Chapter 176 - 131, Hold the Mandate of Heaven in One’s Mouth
Under the simple straw-thatched porridge shed, government officers piled up a blue brick stove, and eight boiling pots wafted a faint scent of rice.
Wang Daosheng patiently explained to the officers, "In a year of great disaster, even if it doesn’t reach the point of exchanging children for food, there will still be brothels buying young girls. Rest assured, I won’t make things difficult for you. Just report my name to Lord Zhang, as he and I are old acquaintances."
Just as Chen Ji thought that the government officer would argue back, he saw the officer already conceding defeat, his expression awkward, "So it’s Lord Wang, I failed to recognize a great man."
Chen Ji quietly asked Bai Li beside him, "Commandery Princess, is Mr. Wang very famous?"
Bai Li glanced at her in surprise, leaned in and whispered, "You haven’t heard of Mr. Wang? He became famous throughout the land when he was ranked as the second top scholar many years ago."
Chen Ji nodded, genuinely unaware of his new teacher’s renowned status, which merely by name could command such courtesy from the government office.
At that moment, the officer looked troubled as he spoke to Wang Daosheng, "Lord Wang, we can register and make records, but as you can see, there are only about a dozen officers here at the porridge shed, and it will be too busy when distributing porridge later... Could we perhaps wait until we bring in more hands?"
Wang Daosheng glanced at the porridge shed and then back at the number of officers, "You go register; we’ll handle the porridge shed."
The officer was stunned, "My lord, ladling out thousands of portions of porridge is physically taxing, how can we let you take on such labor?"
Wang Daosheng did not answer him but instead looked towards Chen Ji and the others, "Do any of you have a problem?"
Chen Ji replied, "Master, rest assured, I don’t have a problem."