The only exceptions were Lao Hei and his group.
But the total time they spend in the village throughout the year is less than two months.
Moreover, they earn a lot of money and are generous with their spending. When they return, the village women all vie to help them with food, lodging, and cleaning, earning some pocket money in the process.
Tao Hongying and Jiayin followed Xiao Cui, looking around, and were quite satisfied.
Only when we arrived at the baking room did a small incident occur.
The baking room requires high temperatures, so firewood must be added continuously to heat the three walls of the room.
The young woman responsible for adding firewood, perhaps tempted by the high temperature, secretly tied a rope and brought her children's wet clothes to dry.
Tao Hongying is obsessed with figuring out food, and hygiene is her biggest concern.
She looked at Xiao Cui'er and asked, "How many times have I told you the rules? How come some people still can't remember them? When making food, the most taboo thing is uncleanliness. How can you hang clothes to dry in a room where you dry noodles?"
Xiao Cui'er blushed with anger, glared at the young woman, and said angrily, "What did I say before?"
"You made the mistake twice before, crying your eyes out and begging me and everyone else for forgiveness before we finally forgave you."
"Now, only a few days have passed, and you dare to do it a third time! Do you really think everyone won't kick you out?"
The young woman immediately wiped away her tears and explained, "I didn't mean to, sob sob, the kids at home have no clothes, and if this set doesn't dry after washing, they can't go out. I was just in a hurry..."
"Don't try that on me!" Xiao Cui wanted to slap her twice. "You have five or six sets of winter coats and skirts. If you had just given one set to the child as a replacement, this wouldn't have happened."
"Get out of here right now! We'll let you know when we have a meeting to discuss whether to fire you!"
The young woman wanted to say something, but seeing that everyone looked grim and there was no room for her to plead, she ran away crying.
Those who don't know the situation might think she's been bullied or suffered a lot of injustice!
Xiao Cui sighed and whispered to Tao Hongying, "Fourth Madam, this young sister-in-law's husband is the Marquis's personal guard, and he usually gets along well with my Erniu and the others."
"This young lady has a bad temper and doesn't know how to behave properly. I've told her many times, but she just won't change."
"Let me discuss it with the managers, and we'll decide whether to stop her from working at the workshop!"
Tao Hongying nodded and instructed, "Make sure to explain things clearly to her husband, and try not to ruin the relationship between the men."
"In addition, all the steps in making noodles must be strictly supervised, and there can be no negligence."
"If anyone finds even half a hair in our noodles, we won't be able to keep our business license."
"If the brand is ruined and the reputation is damaged, the noodles won't sell, and everyone's livelihood will be cut off!"
"Yes, Fourth Madam, I understand. We'll have a meeting tonight." Xiao Cui nodded vigorously.
Tao Hongying inquired about the wages and bonuses before the Lunar New Year, and seeing that there were no major oversights, she took her daughter home.
On the way, Tao Hongying sighed.
"When there are too many people, things get complicated. Originally, it was just the people from our village, who had crossed mountains and rivers together, risking their lives for each other. They were all sincere in their interactions."
"Now that there's a second village, there's a lot more to do, and I always feel like I'm putting in effort but not getting any credit."
Jiayin held her mother's hand and comforted her with a smile.
“Mother, our family is not doing this to please these people, but to share the burden of our godfather and father, and to show respect to these heroes who sacrificed for the country.”
"So, as long as my godfather and father are at ease, and as long as the veterans have a place to stay, that's all that matters."
"As for those ignorant people, they can't be without them wherever they go. Who doesn't have a few rice weevils in their rice jar?
"Don't get angry with them, it's not worth it."
Tao Hongying thought her daughter's words made sense and didn't want her young daughter to worry about such trivial matters, so she smiled and changed the subject.
Are you going to town tomorrow? I'll go with you!
“Your older brother’s classmate’s uncle, isn’t he a middleman? He sent a message to Baihuayuan, saying that there are two small shops in a very good location, and I plan to go and take a look.”
"Is this the middleman who helped Second Uncle and Eldest Brother buy the small courtyard?" Jiayin smiled and said, "I'll go with Mother. I have to support Mother's business."
"Alright, you're the luckiest person in the world. Come with me and let me know. I'll be more confident!" Tao Hongying pulled her daughter closer to her side, shielding her from most of the cold north wind.
The north wind mischievously tried to sneak behind Tao Hongying, but failed and could only fly away dejectedly.
The swaying withered trees and the falling snowflakes led us to the riverside dock.
Despite the cold winter weather, training continued in the Northern Expeditionary Army's camp.
Especially the newly recruited young noblemen soldiers, after so much training, have finally begun to show some fierceness.
The vast majority of the young princes were competent enough to run laps or do drills.
But there are always exceptions to everything, and there are still a few dozen that are simply hopeless.
Among them were those who were born weak, and those who appeared to be male but whose true nature leaned towards being female...
In short, all of these people were sent to the cooks' camp.
During the day, they help with cooking and lighting fires, and they don't have to patrol at night. The only group training they are required to participate in is morning exercises—which are just running around the training ground seven or eight times before breakfast.
Today, it's Li Laosi's turn to be on duty.
Li Yong and Jiang Cheng took their breakfast and went to the main tent to freeload.
Yesterday, Suijintan sent a horse-drawn carriage to deliver a lot of vegetables and fruits, as well as sticky rice cakes and fried dough sticks that were made by hand at home.
They already had a meal last night, and they shamelessly came over again this morning.
The Marquis didn't chase them away. The three of them left half a plate of sticky rice cakes for Li Laosi and ate them while talking.
Jiang Cheng sighed, "When I was fighting outside, I wanted to come back. Now that I've been back in camp for a few months, I feel itchy all over. I really wish I could run back and fight the barbarians again!"
Li Yong rolled his eyes at him and laughed, "If you want to go, go by yourself. I can't. It's almost Chinese New Year, and I need to go home to my wife and kids!"
"My son and daughter haven't seen me for half a month. I'm afraid they won't recognize their dad!"
Jiang Cheng laughed and exclaimed, "It's good that your daughter and son don't recognize you. It would be a disaster if they called someone else 'Dad'!"
"Get lost!" Li Yong nudged him with his elbow and exclaimed, "Homemade food always tastes the best!"
"Those cooks in the cookhouse, I suspect they're taking revenge on me. How could they cook such terrible food and winter vegetables? It's like pig swill!"
Jiang Cheng said, "Luckily, it didn't taste good. If it had, the monthly military rations would probably have to be doubled!"
While they were talking, the Marquis took the last piece of fried cake away, which made the two men glare at him.
The Marquis ate slowly and deliberately, saying, "You've reminded me. When I return to the city tomorrow, I should first go to the Ministry of War to get the New Year's goods approved. If those people don't urge me, they might not even deliver them by the New Year."
“Yes,” Jiang Cheng nodded quickly, “Every time the Marquis goes there in person, they’re as scared as quails. But when we get there, they all hold their chins up, sip their tea, and act as arrogant as some big shots. It always makes me want to whip them until they cry for their parents!”
Before Li Yong could speak, the tent flap was suddenly lifted, and a personal guard rushed in, looking very panicked, shouting, "My lord, something terrible has happened! Someone has died on the drill ground!"
Fourth update delivered! My lovely fairies, don't miss it! It's the last day of the month, so please vote for this post! Also, please urge for more updates and leave positive reviews (likes or five stars). Love you all, group kisses!
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