The meeting with Li Lanzhen ended, but she kept Han Minghai behind.
"Eldest son, can you forgive your mother for handing over the grain shop in the capital to the second son's father-in-law?"
Han Minghai looked at his mother and gave her a simple, honest smile.
"Mother, what are you saying? How could your son complain about you?"
You must have your reasons for handing the shop over to Uncle Xue; your son won't blame you.
Sons always listen to their mothers.
Li Lanzhen nodded with satisfaction.
"You are in charge of managing all the businesses in our family's estate and shops."
But I think you should focus on Youzhou City.
"Isn't there a large estate outside Youzhou City? It must have over 1,000 mu of land, right?"
"Yes, Mother, that estate is very large, with over a thousand acres of farmland. It wasn't easy to buy it."
"It was thanks to my master's mediation that we were able to acquire that estate."
Han Minghai added hot tea to Li Lanzhen's teacup.
"Mother, you have no idea how wonderful that village is. It has mountains and rivers, and the soil is fertile."
It was a nice three-courtyard house, and it was kept very clean.
Li Lanzhen took a sip of hot tea. "Alright, I'll give this estate to you."
I've already spoken to Manager Hua and asked him to complete the transfer procedures.
I'll give it to you once it's done.
Look, how about we send your brother-in-law, Zhang Songshu, to manage that estate?
It's not good to have someone from our own village, especially since that village has over 1,000 acres of land.
"It needs to be managed well."
Han Minghai was about to decline, but seeing his mother's eyes, his eyes welled up with tears and he lowered his head.
He looked up again and said, "Mom, son, thank you."
Li Lanzhen smiled and gently advised, "You should also gradually save up some money. Yinan has now gone to the capital to be the Crown Prince's companion, and he will probably grow up in the capital. He still has a long way to go."
"Studying and getting married will both cost a lot of money in the future."
"Yes, Mother, I understand!"
Mother, you just said you wanted to open a furniture store in Youzhou City.
"Was it you who made me buy that two-story shop?"
"Yes, that's the shop. I've already completed the transfer of ownership and it's under your grandfather's name."
Consider this a gift from me, as your daughter, and you, as your grandchildren, to show our respect and filial piety to your maternal grandparents.
Han Minghai nodded repeatedly, "Of course."
Li Lanzhen smiled as she looked at her eldest son, who showed no sign of reluctance. "However, your maternal grandparents will split the profits 50/50 with me."
There was no other way, so I ended up splitting the profits 30/70 with them.
I think I should give 10% of my 30% profit to the Peach Blossom Spring Village Committee.
"Okay. Mother, you made the right decision."
Is there anything else I need to do?
You don't need to worry about this furniture shop.
I have explained everything in detail to your uncle and nephew.
They'll be setting it up in the next couple of days, and we can just go and attend when it opens.
Also, there's another shop, the smaller one, with a backyard.
I want to give this shop to your wife so she can open an embroidery shop selling the plush toys they make, embroidered purses and handkerchiefs, and other large embroidery pieces.
Yu Niang likes these things, and she's very skilled. Although the shop is small, she can make a lot of money if she manages it well.
"I won't plan the design of this shop for you. You've handled several shops before, so you should have experience. Go get the design plans yourself and do the renovations yourself, is that feasible?"
“Okay, Mom, let’s make a plan ourselves. If we encounter any difficulties or problems, we’ll come to you for advice.”
Mother, I thank you on behalf of Yu Niang.
Li Lanzhen patted Han Minghai's arm, signaling him to be quiet.
There's one more thing I'd like to discuss with you.
The grain shop in the capital was given to you, Uncle Xue, and the estate outside Youzhou was given to you and your father-in-law.
Now that it's his third son's in-laws' house, they can't just give him nothing; Mother has to treat them all equally.
Han Minghai nodded. "That's right. What are your thoughts, Mother?"
Li Lanzhen looked up and thought for a moment before saying, "I'd like to just give the general store in Youzhou City to my third father-in-law."
However, this shop cannot be divided 30/70.
I'd like a 40/60 split. Han Shunde gets 60%, and I get 40%.
Similarly, of the 40% of profits I received, I gave 20% to the village committee.
how are you feeling?"
“Okay, I agree with Mother’s decision. The products sold in the general store are all produced in our Peach Blossom Spring, as well as mountain products from the mountains.”
The villagers also sell their consignment goods at the general store.
According to the son, the family that left earned five or six taels of silver a year by consigning their goods at the general store.
...
The mother and daughter were talking in hushed tones in the courtyard.
Unbeknownst to them, Zhang Deshui had invited Xue Laohu, Han Zhaoxiong, and Han Mingjiang to a meeting at their home.
Of Li Lanzhen's three in-laws, Zhang Deshui is the oldest and is kind and gentle, so he is respected by both the older and younger generations.
He said he had something to discuss, so everyone went to his house and sat in the yard.
"Come, come, let's all sit down and talk while we drink some water."
Zhang Deshui took a sip of tea and got straight to the point.
"I called everyone here because I think we shouldn't always let Lanzhen worry about things for us."
We all heard it just now; she made arrangements for each family meticulously, taking into account our feelings and interests.
So I have some ideas too, let's discuss them here, we can't always let Lanzhen think about everything."
He glanced at Han Mingjiang and said, "Nephew, you are going to be a general to guard the southwestern border."
My great-nephew, we all saw what he said just now, and the long stick routine he performed.
This kid is a promising one, and I doubt anyone could persuade him otherwise. Keeping him confined here would be a waste of his talent!
What are your thoughts?
Han Mingjiang burst into laughter when he heard Zhang Deshui praise Han Yisong.
“He has this ambition, and I’m going to take him there. But I’ll have to go back and coax my wife a bit first.”
Xue Laohu opened his mouth, as if to say something, but then lowered his head and remained silent.
Zhang Deshui glanced at Xue Laohu and looked at Han Mingjiang.
“Nephew, your army has sent more than 100 people here this time. They all started from the bottom with you as greenhorns.”
You have feelings for them, and you can't bear to see them homeless, so you sent them here. And you know in your heart that your mother will never refuse as long as you ask.
But have you considered this? This time you'll be a general, with even more soldiers under your command. Every battle brings so many wounded. Do you really want to send them all here to trouble your mother?!
Han Mingjiang reached out and touched the back of his head. "Uncle, if this happens again, I won't bring them here."
I know I caused my mother trouble last time.
Zhang Deshui then asked him, "Have you ever thought about the fact that a battle will result in wounded or disabled soldiers?"
What should be done with these people? Some of them are homeless; how do you plan to accommodate them?
Han Mingjiang's expression was serious, his brows furrowed. "Currently, our Le Dynasty does not have any regulations or documents regarding the resettlement of wounded soldiers on the battlefield."
Zhang Deshui chuckled, "Look, nephew, I have an idea, what do you think?"
The training camp in the ditch behind us—they took your mother's advice and trained while growing grains and vegetables, and later they even raised so many chickens.
In this way, the problem of food, vegetables, and meat was solved.
What would you call it in your mother's words? 'Self-sufficiency'.
I think this model is pretty good. I discussed it with your brother Songshu, and he wants to go with you this time.
Go to the vicinity of your garrison, gather some people there, and have them grow grain and vegetables specifically for your army, and also raise livestock.
Wounded soldiers of the army can also be placed there.
What do you think of this idea?
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