Chapter Eighty-Four: As Expected of Ning Ge

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Another two combined again.
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When Manager Qian entered the side room, he saw four accountants seated inside, among whom Wu Ning stood out the most.
No surprise there—this young accountant was indeed quite young.
If the clerk hadn’t mentioned beforehand that four accountants had been hired, and the room happened to have exactly four people, Manager Qian might have thought Wu Ning was the youngest brought in by the eldest one.
He glanced deeply at Wu Ning but showed no obvious reaction on the surface.
With hands folded, he bowed slightly, “Thank you all for waiting. I am surnamed Qian, manager of the Yuan Ning Cloth Shop.”
Including Wu Ning, all four rose to return the greeting.
Manager Qian wasted no time. After a formal bow, he looked at the eldest among them, “May I ask who this is...”
The elder returned the bow, “I am Zhang Youci, styled Zhi Shuo. Formerly a tutor at Kangping Academy’s Classics Hall. Pleased to meet you, Manager Qian.”
Upon hearing this, Manager Qian’s eyes brightened; he thought, this is a man of great talent after all?
Kangping Academy was the finest educational institution in Fangzhou, and Zhang taught in the Classics Hall, known for its deeper scholarship compared to the Mongolian Hall.
Eagerly stepping forward, he said, “So you are Tutor Zhang, I’ve heard much about you!”
“But since Kangping Academy is funded by the Prince’s Mansion, their salaries are far better than those at our modest Yuan Ning shop. Why would Tutor Zhang...”
The implication was clear—why would such a distinguished tutor come here to work as an accountant?
Though Zhang was the most suitable candidate, given the previous example of Sun, an accountant who had embezzled funds, Manager Qian felt the need to ask.
Zhang replied, “Please forgive me, Manager Qian. I am old now and cannot manage those unruly students at the hall, so I sought a lighter job to support my household.”
“Oh.”
Manager Qian nodded understandingly but felt a twinge of disappointment.
He knew that this new accountant wouldn’t only handle the cloth shop’s accounts but also those of the Qin family’s rice store, tailor shop, and soon-to-open restaurant.
This was no light task like teaching at an academy; Zhang Tutor might find it disappointing.
After excusing himself from Zhang, Manager Qian turned to the second man, younger than Zhang but still elderly.
He learned this man was an old accountant at the West Market’s Liuhe Jewelry House, having served there over a decade and now seeking a new employer.
Manager Qian harbored reservations about this man.
Others might not know, but he did—the man was dismissed from Liuhe Jewelry for dishonest conduct, much like their previous accountant Sun.
The third was younger, seemingly less experienced, a scholar from Xiangzhou who came to Fangzhou seeking patrons.
Unfortunately, his family was not wealthy, and having spent his travel funds without success, he sought local employment to sustain himself and build his future.
He made it clear that if hired, he would commit at least three years here, dispelling Manager Qian’s worries about his potential short tenure.
...
Weighing all this, if not considering skill, Manager Qian naturally preferred the third candidate.
But...
Looking at Wu Ning with some difficulty, he thought, regardless of age, anyone daring to enter this door showed courage and promise.
As a seasoned man, he felt compelled to encourage him.
“Young sir, your courage is commendable, but accounting is a skill accrued over many years...”
“...”
Wu Ning had been observing Manager Qian’s thoughts for some time and guessed much of what was on his mind.
He smiled awkwardly, “Manager Qian, no need to worry.”
Taking a deep breath, he said, “Allow me to introduce myself first. After hearing me out, we can discuss everything else.”
“My name is Wu Ning, no courtesy name. I am from the Wu clan of Xiashan’ao in the southern part of the city, a native Fangzhou family.”
“Oh.” Manager Qian nodded subconsciously.
He was not unfamiliar with Xiashan’ao; in fact, the entire Fangzhou knew that small mountain hollow. It was home to the peculiar guesthouse Seeking Jade Residence and also the place of Wu Changlu, the Southern Road Deputy Governor.
Moreover, Manager Qian knew Xiashan’ao was a clan village—all residents bore the Wu surname and were related.
He tested, “So, the Southern Road Deputy Governor...”
“Is indeed my direct uncle.”
Wu Ning had nothing to hide; in Fangzhou, these connections were resources he had personally secured and had no reason not to use them.
When Manager Qian heard Wu Ning was Wu Changlu’s nephew, he almost blurted out: “You’re hired!”
Age or accounting skills no longer mattered to him—having the Deputy Governor as an uncle was decisive.
...
The other three accountants immediately felt deflated: if he was the Deputy Governor’s nephew, there was no point competing!
If this small cloth shop could connect to the Deputy Governor’s prestigious family, it was a blessing indeed.
All three bowed to Manager Qian and prepared to take their leave.
“Wait!” Manager Qian’s face lit up like a blooming flower.
He stopped the three and held up two fingers, “Actually, the shop wants to hire two accountants.”
“Oh.” The three suddenly understood, thinking, Manager Qian sees clearly!

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This young man was clearly brought in to leverage connections, while the real accountant would be chosen from the three remaining.
...
Wu Ning watched coldly from the side, not interrupting despite being capable of handling the job alone. He didn’t mind Manager Qian’s obvious flattery.
In reality, he had an uncle who was the Deputy Governor, so he could sit here without even needing to be tested.
Without that uncle, no matter how talented, Manager Qian wouldn’t even give him the chance.
He sat down quietly, detached, watching the three vie for the position.
There was really nothing to contest. Once Manager Qian mentioned overseeing accounts for multiple shops, Zhang Tutor had already lost interest.
Of the remaining two, as long as the young scholar wasn’t too weak, Manager Qian was set on him.
Indeed, the scholar did not disappoint; his skills were not only decent but quite impressive.
Manager Qian handed each two old account books to verify on the spot; the scholar finished one entire book in half an hour, while the other barely got halfway.
The scholar’s results were flawless down to the last coin.
The position of accountant at Yuan Ning Cloth Shop naturally fell to the scholar.
After sending the two away and agreeing on payment with the scholar, Manager Qian turned to Wu Ning.
“Young Mr. Wu, about your salary...”
Wu Ning waved his hand, “Whatever.”
Firstly, he was here to gain experience and truly didn’t care about money; secondly...
What was that phrase?
“Whatever” is the most valuable!
Manager Qian agreed; no matter the amount, it wasn’t up to him but the shop owner. He bowed, “Please wait a moment, young sir. I will consult the owner.”
Wu Ning agreed without objection.
Once Manager Qian left, Wu Ning looked at the scholar sitting beside him.
“What is your name, brother?”
The scholar tensed, having overheard Wu Ning’s exchange with Manager Qian; he now knew this was Wu Changlu’s nephew.
Respectfully, he said, “I am Zhao Ziping.”
“Oh.” Wu Ning nodded. “Wu Ning.”
“Let’s not beat around the bush. From now on, am I listening to you or are you listening to me?”
“...”
Zhao Ziping’s face darkened inwardly. Of course, by birthright, he must listen to Wu Ning since he had such a prestigious uncle.
But...
He replied, “Naturally, I will heed your guidance, Brother Wu.”
“However, I specialize a bit in accounting. You focus elsewhere, and leave daily details to me!”
His words were polite but clear: publicly I obey you, but professionally don’t interfere—you’ll just be wasting your pay.
Unexpectedly, Wu Ning waved this off immediately.
“No, we need to discuss this.”
You want to be my boss with that level of skill?
Picking up one of the old account books Manager Qian hadn’t yet collected, he flipped to a random page.
“Year of Ji Chou, November, Kui Hai day:...”
“Received 2 jin of southern silk, cost 3,460 qian.”
“Received 4 bolts of Shu brocade, cost 18,000 qian.”
“Received 20 sets of needles and thimbles...”
Without pause, Wu Ning read aloud clearly.
Zhao Ziping was initially confused but soon found himself struggling to keep up.
When Wu Ning finished all items for the Kui Hai day, he tossed the book into Zhao’s lap.
“Expenses for the day: 29 guan 801 qian; income: 12 guan 300 qian; stock of cloth and materials valued at 23 guan 100 qian.”
“Zhao brother, check once more if these numbers are accurate.”
“...”
Zhao Ziping was stunned, thinking, no way—this is possible?
...
————————————
Meanwhile, Manager Qian hurried to the back courtyard.
“Master, great news!”
Qin Miaoniang was leaning on the table, resting. She hadn’t seen him yet but heard his excited voice drawing near.
She raised her eyes smiling, “Qian, slow down. What’s the good news?”
Manager Qian said, “The hiring of an accountant went very smoothly. I have secured Zhao Ziping from Xiangzhou. A man of great talent, truly valuable!”
Qin Miaoniang was delighted at the news of the hire.
“That’s wonderful.”
Manager Qian wasn’t finished.
“Also, I took the liberty to hire one more.”
“One more?” Qin Miaoniang was puzzled.
From what she saw, one accountant was sufficient. Why hire another?
Manager Qian beamed, “This one is a noble! Though his skills may be uncertain, his uncles are very influential, which greatly benefits our Qin family!”
“Oh?” Qin Miaoniang sat up straight.
A family with such prestige?
She thought: Could it be another young master stirring trouble?
“Who?”
“The nephew of Wu Changlu, Southern Road Deputy Governor!”
Manager Qian thought to himself, this was the most distinguished person in Fangzhou, second only to Prince Luling!
“Ah!?”
Qin Miaoniang was even more surprised.
Wu Changlu’s nephew? She recalled Ning hadn’t mentioned any family expert in accounting.
Could it be...?
She stood up eagerly, eyes shining, “Did he say his name?”
“Master, his surname is Wu, given name Ning, from Xiashan’ao!”
“So it is Ning!”
Qin Miaoniang exclaimed, rushing like a gust of wind towards the side room.
She thought: That rascal, pretending not to come, was actually planning a surprise for me.
“.....”
Manager Qian mused, Ning?
The old man thought: I wondered why the nephew of such a respectable Deputy Governor would come here to seek work as an accountant—he must have other intentions.
Tsk, tsk, Manager Qian shook his head.
“Since Ning brother is here, why doesn’t Miaoniang speak more modestly!”
...
Qin Miaoniang, like a fragrant breeze, arrived at the side room. Just before entering, she heard a very familiar voice speaking loudly.
...
“From now on, the accounts must be recorded this way.”
...
“Draw a table: expenses on the left, income on the right. Labor, materials, high, medium, and low-grade cloth categorized separately for monthly summarization.”
“Understand?”
...
Qin Miaoniang thought, it’s definitely Ning.
She lifted the curtain with joy and saw Wu Ning sitting nonchalantly, legs crossed, holding the ledger, lecturing while tapping his foot, reading the accounts and giving instructions...
His eyes spun quick as lightning with sharp intelligence.
...
Beside him stood a young man, bowed slightly, clasping hands in admiration.
He replied, “Master, don’t worry. I understand perfectly.”
...
Qin Miaoniang was stunned, her pretty face flushing red, then turning pale, then darkening to purple...
She stared in disbelief for a long while. Wu Ning was so engrossed in his lecture, he hadn’t noticed her.
Finally...
Qin Miaoniang moved, glancing around, grabbed a feather duster used for cleaning the cloth.
...
.
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