Red Dust Daqian

Zhou Sen brought Zhao Tiechui, who was holding a wooden box containing a glazed statue of Laojun, to the county government office.

When County Magistrate Shangguan Wuhou saw Zhang Tianshi coming to the county government office again, he thought there was something important, so he hurriedly went forward and greeted him, "Zhang Tianshi, how come you have time today to visit the county government office?" Zhou Sen maintained a sense of mystery and whispered to Shangguan Wuhou, "Shangguan, I don't come to your temple for no reason. Today I do have a small matter to discuss with you. Can we discuss it in the back hall?"

Shangguan Wuhou led Zhou Sen to the back court. Zhou Sen instructed Zhao Tiechui to open the box and gently take out the statue of Laojun. Shangguan Wuhou saw the true appearance of the glass statue of Laojun again, and his eyes still shone with gold. Zhou Sen secretly rejoiced, it seems there is a chance, Shangguan Wuhou likes this glass statue so much, then my money will be settled.

Zhou Sen said, "Sir Shangguan, you know that I am a well-traveled person. This glazed statue of Laojun is extremely precious, and I also regard it as a treasure. However, it is inconvenient to carry when traveling outside, and it is very easy to damage. I see that you like this statue very much, and I plan to give it to heroes as a gift, so I plan to..." Before Zhou Sen finished speaking, Shangguan Wuhou answered first, "Master, don't worry. If you plan to leave it with me, I will definitely take good care of it for you." Leave it? Are you kidding? Zhou Sen hurriedly continued, "It's not leaving it..." Shangguan Wuhou interrupted again, "Does the Master plan to give this glazed statue to me? How can I accept it?"

Zhou Sen hurriedly hinted to Zhao Tiechui to put away the glass statue, thinking to himself, Shangguan Wuhou, are you trying to ask for a bribe and blatantly snatch my Laojun statue? I am counting on this glass statue to make some money. Zhou Sen continued, "I have always believed that the county magistrate is an honest official. If I give it to you without charging a penny, I am afraid it will damage your reputation. So I plan to sell it to you."

Shangguan Wuhou's excited expression suddenly dimmed, and he said helplessly: "Master Zhang, what price do you plan to sell it to me? The glass statue is so intact and transparent, it is rare in Daqian. This treasure is beyond my reach." Zhou Sen never got the true charm of the glass statue, and didn't know the status of the glass statue in the hearts of the people of Daqian. He thought it was just a glass statue. Since Shangguan Wuhou likes it, he should be able to accept 500 taels from him. Zhou Sen had heard some of Shangguan Wuhou's background. He was not a good official either. He was corrupt and had a rich family background. Zhou Sen had made up his mind, so he stretched out five fingers to Shangguan Wuhou.

"5000 taels! I like this glass statue of Laojun, but your price is too high. Can you make it cheaper? Otherwise, I can't afford it." Shangguan Wuhou shouted in shock. Zhou Sen was also shocked. He clearly bid 500 taels, but Shangguan Wuhou shouted 5000 taels. Zhao Tiechui, who was standing beside him, didn't dare to say anything. Zhou Sen secretly liked it, and he was going to make a killing. Taking advantage of the situation, Zhou Sen pretended to be embarrassed and put away a finger. Shangguan Wuhou was quite embarrassed and continued, "4000 taels is still a bit too much." Zhou Sen put away another finger with difficulty. Shangguan Wuhou hesitated and prepared to continue bargaining. Zhou Sen did not wait for Shangguan Wuhou to speak, and quickly held Shangguan Wuhou's hand, pretending to be reluctant, and said: "Shangguan Sir, since we are old friends and you like this glass statue so much, I will reluctantly give it to you for 2500 taels and give it to you at a friend's price. How about it?" Shangguan Wuhou was delighted and readily agreed: "Thank you, Master Zhang, for giving it to me." "Someone, please give me the silver quickly." Shangguan Wuhou was afraid that Zhou Sen would go back on his word, so he quickly asked his servants to bring the silver, and also arranged for the chief clerk Yan Xue to come and write a sales receipt: "Master Zhang Mumu sells the glass Laojun statue to Shangguan Wuhou for 2500 taels, and the money and goods are paid." Let Zhou Sen sign it. Zhou Sen was also afraid that Shangguan Wuhou would go back on his word, so he quickly took the silver and signed it.

The Liuli Laojun statue was delivered at a price that satisfied both parties. Zhou Sen did not dare to delay and left the county government office immediately. He secretly sighed that it seemed that he had greatly underestimated the importance of Liuli in the hearts of the people of Daqian. Liuli products were so valuable. It seemed that after the Liuli kiln factory was built, he would have no choice but to become rich.

Ten years as a clean magistrate, 500 silver coins. Zhou Sen had never expected that a magistrate of a small county town would be so rich. He was originally going to sell it for 5000 taels, but Shangguan Wuhou suddenly asked for taels. It seems that Shangguan Wuhou's corruption is more serious than he heard. If there is a chance in the future, he must punish Shangguan Wuhou.

Zhou Sen and Zhao Tiechui returned to the Tianshi Mansion with 2500 taels of silver in high spirits. Before they reached the door of their house, they saw a group of servants gathered in front of the Tianshi Mansion from afar, making a fuss. Something important must have happened, so Zhou Sen and Zhao Tiechui ran back to the Tianshi Mansion quickly.

Wang Yuanwai and a group of servants surrounded Xiangcao and Xiao Zhuyu at the gate of Tianshi Mansion. Xiangcao and Xiao Zhuyu argued fiercely with Wang Yuanwai and others. Zhou Sen saw someone bullying Xiangcao, but he didn't care so much and directly ordered Zhao Tiechui to take action. Zhao Tiechui knocked down several servants in a few seconds, opened a gap, and escorted Zhou Sen to Xiangcao and Xiao Zhuyu.

Seeing that Xiangcao and Xiao Zhuyu were not injured, Zhou Sen felt relieved. Zhou Sen asked Xiangcao, "Sister, what happened? Why did they surround the Tianshi Mansion?" Xiangcao said angrily, "Today, Zhuyu and I went to Changnan Ceramic Factory to inquire about the price of ceramic kilns and factories, and to see if there were any kilns for sale. Unexpectedly, we ran into Wang Yuanwai's servants in the Ceramic Factory, and they recognized Xiao Zhuyu. As soon as we got home, Wang Yuanwai brought people to surround us."

Zhao Tiechui shouted at Wang Yuanwai and others, "Who are you? This is the residence of the Heavenly Master, and you dare to block it?" Wang Yuanwai pretended to be wronged, stood up and saluted Zhou Sen, and cried in a false voice, saying, "We know that Zhang Tianshi is a hermit, and we are grateful to Zhang Tianshi for helping us get rid of the evil dogs and wolves in Changnan." "But this Xiao Zhuyu is my Wang family's daughter-in-law who was betrothed to us. Now that she has been found, she should go back to my Wang family. Why is the Heavenly Master's Mansion preventing my Wang family from taking my daughter-in-law home?"

Xiao Zhuyu was crying behind Xiangcao, who angrily replied, "Nonsense, she cannot be called your Wang family's daughter-in-law before we officially get married." Wang Yuanwai took out the marriage certificate with a grudge, and shouted to Zhou Sen and the onlookers, "I have the marriage certificate as proof, and it has the signatures and seals of my Wang family and the Xiao family. My Wang family saved money to raise 500 taels of dowry, and married my daughter-in-law in a formal ceremony, but she was kidnapped by the Dog Demon King on the way to the wedding. Now that she has been found, there is no reason for her not to return to my Wang family. Everyone, please judge for our Wang family!"