As the old saying goes, don't go out on the seventh day and don't go home on the eighth day. If Qiao Ruichen wanted to go out to the border, he would not leave until after the eighth day of the first lunar month.
The fireworks in Xining Town became the hottest topic in the first month of the lunar year. Even people in Xiping County heard about it. Many powerful families used the Cheng family's connections to find the Qiao family and ask for some fireworks to set off during the Lantern Festival.
Miao Wan asked Aya to reject them all, and Gu Shuyao stopped making fireworks.
Both of them knew very well how great an impact gunpowder had on the course of history. Even saints knew that it should not be used casually, so they would not rush to seek death.
Miao Wan was so focused on packing Qiao Ruichen's luggage that Taotao also knew that her father was going on a long trip, and she couldn't even attend her fourth birthday.
The little guy muttered a few words about wanting one less birthday gift. Maybe he thought he was not three years old anymore and had grown up, so he spoke very cleverly.
When Miao Wan was preparing medicine for Qiao Ruichen, Taotao touched his mother's big belly with a sad face, just like Geng touching her head.
"Brother and sister, you are so pitiful. You don't have a daddy on your birthday. This is the first gift."
Miao Wan was a little surprised, "Who taught you that? You're quite good at it."
Taotao speaks much more fluently now than before, but he used to repeat many words at the beginning and his pronunciation was unclear.
After the Chinese New Year, it’s like taking hormones. The baby voice is like an oriole that can’t wait to take off, and every sound is crisp and lively.
Taotao pouted, "Taotao, you're so smart!"
My daughter can't stand being praised, she gets angry as soon as I praise her.
Miao Wan teased Taotao deliberately, "You don't have to worry about your brothers and sisters. Your father had already prepared their gifts before he left."
Taotao's eyes widened, Taotao was in disbelief, Taotao... twisted his butt and ran away. Before he even stepped out of the door, Huangli shouted at the top of his lungs, "Daddy! Where's my little cotton-padded jacket?"
When Geng came in, Miao Wan was holding her stomach and laughing so hard that she fell over. The nanny stood by and rubbed her hands helplessly, afraid that she would fall.
Seeing that Miao Wan still had the energy to entertain her daughter, Geng felt relieved.
To be honest, Geng felt more distressed about Miao Wan because her son went away on a long trip while her daughter-in-law was pregnant.
Pregnant women tend to be worried, and the couple's relationship seems to be much better than before. She was worried that Miao Wan would feel uncomfortable.
"Is everything packed? I brought some Dendrobium officinale from the capital. You can keep some for later and give some to Ruichen. Then they can boil some water to drink."
Miao Wan did not refuse her mother-in-law's kindness. "Okay, I'll have someone get some later and give some to my cousin. Seeing that my husband has gone out, he also thinks that we shouldn't waste time. We'll go through the customs after the Lantern Festival and continue our trade route."
Ruan Jialin originally thought that it would be enough to go out once before the New Year. When he came back, the new merchants would replace the spoiled ones. If everything went well, he would follow the team transporting goods into the customs.
If things don't go well, he will enter the country in April or May and look for some partners. The weather will be comfortable at that time, and it is better to be hot than cold.
Who knew Qiao Ruichen would work so hard? Ruan Jialin was complained about by his wife a few times. In addition, with the bonus given out during the New Year, everyone was working hard, and he was so excited that he didn't want to wait any longer.
As Miao Wan said, "time is money." Instead of waiting to see the results, it is better to directly establish a relationship. This way, the worst-case scenario will be similar to the original best estimated result.
Miao Wan feels sorry for her husband and her cousin, but Miao Shiren only feels sorry for Qiao Bailao. As for the other elders... the more they get involved, the better!
However, he still showed the necessary heartache on the surface. This was reflected in the fact that when he was packing luggage for Qiao Ruichen, any good things he thought of had to be shared with Ruan Jialin.
Geng naturally had no objection. The saint returned the family property to the Qiao family, but the Qiao family was not a wealthy family to begin with.
Among the students from poor families who have climbed up, few of them have much background, except for corrupt officials. At most, they can be considered ordinary wealthy families.
Most of the family's wealth is now earned by Miao Wan. Geng's bottom line now is that as long as her daughter-in-law doesn't keep a lover, she can marry to anyone she wants.
In short, there is no limit.
Geng came over to tell Miao Wan about the Ruan family. "Your eldest cousin's son, Erlang, will be thirteen after the Lunar New Year. Sooner or later, he'll have to consider returning to Jiangnan to take the imperial examination. Your eldest cousin will take the imperial examination this autumn, and from what your father said, he should be a sure thing."
Miao Wan didn't understand what her mother-in-law wanted to say, "Aunt wants to send Erlang to the capital?"
When Ruan Jiasheng followed his second uncle and Qiao Shengwen to Beijing, it was mainly to take the imperial examination. He was afraid that the children would not be able to stand due to the bumpy journey, so he only brought his wife and eldest son to Beijing, and the two younger sons were left with Madam Ruan.
"She hasn't made up her mind yet. From what I heard, she seems to want to go back to Jiangnan. She just asked me what our plans are." Geng didn't keep her in suspense.
"Rui Chen will have to go to the capital to see the emperor when he returns from abroad. Do you want to go back and see him then? If you all go back, it will be safer for the children to go with you."
They are all teenagers, and no one feels at ease without their elders by their side.
Miao Wan hadn't thought about this question yet. She subconsciously touched her belly and said, "Then I'll go to the northwest..."
"Your father and I are both here. Your father said that Ruichen will probably stay in the northwest for many years in the future. When that time comes, our whole family will be here, but the Ruan family may not stay. We need to make some arrangements in advance to avoid making things difficult for the Ruan family."
Ruan Qi felt sorry for his niece, and it was all thanks to Miao Wan that the Ruan family could live in peace today. If she needed him, Ruan Qi would not even mention going back to Jiangnan.
Miao Wan understood what her mother-in-law meant. She was really not very good at these social etiquettes, so it was fortunate that her mother-in-law reminded her.
After packing up the herbs, Miao Wan went to the main house with her mother-in-law to discuss with Qiao Shengwen and his son who were planning their trip outside.
"Even if the inland logistics centers are mainly under the control of the imperial court, this matter must not be handed over to other people. Otherwise, if we encounter a few greedy people, not only will the common people not be able to buy things cheaply, but prices will even become more expensive." Miao Wan said to the father and son.
"Therefore, I'm thinking that we should submit a memorial to the Saint in advance, clearly planning how to open the logistics center, where it will be located, who will be responsible, who will execute it, and who will supervise it. This three-way balance of power will definitely be more stable."
This is just like when a group in later generations has a big project, they will start working on the project plan one or two years in advance. Submitting a memorial to the saint means submitting the plan to the senior leader for approval.
To a certain extent, the proposal process also makes it easier for the person in charge to control the progress of part of the project.
Qiao Shengwen agreed. "Awan, you've been very thoughtful. Didn't Lin'er go to the inland? You should confirm the relevant candidates in advance and report to the Sage to supervise the officials sent by the court. There's plenty of room for other matters."
Miao Wan didn't think so. She felt that carrying out this part was dangerous and the situation on the road was complicated. It would be better to unite the vassal soldiers from all over the place and open up a line among them.
If you want to cooperate with the vassal soldiers, the execution must be done by the imperial court. No matter whether they are officials' families or merchants, the vassal kings will not pay any attention to them.
As for those responsible, it is the local chambers of commerce.
Miao Wan wanted to take over the supervisory responsibility. Only the one who made the rules could control the development of events and prevent things from getting out of control.
Well, to be more realistic, it's mainly about supervision. No matter whether you meet someone greedy or not, you have to please them. After all, if someone's money is missing, there will be supervision.
There was no way she would give the job of deciding how much money to make to someone else.
Qiao Ruichen also agreed with his wife's opinion. "The princes are all relatives of the emperor. The imperial court is not allowed to interfere in the political affairs within the princes' territories. If there is a chance to glimpse a little, the saint will definitely be willing."
Qiao Shengwen smiled and glanced at his daughter-in-law who lowered her head and seemed very well-behaved. He had worked in the Ministry of Households, so how could he not know what his daughter-in-law meant? No matter how righteous the young couple spoke, they could not stop the money-grubbing aura of his daughter-in-law.
But most old foxes see through things but don't say anything. Even if there are some minor setbacks, such as the supervisory position, which requires dealing with the imperial court, there is hope that as long as Shu is there, the Qiao family will not suffer too much loss.
That’s perfect, it will give the couple some experience.
He smiled and said, "You are right. I am old now. You can make your own decisions."
So, because Qiao Ruichen was leaving, Taotao would temporarily sleep with his aunt. The young couple always had endless things to talk about. In addition to being affectionate with each other, they also discussed almost everything that needed to be discussed.
The more we were together, the faster time passed, and in the blink of an eye it was the eighth day of the New Year.
Early in the morning, before dawn, Miao Wan woke up on her own without waiting for anyone to call her.
She got up and packed her things. Without saying a word, she dressed silently like a little bear and followed Qiao Ruichen in silence all the way to the north gate.
Cheng Shao and Gu Shuyao both came.
Seeing Miao Wan didn't look up, Qiao Ruichen sighed inwardly and bowed to Cheng Shao and his wife, "While I'm away, Madam Cheng will have to take care of the garrison affairs. As for the rest... Ah Jian, please."
Cheng Shao rolled his eyes. He still didn't forget to take advantage of him at this time. He would die if he was called Brother Cheng.
"My wife treats your wife better than me. If you are worried, come back safely as soon as possible. I can't stay in the northwest forever."
Qiao Ruichen and he looked at each other. With the mission of going out to the border, the two men who were very sensitive to the affairs in the military camp had some understanding of the saint's plan.
The Cheng family's main power is actually in the south. If the regent falls in the future, Cheng Shao will most likely go to the Zhennan Army, and Qiao Ruichen will probably be in charge of the Gubei Army.
However, Qiao Ruichen's resume is not enough. If he completes the mission of going out of the border and takes charge of the logistics center, he will be qualified for the position of General Dingbei.
Cheng Shao reorganized the Gubei Army and also cultivated his own power. In the future, when he went to the south, he would be able to successfully eliminate the remaining forces of the Regent in the Zhennan Army.
To a certain extent, the regent's intuition was correct. If he had waited a few more years, he would have lost the chance to rebel.
After saying goodbye, Qiao Ruichen walked up to Miao Wan, rubbed his hands to warm them up, and held her face up.
As expected, Miao Wan's eyes were already filled with tears.
Qiao Ruichen looked distressed, "Don't cry, be careful not to show your face. Just treat me as if I'm still on duty outside like I was in the past two years."
Miao Wan was speechless, could it be the same?
At least he still had ten days off at that time.
Only now did she realize the difference between being emotional and not being emotional. In the past, whether Qiao Ruichen came back or not had no effect on her.
Now that Qiao Ruichen was leaving, she felt as empty as if a tornado had just ended.
But she is not the type to cry and make a fuss. It is probably because she is pregnant that she is so sentimental.
Miao Wan suppressed her reluctance and tightened Qiao Ruichen's camel-hair cloak. "Then remember to come back early. I've bribed people to keep an eye on you. If you dare to do anything unfaithful, I'll chop you up when you come back. Remember?"
Cheng Shao and Gu Shuyao: "..." Bribery is bribery, why do you still say it out loud?
Qiao Ruichen couldn't help but laugh, "Okay, Qiao Bailao will remember this and will definitely come back soon."
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