All kinds of people living in Yuhua Lane, including unidentified persons, received two notices one morning in early summer.
The first is a time-limited eviction notice.
The new landlord did not want any rent, but only asked everyone to move out of Yuhua Lane within three days.
When the time came, all those who had not moved out, regardless of age, were violently expelled.
There isn't much else in the palace except for a lot of guards and thugs.
The second one is a recruitment notice.
If anyone is willing to work hard, can write and calculate, and has a special skill, please sign up at the entrance of Yuhua Lane in three days.
Working remuneration includes three meals a day and working wages.
Many people are tempted by the daily payment for three meals a day.
Of course, the people who are interested are not only the people in Yuhua Lane, but more importantly, the common people living in other lanes around Yuhua Lane. They either have a special skill, can do hard labor, or can do basic writing and calculations.
These people all plan to come early in the morning three days later to apply for the job. If they are selected, they can save a lot of food for their families just for three meals a day.
People who work eat a lot, and their daily rations are a huge consumption.
In the capital, those who do hard labor do not receive meals.
It's not easy to find a job that provides three meals a day. You have to know that they work hard to earn money just for three meals a day.
The employer's willingness to provide three meals a day meant that they could finally save some of their wages and didn't have to spend it all on food.
This morning, the residents of Yuhua Lane spent their time arguing over whether to move or not.
Some people have lived here for more than ten years, while others have only lived here for a dozen days.
It is not easy to find a house in such a good location and with cheap rent in Beijing.
Although Yuhuaxiang is not a very good place, it floods when it rains and backflows with sewage when it is sunny. The streets are always full of sewage, feces and urine, and it smells terrible.
Except for the time when the southerners set up a trap to cheat the Li family, Yuhua Lane was rarely clean for ten days or half a month.
Those were also the days when everyone lived a comfortable life.
Now that they are forced to move out of this place, many people are reluctant to leave and curse the landlord as a good-for-nothing.
We only have three days to move. What can we do in three days? Where can we move to?
What else can we say? Once the three days are up, we will be violently expelled.
"I just don't believe this new landlord is more powerful than Concubine De's family. The Li family can't do anything to us, so how can the new landlord really drive us out? I'll just stay here and see what they can do to us."
"Why do you think the new landlord wants to kick us all out? In the whole capital, besides us, who else is willing to rent here?"
"You don't want to drive us out and rent the house to those merchants to do business, do you?"
"Which merchant would be willing to open a shop here? Will anyone come to buy things here?"
"Ha ha……"
Everyone burst into laughter, and it seemed that everyone had reached a consensus and was determined not to move away.
However, the next day, someone moved out of Yuhua Lane with their luggage.
On the third day, more people moved out with their families.
By the time the three-day deadline was over, only a few households had not moved.
It was a sunny day. When the sun came out, dozens of strong men in tight clothes appeared at the entrance of Yuhua Lane, all led by Song Zheng.
Bai Zhong stood in front with a serious expression.
He asked the guy next to him, "Who else hasn't moved yet?"
"Sir, only these six households have not moved."
A list was handed to Bai Zhong.
Bai Zhong glanced at the list and ordered Song Zheng directly, "Kick everyone out. If there are any who resist, beat them hard."
He suddenly raised his voice and said to the onlookers, "From now on, if you don't follow the rules of Yuhua Alley when you're in Yuhua Alley, this will be your fate."
The whole place was silent. There were hundreds of onlookers, but no one said a word.
Song Zheng called out to more than ten or twenty people and rushed into the six households that had not yet moved out like wolves and tigers.
Scolding, cursing, cries of pain, crying, and the sound of sticks banging came one after another.
Immediately afterwards, pieces of broken belongings were thrown out from the door and windows.
Six families, about ten people, were escorted out of the house by the ferocious guards.
Bai Zhong's face was cold and his heart was cold. "I give you a quarter of an hour. Take your belongings and leave Yuhua Lane immediately. I will forgive you for what happened before. Otherwise, you and your belongings will all be left in Yuhua Lane as foundations. If anyone doesn't believe me, then try and see if I dare to bury you as foundations."
As soon as the words fell, the dozen or so people hurriedly picked up their belongings and crawled out of Yuhua Lane.
Immediately afterwards, a master carpenter who used to specialize in palace construction came into Yuhua Lane with a dozen craftsmen and began preparations for demolition.
These craftsmen were all obtained by Gu Jiu through tricking the Shaofu's steward and asking the Shaofu's Chief of Works to get them.
Free food and accommodation, plus high salary.
When the people in the Construction Department heard about the salary, many of them were willing to come and work.
Gu Jiu never refuses anyone who comes to him.
These craftsmen represent the highest level of architecture of this era.
They may be illiterate and unable to articulate a set of theories, but their experience is a thick encyclopedia of architecture.
As long as it involves construction, no matter whether it is building houses, bridges or roads, it is not difficult for them.
Today, these dozens of craftsmen were the first to arrive. Tomorrow, hundreds more craftsmen from the General Administration of Works would arrive at Yuhua Alley to completely renovate it.
Two tables were set up at the entrance of the alley, and the guys went to the front of the tables and started recruiting workers.
The people who came to watch the excitement immediately rushed to the two tables.
They have to work and they have to eat.
As for those who were violently expelled from Yuhua Lane, no one cared, let alone noticed.
Other people's stay or departure is not as important as your own job.
There was even a person who was violently expelled and then rushed into the team to work.
He needs to eat too, okay?
The waiter suddenly stood up and shouted, "We're hiring ten cooks and water girls. Anyone interested?"
As soon as the words fell, dozens of women rushed forward.
They even started arguing over who should go first.
You pull my clothes and I grab your hair, making a mess.
Song Zheng had to bring his guards and sticks with him to beat them one by one before the team could return to order.
This morning, Yuhua Lane was in chaos, some were happy and some were sad.
Bai Zhong left Song Zheng to supervise the construction site, and then hurried back to the palace to report.
…
In the palace, Song Zheng stood in front of Gu Jiu with his head bowed, reporting everything that happened in the morning.
After listening to this, Gu Jiu nodded and said, "Well done. Be soft when you need to be soft, and use tough measures when you need to be tough."
After a pause, she emphasized, "I've said before that the initial focus of this project is the wharf, the inner city river, and the model house. Whether the house in Yuhua Lane can be sold, and whether it can be sold at a high price, depends on your ability as a supervisor."
If you continue with the renovations as planned, perhaps by the time we run out of money, we still won't have sold a single house. What will we do then? We'll be left with nothing, and your role as a supervisor will be over."
Bai Zhong suddenly felt a huge pressure. "I will follow your instructions, Madam. But after building the model house, can we really sell it?"
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "Are you working on the model I asked you to prepare?"
"The craftsmen have been arranged and are working on it according to the drawings given by Madam."
"Do you know why I asked you to make a model? It's so I can sell it to merchants from all over the country, so they can get a direct feel for what the renovated Yuhua Alley will look like and what's around it. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
Gu Jiu handed over dozens of drawings to Bai Zhong. "This is the floor plan I made. The dimensions may not be accurate. You can discuss it with a few master carpenters. But the house you build must be the one I want."
Bai Zhong took the floor plan and bowed to receive the order.
As a supervisor, he had a lot of things to do. After getting the floor plan, he hurried back to the construction site to discuss with the carpenter.
Gu Jiu was not idle either.
Huang Zhuo and Rong Xin have already taken people to Jiangnan. Gu Jiu must send someone to deliver the second batch of silver to them in time.
Although she had a lot of money, she still needed to calculate it carefully. She wanted to spend every ounce of silver in half.
The maid Xiao Cui came in from outside, "Madam, the second young master and the second lady are back."
"Oh, you're finally back?"
When Ouyang Fu and the second young master left the mansion to live in a separate courtyard, they initially said they would be gone for a month.
Later, I guess he was so happy that he didn't want to leave, so he stayed for more than a month.
It was still spring when I went out, but now I have changed into light summer clothes.
Xiao Cui nodded. "We are currently discussing this in Chunhe Hall. Madam, would you like to come over?"
Gu Jiu put down what he was doing and said with a smile, "Of course I have to go over and say hello."
She brought people to Chunhe Hall and heard laughter from inside while still outside the door.
"Greetings, Mother. What are you so happy about? Second brother and sister-in-law, you are finally back."
Gu Jiu walked in with a smile.
Concubine Shen said cheerfully, "The first lady may not know yet, but the second lady's date this month has been postponed and has not come yet. The second lady did not dare to be careless, so she hurried back to the mansion."
Gu Jiu was overjoyed, "Really? Congratulations to my second brother and sister-in-law."
Ouyang Fu waved her hand, "It's still uncertain. Perhaps it's just another false alarm."
Concubine Shen was even more anxious than Ouyang Fu, "Don't talk nonsense. You must be pregnant this time."
Pei said calmly, "We are still a long way off. In a few days, we will invite the imperial physician to the mansion to check the pulse of the second son's wife. Then we will know whether she is pregnant or not."
Ouyang Fu bowed and said yes.
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, then stepped forward and held Ouyang Fu's wrist, but was actually secretly taking her pulse.
"Second sister-in-law, you must relax and eat and drink as you please. Don't be hard on yourself. Be careful with your activities during the first three months."
"The eldest lady has no children, but she knows a lot." After Concubine Shen finished speaking, she started to giggle.
Pei also stared at Gu Jiu's abdomen, feeling disgusted that Gu Jiu had not moved yet.
Gu Jiu let go of Ouyang Fu's wrist. His pulse was very weak, vaguely indicating a happy pulse.
Ouyang Fu smiled apologetically at Gu Jiu. Concubine Shen's words were sometimes really unpleasant to the ears, so she apologized to Gu Jiu on behalf of Concubine Shen.
Gu Jiu looked at Concubine Shen with a half-smile, "I am not an unlearned person. These are all the knowledge recorded in books. I am just speaking casually according to the contents of the books. Concubine, why don't you just listen to it and take it seriously."
Concubine Luo lowered her head and laughed silently.
Concubine Shen was furious that Gu Jiu actually mocked her for being unlearned.
Pei glanced at Concubine Shen calmly, then said calmly, "If the second wife is really pregnant, it's a good thing. The eldest wife, you should also hurry up and stop messing around all day."
Gu Jiu bowed and said, "I also want to hurry up, but the master is not at home, so I am powerless."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Shen laughed and said, "The eldest young master doesn't seem to be in a hurry at all. He hasn't returned home for months. Is the military camp that busy? Could it be that the eldest young master has a lover outside?"
After she finished speaking, she quickly covered her mouth and said, "Madam, please don't be offended. I just said it casually. Don't take it seriously."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Of course I won't take it seriously, but I'm afraid that if you take it seriously, you'll be unhappy."
Concubine Shen smiled awkwardly.
Pei was annoyed, "Concubine Shen, please be careful when you speak in front of the younger generation."
"My dear Princess, it's all my fault for not being able to speak."
Pei snorted, "Since you know you can't speak, just speak less in the future."
They parted on bad terms again.
Pei left Gu Jiu alone.
Gu Jiu sat still, knowing exactly what Pei wanted to say.
Pei's face fell, staring at Gu Jiu, and said, "It's true that the eldest brother hasn't returned home for a long time. But as a wife, you can't win over your husband's heart. This is your fault as a wife.
These days, I've noticed you're not worried at all. Don't forget you're the eldest daughter-in-law of the Prince's family, the wife of the Ning Wang clan. As a wife of the clan, it's your responsibility to carry on the family line.
It's been three years since you came home, and almost two years, and your stomach has been still. Is that reasonable?
"If the eldest brother doesn't come home, don't you know to send him a letter asking him to come back? In my opinion, the eldest brother's absence from home for months is closely related to you, his wife."
"That's what my mother taught me."
Gu Jiu was extremely respectful. Whatever Pei said was right, and Gu Jiu was determined not to conflict with her.
As for what Pei said, just listen to it. After listening to it, life will go on as usual.
Pei accused her of not fulfilling her responsibilities as a wife and that it was her fault that Liu Zhao didn't return home, but she didn't take it to heart.
Pei's face was stern. "Reflect on your actions after you leave. Don't wait until the Second Madam has given birth to her child and you still haven't felt any movement. If someone in the palace asks about it, I won't cover up for you."
"My daughter-in-law will remember my mother's teachings."
Gu Jiu bowed and took her leave, then returned to the East Courtyard to continue working on her money-making plan.
Having a child, winning over her husband, getting Liu Zhao back home—all of these were just empty talk. They were nothing compared to making money.
Besides, it is still a big question whether Liu Zhao is in the capital now.
Although no one has revealed any information to her, Gu Jiu is not a fool.
She vaguely guessed that Liu Zhao should have left the capital a long time ago.
…
Thousands of miles away is the capital of Beirong.
Late at night, the lights in Sifang Pavilion were still on.
Liu Zhao looked indifferently at the exotic beauty lying on the couch, wearing only a gauze, her body curves faintly visible under the light.
The beauty waved at Liu Zhao, "A single moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold coins, why are you still standing here?"
Liu Zhao remained indifferent and sat down on a chair beside him. "The princess is not in the palace, so why is she in my bedroom?"
This beauty is none other than the famous Princess Linglong of Beirong. She is in her twenties, extremely charming and exotic, and is known as a jewel of the Beirong royal family.
Princess Linglong's eyes were captivating, "Spring nights are short, my lord, are you really going to sit there and not come over?"
Liu Zhao looked at her coldly and without any emotion. "It's late, Princess, please go back."
Princess Linglong leaned forward slightly, revealing her proud figure under the veil.
"Don't worry, sir. I just want to spend the night with you. I have no other intentions."
Liu Zhao sneered, "No matter who instigated the princess to come here to use the beauty trap, I can only say that their efforts were in vain. If the princess does not want to lose face, she should leave here as soon as possible."
Princess Linglong was furious. "Liu Zhao, don't forget this is Beirong. Don't refuse a toast and then drink a forfeit. I am as beautiful as a flower, and I am willing to condescend to spend the night with you, and you are so ungrateful."
Liu Zhao's face turned cold. "You are just a mere Princess Beirong, from a barbarian nation, yet you dare to speak so shamelessly in front of me and claim to be condescending. Who gave you the courage?"
"Liu Zhao, you are so brave!" Princess Linglong stood up from the couch, with nothing covering her except a layer of gauze.
Liu Zhao snorted coldly, "With your beauty, Princess, you dare to use your honey trap on me? You are truly clueless. Go back and tell your master that if you want to use your honey trap, I prefer the Thirteenth Prince to you, Princess Linglong."
Princess Linglong was horrified and couldn't believe it, "You, you are gay?"
Liu Zhao raised his eyebrows, his eyes gleaming with evil. "This young master has always wanted to get close to the Thirteenth Prince. Princess Linglong, please take this message back. Someone, escort the princess back to the palace."
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
I recommend new books written by old authors under new aliases, the quality is guaranteed.
Title: The Divine Queen: A Manual for Training the Emperor
Pen name: Liuli Mo
Introduction: Ye Zhen, with unparalleled talent and beauty, and unrivaled wisdom, has attracted countless heroes to seek her hand in marriage. However, she has fallen for Su Xun, a man of humble origins, and helps him ascend to the throne.
In the bloody storm, she walked hand in hand with him, but she never expected that she would die at the hands of the person she loved most.
If you are heartless, I will give up.
After being reborn as a human, she transformed into a small charlatan in the underworld, cheating and deceiving people while flirting with handsome men all over the world.
As for the enemies who are high above you, tremble, wash your necks clean and wait patiently.
The emperor husband in the previous life pursued her relentlessly, "I am willing to give up this kingdom, just to ask you to look back at me."
The young marquis, possessed by the spirit of bad luck, kept pestering her, saying, "I am pleased with you and am willing to offer you the kingdom as a betrothal gift."
There is also the lingering Xuanmen Sect Master, "After a good training, she will definitely be a stunner in bed."
She covered the sky with her bare hands, squinted her eyes and sneered, then let's see who will control whom?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
