Chapter 172 I Want to Earn a Reward Myself...

Chapter 172 I Want to Earn a Reward Myself...

"Third Uncle, here you go." Wang Zhou handed a bowl of rice porridge to Du Min.

Du Min reached out and took it, and the next moment he saw Wang Zhou sit back down, no longer serving porridge or rice to anyone. He instantly understood that Wang Zhou was bowing to him, and he laughed out loud with delight.

Everyone else looked at him.

"It's alright, it's alright, let's eat." Du Min felt extremely happy.

"There are still wontons here, Uncle, eat more of these, they're filling," Meng's mother said.

“No need to entertain him. He’s neither an outsider nor a child. He knows what he wants to eat and what he should eat. There’s no need to urge him repeatedly,” Du Li said. “Mother, you eat yours.”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Du Min nodded.

Meng Qing ignored the commotion on the table. She took a bowl of wontons to the side to eat, ate some herself, and then fed some to Wang Chuan.

Half an incense stick later, Du Min finished eating and got up to leave. "Second sister-in-law, before you go to Huaizhou, please send me a message in advance so I can send someone to meet you, so you don't not know the place."

"Okay," Meng Qing replied, "I won't see you off."

“I’ll take him there.” Wang Zhou stood up. “I’m full. I’ll take my third uncle there and go to the government office for class on the way.”

Meng Qing nodded, "Go ahead."

Wang Zhou's book box had been brought in advance, and he picked it up and followed Du Min out.

As they left the Meng family home, Du Min reached out and took the book box. "Does this count as acting like an elder?"

Wang Zhou did not answer.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Du Min pressed. "Your father told me, but I don't really agree with his old-fashioned ideas. What elders and juniors? I haven't bothered to discipline you, so what kind of elder am I? I don't need your respect, and I allow you to have opinions about me. We should get along however we feel comfortable with, what do you think?"

Wang Zhou pondered his words, remaining silent for a moment.

"I won't discipline you, and you shouldn't try to control me. It's settled then." Du Min strode away, then turned around and walked backwards, saying half-jokingly, "Want to control me? You're not qualified. I'll only listen to you when you've climbed over your third uncle's head."

Wang Zhou waved his hand, "I can't be bothered with you, and I don't care about your business. Don't come and tell me about any trouble you have with my parents."

“Okay.” Du Min nodded. “You don’t have to worry about us, but you can take care of your younger siblings. They’re all your children, born to your mother and your third aunt.”

Wang Zhou also had the same plan.

The uncle and nephew arrived at the government office. Du Min chatted with Magistrate Sun for a few words, and seeing Wang Zhou enter the primary school, he led his big black horse away.

"drive--"

The horse neighed and galloped away.

*

"Sister-in-law Wang, go out and ask two reputable master tailors from the silk shop to come over and take our family's measurements. We need to make several sets of silk clothes for each of us," Meng Qing instructed.

Sister-in-law Wang exclaimed "Oh!" and immediately got up and went out.

Meng's parents subconsciously looked at Meng Chun, who shrugged and said, "Yes, not including me. I can't wear silk yet."

“It’s not just you, it’s me too.” Du Li quickly said, afraid that Meng Chun would be upset.

“You can wear it,” Meng Qing said. “Officials’ wives and children, even without titles, can wear silk and receive the same treatment as officials. I am a county lady, and you, as my husband, although you have no title, can also wear silk clothes.”

Du Li was happy, but she couldn't show it on her face. As a result, Meng Chun was the only one in the family who couldn't wear silk and ride in a carriage.

"This..." Meng's father sighed, "I'm old now, it doesn't matter whether I wear silk or not. If only the Emperor's favor could be extended to Meng Chun."

“I want to earn a reward for myself,” Meng Chun said, seizing the opportunity. “I not only want to wear silk myself, but also I want my children to wear silk.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Chun's parents both frowned. They both thought Meng Chun was indulging in wishful thinking, but they couldn't bear to discourage him.

"I've discussed it with my younger brother. He'll rest at home for a few days, then take his wealth and servants back to Wu County. He'll buy paper mills, dye houses, and bamboo workshops in Suzhou and Yangzhou. Taking advantage of this favorable situation, he'll rent out shops extensively to open paper horse shops, making a fortune within three to five years," Meng Qing began. "The waterways in Huai Prefecture are difficult to manage. The Yellow River has become an above-ground river. Building dikes is easy, but protecting the canals is difficult. As long as the canals draw water from the Yellow River, they will silt up severely every year. In years with heavy rains, the canals will not be able to hold the water, and the water will inevitably flood the fields. Part of Huai Prefecture will not be able to be saved, and some people will inevitably be displaced. When I met the Empress, she asked me about this issue, and I proposed the migration of northern people to the south. The Empress did not refute it, proving that it is feasible."

"I'll return to Suzhou first and make a fortune while I can. When Huai Prefecture suffers a major flood or drought, Du Min can join forces with the Suzhou governor to petition the court for the relocation of northern residents to the south. At that time, I'll use all my wealth to buy land in Wu County. The land will be used to build houses, and once the houses are built, they will be distributed to the relocated disaster victims along with the farmland," Meng Chun continued. "Du Min can use this opportunity to request an official title for me, and I can completely change my household registration so that my descendants can also study and take the imperial examinations."

"If you donate all your money, won't you become penniless? Where will you get the money to send your children and grandchildren to school?" Meng's father asked. "Now I understand your uncle's criticism of you. It really will hurt yourself and your family."

“You and my mother are still merchants. As long as you two are alive, you can do business. My younger brother can use the money you earn to buy houses and land. He can’t do business to make money, but that won’t stop him from becoming a landlord or gentry,” Meng Qing explained.

"Before donating all my family's wealth, I will transfer one or two of the most profitable workshops to your names," Meng Chun said. "Before I return to Wu County, I will transfer the paper mill in Wen County and the dyeing and bamboo workshops in Luoyang, Heqing County, and Heyin County to your names. These all belong to my sister."

“I will use the money earned from these workshops to buy houses and land,” Meng Qing said. “I also plan to buy a piece of land in Luoyang to build a mansion for the Lady of the County, but I will tell others that the money was given to me by my family.”

After thinking for a while, Meng's father and mother said that although they were reluctant to part with the money, they were also reluctant to let their children and grandchildren be forever inferior to others. Besides, the money that Meng Chun planned to donate was money he had earned himself.

"You two siblings have already discussed it, so we'll go with your decision." Father Meng had no objections. "Your mother and I will try to live a few more years so that you can make more money using our names."

"Wait a minute, I have a question," Mencius' mother said. "If money is donated, will there definitely be a reward? Or is there a reward first, and then the money is donated?"

“You definitely need a good reputation to be eligible for an official title. I also earned a good reputation before I was qualified to ask for a reward,” Meng Qing replied. “We have people above us who can speak on our behalf, so this matter is relatively easy to handle.”

"How about we ask your uncle to do a divination?" Meng's father was a little uneasy.

"No need to calculate. Even if I don't get the reward in the end, I'll accept it." Meng Chun couldn't stand his parents' nagging. "They're afraid of everything, and if they keep thinking about it, the news will leak out and the opportunity will be someone else's."

"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more. Your temper is getting worse and worse." Father Meng waved his hand. "That's right. With your sister taking care of things, why should I have to worry?"

Du Li almost laughed.

“I’ll rest for two more days. In these two days, I’ll transfer the workshops in Heqing County and Heyin County to my mother.” Meng Chun made the decision herself. “The day after tomorrow, I’ll go to Wen County and transport all the profits from the paper mill and paper horse shop here. The fifty servants I bought last year, along with Steward Chen and his two sons, will all come with me to transport the money back to Wu County. I won’t be coming back for the next two or three years. Sister, Father and Mother will go with you. I’m entrusting them to your care.”

"Go and make money without worry. I'll send you a message as soon as I have any news," Meng Qing said.

Meng Chun took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and was eager to try his hand at something big.

"My lady, the master tailor has arrived." Sister-in-law Wang returned with her entourage.

"Please invite them in," Meng Qing called out. "Father, Mother, take an experienced tailor back to the house, take off your thick clothes, and let the tailor take your measurements. After that, you two come with the tailor to our courtyard to choose the color and pattern of the silk."

"Good, good, good!" Mencius' mother was overjoyed. "My life has been worthwhile. I'm wearing the silk bestowed upon me by the palace."

Taking measurements, choosing colors and patterns, the whole family gathered together and discussed for quite a while.

When Wangzhou returned from school, the master craftsman measured him again and then left with five bolts of silk.

With the two most pressing matters completed, Meng Qing woke up from her afternoon nap and began to review the accounts. Last year, the paper mills, dyeing workshops, and bamboo workshops in Wen County, Heqing County, Heyin County, and Luoyang County generated a total profit of over 53,000 strings of cash. With the profits split 20/80, she received over 42,000 strings of cash.

"Sister, do you have any money that you don't need right now? Lend it to me." Meng Chun was also doing accounts. He came over with an account book in his hand and said, "My parents gave me all the profits from the paper horse shop and the family's surplus money. In addition to the profits from the Luoyang paper horse shop and the share of profits from various workshops, I have 57,000 strings of cash. It's not enough to buy two paper workshops."

“I will transfer 40,000 strings of cash to you, but I will only lend you 30,000 strings,” Meng Qing said. “When you transport the money back to Wu County, I will go to Luoyang with you. You can stay in Luoyang for a few days, and I will find a piece of land that I like. You can go and pay for it for me.”

“Alright.” Meng Chun had no objection. “I plan to exchange the 50,000 strings of cash for fine silks and satins when I pass through Luoyang. I might be able to make a profit by transporting them back to Suzhou, at least enough to cover the cost of the voyage.”

Meng Qing laughed, "You're quite clever."

"I'm extremely eager for money right now, and I'm going to find ways to make it," Meng Chun said with great enthusiasm.

"But don't lose your vigilance. Being too hasty will make you fall into a trap." Meng Qing warned, "Suzhou is far from the capital. In a place where the emperor is far away, the local bullies are like local emperors. Even grasshoppers, rats, and wild rabbits can dominate half a county. You must remember not to confront them head-on."

Meng Chun nodded.

"When you leave, take the imperial edict of my investiture with you. Once you get back, hold a three-day banquet and invite the county magistrate, the county assistant magistrate, the prefectural governor's office's chief clerk and secretary, as well as all the local gentry and powerful figures. Take the opportunity to invite the merchants and guild leaders as well. Make a show of it and let people know that you have powerful backers," Meng Qing said. "It's also a good opportunity to communicate with various guilds and make it easier to visit them in the future."

Meng Chun nodded again, "Sister, it's so good to have you!"

Meng Qing smiled, "You're a good younger brother to me too."

Meng Chun grinned, "He's nowhere near as good."

"Let me remind you one more thing: you must keep the imperial edict of investiture safe. When you request the edict in front of outsiders, you must set up an incense table and act with the utmost respect. Don't give anyone the opportunity to accuse you of disrespecting the emperor," Meng Qing reminded him again.

“I’ve got it.” Meng Chun nodded.

"Qingniang, are you done with your work?" Du Li walked in from outside. "Wangzhou is about to finish school. I'm taking Wangchuan to pick him up. Do you want to come?"

"Go." Meng Qing immediately closed the ledger. "Little brother, bring the ledger into the house for me."

Wang Chuan exclaimed "Ah!" and pointed to himself.

“I’m not calling you. You’re your brother’s younger brother, and your uncle is your mother’s younger brother.” Du Li knew Wang Chuan’s actions and thoughts perfectly.

Meng Qing heard this and shouted, "Little brother!"

"Why."

"ah!"

Meng Chun and Wang Chuan responded in unison.

"Silly." Meng Qing laughed and patted Wang Chuan's chest.

"Let's go." Du Li switched arms to hold the child, freeing one arm for Meng Qing to hold.

The family of three arrived at the county government office and happened to run into Wangzhou coming out. When Wangzhou saw his parents and younger brother coming to pick him up, his steps immediately became lighter.

He called out to everyone, "Mother, Father, Little Brother."

Wang Chuan glanced at Meng Qing and whispered "Ah".

Meng Qing took the book box and said, "I'm going to buy horses and a carriage tomorrow. Are you coming?"

"I have to go to class!" Wang Zhou said hesitantly. "I didn't go to class yesterday."

"Then you should continue with your class," Meng Qing said without pressuring him.

*

Meng Qing and Du Li spent a day choosing a horse. After buying the horse, she took the money to a craftsman to make a carriage.

Meng Qing was a county magistrate and could use a two-horse carriage. Meng's father and mother rode in a single-horse carriage. The two carriages, one large and one small, would take ten days to complete.

On the day the carriage was retrieved, Meng Qing rode in a two-horse carriage to the government office to pick up Wang Zhou after school.

Amidst the envious glances of his classmates, Wang Zhou, filled with secret joy and pride, gracefully boarded the spacious carriage.

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Author's note: See you tomorrow night.

Catching the bug only once is enough.