Traveling through time and space to become a child, supporting the family by catching fish and shrim

Shi Liguo felt that he should celebrate vigorously since he had regained control of the county government.

Invite all the gentry and big merchants from the surrounding villages to be guests, and while accepting gifts, let these people see clearly who is the boss of Nanhe County.

When Zhao Xiongwei learned that Shi Liguo was going to hold a grand banquet, he immediately gave him a bad idea.

"Sir, I think we can take this opportunity to deal with Chen Lang."

Shi Liguo raised his eyebrows and said, "I almost forgot about this guy."

"If he hadn't given Fan Cheng advice, I wouldn't have been in such a predicament recently."

"Now Fan Cheng has admitted his mistake, but this guy hasn't shown any reaction at all. He should be punished."

Zhao Xiongwei said, "Yes, sir. It was Chen Lang who interfered with the Yan Xiaoguo incident, causing your plan to fail."

"I asked an old friend to trip him up in Guangling Prefecture, but he was lucky enough to dodge it."

"This time, the Lord has personally taken action, so he will definitely have no way to avoid it."

Shi Liguo snorted and said, "Although Chen Lang sabotaged Yan Xiaoguo's plan, the final result was in line with my expectations, so I will not pursue Chen Lang's responsibility any further."

"But after the flood, they joined hands with Fancheng and caused me all kinds of embarrassment. This is truly unforgivable."

"But then again, he's the first top-ranked official in this county in a few years. It won't be easy to deal with him."

Zhao Xiongwei said, "Sir, I have a plan. I'd like to share it with you for your reference."

"Tell me." Shi Liguo said calmly.

Zhao Xiongwei said, "Chen Lang is a very good cook. A few months ago, he represented Tianshangju in a cooking competition in Linshui County and won first place."

Shi Liguo was quite surprised: "He has this ability?"

Zhao Xiongwei said, "When I first heard about it, I was also quite shocked. After a careful investigation, I found that it was indeed true."

Shi Liguo frowned: "He's a good cook. Is there any connection between this and me dealing with him?"

Zhao Xiongwei said, "My Lord, aren't you going to hold a banquet? Let Chen Lang be the chef."

Shi Liguo's face darkened. "Are you seriously ill? Being my cook is such an honor. You let him come. Are you trying to punish him or reward him?"

Zhao Xiongwei hurriedly said, "My Lord, what I mean is that if there is even one dish that Chen Lang cooks that doesn't suit your taste, you will have a reason to punish him."

"That tofu shop is making a killing every day. They make a lot of money from tofu, stewed pork, fried liver, and mosquito coils."

"Your Excellency can use the excuse that the food is not to your taste and directly join his tofu shop."

“Until then, I’ll just sit at home and collect the money.”

Shi Liguo narrowed his eyes, pondered for a long time, and said, "Let's do as you say."

"After the job is done, I will give you half of the profit."

Zhao Liguo was overjoyed and bowed, saying, "Thank you, sir."

……

After making mosquito coils, Chen Lang rarely showed up at the tofu shop. He spent most of the day at Sheng Mansion, receiving intensive pre-exam training from Sheng Chuliang.

That day, Chen Lang returned to the tofu shop from Sheng Mansion. Before he could even sit down, Zhao Xiongwei walked into the yard in a domineering manner.

Chen Lang said coldly: "Get out, you are not welcome here."

Zhao Xiongwei said, "Chen Tongsheng, I'm here on behalf of the county magistrate to deliver a message. If you ask me to leave, you're not giving the county magistrate face. How dare you."

Chen Lang suppressed his anger and said, "I wonder what orders the county magistrate has?"

Zhao Xiongwei said, "Five days later, the county magistrate will host a banquet for guests. He heard that you once won a cooking competition in Linshui County, so he asked you to come to the mansion to cook."

"Well done, the county magistrate will reward you handsomely."

"If you don't do it well, the consequences will be serious."

Li Xiaohu said angrily, "This is too much! My brother-in-law is a scholar, not a cook!"

Li Xiuzhi was also very angry, but she maintained a polite appearance and said, "Young Master Zhao, my husband is currently studying hard for the college entrance examination and cannot spare the time to cook for the county magistrate. Please, Young Master Zhao, present your request to the county magistrate. I will be grateful."

Zhao Xiongwei didn't buy it at all and said bluntly, "Mr. Chen, the county magistrate asked you to cook because he thinks highly of you."

"Don't say you're just a student. Even if you pass the exam and become a scholar, you have to do whatever the county magistrate tells you to do."

"If you disobey and refuse, you should know clearly what the consequences will be."

Li Xiaohu ran back to the kitchen and came out with a kitchen knife in his hand. "I'm going to chop you to death, you lackey of the county magistrate!"

Chen Lang said, "Chunhua, drag Xiaohu away."

Zhao Chunhua hurried forward and dragged her husband back into the house.

Chen Lang added, "Everyone else leave. I want to talk to him alone."

After everyone had left, Zhao Xiongwei said with a half-smile, "Mr. Chen, there are only two of us in the yard now. Just say whatever you want to say."

Chen Lang said: "I only cook for the main table, I don't care about other tables."

"If the county magistrate can accept this condition, I will be the cook on the day of the banquet."

"If you don't accept, I won't be the cook anymore. As for what the county magistrate will do to me later, I will accept it all."

Zhao Xiongwei pondered for a moment and said, "I will convey your request to the county magistrate."

Chen Lang corrected him: "It's not a request, it's a demand."

"The county magistrate's answer can only be either yes or no, there is no third option."

Zhao Xiongwei sneered: "Mr. Chen, you are a little confused about your status. No one in Nanhe County dares to make such a request to the county magistrate."

Chen Lang said indifferently: "Now that you have seen it, go back and tell the story."

Zhao Xiongwei pointed at Chen Lang and turned away angrily.

As soon as he left, Li Xiaohu ran out of the house like a gust of wind and said, "Brother-in-law, you shouldn't have agreed to this."

"This damned county magistrate is clearly using his power to bully others!"

"I don't believe he would dare to do anything to you, my brother-in-law. After all, you are the top candidate in the prefecture. How can a county magistrate like him just take you away at will?"

Chen Lang said: "He can't control me, but he can control our tofu shop."

"After all, from the outside, this tofu shop has nothing to do with me. If I come forward to speak on its behalf, it will confirm my involvement in its management."

"The county magistrate is certain of this, so he dares to make such a request."

Li Xiaohu angrily cursed: "You bastard official!"

Li Xiuzhi walked over to Chen Lang, took his hand, and whispered, "Erlang, it's just a meal, just treat it as if it were cooked for pigs."

Chen Lang smiled and said, "My wife is right. I'll just treat it as making a table of swill to feed the pigs."