Chapter 25 [Zhang Xiaopang asks for help]

Li Sicong said earnestly: "Father, I opened the restaurant not to make money, but just to find a way to make some money from the Zhu and He families."

"You've seen how much business the restaurant has done today. I believe I have the ability to do this."

Linzhou is a remote area and ordinary people have low spending power. Apart from the Li family, the two major local families, Zhu and He, are considered wealthy.

Li Kan, the prefect of Linzhou, was not a native of Linzhou. Although the Zhu and He families, as local tyrants, respected the Li family on the surface, they often made some small moves behind the scenes.

Li Kan praised: "This is a great move! Your brother is so ignorant. I must talk to him when I get back!"

Seeing that the table was empty, he felt a hint of anger on his face. He was about to send his steward to ask the guards at the city gate to let the people delivering food to Fengdeng Restaurant pass, when he heard Li Sicong continue.

"I earned this money to support the family and to honor my father, to make up for the filial piety I failed to show due to my stupidity over the years."

"Besides, my brother needs a large sum of money to suppress the bandits. The bandits in Linzhou have been plagued by cholera for a hundred years. It will take at least a year or two to gnaw on this tough nut."

"My younger brother has been taking care of the household for me since he came of age. He's been working very hard. It's only natural that I should help him earn money now."

Jiang Lili, who was eavesdropping, sighed in admiration. Li Xiaoguan had put down his younger brother in just a few words, and then subtly mentioned that as the eldest son, he should be in charge. Xiaoguan's emotional intelligence was indeed high.

Li Sicong continued to be considerate of his father, saying, "Besides, my shop is open and we are short of manpower. I can provide more work for the people of Linzhou to supplement their family income. If their lives improve, your father will have fewer worries."

Jiang Lili: Well, this guy’s cakes are more delicious than the last!

Li Sicong's words really touched Li Kan's heart. Li Kan was relieved and excited. He didn't expect that his eldest son would think of this.

The more he listened, the more he felt that he was really lucky. This silly son turned out to be so smart after being enlightened!

Letting Cong'er run the shop is a win-win situation.

Then, if the second brother were to go and suppress the bandits, not only would it cost money and manpower, but even with the bandits so rampant, he wouldn't be sure of victory. Besides, even rabbits will bite when cornered! And what about the bandits?

Li Kan slammed the table and said, "What a bastard what the second brother did!"

Li Sicong seemed to be trying to persuade him, but in fact he was actually fanning the flames: "Father, please don't blame my brother. He's still a child!"

"A child? He's already 22 and still a child?! Besides, he's been in charge of the family for two years, and he's still so confused!"

Li Kan turned around angrily and ordered his steward: "Hurry up and send someone to tell me that the guards are not allowed to block the normal passage of the people entering the city."

"Also, remove all of Second Brother's cronies from the city gate. They're causing trouble all day long and causing trouble! Stop recruiting soldiers and suppressing bandits!"

After giving all the instructions, Li Kan instructed Li Sicong on some affairs of the mansion and handed over some of the power in the hands of the Second Young Master Li to Li Sicong.

By the time Li Sicong had time to say hello to Jiang Lili and Guan Yue, he had already resolved the issues of the bandit suppression order and the city gate guards.

Jiang Lili and Guan Yue were filled with admiration!

Jiang Lili only regretted that she had studied English before traveling through time. Traveling through time to ancient times, especially to a dynasty that did not exist in history, was completely useless!

Jiang Lili was born in a remote fishing village. She was an orphan and grew up relying on the support of her fellow villagers.

In order to repay her student loan, she started working part-time after the college entrance examination. She couldn't even remember how many jobs she had, such as being a breeder at a pig farm, a teacher at a daycare center... The jobs were so diverse that she knew a little bit of everything, but was not proficient in anything. She looked at Li Sicong with envy.

"Li Xiaoguan, you are too strong. You can defeat anyone from ancient times to the present!"

"We're both time travelers, so why is there such a huge gap between you and me?"

Li Sicong was flattered by the praise and explained cheerfully, "That's because I've been a fool since I was a child. Now that I'm a little smarter, the contrast is huge, and it's shocking enough to Li Zhifu."

"I have to take advantage of him being so stunned by me that I can gain more benefits for myself."

Li Sicong said, glancing at the dark sky outside the window. "It's getting late. You haven't found a place to rest yet, have you? I'll arrange for you to stay at an inn after dinner."

Jiang Lili: "After we entered the city, we requested three rooms at Laifu Inn, and the horses were also tied up at Laifu Inn."

"Laifu Inn is the Li family's inn. I'll have someone upgrade your rooms."

After Jiang Lili and her group finished their meal, Li Sicong instructed someone to upgrade their rooms and asked the servants to take good care of their horses.

Both man and horse were well rested that night.

The next morning, Jiang Lili and her group got up early and went out to attend the market.

Jiang Lili caught a glimpse of Jiayu yawning, and she looked troubled. "Jiayu, didn't you sleep well last night?"

Jiang Lili asked casually, but it made Jiayu cautious. He nodded and said, "Yes, I'm not used to sleeping in a different place."

Jiang Lili: "Oh? Is it because Yueyue and I shared a room last night and you're not used to sleeping alone?"

"No!!!"

Jiayu and Guan Yue both denied it at the same time.

Guan Yue's ears blushed slightly as she said, "We usually sleep in separate rooms in the village."

Guan Yue nodded quickly.

Jiang Lili raised her eyebrows: "I see, I was just asking casually."

Jiayu breathed a sigh of relief. He thought that Jiang Lili had discovered his meeting with the prince last night.

Although Linzhou City is not very prosperous, the morning market is still quite lively. Jiang Lili bought soup dumplings for breakfast and also brought some for Zhang Xiaopang along with some candied haws.

During her exile, she was fed by Zhang Xiaopang every day, and now it was finally her turn to feed Xiaopang.

After delivering the things, Jiang Lili sent a message to Xiaopang.

@Jiang Lili: Are you awake, Xiaopang?! I fed you breakfast, remember to eat it while it's hot, @Zhang Xiaopang.

Just as she finished speaking, she glanced at the stall selling raw and deep-fried fish porridge at the morning market. The business was very good, and the fish fillets seemed to be fresh and all freshly caught.

Such delicious food must be prepared for her chubby brother.

@江麗麗: Also, there's sashimi fish congee at the market. It's delicious, but the fish is fresh. If you wake up, poke me and I'll make you a whole portion!

I didn’t expect that Xiaopang, who always likes to stay in bed, replied to the message so quickly this time.

@Zhang Xiaopang: Sister Li, I'm awake! No, I didn't sleep at all. I was so worried about my dad all night. I felt so much better after having a hot breakfast. Thank you!

Jiang Lili was surprised. What big deal had happened? Xiaopang and his son hadn't slept all night.