Jiang Shuyun had already told his parents yesterday that he would be taking Shao Ming and Shao Yun back to the prefectural city today, as An had other matters to attend to and would be staying at the estate for a while.

Early in the morning, Mu Yi'an got up to see Jiang Shuyun and his two sons off.

"Let's go, I'll take you to the dock."

"You don't need to go, it's quite cold this morning."

Jiang Shuyun didn't want An to cause trouble, and Shao Ming and Shao Yun didn't want their mother to suffer either.

"Alright, I'll head back once I'm done here. Manager Li isn't home, so let Manager Wei take care of things at home."

Wei Dong and his group, who were heading to the Northwest, were given ample travel expenses. He was instructed that their safety was the top priority; everything else was secondary.

Jiang Shuyun was still a little unaccustomed to it, and Yi'an would not be able to go back for at least a month.

At the county town's dock, Brother Jiang, along with Shao Qin and Shao Ning, and Jiang Shuwen, along with Shao Kun and Shao Qiu, came to see them off.

"Big brother, Shuwen, what brings you here?"

"Knowing you're going back to the prefectural city, we came to see you off. Until next year, it will be the end of the year again."

After Jiang calmed down, he felt a greater sense of concern for Shuyun as an older brother.

Jiang Shuwen was already close to his second brother's family, and he was reluctant to leave again after only a few days back.

"Brother, Scholar Meng from Wanjuan Academy likes down-to-earth people."

Take Shao Qin and Shao Ning there and let the two children tell the truth, what their level is.

Scholar Meng has his own unique teaching methods; you two should try your best to improve them.

After speaking with her elder brother, Jiang Shuyun gave her two nephews a final instruction.

"We understand, Second Uncle."

Shao Qin is already fifteen years old, about the same height as Brother Jiang, and has the appearance of a teenager.

"Shuwen, Shao Kun and Shao Qiu have also gone to school. They need to work harder on their studies."

"Yes, I will."

Shao Ming and Shao Yun bid farewell to their uncles, cousins, and other relatives, and then boarded the ship with their father.

This time when I went back, I only brought Li Li and one guard with me.

After seeing off Jiang Shuyun and his two sons, Mu Yi'an didn't plan to stay in the county town. He asked Steward Li and his wife to pack their things, and then they went to the estate.

Wang Hu's wife had already tidied up the yard, and Mu Yi'an and the others moved in directly.

The New Year has just passed, and things aren't too busy in the village yet. This year, the county town isn't growing watermelons, so there's no need for seedling cultivation, making things much easier.

Mu Yi'an didn't rush to settle accounts; she decided to rest on the first day.

There are now more than a dozen long-term laborers with their families on the estate, and quite a few more who are unmarried.

There are no tenant farmers here; everyone grows their own crops.

Last year, we bought a lot of land. Now the estate has more than 400 mu of paddy fields, more than 400 mu of dry land, and the same amount of woodland and mountain land.

Currently, only Wang Hu is in charge, which Mu Yi'an doesn't quite trust.

"Sister Fang, please invite Steward Li over."

Mu Yi'an needs to figure out how to allocate manpower. The estate here can be expanded further outwards.

"Madam, what can I do for you?"

"Butler Li, please sit down and have some tea."

I'm thinking that the village in the county town is already quite large now, and I'll continue to buy land if I have the opportunity in the future.

However, Wang Hu was the only one in charge, and he lacked experience.

"Look around, is there anyone in your family who would be suitable to transfer here?"

Mu Yi'an wants to transfer someone with a contract of servitude over so that the two sides can keep an eye on each other.

It wasn't that Mu Yi'an didn't trust Steward Wang; it was just that money could be a powerful motivator.

Over time, no one can guarantee that they will remain completely calm and free from any ulterior motives.

Mu Yi'an didn't want to test human nature; it was better to take precautions.

"Madam, please have Xu An come over."

He's been working for Xu Wu for so long, he's learned almost everything he needed to.

Perfect, let him try and see if he can manage things independently.

Moreover, Sister-in-law Xu wants to find a wife for Xu An. If it works out, the two of them can come together, which would be perfect.

Mu Yi'an thought about it and realized it actually worked.

Even if you understand something clearly, you won't know if you can do it well unless you try it yourself.

“Alright, send a message to the prefectural city and have Manager Wei make a trip to get Xu An to come over.”

Go back to the brokerage and see if there are any suitable families to buy another one. We need to train more people.

"Understood, madam, I'll take care of it right away."

Butler Li went out to run errands, and Mu Yi'an went to check on Chu Yue and the two children.

Fortunately, Granny Hai came and was able to help take care of the two little ones.

When Doctor Chu came last time, he not only brought Granny Hai with him, but also Chu Anran.

Mu Yi'an was busy with the fruit trees. Of the two younger children, Shao Ke could stay quietly, but Shao Rong couldn't stay still.

Fortunately, Li Qiang and Jiang Yan are here, along with Shao Rong and Shao Ke, Wei Yunduo and Li Mei. An Ran's nanny has also come along, so nothing will happen.

Mu Yi'an wasn't worried about the children; she focused her attention on the estate.

The fruit trees bore fruit last year, including apples, pears, and grapes.

Mu Yi'an has already had Steward Wang mark which trees bear delicious fruit, which trees bear fruit that tastes so-so, and which trees bear fruit that is sour and astringent.

Not only that, Mu Yi'an also asked Steward Wang to search the neighborhood for whose fruit trees bore the most delicious and largest fruit.

These matters were instructed last year. Moreover, Steward Wang also sent different kinds of fruit to the prefectural city, and Mu Yi'an tasted them all and knew what they were like.

Two-thirds of the fruit trees need grafting, and Mu Yi'an has already checked them.

Manager Wang also made arrangements with families in nearby villages who had good fruit, and they would go and prune some branches in the next few days. It wouldn't be free; five branches would cost one copper coin.

After observing for two days, Mu Yi'an had a clear idea of ​​what to do. She was just waiting for the weather to warm up a bit more so that Xu An could arrive before taking action.

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