Shangguan made three big moves when she took office, and everyone was watching to see how far her first move would go.
Mu Wanqing was not in a hurry. She stood calmly at the door of a room and said, "Go and move some furniture from my study over here."
She did not use Du Shuai and Du Shaoxuan's offices, but found a warehouse as her office.
She had someone clean the room. The tables and chairs inside were old and uncomfortable to sit on. However, the room faced south and had quite a lot of space.
The two colleagues stood aside and watched her struggle. Having money means you can do whatever you want.
In a short while, the office was completely brand new. A whole set of pear wood desk and chair were placed in the middle, and the four treasures of the study were placed on the desk, each of which was a fine piece.
A screen separates a private rest space with a double sofa, and the light yellow fabric embellishes the slightly dull space.
Lichun picked a bunch of flowers in the garden and put them in a vase, which immediately made the room more warm.
Mu Wanqing pointed to the window and said, "Build a heated kang by the window and sit on it to work in the winter."
She has money and she is not a hard-core person, so she does whatever makes her feel comfortable.
"yes."
Mu Wanqing invited the two of them in for afternoon tea, which included iced watermelon juice, lotus cakes, lobster rolls, vegetable scones, and fried chicken.
There are salty and sweet ones, there is always one that suits your taste.
The two colleagues looked at each other and walked in one after the other.
As soon as Jiang Tongzhi sat down, he felt something was wrong. "Why are your tables and chairs so comfortable?"
"It's customized according to ergonomics, and the height is adjusted to the most comfortable position." Mu Wanqing poured them two glasses of watermelon juice, "Try the watermelon juice produced by my farm."
Jiang Tongzhi picked up the cup and took a sip. It was cool and sweet. He couldn't help but drink it all in one gulp.
"It's delicious, have another cup."
Sun Tongzhi was not so casual, and was worried, "County Lady, what are you going to do?"
Mu Wanqing looked over and asked, "How much money is left in the account?"
Sun Tongzhi's eyes lit up; he had been waiting for this sentence.
He silently handed over the account book. Mu Wanqing took a look and was shocked to find that she was spending more than she earned and even owed a sum of money.
This money was subsidized by the Du family.
There is no way. War is the most expensive thing. Money is needed everywhere.
This was when she took charge of most of the military supplies. All we can say is that Xiliang was poor, and Dusifu was poor!
"We can't pay the officials' salaries this month, County Lady, you see..." Sun Tongzhi looked at her eagerly. The government had no money, but she had money.
Mu Wanqing saw through his thoughts at a glance, but had no intention of paying.
Don't joke, the court is not run by her, why should she be subsidized?
"Stop, don't even think about it. I'm not here to fill the hole." She donated two million silver coins and temporarily provided military rations and supplies. She had already done her best.
"That's not appropriate. Think about it. I'm the one who pays the officials' salaries. Are they considered officials of the court? Or are they considered my personal servants? Too much is as bad as too little. It's not good for Xiliang or for me."
After these words were spoken, Sun Tongzhi felt it difficult to continue speaking. No matter what he said, it would be inappropriate.
However, this is an issue that needs to be addressed urgently.
If salaries are not paid, there will be chaos.
"They have five thousand taels of silver in their hands, and they don't expect these salaries, but the officials under them still have to think of a way."
There were about twenty people attending the meeting, all of whom were well-known officials of the Dusi Mansion.
Officials below this level are not eligible to participate as this group is huge and they all need to support their families.
He thought about it and gritted his teeth, "If it really doesn't work, I'll use my money first."
Mu Wanqing was a little surprised. He was very aware and truly loved Xiliang.
She tapped the table lightly, her eyes rolling around, "Why not invite the city's wealthy businessmen to the banquet and let them raise funds."
This trick is not uncommon and is used every year.
Jiang Tongzhi frowned, "Most of the wealthy businessmen have fled the city."
These cowardly fellows fled in such a hurry before they even reached the gate of Liangcheng.
"The people ran away, but the houses and fields are still there." Mu Wanqing smiled slightly. She had checked and found that those people ran away in such a hurry that they had no time to deal with their property.
Besides, who would dare to take over at this time?
She had already thought of a solution. "How about this? We put up a notice saying that the government couldn't bear to see their house and fields left vacant and abandoned, so they will temporarily manage them for them. When they come back one day, they can come to the government to claim their property back. Of course, the prerequisite is that they have to pay the management fee."
The two people opposite were stunned, with a look of doubt on their faces about their lives.
Damn, it's amazing. We are both human, so why is she so showy?
He is clearly a hooligan, but he is packaged as a good man who cares about the rich businessman, and he is righteous and full of principles.
Mu Wanqing looked calm, "If they don't come back, forget it. If they come back, let them pay half of the market value of the property as management fees."
Half? Jiang Tongzhi's mouth twitched. He finally understood why Mu Wanqing was so good at making money. Look at her. She has a very smart brain. She tricked the other person into a pit. He should thank her for it.
"Will this work?"
She is even more shameless than these soldiers! Learn from her! Learn from her!
Mu Wanqing asked curiously, "Why not? We mean well."
That makes perfect sense, there's absolutely no way to refute it.
Sun Tongzhi was shocked, as if a new world had opened up. Compared to Mu Wanqing, they were too honest. "But, they left a housekeeper behind."
"Just say that the housekeeper ran away and we have no choice but to take over this matter." Mu Wanqing didn't even blink, and made up an excuse at random, "Let's leave the registration work to Sun Tongzhi, is that okay?"
"No." When Sun Tongzhi thought about the money he would get for his salary after acquiring these assets, he immediately became full of energy as if he had been injected with chicken blood.
As for arm wrestling with Mu Wanqing? Forget it, who can beat her?
Just because of her natural shamelessness, no one can match her.
Mu Wanqing smiled sweetly, "Teacher Jiang, I'll leave the banquet for the wealthy businessmen in the city to you."
Jiang Tongzhi only looked up to her and did not dare to underestimate her. "Okay, I'll make the arrangements and you'll host it then."
It was happily settled.
When the two colleagues walked out of the office, their expressions were particularly wonderful.
The officials who had been observing secretly approached quietly, "What important matter are you discussing? Do you need help?"
Jiang Tongzhi's eyes lit up, and he hooked his subordinate's neck, "It's really necessary. Let's go together."
Sure enough, as soon as the announcement came out, the city was in an uproar.
The people sincerely think that the government is so nice and cares so much about the wealthy businessmen, but are those people worthy of it?
The wealthy businessmen who did not run away were shocked by this move. They had to say that the government was very smart!
It is very clever to make people suffer in silence without being able to express their pain.
So, when they heard that they were invited to a banquet, the wealthy businessmen readily accepted the invitation and visited each other to discuss how to spend some money.
When Du Shuai received the news, he was drinking bitter medicine. He suddenly stopped and looked in surprise at his eldest daughter who came to report the news.
"Husband, drink it quickly. The imperial physician said it should be drunk while hot." Mrs. Du only had eyes for her husband. She urged him softly, holding a small dish of candied fruit in her hand.
Du Shuai drank the medicine in one gulp. Mrs. Du took out a handkerchief to wipe the medicine stains on the corners of his mouth and put candied fruit into his mouth, serving him meticulously.
Miss Du's eyes were full of admiration. "Mu Wanqing is truly a rare genius. Her thoughts and ideas are bizarre, but they can produce unexpected results."
A single notice solved a major problem and also served as a warning to others.
"Father, your decision this time is very wise."
Although Du Shuai pushed him to that position, whether he can stay there firmly depends on Mu Wanqing's methods.
Obviously, Mu Wanqing passed this level easily. This is the difference in IQ.
Mrs. Du frowned, looking unhappy.
It was outrageous to let a woman temporarily take over the position of chief. This was the right of the Du family.
But, this was Du Shuai's decision, and she didn't dare to say a word.
"Xin'er, don't learn from her. That's not the right way for a woman."
Miss Du was silent for a moment, "How could I have that ability?"
Although she is my biological mother, she was born in a humble family and her vision is limited due to her status. This is a fact.
It is difficult for a daughter to say that her father is busy with official duties and seldom comes home, so he has no time to discipline his wife and children.
Never mind, I'll just live with my father in glory.
"The foundation of moral integrity is nothing more important than a righteous heart. Only when the heart is righteous can the body be righteous. The Princess of Qingping County had a righteous heart and a righteous body. She followed the right path, the great path." Note (1)
Mrs. Du's face changed drastically, "Husband." She was speaking for Mu Wanqing!
These days she clearly noticed changes in her husband and his attitude towards her, which made her feel confused and aggrieved.
She has never left the house and still doesn't know what happened. Coach Du has issued a gag order.
Du Shuai sighed silently, "Don't make comments about Qingping County Lord casually in the future. She is not someone you can talk about."
He did not do a good job in educating his son in front of others and educating his wife behind others.
Madam Du felt even more aggrieved. "She is a third-rank county lady, and I am a first-rank lady. She is the younger generation, and I am the elder. Why can't I speak?"
"Her virtues are recognized by the people and praised by the king." Du Shuai rubbed his brows, "We must stand on the same side as the king."
Mrs. Du was stunned. So she couldn't say Mu Wanqing was bad? "Well, she doesn't suit my temper anyway."
They were not the same kind of people.
She relies on her parents at home, on her husband after marriage, and on her son in the future.
As for Mu Wanqing, she has to rely on herself, and many people have to rely on her.
She is a spiritual pillar for many people.
The biggest change in Mu Wanqing's life since she went to Dusi Mansion is that there are more men coming up to her.
She was dazzled by all the strange and bizarre ways of picking up girls. Dropping jade pendants and money was a basic operation in front of her. There was also a pretty boy who sold his father for his whole life begging her for help, saying he was willing to serve her like a slave.
There were too many men throwing themselves at her to count.
Oh, that damn charm of money.
She solved the financial problem, but soon a second trouble arose.
On this day, Mu Wanqing had a sumptuous lunch while holding a brief lunch meeting with two colleagues to exchange information.
It has become a habit.
Mu Wanqing was very generous and always had three lunch boxes delivered.
Pan-fried spare ribs, home-cooked tofu, fresh fish and mutton, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes, simple but refreshing to the body and mind.
The three of them had dinner together, bonded with each other, and got along very well.
Jiang Tongzhi particularly likes the Mu family's dishes. "This fish and mutton dish is fresh, sour and spicy and very appetizing. Can we have another meal tomorrow?"
"Okay." Mu Wanqing would not refuse such a small thing.
Just after finishing the meal, the clerk came over to report, "County Master, Madam Du is here."
Mu Wanqing raised her eyebrows. Well, the person hiding in the dark finally made a move!
"Why is my mother-in-law here? She has never been to the Dusi Mansion." Jiang Tongzhi's face changed, and he suddenly thought of something, "Could it be for..."
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Note (1) From "Fu Zi" in Volume 49 of "Qun Shu Zhi Yao"
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