"For example, if you want to buy stone for a wall, you can invite several stone merchants in your name. Whoever offers a price that meets the government's expectations and has good quality stone will be awarded the bid, and we will buy their stone from now on. This is called an open bidding."
Xu Jing patted Shi Dianli's shoulder and sighed. "Do you understand?"
Shi Dianli nodded, finally understanding it this time.
"With a limited budget, you must lower the price. You also can't let those with ulterior motives take advantage of you just to make a small profit. You must find reputable merchants."
Xu Jing suddenly thought of a great way to make money, and a smile spread across his face. He waved at Bai Shinian. "Shi Nian, take note. Jianzhou is evaluating reputable merchants, and anyone who is rated as such will receive a personal inscription from me. Once I've finalized my concubine, I'll do it right away."
Everyone was speechless. You just realized you're taking a concubine today. So we came here to hold a meeting for you?
Xu Jing looked at County Magistrate Lin. "How are you doing with your teaching job?"
County Magistrate Lin nodded. "Everything is fine."
"Okay, from tomorrow on, you can sit in the lobby."
"No way!" Not to mention Jiang Xuqing's makeshift team, even the two county magistrates who came to congratulate him were frightened.
"Sir, what are you going to do?"
Xu Jing smiled and said, "This is also to let County Magistrate Lin familiarize himself with the environment of the county office in advance and how to handle official duties. If anything happens, please inform me immediately and I will handle it. As for minor matters, I will leave it to County Magistrate Lin to handle."
County Magistrate Lin was about to say more, but Xu Jing changed the subject. "Master Jin, keep a close eye on the academy. If there's any money needed, ask Wang Wu for it. If anyone publicly donates, please write it down in the register and report it to me. Understand?"
Jin Zhubu also nodded, but he still had some doubts about the bidding. He wanted to ask more, but Xu Jing directly pushed it to Bai Shinian. "Shi Nian has inherited my true teachings. If you have any questions, ask him."
Bai Shinian was put on the rack and roasted without any hesitation, feeling helpless.
"Okay, let's adjourn the meeting. Don't miss the auspicious time for me to take a concubine." Xu Jing had to hold the meeting on time. If he continued, it would be a disrespect to the main event.
Bai Shinian watched the master leave and sighed silently. "Goodbye, my two magistrates. Please go to the back hall for tea."
Bai Shinian was quite knowledgeable about the ways of the world. With his experience in receiving angels, receiving the two county magistrates was like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. It was a piece of cake.
Song Yao and Zhang Zhiwei followed Bai Shinian into the back hall.
The servants immediately served him delicious tea and snacks, and several maids came up to massage the magistrate's shoulders and back. Zhang Zhiwei, who had loved to enjoy life since childhood, narrowed his eyes in happiness, as if he was enjoying himself so much that he didn't want to leave.
Outside, the sound of firecrackers rang out, and Zhang Zhiwei suddenly woke up. He mumbled, "What time is it?"
The maidservant whispered softly, "Master, it's already three quarters past noon. Please go to the new house for tea."
"Your master is truly thoughtful," Zhang Zhiwei sighed, glancing back at his colleagues. Song Yao, the LS, was still enjoying the meal with his eyes narrowed, seemingly deaf and unable to hear anything. "Master Song, wake up! The feast is about to begin."
Song Yao was woken up by Zhang Zhiwei's rough voice and felt unhappy. "What's wrong?"
Zhang Zhiwei was speechless. "Old Song, it's time to go to the new house and give gifts."
Song Yao slapped his forehead, thinking how confused he was. He was enjoying himself so much that he forgot about the important things.
Before leaving, he cast a lecherous glance at the massaging maid beside him and asked, "What's your name?"
The maid smiled and said, "My name is Jiao Xing."
"What a nice name. I wonder how old you are and whether you are married. If not, just follow me, your master." Song Yao touched Jiao Xing's soft and boneless little hand, and his heart was itchy.
What a good hand, the massage feels good, but I don’t know how to do it in bed... cough cough!
Song Yao turned around suddenly and saw Zhang Zhiwei's enlarged face. "Hey, what are you doing? You scared me."
"This is the prefectural government, not your shabby government office. Show some respect."
Song Yao's face darkened and he said, "Why is the government office so bad? Can you please talk properly?"
Seeing that the two were about to quarrel, the servant quickly informed Bai Shinian.
Bai Shinian walked over calmly, a smile on his face. He pulled the two adults apart with his bare hands. "Ah, we are guests. Why are you two making such a fuss over such a small matter? If we disrupt the wedding banquet, it will be my fault."
Song Yao saw Bai Shinian just like he saw Jiang Xuqing. No matter how unhappy he was, he had to give him face. He sat down in anger, and Zhang Zhiwei also extinguished his anger.
"But Jiao Xing's poor hospitality has displeased Master Song. Jiao Xing is still not serving Master Song well." Bai Shinian gave Jiao Xing a wink, and Jiao Xing understood and immediately began to massage Song Yao. After Song Yao hummed and moaned with a look of enjoyment, Song Yao felt a little unsatisfied and wanted to ask for Jiao Xing again.
Bai Shinian understood the thoughts of Song Yao, the old pervert, and said with a smile: "Since the Lord wants it, Jiao Xing, go back and pack your luggage. After Lord Jiang takes a concubine, you can go with Lord Song."
Song Yao was overjoyed and was about to express his gratitude when Zhang Zhiwei was displeased. "Master Bai, are you blatantly offering bribes?"
Bai Shinian understood, knowing that this fellow didn't want to start a war to accuse him, he also wanted benefits. "Sir, are you happy to see Xiaoqiao serving you?"
Zhang Zhiwei wasn't interested in people, but in tea. He had a tigress at home, so he didn't dare hire another maid. It would be better to eat something else.
His eyes lingered on the tea, and Bai Shinian immediately understood. "Go, pack two kilograms of the best tea for the master and send it to the private room of the Tianshui Yage master."
Zhang Zhiwei smiled happily, but said, "I am here to observe the ceremony. How can I accept such a generous gift from the prefect?"
"Master Zhang is really being polite. Master Jiang, you think Master Zhang and Master Song are both close friends. Is giving a gift to a close friend still considered giving a gift? That's called sharing!"
"What a great sharing." Song Yao finally understood why Jiang Xuqing was promoted.
This method not only pleases the superiors but also makes the subordinates feel valued and not complain. The two parties happily return home, and the beneficiaries are not only the two parties, but also Jiang Xuqing.
Bai Shinian smiled and said, "It's getting late. Please move to the new house."
"Okay, Lao Zhang, let's go together to congratulate Lord Jiang."
The new house was right next to the prefectural yamen, just a few steps away, and there was a sedan chair ready at the door.
When it comes to the thoroughness of the reception, Jiang Xuqing's subordinates are the real deal; from beginning to end, there's nothing wrong with them. The expected pomp and ceremony was meticulously executed, satisfying Song Yao's vanity like never before.
Although the new house was small, it was fully equipped. Song Yao and other officials were welcomed into the main hall. There was a dedicated tea room where they were served. There was a wide variety of snacks and pastries, even fruits, which were already scarce in the Northeast.
What a luxury! Old Song shed tears of happiness. He felt regretful that if he had a daughter who was still unmarried and married Jiang Xuqing, he would also be one of the lucky ones.
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