Chapter 886 Chapter 886, Gift Giving
The timing of the Xiao family's arrival in Ganzhouwei was not very coincidental. They arrived near the end of the year. After arriving, Xiao Yeyang was busy patrolling and Daohua was busy picking up the crops. In the blink of an eye, it was the New Year.
After the Chinese New Year, we have to raise grain and deal with the refugee issue. After the refugee issue is resolved, we have to be busy with spring plowing. After all this time, the Dragon Boat Festival is here.
It was also at this time that Daohua had some free time and energy to think about foreign affairs.
Obviously, the Dragon Boat Festival is a good time.
The exquisite bamboo baskets specially customized and printed with the words "Xiao Mansion" were neatly placed on the table. Daohua took the list of officials from the garrison and compared it to make sure it was correct. Then she opened a bamboo basket and checked the contents.
Several strings of rice dumplings with various fillings, salted duck eggs in a bamboo box, a can of tea, a pot of rice wine, two bags of snacks, and several sachets.
Depending on the official position, the size of the basket varies, and the items inside also increase or decrease, but the number of items is the same.
After checking the rice flowers, he asked Guyu to send people to give gifts to the officials of each garrison: "Remember, don't send them to the wrong people."
Guyu nodded, called a few maids, brought the bamboo baskets to the gatehouse, and delivered them to the officials one by one according to the list.
Daohua pointed to the bamboo baskets on another table and looked at Deshou: "These are for the generals of the border army camp. In addition, I bought a few carts of rice dumplings from outside. You can pull them over so that the border soldiers can eat rice dumplings tomorrow."
Deshou smiled and agreed: "I will do it right away."
After all the gifts for the garrison officials and border troops were sent out, Daohua called Lixia and asked her to personally deliver the Dragon Boat Festival gifts to the Dong family.
After doing all this, Daohua went to the kitchen.
Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival, and Xiao Yeyang will definitely come back from the military camp tonight. She plans to make soup with the soft-shelled turtle and cordyceps she just bought to nourish him and her master.
Xia Mansion.
Xia Jianren was enthusiastically treating his staff to the rice dumplings and snacks sent by the Commander-in-Chief, and his intention to show off was particularly obvious: "I heard that Lord Wei did not send any festival gifts to the people in the Xiao Mansion."
The staff quickly complimented him: "Obviously, in Lord Wei's heart, you are more important than Lord Xiao."
Although Xia Jianren was proud in his heart, he still had some rationality and shook his head and said, "It's not that Lord Wei doesn't want to send it, but he is waiting for Xiao Yeyang to send it to him first, so that he can give him a return gift."
The staff member was stunned for a moment, seemingly confused.
Xia Jianren laughed. "Although Xiao Yeyang is the son of a prince, Lord Wei is the highest-ranking official in Xiliang. If he gives Xiao Yeyang a gift first, wouldn't that tell everyone that he's inferior to Xiao Yeyang?"
The staff member suddenly realized: "Your Excellency is right."
Xia Jianren then said quietly, "Why did Xiao Yeyang insist on staying in Ganzhou Guard instead of staying in the capital?"
He now realized that Xiao Yeyang would not leave for a while.
The staff did not respond to this.
In fact, in his heart, he hoped that Xiao Yeyang would continue to stay in Ganzhou Wei.
The people in Ganzhouwei are too poor and miserable. Only people like Xiao Yeyang who have status, position and assets can change the situation in Ganzhouwei.
Not to mention other things, just talk about high-yield grain varieties. If this can be promoted, so many people will definitely not starve to death every winter.
He has been paying close attention to Mrs. Xiao's transformation of the hillside. Seeing the green growing little by little in the transformed terraces, his heart is excited and thrilled.
You know, it was very difficult to grow anything on the barren mountains in the past.
It is obvious that the high-yield grain varieties brought by the Xiao family are drought-resistant and have low requirements for land.
There were too many people in Ganzhou Wei who were not able to eat enough. His life was only slightly improved after he became Lord Xia's aide. Thinking of the hardships of eating grass roots and tree bark when he was a child, his desire for Lord Xiao to stay became even stronger.
The staff member glanced at Xia Jianren. Lord Xia had been very kind to him and he was willing to assist him forever. However, Lord Xia had never suffered the hardships of the common people. He only considered his own interests and did not care about the people's food and clothing at all.
Why.
He knew that Lord Xia and Lord Wei of Liangdu did not want Lord Xiao to stay in Xiliang. They were afraid that if Lord Xiao stayed there, he would attract the attention of the court and be detrimental to their ruling position in Xiliang.
While the staff's thoughts were drifting away, Xia Jianren was thinking about the ranch he had sold.
Today, Qingyang Ranch is very lively, with herders coming there every day to inquire about grass seeds.
Seeing the pasture gradually turning from barren to green, and the increasing number of cattle and sheep in it, he regretted it so much that his intestines turned green.
Originally, the surrounding ranches were also being sold off, but after learning that Four Seasons Grain Store would sell grass seeds, all the ranch owners stopped selling their ranches.
He just wants to buy a ranch now, but there is no way.
Pastures used to be a burden, but now they are becoming popular.
Xia Jianren frowned and said, "Xiao Yeyang should leave Ganzhou Guard as soon as possible. I won't be happy for a few days after he comes."
The staff member glanced at Xia Jianren, lowered his head and said nothing.
At this moment, a servant came in and said, "Sir, the servants from the Xiao Mansion are here to bring you a Dragon Boat Festival gift."
Xia Jianren was obviously a little surprised. Xiao Yeyang had been in Ganzhou Wei for several months, but he had never eaten or drunk anything, and had never invited the officials of the Wei to eat. Fan Tong had talked about this a lot in private.
"Bring it here so I can see it!"
Xia Jianren looked at the bamboo basket brought by the servant with curiosity: "This bamboo basket is quite unique." As he said that, he opened the lid.
Although the things inside are ordinary, each one is very exquisite.
The plum blossom porcelain pot for wine is small and elegant;
The teapots are also engraved with beautiful designs with good meanings;
The embroidery on the sachet is vivid and very exquisite;
The bamboo box for salted duck eggs is also carefully designed.
Xia Jianren took a look at the unremarkable rice dumplings and snacks sent by the Wei family on the table. Compared with the Xiao family, the difference was immediately apparent. He even felt a little embarrassed for the Wei family.
The staff sighed, "The Xiao family is indeed worthy of being from a royal palace. They have seen many fine things. Even this ordinary festival gift is so elegant and beautiful."
Xia Jianren hummed, picked up a zongzi and handed it to his staff member. He also opened one for himself and took a bite. He regretted giving the zongzi to his staff member.
After living for decades, the rice dumplings from the Xiao Mansion are the most delicious ones he has ever eaten.
The taste lingers on your lips and teeth, with a long aftertaste.
Xia Jianren swallowed the soft, sweet, and fragrant rice dumpling. Seeing his staff staring at the contents of the bamboo basket, he immediately ordered them to leave: "That officer suddenly remembered that I have something else to do. You can leave first."
The aide did not leave immediately, but kept looking into the bamboo basket. The rice dumplings made in Lord Xiao's house were so delicious that he wanted to take two back for his mother and son to taste.
Xia Jianren understood the look in his eyes. If it were in the past, he would have given some, but today he was unwilling to do so. The Xiao family sent only a few rice dumplings, so the good things should naturally be kept for himself and his family.
But it would not be good to not give anything, so Xia Jianren took two rice dumplings sent by the commander-in-chief and gave them to his staff.
The staff's expression froze. To be honest, the taste of the rice dumplings sent by the commander-in-chief was not much different from those bought outside. At most, they were wrapped a little bigger. The taste was simply incomparable to the rice dumplings from the Xiao Mansion.
Knowing that Lord Xia would not give him the Xiao Mansion rice dumplings, the staff member could only leave with two rice dumplings in his arms with regret. He picked up the Xiao Mansion rice dumpling that he had taken a bite of and prepared to take it home for his mother to taste.
Fan Mansion.
After receiving the festival gift from the Xiao family, Fan Tong couldn't wait to open the lid of the wine pot. The fragrant aroma of the wine penetrated his nose. This man who loved wine gulped down the whole pot of rice wine in a few gulps.
Mrs. Fan standing next to her was speechless.
Seeing that the wine was gone, Fan Tong couldn't help but mutter, "Master Xiao is too stingy. He didn't even give me more wine. This small pot is not even enough to fill my stomach."
"With your alcohol tolerance, even a jar wouldn't be enough for you." Madam Fan walked over and snatched the wine jug from his hand. Seeing how delicate and small it was, she smiled and said, "Your daughter loves wine too. You can use this to fill her with wine in the future."
Fan Tong smacked his lips and said, "The wine in the Xiao Mansion is even better than the one sold in the Liang Family Tavern."
Madam Fan laughed and said, "The Liang Family Tavern is only a little famous in Ganzhou City, but Lord Xiao and Madam Xiao are from the royal palace in the capital. What good things haven't they seen and tasted? The things they have, let alone the Liang Family Tavern, even the Wei Family in Liangdu may not be able to compare to them."
"I'm warning you, the Xiao family has bought a ranch and renovated the barren mountain. It's clear that they intend to stay here for a long time. You are in the guard post, so don't go against Master Xiao."
Fan Tong curled his lips and said, "How dare I? Although Xiao Yeyang is young, he has a lot of skills."
"A few days ago, he was correcting a soldier's training movements. I wanted to take the opportunity to test his skills. Guess what? Before I even got close to him, he slapped me. My arm still hurts so much."
Mrs. Fan knew her husband had been feeling weak in his left shoulder for the past few days. She knew it was his own fault and was furious: "You deserve it!"
After saying this, he picked up the bamboo basket and was about to leave.
When Fan Tong saw this, he quickly grabbed a rice dumpling and a salted duck egg.
After Fan Tong tasted the rice dumplings and duck eggs, he quickly chased after Mrs. Fan. Then, before the Dragon Boat Festival, Fan Tong and his family ate all the food sent by the Xiao Mansion.
Dong family.
Liu Xiaoman smiled as she ate the red bean and red date rice dumplings: "Mom, my sister-in-law is so kind. She knows I like their cakes and they sent so many this time. I feel embarrassed."
Compared with other families, the gifts from the Dong family were much more substantial. Daohua also knew that the Dong family was having a hard time now, so she specially sent some extra food.
When Mrs. Dong heard her daughter-in-law's words, she sorted out the holiday gifts sent by Daohua and said with a smile, "Yiyi gave our family a gift, so we have to give something in return. I think the melon your father sent you yesterday is quite good."
"That's a specialty from the Hundred Households Office in Okayama. Yiyi probably hasn't tried it. How about giving her a basket?"
Liu Xiaoman nodded: "Of course, we can't just eat my sister-in-law's food. Mother, you can send it as you like. If my sister-in-law likes it, I will ask my father to send it."
Madam Dong smiled and nodded. "The gifts sent by the Xiao Mansion are all good things. It just so happens that there are more gifts for the festival. I will divide some of them up and send them to your parents so that they can have a taste too."
Liu Xiaoman smiled and said, "Thank you, mother."
Border military camp.
When several horse-drawn carriages loaded with rice dumplings drove into the military camp, the soldiers in the camp all rushed over to watch.
In the military tent, Xiao Yeyang was discussing the defense of Ganxuan Military Town with Cao Dan, Su Hongxin, and other generals.
After nearly three months of construction, the first military stronghold of Ganzhouwei has been initially completed.
Ganxuan Town is under full military management, and Xiao Yeyang is now working with the generals to implement various rules and regulations.
Hearing the noise outside, Xiao Yeyang glanced at Defu.
Defu walked out of the tent quickly, and after a while, he came in with Deshou.
"I pay my respects to my master and greet all the generals."
Xiao Yeyang stood up and asked, "Why are you here?"
Deshou smiled and said, "Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival. Madam asked me to come and deliver Dragon Boat Festival gifts to all the generals and soldiers."
Upon hearing this, the generals in the military tent were surprised at first, and then their faces showed joy.
These people have been stationed in Ganzhouwei for at least five or six years. In previous years, during the Dragon Boat Festival, the military camp would only have a meal with meat, and no officials have ever sent any festival gifts to the military camp.
A smile appeared in Xiao Yeyang's eyes: "Bring the gift in."
Soon, several servants came in carrying bamboo baskets.
Deshou smiled and said, "These are for the generals. They are all made by the mansion itself. The carts of rice dumplings outside the tent are for the other soldiers."
There are tens of thousands of soldiers in the military camp, and the servants of the Xiao Mansion alone cannot make so many rice dumplings, so they can only buy them from outside.
People in Xiliang rarely eat rice, and even less so glutinous rice. Therefore, the price of rice dumplings here is not low, and they are also a rare food for soldiers in the military camp.
Deshou continued, "Madam said that tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival, and we will let the soldiers eat rice dumplings as well."
Cao Dan was touched and stood up and bowed to Xiao Yeyang: "Thank you, sir and madam, for thinking of us soldiers."
When the other generals saw this, they also stood up and expressed their gratitude.
Xiao Yeyang stood up and helped Cao Dan up. "What are you doing? Without you guarding the border, there would be no peace in Daxia. You are heroes of Daxia. It is only right that my wife send you some food to express her gratitude."
Seeing the atmosphere was a bit heavy, Su Hongxin quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. He smiled and took a bamboo basket and said, "Everyone, come and see what delicious food Madam Xiao has given us."
Unlike the garrison officials, the border army generals had an extra piece of braised mutton in their bamboo baskets. Daohua knew that the soldiers had big appetites, so she packed the rice dumplings a little bigger.
Defu and Deshou received Xiao Yeyang's signal and hurriedly distributed bamboo baskets to each general.
The soldiers didn't have so many rules. After getting the bamboo baskets, everyone opened the lids and started laughing and talking.
Seeing his men in a mess, Cao Dan looked at Xiao Yeyang with a wry smile.
Xiao Yeyang shook his head, indicating that he was fine. He took the lead in picking up a zongzi and started eating it: "Everyone, try it."
Immediately, a quarrel broke out in the military tent.
“This wine is really good!”
"What's so good about wine? This braised meat is so refreshing."
“I think zongzi is the best.”
"I prefer salted duck eggs."
"It's gone in a flash. I think the sachet is the best. Next time I go home, I'll give it to my wife and daughter. They'll be so proud when they wear it."
"Oh, stop arguing, I like them all."
Xiao Yeyang returned to the Xiao Mansion from the military camp after dark.
Knowing that he would be back tonight, Daohua and Gu Jian were waiting for him to have dinner together.
In the dining room, Daohua was setting the table. Seeing Xiao Yeyang come in, she greeted him with a smile. As soon as she got close, Xiao Yeyang hugged her tightly and kissed her hard.
"What are you doing?!"
Daohua quickly opened her eyes to Xiao Yeyang. Seeing that the maids had all turned their heads away, she felt a little uncomfortable. She glared at Xiao Yeyang fiercely and whispered, "Master will be here soon. If he sees you being so disrespectful, watch your back."
When Xiao Yeyang saw Daohua blushing, the smile on his face deepened.
Daohua glanced at him sideways and looked at the maid at the door: "Go and invite the old man to come for dinner."
Soon, Gu Jian arrived.
Gu Jian glanced at Xiao Yeyang: "Are you happy today?"
Xiao Yeyang smiled and said, "My uncle really has a keen eye." Then he looked at Daohua and said, "There are a few troublemakers in the army. I was worried about how to tame them. I never thought that the few carts of rice dumplings you sent today would win them over."
Hearing this, Daohua's eyes curved with laughter: "Really? The generals in the army are really simple and honest. It seems that I will have to prepare gifts for them during the festivals in the future."
Gu Jian also smiled: "It's not easy for soldiers to guard the border. They will naturally support whoever treats them well."
(End of this chapter)
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