In years of famine and drought, their village even rejected fatty meat.

Chapter 701 The Name of Chen Dao

After saying that, Zhao Wan looked at Zhao Xiaoliang: "Xiaoliang, what about you? How do you plan to spend this money?"

"I haven't decided yet!"

Zhao Xiaoliang replied.

"It's okay if I haven't thought it through yet, as long as I get the money."

The three of them chatted and laughed as they made their way towards Chenjia Village.

When they arrived at Chenjia Village, the village entrance was packed with people. Road workers, as well as loggers and construction workers like Zhao Xiaoliang, were all gathered there, their faces beaming with excitement as they waited for Chenjia Village to pay their wages.

"Finally, we're going to get paid!"

"Chenjia Village is really generous. They paid us our wages before we'd even worked for a month!"

"Absolutely! Chenjia Village is the best landlord I've ever met."

"..."

The workers gathered in small groups, their faces beaming with joy. Today was not only the day Chenjia Village paid its workers, but also the day Chenjia Village had a day off each month. Except for a small number of workers who needed to stay at their posts, all the workers could rest for a day.

"Brother Li."

Zhao Xiaoliang spotted his acquaintance Li Qiao in the crowd and greeted him with a smile.

Li Qiao is a new friend Zhao Xiaoliang recently made. Because they are both lumberjacks and have similar personalities, the two get along very well when they work together. Li Qiao also teaches Zhao Xiaoliang some techniques for applying force, so that Zhao Xiaoliang can cut down trees more easily.

"It's Xiao Liang!"

Li Qiao smiled when he saw Zhao Xiaoliang. Since deciding to stay in Chenjia Village, he had become a lumberjack in the village. Because of his approachable personality, he had made many friends like Zhao Xiaoliang on the construction site.

"Xiao Liang, it's almost time to get your wages. After you get them, I'll treat the three of you to a meal!"

Li Qiao said with a hearty expression that after spending a lot of time with workers like Zhao Xiaoliang, his accent had inevitably been assimilated, and now he referred to himself as "I" far more often than "myself".

"No, no, no."

Zhao Xiaoliang quickly shook his head and refused: "Brother Li, you've helped us so much, how could we possibly let you treat us?"

For ordinary people, inviting someone to dinner is definitely not an easy thing. In Zhao Xiaoliang's opinion, Li Qiao, who was dressed in ordinary clothes, must be from a poor family like them. How could he let Li Qiao invite them to dinner?

"No need, Brother Li, we've already eaten at home."

Zhao Shitou and Zhao Wan also shook their heads.

Seeing this, Li Qiao feigned displeasure and said, "What? Aren't we friends? You're going to refuse even a meal?"

"Of course we're friends, but..."

Before Zhao Xiaoliang could finish speaking, Li Qiao interrupted, "Stop talking, this meal is on me! You just wait and eat."

Seeing Li Qiao's resolute attitude, Zhao Xiaoliang and the other two had no choice but to say nothing more, and the matter was settled.

Soon after, with Chen He's arrival, wages began to be paid.

"Liu Er, right? Here's your 500 cash wages."

Chen He handed a string of pre-strung copper coins to the worker at the front of the line.

The worker was taken aback and asked in surprise, "Village Chief Chen, our wages are five hundred coins?"

"Yes."

Chen He smiled and nodded, saying, "Brother Dao, considering how hard you've worked, has decided to pay you a full month's wages."

"Wow! That's great!"

"Long live Mr. Chen!"

"Mr. Chen is so kind to us!"

"..."

A huge cheer erupted from the crowd, and everyone's face was filled with surprise and joy.

They originally thought that wages were calculated based on working hours, but they didn't expect Chen Dao to be so generous as to pay them a full month's wages, which made them very grateful to Chen Dao.

"Xiao Liang, did you hear that?"

Zhao Wan tugged at Zhao Xiaoliang's sleeve and whispered, "Mr. Chen is going to give us 500 coins!"

"heard it!"

Zhao Xiaoliang was pleasantly surprised. He had previously said that he would receive about three or four hundred coins this time, but he did not expect Mr. Chen to be so generous. Even though they only worked for 20 days, he still paid them a month's wages.

"Mr. Chen is such a good person!"

Zhao Xiaoliang couldn't help but sigh, his heart filled with gratitude for Chen Dao.

Standing next to Zhao Xiaoliang, Li Qiao watched the cheering workers and gained a deeper understanding of Chen Dao's reputation in Taiping County.

Whether it's the villagers of Chenjia Village, temporary workers like Zhao Xiaoliang, or the people of Taiping County as a whole, they all have great faith in Chen Dao and even worship him.

It is no exaggeration to say that if Chen Dao were to raise the flag of rebellion, the vast majority of the people of Taiping County would probably be willing to follow him.

The long line of workers moved slowly forward. Each worker had a happy face after receiving their wages. Some took the money into Chenjia Village to buy some supplies, while others hurried back home to deposit the money.

Before long, it was Zhao Xiaoliang's turn and his group of four.

Zhao Xiaoliang held the slightly heavy 500 copper coins, his eyes shining.

"I've never earned so much money before."

Holding the copper coins in both hands, Zhao Shitou exuded joy as if he were holding the most precious treasure. This was probably the biggest sum of money he had ever earned. When he worked in the city before, his wages were usually paid daily, and he could earn a dozen or twenty copper coins at most in a day. This was the first time he had ever earned 500 coins at once.

Looking at the overjoyed Zhao Xiaoliang and his two companions, Li Qiao couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions. Five hundred coins thrown on the ground would be something that the sons of powerful families wouldn't even bother to pick up, yet it made Zhao Xiaoliang and his two companions so happy. The difference between people was on full display at this moment.

The reason for this disparity is simply due to different backgrounds, which is quite ironic.

"Let's go, I'll treat you to dinner."

Li Qiao patted Zhao Xiaoliang on the shoulder, and then led the three of them into Chenjia Village.

The time when wages are paid each month is the busiest time on Chencun Avenue and the happiest time for the merchants in the village, and today is no exception.

As wages were gradually distributed, the villagers and workers who received their pay came to Chenjia Village one after another, intending to spend some money.

Therefore, when Li Qiao and his three companions entered Chenjia Village, they were greeted by a scene of massive crowds. Large numbers of workers who had received their wages were strolling along Chencun Avenue, occasionally entering a shop to make some purchases. When they came out, they were either empty-handed or carrying goods, their faces beaming with smiles, making it easy to sense their joy.

"There are so many people!"

Looking at the bustling scene on Chencun Avenue, Zhao Xiaoliang couldn't help but sigh.

This was not his first time entering Chenjia Village. Because his workplace was located opposite the entrance of Chenjia Village, Zhao Xiaoliang and his two companions would occasionally enter Chenjia Village to broaden their horizons.