12dz Chapter 106 Robbing the Rice Shop
Chapter 106 Robbing the Rice Shop
Chapter 106 Robbing the Rice Shop
The afterglow of the setting sun, like a slowly unfurled orange-red brocade, gently spread across the entire surface of the Xiang River. The last ray of light pierced through the lintel of "Songyang Rice Shop," casting a long, warm band of light on the freshly swept bluestone floor.
Zhang Xiaoshuan, a clerk at the rice shop, was carefully sweeping away the last grain of rice chaff in the corner with a large broom. After finishing, he went behind the counter, picked up the abacus that had developed a patina, and began to calculate the accounts himself, following the accountant's instructions, to see if he could get them right.
"Three hundred and twenty catties of rice were produced, and nine taels and six mace were recorded in the accounts — eight thousand catties of unpolished rice remain in stock — new stock needs to be delivered tomorrow —"
The abacus beads danced nimbly under his fingertips, making crisp "crackling" sounds, like the most beautiful notes in this new beginning. He carefully recorded everything in the ledger, stroke by stroke, with his still slightly immature handwriting.
The wages offered here are the highest in the entire city of Xiangtan.
In other rice shops and pharmacies, hiring an apprentice and providing food and lodging is already considered a great favor, and it's common for them to go three years without receiving a single penny. But here, as an apprentice, he receives wages similar to those of regular employees who have worked for over a decade at other shops.
Not to mention, the rice shop also provides two solid, full meals, meat every three days, and a small bag of free rice every day after work, just enough for his family of three for the day.
This is not just a job, it's a way to make a living.
With the money he saved, he could not only afford to feed his father, who had broken his leg, meat at every meal, but also hire a doctor from the city to set his bones and apply medicine. The doctor said that as long as his father's leg was properly cared for, it was unlikely that he would fully recover and be able to work again, but there was a good chance that he would be able to walk again and no longer be a sick person.
Because of these thoughts, he paid extra attention to everything in the rice shop.
He not only studied bookkeeping and abacus diligently himself, but also used his newfound knowledge to tirelessly help his illiterate coworkers record work points and calculate wages after work, fearing that they might be cheated out of a single penny.
Li Qingde: No, oh no, that's not right. Oh, right, right, right. Oh, I'm telling you, that's not right. Oh, right, right—is that right?
Gradually, both the rice shop assistants and the dockworkers developed a great deal of trust and affection for this young man who, despite his young age, was exceptionally kind-hearted.
"Xiao Shuan, checking the accounts again? It's almost dark, why aren't you off work yet? Your father is waiting for you to bring the medicine back!" A rough voice came from the doorway. It was Wang Wu, the senior brother in charge of guarding the dock. He was on his day off today and came to the rice shop for a visit.
"Brother Wang!" Zhang Xiaoshuan looked up, revealing a simple and honest smile. "Almost done, just the last few strokes. By the way, why did the dock seem so deserted this afternoon? At least half of the guards and the brothers responsible for manning the boats and transporting cargo were gone."
Upon hearing this, Wang Wu revealed a mysterious smile and lowered his voice, saying, "You've got sharp eyes, kid."
That's right. Boss Li personally led a group of people away this afternoon. The last time something like this happened was when we went to Changsha to do big business.
"Another big deal?" Zhang Xiaoshuan's eyes lit up.
"That's right!" Wang Wu patted his chest proudly. "I heard that Chief Escort Lin is getting another large shipment tonight, and this time it's very precious medicinal herbs! Following Young Hero Shen, the good days are yet to come!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaoshuan smiled along, his heart filled with anticipation. The boss's business was thriving, and they, the employees, were happy too, feeling hopeful for the future.
However, just as he finished checking the last account and was about to close up shop, something unexpected happened!
"Bang!"
With a loud crash, the thick wooden door of the rice shop was kicked open from the outside! The door slammed against the wall, and the loud noise made dust fall from the roof beams.
A dozen or so thugs wielding clubs and machetes rushed in with sinister grins on their faces. The leader was a minor leader of the Blackwater Gang.
"Don't move! It's a robbery!"
"Hand over all the money!"
This sudden turn of events left Zhang Xiaoshuan instantly pale and his mind blank.
However, before he could react, Wang Wu, who had been chatting with him, and the other two guards who were standing in the shop roared and rushed forward!
"court death!"
A fierce glint flashed in Wang Wu's eyes. He grabbed a long knife from the side of the door and charged into the crowd like a tiger descending a mountain instead of retreating!
Although they were outnumbered, these guards were all skilled fighters who had followed Li Donglai through thick and thin. Their skills and courage far surpassed those of the thugs who only dared to bully ordinary people.
In an instant, the small rice shop was filled with the sounds of clubs clashing, angry curses, the dull thud of bones breaking, and piercing screams.
After a brief moment of panic, Zhang Xiaoshuan felt a surge of adrenaline rush to his head.
He couldn't just stand by and watch the guards suffer for protecting the rice shop! This was the shop that Young Master Shen had given them, these poor souls, a home! Anyone who dared to destroy their home, he would fight them to the death!
Without further hesitation, the boy grabbed a heavy iron crowbar from the corner of the wall, used to pry open rice bags. His eyes were bloodshot, and with all his might, he roared and charged forward!
The riot subsided after an incense stick had burned.
A group of thugs lay groaning on the ground, while the remaining few, terrified by the guards' fierce beating, scrambled away in panic.
"Pah! A bunch of blind bastards!" Wang Wu spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva and kicked one of the thugs who was still pretending to be dead on the ground, knocking him unconscious. He had a cut on his arm, and blood was flowing down his arm, but he didn't care at all.
"Xiao Shuan, are you alright?" He turned to look at Zhang Xiao Shuan and saw that although he had a few bruises on his face and his hand holding the crowbar was still trembling slightly, he was fine, so he breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm fine, Brother Wang." Zhang Xiaoshuan was panting heavily. After the adrenaline subsided, a wave of fear washed over him, but more than that, he felt a surge of excitement.
Is this really something I can do?
Wang Wu patted him on the shoulder and laughed heartily, "Good lad, you've got guts! That blow was accurate and powerful; it almost broke that guy's arm! With you following us around, our rice shop will be much safer!"
As he was speaking, Zhang Xiaoshuan's expression suddenly changed.
"Oh no!" he cried out.
"What's wrong?" Wang Wu asked, startled.
Young people are quick-witted. Zhang Xiaoshuan organized his thoughts and spoke rapidly: "Brother Wang! Something's not right! These people—they're not here to rob the rice shop! How much cash could a rice shop like ours possibly have, even if we just finished work last night? They're here to hurt people! And—and why did they specifically choose this afternoon, when there were fewer guards?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Wu's smile froze.
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