"So when do we start choosing?"
The bailiff said, "Within ten days."
It will take some time for all the shops, big and small, to register, sort out everything, and maintain order in the venue. Ten days is not too long, but not too short either, just enough time for the selection.
Someone asked, "Are there any requirements for participating shops?"
The yamen runner replied. "No, any shop in this state can participate. The winner will receive the handwritten inscription from Lord Jiang, which will bring honor to the family."
The highest officials that ordinary people see on a daily basis are the yamen runners, not to mention the county magistrates and county magistrates who handle cases behind the scenes. These officials are all low-key and inconspicuous. In the eyes of ordinary people, they are the blue sky above their heads.
Since ancient times, the earth has not been able to turn over, and the common people living on the black soil would not go to the government office once a year.
Now I learned from the yamen runners that this competition was able to receive the autograph of Jiang Zhizhou, which is really a great merit of our ancestors.
Especially for those shops that rely on customers, if the plaque on the shop is inscribed by the local prefect, business will definitely be booming and money will flow in. It will be very proud to brag about it outside, and it is a very profitable thing.
The shop owners were overjoyed, while the ordinary people in the crowd only cared about the profits they made.
An older woman, dressed in half-worn clothes, asked, "Sir, when will the bathhouse start hiring?"
"Yes, we are only concerned about a few copper coins. What does the business of those merchants opening shops have to do with us?"
A big brother in the crowd echoed: "If Lord Jiang opened a bathhouse, I would definitely go there."
"Tsk, you're nothing." The storyteller from the east city sneered. "You want to see Lord Jiang? I'm afraid you can't even see Master Bai."
"Haha!" The crowd roared with laughter. The man's face flushed red, and he couldn't tell whether it was out of shame or anger. He grabbed the storyteller and was about to give him a lecture. The yamen runner shouted, "Why don't you put him down? Do you want to go to jail?"
The man snorted coldly and let go. He muttered quietly, "Being in jail is not so bad. At least there is food to eat."
The yamen runner Xiao Wang saw that the man was strong and powerful, and he must be a martial artist. After trying to stop the fight, he said, "Your accent doesn't sound like a local. Are you an outsider trying to make a living?"
The man said in a half-hearted accent, "That's right. I'm Qin Chong from Jizhou."
Jizhou is quite close to the imperial capital, so going to the capital might not be a bad option. How did it end up in this barren land of Jianzhou?
Xiao Wang asked again, "You've studied, so what's your current job?"
Qin Chong's eyes widened as he laughed, "You are such a strange yamen runner! Didn't I tell you before? I'm just waiting for Lord Jiang to open a bathhouse and become his cook."
He turned out to be an unemployed vagrant. Xiao Wang took a closer look at the man and said, "You look so agile. Why don't you apply for a job as an escort at the escort agency instead of working as a cook in a bathhouse?"
Someone in the crowd echoed. "Yeah, big guy. If you have that much time, you might as well go to the escort agency and see if you can get a big job."
Qin Chong sighed and said, "Business is not going well for the escort agency right now. There are few clients and dozens of people waiting to be fed. Is it appropriate for me to steal their jobs?"
Xiao Wang laughed angrily. "I can barely get enough to eat, and I still want to ask others for help?"
"Yes, yes. Big guy, why don't you go to the government office and have a look? They're still hiring canal workers in the east part of the city. They provide two meals and a small monthly salary. Why don't you give it a try?"
Unexpectedly, Qin Chong shook his head and said, "I went there a couple of days ago, but was just kicked out by the manager who said they didn't want anyone there anymore."
Xiao Wang was puzzled. The number of people reported but the number of vacancies had not been filled yet, so how come the number of vacancies was filled again?
He has a lot of brute strength, so he's a useful talent. Maybe the county magistrate would like him?
Xiao Wang said, "Well, come with me to the government office. I'll ask for you if they're short of staff."
Qin Chong was overjoyed and bowed to Xiao Wang. "Thank you so much."
The crowd dispersed, some went to inform the shopkeepers at home to go to the yamen to register, and some went back home to find their mothers.
Qin Chong brushed the dirt off his body and went to the yamen with Xiao Wang.
Lin, the county magistrate of the government office, had just finished lunch and was returning to work. Seeing the big, red-faced man, he couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Wang, where did you recruit this guy?"
Xiao Wang smiled and said, "I stumbled upon him while posting notices. I felt it was a shame that Qin Chong had so much brute strength but nowhere to use it, so I brought him to the county government office to see if there was any suitable job available."
County Magistrate Lin said, "We're short of people to clear the canal. Let's go and work for a few days first."
Qin Chong sneered. "The manager said we don't want any of the miscellaneous ones."
It was the first time that County Magistrate Lin had seen such an arrogant, red-faced man. He not only refused to kneel before a man in official robes, but was even more unreasonable. He felt a bit prejudiced against Qin Chong. "In that case, go back and wait for news. I'll let you know when there's work to do."
"This." Xiao Wang was a little embarrassed and glanced at Qin Chong. Qin Chong cupped his hands, which was also a greeting. "I have offended the official, and I hope the official will forgive me. I really came here to find a job. If I have offended you unintentionally, I hope you will forgive me."
That's reasonable.
County Magistrate Lin stroked his beard and asked, "Can you read?"
Qin Chong shook his head.
"Do you know how to use swords, guns, sticks or clubs?"
“I know a little bit, but not very well.”
He can't read, and his martial arts skills are mediocre. There's no point keeping him by my side, so why not find a reason to throw him to the Stone Dian Li?
County Magistrate Lin was about to speak when he saw a white figure and his eyes lit up. "Master Bai, I haven't seen you in a few days. Are you back from your business trip?"
Bai Shinian has always been a popular figure around Jiang Xuqing. County Magistrate Lin has more opportunities to see Bai Shinian than Jiang Xuqing.
Seeing him come back, County Magistrate Lin felt much calmer.
Bai Shinian smiled and greeted County Magistrate Lin, who returned the greeting with a half-bow and asked, "Did you gain anything from this business trip to Baiji County?"
"Of course. I'll come back to meet you, Lord, and then reminisce with County Magistrate Lin." Bai Shinian glanced at the red-faced man standing there obediently and asked, "Who is this?"
Although Qin Chong had never met this Master Bai, he knew he was a significant figure when he saw that even the aggressive and unyielding County Magistrate Lin was showing favor towards him. He quickly and respectfully saluted. "My name is Qin Chong, and I'm from Jizhou. I'm here to seek a job at the government office."
"That's right." County Magistrate Lin took over and said, "My water conservancy department is still short of a few people. The manager said they are not up to the task and wants to find more."
Qin Chong interrupted Lin County Magistrate. "The manager said they're full and don't want someone like me."
"Oh?" Bai Shinian, who had been with Jiang Xuqing for a while, also noticed something was amiss. "Lin County Magistrate, this is your business. What does it have to do with Lord Jiang?"
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