Chapter 7: Going to the Grassroots, Delivering Warmth

Father, please rest assured, I will not let out a single fart!

"Be quiet! Master Chen's moral character and literary talent are renowned throughout Jinling. When we go to Master Chen's home, do not speak carelessly, as it may annoy others. Remember this well!" The old man cautioned with concern.

Fang Zheng smiled proudly: "Don't you understand? This is called 'going to the grassroots, delivering warmth.' In the past... uh, during the previous dynasty, there were often people doing this. Casual conversations like this make it easier to bridge the distance with everyone"

After getting dressed and washing up, Fang Zheng came to the front hall, greeted his parents respectfully, and stood quietly to one side, attentively listening to his father's teachings

The next day, taking advantage of his father going out, Fang Zheng deliberately got up early, greeted Xiao Lu, and took Xiao Wu to inspect the Fang residence once again

Fang Zheng secretly admired: "The working people are indeed the most genuine!"

... ... ''

Fang Zheng, also panting heavily, smiled confidently upon hearing this: "Today, I, the young master, am going to undertake a significant task to bridge the gap with the masses."

"Young Master, which play were you performing just now?" On the way back, Xiao Wu couldn't help but ask. Was it really a 'major event' as the Young Master described, to have gone to the west courtyard to chat idly for a while?

Xiao Wu gasped for breath and couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, where are we going?" Seeing this erratic young master going in circles aimlessly, Xiao Wu felt a bit worried. Was the young master about to pull another stunt?

Upon seeing Young Master Fang, everyone could not help but be greatly surprised. The three masters of the Fang family seldom come to the West Courtyard; what wind has blown in today

"Eh? Father? What are you doing here?" After fully regaining his senses, Fang Zheng saw his father, the old master Fang, glaring at him with anger. Feeling guilty, Fang Zheng pointed to the top of his head and said, "Well, the roof is leaking..."

Clapping his hands, Fang Zheng exclaimed loudly: "Good morning, everyone! Have you had breakfast?"

"Shut up! Follow me and don't say too much," Master Fang reprimanded without any courtesy.

Master Fang secretly shook his head and sighed, having such a rude and uneducated son was indeed a result of insufficient good deeds in a past life

Upon reaching the entrance, Fang Zheng saw that a carriage was ready at the door, filled with a dazzling array of gifts, silk fabrics, pastries, and even a considerable amount of jewelry. A group of guards from the Fang residence stood tall and proud, lined up in wait for the father and son of the Fang family.

***

Work should be bold and meticulous, and one should not fear making mistakes; who can avoid errors? Correcting them makes one a good comrade

It is better to take action than to merely speak, so on this fresh morning with the sun just rising, Young Master Fang, accompanied by Xiao Wuqii, meandered around the pavilions and waterside structures of the Fang residence, wandering through the corridors and gardens for nearly half an hour, leaving both of them quite exhausted.

It is evident that the West Courtyard is much more dilapidated compared to the East Courtyard, as Master Fang seldom frequents it. Consequently, he does not pay much attention to the living conditions of the servants. Fortunately, the residents here are diligent; although it appears rundown, it is kept clean.

When Master Fang crossed into Fang Zheng's room, he saw Fang Zheng with his eyes closed, smiling, occasionally mixed with snoring, mumbling something unintelligible. A line of crystal-clear saliva was slowly dripping from the corner of his mouth, drop by drop, onto the pillow.

Father, who is this New Year greeting for

It was only halfway there that I realized my father intended to take me to the home of Master Chen to pay my respects as a disciple

Master Fang was quite gracious today, surprisingly not scolding him again, but merely淡淡的 instructed Fang Zheng to accompany him out.

Upon realizing the actual situation of his poor social connections, Fang Zheng felt a deep sense of regret and resolved to change this unsatisfactory state of affairs, understanding that change must begin with himself

After Fang Zheng left, the servants in the west courtyard began to whisper among themselves: "What happened to the young master?"

Under the guidance of Xiao Wu, the two of them finally arrived at the western courtyard

***

In response to him, Xiao Lu gave a lively roll of her eyes.

"Oh? This pavilion looks a bit familiar. Didn't we just pass by it?" Fang Zheng exclaimed in surprise.

Xiao Lu remained expressionless as she stood behind Master Fang, noticing that the pillow under Fang Zheng's head had been soaked with saliva for the better part, while he continued to unconsciously smacking his lips. A fleeting smile quickly flashed in the depths of Xiao Lu's calm eyes. In recent days, Fang Zheng had been increasingly kind to her; after all, people are not made of wood, and Xiao Lu, at just fifteen years of age, had become much more amiable towards the young master Fang than she had been in the past.

Indeed, it is perplexing

"What is hetushu.com? What a disgrace! Look how high the sun has risen, and you are still asleep!" Master Fang reprimanded sternly.

Indeed, early in the morning, one seems to be in a daze, as if under a spell

Fang Zheng laughed joyfully in his dream, and the only two things that could make him laugh out loud in his sleep were money, referred to in this era as silver or silver notes, and beautiful women, the more beautiful the better, and the less they wore, the better.

Xiao Wu looked up at the sky in silence. This young master is indeed out of sorts; if you are lost, just say so. Is it really necessary to suffer in silence for the sake of pride?

Fang Zheng watched his father leave, then turned around and quietly asked Xiao Lu: "Why didn't you inform me earlier?"

Fang Zheng said unhappily: "Hey, I said, can you at least make some noise? Can you give me some response?"

Master Fang completely ignored him. Upon seeing that he was awake, Master Fang turned and walked out, issuing orders as he went: "You have half a stick of incense's time to get dressed and wash up, then come to the front hall to see me"

Well, this reaction is quite satisfactory to me. Fang Zheng nodded and continued, "I have no other intention in coming here today, but to express my concern for everyone. You have all worked hard."

The servants had long since risen, each busy with their own tasks. The guards had little to do and were practicing their martial arts in a spacious area, while a tall and robust man was correcting the guards' movements one by one.

Fang Zheng noticed that everyone had little reaction, feeling somewhat discouraged. Does this mean that he is really so unlikable?

After being promoted to a servant, Xiao Wu's status skyrocketed, and he changed his residence. He has been arranged to live in the side room next to Fang Zheng's courtyard, so that Young Master Fang can summon him at any time

Xiao Wu listened with a puzzled expression, yet he kept nodding. It must be said that this kid is quite clever in his own way

Keep it up! I have faith in you

Recently, Young Master Fang has embarked on a new project. In recent days, he has noticed that the servants in the residence seem to be quite fearful of him. Perhaps it is due to the formidable reputation of Fang Zheng's previous incarnation; he does not even need to exert his imposing presence. The servants, upon seeing him, react as if they have encountered the King of Hell, all bowing in submission, far surpassing the aura of a tyrant.

Oh no! It's leaking! Xiao Lu, quickly call someone to fix the house!" Fang Zheng jumped up from the bed in a panic, shouting urgently at Xiao Lu without even opening his eyes.

"That... how do I get to the West Courtyard, Xiao Wu?" Fang Zheng felt a bit embarrassed but couldn't help but ask, as he was truly exhausted

On the morning three days later, Master Fang arrived at the small courtyard where Fang Zheng resided. At that moment, Fang Zheng was still deep in slumber. After his journey through time, he gradually developed the good habit of sleeping in, refusing to get out of bed until the sun was well above the horizon. Initially, Xiao Lu tried to urge him a few times, but later, seeing that the young master Fang could not be awakened even by thunder, and was soundly asleep on his couch, she had no choice but to reluctantly let it be.

Everyone stared blankly at Young Master Fang, who walked around like a leader inspecting work, shaking hands with them as he went, his words dripping with officialese: "You have worked hard, keep up the good effort"

Father, you are truly gracious; with such a large truckload of gifts, I fear that Master Chen's smile might become crooked.

"What did the young master of the library just say 'add oil' means? Could it be that there was too little oil in today's dish?"

Little one, not bad at all, how old are you now

As if awakening from a dream, everyone bowed to Fang Zheng and greeted him.

Observing Fang Zheng's unflattering sleeping posture, Master Fang furrowed his brows, poured a bowl of cold water from the table, and without a word, rushed forward, forcefully yanking off Fang Zheng's blanket, then without blinking, splashed the bowl of cold water onto Fang Zheng's face

We have already gone through eight rounds! Xiao Wu is so tired that he wants to lie down and take a nap, having no strength to answer the young master's questions. What exactly does the young master want to do?

After a while, Young Master Fang finally indulged in the pleasure of being a leader, feeling satisfied before he left with a flourish, while Xiao Wu followed behind him, looking utterly exasperated.

The western courtyard of the Fang residence is primarily designated for the servants. The population here is quite diverse, as any low-ranking workers in the Fang residence, including guards, miscellaneous workers, cooks, coachmen, cleaners, and gardeners, reside here. In any era and in any place, there is always such a class distinction. Xiao Wu also lived in the western courtyard while working as a miscellaneous worker, until Fang Zheng assigned him to his side as a personal attendant, at which point he moved to the eastern courtyard. Generally speaking, the servants residing in the eastern courtyard enjoy significantly higher status, monthly wages, and benefits compared to those in the western courtyard.

After the time of three incense sticks

The specific approach to this significant matter is to keep going in circles ... Xiao Wu does not quite understand, yet does not dare to ask further, as the two continue to turn and turn ...

Fang Zheng is also quite conflicted. Why did his father go to the trouble of expanding the Fang residence so much? What about the exhaustion of his only beloved son?