Chapter 53 Next Visit
Three days later, Zhong Jing was finally ready to break camp and go back, and Zhou Hansheng was also about to leave.
Zhong Jing sent his confidant Zhong Lu to reward each of the cooks with three taels of silver. Zhao Liya, as the leader, was given five taels on the surface, but in reality it was three hundred taels.
The reason was that the food they cooked was delicious and everyone was very satisfied. To show how much he liked it, Zhong Jing even asked for the recipes for several other dishes, including twice-cooked pork, boiled pork slices, and crispy sour pork belly.
The cooks were all very happy and expressed their gratitude.
You have to know that in the past when they were serving, it was considered good if they could have enough food to eat and a place to stay overnight. There was no time when they didn't work themselves to death and still get nothing in return.
Not to mention the reward, I feel it is a great luck to be able to do easier work.
I didn’t expect that there would be a reward of silver this time, and it’s three taels!
Three taels of silver!
"This is all thanks to Xiaoya. We are all benefiting from Xiaoya's success!"
"That's right!"
Everyone laughed and nodded, convinced by this point.
Zhao Liya had decided on all the dishes, and she had told them how to cook them. They were just helping out. Not to mention, the dishes were filled with all sorts of seasonings, and they were truly delicious!
As a result, they have had a feast for their appetites these days.
Back home, who would be willing to waste oil, salt and seasoning like this?
Thinking about it, I'm reluctant to leave.
Zhao Liya said a few humble words and took the opportunity to say, "Aunts and sisters-in-law, we have made such a fortune, but please don't tell anyone when we return. I'm afraid someone will be jealous!"
Everyone's expression changed, and they all thought of the Gu family.
If the Gu family finds out, we might not be able to keep the money!
She had been planning to show off when she got back, but she was so frightened by what she heard that she broke out in a cold sweat and kept saying, "Thank goodness Xiaoya reminded me, otherwise it would have been really bad!", "Yes, yes!", "Then we all have to remember, don't tell anyone, just tell your own man, and don't tell anyone else in the family.", "That's right, you can't tell anyone!"
Zhao Liya also agreed, feeling satisfied.
There was no one in Yan Village who didn't dislike the Gu family, so she had to do this, slowly, little by little, to win everyone over to her side. Keeping a common secret would undoubtedly bring them closer together.
Before leaving, Zhou Hansheng finally found an opportunity to pretend to "meet" Zhao Liya by chance. Zhao Liya was very grateful to the golden thigh and had to step forward to talk to him.
Zhou Hansheng took the opportunity to remind him again: "General Zhong is an honest and trustworthy person. If you have any problems, remember to go to him. Don't worry about anything."
Zhao Liya nodded in gratitude: "If there is anything, I will naturally trouble General Zhong!"
Zhou Hansheng smiled again and said, "Next time I come, if I have time, I would like to go to Yan Village to take a look."
Zhao Liya immediately smiled and replied, "Mr. Zhou, if you don't mind, please come to our house. Our house is at the entrance of Yan Village, the first house you enter the village."
Zhou Hansheng was just saying this, so he smiled and nodded: "Okay, I'll definitely go when the time comes!"
Yu Gongcao came to pick them up. Seeing that they had completed their task well, General Zhong was not dissatisfied and was relieved, so he let them go back on their own.
Everyone was happy with money in their pockets, talking and laughing along the way.
Zhao Liya and Qu Yutao missed home very much.
"I don't know what's going on at home!"
"My parents, aunt, and brother are all here. They must be fine!"
"Um!"
The two exchanged a smile. With outsiders present, it was inconvenient to discuss matters concerning the sugarcane fields.
When they returned home, Zhao Xiang, Deng, Qu Guafu and others were relieved to see them come back and were all very happy.
We were worried that they would lose weight due to all the hardship they endured, but we didn't expect them to go and come back in perfect order, and they seemed to be in even better spirits, which surprised everyone.
Isn’t the food in this military camp too good?
After asking them in detail about their work, I finally felt relieved.
"General Zhong is such a good man! It's a shame that we live in fear every day."
"Oh, it means our daughter is blessed. She meets noble people whenever she goes out!"
"Haha, that's right, I think so too!"
The family chatted and laughed for a while, and the elders began to feel worried again, fearing that they had not had enough rest, and urged them to go and have a rest.
"The barracks are still barracks, no matter how well-maintained they are. How can you not be nervous when you're on duty? Now that you're home, relax and have a good sleep. I'll call you when dinner is ready."
"Yes, go to sleep peacefully."
Zhao Liya and Qu Yutao didn't actually feel sleepy, but the elders were too worried about them, especially their two mothers. It was as if they hadn't had a good night's sleep in a while. Their eyes were full of pity and distress. The two had no choice but to go to rest.
Qu Yutao first pulled Zhao Liya aside to talk alone, then placed the three taels of silver in Zhao Liya's palm and gently held her hand, saying with a smile, "Take this silver, sister."
"Can--"
"It's just living expenses for me and my mother! It's unexpected money, so I don't feel bad about giving it to you. You don't have to be polite when you take it, sister!"
These words were so blunt that Zhao Liya was speechless.
"Okay, I'll take it. You don't have to give me living expenses this year until after the Spring Festival. Also, sister, you have been helping me with work, and your wages are paid monthly. Don't be polite to me, sister."
If the Li brothers, the village head, Ruan Guishu and others work for her, their wages will still be paid monthly, which is fair.
Qu Yutao thought about it, then nodded and smiled.
The two daughters returned safely, and the family was filled with joy. For dinner, Mrs. Deng, Widow Qu, and Aunt Li Shiyi killed chickens, fish, and picked vegetables, busily preparing several delicious dishes. The two children, Zhao Lixiang and Zhao Lin, also helped by shelling beans and washing vegetables, and they were very busy and happy.
Hu Ling returned from Zaihu Village around 4 p.m. When he saw the elders' expressions, he knew that Zhao Liya and the others had returned safely. He was very surprised and happy: "My sister and cousin are finally back. We are all relieved!"
After all, it's hard not to worry about something like military service.
Mrs. Deng smiled and said, "That's right. You should take a break too. We'll have a good dinner tonight!"
Hu Ling grinned and nodded: "Hey!"
It's good that Xiaoya is back. I can talk to her about the workshop. Although she explained it very carefully before she left, it's their first time and they don't have much experience. They don't know if what they are doing is right. Everyone is a little unsure and afraid that if something goes wrong, it will ruin Xiaoya's business. She will go and take a look tomorrow so that everyone can feel at ease.
Deng and others prepared the meal, Zhao Liya and Qu Yutao also got up early, and the family sat together and had a lively dinner.
After dinner, Hu Ling talked about the things happening in Zaihu Village. Not only Zhao Liya was concerned, but Qu Yutao was also very concerned. Everyone would definitely go over to take a look tomorrow.
Zhao Xiang also asked a few questions about what was happening in the military camp, but knowing that nothing unexpected had happened, he stopped asking. After all, the military camp was a sensitive place.
Please, please ...
(End of this chapter)
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