The village head Li Zheng's eyes widened.
He exclaimed in surprise, "One hundred *wen* a day! Such a lucrative job isn't easy to find anywhere. The Magistrate is truly generous."
If he secured this money, he could take fifty *wen* from each person as common village property. Then, he could use that money to pay the patrol team. Two *wen* for two hours of patrolling would surely attract many eager participants.
"Magistrate, this humble woman didn't mean that..." Cheng Loanloan said with a fearful expression. "Working for the Magistrate isn't about demanding payment. If we can't find a single water source, I'm afraid this money would burn our hands."
The corner of the Magistrate's mouth twitched. He understood this woman's intentions; wasn't she just implying that one hundred *wen* was too little?
However, this was the first time the Magistrate had met such a person, and he was greatly surprised. Moreover, this woman had raised several children who were not to be outdone, so it was normal for her to want more benefits.
As long as she could help him achieve a meritorious deed, spending this silver was not a big deal. The Magistrate opened his mouth, "Then, what is your suggestion?"
"If a water source is discovered, the Magistrate will reward us. But if we cannot help the Magistrate alleviate his worries, we are not qualified to accept this silver. What do you think of this method?" Cheng Loanloan's lips curved into a smile. "Thirty-five villages, all to be visited within three days. If we calculate it that way, these three days will not allow for good rest..."
Even the irritable military advisor had to look at Cheng Loanloan with new eyes. A peasant woman could propose such a method; it seemed he had underestimated farmers too much.
He looked at the Magistrate, his eyes questioning.
The Magistrate nodded and said, "Find one water source, and I will reward two *liang* of silver."
Li Zheng's eyes suddenly widened.
Two, two *liang* of silver?
Their entire family's farming for a year, plus the village head's monthly salary, only amounted to nearly two *liang* of silver in a year.
Excluding Dahe Village, there were thirty-five other villages. If they could discover ten water sources, they would get twenty *liang* of silver!
Heavens, how did Mother Dashan manage to persuade the Magistrate?
Cheng Loanloan curved her lips. She lived in ancient times, when underground water veins had not yet been exploited. The probability of finding water in the two mountains opposite the canal was very high.
As long as there were many mountains close together, finding water would not be difficult.
The Magistrate praised, "Elder Sister-in-law is not like an ordinary peasant woman. No wonder she could raise a child who can find water sources."
Cheng Loanloan was extremely humble, "This is all because my husband knew how to teach his children. In the first few years when there was no war, he returned home every year and taught the children many things. Although he has passed away, the things he taught are still remembered by the children."
The Magistrate sighed. So, she was a widow whose husband died in battle. No wonder she thought of a reward. Every family had its own difficulties. As a parental official, he should indeed be sympathetic. Was two *liang* of silver for one water source too little?
While they were still discussing, an ox cart stopped outside the door.
Zhao Ergou and Zhao Sanniu carried three wooden buckets down. The two men stumbled into the room, their eyes fixed straight ahead, so much so that they didn't even see the Magistrate standing at the door.
Just as she was about to step inside, she almost stumbled.
Cheng Loanloan explained, "These are my two children, who have just returned from the town. Let me take them inside to change their clothes, and then they can come out to meet the County Magistrate."
Her expression was a little solemn.
These two rascals went to deliver goods, so why do they look so pale? Did something difficult happen?
If she had known this earlier, she should have gone with them the first time.
She didn't think much of it and stepped into the house. Seeing the two rascals locked in the inner room, she raised her hand to knock on the door, her voice lowered, "What's wrong?"
Zhao Ergou pulled Cheng Loanloan inside, his eyes wide. From his chest, he pulled out a piece of coarse cloth. "Mother, it's silver!"
+
Cheng Loanloan looked over. Inside the cloth was a gleaming silver ingot.