Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 421 This time the canal repairs are better than in previous years

Lu Lang continued, "Next time the government has construction work, I will try to get more funding."

Shen Yu didn't dare to comment on these things, but just sighed helplessly.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit dull, Lu Lang naturally changed the subject and said, "Miss, you have been busy on the construction site these days. Did you know that your inn is almost finished?"

"Master Zhu said that in another five or six days, the construction will be completed before Laba Festival."

Shen Yu has always been very aware that some worries cannot be solved by an ordinary citizen like her.

After listening to Lu Lang's words and thinking about her family's increasingly better life, her mood immediately improved.

She smiled and said expectantly, "That's great. The canal repairs are about to be completed."

"After Laba, it's Chinese New Year. We can use this time to decorate the inn and open it after the New Year."

Lu Lang also smiled and said, "Miss, if you need help, I'll let Liushun and Qixi help you. They have nothing to do anyway."

Shen Yu thanked him with a smile, but Lu Lang told her another happy thing.

Lu Lang told her that the road around the market had been repaired in the past few days, and in a few days it would reach the street in front of Fengnian Restaurant.

There will be a few days when it will be inconvenient to enter and exit the restaurant, so let Shen Yu stock up some ingredients in advance to avoid the inconvenience of shopping when the car is difficult to enter and exit.

Shen Yu had been thinking about this matter for a long time, and was wondering if the county magistrate was just talking at the time and then forgot about it.

Unexpectedly, it was just that the county government was short of supervisory officials. Once the canal construction was completed, the road construction could begin.

She asked for the exact date, planning to tell Li and the others as soon as she got home and take inventory of how much of each ingredient was left in the restaurant.

Since the weather is cold now, it won’t go bad if you store more at once.

As the two chatted, Shen Yu packed up the account books and put them into her small bag. Lu Lang then asked Liu Shun to take Shen Yu and Qi Xi to the city gate to take a bus back to the restaurant.

In a blink of an eye, it was the last day of the construction. This day was mainly spent on inspecting and sorting out tools and leftover materials.

Lu Lang invited the county magistrate, Master Qian and Master Zhu to lead people to patrol and inspect the river bank.

After Master Zhu said that the canal repair this time was better than in any previous years and would definitely be able to withstand next year's peach blossom flood.

Lu Zheng was so happy that his face beamed with joy, and he decided on the spot that because the work was done well, each of the conscripted men would be rewarded with five liters of rice.

When the servants heard this, they all knelt down and kowtowed, shouting happily, "Thank you, County Magistrate, for the reward."

Lu Zheng smiled and told everyone to get up quickly. He pulled his thick brocade robe closer and whispered to Master Qian: "It's too cold by the river. Give us a few more instructions and we can go back.

Master Qian stepped forward and said, "Tomorrow, everyone will go to the county government office, tell the gatekeeper your name, and then come to my room to collect the rice."

Having said that, he looked at Lu Lang and asked him if he had anything else to say. If there was no team, they could disband on the spot.

Lu Lang nodded and said to the servants with a loud smile: "You have all worked hard these days. Now that you go back today, you can have a good rest."

"The canal embankment outside the county town is strong and solid, so our people can live in peace."

"You all have contributed to this, and I would like to thank you all on behalf of my father."

As he spoke, Lu Lang took a step forward, bowed his hands and saluted the servants.

The servants did not expect to have such good luck today. Not only did the county magistrate reward them with rice, but the county magistrate's son also came to thank them in person. They all hurriedly followed Lu Lang's example and bowed to return the greeting.

Seeing that everything was done, Lu Zheng waved his hand and said, "Everyone, go back. The weather is cold, so don't stay here for long."

Having said that, he walked first towards the carriage they came from, and Master Qian quickly followed behind.

Everyone hurriedly said, "See you, Mr. County Magistrate."

Lu Lang stayed where he was, wondering why Shen Yu hadn't come yet. If he didn't come soon, the servants would disperse.

He was just thinking about asking everyone to wait a moment, but someone boldly asked, "Mr. Lu, why are Miss Shen and the two young men not here?"

Before Lu Lang could answer, Liu Shun and Qi Xi came over with a small basket, saying, "Don't leave yet, there's something good to come."

These days, the servants got along well with Shen Yu and were grateful to her. Whenever they talked to Liushun and Qixi, they were also very friendly.

Seeing two people carrying baskets over, someone asked, "Brother Liushun, Brother Qixi, why don't you see Miss Shen? We wanted to thank her for taking care of us these days."

Qi Xi chuckled and said, "Miss Shen will be here soon."

It turned out that after Shen Yu got Lu Lang's permission, he and Liu Shun went to the money shop to exchange the small change for copper coins today. After returning, he took a hemp rope from the guardhouse, strung the coins together at a hundred coins each, and prepared to distribute them to everyone.

Unexpectedly, the county magistrate was very efficient and quickly finished his inspection. He said a few words and then let everyone go.

At this time, all the copper coins had not been distributed and strung together.

Shen Yu was afraid that everyone would leave, so he had to ask Liu Shun and Qi Xi to quickly put the strung copper coins in a small basket and carry it out, while he strung the last few strings of coins and came back.

Everyone looked curiously into the small basket carried by Liushun and his partner, and someone shouted in surprise, "Wow, so much silver money."

"Brother Liushun, what are you doing carrying all this money here? What good thing is there?"

"Yes, yes, this string must be worth a hundred coins. I have never seen such a basket of silver coins before."

Lu Lang stood by with a smile on his face, listening to everyone's discussion, but he did not explain. He wanted Shen Yu to speak to everyone himself.

Just as everyone was looking at the small basket of copper coins and making various guesses, Shen Yu came trotting over with several strings of coins.

When everyone saw Shen Yu coming, they greeted her warmly, as if Shen Yu was their own sister.

The clothes were heavy and Shen Yu was running in a hurry, so he was a little out of breath when he stopped.

She raised the silver in her hand and said apologetically, "I didn't think it through. I should have strung the money together at the bank before bringing it here."

"I didn't expect there was no money counting plate. The distribution was so slow. Sorry for keeping everyone waiting for so long."

She paused, took a deep breath, and then continued, "Thank you all for these days."

"Without you guys chopping wood and fishing, I would have to worry about the food expenses when I cook every day."

"I checked my accounts yesterday. After deducting the expenses for three meals a day, I had a total of six taels of silver left."

"I asked Master Lu if I could divide the money among everyone. Master Lu said it was not the government's money and I could use it as I pleased."

"I went to the bank with Liushun and Qixi to exchange silver for 100 coins each."

"It's not a lot of money, it's all earned from your hard work, so just accept it with peace of mind."