224 The Poor County Magistrate
“Cai Die and Cai Feng greet you, Sirs.” After the two of them greeted everyone in a delicate voice, Cai Feng began to sing.
The Cai Feng’s song was as mellow and pleasant as a lark’s. The Cai Die danced like a butterfly during the song. When it was over, most of them applauded.
Xu Jinlong smiled at Zhou Jia and said, “Lord Zhou, do you think the songs of Miss Cai Die and Miss Cai Feng suit your taste?”
Everyone smiled at Zhou Jia. Zhou Jia nodded and praised, “The two of them are really good at singing and dancing.”
Butterfly and Phoenix Butterfly thanked him. “Thank you for your praise!”
Xu Jinlong pointed at the two girls and said with a smile, “Lord, Brother Wu and I are interested in redeeming the two girls and sending them to you for your pleasure!”
Zhou Jia cupped his hands and said, “Thank you for your kindness, Boss Xu and the other bosses. I can’t afford to raise the two of them.”
Cai Die looked at Zhou Jia’s handsome face and walked toward him shyly. “Lord, we are very easy to raise. We just need simple food and don’t need much money! Lord, do you despise us and look down on us?”
Cai Die walked to Zhou Jia’s side and leaned toward him. Zhou Jia dodged and waved his hand. “My salary is meager. I even rely on Madam to support me! I don’t mean to look down on you!”
Seeing that Zhou Jia had dodged as if he was avoiding a plague, Cai Die covered her face and turned around to pull Cai Deng towards the inner hall.
Lieutenant Yu looked at Zhou Jia’s terrified expression and thought to himself that Lord Zhou was probably a little afraid of his wife!”
Seeing that the sisters had returned to the inner hall, Zhou Jia cupped his hands apologetically at them and said, “I’ve disappointed everyone. Alas! It’s just that my salary is meager and I really can’t afford to raise those two girls. I’ll punish myself with a cup!”
Xu Jinlong and the rich businessmen stood up and bowed. “Sir, they’re just two dancers. It’s their honor to be favored by you! Why don’t you keep them for your pleasure?”
Zhou Jia started to cry poor to them with a bitter expression. “Boss Xu, Boss Wu, you don’t know. Although Qingchuan is better than before, compared to the other counties, our Qingchuan is really too poor. We don’t even have a private school in Qingchuan. The children are all illiterate and can’t even read. It’s not good for Qingchuan in the long run!”
Zhou Jia sighed and continued, “After discussing with Lord Yu and Scribe Tu, I’ve decided to rebuild a county school outside the East City. Now that half of it has been built, the county office is out of money. Boss Liu, I have a request. Please agree.”
Xu Jinlong said to himself, “It doesn’t look like this Lord Zhou is here to drink. He’s here to ask us for donations.”
Xu Jinlong cupped his hands and said, “Lord, don’t worry about us. Just tell us what to do.”
Zhou Jia cupped his hands and said, “To be honest, I want to ask you to donate the money you used to redeem the two beauties to build a county school so that our students in Qingchuan can also enter the Golden Ranking List in the future.”
When Xu Jinlong and the rich businessmen heard this, they thought to themselves as a county magistrate, Lord Zhou didn’t want the songstresses and lamented about being poor. How could they not donate? They stood up and cupped their hands. “Sir, we’re willing to donate our silver and build a county school.”
The sum for redeeming the two dancers cost a total of 2,000 taels of silver. The bosses donated 300 taels of silver each and collected 2,700 taels of silver.
Zhou Jia cupped his hands in thanks. “Lord Yu and I thank the righteous merchants on behalf of the students of Qingchuan County.”
The rich businessmen cupped their hands in return. “Sir, this is what we should do. It will be convenient for our descendants to study in the future!”
Scribe Tu also smiled in agreement. “Yes! That’s true!”
Zhou Jia asked Mr. Qian to accept the banknotes and record the names. He took out the 200 taels of silver that Li Yu had given him and placed them on the table. He said, “This is the private money that Madam gave me when I mentioned collecting funds for the school. She asked me to donate it to build the county school.”
Seeing this, Lieutenant Yu also said, “Sir, I’ll also donate 180 taels of silver.”
Then, Scribe Tu and Mr. Qian also donated 50 taels of silver. Zhou Jia said to the rich businessmen, “Boss Xu, Boss Wu, don’t worry. I’ll get Scribe Tu to record every expense clearly and let everyone use the silver you donated.”
Everyone praised in unison. “Your Excellency is upright and honest. We, the people of Qingchuan, are blessed.”
County Lieutenant Yu raised his glass. “Let’s toast to you, sir!”
“Yes, to you, sir.” The party was getting better.
Li Yu waited for a while. Seeing that Zhou Jia had not returned, she went back to her room to sleep. Zhou Jia returned home from Liu Jinlong’s house. After seeing that Li Yu had already slept in the bathroom and returned to her room, Li Yu opened her eyes in a daze and said with a smile, “You’re back!”
Zhou Jia looked at Li Yu’s dazed and silly appearance and leaned over to kiss Li Yu’s cherry-red lips. He got onto the bed and hugged Li Yu. He said gently, “Yes! Xu Jinlong and a few rich businessmen donated more than 2,000 taels in total. Lieutenant Yu also donated more than 100 taels. Even Mr. Tu and Mr. Qian donated. There are now more than 3,000 taels of silver. It’s more than enough to buy and run a school.”
Li Yu leaned into Zhou Jia’s arms and muttered softly, “Xiao Xi, sleep! You’re tired too!”
“Yes!” Zhou Jia kissed Li Yu’s temple and thought to himself that it had been more than half a month since the pregnancy in March. He would have to ask Sir tomorrow to check on Li Yu.
When County Lieutenant Yu returned home, he told Madam Qin about how Zhou Jia had rejected songstresses at the Xu family’s banquet, avoided Cai Die, and cried about being poor. He smiled and said, “Madam, why do I feel that Lord Zhou is a little afraid of his wife?!”
Madam Qin looked at County Lieutenant Yu and said meaningfully, “Lord Zhou is a clean person! Do you think he’s like those people who pull all kinds of fragrant and smelly things into the house? Isn’t he afraid of ruining the family?”
County Lieutenant Yu recalled the past and said awkwardly, “Madam, it’s been so long. The child has already grown up, but you’re still unwilling to let go!”
Madam Qin rolled her eyes at County Lieutenant Yu. “I’m warning you. Tell her to control that girl well. Don’t let her approach the county office without knowing shame. You don’t want her making a fool of herself or the Yu family!”
County Lieutenant Yu looked at Madam Qin unhappily. “Yan’er was being filial to me. She was afraid that I would be hungry, so she sent me some pastries and also sent some to Lord Zhou and the others. We’re all colleagues. How could we make a fool of ourselves?”
Madam Qin glanced at County Lieutenant Yu. Only a blind person like you would think so!
“Do you need a young lady like her to deliver pastries personally? What are maidservants for!”
Seeing County Lieutenant Yu’s annoyed expression, Madam Qin sighed in her heart. “In short, as the legitimate mother, I’ve already said what I have to say. Don’t look for me if she makes a fool of herself.”
County Lieutenant Yu rubbed his forehead and said with impatience. “Madam, don’t worry. I’ll tell Meiniang tomorrow to detain Yan’er and not let her go out! You sleep first. I have a headache from drinking. I’ll get Meiniang to massage me.” With that, he turned around and left.
224 The Poor County Magistrate
“Cai Die and Cai Feng greet you, Sirs.” After the two of them greeted everyone in a delicate voice, Cai Feng began to sing.
The Cai Feng’s song was as mellow and pleasant as a lark’s. The Cai Die danced like a butterfly during the song. When it was over, most of them applauded.
Xu Jinlong smiled at Zhou Jia and said, “Lord Zhou, do you think the songs of Miss Cai Die and Miss Cai Feng suit your taste?”
Everyone smiled at Zhou Jia. Zhou Jia nodded and praised, “The two of them are really good at singing and dancing.”
Butterfly and Phoenix Butterfly thanked him. “Thank you for your praise!”
Xu Jinlong pointed at the two girls and said with a smile, “Lord, Brother Wu and I are interested in redeeming the two girls and sending them to you for your pleasure!”
Zhou Jia cupped his hands and said, “Thank you for your kindness, Boss Xu and the other bosses. I can’t afford to raise the two of them.”
Cai Die looked at Zhou Jia’s handsome face and walked toward him shyly. “Lord, we are very easy to raise. We just need simple food and don’t need much money! Lord, do you despise us and look down on us?”
Cai Die walked to Zhou Jia’s side and leaned toward him. Zhou Jia dodged and waved his hand. “My salary is meager. I even rely on Madam to support me! I don’t mean to look down on you!”
Seeing that Zhou Jia had dodged as if he was avoiding a plague, Cai Die covered her face and turned around to pull Cai Deng towards the inner hall.
Lieutenant Yu looked at Zhou Jia’s terrified expression and thought to himself that Lord Zhou was probably a little afraid of his wife!”
Seeing that the sisters had returned to the inner hall, Zhou Jia cupped his hands apologetically at them and said, “I’ve disappointed everyone. Alas! It’s just that my salary is meager and I really can’t afford to raise those two girls. I’ll punish myself with a cup!”
Xu Jinlong and the rich businessmen stood up and bowed. “Sir, they’re just two dancers. It’s their honor to be favored by you! Why don’t you keep them for your pleasure?”
Zhou Jia started to cry poor to them with a bitter expression. “Boss Xu, Boss Wu, you don’t know. Although Qingchuan is better than before, compared to the other counties, our Qingchuan is really too poor. We don’t even have a private school in Qingchuan. The children are all illiterate and can’t even read. It’s not good for Qingchuan in the long run!”
Zhou Jia sighed and continued, “After discussing with Lord Yu and Scribe Tu, I’ve decided to rebuild a county school outside the East City. Now that half of it has been built, the county office is out of money. Boss Liu, I have a request. Please agree.”
Xu Jinlong said to himself, “It doesn’t look like this Lord Zhou is here to drink. He’s here to ask us for donations.”
Xu Jinlong cupped his hands and said, “Lord, don’t worry about us. Just tell us what to do.”
Zhou Jia cupped his hands and said, “To be honest, I want to ask you to donate the money you used to redeem the two beauties to build a county school so that our students in Qingchuan can also enter the Golden Ranking List in the future.”
When Xu Jinlong and the rich businessmen heard this, they thought to themselves as a county magistrate, Lord Zhou didn’t want the songstresses and lamented about being poor. How could they not donate? They stood up and cupped their hands. “Sir, we’re willing to donate our silver and build a county school.”
The sum for redeeming the two dancers cost a total of 2,000 taels of silver. The bosses donated 300 taels of silver each and collected 2,700 taels of silver.
Zhou Jia cupped his hands in thanks. “Lord Yu and I thank the righteous merchants on behalf of the students of Qingchuan County.”
The rich businessmen cupped their hands in return. “Sir, this is what we should do. It will be convenient for our descendants to study in the future!”
Scribe Tu also smiled in agreement. “Yes! That’s true!”
Zhou Jia asked Mr. Qian to accept the banknotes and record the names. He took out the 200 taels of silver that Li Yu had given him and placed them on the table. He said, “This is the private money that Madam gave me when I mentioned collecting funds for the school. She asked me to donate it to build the county school.”
Seeing this, Lieutenant Yu also said, “Sir, I’ll also donate 180 taels of silver.”
Then, Scribe Tu and Mr. Qian also donated 50 taels of silver. Zhou Jia said to the rich businessmen, “Boss Xu, Boss Wu, don’t worry. I’ll get Scribe Tu to record every expense clearly and let everyone use the silver you donated.”
Everyone praised in unison. “Your Excellency is upright and honest. We, the people of Qingchuan, are blessed.”
County Lieutenant Yu raised his glass. “Let’s toast to you, sir!”
“Yes, to you, sir.” The party was getting better.
Li Yu waited for a while. Seeing that Zhou Jia had not returned, she went back to her room to sleep. Zhou Jia returned home from Liu Jinlong’s house. After seeing that Li Yu had already slept in the bathroom and returned to her room, Li Yu opened her eyes in a daze and said with a smile, “You’re back!”
Zhou Jia looked at Li Yu’s dazed and silly appearance and leaned over to kiss Li Yu’s cherry-red lips. He got onto the bed and hugged Li Yu. He said gently, “Yes! Xu Jinlong and a few rich businessmen donated more than 2,000 taels in total. Lieutenant Yu also donated more than 100 taels. Even Mr. Tu and Mr. Qian donated. There are now more than 3,000 taels of silver. It’s more than enough to buy and run a school.”
Li Yu leaned into Zhou Jia’s arms and muttered softly, “Xiao Xi, sleep! You’re tired too!”
“Yes!” Zhou Jia kissed Li Yu’s temple and thought to himself that it had been more than half a month since the pregnancy in March. He would have to ask Sir tomorrow to check on Li Yu.
When County Lieutenant Yu returned home, he told Madam Qin about how Zhou Jia had rejected songstresses at the Xu family’s banquet, avoided Cai Die, and cried about being poor. He smiled and said, “Madam, why do I feel that Lord Zhou is a little afraid of his wife?!”
Madam Qin looked at County Lieutenant Yu and said meaningfully, “Lord Zhou is a clean person! Do you think he’s like those people who pull all kinds of fragrant and smelly things into the house? Isn’t he afraid of ruining the family?”
County Lieutenant Yu recalled the past and said awkwardly, “Madam, it’s been so long. The child has already grown up, but you’re still unwilling to let go!”
Madam Qin rolled her eyes at County Lieutenant Yu. “I’m warning you. Tell her to control that girl well. Don’t let her approach the county office without knowing shame. You don’t want her making a fool of herself or the Yu family!”
County Lieutenant Yu looked at Madam Qin unhappily. “Yan’er was being filial to me. She was afraid that I would be hungry, so she sent me some pastries and also sent some to Lord Zhou and the others. We’re all colleagues. How could we make a fool of ourselves?”
Madam Qin glanced at County Lieutenant Yu. Only a blind person like you would think so!
“Do you need a young lady like her to deliver pastries personally? What are maidservants for!”
Seeing County Lieutenant Yu’s annoyed expression, Madam Qin sighed in her heart. “In short, as the legitimate mother, I’ve already said what I have to say. Don’t look for me if she makes a fool of herself.”
County Lieutenant Yu rubbed his forehead and said with impatience. “Madam, don’t worry. I’ll tell Meiniang tomorrow to detain Yan’er and not let her go out! You sleep first. I have a headache from drinking. I’ll get Meiniang to massage me.” With that, he turned around and left.
