What even was the job of a low-grade official?
To put it simply, being a low-grade official meant that you had to take care of numerous errands, and if anything went wrong, you became the scapegoat. It was a small potato where you had to run around until you broke your leg when there were important things to be done, but you couldn't be idle with unimportant tasks either.
Of course, low-grade officials also had some power in their hands. This small amount of power only worked on the commoners, but if it was a low-grade official with evil intentions, he could indeed rely on this little power in his hand to cause a lot of troubles.
Mr. Xu came from a background half-filled with farming, with the other half consisting of studying. Although Eldest Xu and Second Xu were not talented in studying, they had still gone to school and had some sense.
Both brothers knew what low-grade officials did, so when Zuo Qiu said that he was planning to get them a job as a low-grade official, both of them flinched. Fortunately, their father had not yet become muddle-minded and his eyes were not blinded by the small profit in front of him.
"My honor, please take a look at these commoner's sons; they have nothing but strength in their arms. If you really let them go to the county office, they will only cause you trouble! Furthermore, what this commoner has done is only what he should do! It's not worthy of receiving a reward!"
...
While Mr. Xu continued to refuse Zuo Qiu's reward, their village head, Guan Laoqi, viewed Mr. Xu's lack of aspiration with exasperation. In front of Zuo Qiu, however, Guan Laoqi didn't dare to interject.
Zuo Qiu pondered the subject for a moment, then said, "Brother Xu, since this official takes care of this land, I'm always clear with my rewards and punishments. How can I not reward you for making such a great contribution? How about this? This official will reward you with a hundred taels of silver in the name of the county government!"
"My honor, this can't be done, this can't be done! It's too much, it's too much!"
Upon hearing Zuo Qiu's words, Mr. Xu quickly waved his hand in dismissal.
If his family suddenly recieved hundred taels of silver, could they continue to live peaceful lives?
"My honor, this commoner really doesn't deserve such a reward. Perhaps you could use those hundred taels of silver to build roads in our village?"
These hundred taels of silver would definitely be hot potatoes if they held them in their hands.
Although Mr. Xu had some means, if their family suddenly received a hundred taels of silver, it would definitely stir up a lot of trouble.
At this time, it was better to let sleeping dogs lie!
Even if Mr. Xu showed disdain for the remnants of the former empire in front of Mrs. Xu, deep in his heart, he didn't want his family to be targeted by those people.
Therefore, he could not receive these types of rewards, especially monetary ones.
Money was the root of all troubles!
Finally, due to Mr. Xu's repeated pleading, Zuo Qiu agreed to the old man's proposal, meaning that the county government would provide money to build the road, and in addition to the normal labor, all villagers who participated in the construction of the road would get a certain number of daily wages.
After finalizing this, Mr. Xu successfully gained a wave of prestige in Spirit Water Village.
After all, everyone would benefit from the money that he gained.
If the road was constructed, all the villagers would gain convenience because of it.
Once everything was settled, Mr. Xu grabbed the village head and called for several elders in the village. He then prepared a table of food and beverages at home, giving a warm welcome to Zuo Qiu and his party.
The meal was extremely sumptuous, with chicken, duck, fish, and other meat.
The chicken was pheasant, the duck was a wild duck, the fish had just been caught from Blossom River by the villagers, and the meat was rabbit meat.
In addition to this meat, there were also various vegetables and eggs.
In short, this meal was of a very high standard.
After they sent Zuo Qiu and his party away, Mr. Xu went to see Mrs. Xu.
"Dear, I've got an idea!" Mr. Xu leaned close to Mrs. Xu. "Let me tell you about it, and then you can help me to think it through!"