Chapter 523 - 510: Eyes Wide Open at the Sight of Money

Chapter 523: Chapter 510: Eyes Wide Open at the Sight of Money

But, despite their waiting and anticipation, Zhuang Qingning never showed up again, and, correspondingly, Ding Gaochang showed no signs of concerning himself with this matter thereafter.

Instead, the villagers started to grumble.

Feng Yongfu had already hinted about opening up a workshop in the village. He made it sound grand and promising, saying the workshop would bring prosperity to the villagers. He intended to show off his achievements as village chief.

But after releasing these expectations into the village, villagers were left on their toes, eagerly waiting. As the year-end approached, and with no signs of progress on the workshop, villagers began to question its development and doubtful of Feng’s ability to fulfill his pledge. They wondered if Feng Yongfu was simply deceiving them…

Feeling restless and under pressure, Feng Yongfu left his home in haste one day to seek out Ding Gaochang for information about the workshop.

Unfortunately, Ding Gaochang was not at the County Government Office.

Relaying the message wouldn’t be appropriate either.

Messages get warped in transmission, and who knows what the two officials that went with Zhuang Qingning might say or twist to fuel dissent and sabotage Feng.

“Even if you consider this matter urgent, you will have to wait for Master Ding’s return,” Mr. Cha, the government official, said with difficulty glancing at Feng Yongfu. “Master Ding is investigating a serious murder case right now, probably the most urgent matter at hand.”

“If Feng, the village chief, is unwilling to relay a message, then you’ll have to wait until Master Ding is available. But, considering the gravity of this case, I can’t guarantee when that might be.”

Listening to Mr. Cha, Feng Yongfu’s brow furrowed, his previously cheerful demeanor turned solemn. After considering for a while, he took out a few copper coins from his sleeve and put then into Mr. Cha’s hands, “Mr, Cha, I hope you can help me out …”

“Absolutely not, not at all,” Mr. Cha immediately refused, blocking Feng’s hand. “We aren’t allowed to accept this. As I said, Master Ding is indeed busy with this case. I do not know when he will be available at the County Government Office.”

“Actually, Master Ding hasn’t been home for many days …”

“You think I refuse because the money is too little, but look at me, wearing these patched clothes. It has been hard enough for me to take out the money.” Feng Yongfu continued to push the money towards Mr. Cha, even though he refused to take it.

“That’s not why I …,” Mr. Cha sighed helplessly, feeling a certain amount of impatience towards Feng Yongfu.

Regardless of how urgent your matter is, with Master Ding out, there’s nothing to be done.

He kindly offered to relay a message, but Feng refused. Instead, he insisted on waiting for Master Ding’s return. That’s fine, but now, Feng insists on giving him money against the Office’s protocol, making Mr. Cha look like a money-grubber.

Feeling that his sense of self-worth was being undermined and struggling to maintain his patience, Mr. Cha decided against further explanation. “Village Chief Feng, Master Ding really isn’t here. I don’t know when he will return. If you’re willing to let me deliver a message, I’d be glad to help you out by informing Master Ding. But if you insist on waiting for Master Ding, then you should wait.”

“However, I must ask you, Village Chief Feng, that if you choose to wait, please do it out of sight. It wouldn’t be good if people saw you and started to speculate about what was happening at the Office.”

Having said this, he ignored Feng Yongfu.

Feng Yongfu’s outstretched hand froze mid-air, while Mr. Cha was cold-facedly refusing his money. Feng didn’t know whether he should continue insisting or take the coins back.

Sigh, in the end, the rule of the Government Office seems to be “no coins, no service.”

Everyone says that to get any attention, every mouth of the “official” must be fed. Now, even Mr. Cha seems money motivated. He wondered how much these officials are paid every month to disdain his copper coins.

All in all, they despise him because they see him as poor.

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Probably because they disdain my patched clothes.

“Mr. Feng, if you intend to wait, please do so over there, because we still have work to do.” Seeing him not intending to leave, Mr. Cha urged.

The bitterness in Feng Yongfu’s heart deepened. Hesitantly, he backed off to the side, found a spot under the sun, leaned against the wall, and crouched down.

He kept his eyes trained on the Office, wondering if Mr. Cha was deceiving him.

The street was still bustling with people. At the year’s end, when both long-term and short-term workers settled their wages, people dressed as shabbily as Feng Yongfu were everywhere. Some grouped in twos and threes, chatting on the street or drinking tea at the tea stalls – Feng Yongfu was not conspicuous at all.

But in the crowd, one person did stand out.

A long gown and the demeanor of a scholar, his face was radiant and full of promise. More importantly, his handsome face drew attention.

A person like this walking on the streets, with a servant carrying stuff behind him, would naturally draw attention as a young master from a wealthy family, encouraging curious glances, especially from girls of suitable age.

“See, Manager, I told you so. With your looks, as long as you change your clothes, you would become the center of attention. Why don’t you start looking? If you find a good match, it will put Madame’s mind at ease,” Kugua said playfully on the side.

“Stop talking nonsense,” Shang Chengen gave Kugua a flick on his forehead. “We are not here for this today, we are here for a serious matter.”

“Yes, a serious matter,” Kugua muttered, sticking out his tongue and making a face.

Indeed, they were attending to a serious matter — searching for the unique dried noodles. Shang Chengen was so committed to finding these noodles that he even closed his noodle shop for the day.

After purchasing a bunch of ingredients, they quickly headed towards the County Government Office to inquire about the officials who had dined at their noodle shop that day and to locate Manager Zhuang.

“We’re almost at the Government Office. You wait here while I ask around,” Shang Chengen told Kugua, seeing that he was carrying a bunch of stuff. Shang Chengen found a nearby tea stall for Kugua to rest and wait for him with a cup of tea.

“What’s your business here?” One of the Government officials asked Shang Chengen as he approached the Office.

“I came here to enquire about two people.” Shang Chengen replied with a respectful bow and a smile.

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