Chapter 105: Female Workers 1/2

Li Qingzhi and Zhu Xunmiao left the county office together.

Zhu Xunmiao was not very old. Because he had to study and Zhu Qian was worried about his safety, he had only been to the prefectural capital before.

This time, he was going to Linhu County and would also be following the magistrate to investigate… Zhu Xunmiao was very excited.

“Brother Li, what are you planning to bring with you this time?” Zhu Xunmiao asked Li Qingzhi.

The original owner of Li Qingzhi’s body had once been a refugee for several months, so he knew what was needed when going out.

So he simply listed what was necessary.

“I’ve made a note of it. It’s a pity that Qifei can’t come with us…” Zhu Xunmiao said.

Xu Qifei had a good relationship with Zhu Xunmiao, but Magistrate Gou was not familiar with Xu Qifei, so it was impossible to bring him along to Linhu County.

“The knowledge that Magistrate Gou will impart along the way, you can jot it down with a pen and tell Qifei when you come back,” Li Qingzhi said.

Zhu Xunmiao came from a scholarly family background and was very adept at handling affairs, making people feel very comfortable around him.

However, he was somewhat awkward when facing Magistrate Gou, and Magistrate Gou’s impression of him was just average.

If he could take notes on the knowledge imparted by Magistrate Gou throughout the journey, Magistrate Gou would definitely have a much better impression of him.

Li Qingzhi suggested this for his own good.

As for Li Qingzhi himself… Magistrate Gou already held a favorable impression of him, so he didn’t need to do much more.

“I will,” Zhu Xunmiao agreed.

Li Qingzhi’s health has improved a lot recently.

He still looked thin, but there was already some muscle beneath his skin.

He valued his health very much, so now that his health had improved, he naturally wanted to exercise more.

Therefore, when Zhu Xunmiao suggested taking a boat back, Li Qingzhi refused and decided to walk back.

“Then I’ll accompany you!” Zhu Xunmiao said.

The two of them walked forward together, passing by the pier in Chongcheng County.

It was the third month of the lunar calendar, the weather was just right, and there were many people coming and going at the pier. Li Qingzhi glanced at it and saw Jin Liushu and Jin Moli setting up a stall in the corner.

These two moved quite fast.

They were newcomers, and many people were willing to try something new. Plus, Jin Liushu had been actively attracting customers, so their business was quite good.

Li Qingzhi took a glance and then looked away, continuing on his way home.

Since he crossed into this world, he has been staying at home every day. This time, he had to leave home for about ten days… Li Qingzhi felt a little reluctant.

But it was Linhu County, and he still needed to go take a look.

When Li Qingzhi returned home, the twenty female workers recruited by Jin Xiaoye in the county town had already arrived, and they had even started working.

Although Jin Xiaoye hired female workers to work at home, she still paid them by the piece and provided meals and some other subsidies. Although this might not mean much in modern times, providing meals was quite appealing to the people of this era.

However, the shop was currently in a mess, so the official start of work would have to wait until tomorrow. By then, Jin Xiaoye and Jin Sangshu would also bring the girls from Miaoqian Village over.

Originally, Jin Xiaoye planned to hire two cooks, but with so many girls coming from Miaoqian Village, she decided not to hire anyone else and instead planned to let these girls take turns cooking.

She wanted someone to help with miscellaneous tasks and threading needles, so she would pick from among these girls when the time came.

Jin Xiaoye was very busy, surrounded by a group of women, so Li Qingzhi didn’t disturb her and went into the backyard.

When he entered, Li Damao and Li Ermao were playing backgammon with Zhao Xiaodou.

They always played with just the two of them. After one of them lost, the one who had been idle would take over.

Li Damao and Li Ermao were several years younger than Zhao Xiaodou. Li Qingzhi had talked to Zhao Xiaodou before, telling him not to let Li Damao and Li Ermao win easily. Therefore, for the past few months, Zhao Xiaodou has hardly been replaced. He would often play with Li Damao first, and when he lost, Li Ermao would take over. And so on.

But recently, Zhao Xiaodou would occasionally lose a game too.

Li Qingzhi watched the three children play chess intently without interrupting until Li Ermao lost a game. Then he said, “Damao, Ermao, Dad’s back!”

Li Damao and Li Ermao saw Li Qingzhi and immediately ran over with smiles on their faces. “Dad!”

“How was school today?” Li Qingzhi asked them.

Li Ermao said loudly, “It was great!”

Li Damao and Li Ermao loved going to school.

At first, it was because Li Qingzhi would accompany them.

There were many children studying at the school, but only their dad would accompany them!

When the teacher allowed them to play, they could go see their dad. Their dad would also give them delicious food, talk to them, and hug them… The other children in the school didn’t know how jealous they were, and some even threw tantrums at home, wanting their dad to go to school with them.

As for now… Since their dad became the head of the case, the children in the school were even more envious of them than before.

Li Damao was still okay, but Li Ermao’s tail was wagging in the air, and he kept saying, “My dad” with every breath.

Li Qingzhi squatted down and hugged them affectionately, then said, “Damao, Ermao, Dad has something to tell you.”

“What is it?” Li Ermao asked.

“Dad is going out for a few days…” Li Qingzhi explained to them what he had to do.

Li Damao and Li Ermao both looked very dejected, but since Li Qingzhi explained it clearly, they didn’t insist on going along.

Li Qingzhi said, “Damao, Ermao, when Dad comes back, I’ll definitely bring you some delicious food.”

Suddenly, Li Damao said, “I don’t want delicious food; I just want you to come back.”

Li Ermao blinked and added, “Dad, please don’t get taken away again.”

Li Damao nodded in agreement. “Dad, you must be careful of bad people.”

Hearing their words, Li Qingzhi felt a pang in his heart.

The years without a father had brought some damage to these two children.

Li Qingzhi hugged them tightly and reassured them, “Don’t worry, Dad won’t be taken away by anyone.”

Suddenly, Li Ermao burst into tears, followed by Li Damao, tears streaming down their faces.

Li Qingzhi felt extremely distressed and tried to comfort them gently. However, the more he comforted them, the harder the children cried.

These two children had rarely cried in front of Li Qingzhi before. This time, they seemed to be releasing all their pent-up emotions.

“Dad…”

“Dad, please come back soon!”

“Sob, sob, Dad…”

…

Hearing the cries, Jin Xiaoye hurriedly rushed to the backyard with scissors in hand, only to find the three of them crying bitterly.

“What’s wrong with you?” Jin Xiaoye asked.

Li Qingzhi explained that he was going out for a while, accompanying Magistrate Guo to Linhu County.

Jin Xiaoye asked, “Weren’t you taken away to dig rocks over there before?”

Li Qingzhi nodded.

Jin Xiaoye fell silent for a moment before saying, “You must be careful.”

Although Jin Xiaoye had been in high spirits these past few days, planning to make a big move, hearing this news made her mood suddenly low, and she couldn’t help but worry.

However, she didn’t cry with the two children. Instead, she said, “I’ll go pack your clothes and hide some things for you!”

After saying that, Jin Xiaoye found Fang Jinniang and asked her to make a headband for Li Qingzhi that could hide silver coins inside.

In addition…

Previously, Ding Xi had mentioned that they, as wandering martial artists, sometimes hid iron pieces in their shoes, which could be very useful in dangerous situations. Jin Xiaoye personally sewed two thin soles into thick soles for Li Qingzhi’s shoes and hid iron pieces and gold leaves she had bought from someone in the middle.

She had been wanting to go on a long journey, so she had made some preparations.

These shoes were also intentionally made with old cloth for the uppers, so as not to attract attention to Li Qingzhi’s shoes.

Furthermore, she repeatedly admonished, “Ah Qing, when you’re out, don’t be brave. Don’t fight with people. If you encounter danger, just beg for mercy…”

“I will,” Li Qingzhi said.