands together and carefully hid them behind his back.
"This child has been honest since he was a child."
He gave an awkward smile.
Chen Gui gave a reprimand.
"Alright, everyone disperse. That imperial edict is such a sacred thing. I bet even Xian-ge'er wouldn't dare touch it normally. He would enshrine it in the main hall and add incense to it. How much face do you have that you want to get your hands on it?"
Everyone was filled with envy, thinking that the village had produced a ninth-rank official, and that Da Zhu's father would be different from them from now on.
Zhang Daguang flattered, "Brother Xian, I... I heard that your whole family is practicing boxing with Young Master Su. I was thinking if Gousheng, Dazhu, and Erzhu could learn boxing together, hehe..."
He just kept grinning foolishly. Chen Gui said irritably, "Why don't you just go find the young master of the Su family? It's not like I'm teaching boxing to Xian-ge'er..."
Zhang Daguang flattered, "That's different. The main thing is that my dog, Sheng, likes to play with Dazhu and Erzhu."
Everyone gave a strange smile.
Gou Sheng stood to the side, scratching his head.
"Dad, when did I ever enjoy playing with Dazhu and Erzhu?"
The atmosphere was awkward.
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