Chapter 544: Chapter 546: Probing

Jin Qianqian and the others now realized what Ming Nian had just meant. Even Wang Li stared at him in shock, instantly feeling he had been unjustly accused.

Wang Li explained anxiously, "The Shopkeeper isn’t interested in me, it’s not that... I’m the one who..."

Jin Qianqian was the first to let out a laugh. "I don’t care which one of you fancies the other. I won’t get involved.

This is a personal matter between you two. You can sort it out on your own time."

Seeing Madam’s mischievous gaze, Ming Nian touched his nose. ’This topic has to end now. Otherwise, who knows what kind of rumors will be spreading in a little while.’

With that thought, Ming Nian steered the conversation back on track. "A moment ago, Madam asked why you didn’t bring your brothers with you. Are the terms we’re offering too poor?"

Wang Li gritted his teeth. ’Looks like I’m going to lose this job before I even properly have it.’ "It’s not like that. At first, I thought the conditions were too generous, and I was afraid there was a catch.

I’ve already led my brothers astray once. This time, I wanted to come test the waters myself first. If I can really earn Silver, then I can help my brothers out in the future."

"Just help them? You didn’t think about bringing them in too?" Ming Nian couldn’t understand how the man’s mind worked. "Or are you just used to being the leader, afraid they’ll outshine you?"

Jin Qianqian shot Ming Nian a look. ’This kid is digging a trap for him.’

At this point, Wang Li could only bite the bullet and continue, resigned to the fact that he would probably have offended everyone by the time he finished. "They all have families. Going to sea is still a life-and-death struggle. They are the pillars of their households. If there’s an accident, their family’s world would collapse!

As for me, I’m all alone. If I take a gamble, I might get a shot. If I don’t make it, it’s just my worthless life. At least I’ll have made my mark."

After speaking, he stood quietly to the side, waiting for them to send him away.

Ming Nian was already starting to regret his question. ’I shouldn’t have asked him that.’

’The guy’s a blockhead, just blurting out such inauspicious things. Madam must be angry, right?’

"No wonder so few people have come to apply," Jin Qianqian said thoughtfully. "Ming Nian, if you were asked to go to sea, would you have so many concerns?"

Ming Nian replied bluntly, "Madam, I’m a complete landlubber."

Jin Qianqian was speechless. "...I’m telling you to be on the ship, not asking you to swim across the ocean.

Just tell me your initial reaction. How would you feel about joining a ship for sea trade?"

"I wouldn’t mind," Ming Nian said. "I’ll serve wherever I’m needed."

’He was an orphan, after all, fortunate enough to be taken in by the Master, who also taught them so many skills to make a living. His life already belonged to the Gu family.’

"Going to sea isn’t as dangerous as you think," Jin Qianqian said. "Early this morning, General Wang and his men set off for the Eastern Yi. With them scouting the way, we’ll have a better understanding of the future sea routes.

And don’t just post the recruitment notice outside this shop. Post it at the soap and pastry shops, too."

Jin Qianqian then turned to Wang Li. "The rest is up to you. I can’t guarantee a safe return from the sea. If you’re still hesitant, it’s not too late to back out now.

But once you’re in, I have to be blunt: we will undergo a series of training sessions, and you can’t quit halfway through."

"As long as you’ll have me, Madam, I promise to work diligently," Wang Li said.

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"Since you’ve decided, go and sign a contract with Shopkeeper Ming Nian later," Jin Qianqian said.

Knowing the matter was settled, Ming Nian said to Wang Li, "Go wait for me downstairs. We’ll talk in detail later."

Wang Li knew he was being kept on, and a wide grin split his face. "Alright, Boss, Shopkeeper. I’ll head down now."

After he left, Jin Qianqian pointed to the seats opposite her and said to the two men, "Sit down. Let’s talk."

Ming Nian pulled Yu Min over, and they both found seats. "So, Madam? What did you think? He seems alright, doesn’t he?"

"His character is passable," Jin Qianqian said. "He’s simple and honest. If he also taught those people in Zhaoyu Village how to swim, then he’s quite capable.

But to have recruited only one person in all this time... If my merchant ships weren’t still waiting for an auspicious day to set sail, you would have already caused a major delay."

Ming Nian put on a placating smile. ’Among their batch of orphans, had a few of them not been so thick-skinned, they wouldn’t have stood out enough to become shopkeepers of the various stores.’

"What Madam says is absolutely right. It’s just that we are seeking quality over quantity. Besides, Manager Hu already sent over so many people this time, filling most of the spots. When we’re looking for more people from the outside, we should naturally pick the very best."

Yu Min quietly shuffled half a step to the side. ’Ever since he became a Shopkeeper, Ming Nian’s skin seems to be getting thicker and thicker.’

’He clearly did a poor job, yet here he was, openly trying to take credit.’

"What you say makes sense, but you’ve forgotten one thing," Jin Qianqian said. "My operations are huge, and we are desperately short on people.

Even with Housekeeper Hu helping to train people as quickly as possible, these vacancies can’t be filled in time.

Our ship has already completed its trial voyage. Once it returns, the departure date will be close.

Don’t think that just getting on the ship will be the end of it. The preparations alone will be enough to keep everyone incredibly busy. Understand?"

Ming Nian’s expression turned serious. He stood, bowed, and said, "It was my lack of foresight. Please rest assured, Madam. I will find you the best helpers in the shortest possible time."

Now that this matter was settled, she moved on. "Excellent. Has the restaurant come out with any new dishes recently?"

"Yes..."

...

&

Prefect’s Office

"Mrs. Gu is too kind. She knows we have a taste for this and went to all this trouble." He Gaofei stroked his beard, took a few sips of soup, and spoke with satisfaction.

"My Attendant Student is a complete fool. All he knows how to do is cook noodle dishes. I was starting to feel like I’d turn into a ball of dough," Lu Shenggen said, picking up a whole sea cucumber and taking a satisfying bite. "I finally feel alive again."

"It’s a pity it’s high noon. If it were nighttime, we could even have a little wine," Wu Yichen said, his eyes narrowing in pleasure as he ate, his voice tinged with regret.

"That’s enough, you three," Ancient Wen Heng said. "If you keep this up, anyone who doesn’t know better would think your lives are miserable."

"Mr. Gu, a well-fed man can’t know a hungry man’s suffering. The three of us are rough men, and our households are run by other men. It’s a wonder we can even leave the house looking presentable," Lu Shenggen said after swallowing his mouthful of sea cucumber.

"Look at us now! The three of us have gotten thin from hunger. You, on the other hand, Mr. Gu, have started to get a little chubby."

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