Tong Wenyao saw Xiaohua's confusion and explained, "I brought them back from the county." Xiaohua then squatted down and loaded the potatoes onto the cart. After she finished her instructions, she went to the medicine store to sort out the herbs. Her second uncle and his men had taken two-thirds of the herbs to the border, and now there were still some herbs left, which she would sort out. As for the pills, she also sent some to Aunt Meng in Yuguan County, and gave a small portion to Uncle Du in Changzhen Village.
The most commonly used herb was sage, which was in high demand because it was used to treat the epidemic. Fortunately, the epidemic in Yuguan County was under control. The flow of people in and out of the city also increased. However, although the epidemic had been resolved, they were still in the suburbs and had to be fed and watered, which worried Ji Shikang.
Even though a notice was issued saying that everyone could receive one or two taels of silver when they returned to the south, there were still very few people who went back. Seeing the confusion on Lord Ji's face, Jiang Zhubu said, "Sir, I will tell my subordinates to reduce the amount of rice porridge by half!" Yesterday, news came from Dongsai City that food should be transported over. Previously, Lord had transported 600 kilograms of food to Cangzhou. Now that the border needs food, Lord cannot refuse to give it. Otherwise, there will not be enough food on the border, and the soldiers will not have the strength to fight. If the city gate is breached, then their Yuguan County will be the next to go.
They are now almost on the same boat with the border areas, and they prosper and suffer together.
At this time, the soldier outside came in trotting and said, "Sir, the border is urging us to send food over."
After hearing this, Ji Shikang said, "Reduce the porridge tomorrow by half, and announce that there will be no free porridge in three days. Let them get the money and go back to the south, or find a job to support themselves."
Jiang Zhubu quickly agreed and said, "Sir, if they find a job here, should we re-register them?"
Lord Ji thought for a moment and said, "First, write the household registration by hand. After the spring, if they still stay, we will register them." Upon hearing this, Chief Clerk Jiang clapped his hands and said, "This is a great idea, Lord. After the spring, we can register them and save them some taxes."
Seeing that Jiang Zhubu had spoken out what he was thinking, Ji Shikang glanced at him. Jiang Zhubu also realized that he had spoken out of turn, and hurriedly reached out and gently slapped himself on the face, saying, "It was my fault for speaking out of turn, I deserve to be beaten."
Ji Shikang didn't want to look at him anymore, so he waved his hand and said, "Alright, you can go down first."
“Hey!”
Taking advantage of the good weather, Tong Wen Yao took Xin'er and Wen Jiang to Changzhen Village, accompanied by Xing'er and Dongzi. Originally, she planned to go alone, but Xin'er insisted on coming with her. Seeing that Wen Jiang was in a bad mood these days, she took her to Changzhen Village to relax. She planned to stay here for a while, plant potatoes and corn, and then return to Changjiang Village. By then, the rubbing workshop should have been built!
After arriving at Changzhen Village, Tong Wen Yao picked up Wen Jiang and got off the carriage. Then she picked up Xin'er. They were now at the door of the ceramic workshop, which was full of noise. Wen Jiang coughed and looked inside with curiosity on her face.
Tong Wen Yao also wanted to know what happened inside, so she took the two of them in.
As soon as she entered, she saw two or three servants confronting several other servants, both sides arguing fiercely. Tong Wenyao couldn't see the face of the person sitting at the table with her back to him, but she didn't recognize the person opposite her. Uncle Du hurriedly invited her in after seeing her coming and said, "Young Master, these two are here to see you, but these past few days, the people under your command have been arguing back and forth every day."
Tong Wenyao frowned and asked, "Why don't you let them go out?"
Uncle Du said, "The man in blue is the one you asked to stay on the 15th. The other one is Manager Zhang from Yiqing Pavilion." Uncle Du had heard from Dongzi before that when the Hongmen Banquet was held, the owner of Yiqing Pavilion went to the Tong family to congratulate, so Uncle Du didn't want to offend him. The other person was the one who was said to come on the 15th, and it seemed that he wanted to discuss a big deal, so Uncle Du adhered to the principle of not offending both sides and let them quarrel directly in the yard. They quarreled for more than two hours every day these days, and then the two would leave again!
As soon as Shopkeeper Zhang saw Tong Wen Yao coming, he immediately stood up and walked towards her. The attentive look on his face was completely incomprehensible to her.
"Oh, Wen Yao, you're such a busy person, how come you only have time to come now!"
Tong Wenyao smiled and nodded. "Manager Zhang, how come you have time to come to my humble abode?" He said, "I saw the cement you made in the county, so I came to you to cooperate with me!"
The person standing behind Shopkeeper Zhang heard this and said directly, "I believe Miss Tong will choose a better one!"
He walked out from behind Shopkeeper Zhang, holding a fan in his hand, his eyes tilted upwards, giving people a sense of charm! Tong Wenyao remembered that this Mr. Rong was the one who held the Hongmen Feast in their family last time! She didn't expect him to be here now! She thought he had returned to the south.
But come to think of it, there was an epidemic in the south before, and now it has been resolved, so he might be going back soon!
Rong Zhi said, "Miss Tong, if you cooperate with me, you can take 30% and I'll take 60%!" Uncle Zhang snorted coldly after hearing this, "You have no sincerity at all. It's hard for you to debate with me these past two days." After saying this, he looked at Tong Wenyao and said, "Wenyao, uncle is willing to split it 40% and 60%!"
Tong Wenyao hadn't figured out what kind of business they were going to do yet, so she asked, "What are you two going to cooperate with me on?"
Shopkeeper Zhang said, "Wen Yao, last time you mentioned the house-building business, I want to cooperate with you." Rong Zhi heaved a sigh of relief after hearing this. Although he also wanted to cooperate with Miss Tong to build a house, the journey to the south was too far and it was difficult to transport bricks there, so he decided to do the cement business.
Tong Wenyao finally understood that the two of them were not on the same page, so she said, "Why don't you two go to the study and have a detailed discussion?"
After hearing this, Rong Zhi said, "Since Miss Tong is busy today, I will leave first and come back tomorrow!"
Tong Wenyao nodded. Ever since she asked what kind of business they were doing, Zhang had told her. However, Rong Zhi was not as impatient as before. It was obvious that the business Zhang was discussing did not involve him! That was why he was so calm and composed.
Tong Wen Yao looked at Uncle Du and said, "Uncle Du, please see Mr. Rong off for me." Rong Zhi was a little surprised to hear her call him Mr. Rong. They hadn't seen each other since their last meeting in the hall. He didn't expect Miss Tong to still remember his name. It was really a surprise.
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