Young Master Lin stared at the woman on horseback as she rode away into the distance before turning back and saying, "She's the one who set up Tianxiang Tower right under your noses?"
Huang Changsheng was a little embarrassed: "Yes, Brother Shen and I are both soft-hearted people. We thought that since she had never run a restaurant before and didn't know the rules, it would be fine. It would be more lively for everyone if there was one more restaurant in Qili County."
But to our surprise, this woman from a military household used all sorts of tricks and stole the spotlight from our families.
"It's probably not as simple as just stealing the spotlight!"
Young Master Lin tapped his folding fan in his palm and sat down at the table in what he thought was a very dashing pose.
Huang Changsheng immediately stepped forward to pour tea, as salt-free tea is now popular in Qili County.
He'd been drinking it for so long and had gradually gotten used to it. He had to admit that drinking a light, refreshing tea in the summer was much more comfortable.
However, this young master Lin, who had just arrived in Qili County, was not used to it. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and frowned, saying, "It's bland! Why is Boss Huang drinking plain water!"
Huang Changsheng explained: "The weather is hot, so the tea soup has a strong and intense flavor..."
Young Master Lin waved his hand: "It's fine if you don't want to drink. Tell me the important things about that military household girl! What does she look like? How old is she? What is her marital status?"
Huang Changsheng was about to bring up the fact that Song Liyun was a shrew in Suijin Town, but before he could speak, he heard Young Master Lin ask about her age and marital status. This... was an important matter.
He couldn't help but take another look at Young Master Lin.
Young Master Lin's name is Lin Qingyuan. He is twenty-three or twenty-four years old. His grandmother was the former Princess of Nanyang. Although she has passed away, she left behind a substantial estate. Several of his uncles are also officials in various places.
Lin Qingyuan's father was the second master of the family. He did not hold an official position and only ran a business at home.
The Lin family owns more than ten shops in Pingyang Prefecture, several estates outside the city, and businesses in other places. In particular, they have a close marriage relationship with the Qi family, the imperial merchants in Hecheng.
Lin Qingyuan was an illegitimate son born to his father in his old age. His concubine was beautiful, and this son was also born with good looks.
He usually idles away his time, relying on his family's wealth and power; he's a complete playboy.
These days, refugees gather, the city gates of Pingyang Prefecture are tightly closed, and a curfew has been imposed in the city. It is inconvenient for Lin Qingyuan to wander around the city, and he cannot go out of the city to the manor to relax. So he found an excuse, took his maids and servants, and came to Qili County to avoid disaster. He stayed at Zuichunlou.
Huang Changsheng was well-informed. As soon as Young Master Lin moved in, he found out about his family background and learned that he was a nobleman from the prefectural city. So he served him diligently every day.
Seeing Huang Changsheng remain silent, Lin Qingyuan said impatiently, "I'm asking you a question! What does this military household woman look like?"
"Alas! Young Master Lin also knows that these military households have to work in the fields and train every month. They all come from poor backgrounds. Even if Song Liyun can run a restaurant, it's just some petty cleverness."
Young Master Lin frowned: "I asked what the military household woman looked like. Why are you bringing this up? What's a restaurant compared to that? My family owns three restaurants. Just tell me what she looks like."
Huang Changsheng thought with disdain: "No wonder he's a spoiled brat born of a concubine. He can't even understand what I'm saying. Like begets like. If you want your daughter to be beautiful, at least one of her parents must be outstanding. What kind of outstanding girl can a family of peasants produce?"
But he couldn't say this to his face, so he flattered him, saying, "In these remote and impoverished places, there are no beautiful women. They are just average-looking, not even as good as a hair on your head compared to you, sir."
Lin Qingyuan touched his face. He was aware of his appearance and was known as the "Number One Young Master of Pingyang Prefecture".
Hearing that Song Liyun was only of average appearance, he was immediately disappointed: "Never mind, how old is she? Is she married?"
Huang Changsheng knew this, and since Song Liyun was dressed and styled like an unmarried girl, she looked delicate and young, so he casually said, "She has just come of age and is not yet married."
Lin Qingyuan tapped the fan handle in his palm again, then felt utterly bored: "It's raw and tasteless, like plain water!"
Huang Changsheng's face instantly changed color: Young Master Lin is delighted with another man's wife!
This flavor is unique!
Once Song Liyun left the city gate, she rode at full speed. She had been traveling this road for over a month, and her horse, Juqing, could find its way home even with its eyes closed.
If she has any urgent business, she doesn't need anyone to pick her up or accompany her.
After arriving in Suijin Town, Song Liyun did not go home, but went directly to the garrison.
Luo Baihu was sulking in his office when he yelled at Wang Zhong, "Look at those cowards in Xuanwei Army! They're all talk and no action. They're useless in battle, but they're good at jumping around."
"If you can't do it, get out of the way and give me your seat. I'll slaughter them all!"
Wang Zhong drank his tea and ignored him.
The arrangements for marching and fighting are made by those above. Besides, the duty of a garrison is to guard a certain place, and it cannot be arbitrarily deployed.
Luo Baihu paced back and forth in the room: "If the Crown Prince oversees the country and makes up for the previous rations and pay, will the Zhenbei Army have an easier time in the future?"
Wang Zhongdao said, "Things will get better eventually; at least the military pay won't be withheld anymore."
Although the crown prince was in charge of the country, the real power was still in the hands of those important officials.
The grain and provisions that were previously swallowed up have long been devoured by others, and officials from various prefectures have caused the Zhenbei Army no small amount of trouble. How can the grudges of these years be wiped away in one stroke?
Even if the crown prince had just assumed the regency, he would still need to gradually sort things out.
In any case, it's always a good thing that the crown prince can oversee the country.
As the two were talking, a soldier announced that Miss Song had arrived.
Luo Baihu's eyes lit up: "Let her in."
Song Liyun brought three hundred taels of silver, one hundred taels of which was the money for the mutton these days, and the other two hundred taels was the profit that she would split 50/50 with Song Liyun after deducting costs.
Wang Zhong was all smiles. Tianxianglou had started making a profit just half a month after he took over, and now he had earned several hundred taels of silver.
Luo Baihu was overjoyed; with silver in hand, he could do whatever he wanted.
Currently, more than a dozen soldiers from the garrison have applied to settle in Suijin Town and are waiting for him to arrange their resettlement.
Increasing the number of military households is entirely beneficial to the Suijin Guard, as family members accompany the soldiers, thus stabilizing morale.
When people arrive, they need a room first.
In addition to the dozen or so courtyards in the town, Luo Baihu also needs to clear land and cultivate some new land.
Now that we have money, we can speak with more confidence.
After Song Liyun and Wang Junxu counted the silver, they smiled and said, "Lord Baihu, Lord Jiang said that Tianxianglou needs to pay him one thousand taels of silver next month."
Luo Baihu was stunned for a moment, but he didn't fly into a rage as Song Liyun had expected. He simply nodded and said, "Understood! He'll have to come to me first if he wants money."
His expression was calm, but his voice sounded like it was being squeezed out from between his teeth.
Seeing that there was nothing to say about the money, Song Liyun continued, "The Wan family wants a hundred sheepskins."
"Getting the sheepskin is easy! I'll give you an answer in five days." Luo Baihu immediately perked up and patted his chest to guarantee it.
Now, the Wuda tribe has specially herded a flock of sheep to graze along the Huangsha River. If you want a sheep, just say the word, and they will slaughter it on the spot.
It's easy to get sheepskin, but it needs to be sent from the tribe.
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