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

Chapter 166 The Chivalrous Teahouse, The Eloquent Little Master

If you're even slightly confident, why not go all in?
As soon as he finished speaking, the old iron ball that Zhao Guangxi was spinning between his fingers suddenly stopped, making a crisp sound as it struck his palm.

Upon hearing this, Chen Shunan's expression changed, and a sense of admiration arose in his heart.

Zhao Guangxi must have faced many risks along the way; a slight misstep could have led to his death.

Especially in this struggle for the winch head, Guo Guanfu's mysterious death must have been the work of Zhao Guangxi.

But in the end, Zhao Guangxi had the last laugh.

Winner takes all.

Even with Chen Shunan's discerning eye, he thought Zhao Guangxi was a remarkable person.

However, it is precisely because of a boss like Zhao Guangxi who dares to fight and take risks even with a sliver of certainty that Chen Shunan is able to be protected from the storms and live a peaceful life.

This is suitable for Chen Shunan's elderly physique.

"By the way, boss."

Suddenly, Chen Shunan seemed to remember something and turned to walk under the well shed.

When it reappeared, it held two dark, gloomy orbs of light in its palms.

These are a pair of specially made hollow iron balls.

The sphere is made of high-quality cold iron and then repeatedly polished with fine sand.

The inside is hollow, and hidden inside are not steel balls, but a pair of green pearls.

When gently bathed in sunlight, the iron ball shimmered with a warm, pearly sheen, like the glow of sunset.

A few days ago, Chen Shunan made a special trip to the Jindu black market.

The black market was originally located at the crossroads, but due to recent tensions, it has moved to a desolate area behind Bajiazhuang.

Ordinary people might not know this, but for Chen Shunan, who had been living in Wuqing County for many years and was an expert on insects and ants, it was naturally not a problem.

He then asked a blacksmith on the black market to disassemble the Green Jade Pearl and melt it down into these two Eastern Pearl Iron Balls.

It must be said that although the blacksmith was unruly and conspired with others to double-cross someone, Chen Shunan kept a mental note of it.

However, he was extremely skilled at forging weapons, and even such ingenious and whimsical gadgets were something he could easily create.

Chen Shunan was still willing to play along with him.

"I noticed that the master had been playing with those iron balls for years, and they were all rusted. It just so happened that when I was working at the Black Cha River, I met that beast Pig Dragon and accidentally obtained the Green Jade Pearl. I then used many connections and even found a master craftsman on the black market to finally make these two Eastern Pearl Iron Balls."

Work achievements should be documented.

Chen Shunan appropriately emphasized how hard-won these Dongzhu iron balls were.

Zhao Guangxi, a newly appointed official, had not yet collected the inaugural regulations.

What gift can compare to silver, jewelry, or antiques that touch the heart?
As expected, Zhao Guangxi, who always had the hollow iron ball from Baozhou with him, couldn't take his eyes off the brand-new Dongzhu iron balls.

He tossed aside the rusty iron ball and then took the Dongzhu iron ball as if it were a treasure.

Wow…

The iron beads spun, producing a clear, resonant sound.

Immediately afterwards, wisps of white water vapor seeped out from the hollowed-out green pearl, gathering into a misty fog.

It makes people feel refreshed and their blood and energy flow smoothly.

"Okay, okay!!"

Zhao Guangxi was overjoyed and played with the pair of Dongzhu iron balls over and over again, as if he had just acquired a delicate maidservant and wanted to hold her in his hands as his most precious treasure.

Seeing this, Old Man Feng shook his head.

Chen Shunan has truly mastered the art of navigating workplace relationships.

If he isn't given important responsibilities, who will?
Sun Xiao, San Dezi, and the others, who witnessed this scene from afar, were also deeply moved and felt that they had benefited greatly.

No wonder he's made such rapid progress!
Meanwhile, a seed was planted in the young hearts of Niu Dabiao and Du Xiaohua, who seemed to have a clearer understanding of the world.

"No, no, Old Chen, this gift is too valuable. You should take it back."

“It’s already in the owner’s hands, how can we take it back? This was all thanks to my painstaking efforts…”

Zhao Guangxi, his face full of resistance, took Chen Shunan's hand and walked away together.

After being refused three times, he finally left Wohujing with a helpless expression, watching as Chen Shunan forcibly stuffed the Dongzhu Iron Ball into his waist pocket.

Chen Shunan stood by the street, smiling as he watched Zhao Guangxi leave.

Chen Shunan turned around, holding the hem of his robe, his expression gentle and his eyes like jade, and walked back to the well shed.

Wherever he went, the group of Shui San'er retreated to both sides like a tide, all showing respect and awe.

Even the newly hired clerks were all obedient, completely convinced, and dared not even breathe loudly.

First, the well was said to have a spirit, which helped expand their business.

Later, he quietly used Zhao Guangxi to force Fei Laosan to leave.

Master Zhao valued Manager Chen highly and regarded him as a confidant.

Some people even looked at Chen Shunan with a hint of fear and lingering apprehension.

Old man who doesn't die is a monster. Old Chen is as cunning as a fox. In just a few days, he has completely established himself in Wohu Well and firmly grasped Wohu Well in his hands.

This plan, this decisiveness...

Thank goodness, this is our manager, one of our own!
Chen Shunan sat back down at the elm table under the well and looked around at everyone.

As his gaze swept over them, every Shui San'er who met his eyes lowered their heads.

With Fei Laosan gone, Chen Shunan was in a great mood.

"Du Fuli".

Suddenly, Chen Shunan looked at a dark-skinned man who was pushing an empty cart back to the well to fetch water.

"Hey, boss! What are your orders?"

Du Fuli wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, jogged over, and still had deep marks from the cart straps on his shoulder.

"How's the Bone Strengthening and Golden Elixir going?" "Thanks to the shopkeeper, I broke through to the second level last night."

Du Fuli rubbed his hands together, his bronze face glowing red.

"Alright, Du Fuli has done a good job in recruiting new people and has been very diligent in his work. From today onwards, you will be in charge of shoveling water. Your benefits and treatment will be in accordance with those of a second-rate martial artist."

Chen Shunan tapped the elmwood table lightly with his fingertips and spoke calmly.

Thousands of dollars to buy horse bones.

Du Fuli was the horse that Chen Shunan deliberately picked out to motivate others.

Du Fuli was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.

"Thank you, boss. Thank you, boss."

Du Fuli's eyes were a little moist.

Water winnowing is a really lucrative job.

Firstly, they don't have to endure the wind and sun, or the hardships of hard work; secondly, their income is guaranteed regardless of drought or flood, and they are paid according to the amount of water they draw, so their monthly allowance is already higher than that of ordinary water buffalo.

Not to mention, Elder Feng is also here to oversee things.

If one day Master Feng were to open his mouth and offer a few words of guidance, all my doubts about martial arts would be easily resolved, and I would be enlightened!
At this moment, Du Fuli added another life motto to his list of responsibilities: finding a wife for himself and a wife for his son.

I pledge my loyalty to Manager Chen, even unto death!

Of course, the premise is that it cannot delay his marriage.

……

"What? Brother Shun'an, you want to increase the investment of martial arts resources in those orphans?"

Inside the flower hall of the Li residence, the fragrance of sandalwood wafted through the air.

Li Shicheng stared at Chen Shunan in astonishment.

Chen Shunan picked up the Sparrow Tongue teacup in front of him and leisurely took a bite.

Now you can taste the flavor.

My throat felt soothed, and a refreshing, sweet taste spread from the tip of my tongue, leaving a lingering fragrance in my mouth.

The sweet spring water from this ice cellar, and the sparrow tongue tea roasted over a charcoal fire, are indeed much tastier than broken, cold tea.

Chen Shunan felt that he had wasted the last few decades of his life. It turned out that these rich bastards and royal family members were really quite skilled at making these pleasure-seeking things!

You should enjoy it.

"of course."

Chen Shunan gestured to the maid beside him to refill his cup, and then said,
"Martial arts value practice. Given the same aptitude and time, the reason why those from wealthy and powerful families have far superior martial arts skills compared to those from poor and humble backgrounds is simply because they have access to resources."

Chen Shunan continued, "Among those children, there are still some promising talents. If we let them grow up unchecked, who knows how long it will be before they reach maturity. It is advisable to lay a solid foundation as soon as possible, or even replace their old blood and marrow."

Upon hearing this, Li Shicheng looked at Chen Shunan with a strange expression.

They provided aid to the orphanage and even helped those orphans with their intellectual development and martial arts training.

Li Shicheng could understand.

But judging from Chen Shunan's appearance, he's sparing no resources and seizing every minute...

He had some doubts.
"Why does it feel like Chen Zhuyou is raising a private army, aiming to carve up territory and rebel?"

Li Shicheng didn't dare say these words aloud.

That's punishable by death.

Li Shicheng put down his teacup and said with some difficulty,
"I have instructors who can teach martial arts according to local conditions, and I can even personally teach them; I also have access to treasures like the Vermilion Fruit and Lingzhi that lay the foundation for martial arts... but the key is, I don't have the money."

Li Shicheng sighed: "Even a clever woman can't cook without rice. If we train them simply, it won't cost much. If we really follow your plan, Brother Shun'an... there are currently twenty-three orphans with martial arts aptitude. Even with a little selection, choosing the best of the best, there are still seven or eight with above-average talent."

"At this rate, it will cost a hundred taels of silver every month, and there's no limit to how much it will cost!"

Li Shicheng had a headache.

Once or twice, the Li family could barely scrape together the money.

But this requires continuous investment.

Chen Zhuyou is now the new manager, and there are places to spend money everywhere.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Chen Shunan appeared confident and said,

"Chen said, 'I'll take responsibility for the money!'"

After discussing a few more details with Li Shicheng, Chen Shunan stepped over the threshold and turned to leave the Li residence.

Before leaving, he took a lot of Miyun Ganquan tea and Queshe tea from the Li family's inventory.

This is not because Chen Shunan was indulging in pleasure and forgot his original aspirations.

Rather, he was no longer a peasant, but had joined the ranks of the privileged class.

Then one should blend in with the crowd, humble oneself, and learn these hedonistic things that flaunt one's status.

Only then can we infiltrate the enemy's ranks!

The black sedan chair passed through the streets, heading towards Guanghui Money Shop.

Shop signs lined both sides of the street, swaying in the wind.

Barbers, cricket fighters, young masters from Baishan carrying bird cages, vendors selling candied hawthorns... all sorts of people, moving about like clouds.

Passing by a "Chivalrous Tea House", it was bustling with people, their doorsteps worn down, and almost all of the hundred or so tables inside were occupied.

Chen Shunan heard from others that Yu Xiaoquan, a famous orator in the capital, had returned to the Xiayi Book and Tea House after several months.

This time, I'm going to finish telling the whole "Emperor's Nine Complete Martial Arts Series" and fill in all the plot holes.

Yu Xiaoquan was an extraordinary person. Born in Tianjin, she was a woman, but she was very knowledgeable. She was familiar with the five trades and eight professions in the capital, as well as the local customs and traditions. She was skilled in various storytelling and ballad singing, both literary and martial.

He comes to Wuqing County to give lectures every spring and winter.

Chen Shunan was a big fan of hers, never missing a single performance. In the past, he would come to the Xiayi Bookstore Tea House every few days, afraid of missing a fleeting glimpse of Yu Xiaoquan.

(End of this chapter)