You are unlucky and I am tough

Chapter 240: A Farmer with No Ambitions

It will take some time for the whole roasted lamb to be fully cooked. After brushing the sauce on it, Wei Nanxing was responsible for watching the lamb, and the group returned to the yard.

Cheng Lizheng left first to keep an eye on the banquet in the village, and Zhao Xiuwen also returned to the opposite side. Although he did not send out any invitations to this banquet, many people came for him, including those on the list in his hand.

The Zhu family, father and son, and County Magistrate Shen gathered together to look at the water pressure well in the yard. Wei Qinglang stepped forward to demonstrate. He held the pressure lever and moved it up and down several times, and clear well water flowed out from the outlet.

Prefect Zhu widened his eyes in surprise. Even Zhu Shaoyuan, who was usually calm, couldn't help but come closer to observe and touch the outside of the well.

"Brilliant!" the prefect applauded. "It saves us the trouble of fetching water, and women and children can also easily get water. It's really wonderful."

Wei Qinglang said, "The principle is actually very simple. The pressure rod drives the piston, creating negative pressure in the tube, which draws water up from the well."

After personally trying it out, Prefect Zhu was a little excited. If all the wells could be converted into this type, it would not only prevent accidents of children falling into wells, but also avoid various murders, corpse hiding and poisoning cases involving wells.

This is no less influential than the rice huller and fan wheel last time. The court is still promoting the promotion of these two agricultural tools in various places, and the rewards for the inventors have not yet been issued.

If the matter of pumping the water well is reported again, and the two merits are combined, the emperor will definitely issue an imperial decree to reward Wei Qinglang.

Prefect Zhu looked at Wei Qinglang with more and more eagerness in his eyes. After playing with the water-pressurized well for a while, he pulled Wei Qinglang to discuss the water-pressurized well.

During their conversation, the two brothers of the Zhu family learned that last year's rice huller and fan wheel were also made by Wei Qinglang. Only then did they understand why their father valued Wei Qinglang.

They had seen those two farm tools when they were made and sent to the government office. Now, looking at the water pressure well in the yard again, the way they looked at Wei Qinglang was different.

"Father," Zhu Shaoyuan suddenly said, "isn't the government workshop in need of someone like Brother Wei who understands the work of nature? Last year, when we were repairing the canal gates, those old craftsmen toiled for half a month but couldn't solve the problem."

Prefect Zhu's eyes were filled with praise as he looked at Wei Qinglang, "Mr. Wei, are you interested in taking a position at the government office? Although I can only offer you a clerk position for now, with your talent, your future is undoubtedly limitless."

Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Shen held his breath and cast an inquiring look at Wei Qinglang. He had previously invited Wei Qinglang to work in the yamen, but was rejected.

He was curious whether the young man would nod in response to the prefect's appreciation.

Wei Qinglang, however, remained calm and smiled, "Thank you, sir, and sir, for your kindness. However... I'm afraid I will be in vain."

"Oh?" Zhu Shaoyuan raised an eyebrow. "Do you think your position is too low?"

"Not really." Wei Qinglang shook his head, his eyes unconsciously looking at Cheng Shuang who was bringing out the tea, a tenderness in his eyes. "I'm just a farmer with no ambitions. I just want to take care of a few acres of land and live a peaceful life with my wife."

Zhu Shaoyuan frowned and said, "Brother Wei, you are wrong. If you are poor, you should take care of yourself. If you are rich, you should help the world. Brother Wei, your talent should be used to benefit the people of the world. How can you let it be buried in the countryside?"

"You are absolutely right, sir." Wei Qinglang said calmly, "I simply believe that if one is committed to benefiting the people, no matter where one is or what position one holds, one can do so. Furthermore, the prefect is known for his benevolent policies and his understanding of justice. Magistrate Shen is also a people-oriented and good ruler. With such good officials around, why should the people rely on official power to display their talents?"

"That being said, as the saying goes, those who are capable should work harder, and those who hold higher positions should..."

"Shao'er, don't be rude."

Prefect Zhu interrupted his son and looked at Wei Qinglang and said, "Everyone has their own aspirations. Since Mr. Wei has no intention of becoming an official, I will not force him."

Wei Qinglang stood up and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Mr. Prefect, for your consideration."

Cheng Shuang did not sit down after serving tea. She heard what they were talking about but did not pay any attention.

There is essentially no difference between being a slave for the imperial court and being a slave for capitalists. She also knows Wei Qinglang well. In his previous life, he chose to start his own business because he didn't want to be a slave. It is even more impossible in this life.

Cheng Shuang went to the backyard and continued to stare at the roasted whole lamb. After it was cooked, she cut a plate of meat with a knife, sprinkled some pepper and salt on it, and asked Wei Xinyi to bring it in for the Zhu family father and son to taste first.

The lamb weighs more than 20 kilograms. If we cut off two kilograms, the remaining portion will be enough for several tables of guests.

Then she called the old scholar's servants over, carried the sheep to the back kitchen, and had someone set up a rack outside the kitchen.

Put some charcoal fire underneath and have someone watch and turn the meat over from time to time to ensure it doesn't get cold.

A group of people were busy coming in and out of the kitchen. Cheng Guqiu was cooking, busy as hell.

Cheng Shuang didn't disturb her, just took a look and left.

When I was walking back to go home, I met a group of scholars who were chatting and laughing after fishing.

Cheng Caijun was also among them, followed by followers holding fishing rods and carrying buckets of water. It seemed that they had some catches.

The road was very narrow, and there was a group of men on the opposite side. Cheng Shuang stepped aside about six or seven meters away and stood there waiting for them to pass.

But she wanted to ignore this group of people, but someone insisted on making trouble. Zheng Tu glanced at someone in front of her, and then those eyes couldn't be moved away.

After Cheng Caijun noticed it, he also looked over and saw that it was Cheng Shuang. He was very clear about what was going on.

Since getting married, this cousin who was once only fit to serve her foot washing water has been living a better and better life and has become more and more beautiful.

It's normal to attract Zheng Tu's attention.

It's a pity that this woman is already married, otherwise it would be nice to let Xiao He marry Zheng Tu as his wife and send her over as a concubine.

It's not that he was jealous of Cheng Shuang's good life in the Wei family, but he just couldn't swallow that humiliation. He listened to his mother's words and took the initiative to make peace with Wei Qinglang, but they still ignored him.

After he passed the imperial examination this time, he thought the couple would come to his house to congratulate him, or even take the initiative to show their friendship, but he didn't expect there to be no response at all.

When the Wei family went to congratulate Zhao Xiuwen and Cheng Mingli, they didn't even stop at his door.

With a turn of his eyes, Cheng Caijun decided to give her a hard time, even if it was just to vent his anger, so he took a few quick steps and stood in front of Cheng Shuang.

Cheng Shuang was counting ants on the ground with her eyes lowered, waiting for the group of scholars to come over. Suddenly, several ants she was counting died under a pair of black shoes.

She raised her eyes and saw a disgusting face in front of her.

"What are you doing?" Cheng Shuang looked puzzled.

A group of people followed behind and were looking at them.

"What's wrong, Brother Cheng?" Zheng Tu stepped forward. "Do you recognize this girl?"

After saying this, Zheng Tu tapped his forehead with his fan, shook his head and smiled, "You see, I was confused too. Brother Cheng naturally knows the people from Chengjia Village."

Cheng Caijun said, "She is my fourth uncle's daughter."

Zheng Tu understood and bowed to Cheng Shuang with a gentle smile, "So you are the sister of the Cheng family."

The daughters of the Cheng family are so pretty, each one is a beauty.

Cheng Shuang looked at the scholar in front of her who suddenly saluted her, nodded slightly with an expressionless face, then turned around and was about to pass by.

"Wait, Cheng Shuang." Cheng Caijun stretched out his hand to block her way.

Cheng Shuang looked at his actions as if seeing a ghost, her voice cold, "What are you doing?"

Cheng Caijun said, "I know that my aunt is in charge of today's banquet, and many of the dishes she prepared were your ideas. Coincidentally, Master Zheng and some of his classmates caught some fresh fish. You can use them to make two dishes. I want them to be fresh and unique in their way, not available on the market."

Cheng Shuang laughed when she heard this. "Then why don't you just grab it and eat it raw? It's definitely fresh enough and there's definitely no such thing on the market."

This guy must be crazy, he even orders her around.