Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies

Chapter 190: Chapter 16 Promoted to Boss, Shen's Restaurant!

"Why is this all there is?"

In the blink of an eye, the day to distribute the official salary at the Guardian Martial Department had arrived. Shen Qing, as promised, rushed to the department's government office. Looking at the six taels of patterned silver and a porcelain bottle containing five Qi Blood Pills in his hand, his face was full of confusion.

"Didn't Lord Commander say that my salary would be doubled this month?"

The official who was handling the matter turned his head, glared at Shen Qing and ignored him.

Liu Sangui, who was nearby, saw this and took the initiative to pull Shen Qing aside and explain, "Shen Chasi, you're unaware of something. There's always some loss when we collect our salaries at the government office. It's common to be short by about one tael."

Shen Qing was taken aback when he heard this.

He knew that there was a concept of shrinkage in tax and grain collections, but it was the first time he heard that even the officials' salaries were subject to this kind of loss. It was utterly outrageous.

"Anyway, no one really counts on just this salary to live on," Liu Sangui said meaningfully.

Shen Qing had no reply, seeing that the government office in the county town was actually just as corrupt as in Taiping County.

He had hoped to rely on the salary to support his family, but now it seemed to be difficult indeed.

The cost of living in the county town was much higher than in Taiping County, and there was a tendency for continuous small price increases.

The matter of the tavern really had to be started to avoid future hardships without income.

"Shen Chasi, this is the Martial Arts Hall token. When you go to the Martial Arts Hall, you can come and go as you please with this token," one of the officials said to him at that moment.

At this moment, the official took out a golden-red copper token and handed it to Shen Qing.

Shen Qing knew that the Commander was making good on his promise, allowing him a three-day visit to the Martial Arts Hall to observe Martial Arts.

"Thank you."

...

"This tavern's location is quite good. Since the Shopkeeper's poor management has led it to ruin, he's planning to lease or sell it," Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi took Shen Qing to a tavern and introduced it. "The tables, chairs, and benches inside are all available for us to use as the Shopkeeper is including them in the deal. What do you think?"

Shen Qing observed carefully, noting the decent foot traffic around the place. The tavern was neither too big nor too small—a manageable size.

Most importantly, this tavern was located in Xinyi Square, within his patrol zone, where he had some clout.

"What's the asking price for the lease?"

"We've negotiated a deal. The rent for half a year is just about a hundred taels, which is reasonable enough," they replied.

Shen Qing weighed his options, and since he had just enough money on hand, he nodded and said, "It sounds good to me. Let's settle on this place."

"What shall we name it?"

Shen Qing said without hesitation, "Keep it simple, let's call it Shen's Restaurant!"

"Shen's Restaurant?!" Tian Xiaohu nodded, took note of it, and then said, "So, shall we prepare and choose an auspicious day to open?"

"There's an auspicious day five days from now. Let's clean up and open on that day. I'll call some subordinates from the government office to support the opening," Shen Qing, not one to hesitate, immediately decided.

"Sounds good."

Five days is neither long nor short.

Xiao Zhi, who had once been a chef at a tavern, was very knowledgeable about the workings of such an establishment, and the preparations for it were very well-organized.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of everyone, Shen's Restaurant was almost ready.

On the auspicious day, the entire family of the household woke up early.

Aunt and elder sister even boiled a pot of water so that everyone could wash up properly.

These hunters, who had come from the mountains, were used to running around in the woods year-round and had no habit of washing regularly.

Over time, they had developed a peculiar smell about them.

Shen Qing was still okay.

After his conditions improved, he gradually started to pay more attention to his hygiene. The others, however, were really not praiseworthy, turning a basin of clear water into black water during washing.

"Brother, today is the grand opening of Shen's Restaurant. Will a lot of people come?" Shen Xiaoshan, having changed into a new set of clothes, asked with excitement and sparkling eyes.

"Hard to say. I don't have much of a foundation here in the county town, so it would probably just be a few of us making it lively. My main purpose is to show a presence, to lend our restaurant some support so as to avoid any trouble from those who are looking for it."

After over a month of patrolling, Shen Qing had come to realize that there were indeed various Martial Arts Groups in the county town. Their means of livelihood usually involved using violent measures to monopolize small trades, engage in business that couldn't be brought to light, or forcefully buy and sell goods, and collect protection fees by force.

If his restaurant, new to the area, didn't have any backing, these assorted demons and monsters would indeed not be easy to send off.

Shen Xiaoshan lowered his head and said, "That's true, this world judges right from might everywhere."

"Since you know, you should practice more."

Shen Qing pulled out a porcelain bottle from his chest and said, "Take this. When you're at the final stage of your practice, pop one of these to boost your Qi-Blood. It will help accelerate your cultivation."

Shen Xiaoshan asked, puzzled, "This is..."

"A Qi Blood Pill."

Shen Qing placed the porcelain bottle in Shen Xiaoshan's hand and strode out of the house.

Himself nearing Great Perfection in the Qi Cultivation Realm, he had tried one of the Qi Blood Pills, but its effect was now negligible for him.

Rather than let it go to waste in his own hands, it was better given to someone appropriate.

Shen Xiaoshan didn't say a word, silently tucking the Qi Blood Pill away close to his body.

Outside Shen's Restaurant.

Dressed in the uniform of the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing stood at the doorway.

At that moment, his belt was cinched, making his figure look tall and straight, radiant, with each step showing an extraordinary composure.

To his surprise, the entrance of Shen's Restaurant was now bustling with a crowd that had gathered unanticipatedly.

The numerous small merchants from Xinyi Square, the laborers at work, and the idle citizens had all swarmed over to join the buzz.

They had accidentally learned that this restaurant was opened by their district's dispatch office, and that this very dispatch office was the one who had slain a demon not long ago.

Thus, word spread, multiplying until a sizeable crowd had gathered.

Compared to these revelers, only two familiar subordinates, Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong, had come over.

Liu Sangui, with a strange expression, whispered into Shen Qing's ear, "Guan Yunjian and others—one says his wife is giving birth at home, another says he's injured his leg and can't make it."

Shen Qing hummed in acknowledgment without speaking, clearly sensing that the two had some grievances towards him.

Time to observe and see.

If they continued to act against him, having subordinates who refused to obey was unacceptable; he would have no choice but to dispose of them.

Just then, there came a noisy sound of gongs and drums from afar.

It was Dong Jing leading two lion dance teams, coming to offer his congratulations.

"Congratulations to Lord Shen on the auspicious opening of your business."

Shen Qing gazed at Dong Jing, genuinely surprised; he did not think of himself as well-acquainted with these high-ranking officials from the Military Department.

He hadn't expected Dong Jing to be so proactive.

"Lord Shen, I've come uninvited to your restaurant's opening day. I hope I'm not being presumptuous."

Dong Jing looked at Shen Qing and said with a big laugh.

Lord Shen?

Shen Qing noticed the subtle shift in how he was addressed, and with a brilliant smile, he said, "Not at all. For Dong Chasi to come, I couldn't be happier. Please, come inside and have a seat. Please."

"Please."

Dong Jing, accompanied by his followers and subordinates, walked into the restaurant with ease.

The smile on Shen Qing's face gradually faded a bit as he watched Dong Jing's retreating figure, thoughtfully.

Seeing that it was about the right time, Shen Qing turned to the crowd and spoke generously, "Fellow elders, neighbors from all directions, guests from afar; today, after much preparation, our humble establishment finally opens its doors. On this occasion, we have prepared modest wine and simple dishes to express our gratitude. May all our guests drink to their hearts' content and join in the celebration. We welcome everyone to the opening!"