Hong Yingrong threw away all her past prejudices and obsessions. She looked at Jiang Shuxiu seriously and said, "You mentioned Shen Sanniang, which reminded me. She is indeed a capable woman. What's even more rare is her affection for her sister."
Jiang Shuxiu felt relieved when she saw that her mother-in-law was not angry but showed appreciation instead.
She smiled slightly and continued, "Mother is absolutely right. Sanniang is not only proficient in business, but also a righteous person. My daughter-in-law has met her a few times in the past and we have a great affinity. If we can get her help, these shops will definitely be profitable."
"Since you trust her so much, then give it a try." Hong Yingrong nodded in support. "You can write a letter to her, explaining the current situation of our mansion and see if she is willing to lend a hand."
Jiang Shuxiu was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly responded, "Thank you, mother! I'll prepare the letter right away and send it to Jiangning tomorrow."
After saying that, she stood up and took her leave, and hurried away with Rui'er and others to prepare to write a letter.
Hong Yingrong watched her back disappear outside the door, and couldn't help but sigh in her heart: Jiang Shuxiu is a woman with vision and courage. It is a blessing for the Xue family to marry a daughter-in-law like her.
At the same time, in the marquis's farm, Xue Zhongfu was busy raising food that needed to be transported back to the orphanage.
"This time, His Majesty has ordered us to compensate with double the amount." Xue Zhongfu frowned and said to Xue Zhong, the steward beside him, "Now, in addition to the 2,000 dan in the warehouse, we need to collect another 3,000 dan of grain, and it must be shipped to the border before the end of the month. Time is too tight."
Steward Xue Zhong nodded with a serious expression. Ever since the incident of misappropriation of new rice happened, he had been practically living on the farm, helping the old lady and the second young master with the matter of raising food.
"I have already purchased a thousand dan of grain from the rice shop in the city. In addition, many tenants, out of gratitude for our punishment of the bully managers Zhao Wu and Lai Sheng, have offered to give their New Year's rice to the Marquis' Mansion for emergency relief."
"How much further do we have to go?" Xue Zhongfu asked hurriedly.
"We still need about 1,200 dan." Xue Zhong shook his head, revealing a sense of powerlessness. He sighed, and it was time to make a desperate move.
"Time is running out. We must find a way to raise these 1,200 dan of grain. Contact other rice shops and see if you can buy some more. Also, tell the tenants that if they are willing, we can buy their new rice at a price higher than the market price."
"Yes, Second Young Master." Xue Zhong responded, turned around and hurried away, preparing to continue collecting food.
Xue Zhongfu looked at Xue Zhong's departing back and knew that the days ahead would be even busier, but in order to fulfill His Majesty's will, he had to persevere.
Now the Ministry of Works is also busy with the completion of the Wanshou Hall. He is running back and forth and has unknowingly become much thinner. When he touched his chin, the newly sprouted green beard was even a little prickly.
Just when Xue Zhongfu was worried about raising food, dust rose in the distance and several horses came galloping. The leader was tall and had a familiar face. It was his good friend Jiang Lun.
Jiang Lun took the lead, looking very heroic. Seeing this, Xue Zhongfu was so happy that he couldn't express it in words and hurried forward to meet him.
Meeting good friends seemed to bring a breath of relaxation and joy to this busy and heavy farm.
"Haha, Master Lantai, you want to drink some wine and come to the farm?" Xue Zhongfu joked, his brows revealing his joy at seeing a good friend.
"Hey, if I hadn't come, I wouldn't have seen you in such a state of panic."
Jiang Lun jumped off his horse and responded to Xue Zhongfu's joke, but his tone was full of concern.
"Then if you come over, won't you cause trouble for me?" Xue Zhongfu couldn't hide the smile on his face and teased.
"Adding to the trouble? I'm the timely rain from the Dragon King of the East China Sea. I've come all the way here to relieve your worries."
Jiang Lun smiled mysteriously, stretched out his whip and pointed towards the front of the farm.
Xue Zhongfu looked in the direction of his gesture and saw carriages loaded with grain slowly approaching, like an army delivering grain, which was spectacular and inspiring.
Looking at the carts full of food, his eyes sparkled with gratitude and excitement.
"My dear brother, you are truly my timely help! This batch of grain is of great significance to the Marquisate. On behalf of my mother and my elder brother, I thank you!"
"Why should I thank you for our friendship?" Jiang Lun said with a hearty laugh. "Besides, your sister-in-law is my cousin. Our two families are relatives, so we should work together to help each other."
Xue Zhongfu nodded heavily. He asked Jiang Lun to rest in the manor and instructed Xue Zhong and others to quickly unload the grain into the warehouse and register it.
The hall was filled with the aroma of tea. The two of them sat opposite each other and chatted in a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.
Xue Zhongfu knew in his heart that even for a wealthy and powerful family like the Marquis' Mansion, it would not be easy to raise another thousand dan of grain, let alone the Jiang family, which has always regarded itself as a clean family.
He couldn't help but wonder where this unexpected grain came from.
"Brother Jiang, this batch of grain is a timely help to the Marquis' Mansion," Xue Zhongfu said sincerely, "but the Jiang family has always been honest and upright. To be able to raise such a large amount of new rice this time, I believe it must have gone through a lot of trouble, right?"
Jiang Lun smiled slightly upon hearing this and put down his teacup. "Brother Zhongfu is indeed very thoughtful. To be honest, this batch of grain was indeed hard-earned."
"When the elders in my family heard that the Marquis' Mansion was in trouble, they specially mobilized food from all over the place, and after a lot of trouble, they finally transported it here."
As Jiang Lun told the story, Xue Zhongfu learned that in addition to the new rice harvested from the Jiang family's own farm, his eldest sister-in-law Jiang Shuxiu's mother, Sun, and Jiang Lun's mother, Qiao, had both asked their natal families for help.
"Although we encountered many difficulties during the process, the elders in my family are very pleased to know that we were able to help the Marquis' Mansion with its urgent needs."
After hearing this, Xue Zhongfu's gratitude grew even stronger. "The elders of the Jiang family have done us great service, and our Xue family will always remember it. Please express my gratitude to the elders of the Jiang family on my behalf. Once this matter is settled, I will personally come to express my gratitude and return the grain as soon as possible."
Jiang Lun knew that Xue Zhongfu's gratitude was sincere, but he still couldn't help but ease the atmosphere.
"Brother Zhongfu, there's no need to rush. There's still enough rice in our Jiang family kitchen to cook a few meals... But if you really want to thank me, you could consider giving me your painting 'Traveling in Mountains and Rivers' by Wang Xibai." He said half-jokingly.
Xue Zhongfu was stunned when he heard this, but then he burst into a hearty laugh. "Oh my, you really have a unique vision! That painting is the original that I spent years and years to find. As soon as you opened your mouth, you directly set your sights on my treasure!"
He pointed at Jiang Lun, then shook his head helplessly, pretending to admit defeat: "Forget it, forget it. It's my fault that Xue Zhongfu accepted your favor. I'll have someone send the painting to your house when I get back."
Jiang Lun was delighted when he heard this, and he bowed repeatedly, "In that case, I will accept it with all my heart!"
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