After a short rest in the afternoon, Jiang Yuzhu decided to take a walk in Ruyang County and secretly visit Fuguilou.
After leaving Beijing, Jiang Yuzhu occasionally stayed overnight in towns along the way, and experienced the customs and habits of various places.
Some officials are smooth-talking, some are upright, and some are passive and lazy, showing no achievements or faults.
This was the first time Jiang Yuzhu had seen a dog official like County Magistrate Cao, whose reputation was even worse than that of a rotten fish.
No wonder the people are so poor, their blood and flesh have been sucked clean by the corrupt officials.
"Yuzhu, blast the mountain to build a road and construct an official highway. This is the memorial my husband has drafted for his new position as Minister of Works."
Xie Zhao only made rough suggestions and had not studied them in detail.
The original intention of blasting mountains to open roads was to shorten the time that caravans traveling north and south spent on the road.
Some official roads are narrow, while others require going around the mountains, which can take several days and waste a lot of manpower and resources.
"If a smooth road is built to transport fruit from the south to the north every year, the loss of large quantities of fruit can be reduced. With less loss, the price of fruit will drop, and one day it will be on the tables of ordinary people."
Xie Zhao's original intention was good. At the same time, he suggested that before blasting the mountain to open the road, it was necessary to first survey and formulate a plan based on the surrounding geology and landforms.
In addition, the occupied farmland and forests should be compensated to the surrounding villagers and the people should be settled.
"Ruyang County received a document from the Ministry of Works in Beijing. The funds allocated by the Ministry of Works must have been embezzled by Magistrate Cao."
The compensation for the land, the cost of occupying the land, and the resettlement expenses for the people all added up to at least tens of thousands of taels of silver.
Magistrate Cao is so bold that he doesn't give a penny to the villagers!
Xie Zhao frowned and said seriously, "It seems that Magistrate Cao has supporters in the capital. Otherwise, how could a mere Magistrate like him conceal this secret?"
As they were talking, the couple quietly took their servants to the county and went straight to Fugui Building.
It’s 5 p.m., just in time for dinner.
The waiter at Fuguilou was waiting at the door to greet the guests. Seeing the unfamiliar face, he immediately stepped forward and said, "Dear guest, our Fuguilou is the best restaurant in Ruyang. If you come to Ruyang and don't dine at Fuguilou, it's like you've come in vain. There's nothing our chef can't cook, no matter what you can imagine!"
As the waiter spoke, he also told the customers passing by the dishes.
Some inexperienced people passing by for the first time were fooled into going in by the waiter with just a few words.
"Madam, our Fuguilou's health tea is the most famous. Drink a cup and your complexion will be rosy and ten years younger!"
After Jiang Yuzhu dressed up, her nasolabial folds and crow's feet were drawn on, and her complexion was not as bright as before, but she looked ten years older.
Ever since Xie Zhao got a pockmarked face mask, Jiang Yuzhu has had a sense of crisis. Since she couldn't buy a suitable mask, she could only figure it out through makeup, and she actually mastered the method.
When the painting became old, the maidservant around her could hardly recognize her.
Following beside Xie Zhao, who was wearing a pockmarked mask, Jiang Yuzhu remained calm and composed.
The young man's eyes rolled around with a gleam in his eyes. After thinking for a long time, he finally figured out the identities of the man and woman in front of him.
The old lady is young, well-maintained and dignified!
As for the pockmarked man following her, he should be her son since he follows the old lady's lead.
"You're just passing through here, right? It wouldn't be a bad idea to come to our Fuguilou. Your son seems quite interested, too."
After the young man finished speaking, he chuckled twice.
Jiang Yuzhu paused and almost screamed, what the hell is your son?
She looked at Xie Zhao's pockmarked face and suddenly remembered that she had put on makeup to avoid being seen.
Now that she was mistaken by the young servant for Xie Zhao's mother, she had no choice but to say sorry to her mother-in-law, Shen, in her heart.
"My son likes to eat eight-treasure braised duck. Does Fuguilou have this dish?"
There is a generation difference!
However, Jiang Yuzhu did not feel any burden in taking advantage of Xie Zhao and secretly winked at him playfully.
Xie Zhao had no choice but to stand aside and watch his wife perform.
When the waiter heard the fish was about to be hooked, he introduced it with all his heart: "Of course, when it comes to making duck, Fuguilou is the best. No one in Ruyang dares to claim second place!"
The young man bowed and nodded, led the way in front, and also stood sideways to receive guests, ensuring warm and thoughtful service.
If Jiang Yuzhu hadn't learned that Fuguilou's move was intended to cheat people, she would have even felt at home.
A restaurant with smart waiters and considerate service will definitely win the favor of customers.
"Sir, what is your name?"
The waiter specially asked someone to switch to a private room and invited the group into the room.
"Single word late."
Xie Zhao looked at Jiang Yuzhu thoughtfully, and then replied coldly.
Wanwan was the nickname of their unborn child, and Xie Zhao always kept it in mind.
The waiter had a strange expression for a moment, but quickly covered it up with a smile. He held the menu in both hands and said, "Mr. Wan, please order."
Xie Zhao didn't even look at him and pushed him in front of Jiang Yuzhu.
Jiang Yuzhu was not polite and ordered a table of dishes naturally.
She was not afraid that Fuguilou would cheat her. After all, she could get the money back. The main purpose was to taste the specialties.
"Mr. Wan, do you need more food?"
The young man hesitated and asked again.
Xie Zhao waved his hand, sipping his tea and said, "No need."
The waiter choked, then left with the menu and kindly helped the group close the door of the private room.
As soon as he came out, the shopkeeper winked and asked in a low voice, "Fat sheep?"
"He's a rich man, but unfortunately..."
The young man curled his lips and said disdainfully, "That pockmarked guy inside is just a yes-man. He has no ideas of his own and just listens to his mother!"
After marriage, obey your husband; after your husband's death, obey your son.
The old lady didn't bring any men with her, so logically, her son should have made the decision.
After hearing this, the shopkeeper shook his head and hummed a little tune, saying, "This is called filial piety. Who doesn't listen to their mother at home?"
The young man said speechlessly: "If you say so, then so!"
This mother and son are not like normal people.
As a bystander, the young man saw it clearly and always felt something was wrong.
The shopkeeper didn't care at all. They were in the business of welcoming customers, so they could encounter anything. He said suspiciously: "Maybe it's not the biological son, but a stepson. Maybe it's the servant of a rich lady, brought out to see the world..."
The young man spat out a mouthful of water and nearly coughed up his lungs. His face flushed red. "Boss, you didn't see the pockmarks on that young man's face. They say a son takes after his mother, but these two really don't look alike. They're definitely not biological children!"
As for the young men, most of them make a living by their looks, and it is still a bit difficult for someone with a pockmarked face to do so.
The door of the private room was ajar, and Xie Zhao was eavesdropping by the door while holding Jiang Yuzhu.
Jiang Yuzhu covered her lower abdomen with her hands and almost had cramps from laughing.
Mama's boy, stepson, prostitute, in just a short moment, her relationship with Xie Zhao had changed seven or eight ways.
Xie Zhao's back was tense, his fingers caressing Jiang Yuzhu's cheek intermittently, his eyes burning with anger. He held her in his arms and asked hoarsely, "Madam, is this fun?"
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