"Whether those children live or die is none of my business. I will not raise them." Zhu Qiuyu cut off the prefect's words before he could explain why he had been summoned.
The prefect's face stiffened slightly. These people from Immortal Mist Island really didn't give him any face at all. However, he didn't take their attitude to heart and explained, "This is not my idea, but the children's idea."
More than a dozen children insisted on following the Zhou family, saying they were capable of working and wouldn't just eat for free, begging the Zhou family to be kind and take them in.
The prefect thought that since the people had come to him for help, he should at least ask them if it could be done. Whether it could be done depended on the Zhou family's decision. As for why he called Zhu Qiuyu over instead of talking to the Zhou family directly, he didn't know.
Of course, it was because the people of Xianwu Island were protecting the Zhou family. The prefect, having received a tip from the governor, knew that the people of Xianwu Island were not to be trifled with. He did not want to offend them, so he went around to talk to Zhu Qiuyu first.
Zhu Qiuyu had met him before, and the prefect felt that familiarity would make things easier to discuss. The young master of Xianwu Island was too young and of high status, and the prefect thought that the other party would be aloof and difficult to talk to, so he gave up the idea of ​​contacting him.
"They want to follow the Zhou family and do things for them? That's wishful thinking. Do they think the Zhou family is honest and kind and bullies simple people?" Zhu Qiuyu didn't take those dozen or so children seriously, and she didn't want to pass on the message to the Zhou family.
"I heard that the Zhou family has opened a restaurant in the prefectural city, as well as in the county town and other towns. They also farm in the villages. They have already bought a lot of people, and they are short of manpower. Hiring people would be even more cost-effective. It is better to buy people who are more useful and loyal."
The prefect's understanding of the Zhou family was thanks to Zheng Qingshu, because the Zhou family's daughter was likely a princess, so they focused their investigation on the Zhou family's situation.
Zhu Qiuyu smiled wryly, "Those children are willing to sell themselves?"
The prefect spoke with a pointed remark, "They just want to find a good employer, a place to stay, and enough to eat. None of the other children said they wanted to follow the Zhou family. These dozen or so are obviously the more quick-witted ones. I heard that the Zhou family took good care of them on the way back. Isn't that because they've taken a liking to good people?"
Zhu Qiuyu lowered his eyes and chuckled softly, "Since the Prefect himself has pleaded for me, I cannot refuse. However, I must first inform the Zhou family before I can give you an answer."
The prefect sneered inwardly. This Senior Brother Zhu was so perfunctory in his greetings, completely disregarding officials appointed by the imperial court. The prefect had to plead with him before he reluctantly agreed to discuss matters; it would be a miracle if he dared not refuse.
However, the prefect was also a cunning old fox. He cursed Zhu Qiuyu in his heart, but on his face he always wore a gentle smile, showing no displeasure whatsoever.
"Of course, this matter naturally requires the Zhou family's consent. Speaking of which, I have some connections with the Zhou family..."
When the prefect mentioned that the Zhou family had once saved his grandson, he brought it up mainly to tell Zhu Qiuyu that he had no ill intentions and that he shouldn't think that Zhu Qiuyu had ulterior motives.
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