So, during breakfast, Lu Baichuan started to lecture the group, including Yu Shi.
It was one thing for the two elders to be foolish, but since Madam Yu didn't even warn them beforehand, they naturally got scolded together.
The others didn't refute, after all, if Lu Baichuan hadn't said it, they really wouldn't have thought of this. They were scolded and kept their heads down without saying a word.
Seeing their state, Jiang Jiuniang felt a little sorry for them and said, "Father, Mother, Sister-in-law, the main problem is that our Lu family is too prominent in the capital. If we are not careful, we will be targeted. They are just waiting for someone to be alone. If anything happens to anyone in our family, our enemies will be happy. So we must not let our guard down."
Madam Yu nodded repeatedly and said, "I know that my third sister-in-law is fine. The main thing is that things have been quite peaceful in the capital recently, and nothing has happened. We thought that those people wouldn't be watching us all the time, so we didn't pay much attention to it. Fortunately, we haven't encountered any danger along the way, otherwise I really don't know how to make up for it."
Although they brought many skilled fighters along the way, they still couldn't compare to the assassins' abilities, especially since Old Man Lu and Madam Sun were getting on in years and even the slightest bump or bruise could cause serious injury.
As the eldest daughter-in-law, she failed to consider these things, which was indeed her fault.
Jiang Jiuniang held her hand and comforted her, "It's alright, it's alright, it's just to remind you to be more careful next time."
Seeing Yu so remorseful, Sun felt bad too, since it was she who had insisted on not letting the family tell the third son's family the news, and the eldest son's wife was just doing what she was told.
"Eldest daughter-in-law, this is not your fault. I didn't think it through. Fortunately, we didn't encounter any danger this time. Let's not do it like this next time."
"Exactly, exactly, but this won't happen again!"
Old Lu chuckled to himself, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere, but was glared at by Madam Sun.
The matter was dropped, and at noon the whole family went to the city together. Jiang Jiuniang took Sun Shi, Yu Shi, and Old Man Lu to look at the shops, while Gou'er went with Lu Baichuan to the county government to settle things after last night's events.
After capturing the bandits, Magistrate Lu publicly explained to the people that it was all a scam by the bandits. He also gave compensation to those who had been cheated, based on the list provided by the owner of Xilailou, and then sent them back to where they came from.
People came with high hopes, only to find themselves penniless and told it was a scam, so naturally they were going to make a scene.
The city was in turmoil for a while, but it has now subsided, and people are able to go out on the streets as usual. However, the streets are still not very lively, especially compared to the streets in the capital, and even seem somewhat deserted.
Looking at the not-so-bustling street, Mrs. Sun sighed, "After all, this is a place that has experienced natural disasters. This street is even more desolate than when we lived here. Can our business still operate?"
Ms. Yu also felt that things were not going well and was very worried.
Jiang Jiuniang said with a smile, "That's why I didn't ask you to work with me in the first place. The situation here isn't good. Although we can still make money, we don't get much. Sometimes we even lose some. I'm doing this purely as a good deed, to give the people in our village a place to work."
"But don't worry, our shops in Qianzhou will definitely make a lot of money, which will completely make up for the losses here, and it will only be more than it is now."
Previously, many things were difficult to explain in the letter, and I could only give a brief overview, which led to some unclear statements. Now that we are face to face, Jiang Jiuniang wants to clarify any issues, since we are all family and she doesn't want to harm anyone.
Anyway, the money that Sun gave her is still usable. If they don't want it, she can return it all to them. After all, it was her idea in the first place, and she doesn't want her family to do a losing business with her.
"Third sister-in-law, please don't say that. This is our way of showing our goodwill. Since we've already decided to do it, we naturally won't be so calculating. In business, profits and losses are normal. We've never lost money doing business with you all these years. This time, we're even helping our hometown, so it's worth it no matter what. Besides, how can we share the profits and let you bear the losses alone? We're not that kind of person!"
Fearing that Jiang Jiuniang might misunderstand, Madam Yu hurriedly clarified their position.
After all, Jiang Jiuniang had briefly explained the reasons in her mind before, saying that they wouldn't make much money or even lose money. They had already prepared themselves mentally, so why would they back down at this time?
Sun glared at her and then said to Yu, "That's right, this is also our hometown. What are you saying?"
They've made a lot of money over the years, especially the elderly couple. They don't usually have anywhere to spend money. Every time they receive a dividend, they either save it or, as Jiang Jiuniang suggested, buy a house in the capital and rent it out to others, thus earning a rental income.
I have a lot of money now, so there's nothing wrong with taking some out to help my hometown.
Consider it a way of giving back to the land that nurtured them.
Jiang Jiuniang knew their intentions, so she didn't say anything more, since she thought the same way herself.
"That's true, but Changzhou is really in a slump. We should bring in more people so that this place can develop."
Old Lu looked at the not-so-bustling street and sighed.
Jiang Jiuniang nodded and said, "That's what I think too. Once our shops are all open, I will go to the government to cooperate and launch a big publicity campaign. I will ask the government to give merchants and people certain benefits and encourage them to develop in Changzhou. Once it develops, more people will be willing to settle here."
How can we help?
The Yu family was very proactive. They came this time hoping to help share some of the burden, since they couldn't let a pregnant woman do everything.
Jiang Jiuniang thought for a moment and said, "Why don't you go and talk to the government about the cooperation on my behalf, sister-in-law?"
Upon hearing that she would have to deal with officials, Madam Yu felt a little apprehensive. Although there were officials in her family and she knew quite a few officials herself, the people she knew were not arrogant and easy to get along with. But now that she was asked to deal with officials she didn't know, she was still a little nervous.
"Okay, we'll take care of this!"
These words were spoken by Ms. Sun, while Ms. Yu, standing beside her, looked completely dazed.
"Mother, you..."
Ms. Yu opened her mouth, but for a long time she didn't know what to say.
"What do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'eldest daughter-in-law'? What are you afraid of? I'll go with you!"
Sun patted his chest, deliberately trying to embolden Yu.
Jiang Jiuniang laughed loudly in triumph: "Then let's do it that way. I look forward to seeing how you two perform!"
Yu: ...
Given all that, what else could she say?
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