The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1694 - 1688: Arrangements

Wang Yongzhu was stunned upon hearing the news. Just how many people had arrived? Normally, such official assignments have a fixed number of followers; they are here to work, not to enjoy leisure. How could even Old Fox Jian be scared?

And now these people have reached the city gate. Where is she supposed to find lodging for them?

Always creating problems for her!

Yet, she could only think of a solution. It was too late to find intermediaries now, so she sent people to inquire at some familiar households to see if they had extra residences.

Over there, Ninth Master Lee received the news and hurried over, saying he only brought a few trusted followers. His courtyard is big, extending three times, and it’s a waste if left unoccupied.

He might as well give up his place for the people from the Capital City to stay, and he and his servants can find accommodations somewhere else.

If it were Ninth Master Lee a few years ago, when he was still Ninth Young Master of the Lee Family, he lived a life of luxury and extravagance. The carriage in which he visited Wang Yongzhu was grand, and his lodgings had to be arranged to his preferences before he could reside.

Ordinary items didn’t catch his eye at all.

However, after his fallout with the Lee Family, the possessions he ended up with were considered abundant by most, but for him, it felt like falling from the sky into the mud.

Suppressing his pride, those past preferences, rules, discomforts, and bad habits were all gradually changed by reality.

These days, although his daily expenses are occasionally extravagant, most of the time, they align with the spending of ordinary wealthy individuals.

Therefore, upon hearing the news, he immediately came to speak with Wang Yongzhu personally.

Wang Yongzhu knew Ninth Master Lee was kind-hearted. In Chicheng City, there are not many suitable houses among the familiar families, and the dispatched people had returned with reports indicating none were fitting.

Fortunately, Ninth Master Lee’s courtyard, with its three sections, could barely accommodate the crowd upon careful arrangement.

For now, settle the people in, and if anything proves unsuitable, adjustments can be made gradually later.

Otherwise, with guests newly arrived, failing to arrange their accommodation would not only neglect the visitors from the Capital City but potentially leave a bad impression; if such minor tasks cannot be managed, why would Chicheng County or Song Chongjin be entrusted with major affairs?

Thus, Ninth Master Lee’s timely gesture was truly a godsend.

The matter was urgent, so thanks were given to Ninth Master Lee without delay.

His place had only been recently cleaned, and he had occupied it for just a few days; his luggage wasn’t completely unpacked, making moving swift.

Wang Yongzhu promptly instructed Ninth Master Lee to move his belongings to their front courtyard where he had stayed temporarily in the past. Given his trustworthy nature and future shared interests, there were no qualms.

Ninth Master Lee nodded, instructing his men to move the luggage quickly.

Before coming, he had already ordered his men to pack. By the time the messenger returned, everything was ready, placed on the carriage, waiting for directions on where to move.

The remaining coarse maidservants were informed to work diligently. If questioned, they were to say they were temporary cleaners hired by the County Yamen and knew nothing else.

Meanwhile, the people sent by Jian Huaifeng received Wang Yongzhu’s exact news and quickly returned to report.

Jian Huaifeng, all smiles on the surface, accompanied Song Chongjin at the county gate for extensive pleasantries, feeling anxious as though caught by cats inside.

He quietly relaxed only upon noticing his subordinates’ return after receiving a nod.

Once Song Chongjin finished exchanging courtesies with the leader from the Capital City, he invited them into the city for a reception.

Jian Huaifeng naturally brought his men forward to make arrangements for lodging the officials’ followers and companions.

Gu Zikai was merely passing through Chicheng County on his way to Yunzhong County for his appointment, bringing only a few followers, including an elderly Master, two young servants, and three or four guards.

As he was Wang Yongzhu’s cousin, he was naturally arranged to stay in the rear courtyard of the County Yamen.

Having inquired further, Jian Huaifeng was clear-headed.

Those with few followers and no female companions were settled in one place, each occupying side rooms, which sufficed.

Those of higher official status, accompanied by maids or concubines, requiring more attendants, were allotted single-entry courtyards, which were adequate.

Nearly plucking all his facial hair, he managed to arrange these lodgings properly just before nightfall.

As he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the followers of these Capital City officials surrounded him again. Though lodgings were arranged, concerns arose over meal provisions.

Having just arrived in unfamiliar territory, dinner was manageable, with basic buns and large pot lamb stew arranged by the County Yamen to fill their stomachs.

But what about breakfast tomorrow morning? Surely they won’t go hungry?

Companions with concubines or maids even sent people to inquire whether hot water would be available tonight. Having journeyed for two days, now with lodging secured, surely they deserve to cleanse away the dust?

Jian Huaifeng truly felt overwhelmed, yet fortunately, he possessed a secret weapon.

Already anticipating such circumstances, Wang Yongzhu had arranged for notices to be prepared and posted on the wall opposite the entrance of each courtyard.

These notices detailed the locations of kitchens, water usage instructions, and methods for purchasing daily supplies, clearly written such that they needed only to be read for comprehension.

Of course, considering some followers might be illiterate, County Yamen’s reception personnel were stationed at the entrance of each residence, ready to assemble everyone once arrangements were completed and read the notices aloud.

Moreover, it was announced that the Magistrate’s Lady understood their fatigue from traveling afar, so each courtyard was staffed with First Maids who had prepared hot water for everyone.

Two days of adaptation were granted, with meals and hot water continued to be provided by the County Yamen until the day after tomorrow.

After two days, they should be familiar with procurement locations for daily needs, where to fetch water and purchase firewood.

The County Yamen would cease to offer meals or hot water, but should uncertainties persist, the elder gatekeepers and coarse maidservants could be consulted, as they were locals knowledgeable of the situation.

Once said, some followers exhaled deeply, finding Chicheng County’s arrangements fairly thorough, allowing two days for familiarization and covering meals and evening hot water, alleviating much of their burden.

All they had to do was organize living quarters and determine how to establish their lifestyle post-settling.

Yet, some displayed discontent, feeling that after journeying with their masters from afar to Saibei, the Chicheng County Magistrate held less authority than their own masters.

Should not there be greater esteem? The more ambitious ones contemplated whispering into their masters’ ears upon return, possibly to subtly impress or intimidate the County Magistrate and his Lady.