Republic of China: Guandong Ginseng King

Chapter 244: Building Relationships
In official circles, there are many ways to win over people, the simplest of which is to recruit people from the same hometown, clan, or age.

County Magistrate Chen was in need of new people, so he had to be polite to Chen and Qu.

It just so happened that he and Doctor Chen had the same surname, and their ancestors were both from Chenliu. Being from the same clan was a very good excuse to quickly bring them closer.

"Oh, that's a coincidence. It's a blessing for me to be from the same clan as you, sir."

Although Doctor Chen is upright, he is not stupid.

The magistrate, a senior official, has shown his goodwill to him, and why doesn't he just agree to it? What is he waiting for?
"Since we are from the same clan, we are one family. Come on, come on, please take a seat."

County Magistrate Chen was very polite and waved to the two to sit down.

Doctor Chen and Qu Shaoyang thanked him again and again before they sat down.

“This time, affected by the other side of the river, many villages under the jurisdiction of Dongbiandao were infected with the disease.

The Taotai was also very concerned about the treatment process and specifically instructed me to write a detailed report and submit it.

This is why I asked you two to come here. I hope you can help me."

After County Magistrate Chen had spoken a lot of polite words, he finally stated his real purpose.

This time, the epidemic killed a lot of people on the other side of the river, and many villages were directly deserted. It is said that there is no effective treatment method yet.

Although the people on the other side of the river were also infected, they quickly brought the epidemic under control and effectively cured most people.

Those old-timers in the officialdom are very perceptive. How can they not see that this is a good opportunity for them to improve their political achievements, gain fame, get promoted and make money? Of course they can't miss it.

Even though they don't show up when people are needed, no one is faster than them in grabbing credit.

But they know nothing about the specific treatment process, the prescriptions used, etc.

The only thing we can do is to get the eyewitnesses and guides of the incident and let them tell it in detail.

How could Qu Shaoyang not understand the trick here?

But it's useless to understand. They are officials and he is a civilian. He has to do whatever the officials tell him to do.

So, the father-in-law and son-in-law started talking from the time when the disease was discovered to have spread across the river a year ago, and continued until the beginning of March when the epidemic was completely eliminated.

During this period, we needed to determine how to prevent and control the situation in the area around Maoer Mountain, how to handle the deaths of the sick, how to disinfect and isolate the people who had contact with them, how to control people in the same village, what prescriptions to use for treatment, and so on.

Anyway, we talked about it from noon to evening.

Cao Zhubu sat aside, taking notes with a pen in his hand. The brush was almost sparking, but at least he managed to remember the key points.

It was getting late, and County Magistrate Chen had other things to do, so he asked Cao Zhubu to take Qu and Chen to settle down.

Since Cao Zhubu had received benefits from Qu Shaoyang, he was naturally very attentive, so he took the two of them to the best inn in the city to stay.

Qu Shaoyang and Doctor Chen were worried about their families and did not stay in the county town for long.

The next morning, Qu Shaoyang brought some things and went to see County Magistrate Chen again. After chatting for a while, he said goodbye and left.

As soon as Qu Shaoyang left, County Magistrate Chen immediately opened the two exquisite gift boxes that Qu Shaoyang had given him.

Inside the gift box above was a pair of deer antlers and a stack of silver bills. After counting, there were a total of five hundred taels.

When the gift box below was opened, County Magistrate Chen was also surprised to find that there was a big ginseng seedling inside.

County Magistrate Chen was well-informed. He knew at first sight that the ginseng was extremely valuable, at least a thousand taels.

Silver is easy to get. A county magistrate, a senior official, would not be so stunned by five hundred taels of silver.

The main thing is the Miao ginseng, which is an absolute treasure. If you keep it to do favors or curry favor with your superiors, it will be much more useful than silver.

County Magistrate Chen was very happy. He praised Qu Shaoyang for his cleverness and ability to handle affairs, and packed up the gift box for safekeeping. Then, he sent someone to the inn to tell Qu Shaoyang to run the security team well, and there would always be a chance for him to make meritorious deeds.

In front of the visitor, Qu Shaoyang had to show his loyalty. He stuffed silver into the messenger's pocket, and coaxed the other person to leave happily.

Early in the morning on the third day, the father-in-law and son-in-law rode fast horses back and arrived at Maoer Mountain very late.

Spring plowing is in progress. There is so much land at home, so we will have to be busy for a while.

Qu Shaoyang was busy leading people to farm all day long and didn't take the trip to the county town seriously at all, nor did he pay attention to the follow-up.

After more than half a month, most of the large tracts of land had been planted, leaving only some small corners and crevices where some miscellaneous grains and beans could be planted.

"Master, I plan to take some people to Tadian to collect some pig bristles in the next few days."

It rained on the morning of April 6th. Qu Shaoyang did not take anyone to work in the fields, but went to the east yard to chat with Liu Dongshan.

We were supposed to take people to harvest pig bristles after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, but a sudden epidemic delayed us for more than two months.

Then came the spring plowing and planting, and only now did I have time to do it.

Qu Shaoyang meant that they should seize the time to harvest bristles, mountain products, hides, etc., while the crops had just been planted and the seedlings had not yet emerged, and then go to Yingkou again.

By the way, he also had to get back the guns and bullets that he had ordered in advance.

"Okay, then you can take the people with you. I think the business of dealing in pig bristles is quite profitable, so we can't give it up.

Don't worry about the family, I'm here to take care of it for you." Liu Dongshan naturally did not object.

Last year, I sold more than two thousand taels of pig bristles alone, making a large profit.

Of course, we have to continue doing such a profitable business. No one has a grudge against money.

The master and the apprentice were just chatting when Xingjia suddenly ran in from outside, "Dongjia, someone is coming from our old home. It's Dongjia's third brother."

Last winter, when the Xing family returned to their hometown to visit relatives, Qu Shaoyang asked them to send some silver and things to Qujiazhuang.

In addition, Xingjia had been to Qujiazhuang before, so he knew Qujiang.

Qu Shaoyang was stunned when he heard this. Why did his third brother suddenly come here? Did something happen at home?
That's not right. When the Xing family came back, Qu Shaoyang asked around and was told that everything was fine in their hometown and their second brother had even married.

What did the third brother come all the way here for?
"Master, I'll go home first." Qu Shaoyang was anxious and hurriedly followed Xing Jia out.

When Liu Dongshan saw this, he decided to follow them and went straight to the Qu family next door.

When Qu Shaoyang entered the house, he saw that it was indeed his third brother, but he was wearing tattered clothes, had unkempt hair and a dirty appearance, and looked not in a good state at all.

"Third brother, why are you here? Is there something wrong at home?"

What Qu Shaoyang is most worried about is his parents, and what if anything happens to them.

The Northeast is so far away, and by the time he gets back, it will be too late for everything.

"Sihuzi, I finally found you." Qu Jiang almost shed tears when he saw his brother.

"I begged for food all the way here and nearly died on the way."

"No, brother, tell me first, how is our family? Are our parents okay?"

Qu Shaoyang was so anxious that he asked before Qu Jiang finished speaking.

"My parents are fine and there's nothing wrong at home." Qu Jiang was stunned for a moment and quickly explained.

"Old Four, I'm here to seek refuge with you this time. I can't stay at home any longer."

(End of this chapter)