CHAPTER 203: CHAPTER 203 LITTLE BROTHER

Third Grandpa and Dashan, being farmers by origin, used to resist the idea of buying people, considering it a sin. But recently, after Jinli explained the necessity of buying people to them, they no longer resisted.

Third Grandpa nodded and said, "That’s right, we need to buy people. With so many herbs and tofu in the workshop, we can’t go without buying people to watch over it at night."

County Captain Jiang said, "Brother Gu, you folks needn’t bother about buying people. Ah Jiao is going to Prefecture tomorrow to buy a batch of people for setting up a Soybean Oil Workshop. Tell me how many people Gu’s Workshop needs, and I’ll have him look for them. We’ll send them directly to you."

Third Grandpa and Dashan didn’t know how to buy people and were very pleased to hear this, quickly agreeing, "Then we’ll have to trouble Brother Jiang with this."

As for how many people to buy?

Third Grandpa turned to Jinli.

Jinli said, "Grandpa Jiang, we need at least four people who know some fist techniques so that they can handle any thieves who might try to rob the workshop."

He paused and added, "If among them there are those with families, it’s no problem as long as the family members are honest and don’t cause trouble. We can buy them altogether."

The people Jiang Family would buy are definitely refugees fleeing famine, and it’s inevitable some have families. Buying them altogether could also allow using their family members to keep those watching the workshop in check, which would be better for her control, and the workshop would be less likely to face problems.

"Alright, I’ll remember that; once the people are brought back, I’ll send them over for you to choose," said the County Captain quite openly. Everyone hurriedly thanked him again after hearing his words.

County Captain Jiang waved his hand and said, "What’s there to thank for, it’s just a small effort. Xiao Yu saved Yuanyuan, that’s no small favor; if you keep thanking, won’t the Jiang and my families have to thank each other back? Too troublesome."

Knowing how straightforward the County Captain was, Third Grandpa did not continue to thank him. After finishing discussing the matter, he took his leave, "Brother Jiang, we still have duties at home, so we’ll head back now."

As Third Grandpa was taking his leave from County Captain Jiang, Jinli turned to look at Qin San Lang, and when Qin San Lang looked back at her, she glanced towards Ah Ji and quickly shifted her gaze back. Her intent was clear—could this Ah Ji, with her Jin’s painting, possibly affect his uncle?

If it could affect him, they must act quickly and prevent Ah Ji from teaching the painters at the county government Jin’s painting.

Qin San Lang slightly shook his head at her then raised a reassuring smile.

Seeing that, Jinli was much relieved, but at the same time, a doubt sprung up in her heart...

"Elder Gu, this way," Ah Jiu was ordered to see Third Grandpa and the others out.

Soon, they all followed Ah Jiu out of the Shang Family’s place and headed toward Da Feng Village.

Jinli deliberately slowed her steps, and Qin San Lang, understanding her intention, also slowed down.

Moments later, the two were trailing about ten meters behind the group. In a low voice, Jinli asked, "That kind of portrait painted by Jin’s painting is fifty percent similar to the actual person, aren’t you worried?"

Qin San Lang did not hesitate and told Jinli the truth, "Ah Ji came to my house last night, and it was he who told us about our uncle still being alive in my brother’s and my family. So, he won’t teach all those painting skills to the county’s painters, at most just the basics. If those painters can achieve thirty percent likeness, that would be considered good."

Jinli was quite surprised, "He told you that? And you believed him? Don’t you find that Ah Ji... quite strange? He seems to know too much."

Moreover, Jinli did not like the way Ah Ji looked at her... It was as if he was looking at someone he knew well.

Apart from that, Ah Ji had a smug look in her eyes, as if she knew everything. Although the smugness was subtle, Gu Jinli still noticed it.

What was Ah Ji smug about?

Where did that all-knowing look come from?

Could it be that she really traveled through time?

When she was in the Shang Family’s study, she originally wanted to test Ah Ji with English, but then she thought that if Ah Ji really was a time-traveler, wouldn’t her probing blatantly tell Ah Ji that she, too, was a time-traveler?

She didn’t want to expose her own secrets, so she held back from testing and decided to wait and see if she could detect any other clues from Ah Ji.

Qin San Lang nodded, "You’re right, we also feel that he knows too much. But indeed, he brought us useful information and so far, he hasn’t done anything harmful to our families."

Gu Jinli furrowed her brow upon hearing this, thinking that just because he hadn’t acted yet didn’t mean he wouldn’t in the future.

"Perhaps he’s playing the long game, using you as bait to fish out surviving members of your families or those friendly with your families, aiming to catch you all in one fell swoop."

"We’ve considered that too. But at this point, we can only take one step at a time," Qin San Lang said, bowing his head to Gu Jinli, "I’m sorry for involving your families as well."

Gu Jinli scoffed, "As long as you know. You better hurry and investigate Ah Ji thoroughly, make sure he really means no harm to your family. Otherwise, all our families will be implicated."

After she spoke, she clenched her teeth and whispered so only the two of them could hear, "Or else, shall we just kill him tonight? Dead men are the safest."

Qin San Lang responded, "That’s not possible. Ah Ji is a gentleman from Ningbo Mansion in the Capital, and he shuttles between Great Chu and Da Rong, knowing many important figures. If he dies, our families will face great trouble."

Gu Jinli knew killing Ah Ji would bring trouble, she was just angrily spouting off.

She knew they couldn’t do anything to Ah Ji right now. They had to stand by, see what he was planning to do next.

Gu Jinli dropped the topic and fell silent. But then Qin San Lang spoke again, "You’re a girl, don’t always think about fighting and killing... If it really comes to action, let me do it."

I’ll be the one to kill.

Hearing this, Gu Jinli looked up at Qin San Lang, seeing his serious expression she was momentarily stunned, "Are you offering to be my little brother?"

Qin San Lang helplessly said, "I am older than you."

It isn’t about being older or younger, that’s street thug talk, it’s not suitable for her as a young lady getting older day by day, to be speaking such words.

"It’s about capability, not age," Gu Jinli patted Qin San Lang on the shoulder earnestly, "Since you sincerely want to work for me, then I, as Big Brother, will accept you."

After saying that, she clasped her hands behind her back, raised her head and puffed out her chest, walking to the front of Qin San Lang with a boss’s proud demeanor.

Watching her smug appearance, Qin San Lang couldn’t help but grin bitterly, yet felt happy inside, seeing her act like a typical spirited young child.

Qin Er Lang, noticing the two lagging far behind and talking continuously, frowned and called out, "San Lang, hurry up, it’s getting late, we need to get back and help out at home!"