After the whole family was swept away, I lay down flat

Chapter 449 Check-in
Not long after Jin Jiashu returned from the prefect's Yamen, Zhou Xiaojian took the initiative to come to Hai's house to find him.

Zhou Xiaojian finally convinced his grandmother and agreed to let him work as a follower to Jin Jiashu for three years, helping him run errands. However, apart from him, there were only grandmother Zhou and an eight-year-old girl in their family. Aunt Zhou felt that it was impossible to live without a man in the family and asked him to go home every night. Zhou Xiaojian had no choice but to come to apologize to Jin Jiashu. It was originally agreed that he would move into the Jin family's new house, but his grandmother refused, so he had no choice but to give in.

Jin Jiashu said hurriedly: "Didn't I say that all three of you, grandparents, and grandchildren can move in? The new house I bought is big enough for just me. Even if you and Lu Gawa's family are added to it, it will be more than enough." If the three of you move here together, your grandmother won't have to worry about being safe with just her and your sister at home."

Zhou Xiaoqian looked embarrassed: "Grandma doesn't want to leave home...she said she wants to guard the family house."

The Zhou family's house was bought with all the savings of Zhou Xiaojian's grandfather when he was still alive. The place is not big, but the location is very good, close to the downtown area. Aunt Zhou has been living in this small house since she married Zhou Xiaojian's grandfather. She was widowed at a young age and worked hard to raise her son. However, his son died in battle in his prime, and her daughter-in-law remarried, so she had to raise her grandson and granddaughter. This house records all the ups and downs of her life and has become her spiritual sustenance. She will die in this place and will never accept leaving.

Jin Jiashu's house is very nice, and he invited Zhou Xiaojian's family to stay there out of kindness. But Aunt Zhou didn’t want to. She was afraid that once she left home, someone would come and occupy the house.

This is not unfounded. She wholeheartedly hoped that her grandson would inherit her son's position in the army, but now she was willing to let Zhou Xiaojian live as a servant, precisely because she finally discovered the cruelty of reality. The military quota left by his son may not reach his grandson.

The nephew in the next room only said that he was temporarily replacing her deceased son, and that he would return the place when her grandson grew up. Now that her grandson is fifteen, the other party is pushing back and asking her boss to speak. She thinks that her grandson is too young and too thin to be used properly, and wants to completely take away her grandson's quota. Aunt Zhou knew that she had been deceived and coaxed by her nephew's sweet words, which made her grandson's future uncertain. But she is weak in power and cannot compare to her nephew who has been running a health clinic for many years and has many connections, qualifications and achievements. Now that even her son's former boss has advised her to forget it, what else can she do?
But even if she was willing to give in, her nephew would not give up. He used the reason that Zhou Xiaojian could not join the army in Chang'an and wanted to recommend him to a hundred-household residence hundreds of miles away to serve as a soldier. He also suggested that Aunt Zhou take his granddaughter with him to take care of him. As for their family's house in Chang'an City, he will take care of it for them.

Aunt Zhou wasn't sure if he was threatening something with his words, but she definitely didn't want her house to fall into the hands of her nephew and her grandson to be sent to a remote place to be a soldier. That's why she relented and let Zhou Xiao see Jin Jiashu working at home. Although it is embarrassing to be a servant, at least the grandson can stay in Chang'an City. After three years, when the grandson turns eighteen, he can still ask his employer to be kind and help him speak good words in front of the generals of the Zhou family and find a good place for his grandson. That way she wouldn't have to ask for favors from her nephew next door, and she would be able to find a bright future for her grandson.

Even if her son’s military quota cannot be returned, she still wants her grandson to successfully enter the Northwest Frontier Army as a sergeant!
Zhou Xiaojian told Jin Jiashu what happened in his family in detail, with a look of shame on his face: "My grandma just got into trouble. Our family is not a rich family. We are so poor that there is no shame in being a follower." Mr. Jin, are you willing to hire me? I have been very generous every time you send me on errands these past few months, and you often give me money to buy some delicious food for your family. , life will only be better. Besides, I have not been admitted to the lower class, and I will still be free when the employment period ends. My grandma just can't think about it, and I always feel that my cousin will not go too far and will definitely keep his promise. Now that I know my cousin’s true thoughts, I’m starting to get worried..."

His grandmother agreed to let him come to the Jin family to work, but she also set many conditions. She only allowed him to work for Jin Jiashu for three years, and required him to live at home. She also asked Jin Jiashu to serve him in the military in three years. Looking for a job... It feels like taking advantage of Mr. Jin. Zhou Xiaojian felt very embarrassed and had to apologize to Jin Jiashu.

Although he also wanted to join the army, he was not too persistent. If he doesn't join the army, he can do other things. As long as it can support the family.

Jin Jiashu was not angry. Although Aunt Zhou has many demands, she is only planning for her grandson's future. Even if he didn't agree, there was nothing she could do. And all he wants is the loyal service of the clever and capable Zhou Xiaojian in the next few years. Three years is a little short, but what will happen after three years is still unknown. Maybe he will be able to find someone to replace Zhou Xiaojian by then?
However, Jin Jiashu was a little curious about one thing: "Your family's surname is also Zhou. Could it be that you are also a member of the Zhou family? That's why Aunt Zhou is reluctant to let you work as a servant for fear of losing dignity?" Zhou Xiaojian He waved his hands quickly: "No, no, our family just has the surname Zhou, and we are not members of the Zhou family."

His great-grandfather's generation had served as soldiers for the father of the Duke of Zhen. Because he was born as an orphan who didn't know his surname, he was given the surname Zhou by his master. In fact, there was no blood relationship at all. My great-grandfather died on the battlefield when he went on an expedition with the old marshal of the Zhenguo Palace. His family received a pension, and the Zhenguo Palace also often cared for the wife and children he left behind. However, it has been four generations since my great-grandfather was killed in battle, and the family has been divided into two branches. Zhou Xiaojian's father and grandfather were not outstanding talents. At most, they only served as small flags in the army. They could no longer serve for any general of the Zhou family, and the care they had had would no longer be there. On the other hand, my cousin is more capable and has military merit. He is already the commander-in-chief and is highly regarded by his superiors.

In Zhou Xiaojian's opinion, it was only human nature that his late father's boss would rather keep his capable and accomplished cousin instead of recruiting him, a half-year-old boy. It's just that my cousin's family is too greedy. They know that his family is willing to give in, but they still insist on pushing further.

But he didn't want to mention these housework matters too much in front of Jin Jiashu. He explained his life experience clearly and asked Jin Jiashu: "Although I live at home, my home is not far from the Chenghuang Temple. I come here early in the morning every day and go back after dark. I will never delay Master Jin's mission. You only need You need to provide me with a lunch, so you don’t have to worry about anything else, and I can pay you less.”

Jin Jiashu would never be stingy on such a small thing: "It doesn't have to be like this. The wages will be as I said before, and the family will provide you with two meals a day. If you can't finish it, you can take it back to your family, but you are not allowed to starve yourself. If you don't do what I tell you because you don't have enough food and don't have enough strength, I won't do it!"

Zhou Xiaojian was overjoyed when he heard this: "Yes! Don't worry, young master! I will definitely handle it!"

After the two parties agreed on Zhou Xiaojian's treatment, Jin Jiashu immediately drafted a contract and showed it to Zhou Xiaojian. Zhou Xiaojian could barely read it through, and there was no objection. Both parties signed and fingerprinted it in duplicate, and Hai Jiao was the witness, and the employment agreement was established.

Lu Gawa's mother was almost recovering from her illness. Lu Gawa also rushed over and signed the same agreement as Jin Jiashu, but the employment period was for five years, and she also signed her mother's share. Although his mother is not in good health, she only has a waist problem and will not be over the illness. She can help with cooking and cleaning on weekdays. Come to Jin's house to earn more money and food, and mother and son can take care of each other.

After the agreement was concluded, he went home to pack his luggage and moved into Jin Jiashu's new house with his mother.

(End of this chapter)