Chapter 117 Boldness
May your fortune flow like water, and your wealth surge like the spring tide.
Li Qu made a fortune.
The three-column accounting method is commonly used nowadays, which requires that the inventory of assets be based on the seal and voucher.
The basic formula for settlement is "inflow - outflow = surplus".
Initially, Granny Xu in Fanghua Garden used this method of bookkeeping to record the income and expenditure of Fanghua Garden.
After reviewing the accounts, Li Qu further divided the "income" into beginning balance and current period income.
This allows one to see the actual cash flow situation at a glance, both daily and monthly.
Unlike before, where finding out the remaining silver on a certain day required calculating backwards based on the current day's income and expenditure, this new system is no longer necessary.
Before Li Qu left at the beginning of the year, he sorted out the affairs of the third branch of the family in Hezhou.
Shops and estates were required to keep accounts according to this method.
The autumn accounting results show that the profit is 10% higher than in previous years.
Although it is unknown whether the extra 10% profit is directly related to the change in accounting methods, Zhou Jin said it is.
Huai Shi stood under the eaves and reported, "Third Master instructed that the extra profits be converted into gold to make some trinkets for Madam to amuse herself."
"Besides the roly-poly toy on the tray, there are some small animal-shaped hand toys in the small box, and some gold melon seeds on the top layer of the box."
"The lower level contains the remaining silver notes."
Li Qu looked at the Eight Immortals roly-poly toy made of pure gold on the tray and poked it with her finger.
"I'm rather lazy and don't like wasting time calculating the remaining silver on a certain day in the past, so I came up with this method."
"Does your third master know what to say?"
Huai Shi replied respectfully, "Third Master is discussing this law with the Accounting Department of the Three Departments."
Li Qu then opened the small box on the table and took out the exquisite little animals inside to play with.
“I looked at the accounts in the courtyard a couple of days ago and I was very puzzled.”
"For example, when the hospital purchased 10 gold coins worth of pepper, all the receipts and seals were complete."
"But if the person in charge actually purchased nine and a half gold pieces, wouldn't I be unable to verify it?"
“If I and the shopkeeper who sells peppers keep separate accounts, I record the amount spent on buying peppers in my account book, and the shopkeeper records the amount of income from selling peppers in the other's account book. Both parties have complete vouchers and the amounts are consistent.”
"If I ever suspect that the accounts are falsified, I can simply go to the other party, find the accounts recorded on the same day, and compare them with each other. Wouldn't that make it immediately clear?"
A flash of inspiration struck Kaiseki.
“What you say makes sense.”
Li Qu put down the small golden animal in her hand: "I am a woman, my knowledge is limited, and my thoughts are narrow."
"Unlike the gentlemen of the three accounting departments, who are more knowledgeable and far-sighted."
"To try and teach someone to use their limited skills is to make a fool of oneself."
Huai Shi bowed respectfully and said, "Madam is quick-witted and exceptionally intelligent; no one dares to laugh at her."
"You're making me blush with all the praise." Li Qu casually grabbed a handful of golden melon seeds from a box and gave them to Granny Xu.
Granny Xu carried it out with both hands and handed it to Huai Shi.
Huai Shi bowed and said, "Thank you for your generosity, Madam."
"Speaking of which, you and Huaiqiu both serve by Third Master's side. How many female confidantes does Huaiqiu have? How much wealth does he possess?"
Upon hearing this, Cui Guo's face turned bright red.
The maids couldn't help but chuckle.
Kaiseki lowered his head and smiled.
“Huaiqiu used to travel all over the country with his master, focusing on doing his job, and he had no female companions by his side.”
“Apart from his monthly allowance which was sent back to his parents, he kept all other rewards and honors for himself.”
"My lord is generous and has bestowed a fine reward, which will surely ensure that Miss Cuiguo will have no worries about food and clothing."
Before Li Qu could speak, Cui Guo snapped and pointed at Huai Shi, yelling, "Shut your stinking mouth!"
"Go back and tell that scoundrel that this lady is going to stay with the madam for life!"
"Make sure that scoundrel never shows his face in front of me again!"
"Otherwise, I'll give him a good dressing down every time I see him!"
After saying that, she raised her arm to wipe her tears and ran away.
That's right, Cui Guo didn't fancy Huai Qiu.
They disliked Huaiqiu for being stern and unsmiling, which they found frightening.
Li Qu waved away Huai Shi, and Granny Xu rolled up her sleeves to catch Cui Guo.
"What a temper! How dare he be so insolent in front of Madam."
The largest red fruit in Fanghua Garden is sixteen years old; the rest are all young.
Li Qu was not in a hurry for them to get married.
She was more concerned about today and what Kaiseki had said.
The three accounting departments are responsible for auditing financial revenue and are staffed with many talented individuals.
She only had a superficial understanding of modern double-entry bookkeeping, knowing only the basic concept.
But you can create a butterfly flapping its wings, propose a concept, and let professionals study it.
The progress of the times has never been driven by one person alone.
She wanted to subtly and silently accuse him of wielding his power.
Heaven has favored us.
When Li Qu got rich, everyone in Fanghua Garden got rich too.
After admiring Fanghua Garden, she took the tray of roly-poly toys to Shouan Hall.
Such a contribution to the progress of a certain field of the times cannot be kept hidden away and allowed to rot.
*
There are guests at Shou'an Hall.
When Li Qu arrived, laughter could be heard coming from inside.
Xueying entered the room with a smile and announced, "The Third Madam has arrived."
Then he went out to lift the curtain for Li Qu.
In the house.
When Xi Lingrou heard the words "Third Madam," her fingers, which were obediently fiddling with the forbidden belt at her waist, paused.
I looked up.
Then a pregnant woman with beautiful features, her black hair adorned with a gold and jade hairpin, and no earrings, stepped in, supported by her nanny.
A very casual, homey outfit.
Her gaze swept over the hand of the old woman she was supporting as she looked away.
But look at that slender, jade-like finger; the nails are pink and white, perfectly trimmed into an oval shape, and naturally without any nail polish.
A jade bracelet adorned her delicate, boneless wrist, striking and eye-catching.
Imperial Green.
Exclusively for the imperial palace.
But she wore it very casually.
Women nurtured by power are noble and desirable.
Xi Lingrou silently lowered her eyelids.
Her gaze fell on her fingers, which were adorned with delicate nail polish.
The corners of her lips unconsciously curved upwards.
He has a fondness for color.
And she just so happens to possess a beauty that rivals that of the legal wife.
The old lady and her second aunt, Zhou Yu, sat together on the VIP couch, with the second madam sitting on the VIP seat to her right and Xi Lingrou sitting to her left.
Li Qu bowed to the old lady, greeted Zhou Yu and the second madam, and then sat down opposite the second madam.
The second wife introduced her to Li Qu: "This is my cousin, a woman from the Xi family of Lanxi. Her maiden name is Lingrou. It's our first time meeting."
Xi Lingrou stood up and politely bowed to Li Qu, saying, "Third cousin-in-law."
Li Qu smiled and said, "No need for formalities, please have a seat."
They treated her as an ordinary person.
Xi Lingrou lowered her eyebrows and sat down.
There was not a trace of hostility.
The exchange was calm and collected; both sides knew what the other was thinking.
Seeing the golden roly-poly toy on the tray of hawthorns, Zhou Yu smiled and asked, "Third brother, you've found another nice toy for your wife?"
Li Qu then continued the conversation, telling everyone the story of the golden tumbler.
"It was quite a coincidence that we changed our accounting methods and ended up earning 10% more profit last year."
The second wife was very interested: "Third sister-in-law had her accountants switch to this method, and no one objected?"
The introduction of new regulations is always met with resistance from the old guard who are unwilling to change.
The larger the organization, the harder it is to implement new regulations.
"It certainly exists."
"How to break this?"
Li Qu served tea: "It's not a life-threatening matter, just changing the way we keep accounts."
"If even the maids and servants in my courtyard can learn it, wouldn't it be a laughing stock if they couldn't?"
Li Qu sipped his tea: "Before the managers delivered the accounts to the mansion, I told them to bring their assistants with them."
"Afterwards, I checked the accounts myself and instructed the nanny to personally train them in the new accounting methods."
"Sure enough, no one dared to say they couldn't learn it."
She was quite diligent in her work at the time, in order to lull Zhou Jin into a false sense of security.
"After that, I treated my deputies to a meal at my residence."
"Turning to the manager, the deputy said there was no difficulty in changing the accounting method. He asked the managers if they had any difficulties."
"The shopkeepers all said they had no difficulties."
"Since there are no difficulties, let's go back to work."
Zhou Yu smiled and waved her hand: "I hate these things about managing the household the most."
"If it were me, I would just have the third brother order this method to be used, and who would dare to disobey?"
Li Qu: "I heard from Huai Shi that Third Master is currently discussing this method with the people from the Accounting Department of the Three Departments, and it may be promoted and popularized."
Laymen watch the spectacle, experts watch the details.
The second wife said, "We will divide the 'entry' in the 'three-column method' into two columns: 'beginning balance' and 'current period income'."
"This forms the four pillars of 'balance,' 'income,' 'expenditure,' and 'surplus.'"
"The basic formula for settlement is: balance + income - expenditure = surplus."
“This method of my younger brother and sister-in-law can be called the ‘Four Pillars of Destiny Method’.”
She nodded: "Wonderful."
He immediately asked, "Since you are so good at accounting, why don't you help me with some of the clan's affairs?"
"Second Master's businesses are wide-ranging, and I also have to manage clan affairs, which is really tiring."
Li Qu refused, saying, "I came up with this method because I was too lazy to keep track of the accounts."
"I could never be as diligent as my second sister-in-law."
The second wife invited her again.
Li Qu waved her hand: "If you think this method is wonderful, Second Sister-in-law, you can borrow Granny Xu for a couple of days later."
The second wife smiled as she served tea.
The mistress of the house naturally had people eager to serve her, so there was no need for anyone to share the burden.
Having achieved his goal, Li Qu then became a guest of honor.
The second wife was busy, and after sitting for a short while, she took her leave with Lady Xi.
There was no one else in the room, Zhou Yu said frankly.
"Mother, this Xi woman is very beautiful. I'm afraid she won't be interested in Huai-ge'er."
“But she is of the same generation as my daughter, and there are very few people whose status matches hers.”
The old lady glanced at Li Qu, then picked up her tea and drank it herself.
"The Xi family of Lanxi produced three high-ranking officials and four ministers."
"Although it has declined now, its profound heritage remains."
"This woman is beautiful and gentle. If we were to agree to her based on seniority, it would indeed be difficult to do so."
Li Qu noticed the old lady's gaze but remained unmoved.
She knew what the Xi woman had done.
Cui Guo commented on him: 'Shameless!'
Looking for the cat at the entrance of Fanghua Garden early this morning!
'And what a coincidence, we ran into Third Master leaving home!'
'Pah!'
Now, they've come out to go on blind dates and dispel the rumors.
Zhou Yu added, "What a beautiful girl, sixteen years old is the prime of her life."
"If it weren't for the successive mourning periods, I wouldn't be unmarried to this day."
"Why don't we ask your older sister if she has any suitable ones?"
This wasn't a topic that interested Li Qu, so she stood up, bowed, and took her leave.
Zhou Yu was still muttering to herself.
"How about we ask Dad to help her find a good husband?"
"Such a beautiful girl is wasting her time if she doesn't marry into a wealthy family!"
The old lady waved her hand as Li Qu left.
"You don't need to worry about this."
Zhou Yu was still sighing.
"It's a pity I only have one son. People of her social standing would never allow her to become a concubine."
The old lady changed the subject: "I just got a bottle of Western liquor, would you like some?"
Zhou Yu immediately said, "Yes! Thank you, Mother!"
Having received the wine, she indeed forgot all about Madam Xi and immediately took her leave of the old lady.
Fine wine goes well with beautiful women.
She's inviting her girlfriends out tonight for a boat trip on the lake, to listen to music, and to enjoy some wine.
Shouan Hall fell completely silent.
The old lady let out a long sigh and smiled at Granny Rong.
"I am very curious, if the third son were to take a concubine one day, what would Li's attitude be?"
Granny Rong smiled and said, "The Third Madam knows what she's doing."
"What can a woman do if she knows the truth? Only a man can."
Granny Rong nodded.
A woman's victory or defeat lies with a man.
*
Zhou Jin was busy with official duties and had not returned home for many days.
The appearance of Lady Xi made Li Qu begin to think about whether the rules of the era could be resisted by one person alone.
Zhou Jin might be able to resist now, but what if he succeeds...?
If one does not have many offspring...
She frowned, realizing that she was making too slow progress.
Perhaps she should have been bolder.
He cultivates his own people directly within his regime system.
Once an idea is set, it should be implemented.
After that, she spent every day in the old lady's study at Shou'an Hall.
Items from the old lady's study cannot be taken out.
So during the day she would memorize information about relevant personnel and aristocratic families in the Southern Bureaucracy at Shou'an Hall, and at night she would write them down and review them from memory.
Thus, by the end of August.
Aunt Xun received a letter from Old Madam Lin.
She was greatly surprised when she read what Old Mrs. Lin had said in her letter.
*
September 1st.
There was a discussion session in Hezhou.
Aunt Xun went to Fanghua Garden to look for Li Qu, but found no one there.
Li Qu went to attend the Qingtan Conference.
Her brother-in-law was someone she secretly picked out by attending one discussion after another.
I still remember when Xiao Cong learned of what she had done, he patted her on the head and gave her a set of "The Four Books for Women".
*
A light drizzle was falling. Li Qu, wearing a veil, arrived at Yueyou Tea House at dawn.
As the autumn wind urges the leaves to fall, Granny Xu raises her hand to help Li Qu down from the carriage.
Huai Chuan arrived earlier to eliminate the danger in this area.
Currently, the teahouse has attracted a group of students.
Some were discussing the provincial examinations in August.
Some were discussing whether the palace examination could be held normally next year.
Li Qu entered through the north gate of the teahouse.
Enter the teahouse and go up to the private room on the second floor.
It went unnoticed.
Zhou Feng had been waiting for a long time at the entrance of the private room.
Upon seeing Li Qu approach, he quickly cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Third Aunt."
Li Qu: "If you give me the private room, where are you going?"
"Nephew, just lean against the railing and listen. Anyway, you don't really understand it; it's just a pretentious exercise."
Zhou Feng smiled obsequiously: "Please go inside and rest. Call me if you need anything."
"Please come in and sit down with us. The door is open, and there are servants inside, so it won't bother you."
Zhou bowed and said, "Very well, thank you, Third Aunt."
There's never a dull moment when Zhou Feng is around.
Before the conversation even began, he had already started talking about the type of tea they were having that day and then moved on to the weather.
Li Qu sat opposite him, listening to him with a smile. She poured him more tea.
Granny Xu stared at Zhou Feng with droopy eyelids, her expression unfriendly.
By the time Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the teahouse was packed with people.
The crowd suddenly erupted in cheers.
Li Qu peered down through the gap in the bamboo curtain.
An elderly man alighted from a carriage and was ushered into a teahouse by a crowd of people.
Zhou Feng chuckled: "My grandfather was the Education Commissioner of Hezhou. I forget which year he came from. He was sixth in the second class and is the host of today's discussion."
Li Qu looked at him.
He proudly puffed out his chest.
Li Qu: "What was your ranking?"
Zhou Feng was even more proud: "I entered officialdom through hereditary privilege, without having to take the exam."
Li Qu chuckled softly, and then suddenly the area downstairs fell silent.
She turned her head, her gaze falling on the first floor.
A cool breeze drifted in through the window, carrying wisps of tea smoke.
The host, Zhou Hong, spoke loudly.
"The Book of Rites says, 'A woman should not leave her home for ten years, and her mother should teach her to be gentle and obedient.' Yet today, even women in their boudoirs possess literary talent and refined manners. Do you gentlemen think that the saying 'A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent' should be regarded as the golden rule, or is it an outdated view?"
After a burst of discussion among the students, a young man stepped onto the stage, bowed to all directions, and introduced himself.
“A man from Yunzhou, surnamed Lu, named Yunzai.”
He said in a clear voice: "Yin and Yang are in order, and men and women are different. It is enough for women to be skilled in weaving and accustomed to food and drink. If they show off their talents, they will become arrogant."
"Gentlemen, observe this: Su Hui of the Former Qin Dynasty wove a palindrome on brocade, yet she could not escape the criticism of flattering the ruler; Cai Yan of the late Han Dynasty was highly talented, but she brought shame upon her father. A woman's lack of talent is the foundation of a well-ordered family."
Immediately, a young man dressed as a gentleman stepped onto the stage to refute him.
"Brother Lu's argument is rather rigid and inflexible!"
"Of the three hundred poems in the Book of Songs, half were written by women; the Zuo Zhuan records that Lady Xu Mu composed the poem 'Zai Chi' to save the country from peril. How could someone without talent have achieved such a feat?"
Li Qu's eyes lit up: "Well said!"
But then the young master bowed to all directions and said, "I am Cui from Xiyang. I am very polite."
"The Cui family of Xiyang".
The argument is still going on downstairs.
Zhou Fengyan said, "This man is somewhat renowned for his talent in Xiyang, and the Cui family is also a prominent family."
"Judging from their young age, they must have come here for their studies."
Li Qu picked up the cup and took a small sip.
Sons of prominent families are not easy to approach.
However, it's not entirely without a chance.
Downstairs, the young master of the Lu family said something.
Cui replied, “Brother Lu, you are mistaken! The Book of Changes says, ‘Kun is extremely still, and its virtue is square.’ Stillness is not foolishness.”
“Yu Xin’s mother, Xu, taught him the Spring and Autumn Annals, which is why Yu Lang was so talented in his youth. A talented woman is truly a blessing to the family.”
Lu Yunzai retorted: "Brother Cui only sees the benefits, but not the harms."
"Empress Dowager Linghu of the Northern Wei Dynasty was well-versed in the classics and history but disrupted the court; Jia Nanfeng was skilled in writing letters but brought disaster to the Jin Dynasty. Talent is a sword of wisdom, not something a woman should wield."
Seeing an opportunity, Li Qu raised her voice and said, "I have heard that 'without studying poetry, one cannot speak properly.' If we follow Young Master Lu's argument, wouldn't it be against the virtues of womanhood for Wenmu (the wife of King Wen of Zhou, Tai Si) to assist in the government and for Ban Zhao to continue the history?"
"And ask again, in Bao Linghui's 'Imitation of Green Grass by the Riverbank' and Zuo Fen's 'Ode to Separation,' is there a single word that violates the virtues of womanhood?"
People on the first floor exclaimed in surprise and looked up at the second floor.
"I once read the ten-volume 'Collection of Writings by Women of Ancient and Modern Times' compiled by Princess Yao, the daughter of Emperor Wu, the founder of the Great Qian Dynasty. Emperor Wu himself wrote the preface, saying 'Talent and virtue complement each other.' If 'lack of talent is virtue,' does that mean Emperor Wu also went against the teachings of the sages?"
The moment this question was posed, the outcome of the debate was already decided.
Lu Yunzai: "This..."
Zhou Hong slammed his fist on the table at the opportune moment: "Wait!"
"I have a question for you: Are all of your mothers illiterate?"
The room fell silent.
Zhou Hong: "Today's debate reminds me of the beautiful lines in the Book of Songs, 'Jifu composed a hymn, as gentle as a breeze.'"
"The debate between talent and virtue should be as clear as a gentle breeze and a bright moon."
"In my opinion, a woman's talent is like a bright pearl in a box. To hide it is to waste a precious gift, while to let it shine is to glorify the nation."
Loud cheers erupted from downstairs.
Li Qu looked at Zhou Feng and urged, "Quickly go and invite Young Master Cui over for a chat."
Zhou Feng was still reeling from the shock of his aunt being more talented than him.
Upon hearing this, his eyes nearly popped out: "This, this... Third Aunt, please reconsider!"
“Your voice at the discussion meeting was already a mistake.”
"If my third uncle finds out that you spoke up at the discussion meeting, it would be to introduce that Cui family son to us..."
He didn't say the rest, but his crying expression said it all.
Li Qu revealed a merciless smile.
"If you don't go and invite him, I'll tell your third uncle that you're the one who brought me to see this handsome man!"
Zhou Feng felt as if he had been sucked dry: "Third Aunt, why did you harm me!"
"Go quickly! If they leave, you'll be the one held responsible."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
