Chapter 289 - 289: West City Corner

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Zhou Jia smiled at Li Yu. “Alright, do as you see fit. Ah Wei and Ruyi will also Imow how to cultivate. Just instruct them and don’t tire yourself out. After the farming is done, I want to go down and check flood prevention measures at the river channel.”

“Alright.” The two of them looked around and got into the carriage to return. Li Yu looked at Zhou Jia and said, “Xiao Xi, I’m thinking that when the farm is built, we’ll choose some lonely old people or orphans to work on the farm. The children will learn a skill from the craftsmen. When they reach a certain age, we’ll let them out to plan their lives. What do you think?”

Zhou Jia thought for a while and looked at Li Yu. “Yu’er, I know you pity these lonely people, but these people could have complicated backgrounds. If they cause trouble…

Li Yu pulled Zhou Jia’s hand and interrupted him. “Xiao Xi, I know you’re afraid that the child and I will be hurt, but there’s trouble in doing anything. We just have to be careful and hire them back after investigating. Besides, this is a good thing!”

Seeing that Li Yu had already made up her mind, Zhou Jia thought to himself that he could only think of a way to accommodate her wishes. After thinking for a while, he looked at Li Yu and said, “The bailiffs patrolling the streets would be clear about these people’s backgrounds and character. I’ll go back and get Mr. Qian to bring people to look for you. Remember, even if you want to hire them, you have to sign an indenture. Also, we have to use that person’s name for this matter. Otherwise, it’s considered trying to win people over.”

Li Yu knew what he meant. In this era of imperial power, if a magistrate wanted to win people over, he would be seen as being up to no good. She kissed his cheek. “I know. Thank you, Xiao Xi.” Zhou Jia smiled and pointed at his lips. “And here.”

Li Yu pecked his lips with a red face. “You’re getting more and more roguish.” The couple flirted along the way and returned to the government office.

Zhou Jia returned to the government office and told Mr. Qian about Li Yu’s idea of taking in lonely elderly folks and orphans. When Mr. Qian was in Qingchuan, he knew that Li Yu hated evil the most and pitied the poor. When he heard this, he smiled and said, “Sir, Madam is doing good deeds. I’ll help Madam do this well.”

Zhou Jia instructed, “Mr. Qian, Madam is kind by nature. In order to prevent her from being deceived by those people who have misbehaved, tell the bailiffs not to bring those people with bad characters to Madam.”

Mr. Qian cupped his hands and said, “Yes, sir. I’ll go find the bailiffs on duty and get them to choose something to bring to Madam.”

Mr. Qian excitedly went to the bailiffs’ office and saw Liu Yi, the head of the bailiffs’ office. Liu Yi was in his forties and was tall and strong. He had average looks and reddish-black skin. When he saw Mr. Qian, he smiled brightly and said, “Mr. Qian, what instructions do vou have for me?”

Mr. Qian chuckled and said, “It’s not an order. I need your help with something.”

Liu Yi smiled and said politely, “Tell me, there’s nothing in Yunzhou City that I don’t know! ”

“It’s like this. Madam bought a manor outside West City. Today, she went to the manor with Lord to check and saw those little beggars outside West City…” Liu Yi came to a conclusion and criticized Madam in his heart, thinking that the beggars were in her way and she wanted to chase them away. However, he said, “Did those little things offend Madam? I’ll send someone to chase them away.”

“Sigh! Let me finish!” Mr. Qian pulled Liu Yi and told him what Zhou Jia meant. “Madam’s request is very simple. As long as they don’t have any extraordinary illnesses, they just have to be good.”

Liu Yi heaved a sigh of relief when he heard that. He cupped his fists at Mr. Qian and said, “Sir, don’t worry. I know that Madam is kind and can’t be deceived. I know very well where the beggars and widows in West City came from. Some were indeed forced to be scoundrels, but some deserved it. They even pretended to be pitiful to lie.”

Mr. Qian agreed. “That’s right. Sir means to eliminate those scheming people and let those who really need help change their lives so that those children can learn the same ability to settle down.”

Liu Yi patted his chest sincerely. “Tell Sir to leave it to me. I’ll definitely help Madam choose good people.”

Mr. Qian cupped his hands and said, “Alright, it’s already late today. Look for me in the escort room at the end of tomorrow morning. I’ll bring you to see Madam.”

After Liu Yi sent Mr. Qian off, he hung up his saber and walked towards West City. When he reached West City, he bought more than ten steamed buns from a bun shop and went to a dirty alley.

On both sides of the alley were rotten vegetables and random feces. A sour smell assaulted his nose. Liu Yi quickly walked towards a row of straw sheds at the end of the alley and pushed open the dilapidated wooden door. The house was empty. Liu Yi shouted, “Shuisheng, Er Ya, Sanzi, Uncle Liu bought steamed buns for you. I have good news for you.”

Liu Yi shouted a few times, but no one answered. He turned around and walked out. When he went out, he saw a seven or eight-year-old skinny boy. Behind him were two sallow children between five to six years old. They walked in from the alley.

The boy smiled when he saw Liu Yi. “Uncle Liu, why are you here?”

The two children looked at the paper bag in Liu Yi’s arms and swallowed. Liu Yi handed the steamed buns to Shui Sheng. “Eat first. I have good news for you.”

“Thank you, Uncle Liu.” The eldest of the children took the steamed buns and distributed them to siblings. The two children wolfed them down.

Liu Yi looked at the sallow and thin children and sighed in his heart. He turned around and entered the door. The three children followed him into the house. Liu Yi said to Shui Sheng, “Shuisheng, Madam will come tomorrow to pick people to work in her manor. I heard that she will sign a contract. I want to introduce you three siblings to Madam. You can also learn a skill when you go to the manor. When you sign a contract, you can also have the ability to settle down.”

Shui Sheng looked at his two siblings with a worried expression that did not match his age. “Uncle Liu, will Madam want us at such a young age?”

Liu Yi looked at Shui Sheng with certainty. “Yes, Lord said that if they want to help, they should help a good child like you. As long as you want to go, Uncle Liu will report your family’s situation to Madam tomorrow.”

Shui Sheng pulled his sister-in-law and bowed. “Thank you, Uncle Liu. We’re willing to go. As long as the magistrate’s wife is willing to take us in, I’ll definitely work hard. ”

Liu Yi touched their sparse hair and said gently, “You’re good children. Uncle Liu is willing to help you. Pack up at home. Uncle Liu will go find Auntie Xue at the end of the alley.”

“Got it. Take care.” Shui Sheng sent Liu Yi to the door. Er Ya and San Zi walked up and held his collar. Er Ya looked at him and said timidly, “Brother, Er Ya will be obedient!”

Shui Sheng knew that ever since his parents were gone, they were afraid that he would leave them behind. “I know. Uncle Liu said that a kind person is willing to take us in. I’ll bring you guys along. Let’s pack up and go.”

“I’ll help my brother pack.” Er Ya and Sanzi followed him uneasily. Together, they packed the worn and hard bedding and a few tattered clothes. They folded them and put them in their backpacks..