Young Master Cui from Jinle Square said, "Isn’t Taoyao Square a rouge shop? A mere rouge shop could produce so much grain and medicine; people might think the owner of Taoyao Square has the ability to foresee and prepared these things ahead of time."
Su Yaoguang had long anticipated people would talk, and she retorted calmly, "Taoyao Square is just a small business, incomparable to Jinle Square’s century-old foundation. We originally planned to open a grain shop, so that even if business was bleak one day, we wouldn’t end up like Jinle Square stuck in a dead end, making a bad move. Who would have thought it would be such a coincidence that the store hadn’t opened yet, then a natural disaster struck."
Her mention of Jinle Square’s bad move referred to their using Taoyao Square’s products and misrepresenting them, losing face completely.
Originally, Jinle Square’s steward had some sense; the matter deserved punishment and apology, and everyone would be happy. But this Young Master was small-minded and still held a grudge.
Even if there was a grudge, it should be from Taoyao Square. Jinle Square was unkind in their actions, and any clever person would wish to keep it tightly under wraps for life, never to mention it again. But from the moment he entered until now, this young master has been showing dissatisfaction, clearly spoiled, and unable to distinguish right from wrong, so should she bother to save face for him?
"You..." Cui Rong slammed the table, cursing in anger.
Before he could finish, Chen Buyu’s father, the Boss of the dance house, intervened, "I say, Young Master Cui, the city is full of starving corpses, perhaps we shouldn’t let personal grievances affect the public good."
County Magistrate Chen said, "Taoyao Square’s charitable actions serve as a model to us all; how can it be said that they have a problem just because they prepared grain and medicine in advance? Could this disease somehow be Taoyao Square’s doing? This sickness came from elsewhere and had already afflicted many when it reached our town. Young Master Cui, Taoyao Square is saving lives; you mustn’t wrong them."
"Lord County Magistrate, since the village can no longer accommodate, we must gather the strength of all the bosses. Each boss has their own industry, like mines, estates, dyeworks, caves, etc. If all the refugees are gathered, and each boss takes a batch, when this is all over, they can be rewarded with tax reductions based on their efforts. Wouldn’t that help us hold out for a while?"
Everyone looked at each other.
If each boss took in one hundred people, among the fifty present, they could accommodate five thousand people.
To have one take in five thousand would be extortion. However, these people here have some means, taking in one hundred isn’t a problem.
This approach would allow them to gain favor with the government and reduce taxes, a win-win; they saw it as a good deal, only profitable, not a loss.
"Lord County Magistrate, I think Boss Su’s idea is good, I’m willing to help the government settle the refugees."
"Lord County Magistrate, ordinary refugees are fine, but those who are sick, Jinle Square won’t take," Cui Rong said, "Such a disease spreads rapidly, if one or two die, it’s fine, but if it affects Jinle Square’s people, it’s not worth being the benevolent fool."
"Rest assured, those who are sick will be Taoyao Square’s responsibility," Su Yaoguang said, "Taoyao Square will work with the government to settle the sick."
"Boss Su is generous," Cui Rong said sarcastically.
Gambling House boss, Zhong Chushan’s father Zhong Feng said, "Such leadership from Boss Su at such a young age, we grown men can’t be outdone."
"I’ve heard Yicheng handled many patients," Jiang Ziqian said, "The government arranged for anyone sick, whether just symptomatic or actually diseased, near the mass grave. Those who died were thrown directly into the grave, and to prevent the disease from spreading, they burned the bodies to ashes."
County Magistrate Chen was full of sympathy, "I’ve reported to the higher-ups; as for whether anyone intervened, I am weak and cannot interfere. My duty is to protect the people here."
They went on to discuss when to pick up people, how to pick them up, and how to settle them. Additionally, after bosses took them, those people’s information needed records. Should anyone suddenly fall ill, they must report to the government immediately, without making decisions on their own. The government handing refugees to the bosses requires them to ensure their safety, etc.
"Boss Su, please stop." Jiang Ziqian called out to Su Yaoguang who was about to leave.
Su Yaoguang stopped, looked at Jiang Ziqian, and said, "Boss Jiang, what’s the matter?"
"I’ve heard you bought a lot of charcoal; could you spare some for me? Whatever the current price, I’ll pay that price, just to be fair."
"I wondered what it was," Su Yaoguang laughed, "Boss Jiang is real; I’m not a villain! I’ll give it to you at eighty percent of the current price."
"Great, thank you, Boss Su." As Jiang Ziqian’s carriage approached, he invited her, "Boss Su, heading back? Let me give you a ride."
"I’m heading to the academy, may I bother Boss Jiang for a ride!" Su Yaoguang said, "I’ve taken on Lord County Magistrate’s task, there will be busy days ahead, need to notify the academy."
In the carriage, Jiang Ziqian and Su Yaoguang discussed aiding the refugees. Though most refugees are unfortunate, a few are crafty. Concerning such people, handing them directly to the government for oversight is better. The government is severely understaffed; keeping those strong and able around to do odd jobs allows for supervision so they can’t bully the weak and solves manpower shortages.
The conversation grew increasingly congenial, revealing shared perspectives in some areas. When the carriage stopped, they felt a bit unfinished.
"The situation isn’t great; once this disaster passes, and your shop’s business recovers, I’ll bring my family to visit, and you must remember to give me a discount."
"Boss Su, whenever you honor us with a visit, Jiang’s Restaurant will always have a spot for you. Though we haven’t known each other long, I feel a strong rapport, a shame we met so late."
Su Yaoguang thanked Jiang Ziqian and proceeded into the academy with large strides.
"Still sleeping?" Su Yaoguang saw Zhou Wangshu lying with his back to her on the bed, and surprised, walked over and touched his forehead.
Slap! Zhou Wangshu brushed her hand away.
"Did you go to the moon for breakfast?" Zhou Wangshu gritted his teeth, somewhat resentful.
Su Yaoguang: "...Are you still hungry?"
"What else? I don’t have a sister-in-law to feed me," Zhou Wangshu said, acting like a child who didn’t get candy, sulking.
Su Yaoguang burst into laughter, pinching his cheeks and saying, "Oh my, how are you so adorable?"
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