"You're good with words, kid. Even though I know you're talking nonsense, who doesn't like to hear sweet things? By the way, how's everything going for you in the Kaifeng Prefecture lately? I heard the new Shao Yin is a difficult person to deal with!"
As Zhang Shaoyou spoke, he reached out again and poured Wang Tiezhuan a cup of wine.
Seeing Zhang Shaoyou personally pour him wine, Wang Tiezhuan quickly stood up, cupping his wine cup with both hands.
"Why are you standing up? Sit down, sit down!"
"You know as well as I do, I only studied in private schools for a few years when I was young and can barely recognize official documents. For someone like me, it's already good enough to make a living in the Kaifeng Prefecture, let alone think of anything else..."
Wang Tiezhuan said this with an awkward smile on his face.
"You can't say that. Heroes are not judged by their origins. Didn't Di Hanchen also work as a subordinate soldier back then? You are sharp, and you are loyal. If you follow the right person, why worry about not finding a way out?"
As Zhang Shaoyou spoke, he personally picked up a piece of fatty mutton from the pot and placed it directly into Wang Tiezhuan's bowl.
Hearing his words and looking at the fatty mutton in his bowl, Wang Tiezhuan understood that Zhang Shaoyou had something to ask of him today.
Even though he knew he might be used, Wang Tiezhuan's heart could not help but beat violently.
Being used was nothing to him.
After all, this was the sorrow of the common man. If he had no value, he would probably just live a mediocre life forever.
As long as he could be sold at a good price, he didn't care who he was sold to.
For someone like him, it was already good enough for someone to reach out to him, let alone be picky.
"Sir, is there anything you need me to do? If you have any instructions, please tell me directly! I always knew that you, sir, were different from the other officials in the Kaifeng Prefecture. You care about everyone in the world!"
Although Wang Tiezhuan's position was low, his words were quite eloquent.
Zhang Shaoyou had originally come to flatter him, but he didn't expect this guy to counter with a bowl of chicken soup.
"Actually, I won't hide it from you. I do have something I need you to do, but I won't force you. The Ministry of Revenue has been extremely busy lately. Vice Minister Fan wants me to find some reliable people to report directly to him and me. Are you willing to come?"
After hearing Zhang Shaoyou's words, Wang Tiezhuan nodded without hesitation.
Although they were all runners, the runners in the Kaifeng Prefecture were different from those in the Six Ministries.
The runners in the Kaifeng Prefecture braved the elements every day. In addition to handling the daily affairs of the yamen, they also had to patrol the streets, catch bandits, and apprehend criminals.
These tasks were not only hard and tiring, but the "oil and water" they could get was very limited.
However, the runners in the Six Ministries were different, especially those who had connections in the yamen.
Didn't you see the people selling tea outside the Ministry of Personnel every summer?
Those selling soup and water in other parts of Kaifeng Prefecture could only earn three to five copper coins at most per night, but what about them?
A bowl of soup cost thirty copper coins, and no bargaining was allowed!
If you didn't make these "masters" happy, they could drag out a matter that should have been completed in a day into more than ten days.
As for the Ministry of Revenue, that was even more so!
Especially at this time, Zhang Shaoyou was currently serving as the Secretary of the Granary Department.
Let alone in this era, even if everyone outside starved to death, the people in the Ministry of Revenue would still be well-fed and corpulent...
With such a good position, why wouldn't he take it? It would be foolish not to.
"Sir, whatever you need, just command me. Whether it's going through mountains of knives or seas of fire, I will not hesitate!"
"Good, I didn't misjudge you!"
Hearing him say this, Zhang Shaoyou nodded with satisfaction.
Looking around to ensure no one was paying attention, Zhang Shaoyou took out a gold ingot from his sleeve and placed it directly in front of Wang Tiezhuan.
Although he didn't touch it, judging by its appearance, it was an official ingot weighing five taels!
"Sir, what is this?"
Swallowing hard, Wang Tiezhuan tentatively asked.
"I am a straightforward person. For the brothers who follow me, I must ensure they have enough to eat and drink, right? Times are hard, and it's not easy for everyone to survive. This is for you to take back to support your mother!"
As Zhang Shaoyou spoke, he pushed the gold ingot further towards him.
"Sir, you..."
Hearing Zhang Shaoyou's words, Wang Tiezhuan's nose suddenly felt sore, and he almost cried.
Five taels of gold might be just a meal for the wealthy, but for him, even if he didn't eat or drink, it would take two to three years to save up.
Even with the current soaring grain prices, five taels of gold would be enough for his entire family to live for a year in Bianliang City!
"Alright, a grown man, what are you crying for? Wipe your tears, I have important business for you to attend to!"
"Thank you for your generosity, sir!"
Casually wiping his eyes with his sleeve, Wang Tiezhuan looked at Zhang Shaoyou again.
"I know you brought back quite a lot of things from Mengzhou this time. I have a letter here. Take this letter back and, when no one is paying attention, casually tuck it into a book!"
Hearing Zhang Shaoyou's words, Wang Tiezhuan immediately understood his intention. It seemed that this Lord Zhang wanted to use his hand to teach that Huang guy a lesson.
However, it was already spread throughout the Kaifeng Prefecture that Huang Qianshan would never be an official again even if he survived this time. Since that guy was finished anyway, if stepping on him could lead to relying on a big tree like Zhang Shaoyou, it would be a sure win for Wang Tiezhuan.
"Is it that simple?"
"It's that simple!"
"Sir, please rest assured, I will handle this matter now. I will have it done within an hour. When I came out, they were busy moving things. Although these things have already been registered, we brought back two cartloads of books!"
"You must be extremely careful and absolutely do not let anyone see you!"
"Sir, please rest assured. Don't you know me? I'm famous for being well-liked in the yamen. Please wait here for a moment, and I'll get it done right away!"
Seeing his excited demeanor, Zhang Shaoyou nodded with satisfaction.