Republic of China: Guandong Ginseng King

Chapter 361 Keeping People
Qu Shaoyang and Meng Lanxin took some time to explain to Zheng Tiezhu and the others everything from Qu Shaoyang's rescue of people to the annihilation of the Zhan Dongshan gang.

Zheng Tiezhu and others finally understood that after all the fuss, Meng Lanjun, who grew up with them, was actually a girl whose real name was Meng Lanxin.

Afterwards, several people told Qu Shaoyang and Meng Lanxin how they escaped, how they hid their identities and recuperated from their injuries, and how they secretly inquired about the other people's news.

“We are the only ones who have escaped from our village that we have found.

As for the others, they may not have been found yet or they may no longer be around.

Lan Xin, now that the Zhan Dongshan gang has been destroyed, we are thinking of going back to Sandaomioling and rebuilding the village.

What about you? What are your plans? " Zheng Tiezhu said, looked up at Meng Lanxin and asked.

Meng Lanxin was just about to say that she also wanted to go back to Sandaimiaoling and rebuild the village.

Before she could open her mouth, Qu Shaoyang spoke first, "Brother Tiezhu, since you are here, that's perfect. Lanxin and I are getting married in a few days, so you can all stay and have a drink at the wedding.

You are all Lan Xin's childhood friends, and you can be considered her family, so it's a good opportunity to help her get married."

As Qu Shaoyang spoke, he warned Meng Lanxin with his eyes not to think of leaving him and running back to Sandaimiaoling.

Meng Lanxin also remembered at this time that she had already agreed to marry Qu Shaoyang.

So he secretly glanced at Qu Shaoyang, then shrank his neck and dared not say a word.

"What? Lan Xin wants to marry you? Don't you already have a wife? You already have two children."

Zheng Tieniu is even dumber than Leng Huer before. As soon as he heard what Qu Shaoyang said, he started shouting loudly.

"Lan Xin is my second wife, what's wrong with that?"

Qu Shaoyang raised his eyebrows and looked at Zheng Tieniu and the others. What's the matter? Do these people still have any objections?

"It's nothing, it's nothing, Lan Xin has someone to rely on, that's a good thing.

Sir Qu, please don't bother with Tie Niu. We all know what kind of person he is."

Zheng Tiezhu quickly spoke up to smooth things over for his brother.

"I think if Grandpa Meng were still alive, he would be happy too."

What is Qu Shaoyang's status? After all, he is an official appointed by the imperial court, with a large family and a lot of wealth. He has money and connections.

Meng Lanxin was born into a hunter family. Not to mention that both her parents had passed away, she was an orphan with no relatives. Even if her parents were still alive, she would have been considered marrying up if she could marry Qu Shaoyang as his second wife.

In today's world, it is very difficult for a woman to survive alone, no matter how capable she is.

Only with someone like Qu Shaoyang protecting her can Meng Lanxin live a peaceful life.

Zheng Tiezhu saw it clearly, so he glared at his brother and told him not to talk nonsense anymore.

“Brother Tiezhu, it’s already the twelfth lunar month, and it’s freezing cold. Even if you go back to Sandaimiaoling, you won’t be able to rebuild the village.

How about this? You guys stay here for now, and we'll discuss it next spring."

Zheng Tiezhu is quite good at martial arts and marksmanship, and his personality is honest and simple, without any ulterior motives.

Qu Shaoyang wants to set up a branch office of the Wood Tax Office in Shuangdianzi, and also recruit people to train militia. Right now is the time when he is short of people, especially those with strong martial arts and good marksmanship.

Zheng Tiezhu and his team are locals and are familiar with the situation around Shuangdianzi, making them definitely the best candidates.

Qu Shaoyang had a good impression of these people and wanted to recruit them.

"Yes, yes, Brother Tiezhu, Tieniu, you two can stay here."

Meng Lanxin didn't know what Qu Shaoyang was thinking. She really wanted Zheng Tiezhu and others to stay.

"Rebuilding the village is a huge project, and I'm afraid you don't have much money right now, right?
Just listen to me and stay here first. I will help you find a solution later. How about that? " Qu Shaoyang persuaded again. Zheng Tiezhu had no idea either, so he could only discuss it with Wang Junsheng, Tao Dafu and Wang Qingming.

Qu Shaoyang's guess was correct. When these people escaped from the village, the little money they had with them was spent while they were recuperating from their injuries.

Later, I worked for some wealthy families and managed to make a living.

Given their current situation, it would be quite difficult to rebuild the village.

"Master Qu, that's it, we can stay, but we can't eat and drink here for no reason.

We will do the work for your family. We will do whatever work is needed at home. We don't ask for any wages, just food and drink.

We will discuss returning to the village in the spring next year."

Zheng Tiezhu is the oldest among these people, and he spoke on behalf of the others.

"Sure, I have a lot of things to do here. As long as you are willing to stay, there will definitely be a place for you to stay."

Qu Shaoyang nodded with a smile. As long as they agreed to stay, things would be easy later.

"Xingjia, tell the kitchen to prepare a table of delicious food tonight. I will have a drink with the brothers.

Also, go and arrange a place for them to live. Don’t rush to work. Rest for a few days and get your body back in shape.”

Xingjia responded and went out to make arrangements.

Here, Qu Shaoyang was chatting casually with Zheng Tiezhu and others.

The food and wine were quickly prepared in the kitchen. Eight dishes and a soup were placed on the table, along with two pots of good wine.

These were not outsiders, so Meng Lanxin didn't need to avoid them. Everyone sat together and chatted and laughed while they had dinner.

Zheng Tiezhu and others just moved into Qu's house.

Although Qu Shaoyang did not assign them any tasks, they were not the kind of people who would eat and drink for free without working.
The next day, they learned that the Qu family's men were going up the mountain to hunt, so several people asked for guns and followed them up the mountain.

Qu Shaoyang doesn't have time to care about those things now, he has a lot of things to do.

Early in the morning on the sixth day of the New Year, someone was sent to Tanghekou to deliver a letter.

The letter told Li Daishi that the Eastern Road Government would set up a wood tax office in Shuangdianzi.

Qu Shaoyang secured an assistant job for Li Daishi's eldest son, and asked Li Daishi's son to follow Li Daishi to Shuangdianzi after the New Year.

When the time comes, they will meet and discuss in detail how to do the task.

Afterwards, Qu Shaoyang discussed with Chen Xiuyun again and decided to marry Meng Lanxin on the 16th day of the twelfth lunar month.

"Wife, go look through the clothes and fabrics at home and send some to Lan Xin so she can make a few more sets of clothes.

I don't really understand these, you decide. Anyway, Lan Xin is alone now, and you are the eldest sister, so I'm counting on you."

It's just taking a concubine, which is not comparable to marrying a wife. Qu Shaoyang is busy with official duties, so how can he have the time to take care of these things?

I just pushed everything to Chen Xiuyun and let her take charge of the arrangements.

"Do I need your instructions? As soon as I came back yesterday, I asked Xing's wife and Bai Zhi to prepare it.

I have prepared not only clothes and fabrics, but also head ornaments, jewelry, bedding, and various supplies, and will send them to the East Courtyard later.

Just go about your business without worrying about these matters. I will make sure they are done beautifully for you and will not bring shame to you, Master Qu."

Chen Xiuyun said as she tied the belt of Qu Shaoyang's cloak.

(End of this chapter)