If you're afraid of being poor, how much is face worth?
Ma Ningyuan, who was following behind Yuan Chongli, heard Zhu Bai's words and his head buzzed. He was suddenly stunned.
What the hell?
Making the prefect of Qiongzhou, a rank four official of the imperial court, be the steward of King Qiong's mansion?
Not to mention Ma Ningyuan, even Yuan Chongli was stunned when he heard Zhu Bai's words.
If it wasn't for the fact that Yuan Chongli knew King Qiong Zhu Bai's character, then the words that Zhu Bai had said just now, Yuan Chongli would definitely think that he was humiliating him.
However, regardless of whether these words were meant to humiliate him or not, Qiongzhou Prefecture Magistrate Yuan Chongli did not dare to reply.
Seeing this, King Qiong Zhu Bai wasn't anxious and continued,"Of course, this Prince will definitely not let you work for nothing. I will give you a hundred catties of refined salt as your monthly salary, and the Imperial Residence will provide you and your family with unlimited amounts of fresh water for free. Of course, food and accommodation will be included.”
Hearing this, Qiongzhou Prefecture Magistrate Yuan Chongli's legs went limp and he almost collapsed to the ground.
Seeing this, Ma Ningyuan, who was behind him, hurriedly went forward to support Yuan Chongli.
Only then did he not collapse to the ground.
One had to say, the price that King Qiong Zhu Bai offered was truly too alluring.
Even if one jin was calculated at half a tael of silver, a hundred jin was still fifty taels of silver.
Moreover, this was calculated according to the lowest price. If the market was a little better, a catty of this refined salt could even be sold for two taels of silver.
What kind of concept was this?
In the Ming Dynasty, ten taels of silver was enough for an ordinary family of five to live comfortably for a year.
This monthly salary could completely beat Yuan Chongli's annual salary in the Imperial Court.
Not only that, there was also fresh water!
In Qiongzhou, where fresh water was as precious as gold, Yuan Chongli had never thought that he could provide an unlimited supply of free fresh water.
Yuan Chongli, the prefect of Qiongzhou, continued to walk forward in a daze without saying a word.
It wasn't that he didn't want to say it, but that he couldn't bring himself to say it.
Yuan Chongli was stunned. He didn't believe that he would receive such good treatment.
A few days ago, he had even begged General Xu Da to speak up for him and transfer him back to the imperial court to be an official.
If he could get this job given by His Highness King Qiong, what kind of official would he be?
Ma Ningyuan, who had been supporting Yuan Chongli, was also in a daze.
He had a hundred thoughts in his mind. He wanted to pluck up the courage to ask His Highness King Qiong for a job, even if it was to sweep the floor in the Prince's mansion.
Zhu Bai, who was walking in front, was not anxious. Whether Yuan Chongli agreed or not, it did not affect him.
In the future, his business would grow bigger and bigger. He would have at least six or seven positions as a butler.
Or perhaps he could use the same system as the three provinces and six ministries of the imperial court.
Anyway, in Qiongzhou, he was a local tyrant.
And in the near future, he would be the kind of rich emperor who could rival a country.
besides
The salary that was given out was basically considered to be Zhu Bai's free whoring.
Fresh water and refined salt could be produced continuously.
Although the seawater salt factory had an eighty-year limitation period.
But that was 80 years!
"Your Highness…"
The few of them walked forward together for a long time before Qiongzhou Prefecture Magistrate Yuan Chongli smacked his lips and shouted.
When Zhu Bai heard the voice, he turned his head to look at Yuan Chongli, who had a somewhat dazed expression, and casually said,""What's wrong? The manor master felt that being the steward of my manor was embarrassing?”
"No!"
The magistrate of Qiongzhou, Yuan Chongli, was stunned. He then said,""As the head of the prefecture, I manage the land of Qiongzhou Prefecture. In the end, I'm just His Majesty's butler.”
"Now that your highness has taken a fancy to this lowly official and doesn't mind this lowly official being stupid, this lowly official will definitely pour his brain and liver on the ground for your highness, without any hesitation!”
Hearing this, King Qiong Zhu Bai raised his head and laughed loudly,""Good, good, good! Lord Yuan's words are very insightful!"
As soon as Zhu Bai finished speaking, Ma Ningyuan, who was supporting Qiongzhou Prefecture Magistrate Yuan Chongli, hurriedly said,"Your Highness!"
"Hmm?"
"Your Highness, this humble official is the Tongzhi of Qiongzhou, Ma Ningyuan. I would also like to ask Your Highness for a job!”
Zhu Bai pondered for a moment and said," Then you go and help Zhang Fu. This simple-minded person can manage people, but he doesn't know how to settle accounts."”
Zhang Fu, who was standing behind Zhu Bai, chuckled and scratched the back of his head." Thank you, Your Highness!”
After receiving Zhu Bai's affirmative reply, Ma Ningyuan's nerves tensed up and he said excitedly,""Thank you, Your Highness!"
While Ma Ningyuan was speaking, a soldier hurried over and whispered a few words into Zhu Bai's ear.
After receiving the news, Zhu Bai turned his head to look at the two of them and said,"Milords, follow Zhang Fu to handle the handover procedures. My father-in-law is waiting for me inside, so I won't accompany you.”
"That's what I should do.”
The two of them said in unison.
······
At the construction site-
In the temporary residence.
Although it was a temporary residence, it was still small and well-equipped.
General Xu Da was sitting in the main hall. Beside him was a fragrant tea brewed by a servant girl.
"Father-in-law!"
When Zhu Bai stepped into the temporary residence, he saw General Xu Da sitting on a chair. His fourth son, Xu Zengshou, stood respectfully at the side.
"Good son-in-law, come quickly!"
Xu Da, who was sitting on a chair with his eyes closed, heard his son-in-law Zhu Bai's voice. He immediately opened his eyes and stood up to welcome him with a smile.
The fourth son, Xu Zengshou, who was standing beside Xu Da, also had a smile on his face. He said enthusiastically,"Brother-in-law!"
Zhu Bai smiled as he stepped forward. After greeting the two of them, he sat opposite Xu Da.
The fourth son, Xu Zengshou, could only stand because his father, Xu Da, was there.
According to seniority, even Zhu Bai, King Qiong, could not sit.
However, no matter how his father-in-law, Xu Da, looked at his son-in-law, how happy he was in his heart, how could he care about these details?
"My good son-in-law, your manor is really magnificent!”
The moment Xu Da saw him, he praised loudly,"I've traveled far and wide and have lived for half my life, but I've never seen a king's mansion built like this.”
"Now that you've made me, I don't even want to go back to being the Great General of the Imperial Court. I might as well retire here with you.”
A smile hung on Zhu Bai's face. Towards this father-in-law who was always protecting him, Zhu Bai was quite fond of him.
"Father-in-law, are you here to look for your son-in-law?”
Zhu Bai picked up the tea that the servant girl had brewed and calmly took a sip before slowly asking.
His father-in-law, Xu Da, looked at his precious son-in-law in front of him. The more he looked at him, the happier he became.
In the days he had been in Qiongzhou, he had personally witnessed the changes Zhu Bai had made to this place.
Thus, he acknowledged Zhu Bai's ability even more.
Seeing that his precious son-in-law was straightforward, Xu Da did not hesitate and asked directly,"Good son-in-law, I heard from Zhang Fu that at this rate, the Imperial Residence will be completed in less than half a year?”
Zhu Bai smiled and shook his head." Zhang Fu, that simple-minded fellow, how could he have used half a year? With so many people, and the number is still increasing by about 10,000 every day, it looks like it will be completed in three months."”
"However, it will still take some time for the decorations inside.”
Xu Da nodded and smiled as he stroked his beard. He then asked,"Good son-in-law, when do you plan to arrange your marriage with our daughter?”
"Once the Imperial Residence is completed, we can get married!”
"Good!"
Seeing Zhu Bai promise so readily, Xu Da's heart could be considered to be at ease.
As this son-in-law's abilities grew, Xu Da had been reminding him these days.
If this Zhu Bai didn't like her daughter, then wouldn't this good son-in-law be gone?
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。