From a humble farmer to a great martial arts master

12. Discuss, offer a reward

Having heard from Liu Xinming that centipedes had appeared at Saltworks No. 3, Ren Qingshan asked several other people to verify the information.

Anger began to rise in his heart.

For two taels of silver, Fang Yonggang is truly petty!

If this had been explained beforehand, it would have been fine.

But they just won't tell themselves.

According to past practice, the period around the Lunar New Year is the peak season for centipede appearances.

I've been doing this for 15 consecutive days since the first year of junior high, so the chances of encountering this thing are extremely high.

Even if he could fight or run away if they encountered them, there were still dozens of salt workers at the saltworks. It wouldn't be good if it interfered with the Lu family's affairs.

Thinking about these things...

Ren Qingshan went to find Fang Yonggang again.

"Fang Jinpai, I've heard that centipedes appear in the No. 3 salt field around the Lunar New Year, and a silver medalist even died there the year before last. Is that true?"

Ask him!

Fang Yonggang was momentarily stunned.

Unexpectedly, Ren Qingshan was such a hothead.

Are you questioning me about this?

"This is true."

"However, it is our duty. We receive the master's money, so of course we must share the master's burdens."

"A mere centipede, not worth mentioning."

Fang Yonggang said with maturity and composure.

"It's my duty, that's for sure."

"However, it is both my duty and your duty. Why didn't you tell me this? If something happens at Saltworks No. 3, neither of us will be able to explain it to the master."

"I have been practicing martial arts for less than half a year. It's my turn to be on duty during the New Year. I request that more people be added."

Ren Qingshan made his request directly.

Arguing over pride is pointless.

Adding more staff will at least provide an extra layer of safety.

"Saltfield No. 3 hasn't had any problems for two years. There's no reason for something to happen to you as soon as you arrive. Are you some kind of jinx?"

"I have already arranged the duty shifts for the holidays. The salt fields, the drying fields, the transport teams, and the guards of the master are all doing their jobs."

"You think you can just throw everything into disarray with a single sentence?"

"Do you think you're the head of the family?"

Fang Yonggang frowned slightly and firmly retorted.

There are plenty of ways to manage subordinates.

If Ren Qingshan wants to change shifts or increase manpower, all other arrangements will have to be disrupted.

When the time comes, the other silver medalists will naturally point the finger at Ren Qingshan—you're such a troublemaker!

"Fang Yonggang, you're taking revenge out of personal motives! It's just two taels of silver, isn't it? It's just that I didn't give you any tribute!"

"Come on, come with me to the butler and let him be the judge!"

Ren Qingshan feigned indignation.

The imperial court has its rules, the martial arts world has its rules, and the Lu family also has its own rules.

The Lu family wanted the saltworks to remain untouched.

If you're in the right and cause a big fuss, at worst you'll just quit and put up with this nonsense.

Anyway, I've already mastered the Mountain-Splitting Palm technique.

Although it's just an entry-level job, this "work experience" will be recognized by other companies.

As everyone knows, the fastest way to get a raise is... to switch jobs!

Fang Yonggang's eyes suddenly sharpened.

Troublemakers!

What a troublemaker!

People say that bad people come from remote and impoverished areas, and it's certainly true!

but.

On second thought.

The Ren family, however, wielded considerable influence, with constables, bodyguards, and martial arts students...

After all, it was Steward Li who recommended Ren Qingshan to be a bodyguard.

Ren Qingshan had just made a name for himself in the annual examination, which made Steward Li look good in front of the master.

Even if this matter is reported upstairs, Steward Li will likely just try to smooth things over.

It would damage one's own prestige.

"slow."

"sit."

"This matter is still under discussion."

Fang Yonggang spoke slowly, his tone softening slightly, and invited Ren Qingshan to sit down, pouring him a cup of tea.

……

About half an hour later.

Ren Qingshan left the side room.

His judgment was correct; Fang Yonggang truly didn't want to escalate the situation and ultimately made a compromise.

Although no additional personnel were transferred.

However, after discussion, they came up with three solutions.

First, purchase twenty large roosters and raise them near the salt field as an early warning system.

Second, purchase a batch of realgar powder, weighing about 100 jin (50 kg).

Third, obtain a longbow and a thousand fire arrows, just in case.

Longbows and rockets are readily available at home.

The rooster and realgar powder need to be purchased.

He would bring it up himself and then report it.

Ren Qingshan estimated that he would have to take a cut from this procurement process.

But it has nothing to do with me.

The money doesn't go into your hands; you can only receive extra supplies.

……

After seeing Ren Qingshan off.

A cold smile appeared on Fang Yonggang's lips as he wrote down a purchase order.

Fifty roosters.

Two hundred catties of realgar powder.

He also applied for a longbow and 5,000 rockets.

The signature was the same as that of the previous resident, Qingshan, and then his fingerprint was added.

He immediately took the purchase order and went to find Butler Li to approve the payment.

……

The year is drawing to a close in the blink of an eye.

All the requested supplies have been distributed and transported to the warehouse at Saltworks No. 3.

The twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month.

Ren Qingshan took a break and went home to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

If you're not home for the Lunar New Year, you can only celebrate the Lunar New Year's Eve.

After changing his clothes, Ren Qingshan went to the Lujiazhuang market to buy couplets, firecrackers, various meats, and other food, spending a total of more than six hundred copper coins before heading home.

It snowed again yesterday.

The snow on the official road had not yet melted, and there were not many pedestrians coming and going.

The air was exceptionally cold.

Ren Qingshan was in a good mood.

From autumn until now, I have accumulated nine taels of silver, plus the previous seventeen taels, for a total of twenty-six taels of silver.

If you're buying dry land, you can usually buy about ten acres if you find a suitable one.

With a monthly salary of five taels next year, if I work for a year, I can save up at least fifty taels, enough to buy another twenty acres.

Thirty strands of earth energy—I wonder if that's enough to break through to the Silver Blood Realm?

Moreover, a bit of comprehension is also needed.

His aptitude for martial arts training was only average.

But no matter what, life is already pretty good right now, giving people peace of mind and a sense of hope for the future.

If I pass the martial arts exam the year after next, I can advance to the next level.

The best is yet to come!

……

As soon as Ren Qingshan returned to the village entrance, he saw a group of people gathered in front of the village stage, looking at the notice posted on it.

"Aoyama, you're back."

"Sixth Uncle..."

"Sixth Grandfather..."

A group of people greeted each other, with smiles on their faces, young and old.

Everyone knows that Ren Qingshan is now a silver-ranked guard in the Lu family.

In Renjia Village, such a status, even if not comparable to that of the clan chief's family, still places him among the top figures.

"Yes, I'm back."

"What does this say?"

Ren Qingshan greeted everyone with a smile, grabbed a handful of candy, distributed it to a few of his grandchildren, and then looked at the notice.

It was clearly a government-issued wanted notice.

Half a month ago, a black bear spirit imprisoned in the Demon Suppression Bureau prison injured two guards and escaped.

This black bear spirit can now transform into human form, standing eight feet tall, with a robust physique and a face covered in black fur.

Its strength is about three thousand catties.

If you can capture him alive, you will be rewarded with fifty taels of silver.

If you kill him, you will be rewarded with ten taels of silver.

A reward of three taels of silver will be given for providing clues that confirm the claim.

Black Bear Spirit?

Ren Qingshan's heart stirred slightly.

Capturing someone alive would earn fifty taels of silver, comparable to a year's salary for a silver medalist.

But if you kill someone, you only get ten taels of silver.

It seems this black bear spirit was previously imprisoned to extract its bile, as living bears are much more valuable than dead ones.

In the past six months, my knowledge of martial arts has greatly improved, and I know that the raw materials for many secret medicines are taken from demons.

That could be a way to make money...

However, the world is so vast, where can we find it?

……

……