Chapter Eighteen Trouble

  Xu Cheng never thought that Xu Yuanshuo would actually say "no" to the treatment he proposed.

  What made him even more unexpected was that Xu Yuansuo was not going to open his mouth wide like a lion.

  "Xiao Ke thinks that three coins and five cents in silver is not suitable," said Xu Yuansuo. Seeing Lu Fuzi's servile expression, Xu Guan's face gradually turned cold, and he continued: "Xiao Ke thinks that for the first three months, only providing food and lodging without taking a single cent is fair."

  Lu Fu Zi's face was filled with astonishment, and Xu Guan Shi was also full of curiosity: "What is the reason for this?"

  "It's not difficult to handle the matter, it's just a matter of finding a reliable person to run errands." Xu Yuansuo said with a bow: "For three coins and five cents of wages, I really feel ashamed in my heart."

  Xu Cheng's expression slightly cleared: "You just need to do your best, the Xu family doesn't care about these few taels of silver."

  "Xu's family doesn't care, but Xiao Ke does." Xu Yuansuo said seriously: "Xiao Ke is willing to work hard in the first three months. If by the fourth month, the manager thinks Xiao Ke has made some contributions, please pay according to labor. If the manager thinks Xiao Ke is a useless waste, Xiao Ke will definitely leave immediately and not dare to humiliate him."

  Xu Cheng was startled by Xu Yuansuo's decisive words and felt a bit embarrassed, looking at Lu Fuzi with a smile: "This student of yours has quite a temper."

  Lu Fu Zi had dissipated his anger, his eyes slightly closed, and said: "But what you said is reasonable."

  Xu Cheng leaned towards Lu Fuzi and said, "Why don't we just give it a try?"

  This is clearly asking Lu Fu Zi for a favor.

  No matter what, Lu Fu Zi was at least a student of the Ming Dynasty and wasn't a nobody in Songjiang.

  Lu Fu felt a bit at a loss, especially since Xu Yuanzuo refused to pay the wages for the first three months, which prolonged the investment return period. However, now that things have come to this point, could he still pull out? He could only nod lightly in support.

  "Boss," Xu Yuansuo had decided to work here after all, so he naturally changed the way he addressed him. "When will that little rascal come to work?"

  "It's up to you, but no later than October 8th." Xu said: "On the 10th day of the month, the old master will go to Xinyuan Garden for a tour, and it's not certain whether he will stay or not, but we need to clean and tidy up."

  "Xiao Ke can stay today." Xu Yuansu said.

  Lu Fu Zi almost burst out laughing.

  Xu Cheng also smiled: "The kids are quite energetic."

  Xu Yuansuo smiled slightly.

  He wasn't a workaholic rushing to get things done, but rather genuinely felt uncomfortable staying at home. It couldn't be said that his mother was harsh with him; considering she had never mentioned his late-night reading and writing habits, this was simply doting on him! His sister looked down on him somewhat, but also took care of him meticulously, doing laundry and washing dishes without complaint.

  Add Xu He's father is really complicated.

  Xu Yuansuo felt both the bond of father-son relationship and couldn't stand his father's deceitful behavior, possibly keeping a mistress while neglecting his wife... Moreover, Xu Yuansuo thought his father's attitude in front of Lu Fuzi was too careless about his own image, not even minding his dignity in front of his son!

  Rather than going all the way back with an awkward stare, it's better to stay in Songjiang, get into work mode, and not bother each other.

  "Husband can indeed return with Father on the same boat." Xu Yuansu hastily said, remembering that Lu Husband was actually going back.

  "That's great." Lu Fu Zi looked up at the sky and said, "Then I won't bother you anymore, otherwise I won't be able to return tonight."

  Xu Cheng didn't try to retain him and said: "I'll see you out. As for the classmate you mentioned, bring him over when he's free. I'm really short-handed here."

  The honor of the Great Ming is more like a quota for admission, and only after passing the imperial examination can one enter school to study. Therefore, Lu Fuzi's classmates are naturally also imperial scholars. This belongs to high-level management talent, far beyond what Xu Yuansuo can aspire to.

  In the end, Xu Yuanshuo was just a victim of his own credentials. No matter which era it is, one can only swallow their pride and move on. As for whether they can spit it out later, that depends on individual effort and luck.

  Xu Yuansuo followed behind Xu Cheng, escorting Lu Fuzi out. When they reached the gate, he saw his father crouching like a dog at the corner of the Xu family wall, and for some reason, his nose suddenly felt sour, and tears almost fell from his eyes.

  This is obviously a worthless person with no sense of responsibility and self-respect. Why does it make me feel so sad when I see this?

  Xu Yuansuo turned his head, pretending to wipe his nose, so that no one could see the tears in his eyes.

  Xu He was completely unaware and saw the main gate open, so he ran over happily and started flattering Lu Fu Zi and Xu Guan Shi again.

  Lu Fu had long since given up on Xue He, and Xue Cheng, having seen countless people in the capital, naturally saw through this shallow little merchant at a glance. Neither of them would give him a good face.

  Xu Yuansuo calmed down his inner turmoil and stepped forward to say to Xu Cheng: "Big boss, I'll send the husband and father on board."

  Xu Cheng nodded in agreement and instructed the gatekeeper to recognize Xu Yuansuo, then turned around and took Xu Yuansuo directly to the back room to rest. The next day, he would go to work at the new garden.

  Xu Yuansuo, when Xu Cheng and Lu Fuzi bid farewell, saw his father's delighted expression after seeing Xu Cheng, and immediately lost the heart to talk to him. He just approached Lu Fuzi and said in a low voice: "Fuzi, Xu Guan thinks I am a relative of the Xu family..."

  "Isn't it?" Lu Fuzi was quite surprised: "In those years, your father went to take the imperial examination, and the one who passed was a Xu family relative who had not yet come out of mourning for five years."

  Xu Yuansuo's throat was churning, he really didn't know which nerve his father had touched wrong, actually forging his identity on the way out! Maybe it was to get attention from the examiner, or to make things convenient, but if they found out, it would be a serious crime punishable by military exile!

  "The students think it's best not to make a big deal out of this." Xu Yuansuo immediately changed his tone and spoke evasively.

  Lu Fu Zi said: "Hmmm, this is no big deal. If others knew you had such a powerful backer, they would be envious and eager to curry favor with you; who would dare look down on you?"

  "I'm afraid of being smeared by the Xu family." Xu Yuansuo believed that his face must have been smeared with soot.

  "Just go for it then." Lu Fuzi patted Xu Yuansu's shoulder with satisfaction, which was a very close and encouraging gesture.

  Xu Yuansuo saw off his husband onto the boat before bidding farewell to his father and staying on the shore.

  Xu He was still immersed in the sweet excitement, and somewhat at a loss for words. The only two things he could clearly express were: Firstly, your old man has done many good deeds, so you young lad have good luck. Secondly, remember to bring back all the wages.

  Xu Yuansuo watched as the small boat slowly left the dock, feeling a sense of loss and relief. In any case, he had finally taken the first step towards independence, and his life should be considered to be on the right track.

  Do a good job!

  Xu Yuansuo patted himself on the back and turned around to head back into his residence.

  "Halt!" someone shouted.

  Who is Tingting?

  Xu Yuansuo subconsciously stumbled, looked around, but found that except for a boatman on the dock, there was no one else. He then reacted and realized that it was the boatman who had called him to stop.

  "You haven't given us the reward money yet." The boatman quickened his pace and blocked Xu Yuansuo's path.

  Xu Yuansuo was taken aback: "What reward did I give?"

  "Your boat has left, but you haven't paid yet!" The boat puller obviously had a bad temper and raised his voice.

  Xu Yuansuo also got a bit angry; "We already gave you money when we came, and now you're asking for more, are you trying to cheat me?"

  "When you come, you give, but when you leave, you don't have to give anymore!" The boat puller shouted: "We pull the boat and watch the dock, selling our labor. When you come, we earn a few cents of labor money, but when you leave, you don't even give us a few cents as a reward?"

  "People see you're willing to put in effort, so they take pity on you and give you a little reward. Who would forcibly demand it?!" Xu Yuansuo didn't have any money on him, so he simply flung out his sleeve and forced his way through: "You dare to rob me?! Let's go see the officials! I'm also a scholar who knows the law!"

  The boatman's tone suddenly weakened, his voice much softer: "This isn't my rule either. Go ask around yourself, in Songjiang City, which of the eight inner docks doesn't have this rule? You're an educated person, do you have the face to haggle with me over a few cents of reward? Nowadays, even buying a bun costs two cents!"

  Xu Yuansuo still has a strong "future" mindset and always likes to convert the Ming dynasty currency into RMB. Fortunately, his brain is good now, and he quickly came up with the conclusion: if gold is used as the benchmark, one wen of money is equivalent to 70 cents in later generations; if the current price of rice is used as the benchmark, one wen of money is equivalent to 30 cents.

  No matter what standard is used, the trouble at present is limited within two dollars.

  Is two dollars' trouble considered trouble?

  Is it troublesome?

  Got it!

  Xu Yuanshuo is now really penniless, so poor that his bones are clattering.

  "What's going on? What's going on?"

  The quarrelsome voice attracted a group of sturdy and burly men with thick waists and scars all over their faces, who looked like they were not good people at first glance.