"I am just a lowly woman and I don't understand the intricacies of this matter. It would be better if Magistrate Yang went in person," Gu Lili refused.
Gu Lili understood that what those in power feared most was women participating in politics.
She has recently become quite outstanding, rising from a peasant girl to a county magistrate in just a few months.
Who knows how many people are secretly unhappy about it?
Gu Lili wasn't wrong about this matter. However, instead of being secretly unhappy, half of the court officials stood up to oppose it when the Emperor announced his intention to bestow the title of County Princess upon Gu Lili during the morning court session.
Everyone felt that when the plague was raging, the emperor had already bestowed upon Gu Lili the title of village head, which was already a great favor.
Although the discovery of new grain was commendable, everyone felt that a reward of some money would suffice.
There is absolutely no need to elevate a peasant girl like Gu Lili to such an extent.
However, the emperor still overruled the objections and wrote the imperial edict bestowing the rewards.
His Majesty believes that even if someone comes from a farming family or is a young woman, as long as they are talented and beneficial to the country, such a reward is nothing.
Magistrate Yang nodded and smiled, "Your Highness is too modest. If I were to say that you know nothing, I would be truly ashamed."
Magistrate Yang's words were not at all flattering.
These were all his heartfelt words. Gu Lili was only fourteen years old, and she was already quite remarkable for opening a popular restaurant in Donghai Town all by herself.
Moreover, Gu Lili not only came up with a method to treat the plague, but also discovered sweet potatoes and the harmful golden apple snail.
In short, Magistrate Yang never underestimated Gu Lili.
"You flatter me, Your Excellency. The journey to the capital is long. This is a self-defense item that I made myself. I would like to give it to you, Your Excellency. I hope you have a safe journey."
Gu Lili handed the two bottles of chili water to Magistrate Yang and then taught him how to use them.
As for the tranquilizer gun, Gu Lili felt it was best not to expose it to outsiders.
Magistrate Yang accepted the chili water and thanked Gu Lili again.
I decided right then and there that I would head to the capital tonight while it was still dark.
As for the reasons, Magistrate Yang had already come up with them.
That is to go to the capital to report on one's duties.
Magistrate Yang has served as the magistrate of Donghai Town for ten years, and it is almost time for him to report on his duties.
The matter in the rice paddies has been mostly resolved; the remaining trivial matters can be handled by Master Li.
When Gu Lili and the other two came out of the county government office, it was already time for dinner.
Because Magistrate Yang was in a hurry to tell Li Shiye what to do next, he did not invite Gu Lili and the others to stay for dinner.
Gu Lili looked at the familiar street scene and couldn't help but laugh.
The reluctant farewell this morning is still fresh in my mind, and after this trip to Tianning Town, I've come full circle back.
"Second Uncle, Chang'an, how about we go to Baiweixuan for a meal before we leave?" Gu Lili asked with a smile.
The two nodded hastily. They had already arrived at the entrance of their restaurant, and there was no reason for them to walk on an empty stomach any longer.
The three hit it off immediately, got into the carriage, and headed towards Baiweixuan.
It was just dinnertime, but the restaurant was already incredibly busy.
Even Huang Zhixiong and Gu Yunchu, who usually greet guests, were too busy to attend to the new wave of guests.
Everyone was busy taking orders from the customers.
Gu Yun Chu had just ordered her food and hadn't even had a chance to glance at Gu Li Li and the others when she was called over by a customer at the counter to pay the bill.
"Please find a seat, gentlemen. I'll be there shortly!" Gu Yun Chu glanced up briefly before quickly bowing her head to calculate the bill.
While doing the math, Gu Yun Chu had a vague feeling that something was off.
He felt that the three people's clothes looked strangely familiar, but the customers at the counter were in a hurry, so he didn't have time to take a closer look and rushed to settle his bill.
Seeing that Gu Yun Chu was extremely busy, Gu Li Li called out to Li Er Shu and Chang An and then casually found a place to sit down.
After Gu Yun Chu finished her work and saw the guests off, she quickly walked over to Gu Li Li and the others' table, carrying a pot of wine.
"Gentlemen, what would you like to eat... Sister! Second Uncle, Brother Chang'an, what are you doing here?"
Gu Yun Chu was speaking when he saw Gu Li Li and the other two smiling at him. He was so excited that he almost jumped up.
He knew it! Those people looked familiar, but he never expected them to be his older sister and second uncle.
When he finished his work at noon today, he was still talking to Zhang Dahua, wondering where Gu Lili and the others had gone.
Neither of them had ever traveled far from home, and after studying it for a long time, they still couldn't figure it out.
Unexpectedly, these three people would appear here.
"We had some things to take care of, so we turned back. Yun Chu, could you ask Da Hua to cook us a few dishes? We'll eat and then continue on our way," Gu Lili explained to Gu Yun Chu with a smile.
However, she did not mention the real reason for her return; it was better not to say, as there were too many people and too much gossip in the restaurant.
Gu Yun Chu didn't ask what was wrong, nodded, and ran excitedly to the kitchen.
Considering that Gu Lili and the other two still had a long way to go, Gu Yun Chu served them food quickly.
A platter of braised pork, pork intestines and blood curd, chicken and mushroom egg drop soup, and a plate of green vegetables.
"Sister, Second Uncle, Brother Chang'an, you guys eat first, I'll go in and get you more if you're not full." Gu Yun Chu plopped down on a stool and smiled at the group.
Now that I'm not too busy, I can chat with Gu Lili and the others for a bit more.
Once the three arrived at their own territory, they naturally didn't stand on ceremony.
After all that trouble, the three of them were indeed hungry.
These dishes are all great with rice, and they taste especially delicious.
"Yun Chu, hire a few more people. Once I return from Jiangdu, we'll open a branch." Gu Lili said, popping a piece of fatty intestine into her mouth.
The fatty intestines are soft and tender, and when paired with this hot pot broth, the spicy and numbing flavors make one's appetite even more whetted.
Gu Yun Chu nodded hurriedly and said, "That's what I thought too, sister. Do you know that people from several nearby towns actually come all the way to Donghai Town to taste our Baiweixuan restaurant?"
With just this one shop, Gu Yun Chu can earn dozens of taels of silver a day. If she opened a hundred shops, it would be unimaginable.
Gu Lili also had a plan in mind; opening over a hundred branches of Baiweixuan was rather unrealistic.
After all, she didn't know that many trustworthy people. However, she did make other food products and invite people to join her franchise.
All of this needs to be discussed in detail after Gu Lili returns from Jiangdu.
After finishing their meal and having some tea, Gu Lili and the others continued their journey.
Gu Yun Chu intended to watch the carriages of the group depart, but before she had stood at the door for long, guests arrived.
The visitors were two men, who looked to be about eighteen or nineteen years old.
But the sharpness in his eyes was chilling, making him seem like the kind of person who would kill without blinking an eye.
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