The two men looked troubled at the sight.
"Shopkeeper... aren't these tall hats something only wealthy families can wear? How could people of our standing wear them..."
"What kind of talk is that?!" The shopkeeper was displeased. "You're heroes in the people's eyes, and you've sworn to protect everyone in the county. These two hats are worthy of you."
The two thought it over and found that the shopkeeper had a point. They had worn their hair loose and unkempt since childhood; however splendidly they dressed, they still looked like paupers.
Du Yu looked at the two hats and found them strangely familiar.
After accepting the hats, Xie Bi'an said, "Shopkeeper, you've already given us these hats, but I have another presumptuous request."
"Please, go ahead."
"Could you embroider a few words on them for us?"
"Of course!" the shopkeeper said. "It's just that these hats are ornaments worn by wealthy households. Embroidering words on them would make you look less like men of wealth."
"We aren't men of wealth to begin with," Xie Bi'an said. "I want to embroider our wishes for our neighbors on the hats, to show our determination to protect the people."
The old shopkeeper gazed at them with tears streaming down his face. "I knew I hadn't misjudged you! Just tell me what words you want!"
Xie Bi'an frowned in thought. "I'm not very educated, so I can't think of what would be best. But I've come to realize just how important money is. I want to protect the people and help them earn more, but what words should I use..."
Standing beside him, Du Yu quietly spoke up. "What do you think of... 'Wealth at First Sight'?"
"Wealth at First Sight?" Xie Bi'an's eyes instantly widened. "Yes, yes, that's perfect! Shopkeeper, please embroider those