The second brother Wang Chun and the third brother Zhuo Yilei are both D-class nursing home guards, and their monthly salaries are around two hundred wen.
A base salary of one hundred fifty wen, plus several wen as a full-attendance bonus.
"It's Jiang Yun!"
Suddenly, the crowd became noisy. Zhao Han looked around and saw a tall woman approaching from a distance.
The woman had a pretty face and a proud expression, her long hair tied into a high ponytail. As her gaze swept over Li Xian and the other servants, she let out a faint "hmph" from her nostrils, full of arrogance.
"Who is Jiang Yun?"
Watching Jiang Yun walk away, Li Xian asked.
Zhao Han explained, "She is a B-class nursing home guard. She usually looks down on men. Her Pan Yu Leg Technique is quite formidable.
Fourth brother, you better stay far away when you see her in the future. It's best not to provoke her."
Wang Chun added, "I heard she's quite connected, related to Qiuyue, the personal maid of the manor's mistress."
"Second brother, third brother, fourth brother, let's move over and listen. Let's find out how much this woman's salary is."
Zhao Han couldn't conceal his curiosity.
Li Xian wasn't initially interested in this matter, but he went along with them, retracing their steps and eavesdropping outside the accountant's office.
"Jiang Yun, B-class servant, monthly salary six hundred wen, plus one Bear Blood Pill."
"There's actually a Bear Blood Pill this month, thanks to the master's reward."
"Thank the mistress instead. Everything in the manor is hers, including you and me."
The dialogue between two people inside the accountant's office was overheard.
Li Xian silently clicked his tongue.
Even his selling price was only five hundred twenty-five wen, not even as much as her monthly salary.
"Big brother, what is this Bear Blood Pill?" Li Xian asked.
"The Bear Blood Pill... it's a good thing." Zhao Han smacked his lips, envious, "It's a treasure pill that can increase Qi power. No matter how hard we train, it's probably not as effective as a single elixir."
Wang Chun said, "Big brother, you should work hard too, and try to become a B-class nursing home guard. You might get the chance to taste what the Bear Blood Pill is like."
"Indeed, even if B-class nursing home guards don't get Bear Blood Pills, they are guaranteed to get some Deer Blood Pills every month," Zhuo Yilei chimed in.
"Difficult, difficult, difficult!" Zhao Han sighed deeply.
However, his eyes flickered with longing. He did have an ambition for that B-class nursing home guard position.
If given the chance.
It's not impossible to take the risk.
After receiving their salaries, on the way back, it happened that Zhao Han and the others didn't have a patrol shift today, so they rarely gathered together.
Li Xian asked what had been on his mind, "Since we're in the manor, where exactly can we spend our salary?"
"You can go to the Miao Dan Pavilion to exchange for elixirs. One elixir's effect can be equivalent to several days of food."
"You need to know, when it comes to practicing martial arts, the most important thing is not training but eating. Eat well, and you build up your body's strength, allowing you to achieve better martial arts skills."
Zhao Han teased with a smile, "Of course, you can also apply for leave and go to nearby Qingning County, there are plenty of places to spend money there. Just make sure to come back on time."
Li Xian was intrigued, "How do you apply for leave?"
"Just inform Commander Pang, why, fourth brother, thinking of going out for a stroll?" Zhao Han elbowed Li Xian, teasingly.
Li Xian nodded, "Indeed."
"Alright, since all four of us don't have much planned today, why not all apply for leave and visit Qingning County together?"
"We've been practicing martial arts for too long, it's time to find someone to let off some steam. Otherwise, we'll burn ourselves out, hahaha."
Zhao Han said exuberantly. Wang Chun and Zhuo Yilei both agreed, eager to spend their salary outside after receiving it.
Li Xian smiled but his mind was not on letting off steam, rather he hadn't seen his younger brother in a while.
With exams approaching, there's no need to exert too much pressure.
…
When it came to applying for leave, Zhao Han was quite familiar with the process and quickly completed the necessary arrangements.
The four left the manor and followed the mountain path to Qingning County.
"I've heard that there are some wealthy men in this county with quite deep pockets."
"By the way, what if we meet a rich family's young lady in this county who fancies you guys and is willing to spend real gold and silver to buy your freedom. Would you agree?"
The third brother Zhuo Yilei had an unexpected thought.
"Agree or not…" Zhao Han laughed, "It depends on how the young lady looks. If she's as beautiful as a fairy, of course, I'd be extremely willing."
"But if she's unbearably ugly, then forget it."
"Big brother, if she weren't ugly, she wouldn't fancy the four of us brothers."
"Oh, so would you agree, second brother?"
"Grit your teeth and endure. What can't be reconciled with money shouldn't be reconciled at all."
"When I, Wang Chun, have money and make my fortune, I'll wave my hand and gift each of us four brothers a mansion and keep some charming beauties around."
"As for me, I'll just have to sacrifice myself. If I don't go to hell, who will?"
"Second brother, I never expected you to have such ambition."
The four walked shoulder to shoulder, chatting and laughing, the atmosphere was very harmonious.
When passing by an alley, Li Xian said, "Big brother, second brother, third brother, you go ahead, I won't be going to the brothel."
"Fourth brother, you..." Zhao Han was surprised.
"My younger brother is home alone, and since I have the chance to come out, I need to go see him," Li Xian said with a smile.
"Alright." Zhao Han waved it off, saying nothing more, since the fourth brother had always been more solitary.
It was nearly noon by then, and thinking of his younger brother, Li Xian quickened his pace.
His younger brother had been sensible and intelligent since childhood, simple-natured. After their father took his own life and left, Li Xian took on the responsibility of caring for his younger brother as if he were his father.
The bond of brotherhood was deeper than anything else.
Leaking Bottle Lane.
In front of a rundown straw hut, Li Xian shouted loudly, "Brother, brother."
After three calls, a surprised voice came from within the house, "Is it you, big brother?"
A small figure ran out quickly, wearing the tattered hemp clothes left by their father.
The little body couldn't support such large clothes, but the face was grimy, yet the eyes were incredibly bright.
When Li Xiaofan saw Li Xian, his eyes became teary, and he ran to hug his brother. Li Xian was also very distressed.
His younger brother was still very young, and in this world of predators, he lived alone in the straw hut.
Li Xian worried he'd have his clothes stolen, his copper coins robbed, and feared he'd be bullied. This time, seeing his younger brother safe finally eased his mind.
"Safe and sound, so good, so good," Li Xian sighed.
"Big brother, you've become so much more handsome!" Li Xiaofan said admiringly, his eyes sparkling.
"Of course, your big brother is no ordinary person," Li Xian laughed. "Once your brother has money, we won't have to be bullied anymore."
"Big brother, I know you're working as a servant, enduring a lot of hardships. I, I asked for a peace talisman for you to carry." Li Xiaofan took out a triangular yellow talisman.
"Did you go to the Goddess Temple?" Li Xian was surprised, "That's more than twenty li away."
"I went to buy a book and stopped by to get the talisman," Li Xiaofan said with a smile.
"You little rascal, trying to fool your brother, huh? It's too early for that." Li Xian gently knocked on Li Xiaofan's head, his tiger-like eyes slightly moist.
"Big brother, I'm not stupid. In this world, it's just the two of us relying on each other. You entered the Yihetang Manor. Recently, I heard many servants in the manor have worked themselves to death."
"I've been really worried, to the point I can't sleep, and the only thing I could do was to get you a peace talisman."
Li Xiaofan said.
"Your brother is now a nursing home guard, it's not as hard as being a servant." Li Xian gently stroked Li Xiaofan's head, "Don't do such silly things again."
"Hehe, maybe it's the peace talisman that's working," Li Xiaofan grinned.
But there was a flash of determination in his eyes, "This year's winter exams, I won't let my brother down!"