Water elemental became a god, ultimately becoming the master of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers

Chapter 137 Like-minded People, Borrowing Money Again
Some of the older ones imitated the martial arts school disciples they had seen, adopting crooked horse stances or running with weights, each with a focused expression.

Almost everyone glanced at Chen Shunan from time to time.

Gratitude, reverence, admiration...

Looking at the group of children, Master Li sighed.

"I'll go back and have Xiao Zhao find a few tailors to come to the orphanage and make some new clothes for these children."

“This is…” Zhou Daquan wiped his hands and looked at Chen Shunan with a slightly restrained expression.

Chen Shunan said, "This is the head of the Li family of the Golden Serpent Li family..."

"Ah? It's the Li family head! What an honor to have you here..."

The couple had both heard of the Jinshe Li family's reputation. Li Shicheng, who had only appeared in rumors and anecdotes in the past, was now standing in front of them in person, which shocked and flustered them.

Therefore, his awe of Chen Shunan deepened even further.

Master Chen is actually on very good terms with the head of the Li family; he must have connections everywhere.

Zhou Daquan was flattered and quickly rubbed his hands together, saying...
"Master Li, there's no need for tailor-made clothes. Just buy some regular-style clothes, two sizes larger will do. That's perfect, these kids can't resist, they'll fit them too well in a few months..."

Li Shicheng was slightly taken aback, then nodded in understanding: "Oh...right, right, I didn't think it through."

Chen Shunan walked up to the group of gang members from the Wanlong Mill, took out a few taels of silver from his pocket, and politely cupped his hands in greeting.

"Thank you for your hard work on this trip, brothers. Please convey my gratitude to Mr. Huang and Brother Yue when we get back."

The men accepted the reward money, their smiles widening as they repeatedly expressed their gratitude.
"Of course, Mr. Chen, you're busy. We're leaving now."

"Farewell."

"Put the rope away carefully, so they don't get it messed up."

Chen Shunan's gaze was deep as he watched the mortar and pestle workers push the cart away.

Although their water pit and the mill were like fire and water, they would fight each other every now and then.

However, this stems from historical reasons and a conflict between opposing camps.

Chen Shun'an, who was no longer an ordinary Shui San'er and had already taken steps toward the ruling class of Shuiwozi, naturally wouldn't make things difficult for his subordinates.

shameful.

Moreover, these members would be frequently delivering rice and supplies to Rongyuan Orphanage in the future, so giving them a small favor now would make things easier.

The power of these grassroots members can sometimes play an unexpected role.

"Gentlemen, I, Chen, have come today to discuss something."

Chen Shunan walked up to Zhou Daquan and his wife and got straight to the point, explaining that the Li family was going to select some orphans to teach them martial arts and literature.

thump!
thump!
The couple didn't say much, and immediately knelt down again.

If anyone else had said such things, the couple would have assumed that the other person was like Owl Master, harboring ulterior motives.

But this is Master Chen, this is the Jinshe Li family.

"Okay, get up."

Helpless, Chen Shunan reached out and helped them up.

He strolled around the orphanage for a while.

Although the Rongyuan Infant Home was converted from a garden and has an excellent overall layout and building materials, it has been built for many years and has been exposed to the elements.

When Chen Shunan visited the houses a few times before, many of them were dilapidated, drafty in the cold weather, and plagued by mosquitoes and insects in the hot weather.

Standing inside the house, I dared not sneeze loudly, for fear that a loud sneeze would cause the walls to collapse.

Fortunately, there were no rats or weasels causing trouble.

There's no other reason than that anything non-human that dares to enter the orphanage, anything with flesh, will not be allowed to leave alive.

These children are terrified of hunger.

When Chen Shunan returned today, he saw that many houses had been repaired, with wooden planks neatly nailed and walls freshly painted.

There were even a few roughly polished stone locks, an old millstone, and a few rusty, broken weapons scattered around the courtyard.

It is clearly used by children to cultivate their own qi and blood.

Chen Shunan seemed to understand something, and asked Zhou Daquan,

"Did Yi Yan add this? It's been a while since I've seen him. How are you?"

Zhou Daquan said, "It's that child. He went hunting in the Western Hills with Yiwenzuo."

At this point, Zhou Daquan sighed and said, "They're just little kids, and they have to search the wilderness and fight wild animals. Sigh..."

Chen Shunan nodded and said no more.

Before the Baishan people entered the pass, they were martial and respected the barbarians. It was common for boys to play real-life hunting games by "making bows from willow branches and arrows from thorns".

After all, Yi Yan was half a Bai Shan person. It was probably because his talent had recently become apparent and his strength had greatly improved that he caught the eye of his biological father, Yi Wen Zuo Ling, who then began to cultivate him.

With that matter settled, Chen Shunan and Li Shicheng turned and left.

"Master Chen!"

Suddenly, a crisp sound came from inside.

Chen Shunan turned around and saw two boys and a girl, both around ten years old, chasing after him quickly.

The boy, Niu Dasheng, was born with immense strength and a huge appetite, but he only grew tall and didn't have any sense of reason. He was always bullied when he worked outside.
The girl, Du Xiaohua, was fair-skinned with bright, clear eyes. Only a twisted, centipede-like scar on her left cheek marred her beauty.

These were marks she made on her face when she was a child; otherwise, her beauty would have brought her disaster long ago.

Niu Dabiao grinned sheepishly and handed over a string of items.
“Master Chen, this lucky charm is made from the heartwood of a peach tree that I cut down in the mountains.”

Du Xiaohua raised her head and said in a clear voice, "I carved it. It has the image of the 'Eighteen Gates Immovable King Protector' on it. I heard that it can subdue all demonic obstacles and avoid all bad luck."

Chen Shunan took the bracelet and examined it closely. The bracelet had eighteen beads, and each peach wood bead was carved with a different form of a deity or arhat in an extremely exquisite relief. The beads were layered and staggered, creating a solemn atmosphere. It was no ordinary item.

The mountains near Wuqing County rarely have mature ancient trees, let alone peach trees. Furthermore, the Baojia system prohibits indiscriminate logging.

Niu Dabiao often had to go to desolate mountains and remote places to fight wolves in order to cut down the peach wood heartwood.

Even with Chen Shunan's discerning eye, the craft of stringing beads was quite remarkable, requiring meticulous wrist control and a sharp, quick-witted mind.

Wrist strength, eyesight, and mental fortitude are all indispensable; it is truly rare.

Chen Shunan never expected that there would be such hidden gems in this orphanage, with two such talented individuals.

He smiled slightly and carefully put the bracelet into his pocket.
"Okay, I'll accept it."

……

Chen Shunan and his companion left the orphanage and walked slowly along the long street in silence.

Li Shicheng suddenly spoke up: "The eldest and second sons in the manor, as well as many of the maids and grooms, are all orphans."

"Were you adopted from an orphanage?"

"No. When I was young, I was traveling and fighting bandits. After rescuing a group of villagers, I brought them back and placed them in the orphanage in Wuqing County. However, I discovered that the orphanage was secretly practicing child abduction and mutilation. In a fit of rage, I killed the orphanage manager. My father was still alive at the time and it took a great deal of effort to suppress the matter."

"I see... Alas, in this day and age, the land tax system has led to widespread poverty and infanticide. Even the laws of the Holy Dynasty consider it legal for parents to sell their own children. The government encourages this, and the practice is imitated by those at the top. Furthermore, the burden of dowry for daughters leads to many infanticides, further exacerbating the gender imbalance. This is the ill of the world."

"I never expected Brother Chen to have such insights. I have learned a lot. So, Brother Chen, or rather, that person, is thinking..."

"I dare not presume to know the extent of Heaven's might. But for me, it is merely a small contribution."

"I see."

The two men's conversation was brief and to the point.

But after this incident, I opened my heart to it.

The relationship between Chen Shunan and Li Shicheng has progressed further, especially for Li Shicheng, who feels a surge of excitement, reminiscing about his glorious youth when he met a kindred spirit.

Perhaps this is because we share the same ideals and beliefs.

……

"Brother Chen, you've already spent your thousand taels so quickly? And now you need to borrow another three thousand taels?!"

In a private room at Guanghui Money Exchange, Huo Ning stared wide-eyed at Chen Shunan, who had come to borrow money.

Chen Shunan looked reserved, tightened his worn cotton robe, and said,
"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, but Chen's expenses are simply too high."

Huo Ning said helplessly, "Brother Chen, you haven't repaid a single penny of the principal and interest of that thousand taels. How can I lend you another one?"

"How about this, of the three thousand taels of silver I borrowed this time, I'll use one thousand taels to pay off the debt from last time. You only need to give me two thousand taels. We'll deduct the interest as it's due. From now on, we'll only recognize the money borrowed this time."

Chen Shunan's expression remained unchanged.

Wait, using new debt to pay off old debt?
So how much money does Chen Shunan owe the money lender now?

Huo Ning was momentarily stunned, unable to make sense of it.

Moreover, what does it mean to only recognize the money borrowed this time?
What you mean, Chen Shunan, is that you only owe three thousand taels?
Is this how you calculate accounts?
Beside him, an old clerk subtly nudged Huo Ning with his elbow and whispered,
"He's playing you, Huo the Runner."

Huo Ning suddenly realized what was happening, and then saw Chen Shunan's ambiguous smile.

That tough nut!
Huo Ning cursed inwardly a few times, but his face showed embarrassment.

"I can't make that decision myself. I need to ask the owner first. Brother Chen, please wait a moment."

After saying that, Huo Ning hurriedly left.

Chen Shunan was quite patient, sitting in the private room.

In fact, Huo Ning didn't need to ask for permission. Zhao Guanghui had already issued an order that Chen Shunan could borrow up to five thousand taels of silver whenever he came to borrow money.

It just requires signing a special loan agreement.

Half an incense stick later, Huo Ning, panting heavily and covered in sweat, hurriedly returned.

He placed a thick stack of loan agreements in front of Chen Shunan.

Chen Shunan glanced at it; it was covered with countless tiny characters, even more complicated than the sacred law. Not to mention ordinary people, even second-rate experts would have to get lost in it.

But for Chen Shunan, who now possesses a photographic memory, he only needed to glance at it briefly to memorize it all.

He keenly noticed a line of small characters, extremely well hidden among the vast expanse of writing—

If a debtor defaults on payment, and the land, houses, clothing, and jewelry are acquired at 30% of the market price but are still insufficient to cover the debt, Guanghui Money Shop has the right to dispose of the borrower's physical body, skills, etc. at will.

Tuqiongdagger met.

Chen Shunan's heart stirred.

Chen Shunan could understand encouraging borrowers to engage in activities like mining, investing in private equity, or hoarding virtual currency.

But what's the point of borrowers' physical bodies and abilities?
Can this be reused?
(End of this chapter)