Lu Ye said: For those who contribute ten taels of silver to dig a well in my house, they can use the well for free indefinitely after it is dug.
Those who contribute two taels of silver can collect two buckets of water for free every day after the well is dug; those who contribute one tael of silver can collect one bucket of water for free every day; those who contribute 500 wen can collect half a bucket of water every day; those who contribute 200 wen can collect a dipper of water every day.
If you have no money, you can contribute your labor for free during the well digging, and you will receive a bucket of water for free every day thereafter..."
The Law Officer's eyes lit up, and his brow furrowed in thought.
Upon hearing this, the Chief Clerk slapped the table and roared, "You... you are extorting the people's wealth! You'll never get this private well notarization from me! If you have nothing else, get out!"
"Since that's the case, we won't bother the Chief Clerk!" Lu Ye said coldly.
Bai Sheng clenched her fists, gritting her teeth.
Lu Ye smiled faintly, stroked her head, and said gently, "Don't be angry, if this road is blocked, there's another!"
With that, he turned, picked up the two wooden buckets, and walked back to Bai Sheng, "Let's go."
As the two were about to leave, a voice suddenly came from behind them.
"Wait a moment, you two!"
They turned back and saw that the speaker was the Law Officer sitting on the left.
This Law Officer was in his early twenties, tall and slender, with a handsome face and phoenix eyes that exuded a pure and honest light.
However, his official uniform was a bit faded from washing, and there was even a small patch on his shoulder!
"Ji Chenghe! Mind your own business! This is the affair of our Chief Clerk's office!" the Chief Clerk shouted coldly at the Law Officer.
Ji Chenghe's lips curved slightly, "Chief Clerk Xue, don't you know that as officials of the court, the people's affairs are the affairs of all government offices? Signing notarization documents is a branch of the Law Officer's jurisdiction. If you can sign it, so can I."
Chief Clerk Xue?
Bai Sheng's brow furrowed.
Could it be that the cousin mentioned by Zhang Lanlan was him? Humph, as expected, birds of a feather flock together. No wonder this Chief Clerk never looked like a good person!
"Fine, you wait, I will definitely make you unable to get by in this Tianshui Town!" Chief Clerk Xue pointed at Ji Chenghe and said angrily.
"I will be waiting! However, Chief Clerk Xue, if you have the spare time, you might as well do more practical things for the people!" Ji Chenghe said sarcastically.
"Well said!" Bai Sheng exclaimed, clapping her hands.
Ji Chenghe smiled with a clear expression, then turned to Lu Ye and Bai Sheng and said gently, "This Law Officer will handle the private well notarization document you two need!"
Lu Ye and Bai Sheng were overjoyed, "Thank you, Law Officer!"
"Please come over for a detailed discussion," Ji Chenghe said, gesturing with his hand.
Lu Ye and Bai Sheng walked over.
"May I ask, young master Lu, is this idea of pooling funds to dig wells yours?" Ji Chenghe asked with a smile.
Lu Ye quickly shook his head, "No, it's my wife," he said, pulling Bai Sheng to his side.
Ji Chenghe looked Bai Sheng up and down and couldn't help but exclaim, "A truly intelligent young lady!"
If this method of fundraising were promoted in the court, it could solve many financial problems in the future. He never expected that this idea came from a young lady; truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover!
"You flatter me, Law Officer," Bai Sheng smiled "modestly."
Lu Ye glanced at her, a hint of indulgence in his eyes.
"Your idea about pooling funds to dig wells is very good, but I have some doubts. If you can answer them, I will immediately process the private well notarization document for you," Ji Chenghe said, tapping lightly on the desk with a slight frown.
Lu Ye cupped his hands and said, "Please speak, Law Officer."
"If the well ultimately doesn't yield water, what happens to the funds collected?"
"They will all be returned!" Lu Ye replied without hesitation.
Ji Chenghe nodded with satisfaction and continued, "Is the safety of the well diggers guaranteed? Who will be responsible if there is a safety accident?"
Lu Ye thought for a moment and said, "Firstly, we will do our best to prevent safety accidents. However, regarding safety issues, we will first discuss the details of responsibility with the well-digging team. If a safety accident occurs, both parties will be jointly responsible. Then, depending on the degree of each party's fault, the party at fault will bear the larger share."
"Yes, very good! I have no further questions. I will now process the private well notarization document for you," Ji Chenghe said with a smile.
This person is good, a good official! Bai Sheng thought to herself.
Judging by his demeanor, he doesn't seem to be a local of Tianshui Town. Why would he come to such an desolate place to be a minor official of the ninth rank?
Ji Chenghe took out an official notarization document. After Lu Ye wrote the notarized content, he decisively stamped it with the official seal.
Holding the notarization document, Bai Sheng smiled so widely her eyes crinkled.
She glanced at the grim-faced Chief Clerk opposite them and deliberately raised her voice, "Law Officer Ji is truly a good official who cares for the people! To repay your great deed of benefiting the people, my husband and I have prepared two buckets of water for Law Officer Ji. Please lead the way, and my husband will deliver the water to your official residence!"
"Water?" Ji Chenghe's eyes lit up, but he quickly concealed it, "Young Madam Lu, you are too kind. How can this... how can this be done?"
Lu Ye said loudly, "Law Officer Ji is an upright official, wholeheartedly doing practical things for the people. It's only two buckets of water, not embezzling money! Even if the Emperor knew, he would only praise Law Officer Ji for winning the hearts of the people! Please lead the way!"
His hospitality was overwhelming, and Ji Chenghe had no choice but to lead the two to his official residence.
Unexpectedly, Ji Chenghe's mother also lived in the official residence. The old lady was about forty years old, very thin, and looked listless. Her clothes were also covered in patches.
The kitchen was small, and the water缸 was empty.
As Lu Ye poured the two buckets of water in, Bai Sheng stood by, blocking the view, and secretly added some more water.
After thanking them profusely, Ji Chenghe immediately picked up a dipper, scooped some water, and handed it to his mother.
"Mother, you must be thirsty, drink some water quickly!"
"He'er, you drink first, Mother is not thirsty." The old lady pushed the water towards Ji Chenghe with loving eyes.
"Mother, you drink first. If you don't drink, I won't drink either!" Ji Chenghe said jokingly.
The old lady smiled helplessly and then took the dipper and drank it down in gulps.
"This water... is truly extraordinary..." the old lady praised, smacking her lips.
Ji Chenghe immediately scooped up a dipper of water and drank it.
After drinking, he was also stunned for a moment, "Indeed, it is good water!"
"If Law Officer Ji likes it, my husband and I can bring you water often in the future," Bai Sheng said with a smile.
"No, no, it can't be done," Ji Chenghe repeatedly waved his hands, "I have already broken my vow today, it is truly my mother... alas, Ji is extremely grateful to you both!"
Lu Ye also cupped his hands and said, "It is I, Lu, who should thank Law Officer Ji. You are upright and truly serve the people!"
Ji Chenghe waved his hands modestly, "Brother Lu, you flatter me, it is merely my duty."
"To adhere to one's responsibilities is already a remarkable thing!" Lu Ye praised.
Hearing such words, Ji Chenghe was actually very happy. He had been transferred to Tianshui Town for over a year, and this was the first time he had received such praise.
"That Chief Clerk Xue doesn't look like a good person at all. It's hard to guard against petty people, Law Officer Ji must be careful in the future," Bai Sheng reminded him.
Ji Chenghe smiled faintly, "The officialdom is like a battlefield, such people are everywhere, Ji is used to it. Ji has no desires or ambitions, and only wishes to do his duty well. What can that Chief Clerk Xue do to him?"
"Besides my martial arts and strength, I have no other skills. Law Officer Ji, if you ever need my help in the future, I will do my utmost to assist you!" Lu Ye said sincerely.