12dz Chapter 1460 Scholar Zhu Wins the Bid (2)
Chapter 1460 Scholar Zhu Wins the Bid (2)
Despite his anger, Magistrate Wang remained highly efficient in his work.
Three days later, Sun Shan met Zhu Xiucai.
Despite his advanced age, Gui Ge'er, showing respect for the elderly and care for the young, helped him to a seat.
Zhu Xiucai was flattered and repeatedly bowed, saying, "This old man greets Lord Sun."
Sun Shan gestured for Zhu Xiucai to sit down and said with a smile, "You should know why I called you here this time."
Scholar Zhu nodded: "My lord, I understand."
Upon learning that he had won the bid, Zhu Xiucai's face was filled with disbelief.
How could such a lucrative business fall into the hands of a landowner like himself?
Zhu Xiucai always thought that Sun Shan was holding a meeting and asking them to write tender documents, but it was just a formality.
The supporting actor accompanies the main character through the play; Lord Sun must have already had a target in mind.
Scholars, after all, always want both.
Through various events and actions, Zhu Xiucai secretly discerned that the Lord Sun before him was clearly a hypocrite with a sanctimonious facade.
Look how close he is to Magistrate Wang; he even arranged for someone from the Wang family to be the workshop manager.
Even a glimpse of the whole picture reveals that Lord Sun and Magistrate Wang are in cahoots.
Officials from other regions colluded with local bullies to secretly exploit the people of Yuanlu.
This bidding process, ostensibly for "purchasing farm tools and oxen," was actually a cleverly designed pretext to allow corrupt officials to protect each other and launder their dealings.
This emptied the government's slush fund and put the money into private pockets.
Scholar Zhu secretly wondered whether Sun Shan and Magistrate Wang would split the spoils 50/50 or 30/70, since the sky over Yuanlu County remained gloomy.
The only saving grace is that Lord Sun still had some sense of shame; his embezzlement wasn't too blatant, and he left a way for the people to survive.
Scholar Zhu was always wise to protect himself, turning a blind eye and pretending nothing had happened.
The moment Zhu Xiucai was informed by the official that he had won the bid, his whole body bristled.
I highly suspect there's something fishy going on here; there's definitely some conspiracy involved.
How could such a good thing fall into his lap? Zhu Xiucai only knew the low-level clerks in the yamen, and didn't even know the officials in charge.
Helpless against the magistrate's orders, they dared not disobey and could only take things one step at a time.
Sun Shan took out Zhu Xiucai's bid and said bluntly, "Zhu Xiucai, I have carefully reviewed your proposal. Among all the bids, it is the best written and the most practical. I have decided to entrust you with the task of purchasing farm tools and oxen."
Zhu Xiucai was secretly startled, but fortunately, his age and experience allowed him to remain calm on the surface.
He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "My lord, the plan I wrote is mediocre and does not deserve such praise."
Sun Shan smiled gently and said, "Scholar Zhu, I have a few questions to ask you, based on the plan you wrote."
Scholar Zhu made a gesture of invitation.
Sun Shan first asked him if he often went to Chenzhou Prefecture, why he was so familiar with the farm tools and oxen in Chenzhou Prefecture, and whether he knew any merchants there who could confirm that the prices of farm tools and oxen were as stated in the tender.
They also asked if it was certain that the task would be completed before next year's spring planting season.
Zhu Xiucai explained in detail why he wrote the tender in this way, and that he did indeed have a familiar businessman in Chenzhou Prefecture.
In addition, since his family were farmers, he was very familiar with the prices of farm tools and oxen, which is why he put forward such a tender document.
Sun Shan asked about everything, big and small, and Zhu Xiucai answered about everything, big and small.
This back-and-forth questioning took half an hour.
Sun Shan said with satisfaction, "It seems that Scholar Zhu is really familiar with farming and knows the prices of farm tools and oxen very well."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "I'm entrusting you with the task of purchasing farm tools and oxen this time. I hope you can complete the task before next year's spring plowing."
Scholar Zhu bowed respectfully and said, "My lord, I will certainly complete the mission according to the date written in the plan."
Zhu Xiucai appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was in turmoil.
They secretly observed Sun Shan and were surprised to find that their county magistrate was actually a farmer.
Besides talking to him about farm tools and the price of oxen, we also discussed how to choose farm tools and oxen, and how to farm.
Sun Shan spoke with such conviction that Zhu Xiucai had no choice but to believe him—or rather, admire him greatly.
When Zhu Xiucai was young, he studied poetry and books diligently. In middle age, he passed the imperial examination and became a Xiucai. However, he failed the examination repeatedly and had no choice but to return to Shenxi Village in disgrace to become a schoolteacher.
Later, as he grew older, he handed over the private school to his son, who was a student, and instead developed a love for farming.
This tender document is so detailed and practical.
Firstly, Zhu Xiucai had genuinely studied and practiced farming, and understood the principles of it.
Secondly, Zhu Xiucai has obsessive-compulsive disorder, or rather, he is a perfectionist.
If you're going to write a tender document, you have to put your heart into it. Just like when he writes an article, regardless of whether it's good or bad, he always finishes it conscientiously and responsibly.
Even knowing that Sun Shan's bidding plan was just a formality, Zhu Xiucai still demanded that it be done perfectly.
I never expected to win the bid!
Zhu Xiucai vaguely sensed that Lord Sun quite appreciated his pragmatic character, and his words were full of praise.
Sun Shan had no idea about Zhu Xiucai's psychological journey.
If I knew, I would tell him without hesitation that I truly admire him.
Sun Shan thinks that people who work diligently are the most beautiful.
After asking his question, Sun Shan continued, "Scholar Zhu, there's nothing wrong with your plan. Just do as you say."
He paused, then added, "If you have any questions, you can ask me."
Scholar Zhu, of course, had a question. He asked very tactfully, "Sir, the farm tools and oxen need to be purchased in batches. Should I pay for them at the yamen after I've bought them, or...?"
Even though the government said they would pay first and then take delivery, Zhu Xiucai didn't believe it. He was already prepared to pay in advance.
At the same time, I secretly rejoiced that my family still had some savings over the years, and that with a little effort, we could still come up with this huge sum of money.
Sun Shan instantly understood what Zhu Xiucai meant and said directly, "The yamen will give you the money first, and then you can buy back the farm tools and oxen. Don't worry, the yamen won't give you credit."
With those words, Zhu Xiucai's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled.
When it comes to money, the worst thing is for someone to default on their debts. Hearing Sun Shan say this, Zhu Xiucai couldn't help but smile.
After discussing official business, Sun Shan and Zhu Xiucai talked about the "path to prosperity" of Shenxi Village.
Sun Shan asked curiously, "Scholar Zhu, I've heard that your grandfather was skilled in bamboo weaving. I wonder if your family still weaves baskets?"
Scholar Zhu nodded repeatedly: "Reporting to Your Excellency, both men and women in my family have been weaving baskets since childhood. This is an ancestral craft that cannot be lost."
My grandfather supported his family with his craft, and later gradually made money to raise Zhu Xiucai, eventually becoming a landlord in Shenxi Village.
Zhu Xiucai solemnly said, "Sir, my grandfather often said that a person must have a skill to make a living. Even if you are rich now, you will inevitably fall on hard times one day. Therefore, the descendants of the family must learn the family's skills. If you are unlucky in the future, you will still have a skill."
Upon hearing this, Sun Shan was deeply moved; Zhu Xiucai's grandfather was truly a wise man.
Sun Shan couldn't help but wonder what his family's ancestral craft was.
It should have started with medical skills, but unfortunately, Dr. Sun had already gone to sell salted duck eggs.
So now all that's left is the skill of growing flowers.
Should we follow the example of Zhu Xiucai's grandfather and ensure that all the descendants of the Sun family have the skill of growing flowers?
At that moment, the chubby girl who was sitting and writing in the backyard suddenly sneezed and scratched her nose.
He was just too rough and was hit with a ruler by Granny He.
The chubby girl was extremely aggrieved.
At that moment, little did they know that they would have to learn another flower-growing course, and the burden on their young shoulders had become even heavier.