CHAPTER 460: CHAPTER 460: GOOD TEMPERAMENT

Hua Jin’s gaze was unmistakable, and the admiration in his eyes was too obvious. Even while he was speaking, Liu Yongping felt that gaze and glanced over, only to find it was from a young boy—a rather exquisitely handsome young boy.

When Hua Jin noticed his gaze, he smiled slightly, without any hint of embarrassment at being caught in the act, his eyes clear and full of curiosity.

This left Liu Yongping momentarily at a loss, and he couldn’t help but admire the boy’s character. One must know that even when he wasn’t smiling, he could give off a sense of oppression that even adult men couldn’t deny, and just now, he wasn’t smiling.

However, after all, he was just a young boy, and having curiosity was normal. Also, since there was no malice, Liu Yongping didn’t take it to heart.

On the other hand, Luo Song and Qin Shu’s eyes darkened when they noticed Hua Jin’s gaze, subtly glancing at the county official in front, their minds unknown with thoughts.

Hua Chengtian also noticed the county official’s gaze and, glancing at his daughter, quickly said, "The child is young and ignorant, I hope the official does not take offense."

Liu Yongping waved his hand and then took a money pouch from his bosom, pouring out two taels of silver, "This is for the grain."

"Oh no, oh no, since we commoners have said to take it freely, we naturally cannot accept the official’s silver. Official, for the citizens who work their hearts out for these grains, it’s nothing. Official, please don’t be courteous with us humble people."

"Today, there are no officials; Liu is here just to buy grain. If the stall owner disagrees, Liu will forgo it."

Saying this, Liu Yongping withdrew his hand that was offering the silver, and a hint of displeasure had already appeared on his face.

"Yes, yes..." Hua Chengtian showed a helpless expression, then quickly took the two taels of silver from the county official’s hand, "Official, these grains are yours now."

Since he couldn’t give away the silver for free, he might as well take it. Hua Chengtian knew that some noble people disdained to take advantage of common folk, and a matter of a little silver was nothing to fuss over.

"Thank you!"

"Don’t dare, official, you’re too kind," Hua Chengtian hastily bowed again, daring not to accept the thanks, while inwardly muttering how good it was to be in a position of authority. Just look, who among the commoners dares not to bow in such presence?

"I heard the stall owner is from Hua Village?" After purchasing the grain, the county official didn’t leave as Hua Chengtian expected but spoke again.

"In response to the official, this humble one is indeed Hua Chengtian of Hua Village," Hua Chengtian bowed again, but his expression was calm.

"Hua Village is good. Liu thanks the stall owner on behalf of the people of Shanggu Town; due to the stall owner’s righteousness, the people will have better days ahead."

"Don’t dare, don’t dare, this humble one really did nothing, just sold the excess grain from home to everyone."

"Old brother is too modest!"

Even the county official’s arrival caused the few remaining citizens who hadn’t had time to leave to curiously watch, but also because one of them was the county official, they dared not get too close.

"No, no, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning," Hua Chengtian quickly shook his head.

"I have a matter on my side..." Liu Yongping looked toward Hua Chengtian.

"The official may speak freely, anything this humble one can do, I will certainly not hesitate," Hua Chengtian immediately understood and promptly continued the conversation.

Visibly, the county official’s expression became much more pleasant, and his tone wasn’t as rigid: "That’s good, Liu heard that the stall owner brought two baskets of chicken eggs on the first day, and later there were duck eggs, goose eggs..."

"Yes, indeed, I brought these things, but the quantities were not large and were quickly sold out," Hua Chengtian quickly said, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes, likely knowing the county official’s intention, which was directed at the poultry.

Since his daughter dared to bring out these things, it was indeed with such intentions, and hidden among the eggs sold were quite a few hatching eggs. A careful person might discover this, and by then, there would be no worry about having no eggs in the future.

"I have an unreasonable request," said the county official, with a serious expression.

He used the term ’I,’ instead of ’Sun,’ making his intention clear.

"Don’t dare, don’t dare, please speak, official?" What could Hua Chengtian say, except to go with the flow, with a smile on his face?

"Since you have brought so many chicken, duck, and goose eggs, it seems that there must be no shortage of poultry at home. I want to ask if the stall owner can spare some; is that possible?"

Hua Chengtian did not immediately answer this time but pondered for a moment.

"To be truthful to the official, there are indeed some poultry at home, but the numbers are not vast either. What was brought earlier was what I had saved for a long time, plus some collected in the village. Of course, if the official wishes, I will certainly spare some for you. I just don’t know how many the official wants?" Hua Chengtian asked cautiously.

Although the county official wasn’t of high rank, he was nevertheless an official and could suppress them, the most common of the people. Nowadays, Shanggu Town’s order is maintained due to this official; Shanggu Town can’t do without this county official, so Hua Chengtian certainly wouldn’t refuse and dared not to refuse.

Liu Yongping: "There is no fixed number; naturally, the more, the better."

"Alright," Hua Chengtian showed a troubled expression, but after gritting his teeth, he agreed, "When the time comes, I’ll collect more from the village. However, everyone doesn’t raise much; it’s just enough for themselves, so the numbers might not be large."

"No problem, there is no compulsion," Liu Yongping seriously said.

Having some is already great. After all, there weren’t any poultry found in the whole of Shanggu Town, and the various eggs, apart from those lucky to find one in the depths of the mountains, were rare even among households with power, influence, and wealth.

These things are more precious than grain and are good for nourishing the body.

As long as there are chickens, ducks, and geese, one will not worry about having no eggs. Chickens lay eggs, and eggs hatch chickens, which will eventually improve the situation gradually.

"I understand. I will try to collect more," Hua Chengtian nodded.

"Much appreciated,"

"Don’t dare," Hua Chengtian wouldn’t dare take credit.

"Then I will wait for your good news?"

"Yes, once I have collected enough, I will certainly send them to your office."

The county official nodded, expressing satisfaction.

"By the way, Hua Village seems not to have been re-registered with the official records. If you have time, let your village chief come by! Otherwise, over time, you’ll be treated as vagrants."

"Yes, I will surely convey the message. It was our neglect, and it’s our fault for always living in the mountains and only coming down recently, so we didn’t know about the updated registration. Thank you for the county official’s reminder..." At this point, Hua Chengtian expressed appropriately timed excitement and was about to kneel and kowtow, stopped by the county official’s virtual gesture.

Of course, Hua Chengtian wasn’t genuinely intending to kneel; it was just for show. Seeing the county official stop him, he rose naturally, yet the gratitude on his face was so sincere that no one could find any fault.

"Have you always lived in the mountains?" Liu Yongping casually asked, with not much surprise in his eyes, as this was the only explanation that made sense.

"Yes, after the water disaster, we were originally going to descend the mountain, but unfortunately, we ended up settling much farther away for a suitable mountain for our whole village to stay on. With the elderly and the children and many falling ill in the village, we got delayed. Fortunately, we relocated early enough to save our belongings, and the mountain we chose had high ground and good soil, so we simply sowed some seeds, planning to descend once everyone got healthier. But who would have expected..."

At this point, Hua Chengtian sighed.