Zhao Xian didn't speak, but listened attentively, hoping that Yang Hong was telling the truth.
"But I'm a useless person now, unable to go out and earn money, and I don't want to burden my brother-in-law or embarrass him. When I saw the playing cards you made, I had an idea."
When I got home, I thought about making playing cards and putting them on the market. People don't have many things for entertainment and leisure these days, so playing cards should be easily accepted, and that way I could make money.
After Yang Hong finished speaking, his eyes lit up as he looked at Zhao Xian with excitement.
Zhao Xian was very pleased to see that Yang Hong had such ideas. If he devoted himself to studying business, he would surely be a master in the business world.
"It's rare that you have such a good idea. Making playing cards will definitely have a large market. Now you can design the playing cards more exquisitely based on what I make, and more people will like them."
"When we get back, I'll give you a hand and help you get the production and sales of playing cards done well."
"Thank you, brother-in-law. I'll think about this carefully when I get back and design some exquisite playing cards."
Li Xue, who was playing cards nearby, said, "Why wait until we get back to design it? We can design it now."
After designing it, I went back and started making it. I ordered a hundred sets to take back to the capital for my father to play with.
You'd better hurry; you absolutely must finish making the playing cards before I return to Beijing.
After Li Xue finished speaking, she had the guards take out one hundred taels of silver as a deposit and give it to Yang Hong.
Yang Hong dared not accept the hundred taels of silver and quickly waved his hand.
“This time, just listen to me. If the playing cards you receive are better than those made by the Registrar, I’ll pay you an extra hundred taels of silver. I hope you won’t disappoint me,” Li Xue said.
Two hundred taels of silver for one hundred decks of cards—that price was outrageously high. Zhao Xian, of course, knew Li Xue's intentions.
Once Yang Hong accepted the money, there was no turning back; he had to do everything in his power to make the matter a success.
“Take the deposit. I believe you can make even more exquisite playing cards that will satisfy the princess,” Zhao Xian said.
Since Zhao Xian had already spoken, Yang Hong had no choice but to silently accept the silver.
"Princess, rest assured, I will definitely design and produce exquisite playing cards that will not disappoint you," Yang Hong solemnly promised.
Yang Hong knew in his heart that although he didn't know many characters, it wouldn't prevent him from designing exquisite playing cards. Moreover, with Zhao Xian's help, he was sure to succeed.
As he pondered this, he leaned on his cane and slowly walked towards the room to begin designing the playing cards.
On this day, the boatman told everyone that they had entered the territory of Zhengyang County and estimated that it would take another half a day to reach Yingkou Town Wharf.
I'm finally home. This trip took a full month, which was pretty much as planned.
The group had lost interest in playing cards and began packing their belongings to disembark.
A month ago, when they set off, the weather was still a bit cold, but now it's very warm, and spring has already arrived.
The group stood at the bow of the boat, gazing into the distance. They could already see the dock filled with people, who were probably there to welcome them.
The merchant ship finally docked, and everyone disembarked and walked onto the pier. Magistrate Cao, representing the government, had been waiting on the pier for a long time.
"This time, the Princess and the Registrar traveled a long way to the western plains to rescue slaves, eliminate evil and quell rebellion, and have returned victorious. Congratulations!" Magistrate Cao said.
"Magistrate Cao is too kind. Everyone contributed to the successful suppression of the rebellion in Yuanxi, and Magistrate Cao also made an important contribution in this operation."
Magistrate Cao was very pleased with Li Xue's words, and he wanted to invite Li Xue to rest at the county office.
"No need, Your Excellency, I'd better go back to Narcissus Village first; there are still some things to take care of there," Li Xue said.
Just then, a joyful voice came from the crowd: "Yang Hong, you're finally back alive! I don't have to die anymore, haha!"
The crowd looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was Xiao Kui who was speaking. Although the government had not imprisoned him, he was now surrounded by several guards.
Magistrate Cao turned his head to look at Xiao Kui and said coldly:
"Xiao Kui, don't be too happy yet. Yang Hong has been saved, which means you've saved your head, but you'll still be punished."
After Magistrate Cao finished speaking, he looked at the guards beside him. The guards obeyed and immediately took Yang Hong away.
At this moment, Yang Hong's parents, Yang Dahai and Sun Shi, also arrived. When they saw Yang Hong, they were filled with mixed emotions of sorrow and joy, and went to greet him.
“Hong’er, you’re finally back. I thought you were dead.” After saying this, Madam Sun hugged Yang Hong and burst into tears.
Having not seen his mother for several months, Yang Hong noticed that Sun Shi had aged considerably, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness, bursting into tears.
Seeing that the two had stopped crying, Zhao Xian went forward to comfort them, and the mother and son stopped crying.
"Xian'er, you've worked so hard to save Yang Hong this time. It's taken up so much of your time and affected your business," Madam Sun said.
“We’re all family, it’s too formal to say that. It’s better that you’re back. Yang Hong also said that you should live a good life and take care of your parents after you come home. Mother, don’t be sad.”
After a brief stop at the dock, the group boarded a waiting carriage and bid farewell to Magistrate Cao.
Yang Hong followed Yang Dahai and Sun back to Yangjiawan; he still had important things to do.
The playing cards have been designed; now we need to make them as soon as possible and send them to the princess.
Two hours later, the group finally returned to Narcissus Village. The village entrance was crowded with people welcoming them, including the village head and Li Guang.
It was already afternoon, and dinner was just around the corner. As soon as they arrived at their doorstep, they smelled a familiar aroma.
The aroma of delicious food wafts from the kitchen; it's been so long since I've had home-cooked meals.
Yuanxi's family knew about what had happened long before the chef and his two companions returned.
It turned out that on that day, after receiving news from Yuanxi from Qing'an Prefecture, Magistrate Cao sent someone to Shuixian Village to tell them that the matter in Yuanxi had been resolved, Yang Hong had been rescued, and the group would be able to return in a few days.
Sure enough, a few days later, the three chefs returned in a carriage. Only then did the family learn that Zhao Xian and the others had returned by boat and would not be home for another two or three days.
Li Xue ate dinner early tonight and returned to the inn early afterward. The inn had hot water, so she wanted to take a nice hot bath and then have a good night's sleep.
After dinner, Zhao Xian didn't rush to rest. His family wanted to hear him tell them about the strange and interesting things that happened on his way to Yuanxi.
Although the chef had told them this two days ago, they still wanted to hear Zhao Xian say it himself, feeling that what Zhao Xian said would be the most authentic.
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