Chapter 30: The face-saving project must be done well!
"Nothing!" Old Master Tai changed the subject and said, "Third brother, I'm going out of town with the eldest brother and the others to transport ice tomorrow, so I'll leave the house to you. Making money is secondary, we just need to make sure everyone doesn't get into trouble. We don't know anyone in the city, and we wouldn't be able to handle it if something really happened."
"Don't worry, Lao Liu, just go ahead and get busy. Even with my old bones, I can still keep an eye on these brats. Anyone who dares not work hard, who dares to cause trouble, I'll take care of them!"
Mr. Tai San patted his chest so hard that it made a loud noise. His wrinkled face smiled even more deeply.
After dinner, Tai Jizu and Tai Jiye assigned sleeping places to everyone.
There are fifty or sixty people in total, and providing food and accommodation is a big project.
Fortunately, the hard times have lasted for a long time and no one is picky anymore.
It’s enough to have hot porridge to eat and a warm kang to sleep on.
The side rooms of the neighbors on both sides and the east room of the broken courtyard can accommodate more than a dozen people. It is warmer to sleep close to each other.
I have to say that Tai Jiye is indeed suitable for doing business, and his brain is much more flexible than that of ordinary people.
Today, he followed Manager Min to the county government office and several wealthy families and ordered more than 200 ice sculptures.
After much thought, he decided that the county government office should be placed first.
It's not just about currying favor, it's also in the best interests of one's own family.
So, when everyone else was asleep, he pulled his brothers and nephews to continue playing in the yard.
Zhuzhu was so lively that she insisted on going out to help.
Yang Lihua was afraid that her daughter would be cold, so she held her in her arms and comforted her, while her hands were still busy with needlework.
When Grandpa Tai saw this, he carried his granddaughter on his back, walked around the main hall, and told the fat girl old stories.
Soon, the fat girl was yawning on her grandfather's shoulder...
Everyone was busy until late at night. After barely closing their eyes and sleeping for an hour, it was already dawn.
Tai Jiye got up and was about to run out, but Yang Lihua pulled his sleeve.
"Wait a minute, Third Brother!"
Yang Lihua took out a new coat that she had sewn last night, a pair of black cotton boots, and a small hat.
"Try these on first. You'll be out and about a lot, and you wouldn't want to be neglected by the servants who look up to you for your attire."
After saying that, she took her daughter out.
Tai Jiye was very happy. His jacket and trousers were actually not bad, but they were ruined when he was beaten a few days ago.
I didn’t expect my sister-in-law to be so thoughtful!
In the main room, the old man, Mr. Tai Sanye and others were assigning today's tasks. Suddenly, they saw Tai Jiye coming out in new clothes, and their eyes lit up.
"Oh, when our Jiye is dressed like this, he really looks just like the stewards of those wealthy families!"
Mr. Tai San nodded and praised, which made the others follow suit and were very envious.
Zhuzhu lay on her mother's shoulder, clapping her chubby little hands, and her big eyes curved like crescent moons while smiling.
"Uncle San is so handsome!"
She stretched out her arms as hard as she could until she was held in her uncle's arms. She watched the gray mist on his head turn white, and she felt even happier.
"Uncle San gets rich and eats meat!"
The little kid clenched his little fists, encouraged his uncle, and finally gave him a kiss.
Tai Jiye was so happy that his nose almost bubbled. He carried his niece and ran around for several laps. Finally, he handed his niece to his sister-in-law and made a promise with high spirits.
"Wait! Uncle San is going to discuss business and earn you a fortune!"
After saying that, he walked out.
Mr. Tai asked, "Are you not leaving after dinner?"
"No, Dad! I've made an appointment with Manager Min to have morning tea. You guys go get some ice first. I'll leave a few good guys at home. I'll be back later to take you to the county government office. Let's show off!"
Tai Jiye waved his hand and ran away in a hurry.
Old Master Tai laughed and scolded, "You little bastard, now that you've grown up you've become so arrogant that you don't even know your own last name!"
"What's your last name? Of course it's Tai!" Third Master Tai glared at his old brother and said, "Don't try to follow the old folks' advice. 'No talent without discipline, no success' is all bullshit!
"Our Jiye is smart, don't let him make you stupid! This time he can help the villagers have enough food to eat, but next time he might be able to make a fortune and sell land to build houses!"
Old Master Tai was naturally happy that his son had made great progress, but he knew his son too well. If he didn't discipline him like this, he was afraid that his son would immediately become arrogant!
Soon, after everyone had breakfast, Tai Jizu led most of the clansmen out of the city.
There are no soldiers to help this time, so everyone has to put in real effort to chisel the ice.
Tai Jizong actually brought four of his best craftsmen to wait at home.
Since there was not enough ice at home to carve large pieces, they carved small things like lotus flowers.
Fortunately, Tai Jiye came back in less than an hour and shouted to everyone to move the two lions that were roughly formed last night onto a cart and pulled them to the front of the county government office.
There were originally two stone lions in front of the county government office, which were five feet tall and very lifelike and majestic.
But no matter how majestic they are, they won’t glow at night.
So, when Tai Jiye was chatting with the clerk of the etiquette office of the county government yesterday, the first promise he made was to give him two ice lions for free and put them in front of the door!
In this way, it is not only brighter when people come in and out at night, but also more grand.
Of course the clerk was happy. Everyone likes things that don't cost money.
Besides, whether the money is spent or not is decided by the pen in his hand, so it is very convenient for him to pocket a few taels of silver.
At this moment, as soon as the two ice lions, which were the same size as the stone lions, were taken down, they attracted the idle runners in the yamen to watch the fun, and even a dozen passers-by came together.
Tai Jizong and several craftsmen had never seen such a scene before, and their hands holding the tools were shaking.
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