The snow in the twelfth lunar month has melted away. Xining Town, which in previous years would look very old without the snow, is now illuminated by scattered or densely packed red lanterns on New Year's Eve. The crimson-stained green bricks and tiles and the flat roads all look like they have been dressed in new clothes.
Not far away, a city wall, over a meter high and beginning to take shape, tightly encircled the phoenix, whose feathers were almost fully grown and ready to spread its wings and fly high, making the people of Xining Town feel more at ease during the New Year.
In fact, life is not so easy for the people during the Chinese New Year.
There are fewer vegetables in winter, but meat is hard to afford. Occasionally, during the Chinese New Year, we have to tighten our belts and save money to buy some delicious food and drinks. Even our laughter is accompanied by careful planning.
When the fire hit Xining Town, many people thought they would not be able to see the New Year. Even if they could celebrate the New Year, they would be happy as long as they had something to eat.
I never thought that nowadays almost every household can afford to eat meat.
Even those with many strong laborers at home could be a little more extravagant and use their work points to exchange for crystal meat and braised meat. They could spend an extra work point to get more broth, and buy their own meat to cook it and achieve a similar taste.
He made soup with radishes and cabbages, which were plentiful in every household, and steamed buns with the grain earned from work points. On the plate were noodles with the word "Fu" on them, gold ingots, and gold and silver dumplings earned from shops using work points.
Nowadays, every household has a blue brick floor in the yard. The rich will hire someone to dig a well, and hang red lanterns on the door that are given as gifts by shops when you buy something. You only need to buy a few candles yourself, and this year will be prosperous.
It can be said that they were busy for more than eight months in the first half of the year, and they never expected that they could use the remaining half year to exchange for such a good life that they could not even dream of.
Even families who still owe work points couldn't help but smile when eating the New Year's Eve dinner, full of anticipation for the future. For them, life was so promising.
It was similar at the garrison. The Qiao, Zhang and Ruan families celebrated the New Year together. This year there were fewer people than in previous years, and it was more relaxed. The sounds of children chattering and laughing were everywhere.
Because Miao Wan now has so many people under her, Ayuan and Adun led more than a hundred people to celebrate the New Year at Jufu Inn. As for the veteran employees of the Yu, Yang, Lin, and Sun families, they all sent holiday gifts in advance and celebrated the New Year in their new houses this year.
With fewer people at home, there are fewer things to do, and everyone looks relaxed and happy after making money.
Ruan Qi and Ruan Jialin rented a space in a supermarket to sell fast food in the county town. They mainly took free orders from the supermarket, but some people also came to buy fried chicken and roast duck. The uncle and nephew made a lot of money.
When Ruan Qi came to the northwest, he brought more than 3,000 taels of silver. Later, he found some of the silver that had been melted, and most of the silver notes were burned. In just a few months, plus the 20% profit from the supermarket, Ruan Qi had more than 3,000 taels of silver in his hands.
Add to that the four thousand taels of silver that Miao Wan gave to the Ruan family as compensation, and the bonus Miao Wan gave them during the New Year, specially adding up a lucky number. Therefore, it was equivalent to not spending any money that year, and the Ruan family's assets were almost eight thousand taels of silver.
As for the Zhang family, their losses may be greater, but they have also earned more in the past few months.
Now, except for the old couple, the whole family is valued by Miao Wan.
Zhang Dazhuang and his wife received their own wages and bonuses, as well as profits from the hot spring bathhouse, most of which they turned over to the public treasury, amounting to about five hundred taels.
Zhang Erzhuang and his wife were engaged in breeding, while the other went to the countryside to collect pigs and deliver them to the butcher. They were responsible for their own profits and losses, and there was only profit and no loss. Yang was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling after counting the accounts. It turned out that the second branch paid the most money to the public treasury, a full 1,800 taels.
Zhang Sanzhuang and his wife now have Sun in charge of the fabric factory and Zhang Sanzhuang in charge of the inn. Both of them get a share of the profits, but because the two factories provide a large number of coupons for the commercial street planning, in addition to wages and bonuses, the share they get is not much, and they also paid 1,000 taels to the public.
However, the share of the commercial street was given to the Zhang family, a full five thousand taels. Together with the six thousand taels of compensation they had received earlier and the filial gift that Miao Wan gave to the old couple, the Zhang family now has a five-digit deposit.
Moreover, the Zhang family has built a new house, and the Ruan family lives in the house that was originally renovated by Miao Wan. Everyone eats well and dresses well, and everyone is busy. Money comes in all the time, and there is little time to spend it. The old couple is so happy that they feel that even if they die now, they will have no regrets.
Of course, they definitely wouldn't say this out loud and spoil everyone's fun.
What about Miao Wan?
She sent expensive New Year gifts to various places. The Ruan family, the Zhang family, several of Zhang's in-laws who were good at work, and Master Gu were all treated well. They all received large bonuses and a set of all the products in the commercial street.
As for the more than one hundred employees, A Dun and A Yuan did not choose to release their employees, but directly exchanged them for a 50% profit. Therefore, the two of them received the most money and became the goal and leader of everyone's struggle.
The others had been there for a short time and most of them couldn't see anything yet, so they could only be given double wages and bonuses based on the scoring sheets of their respective foremen and the scoring sheets secretly checked by Zhang Sanzhuang and others. All items used in the inn for the New Year could be reimbursed.
As a result, Miao Wan had more than 400,000 taels of silver in her hands because people from two counties and several other towns flocked to her to make purchases during the New Year. She was truly the richest woman in Xining Town. No one had more cash and fixed assets than her.
If you work harder next year, seven figures or even higher will definitely not be a problem.
Logically speaking, everyone should be happy and celebrate the New Year happily.
But after finishing the New Year's Eve dinner, when everyone went home to keep watch, and coaxed Qiao Rui and Taotao to sleep, Miao Wan was not sleepy at all.
Qiao Ruichen had just put the tables and chairs back in place with Uncle Geng and Aunt Geng when he came back to see his wife leaning against a column under the porch in the back house, looking up at the sky with a worried look on her face.
He also looked up. Hmm, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse. It was very cold. As usual, there was nothing to see.
He walked over and hugged Miao Wan, not in a hurry to pull her back to the room. He just held her slightly cold little hands and rubbed them to keep her warm.
"What's wrong?" Qiao Ruichen asked.
Miao Wan sighed, tilted her head back and shook it without saying anything.
Qiao Ruichen paused, kissed Miao Wan, and asked in a gentle tone, "What are you thinking about?"
"I was thinking, the moon is so big tonight," Miao Wan said quietly, "God must be able to see clearly, right? He must not love me anymore."
Qiao Ruichen: ???
Miao Wan puffed out her cheeks, looking even more sorrowful. "Now everyone knows that business in Xining Town is booming. They must all know that I'm the richest woman in Xining Town."
Qiao Ruichen: “…”
Miao Wan leaned all her weight on Qiao Ruichen, a look of 'this concubine has it so hard' on her face. "Men become bad when they have money, and women become dangerous when they have money. But I can't be fully armed. God must not love me anymore, that's why I'm so worried about bandits coveting this piece of fat meat of mine."
Qiao Ruichen: “…”
He was choked for a long time before he found his voice again, "I'm here. From now on, wherever I go, you and Taotao must come with me. I won't let you face danger alone."
Seeing Miao Wan hesitate to speak, Qiao Ruichen smiled and kissed her nose. "Of course, I will also strengthen the guards in Xining Town. Your festival gifts were sent to the two camps, and everyone was very happy. The two generals are also willing to make friends with me and promised to send more people to Xining Town for permanent guard duty, just like the border patrol."
Miao Wan breathed a sigh of relief. In this way, at least even if bandits broke in, they couldn't burn down her foundation so easily, right?
Because she really knew nothing about things related to armament and protection, the most she could do was set some traps or something. She was always a little uneasy, feeling that danger could come back at any time.
She didn't know if it was the aftereffect of seeing Taotao almost killed last time, or if it was because the northwest was really unsafe in winter, but she always felt that her and her husband's arrangements were a little off. She couldn't tell what was wrong, but they had already done the best they could.
In the final analysis, Dayue is too weak. Miao Wan knows this in her heart, but improving Dayue's national strength and military strength is definitely not something that the two of them can do on their own.
She looked up at the sky again and prayed that her father would love her again.
Although the moon was bright, it was only a crescent at the beginning of the month and did not cast much silver light on the earth, so the visibility outside was not very high.
So the two figures in ordinary cotton coats easily avoided the guards at the north gate and all the traps, and stepped over the one-meter-high wall into Xining Town as if playing.
The stronger men among them turned their heads to look at the brick and tile factory where candlelight was still on. Because they were in the corner, they couldn't see the alkali factory. They could only smell the not-too-strong smell of fireworks, mixed with the aroma of the mouth-watering hot pot soup base.
The man sniffed and cursed with a smile, "We've been traveling through wind and snow all the way, freezing like grandsons. The people here eat delicious food, and it smells even better than that crystal meat that just went viral in the Imperial City."
Another taller figure, thinner, had a flash of nostalgia in his eyes. He smiled and said softly, "This is hot pot... the taste of Boxia Gong."
"Another thing from your hometown?" The man tilted his head and hit the figure's shoulder, raising his eyebrows. Although his face was a little ugly due to the cold, you could still see that he had a good foundation, and he looked like a lazy and dissolute man.
The tall figure dodged swiftly and lightly, causing the man to stumble in a cute way. He walked forward expressionlessly, "If you don't hurry up, they'll all be asleep, and you won't be able to eat even if you want to."
The man chuckled softly as he walked, muttering, "You're already my wife, but you won't let me hold you, sleep with you, or even lean on you for a moment? What are you afraid of if you sleep? I'll wake them all up. I'm a general now. How dare they disobey me? I'll beat Qiao Zicheng to death."
The tall figure said nothing, but just walked forward silently.
"Why aren't you talking? Are you feeling guilty? You coaxed me into leaving so early, and you refused to let me come to the northwest with such fanfare. You just… Shit!"
Before he could finish his words, the tall figure, Gu Shuyao, the newly appointed young lady of the Cheng family, was really annoyed by the noise and kicked Cheng Shao, the newly appointed general of the Cheng family, straight to the wall of the garrison.
Gu Shuyao looked at Cheng Shao calmly, "Didn't I tell you about this before we got married? You agreed to the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. Why are you complaining to me now?"
These three obediences and four virtues are not from this era, nor are they widely circulated in later generations, but are Gu Shuyao's exclusive customized version.
She had no intention of getting married. She was planning to use the excuse of becoming a nun and then "die of illness" to join the army disguised as a woman.
Unfortunately, she met such a guy who couldn't be beaten away or scolded away, and he was also the leader of the Cheng family army. It was suitable for her, so she married him.
What are the three obediences? Orders must be obeyed, instructions must be followed, and prohibitions must be obeyed.
The four virtues are even simpler.
You can't beat a stick of incense in her hands, so learn the virtues of Liuxia Hui.
He has a character that is willing to give up if he fails to complete the training she requires.
Being too noisy and clingy is moral only to be forced to sleep on the floor.
If you regret getting married and having an affair, get a divorce quickly to accumulate merit.
Cheng Shaoquan agreed. At first, he thought it was impossible for him to defeat this little girl. He had been learning military law and martial arts since he was a child. How could he not be able to control a skinny little girl?
After knowing each other for half a year and being married for two months, he finally understood.
It cannot be said that his wife is completely different from the thin young lady. Only the word "thin" is barely related, and there is nothing else in common.
Cheng Shao stood up and rubbed his butt, then followed Gu Shuyao over the wall and into the back house of the garrison, muttering to himself.
What to do? If you can't win, what can you do?
He just likes this and will never leave him no matter how hard he tries. The name his father gave him was not in vain.
"Cheng Zijian?" Qiao Ruichen was a little surprised. He put down his hand on the hilt of the sword and glanced at Gu Shuyao beside him, frowning, "Why did the general break into my mansion at night?"
"It's been a while since I last saw Brother Zicheng, and I missed you, so I came here early to catch up with you." Cheng Shao said nonchalantly.
The place where the two people came in was not far from the bedroom of Qiao Ruichen and his wife. They were hugging each other and wondering whether God still loved his daughter. Hearing the noise, Qiao Ruichen asked Miao Wan to go into the house first and came over to check.
Hearing the voices, Miao Wan secretly opened the window a little and looked outside, just in time to meet Gu Shuyao's gaze.
She suddenly fell down on the kang, and then realized that something was wrong. This was her home, and there was a thief outside who broke in at night. Why should she hide?
She puffed out her cheeks, raised her head and pushed open the window. "Husband, do you know them?"
Cheng Shao turned around and saw his wife smiling at a fair and tender young lady. His heart tightened, and he quickly moved closer to her, saying familiarly, "Is this my sister-in-law? Hello, sister-in-law. I'm the new General Dingbei. I happened to be passing through Xining Town during the New Year. I thought it was not time for me to take office yet, so I came to ask Brother Zicheng for some food. I wonder if there is any food left?"
Miao Wan's expression was a little strange. During Chinese New Year, a beggar... a general? Why did it feel a little unorthodox?
Qiao Ruichen had a blank expression on his face. He and Cheng Shao had only met once at his maternal grandparents' house, and later they would occasionally run into each other at palace banquets. He was someone else's child, and Cheng Shao was a thorn in the side that gave the Cheng family a headache. Neither of them had exchanged many words.
Miao Wan heard Cheng Shao speak so enthusiastically and thought that he might be very familiar with their Qiao Bailao?
Qiao Bailao didn't say a word to her, and she just drifted away. She muttered in her heart, with a polite smile on her face.
"It's just that they're on guard today, so they're probably still awake. I'll ask Aunt Geng to make some more food. My husband, please take the general and this... young master to the front hall first."
Of course, all kinds of fried food and hot pot are indispensable during the Chinese New Year. Even happy water was made because the little ones were screaming non-stop. There was still some left, so we served it all.
The two of them were too busy talking to eat, and Qiao Ruichen and Miao Wan were whispering beside them. Then they realized, oh, he was just being sociable, but not really familiar.
She said that if they really had a good relationship, Qiao Bailao would definitely not dare to hide it from her. This was the confidence behind Miao Shiren's actions.
Knowing that the visitor was unfamiliar, Miao Wan looked at the two people with some curiosity.
Cheng Shao ate without even raising his head, but another Mr. Gu ate very fast, but very calmly, especially when drinking the happy water. He stared at the happy water for a long time before taking a few sips.
Unlike Cheng Shao who smacked his lips while drinking, Mr. Gu's expression was a little strange.
After the two of them finished their meal, Aunt Geng brought them some tea, and the four of them finally had time to have a good chat.
Cheng Shao explained, half-truthfully, "Actually, I had a conflict with my father. I was originally planning to stay in another prefecture, but then my wife persuaded me to come to the northwest earlier, so we came earlier, thinking of spending the New Year with you. But before we entered the customs, there was a heavy snowfall, which delayed our journey. That's why we're a little slow."
When Qiao Ruichen was in the Yulin Guard, he heard that the eldest son of the Cheng family died on the front line while the Zhennan Army was fighting against the Nanman. General Cheng was also injured and retired. The Cheng family army was defeated, and the Gubei Army might have some of the Cheng family army's former subordinates.
It is said that the incident back then was related to the Prince Regent and the Queen Mother, but aristocratic families are not easy to deal with. The Cheng family does not have enough foundation. Even though Old Madam Cheng also came from an aristocratic family, it was only her mother's family after all. Therefore, the Cheng family was silent for a long time.
Whenever there was news about the Cheng family, it would start with how promising the second son of the Cheng family, who worked in the Dali Temple, was, and how dissolute the third son of the Cheng family was. Until Cheng Shao passed the military examination and entered the capital camp, no one realized that Cheng Shao was a capable person.
Later, Cheng Shao fought in the war with the Zhennan Army, went to Guangzhou Prefecture to fight against the Japanese pirates, and also managed maritime transportation in Hedong Road. He did not stay in any place for long, but his military achievements were considerable. When Qiao Ruichen left the capital, he was a third-rank military general, only one rank away from the Dali Temple Minister.
Qiao Ruichen knew very well that the Cheng family was engaged in literature and Cheng Shao was unstable, perhaps all to avoid the edge of the Chen Guogong Mansion and the Regent's Mansion. This time the Chen Guogong Mansion fell and the saint promoted it, which also proved that the Cheng family was loyal to the saint, and they were just deliberately keeping a low profile before.
Therefore, although several factions of the Gubei Army in the county city did not give face to Qiao Ruichen, he was not too anxious. If Cheng Shao was also a saint's man, then he and Qiao Ruichen would be on the same side, and even if they made things difficult for him, it would not be too much.
But Qiao Ruichen didn't expect that Cheng Shao would have such a personality. He was really... too lively.
Miao Wan was almost confused by Cheng Shao's questions.
"I heard that the manure was your idea? How did you come up with it? Do you have so many ideas?"
"And the first thing you made after coming to the Northwest was braised offal? My wife says the best is the stir-fried braised pork intestines with Laba garlic, but it's a shame they're not sold in the capital. Why don't you make it into seasoning packages and sell them to traveling merchants?"
"And those gold ingots and gold and silver nests, are they all fried? My wife said that some convenient snacks suitable for military use are also very delicious. Sister-in-law, don't you want to try them?"
Qiao Ruichen could tell from Cheng Shao's words that Cheng Shao knew a lot about what was happening in the northwest, and it seemed that he had good intelligence.
As Miao Wan listened to Cheng Shao's chatterbox series of questions, she felt something was not right. Could it be said that stir-fried braised pork intestines with Laba garlic was invented by someone themselves and was convenient to eat?
She was a little excited and couldn't help but interrupt Cheng Shao, "Excuse me, General, did your wife come with you to the northwest?"
"I'm here." Gu Shuyao, who had not spoken since entering the garrison, spoke for the first time and confirmed Miao Wan's identity.
Miao Wan was stunned for a moment and subconsciously looked at Gu Shuyao's chest. It was so flat, so flat, especially so flat.
Gu Shuyao remained calm, "The strap is more convenient, small, but it's there."
Two men: "..."
Miao Wan: “…”
She asked tentatively, "A?"
What a cool woman, she always has a stubborn insistence on this size issue, "+!"
Miao Wan stood up suddenly and looked at Gu Shuyao with burning eyes, "Fellow countryman!"
Although Qiao Ruichen and Cheng Shao are one silent and one talkative, they are actually both sensitive and careful. They both discovered that there was something wrong with their wives.
But one is used to listening to his wife, and the other is addicted to being abused by his wife, so no one dares to say anything or ask anything.
Miao Wan took a deep breath and asked, "Shall we talk alone?"
"Please." Gu Shuyao stood up with a smile.
Miao Wan's eyes fluctuated for a moment and her heart beat faster.
Gu Shuyao is actually very beautiful, but she does not fit the current image of a beauty because she has an androgynous face.
She was tall, and her gesture of leaning sideways and extending her hand to invite Miao Wan to go first was an unparalleled display of elegance and grace. No wonder Miao Wan and Qiao Ruichen both thought she was a man.
At this moment, Miao Wan didn't care about her husband and the talkative general at all. She followed Gu Shuyao back to the bedroom with a smile.
After a while, Cheng Shao said quietly, "Isn't this your home?"
Qiao Ruichen gave him a cold look and said, "It's amazing that the general still remembers it." It's a pity that your wife forgot.
Cheng Shao: "...Don't you want to know what they are going to say?"
"I see the general's wife walks slowly, so she must know kung fu?" Qiao Ruichen didn't even bother to look at Cheng Shao.
If his sister hadn't been accompanying Taotao to sleep and his wife hadn't been heading towards the bedroom, he would have had nowhere to go and didn't want to go to the study, so he definitely wouldn't be here to accompany Cheng Shao.
Cheng Shao thought about it and decided that it was indeed possible, so he gave up the idea of eavesdropping.
As for my wife's kung fu, it's actually not as good as his, and her internal strength is almost non-existent, but for some reason, she always has a way to find out if someone is eavesdropping.
Cheng Shao had been curious for a long time, but he just couldn't figure out why.
Miao Wan knows!
When she saw Gu Shuyao come in, she took out a small trumpet-shaped iron object from her arms, placed it on the wall and listened for a while. She changed three walls and then sat down on the kang. Her eyes became brighter and brighter.
"Jin...ah no, Madam Gu?" Miao Wan almost let the cat out of the bag. She had a hunch that this was a golden finger given to her by God!
Look at this major, this cool one, it must be!
"Just call me Ayao." Gu Shuyao smiled. She was not actually aloof, but just too lazy to talk to Cheng Shao. He talked too much and it gave people a headache.
Miao Wan nodded obediently, "Ayao, how long have you been here?"
Gu Shuyao is not the type of person who likes to be asked word for word before answering. Miao Wan seems to be well-behaved and welcomes her, but Gu Shuyao knows very well that if she is a danger, this young lady will never show mercy to her.
In order to get into the state as quickly as possible, avoid testing if possible.
"Gu Shuyao, female, died in the line of duty at the age of 28. Came to Dayue for six months and twelve days, married for forty-two days. She is wearing this body. Her original body was killed by her stepsister, but she has already avenged it. She married Cheng Shao in order to join the army."
Miao Wan opened her mouth, her eyes filled with admiration. "Died in the line of duty? Were you a soldier?"
Gu Shuyao nodded. "I heard about you after I got here. I was originally planning to come to the Northwest, but from what I've found, you started out in the food business, then before you could get a firm foothold, you switched to beauty products. Now you've opened a supermarket, and everything is flourishing. Xining Town is also undergoing reconstruction. May I know what you want to do?"
According to Gu Shuyao, Miao Wan is very capable, at least she is very good at making money, but she lacks macro-awareness, and she seems a bit disorganized, hammering here and there, making it difficult to see her purpose.
Miao Wan scratched her cheek, a little embarrassed. "Actually, I am a transmigrator. At first, I just wanted to make some money so that the Qiao family could live a better life and raise their children well."
She briefly told Gu Shuyao about the plot of "Spring" and the ending of "Miao Wan", and of course, she gave herself a promotion.
"Later, I found out that the Qiao family couldn't make peace because of the Chen Guogong Mansion and Chen Sixu. I wanted to make more money so that my husband could get rid of them sooner. Then, I don't know how, I opened Qianjinlou." Miao Wan did not forget to tell Gu Shuyao that all the money had been embezzled by Chen Sixu.
"Later, my husband was seriously injured, and evidence of Chen Sixu's treason was discovered. The saint also came to the northwest. Chen Sixu colluded with the Xiban people and burned down Xining Town." As for the most ups and downs part, Miao Wan only briefly mentioned it.
She didn't want to recall seeing Taotao crying until his voice became hoarse and he could hardly cry at all in the hands of the Xiban people. That was still her occasional nightmare, and she had to stroke Taotao's trembling belly for a long time to feel relieved.
As for now, her purpose...
Miao Wan looked at Gu Shuyao, the light in her eyes unable to be hidden even under the dim candlelight. "I want to be the richest man in the northwest. I want to arm Xining Town and even Xiping County into giant beasts, so that the Xifan people will never dare to invade again!"
Gu Shuyao's reaction was indifferent, and she asked with a smile, "Is that all?"
Miao Wan's heart grew even more agitated, and she tentatively extended a fierce step, "I also want to arm the Gubei Army as well, beat them until they cry for their parents, and even better, make them a vassal state of Dayue, so that they can also taste the fear!"
Gu Shuyao nodded. "So now you have a commercial street to make money. Do you have any plans for the next step?"
"Of course!" Miao Wan sat up straight and looked at Gu Shuyao very seriously, "The next plan is... I've been waiting for you!"
Gu Shuyao, who became serious because of Miao Wan's solemnity, said: "..."
Miao Wan lay on the table and stared at Gu Shuyao. "I can make money, but I only know how to eat and make cosmetics, not weapons."
Gu Shuyao felt a little awkward and awkward. She thought for a moment and said, "I know a little bit."
Miao Wan moved closer to Gu Shuyao and said, "I don't know how to do urban planning either."
Gu Shuyao pondered for a moment, "I've read some books on this subject in my spare time. I was in charge of related work in the director's team during the Red and Blue Army confrontation, so I know a little bit."
Miao Wan suppressed her excitement and continued, "As for how to make the Gubei Army stronger, I have no idea. My husband has never led an army, so can the general do it?"
Gu Shuyao thought of the Red Army vs. Blue Army confrontation that Cheng Shao hadn't been able to defeat yet, and her expression was amused. "I'm sure he can do it in the future. I also know a little bit about how to train soldiers."
Miao Wan practically poked her face under Gu Shuyao's nose, "You're too modest! You must be God's golden finger. I made a wish to God on my birthday. I'm His biological daughter, so you must be awesome!"
Gu Shuyao: “…” How can you have the nerve to say such a metaphysical thing?
Her expression became more serious. "I'm not as amazing as you think. I'm not being modest. I do know a little bit of everything. It's also because the people around me are so amazing, so I have to learn more so as not to be a drag. But I really don't excel at anything either. Don't have too high expectations. Let's take it one step at a time."
Seeing how serious she was, Miao Wan quickly sat down and comforted Gu Shuyao, "It's okay, it's okay. I'm also half-baked and have been trying things out slowly. Even though I opened an inn, I haven't figured out a shower and toilet yet. I have no idea how to seal the cans needed for Coke. I'm just trying to fool them."
Her expression became much more serious, with gratitude in her eyes. "Because I was from the northwest before I traveled through time, this place might be the birthplace of my previous life. The fire in Xining Town was also partly due to me, so I stayed here to protect the people of the northwest. But this responsibility is not yours. I am very grateful that you are willing to help me do these things. You don't have to put too much pressure on yourself."
Gu Shuyao could sense that Miao Wan's almost dreamlike goal was due to her guilt, but the intelligence she received was also very clear: the crimes of the Xiban people should not be borne by this little girl.
However, looking at the determination on Miao Wan's face, a little motivation wouldn't be a bad thing.
As for Miao Wan's suggestion to help her, Gu Shuyao did not refute it. In fact, in Gu Shuyao's heart, she had no regrets in dying, and being able to live a new life was a gift. She would only do things to protect the people. This was the goal she swore to achieve and the motivation that had kept her going through life and death. So it didn't matter whether she helped or not, and no matter who she didn't help, she would do it.
But there is no need to say this.
Gu Shuyao just smiled and said to Miao Wan, "Cheng Shao and I will stay for a while. Once we have a thorough understanding of the situation in the northwest, we will then enter Xiping County as the general and his wife. Before that, I can help you check out the inn. I can make a shower and toilet, and a sealing jar... If we can find rubber or a substitute, it should be possible."
Miao Wan opened her mouth wide. Is this the "golden finger" that knows nothing? Then she would no longer envy the most awesome golden finger. Knowing a little bit of everything seemed to suit her better!
The two of them didn't talk for too long, but they went out politely, arm in arm. In the eyes of Qiao Ruichen and Cheng Shao, they were so jealous that they could make vinegar wine.
Qiao Ruichen was a contestant who would even make his duck tongue sour. Especially since Gu Shuyao looked like a handsome gentleman, and the way she looked at Miao Wan was so gentle, and Miao Wan smiled at her so brightly. Was he jealous? Not enough.
Cheng Shao was in the mood to bite a handkerchief. He couldn't even hold his wife's hand, couldn't get her tenderness, so what merit did Mrs. Qiao have? She took his place! Jealousy was like a needle, piercing him, very sour and refreshing.
Because the men brought by Cheng Shao were still outside Xining Town, the two of them did not stay. They only got Miao Wan's instructions, which allowed them to live in the kang house on the other side of the Qiao family's field, which was definitely better than setting up a tent.
Anyway, nothing can be done in the fields until the Dragon Rises. Uncle Zhang, Uncle Wu and the others are staying in the mansion, so they are not afraid of being discovered.
After the two people climbed over the wall and left, Qiao Ruichen showed his toughness for once. He picked up his wife, who was still wanting to share something with him excitedly, and carried her back to the house and put her on the kang.
I don't dare throw it. If I move too much and hurt my wife, I'm worried that I'll be kicked out on New Year's Day.
But Qiao Ruichen also felt aggrieved. When his wife entered the house, she did not forget to share with Qiao Ruichen how great Gu Shuyao was.
The time travel thing definitely can't be told, but Gu Shuyao can talk about anything. "I was originally worried about not having enough manpower in the fields, and I don't know how to make farm tools, but I didn't expect Ah Yao to be able to do it."
"Oh right, I've always wanted to install a shower in the inn, right? And one that could flush directly to the toilet downstairs. It's a pity we don't have the right pipes. Ah Yao said she knows a little bit about it, and she and Master Gu will work together to figure it out."
…
Qiao Ruichen suppressed his jealousy and listened for a while, but he couldn't help but directly blocked the chattering little mouth with his lips.
When Miao Wan was kissed so hard that she felt dizzy, Qiao Ruichen lifted his wife up and let her lie on him. His tone was even more resentful than when she looked at the moon, "Awan has never praised me like this before."
"You are different." Miao Wan said without thinking.
Qiao Ruichen looked at her intently, "Awan means that I can't compare to her?"
Miao Wan was not as stubborn as she was when she first came here. She liked Qiao Ruichen, and when people fall in love, they will naturally be smarter.
After she finished speaking, she felt something was wrong, so she quickly hugged Qiao Ruichen's neck and gave him a few comforting kisses.
Afterwards, she leaned on Qiao Ruichen and thought carefully. It was normal for a young couple to be jealous, but they couldn't let it go just for the sake of romance. They still had to say what needed to be said.
She wasn't ashamed of that emotion anyway.
"Ayao is really new to me, or she really surprises me. She can help us solve many problems. I really like her." Miao Wan still praised Gu Shuyao first.
When Qiao Ruichen felt really sad, Miao Wan held his face in her hands and kissed him, "But surprises don't come all the time. Bai Lao, you are by my side day and night. I will be happy if there are surprises, and I won't be sad if there are no surprises. But if I don't have you, Qiao Bai Lao, I will not be Miao Shiren."
"Do you understand what I mean?" Miao Wan kissed Qiao Ruichen on the lips, still unable to hold back a grin, "I like you, maybe not the same as you like me, but definitely not less than you. I'm happy for anyone, for anything, but Qiao Bailao only has you."
Qiao Ruichen was already feeling hot from the kiss, and then he heard Miao Wan whispering on his lips, "Besides, Ah Yao is a woman. No matter how much I like her, I still like my husband more. There are some things she can't do, so you, Qiao Bailao, are still the one who can do it."
Qiao Ruichen: “…” Nothing wrong.
He couldn't help but feel a little lucky. Fortunately, Madam Cheng was a woman. As for the things that Madam Cheng couldn't do...
Qiao Ruichen turned over, determined to let his wife know how capable Qiao Bailao was.
The candlelight on the first day of the new year cannot be extinguished. The flickering candlelight casts an undulating arc on the curtains, and it refuses to stop even after burning out.
The next day, around lunchtime, Cheng Shao and Gu Shuyao came again. They cooked their own food, but it was nowhere near as delicious as the lunch at the garrison.
The two of them were not idle in the morning. They wandered around Xining Town, rode horses nearby, and did not forget to check out the inn.
Although the inn would not open before the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Gu Shuyao had the sign given by Miao Wan, so as long as she didn't stay overnight, she could enter without any problems.
The Jufu Inn is three stories high. To Gu Shuyao, it is not as complicated as the tube-shaped buildings that were once modified for her comrades. The shortest tube-shaped building has five stories.
Therefore, it was not difficult for her to modify the toilet pipes without delaying operations.
As for the shower, Gu Shuyao also went to the hot spring bathhouse to take a look. She felt a little amused and helpless. The shower nowadays was no better than a square ladle with a hole in it.
Just as Miao Wan thought, it was useless and just looked new. The modification was not complicated and could even be installed in an inn. Gu Shuyao knew how to open and close valves.
There is still no idea about rubber and its substitutes.
Cheng Shao had been to Guangzhou Prefecture and had not found any rubber trees there. It was probably because the locals had not yet discovered the usefulness of rubber.
However, plant rubber is not only extracted from rubber trees.
There is also rubber grass, which is a plant that looks very similar to a dandelion and has yellow flowers that are a bit like chrysanthemums. According to its geographical location, it should be found in the Western Regions.
However, it is not easy to find it in the Western Regions. Gu Shuyao has inquired and found that there is also Eucommia tree in Dayue that can replace rubber. Eucommia gum can be extracted from both mature trees and seedlings.
Eucommia gum has a wide range of applications, and its corrosion resistance and acid and alkali resistance are not inferior to natural rubber. Whether it is used to make tires, soles or pipes, it is also suitable for
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