The group responded with sneers and cynicism. "Your kind words won't change anything now!"
"We've all put in the effort to assist you in transcribing the announcements, and soon we'll have to help post them as well. Yet, our remuneration is uneven. Is that fair?"
Poxed Face Wang understood their concerns and quickly added, "My friends, please assist me. Once I've earned the two taels of silver, I'll treat you to a meal."
One of them was more open to negotiation. "That's better."
However, there were others who remained skeptical. "He's offering to treat us to a meal, but what kind of meal do you think he has in mind?"
"You still don't know him. He's rather miserly. I can tell."
"He mentioned treating us to a meal. Maybe it's one of those street vendors with simple food and vegetables. A bowl of rice per person might only cost around ten copper coins."
The rest of the group concurred. "True, we can't be sure what he means."
