Xiao An has grown a head taller than before, with more relaxed features, and is now a handsome young man.

Upon hearing Song Erlang say he didn't recognize him, he chuckled and said, "Uncle Erlang, I can cook too! This is braised rabbit, this is spicy dry pot rabbit, and this is spicy fragrant fish!"

Seeing that all the dishes on the table were made by Xiao An, Song Erlang was even more surprised. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, but then swallowed his words.

This clever and bright child is no longer the timid and speechless Xiao An from before.

Less than two years have passed, and it seems that everything has changed, both in terms of people and affairs.

He thought about the Song family courtyard again. It had long since changed beyond recognition. What used to be a place that everyone avoided was now the liveliest place in the village.

"Uncle Erlang, have some vegetables!"

Xiao An sat next to him and noticed that Song Erlang would often space out and not eat his food. She assumed that he was like her, not picking up any food.

So he quickly piled meat into his bowl, rabbit, chicken, fish, duck, and all sorts of vegetables, making Song Erlang both laugh and cry.

Xiao An smiled when he saw that Uncle Erlang was enjoying his meal.

He still remembers being at the village head's house, and how Uncle Erlang's wife filled his bowl to the brim with rice...

That meal was so delicious!

Song Zhenping only stayed one night, and the next day he was in a hurry to return to Xiaoshi Village. His wife, Yang Hua, was still at home, and he couldn't bear to leave her behind!

Song Erlang originally came to Suijin Town just to take a look, but after seeing it, he didn't want to leave. He could hire people to do the planting work in the fields, and Song Zhen could also help Uncle Village Head manage the fields.

The more than forty people who came from Qingping Town basically all stayed and were assigned tasks.

The farmers were all strong and could handle both rough and heavy work, so they went to work in cardboard box factories and feed mills.

Han Ming, who was suffering from pain due to the need to expand production, was suddenly given a boost of strength and was full of confidence, assuring that he could produce enough boards for Song Liyun.

Among the craftsmen were bricklayers and carpenters, so naturally they made wooden furniture.

Song Liyun also went to Qili County and had a detailed talk with Jiang Feng.

Jiang Feng left the capital to take up an official post, hoping for a stable border and national peace and prosperity.

He knew that the Di people, who needed to move constantly across the grasslands, could not provide the Wu Dynasty with a sense of security. Only by settling down together could the two sides have a common goal for development.

Now that the Uda tribe wants to build a city, he will support them regardless of whether they succeed or not.

"Very well, Miss Song, is there anything I can do for the Third Young Master?"

Song Liyun said, "There will be tribal towns outside Suijin Town. Lord Jiang can build the official road and post stations along the way from Suijin Town to Qili County, and even to Pingyang Prefecture, including roads outside of Suijin Guard."

This is in preparation for future trade routes.

In fact, the road from Qili County to Suijin Town has already been repaired, and more and more merchants are now going to Suijin Town, so widening the road is now urgent.

This is not a big problem for a county magistrate; he can simply bring forward the annual corvée labor and extend the time period.

During the Wu Dynasty, the labor of the wealthy was worthless, and ordinary people were not afraid to expend their own strength.

After agreeing to the road repair, Jiang Feng asked Song Liyun, "Since Zuichunlou and Jinxilou were shut down, many merchants have inquired about purchasing them. What are your plans?"

Lin Qinghua, the eldest son of the Lin family, was imprisoned and taken away for colluding with officials, manipulating cases, and causing a scene in court. All of his assets were seized.

He owns half of the shares in Zuichunlou and Jinxilou, which means they are facing resale.

Song Liyun's current focus is mainly on Hecheng and the future Midacheng, and she has no interest in operating two more restaurants in Qili County.

"What are your plans, Lord Jiang?" Song Liyun passed the buck back to him.

Jiang Feng glanced at her and said, "The government will accept half of the shares and let the two owners continue to manage things."

This means they don't intend to let Song Liyun manage things anymore.

Song Liyun nodded: "Since Lord Jiang has made a decision, it seems that the two owners have already submitted, so it is only right that we let them bear the burden."

One person's ability is limited; it is impossible for her to have complete control over the assets of the county government's garrison.

Having been repeatedly suppressed, Shen Leyan and Huang Changsheng have passed their rebellious phase.

Now they are subservient to Jiang Feng, only hoping to find a foothold.

Seeing that she agreed, Jiang Feng breathed a sigh of relief. Song Liyun's abilities were obvious to all, but it was never a good thing for a person to be too high-profile.

Shen Leyan is the owner of Jinxilou Restaurant and also the head chef of Qili County.

If we kick him out of the restaurant, it would be a permanent solution, but it would also severely damage the prosperity of the county's food industry.

There's also Huang Changsheng, a veteran in the catering industry in Qili County.

What Jiangfeng needs now is not a dilapidated Qili County, but an industry with a leading enterprise.

“Miss Song, Jinxilou and Zuichunlou will need to source their beef and mutton from Tianxianglou from now on. Both restaurants have agreed to this, and other restaurants in the catering industry are doing the same.”

To engage in monopolistic practices?

Song Liyun did not want to be condemned by everyone.

Although Tianxianglou's beef and mutton now occupy half of the market in Qili County, the government cannot forcibly interfere with the market and squeeze out the small vendors' positions.

Doing things like competing with the people for profit and seizing land for money is bound to arouse hatred.

So she smiled and shook her head: "Tianxianglou has a limited supply of beef and mutton, which cannot supply all the merchants. Let the two restaurants get the goods first. The other restaurants will still use sheep raised by the surrounding farmers."

After leaving the county government office, Song Liyun went to Tianxiang Tower.

She holds the title of manager in name only, but now she spends less and less time at Tianxiang Restaurant.

It wasn't mealtime yet, and the door panel was only half open.

As soon as Song Liyun entered, she saw a commotion in the lobby, with the staff gathered together shouting, "Grab his leg! Pull his ear!"

Song Liyun peeked out and immediately frowned: Hei Jin and Sun Wencheng were fighting.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!