Chapter 536 - 538: Wang Li

Chapter 536: Chapter 538: Wang Li

Ming Nian looked at the dark, sturdy young man before him, a sharp glint in his eyes.

One look was all it took to see he was physically fit; he clearly trained often.

"You saw the notice, so you should know our employer is preparing to form a fleet for ocean voyages. This isn’t some small-scale operation within the fishing harbor."

Ming Nian watched the young man’s expression as he spoke. ’If he starts to back out now, what can I say to convince him?’ he wondered.

Fortunately, the man seemed calm enough for now. He had to press his advantage. "I won’t hide it from you, young man. Going out to sea comes with both great risks and great rewards. We’ll need your consent, or for your family to sign the contract, before we can officially hire you.

Rest assured, the terms we offer are the best you’ll find. A single voyage could be enough for you to make a small fortune."

Wang Li... ’Sounds pretty dangerous,’ he thought.

"However, a single trip could take several months, or even half a year to a year. If that’s acceptable, please fill out your information over here."

Wang Li... ’Why does it feel like I’m walking into a trap?’

"Um, I think I’ll go home and think about it first."

"What’s there to think about?" Ming Nian was determined. ’No matter what, I have to recruit someone today.’

Of course, he wasn’t just grabbing anyone off the street. This man was clearly in good physical shape. If Madam intended to send them to General Zhou for training, he would be more than suitable.

"You must not be clear on the benefits yet, right? Come, come, follow me. I’ll explain it all in detail..."

The waiter who had brought the man in quietly sidled up to the accountant. "Do you think the Shopkeeper is going to scare him off?"

The accountant replied, "We’ve already scared away so many these past few days. What’s one more?"

"No, but Mr. Yu, Madam is waiting for a report. If we don’t recruit anyone soon, won’t we all be in trouble?"

Yu Min said, "What do you think? Sometimes it’s better to have quality over quantity. Besides, the Master and Madam aren’t as ill-tempered as you imagine. Just do your job well, and your future will be bright."

...Wang Li could only watch as the man’s mouth opened and closed, laying out terms that sounded like a joke. "Are the conditions really that good?"

"Of course! Would I lie to you? What’s more, if you’re hired today, your wages will be calculated starting from today."

"No indenture to sign? And I don’t have to do anything immoral or illegal?" Wang Li’s head swam. One tael of monthly silver, two new sets of clothes every season, and a year-end bonus for good performance—was he dreaming?

"Listen to you, young man. We’re such a large establishment. Would we really need to trick people?

The terms I just mentioned are only the basics. If you do well, you could even have my position as Shopkeeper one day." Seeing the man start to waver, Ming Nian pressed harder.

"Of course, it also depends on whether you’re a good fit. If, during the probationary period, either side feels it’s not working out, the contract can be terminated.

With a job offer this secure, what more could you want..."

Wang Li walked out of the Tianfu Restaurant in a daze. He looked back at the two-story building, feeling as if the whole scene had been a dream.

He secretly pinched his thigh. The sharp sting of pain brought him back to his senses.

’To hell with it, I’ll take the gamble.’ Wang Li thought to himself that he was all alone in the world. The most valuable thing he owned was the skin on his back. Even if someone wanted to cheat him, they probably wouldn’t bother picking him.

Little Stone had been waiting at the village entrance for a long time before he finally saw Wang Li. "Brother Li, how did it go?"

"Let’s go back first," Wang Li said.

The two of them walked along the seashore to a wooden hut, where several men were already gathered.

Seeing them arrive, the men immediately crowded around, all talking at once.

Wang Li explained what had happened with the recruitment. "I don’t know if it’s reliable or not. The terms they’re offering are just too good."

"It doesn’t sound very reliable to me either. Aren’t all the shops on the street the same when they hire? In the end, the positions always go to the shopkeeper’s relatives or someone else’s.

Brother Li, you didn’t sign anything sketchy, did you?

I’ve heard people say that some use this method to trick others into signing an indenture."

"Am I that stupid?" Wang Li retorted. "I know how to read.

Besides, a place as big as Tianfu Restaurant wouldn’t risk its reputation over a nobody like me."

"Tianfu Restaurant? Are you sure it was Tianfu Restaurant?" Huang Anping suddenly cried out in surprise.

"Yeah, it seems like it just opened not long ago. Why? Have you been there?"

Huang Anping said, "...Have you forgotten what my distant uncle does? He’s the Chief Constable at the Prefect’s Office. I know a little inside information."

Huang Anping swallowed. "If it’s Tianfu Restaurant, then Brother Li, you’ve really hit the jackpot this time."

Little Stone shoved him. "What are you waiting for? Stop keeping us in suspense and tell us what’s going on!

You know about this Tianfu Restaurant, and what it has to do with Fan Butou?"

Speaking of their last job, they had only managed to do it because Huang Anping’s uncle was the Chief Constable. Otherwise, they might not have earned a single copper coin.

Huang Anping said, "My uncle isn’t lucky enough to have connections with Tianfu Restaurant. But you all know about the Magistrate who took office last year, right?"

"Of course. Who in all of Lu City doesn’t know about him?"

"Well, I heard my uncle mention that Tianfu Tea House is one of the Prefect’s wife’s businesses."

"...You’re not mistaken?"

Huang Anping, being questioned, immediately showed his displeasure. "How could I be mistaken? You all know I have the best memory.

I heard from my uncle that the Prefect’s wife doesn’t just own this one Tianfu Restaurant. She has them in many places, and this is just a small part of her business empire. She’s also an Imperial Merchant."

"Whoa, a woman can be that powerful?" Little Stone sucked in a sharp breath. "In that case, the terms Brother Li heard might actually be real."

Huang Anping was envious now too. "Isn’t that the truth? They say it’s nice to have shade under a big tree. If Brother Li really starts working there, he’ll have a connection to the Lord Prefect in the future."

"Actually, they’re still hiring..." Wang Li began.

Seeing everyone staring at him, Wang Li braced himself and continued, "But the work might be a little dangerous. You know we haven’t had sea trade here before. Once you’re out on the open ocean, who knows what it’s like?

Those bandits come from overseas too. If we really run into them, then..."

Seeing his brothers so full of longing, he knew he had to be the bad guy and lay out the serious risks. Otherwise, they might resent him for it later.

"So, high risks for high rewards," Huang Anping said, having calmed down. "Brother Li, maybe you shouldn’t go either. At worst, we can just find goods in the nearby villages. We’ll each take a smaller cut, but at least we won’t starve." He had sobered up to the fact that you needed to be alive to enjoy any connections you made.