Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 190 - 16: Becoming the Boss, Shen's Restaurant!

"Why is there so little?"

In the blink of an eye, it was the day for the Guardian Martial Department to distribute salaries. Shen Qing arrived at the department's government office as promised, looking at the six taels of patterned silver in his hand and a porcelain bottle containing five Qi Blood Pills, with a puzzled expression.

"I remember Lord Commander saying my salary would double this month, right?"

The official in charge turned his head, glared at him, and ignored Shen Qing.

Liu Sangui, standing nearby, saw this scene and voluntarily pulled Shen Qing aside to explain, "Shen Chasi, you may not know, but there is always a loss when we receive our salaries from the government office. Losing about one or two tenths is normal."

Shen Qing was stunned when he heard this.

He had heard of loss during tax and grain collection before, but this was the first time he heard that officials received salaries with losses too. It was simply ridiculous.

"In any case, none of us really rely on this bit of salary to get by," Liu Sangui said meaningfully.

Shen Qing was speechless, realizing that the county town's government office was just as corrupt as Taiping County's—the same bird.

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

The cost of living in the county town was much higher than in Taiping County and was gradually rising.

The restaurant business had to be launched, or else they would run out of resources over time.

"Shen Chasi, this is the token for the Martial Arts Hall. You can use it to freely enter and exit the hall when the time comes."

At this moment, the official in charge handed Shen Qing a gold and red copper token.

Shen Qing knew that this was the Commander fulfilling his promise, allowing him to watch martial arts at the Martial Arts Hall for three days.

"Thank you."

…

"This restaurant's location is decent. However, as the shopkeeper poorly managed it, he plans to sell or lease it."

Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi brought Shen Qing in front of a restaurant and introduced, "Coincidentally, it comes with tables, chairs, and benches, which the shopkeeper let us use. What do you think?"

Shen Qing observed carefully and found that the surrounding foot traffic was acceptable. The restaurant was neither too large nor too small—it was manageable.

Most importantly, the restaurant was in Xinyi Square, within his jurisdiction, where he could exert influence.

"How much did you settle on for the price?"

"We've agreed on approximately one hundred taels for half a year in rent, which is quite reasonable."

Shen Qing weighed it in his mind, noticing that he had just enough money at hand, so he nodded and said, "I think it can work. Let's go with this place."

"What should we call it?"

Without thinking, Shen Qing replied, "Keep it simple, let's call it Shen's Restaurant!"

"Shen's Restaurant?!" Tian Xiaohu nodded and took note. "Should we prepare for an auspicious day to open?"

"Five days from now is an auspicious day. Let's tidy up and open then. I'll invite some colleagues from the government office to support us." Shen Qing wasn't one to hesitate and made the decision immediately.

"Alright."

Five days wasn't too long, nor too short.

Xiao Zhi, having been a head chef in a restaurant before, was familiar with many aspects of restaurant operation, so he organized things efficiently.

With concerted efforts from everyone, Shen's Restaurant was nearly ready.

On the auspicious day, the whole family rose early.

Auntie and the elder sister even boiled a pot of water to allow everyone to wash up properly.

Being hunters from the mountains, they were accustomed to roaming the mountains and had no habit of bathing.

Over time, their bodies carried a peculiar smell.

Shen Qing was better off.

Once conditions allowed, he started paying more attention to his hygiene. However, the others were less commendable, turning a basin of clear water into dark water.

"Brother, with Shen's Restaurant opening today, won't many people come?" Shen Xiaoshan, having changed into a new set of clothes, asked with excitement, looking full of spirit.

"It's hard to say. I don't have much of a foundation in the county town. It might just be us having some fun. I mainly want to make an appearance to bolster our restaurant's image, preventing any trouble from uninterested parties."

Through more than a month's patrols, Shen Qing had come to know that there were some martial arts groups in the county town. Their means of livelihood were violence, monopolizing small businesses, doing shady business, or forcefully buying and selling, collecting.

His restaurant, being new, would be hard to fend off these troublemakers without some backing.

Shen Xiaoshan said, "It's true. This world respects the one with the bigger fist, no matter where you are."

"Since you know, train hard."

Shen Qing took out a porcelain bottle from his pocket and said, "Take this. Swallow one when you are at the end of cultivation to enhance your Qi-Blood and speed up your training."

Shen Xiaoshan asked, "What is this...?"

"Qi Blood Pill."

Shen Qing placed the porcelain bottle in Shen Xiaoshan's hands and walked out of the room with large strides.

Now nearing the Great Perfection of the Qi Cultivation Realm, he found that the Qi Blood Pill didn't have much effect on him after trying one.

Rather than wasting it by keeping it himself, it was better suited for someone else.

Shen Xiaoshan silently put the Qi Blood Pill close to his body.

Outside Shen's Restaurant.

Shen Qing, dressed in the official attire of the Guardian Martial Department, stood at the entrance.

At this moment, with a belt tied around his waist, he cut a tall and striking figure, exuding extraordinary aura in his every step.

What surprised him was that the entrance of Shen's Restaurant was crowded with people, quite a number having gathered.

Many small vendors of Xinyi Square, laborers, and idle citizens eagerly thronged around to join in the excitement.

They had unexpectedly heard that this restaurant was opened by the Chasi of their neighborhood, who had recently slain a demon.

As the news spread, more and more people gathered.

Compared to these people just here for fun, only Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong, whom Shen Qing knew well, came over.

Liu Sangui, with a strange look on his face, whispered in Shen Qing's ear, "Guan Yunjian said his wife is having a baby at home, and someone else said he hurt his leg, so they can't come."

Shen Qing simply responded with a hum, saying nothing more, evidently aware that the two had some grievance against him.

He would observe further.

If they continued to resist him and there was an insubordinate subordinate around him, there would be no choice but to get rid of them.

At this moment, a clamor of gongs and drums sounded from afar.

It was Dong Jing bringing two lion dance teams over to offer congratulations.

"Congratulations, Lord Shen, on your prosperous business."

Shen Qing was genuinely surprised upon seeing Dong Jing; he believed he wasn't that acquainted with these high-ranking compatriots in the Guardian Martial Department.

Unexpectedly, Dong Jing took the initiative.

"Lord Shen, your restaurant is opening today, I came uninvited, I hope it's not too intrusive?"

Dong Jing said, looking at Shen Qing with a big laugh.

Lord Shen?

Shen Qing noticed that his title had unknowingly changed once again. With a brilliant smile, he said, "How could that be? It's my pleasure to welcome you, Dong Chasi. Please come inside and take a seat."

"Please."

Dong Jing, along with his attendants and subordinates, confidently walked into the restaurant.

Shen Qing's smile gradually faded as he watched Dong Jing's back, lost in thought.

Noticing that the Shi Chen was about right, Shen Qing faced the crowd and generously declared, "Dear elders, compadres, and respected guests, today marks the grand opening of our humble establishment after much preparation. To commemorate this occasion, we have prepared a modest offering of wine and delicacies as a token of gratitude. We invite everyone to enjoy freely and make this day a memorable celebration. Welcome!"

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