Chapter 16: The horse gallops in the spring breeze, and all the flowers in Chang'an can be seen in one day!

Bluestone Lane.

Carpenter Zhang, who had worked all day, rubbed his aching arms, gritted his teeth, and sat in the yard with a worried look on his face, calculating the bills:

“This job is becoming increasingly difficult.”

Although carpentry is a craft.

But in this world, decent workmanship is not rare.

Although indispensable
But for most wealthy families, it is impossible to ask an unknown old carpenter in the outer city to make the materials they use.

Therefore, Carpenter Zhang relies on the customers in Qingshi Alley and nearby streets and alleys to maintain his business.

There are only a few customers a day, and most of them come to repair old items, so you can't make much money.

In addition, according to the rules of Black Mountain City, all occupations must pay taxes.

He runs an inconspicuous little shop in this bluestone alley, and he charges 30% for every job he does.

That would be fine, but the key is that some people don’t pay for the work, or simply treat it as a beggar!

"Brother, what do you think about the job in the Wei Mansion in the First Ring District?"

"This is a big deal. If you do it well, you can get a lot of rewards!"

Said Cao Cao, Cao Cao.

A young man with a burly figure, who looked tall and strong, and had a rascally manner, knocked on Carpenter Zhang's door and shouted as soon as he entered, causing Carpenter Zhang to shake his head and smile bitterly:
"It's not that I don't want to answer, it's just, just."

Thinking of the price offered by the young man, Carpenter Zhang felt embarrassed.

He usually does odd jobs and repairs things, and can earn about 180 coins a day. After deducting 30%, he can earn about 50 coins a day.

As for the orders from ordinary wealthy families, he calculated them on a daily basis.

To put it bluntly, these wealthy merchants who "suck the marrow out of people's bones" not only have high demands, but also never have time to rest. After working for a whole day, they may not even have time to rest for two incense sticks.

In addition, Mr. Wei from the Wei Mansion on Fulu Street is notoriously stingy.

Even if the family is in the salt business, as long as they have connections with the inner city, they can be considered "extremely rich" in this outer city.

But according to Wei Bao, the housekeeper who was in charge of the mansion, he was only offered one hundred coins a day.

The master of the Wei Mansion is such an important figure that he would never care about the business of a small carpenter. The price was probably set by the person in front of him, or his father, the manager of the Wei Mansion.

Even if he was being exploited, he didn't know it!
It’s okay to exploit them a little, after all, they are used to being bullied.

The key is.
He works from sunrise to sunset, and is busy all day long until night. His workload is several times greater than his usual day!
And I heard that the renovation of the Wei Mansion will take a month to complete.

In addition, this kind of workmanship is also subject to a 30% tax.

All in all, not only was his work hard and tiring, he also didn't earn much money, and he also had to work as a slave for others, being ordered around by others.

No matter how good your temper is, you can't accept such a loss-making account.

I saw that Carpenter Zhang looked unwilling.

Wei Bao snorted coldly:
"Old man, think carefully. This is the second time I have come to see you."

"My Wei Mansion is looking for people to work, and I am willing to provide food and lodging. I pay you wages to give you face and to make you carpenters famous."

"What's wrong with a low-class person doing some hard labor?"

He himself knew that he and his father had enriched themselves and taken kickbacks from the Wei Mansion, which made many workers avoid them like the plague.

But so what?
In the outer city area, there is the 'third ring' area!

In such a big place, how can we not find a few people who work honestly?

Isn’t this the one in front of you?

"Brother Wei Bao, my father is old and his legs and feet are not very flexible. How about you try another one?"

With a creaky sound, the door of Carpenter Zhang's house was pushed open, and his daughter Zhang Yun walked out. She spoke in a clear voice and discussed something with Wei Bao in front of her.

Zhang Yun works as an apprentice in a large pharmacy in the inner city. People who come and go on weekdays are all martial artists. Wei Bao is a servant boy of the Wei family and grew up with the young masters of the family who practiced martial arts in the inner city.

Zhang Yun had seen him many times when she went to purchase martial arts medicine for Young Master Wei.

Although he didn't want to see it and felt a little disdainful of such a "scoundrel" in his heart, there was nothing he could do. Since his father was bullied, he naturally had to stand up and say something.

But unfortunately, as a little apprentice, with a face no different from that of a servant, it was obvious that Wei Bao would not buy her account.

"Oh, it's you."

Wei Bao raised his eyebrows and suddenly smiled ambiguously:

"I've seen you."

Thinking back to Zhang Yun's indifferent expression in the Danxia Hall in the inner city, combined with her current identity as a carpenter's daughter in the outer city, within the second ring road, all these things came together.

Wei Bao suddenly felt comfortable for no reason.

It is not certain that you can enter the big pharmacy in the inner city without some skills. Even if you are just an apprentice, you may have some background.

In the past, he was always timid when he went there, not daring to offend, but he never expected.
She is actually a carpenter's daughter!
Looking at Zhang Yun's curvaceous figure under her dress, her straight legs, and the slight disgust in her eyes,
As if possessed by some mysterious force, Wei Bao suddenly stepped forward and stretched out his hand.

I used to think he was so noble, but now it seems that as the son of a manager of the Wei Mansion, he is no better than your dead father who is a carpenter?
With his father around, even if Zhang Yun became his concubine and was ravaged by him at will, she would have to swallow her anger and not dare to say anything!

Otherwise, just look at what he's doing to that old carpenter!
Originally, this trip was just a threat. If the old man was really determined not to respond, he wouldn't do anything to him. At most, he would just feel disgusted.

But now
The nature has changed!

"Uncle, I just said something wrong. It turns out that this is your daughter."

Wei Bao's eyes lit up, he was bewitched by lust, and went forward to take advantage of her.

"I think our two families should get closer."

This look frightened Zhang Yun so much that she stepped back repeatedly, her face turning pale, as if she had not expected that this guy could be so bold.

When Wei Bao, who used to collect herbs in the inner city with a restrained look on his face, gradually became similar to the unruly young man in front of her, and that made her understand.

This guy is not a polite person at all!
He was being polite not because of her looks, but because of the big medical clinic where she was an apprentice, 'Danxia Hall'!
Carpenter Zhang was furious and stepped forward to stop them: "Aren't you afraid of the patrol officers from Qingshi Lane?"

"Patrolman?"

Wei Bao was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter:

"Guess who arranged the promotion banquet for 'Chass Master Jiang'?"

"Who gave him the most valuable gift?"

"In this Bluestone Alley, I am the heaven!"

"I'm afraid of nothing!"

After saying that, he pushed Carpenter Zhang away, causing the old man to stagger and almost fall.

Zhang Yuan, who ran back breathlessly, happened to see this scene at his doorstep. He was immediately shocked and wanted to tell the yamen official what he saw.

but.
When he saw Wei Bao's burly figure and his arrogant and domineering demeanor, he suddenly deflated like a deflated ball.

In terms of wealth in the outer city, the Wei Mansion on Fulu Street ranks among the top ten, or even top five!
How could an ordinary official dare not give face?

Plus.
He knew what kind of person his mother was who was working away from home!
In front of his father, he belittled Ji Xia and described her as worthless, and other people heard it.

Now, even if that kid becomes rich, can he help his family just by relying on the little kindness from his father?

If it were Zhang Yuan, he would have been lucky enough not to add insult to injury!
Seeing Carpenter Zhang being pushed to the ground by Wei Bao, Zhang Yun's face turned pale.

She knew that she came from an ordinary family, so she tried hard to rely on herself to become better, and she also knew that she would not be able to marry into a family with a very good background in the future.

But, she didn't want to commit herself to such a person!

Through Wei Bao's figure, Zhang Yun saw Zhang Yuan who was standing still, hesitantly clinging to the door wall, but unable to move.

Then I realized that this brother might not be reliable.

Sticking close to the wall, Zhang Yun bit her lips, covered her chest, and felt somewhat desperate.

However----

A 'whoosh' sound!
A long sword with a sheath crossed several feet in an instant!
Zhang Yuan just felt a chill in his ears and something flew past.

boom!
"Ah!" Wei Bao screamed as the back of his head was hit precisely by a sheathed knife. His eyes blurred and he became furious:
"Who?"

"Do you want to die?!"

It looked like the 'Black Mountain Yasi Knife' was about to fall to the ground.

A calm yet resolute voice came:

"You'd better not let that new sword fall to the ground and get covered in dust."

"Otherwise, your head will fall to the ground just the same."

Instinctively, Wei Bao felt frightened, and as if following an instinctive reaction, he suddenly grabbed the knife in a panic.

After seeing the "Black Mountain" seal script on the scabbard clearly.

Wei Bao raised his head slightly.

At this glance, he saw a Black Mountain officer wearing a green flying bird robe striding towards him!

(End of this chapter)