Gou Zai Xianwu Wenjing Search for Opportunities

Chapter 83 In-laws Intertwined

The two arrived at the Hu family's house, but instead of continuing their sparring, they chatted for a while before Wu Yong went home.

Lin Yuan has made some gains today, so naturally he needs to report to the investors to reassure them and not worry about their principal.

We arrived at the Xu Family School.

The school was empty, but Zhou Dali was reciting and memorizing "The Primer of Learning" in the woodshed next door.

"Dali, are there no classes today?"

"Oh, the teacher is going to serve as a staff member in the government, so the school will be closed from now on." Zhou Dali scratched his head.

Lin Yuan then remembered Zhou Dali's studies and immediately inquired about them. He found that Zhou Dali had not finished his elementary studies and had only learned the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. He was neither progressing further nor falling further behind, which made it difficult to arrange his studies.

"Dali, what are your plans?"

"I don't want to study anymore." Zhou Dali was a little confused, but then his eyes lit up. "My father wants me to find a job, earn some money, and get married as soon as possible."

"I'll ask around for you."

Lin Yuan nodded and went to the Xu family's backyard alone. When he met the teacher, he first told him what had happened that day.

"Excellent!" the teacher exclaimed. "The eldest branch of the Li family has always been mysterious and rarely sees outsiders. If you have this opportunity, make good use of it. Even if you don't get into the Immortal Temple, it will be enough for you to make a living in the county."

"Thank you for your teachings, Master." He was about to see his teacher off when he asked, "When will you depart for Jiangxi? Will you have someone escorting you? Will you have anyone with you to take care of you?"

"I'll leave after the end of summer. The manor has sent a few retainers to see me off. You don't need to worry, I'll take two students with me."

"Alas, it's a pity they aren't as clever as you."

Master Xu sighed and then mentioned Zhou Dali, "Your cousin studies diligently, but he is not as intelligent as you, and his academic performance is mediocre. I'm afraid that taking him there will only harm him. If he still wants to study, I will recommend him to the Li family's ancestral school."

"Thank you, Master. I'll ask him then." Lin Yuan understood what his teacher meant. Zhou Dali hadn't mastered the arithmetic, and he wasn't very clever. Going to him would easily lead to mistakes and offend people.

However, out of consideration for his own reputation, the teacher did not completely ignore him, but instead recommended him to continue his studies at the Li family's ancestral school.

That's not bad. Zhou Dali can get his mark by going to the Li family mansion and getting a job there. It will be easier for him to find a clerical position in the future.

Master Xu then said earnestly, "My grandson is still young and doesn't understand things. After he enters the Taoist temple, I will have to rely on your guidance."

"Rest assured, Master, if I can enter the Immortal Temple, I will definitely work together with Junior Nephew Xu and support each other!" Lin Yuan assured him.

The two chatted for a while longer. The teacher invited him to stay for dinner, but Lin Yuan declined. He then went to the Carp Pavilion to look for Li Shi, Hu Cai, and the others.

Hu Cai and Zhao Sheng went out on business, leaving only Li Shi in the pavilion.

Lin Yuan reported the day's results to investor Li Shi. Upon hearing that he had become a retainer of Immortal Seed Li Qilang, Li Shi was overjoyed and quickly pulled two horses from the pavilion. The two rode back to Li Shi's house.

As soon as Li Shi entered the house, he ordered, "Prepare a family banquet tonight. I want to drink with Junior Brother Lin until we're completely drunk. Go and invite the First Madam and the Second Madam over, and bring Tiger along too."

Lin Yuan had seen Li Shi's wives and concubines a few times, but only from a distance. This was the first time he had seen them in person and they were close family.

The two entered the West Flower Hall.

Lin Yuan's face showed bitterness: "Senior Brother, I came empty-handed this time and dare not face my two sisters-in-law. May I go back and make some preparations?"

"It's right to go empty-handed. Anyone who brings something is an outsider." Li Shi forcefully stopped him, pulled him down to sit, and pressed him for details about today's martial arts competition.

After a while, the eldest Zhao family member led the youngest Zhao family member in, with the wet nurse holding Tiger beside them.

Lin Yuan quickly met with his two sisters-in-law formally and introduced himself.

"Uncle Lin, please sit down. We're all family. I've asked the kitchen to prepare some wine and dishes, which will be served shortly. You two can have some tea and some fruit and snacks first." Madam Zhao was courteous and well-mannered.

"Thank you, sister-in-law!"

Li Shi publicly introduced Lin Yuan's day to his wives and concubines, and in his words, it was clear that he, as an investor, was very satisfied with Lin Yuan, the entrepreneur.

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao's eyes lit up, and she quickly praised, "My uncle is a piece of gold; he'll shine sooner or later."

The group began to compliment each other.

The food and drinks were served, the family feast began, and everyone ate, drank, chatted, and laughed.

Madam Zhao inquired about Lin Yuan's family, including his parents, the number of his siblings, his elder brother's family, and his aunt's family, asking about Lin Yuan's entire family in detail.

As a close friend, it was only natural for him to ask these questions, and Lin Yuan did not hide anything from him.

When Zhou Dali was mentioned, Lin Yuan took the opportunity to tell him about Zhou Dali in detail, as well as the Master's recommendation for studying.

Li Shi suggested, "It's a good thing that he can study at the Li family's external school! Why not let him take your place as a scribe? Anyway, now that you're a retainer of Qi Lang, you won't care about this job in the future."

"He's only been studying for half a year, and his knowledge of arithmetic is only so-so—" Lin Yuan made it clear in advance, lest he go and do something wrong, or even harm him instead.

"It's alright, things in the pavilion aren't difficult. As long as you can read and understand the documents, you can do a simple accounting. The real big accounts will be handled by others," Li Shi said sincerely.

"Thank you very much, Senior Brother!" Lin Yuan said, then added, "He's not married yet, his family is pressuring him, and he's really anxious himself. It's a pity I don't know anyone here."

"Why don't you call him over, Uncle? I'll make some arrangements for him." Madam Zhao took the initiative to take on the matter. For Zhou Dali, the future minor official of Lishui Pavilion, finding a girl from the Zhao family would be easy.

This conveniently connects the Zhao family, the Li family, Zhou Dali, and Lin Yuan through marriage.

"Thank you, sister-in-law!" Lin Yuan immediately offered a toast.

After the banquet ended, Lin Yuan took his leave.

When Madam Zhao heard that he had been staying at the Hu family's house, she was dissatisfied and said, "You have your own house, how can you let your uncle stay outside?"

My uncle will be moving in here tomorrow. The west wing has been empty, so it'll be more convenient for him to stay there.

"I'm going to stay in the city tomorrow, let's talk about it next time I come back." Lin Yuan didn't want to cause too much trouble.

"If you feel cramped with too many people, there's a secluded little house on the south side of town. It's a small house with a single courtyard, but it's quiet. It's currently empty. If you don't mind, I'll give it to you. If you want to live there, you'll have to renovate it."

"That won't do!" Lin Yuan hadn't considered buying a house, worried it would be too expensive, and didn't want to waste money.

But Li Shi didn't give him a chance to refuse; he immediately went to get the keys and settled the matter.

If it weren't dark, we would be going to see the house right now.

Lin Yuan had no choice but to accept it, treating it as additional investment from Li Shi.

It's perfect that my elder brother and Zhou Dali can live in this house. They can clean and maintain it regularly, and when I go back to town, I'll have a place to stay.

Lin Yuan returned to the Hu family.

Hu Cai was still awake, waiting for him to return.

Lin Yuan then reported the day's events to the investors.

Upon hearing this, Hu Cai was extremely surprised: "I never expected that Junior Brother Lin would actually become a retainer before me!"

"Once Senior Brother Wu and I have gotten to know Qi Lang better, we'll find an opportunity to help you out. However, Young Master Liang has high standards, so you'd better learn some advanced martial arts." Lin Yuan planned to give the investor some return within his means.

"Then thank you very much, Junior Brother Lin."

"Why are you being so polite, we're like brothers?"

Lin Yuan took the opportunity to ask about the Hu family's coffin shop in the county town. After learning some information, Hu Cai said he would go to the county town to introduce him to the shop another day.

That night, Hu Cai lost interest in "The Grass Futon" and instead slept side by side with Lin Yuan, talking about the future.

The next morning.

Wu Yong came to find Lin Yuan early: "My cousin gave me a letter last night, telling us to go see the Third Steward today."

"it is good."

Lin Yuan and Wu Yong arrived at the Li family ancestral home together and met Li Zhou, the third steward.

The third steward stood up to greet the two men as they entered, saying, "Please, gentlemen, have a seat. Serve tea!"

I heard that Lin Lang displayed his prowess at the Guanchao Teahouse, defeating Xu Zhan, the young hero on the Tiger List, and his name has resounded throughout Lin Yuan. Now everyone knows him. Truly, heroes emerge from among the young!

"You flatter me!" Lin Yuan said politely.

"Si Lang already gave instructions yesterday. From now on, you will work as a silver-ranked retainer at the Li family's ancestral home, and temporarily serve the eldest son's branch."

The monthly salary and settling-in allowance will be paid by our fourth branch of the family.

"Thank you, Fourth Brother, thank you, Third Steward." Lin Yuan understood that his contract was with the fourth branch of the Li family, and he was only temporarily transferred to the eldest branch.

Is this considered sending out retainers?

Because Wu Yong was a member of the Wu family, he did not become a retainer of the Li family. Instead, he entered the eldest branch of the Li family as a relative by marriage to serve.

Lin Yuan then asked about Coach Hong.

"Hong Gu agreed, but she still wants to continue being the instructor. I wonder what she's thinking," the third steward casually joked. "Your master seems a bit detached."

In fact, the instructor's monthly salary was not high; the majority of it came from the disciples' tributes. However, given Instructor Hong's teaching methods, few of her disciples could persevere. In addition, she never accepted gifts, so she had virtually no extra income.

"Perhaps he's gotten used to living in seclusion in the mountains and is indifferent to fame and fortune," Lin Yuan guessed.

"Perhaps."

The third steward then processed Lin Yuan's retainer paperwork, granting him a silver-level retainer status, a settlement allowance of one hundred taels, and a monthly salary of thirty taels.

They usually do their own thing, but if the master has something to do, they come over to help for a few days. Every month, they have to report to the Li family, listen to the master's instructions, and then they can receive silver.

Lin Yuan was somewhat disappointed, as the amount of silver was a bit small, but the advantage was that there was little work involved, and he could also take on other jobs, such as being a trainer or a caravan guard.

Lin Yuan's position as a retainer in the Li family's eldest branch was considered a side job, and Qi Lang would also provide him with an additional monthly salary.

Lin Yuan was now satisfied!

After completing the formalities, Lin Yuan and Wu Yong went to pay their respects to Instructor Hong. Instructor Hong didn't care where he became an instructor, and seeing that the two weren't there to learn martial arts, he simply dismissed them.

The two parted ways.

Lin Yuan found Zhou Dali alone and told him about the arrangements for him. When Zhou Dali heard that studying would not only lead to a job but also a wife, he was overjoyed and suddenly developed a love for studying.

Lin Yuan found his elder brother, told him about his recent situation, handed him the keys to the house, and gave him some money to repair it.

"Erlv, half of our paddy fields were flooded this year. Your sister-in-law wants to sell roasted sweet potatoes at the dock. The dock is currently managed by the White Wolf Gang. Do you think you could talk to Brother Zhao and the others about it?"

Small businesses on the docks all need the approval of these gangs.

"Don't set up shop at the dock, it's too much of a hassle. Here's what we'll do: I'll give you some more silver, you can rent a small shop and start a small business." Lin Yuan stuffed another fifty taels of silver into your hand. "I'll talk to Senior Brother Hu and Brother Zhao later, you can just go directly to them."

"it is good."

"From now on, Dali will be working as a clerk in Tingli, taking my place. That way, you two can look after each other."

"That's wonderful!" the older brother exclaimed with delight, but then asked with concern, "What will you do from now on?"

"I wouldn't even consider this job."