Chapter 108 (Taro Stewed Beef Brisket...)
When Yan Qiushu received the things sent from Leping, she just thought it was a gift from Zhou Zhaoqin and Shen Pingyu.
However, after opening it, she saw a jade pendant leaking out of the letter, and subconsciously caught it, and was stunned by the content of the letter.
"Sister Ah Shu, this is a token my father's advisor gave me. He said it can be used to withdraw money from multiple banks..."
This was not the first time Zhou Zhaoqin had sent her a letter. Before she was conferred the title of County Princess, the Fifth Prince Shun Wang had reminded her to write to him.
She also wrote and sent things every month. The child was so pitiful that she couldn't forget about him.
But I never expected to receive such a great gift.
He said it was a token left by his father. He didn't know how much silver was in it, but according to his counselor, this was the trump card he left for himself to turn things around. However, the Xiao family's counterattack came quickly and fiercely. Before he had time to fight back, he was completely trapped in a desperate situation, so he gave this thing to him.
In the letter, Zhou Zhaoqin said that he would give this token to Yan Qiushu as a dowry for her future marriage, hoping that she would not be bullied after she got married.
He didn't want this thing. His father had spent so much effort to obtain it, but it cost the lives of hundreds of people in his maternal grandfather's family, so he asked her not to return it.
This letter was placed in a package and sent by the Shen family. It was safe on the way and no one knew about it until it reached her.
But in the past, Zhou Zhaoqin's letters were sent separately.
This means that he may also know that what he has in his hand is very dangerous. If others know about it, he may be implicated again, but he still asked the Shen family to send it.
After reading it, Yan Qiushu didn't know what to do for a moment and wanted to return it, but he also said that he didn't want it.
Furthermore, the man gave this token to Zhou Zhaoqin, probably with some intention, such as using the identity of a victim to bring down the Xiao family. He is weak now, and many people will sympathize with him. If he does something, the Xiao family and Prince Chang may be in danger.
After all, it was these two parties who were responsible for the execution of the Third Prince.
Yan Qiushu wasn't even sure whether the things inside were real.
She felt that she could not handle this matter. After a brief thought, she decisively asked Shui Yu to help pack the carriage. Zhao Shuhong stayed at the farm to entertain the newly arrived guests, and she went to the Xiao family.
When leaving, I asked Xiao Huaiya if she wanted to go, but she refused, fearing that she would be left at home if she went, and she wanted to stay a while longer.
When Yan Qiushu arrived, Mrs. Xiao was painting. When she heard that she had arrived, she asked someone to bring her directly to her yard.
When Yan Qiushu arrived, she saw her waiting at the door. She ran over with a smile and took her hand: "Auntie, please go back to the house. It's still a bit hot now."
Summer has not completely passed yet, the heat is still there, and I start sweating after standing outside for a while.
"I know. Come here too." Mrs. Xiao also smiled and took her hand back into the house.
There was also a basin of ice in the room, which was much cooler than outside.
Yan Qiushu wiped the sweat off her forehead and said with a smile, "I'm here to bother you again. There's something I don't know how to do, so I came to ask for your advice." As she spoke, she made a face to hint.
Madam Xiao quickly understood and asked the servants to leave, leaving only Madam Huang behind. She also closed the door of the room and said, "Everyone's gone. Tell me, what brought you here?"
Yan Qiushu took out a piece of letter paper and handed it over: "Please take a look. I'm not sure what to do."
Madam Xiao took it and glanced at it twice. The smile on the corner of her lips disappeared, and then her expression became more and more serious. After reading it, she said to Madam Huang, "Go and call the boss over."
"Yes." Nanny Huang ran over quickly.
Madam Xiao looked at Yan Qiushu: "What do you think?"
Yan Qiushu smiled awkwardly and said, "I want to keep it. I think what he meant is that he really doesn't want the silver. Besides, he's still young and he won't be short of money in the future. If the money left by the Third Prince falls into his hands, it will do him more harm than good. Not to mention that the person who gave him the token of trust might just want to use his identity to do something..."
Madam Xiao nodded: "I think so too. This child is indeed not necessarily the same as his father. I was soft-hearted at the beginning and did not misjudge him. But wait until the eldest brother comes over and see what he says. This amount of money should not be a small amount."
Yan Qiushu responded.
The two waited for a while, and Xiao Huaiqi came. He was sitting in a wheelchair. After coming in, he asked the servant to get off immediately, and then asked the two what was going on.
After learning about this, Xiao Huaiqi said, "When the Third Prince's mansion was raided, only 10,000 taels of gold and silver were found. They said he had used it all up to bribe others. But according to the testimony of the Qiao family and related people, he still had at least 500,000 taels on hand that he hadn't paid out. If nothing unexpected happened, this money must be it."
Five hundred thousand taels is already a lot. Some petty officials could only embezzle a hundred thousand taels after years of corruption. If the Qiao family was not high in status and Jinzhou was not rich, how could they give so much silver to the third prince?
If used as military pay, it can keep the army well fed and well fed for a long time.
I still remember that when I interrogated the Qiao family and the third prince before, he refused to hand it over no matter what because he thought the emperor would not kill him. With this money, he could make a comeback. But he didn't expect that something would happen later, so he sent someone to give the jade pendant to Zhou Zhaoqin.
Xiao Huaiqi was just thinking about it when he saw the little girl in front of him directly push the jade pendant in front of him: "Then this is for the eldest master. If there is a war and the military pay is insufficient, take it out and use it."
Xiao Huaiqi looked at the jade pendant, his heart in shock. He didn't even reach out to take it, and warned in a deep voice, "Are you really going to give it to the Xiao family like this?!"
Yan Qiushu pursed her lips and smiled: "This money was originally taken from the people. I would not feel at ease with it. Zhou Zhaoqin does not want it either. It would be best to use it on the people, but I do not trust others. Giving it to the Xiao family as military pay is the most appropriate."
In this way, every penny will be spent wisely, and it will greatly alleviate the difficulties that the Xiao family will encounter in the future.
Xiao Huaiqi was moved, but he didn't reach out to take the jade pendant immediately.
Five hundred thousand dollars of property for two people is really not a small amount.
Madam Xiao was much more generous and said with a smile: "You are a grown man but you are not as courageous as Ah Shu. Take this. Ah Shu is right. This money originally came from the people. It is most appropriate to use it for the people."
Xiao Huaiqi then took the jade pendant with both hands, his jade-like face showing a cautious look: "Thank you very much, I promise not to waste a single cent of this money."
Yan Qiushu smiled lightly: "Of course I believe you, don't feel burdened."
Xiao Huaiqi also laughed and said, "Speaking of which, this is the dowry that child gave you. Now it has become military supplies, so I will be the one to prepare the dowry."
"No, no..." Yan Qiushu quickly refused. There was really no need. The betrothal gifts given by the Xiao family were quite a lot. If they really got married, it wouldn't be shabby. A little less wouldn't matter. She was single and open-minded. She didn't care what others said.
"Yes!" Xiao Huaiqi waved his hand, finalizing the matter, and then said, "Speaking of which, this really comes at the right time. Our Majesty has made some moves again. I guess the Sixth Brother won't be able to spend the New Year at home this year."
Speaking of this, Madam Xiao and Yan Qiushu were both shocked: "Why is this happening? Are we going to fight again?"
"Is it with Qi?"
Xiao Huaiqi nodded.
Yan Qiushu's face changed slightly and she clenched her fingers.
According to the plot, this battle should take place in the second half of next year, which is almost a whole year in advance!
However, she has been in this world for so long, and many things have changed. King Chang is powerful, so it is understandable that King Shun and King Huai can't wait. Moreover, King Xuan has become a disabled person and can no longer be an obstacle to King Chang. King Shun's behavior in recent times does not seem to be that of a man who will compete for the throne. This may not be a bad thing.
The atmosphere in the room was somewhat tense. Madam Xiao's face looked unhappy. She was naturally uneasy about her son going to war, but the Xiao family was in such a state that she could not tell her son not to go.
Seeing this, Xiao Huaiqi changed the subject: "Ashu is here, let's have lunch together?"
Yan Qiushu also smiled and said, "Okay."
A girl's clear voice came from outside: "Sister Shu!"
Wan'er is here!
Yan Qiushu's eyes lit up, and Mrs. Xiao also smiled.
Naturally, lunch was also eaten in Mrs. Xiao's yard.
Last time, Dongdong and his friends had a day off, but because it rained continuously for two days, they couldn't go to the farm. Now Yan Qiushu came over, and when Wan'er heard about it, she ran over and stayed beside her.
As the dishes came up one by one, Wan'er pointed at one of them and said with a smile, "Sister Shu, this dish is so delicious!"
Yan Qiushu took a look and smiled, "Yeah, I like it too."
This dish is beef brisket stewed with taro. Beef brisket is a piece of meat with tendons, meat, and fat. Compared with pure lean beef, beef brisket has a softer texture. After a long time of stewing, it has already become soft and tasty. At this time, it is served in a large black casserole, and the taro inside looks particularly tender.
The taste of taro is somewhat similar to that of potatoes, but it is a bit sweeter than potatoes. It can be used to make desserts, and it is still delicious when used to make this dish.
Yan Qiushu nodded, and Wan'er immediately gave her a piece of meat and a piece of taro: "Would you like to try it?"
Mrs. Xiao, Xie Qingyun, Xiao Huaiqi, Xiao Huaiyu and others at the table all looked over, a little surprised. Wan'er had a good relationship with her before, but she had never been on the extent of actively picking food for her.
Because Wan'er was still an eight-year-old child, she occasionally needed the help of a wet nurse to pick up food.
"Thank you, Wan'er~" Yan Qiushu took it with a smile, and when she noticed their gazes, her face turned red and she avoided them a little vaguely.
Ever since these kids felt she was bullied last time, they have been very nice to her. She thought it was just a temporary thing, but Wan'er had such a good memory and was still thinking of taking good care of her.
Madam Xiao smiled and pretended to complain: "Alas, I have no one to help me pick up the food."
Wan'er was stunned for a moment, then quickly stood up and served dishes to everyone one by one: "Grandma, you eat, uncle..."
The adults were at a loss whether to laugh or cry when they saw this, and both the old and the young had to go along with it, so one by one they cooperated by bringing their bowls to her chopsticks to make it easier for her to put down the food.
Yan Qiushu curled her eyes, picked up the beef brisket in the bowl, and took a bite.
The beef brisket, which had already absorbed a lot of thick soup, bloomed between her lips and teeth, and the salty and slightly spicy juice overflowed. The taste was different from ordinary soups. The starch in the taro made the soup thick. The taro was obviously stewed for a long time and was very soft. There seemed to be some taro pieces in the soup, which disappeared after a sip.
Then she picked up some taro and ate it. The taro was as soft as Yan Qiushu had expected. There was no need to chew it. It would melt in her mouth with just a little pressure. The taro she chose should be very tender small taro, without any tendons, and had an excellent taste.
After Yan Qiushu finished eating, she saw Wan'er gnawing on a piece of beef brisket and looking at her eagerly. She raised her lips and smiled: "It's really delicious. The cooking skills are getting better and better!"
Wan'er was eating meat and couldn't speak, so she could only smile and nod vigorously to show her agreement.
She's gained some weight!
Fortunately, her uncle said that it was the right age for her to grow, otherwise she would have to reduce her food intake.
The Xiao family does not have a rule of not talking while eating. Everyone will talk about other things while eating. For example, Xiao Huaiqi, due to his status and health reasons, cannot often visit Yan Qiushu. Now that he has the chance, he will tell her how many branches he has opened in the food street.
There is only one in Kyoto, and it is a little overwhelmed. Although those in other cities are not as adaptable, resulting in not being as popular, they are also very good and can make a profit in a short time.
Yan Qiushu, the little loser, could only sigh in admiration: "You are so amazing!"
“It’s great that the business can be so successful!”
Xiao Huaiqi felt a little smug about the flattery and couldn't control his smile.
Yan Qiushu suddenly remembered and said, "Oh, by the way, if Kyoto doesn't want another food street like this, we can transfer the rights of individual shops and open stores on other streets."
Xiao Huaiqi raised his eyebrows, quite interested: "What do you mean?"
Yan Qiushu said, "It's about asking people who want to open a shop to pay you a large sum of money to buy the right to open a shop. We provide the ingredients, such as chicken cutlets, and provide marinated chicken cutlets. They just need to fry them and sell them..."
With this method, we can get the franchise fee and raise a lot of money in a short time. Then when Xiao Huaiting goes to war, even if someone withholds the military pay, the Xiao family will be able to deal with it calmly, right?
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