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As the Laba Festival approached, the military camp had a rare festive atmosphere. Yin Genjue Luo Shi and Qing Yan directed the women to set up pots and cook porridge in the open space of the training ground. Bowls of steaming Laba porridge appeared on the platform.
The soldiers training on the field smelled the fragrance in the air and couldn't help but feel the urge to complete their training mission as soon as possible.
Yin stood with his hands behind his back on the Crown Prince's platform, noticing the slight change in everyone's expressions. Some of the younger soldiers, during training, often turned their heads to look at the platform, and made quite a few mistakes on the balance beam.
"If you complete the training task quickly, you can go back to wash up and bring your food bowl to wait for dinner!" Yin gave them a goal, which immediately motivated them to work.
"!" The soldiers were instantly filled with enthusiasm, hoping to be among the first to eat Laba porridge, since Laba porridge was seen as a reward.
For those who have left home to celebrate Laba Festival, it is already a great kindness that Yinhe and Yineng thought of giving them Laba porridge.
"I wonder how things are going with Lao Shi! That careless guy should know to drink Laba porridge, right?" Yin was a little worried about Lao Shi. Lao Shi had been in the countryside for some time because of his petition for redress, and apart from the first few letters of reassurance, there had been no news in the past few days.
"There won't be any problems." Yin waved his hand. Qingyan had specially arranged for two managers from Linglong Pavilion to accompany him. When they went, they disguised themselves as Linglong Pavilion members going to negotiate business. Those spies in the south definitely wouldn't be able to tell.
Qingyan listened intently to the brothers' words. If his capable generals couldn't even handle this simple task, there was no need to say anything else.
"Fourth Brother, isn't Tenth Brother going back with us for the Lunar New Year?" Qingyan asked, frowning.
Yin turned around and watched as she handed the spoon to Su Lan, letting her continue watching the porridge.
"We should be able to get back in time. We have two more days before we have to head to the capital. Otherwise, if we encounter bad weather, we won't make it to the banquet on the 30th." Before the tenth prince left, Yin specifically instructed him that they must arrive at the military port by the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month at the latest. After a day of rest, they would embark on their journey back to the capital.
"Little darling, have you prepared everything for our return to the capital?" Yin asked.
"Everything is packed and ready, and the gifts are all prepared!" Yin answered on Qingyan's behalf.
Yin said helplessly, "I also prepared some things for Mother, but I think she might not like them!"
Consort Hui wished for her children to be by her side, but Yin had grown up and could no longer always be by her side, so she could only make up for it with these sounds and physical objects.
"Brother, go back and spend some time with Mother Hui," Yin quickly advised.
Yin also understood that if he had the time, he would prefer to bring Consort Hui to his residence.
"Fourth Prince, if we were to tell Father Emperor to let Mother stay at my villa in Changchun Garden for a few days, do you think that would be alright?" Yin asked, glancing at Yin.
After returning from the capital, Yin kept this idea to himself, hoping to get Yin's help. Yin's words carried more weight in front of Kangxi.
"Brother, Father is still alive, so the chances of this happening are slim!" Yin could only pour cold water on the idea.
Yin sighed. He wanted to bring Consort Hui to stay for a few days, as he wanted the whole family to live together. At Consort Hui's age, no one could guarantee whether she would live long enough to be taken away by her son.
“I understand. Mother is getting older, and I hope she can live like an ordinary person for a few days. These few days are the most luxurious thing for us!” Yin smiled bitterly.
Yin patted his shoulder and said, "After we return to the capital, let's try Changchun Garden. I also want to bring Mother to Yuanmingyuan Garden so that she can enjoy a couple of days of being an old lady surrounded by her children."
Outside the naval port, Lao Shi rushed back, covered in dust. He hadn't slept for three days straight in order to complete all the investigations as quickly as possible. On the way back, Lao Shi simply couldn't hold on any longer and closed his eyes to rest.
"Master, the Tenth Prince is back!" Erlu came in from the door and whispered in Yin's ear.
"Little darling, let's go to the entrance first. Big brother, I'm leaving this to you and sister-in-law!" Yin handed over the responsibilities here to Yin.
The two managers who went out with Lao Shi were genuinely discussing business. If those merchants who had moved away from the vicinity of Guangdong and Guangxi could come out of seclusion, they would definitely become Linglong Pavilion's greatest strength.
Those people had been in the business world for decades, so Qingyan instructed the managers to reason with them and appeal to their emotions, hoping they would come out of retirement to seek revenge.
"Si Si, if those people's condition is to take back their own businesses, how would you answer?" Qingyan specifically asked Yin, who had previously stated that the two managers must invite people.
"It's alright, I'll give it to you!" Yin sent a secret memorial to Kangxi, in which he wrote that if anyone wanted to reclaim their shop, he hoped that his father would provide support.
Emperor Kangxi approved the report, stating that all the shops that Yin had acquired had been taken back by Kangxi, and all the land deeds were sent to Yin along with the secret report.
"Really?!" Qingyan looked at the hermit in surprise. When did he do this?
Yin took them directly from his purse; he had put more than a dozen land deeds in the purse and always carried them with him.
She looked through each land deed and discovered that the locations were all prime shops!
"Old Ninth's son has a really good eye. These are all prime locations. No wonder you value those people." Qingyan realized that Yin might not have a knack for business, but he was good at controlling his servants.
He made more money by manipulating his lackeys than by doing it himself.
"Of course, Lao Jiu is good at business, but not at being a leader." Yin also had his own thoughts. He knew those people from his previous life, which was why he was able to find them accurately.
In his previous life, most of the people in Guangdong and Guangxi were used by the Eighth Prince's faction. A very few were recruited by him. It was those people who were able to provide the Fourth Prince with enough silver to get through the most difficult years of the struggle for the throne among the nine princes.
"Master, the two managers say they have something to report to you!" Zhang Desheng walked in from the door. Qingyan and Yin exchanged a glance, knowing that it was either good news or bad news.
"Go to the study!" Yin changed direction and led Qingyan back to his courtyard.
When Lao Shi saw Zhang Desheng approaching and informing him of Yin's orders, he quickly stopped Zhang Desheng.
"Fourth Sister-in-law is here too. I'd better go change my clothes. You can tell Fourth Brother!" The Tenth Brother was extremely tired and wanted to rest.
"Tenth Master, you should come with me. The master and his master have already gone to the study!" Zhang Desheng said tactfully. "I heard that Eunuch Su has already prepared hot water!"
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