Chapter 23 (replacement)
It's already late April, but the rain suddenly started and it's still a bit chilly.
Su Qing glanced at the merchant ship again and whispered a few words to the dock clerk.
Sure enough, an hour later, the dock clerk reported: "It is indeed a merchant ship from the Ye family, and it is indeed Young Master Ye himself who has arrived."
She said that the Ye family's ships were exceptionally magnificent this time.
The last time this young master Ye came, he asked them for grain.
Now that all debts have been settled, what brings you here this time?
Gu Congsi seemed to remember something and asked, "You said last time that he gave you a gift, what was it?"
When did you say that?
"The time we delivered medicinal herb seeds during the Lantern Festival."
Su Qing thought about it for a while before she remembered this.
More than three months have passed, how could Gu Congsi still remember?
But it's just a gift.
It was indeed sent.
Seeing that Su Qing did not answer, Gu Congsi frowned.
There is something he cannot know.
Su Qing only said to Constable Wu, "Keep an eye on the Ye family's movements and see what good deals they have up their sleeves."
It's fine to do business elsewhere.
If she were in Nanjiang County, she would need to know.
However, in the following days, Ye Shanming only met with Zhang, the wealthy man who had succeeded Wang, and inspected his department store.
It is said that they brought many novel and interesting things, which attracted wealthy people in Nanjiang County to buy them.
Seeing that he wasn't making any moves, Su Qing stopped paying attention and focused her energy on the medicinal herb field that was about to be harvested.
The first crop of medicinal herbs can be harvested on the sixth day of the fifth lunar month from the 9,000 mu (approximately 667 hectares) of medicinal herb fields.
They continued to collect the goods bit by bit until May 29th.
After the harvest, we can continue planting other medicinal herbs. Seedling cultivation will continue, and then we will count the number of new medicinal herb fields.
After Yu's men finished inspecting the medicinal herb fields, many farmers regretted not planting medicinal herbs themselves.
But it's okay, if we missed the first batch, we can plant a second batch.
Luo Hufang was speaking happily, but Su Qing reminded him, "We need to pay more attention to the ratio of staple food to cash crops."
"We can't stop growing grain just because we can make money from medicinal herbs."
"If there are such farmers, persuade them as soon as possible. If you can't persuade them, take them to the yamen (government office)."
There was nothing Su Qing could do; the military wasn't keen on planting medicinal herbs, and Su Qing worried that the scale wasn't large enough and the military wasn't paying attention.
If we plant too much and stop planting grain, it will shake the very foundation.
The right balance must be struck.
Su Qing finally understood what her grandmother meant: don't expect to solve the problem once and for all, and there is no such thing as a permanent solution.
Their position requires them to constantly solve problems.
Because of this mindset, she is the person least afraid of accidents.
Luo Hufang immediately obeyed the order and would not allow such a thing to happen.
Most farmers are not confused.
They knew perfectly well that only by surviving their hunger could they have the energy to earn other money.
On the contrary, several landlords in the county were eager to take advantage of this and wanted to force their tenants to grow medicinal herbs.
Fortunately, Su Qing's decree arrived, putting their minds at ease.
After several rounds of handling, the farmers in Nanjiang County were all convinced and satisfied.
"Tomorrow is the first harvest of medicinal herbs from the official fields," Su Qing said. "The government officials will definitely be there."
"Notify the managers and doctors of the seven pharmacies to go together."
Several pharmacies knew about this and made preparations in advance, including preparing tables, chairs, utensils, offerings, incense, candles, food, acrobatics, actors, and so on.
Everyone knows this is a great opportunity for them to make their fortune, so they must pray to the gods and Buddhas for good luck.
The sixth day of the fifth month in the second year of Yongsheng.
Su Qing led the way, with Gu Congsi following behind, and the others either clearing the way or accompanying them, all heading towards the official fields.
Mei Niang also led Zhu Niangzi and others to see what was going on.
The days of harvest are naturally incredibly pleasant.
As for the official lands of Nanjiang County, they were reorganized during the time of Magistrate Su.
The tenants who stayed here were all hardworking and willing to work.
Now that Su Qing has taken over the management, they are somewhat unwilling to be asked to grow medicinal herbs as well.
Despite their reluctance, they handled things beautifully.
Fortunately, we now know that the military logistics officer Yu has already agreed.
They were just waiting to receive the money, so naturally they had nothing to say and were overjoyed.
When Su Qing arrived, the owners, doctors, and their families from the seven pharmacies had all arrived.
Su Qing looked over and immediately spotted the eldest son of the Ye family in the middle of the crowd. He was still holding a folding fan and waving it at her.
"What's he doing here?" Gu Congsi was clearly dissatisfied.
Ye Shanming walked over directly and said with a smile, "This humble servant greets the female county magistrate."
"My family has a partnership with the Nie family, one of the seven major medicinal herb families, hence this arrangement. We hope the government will continue to provide assistance in the future."
While explaining Gu Congsi's question, Ye Shanming kept looking at Su Qing.
Su Qing seemed unsurprised, nodding slightly. After listening to the Nie family manager repeat himself, he said, "Since I've invested in your pharmacy, there's nothing more to say. Be careful, and if anything happens, come to the yamen to find me."
The manager and doctor of the Nie family nodded repeatedly, breathing a sigh of relief.
He only knew medicine and was not good at business; otherwise, he wouldn't have ended up at the bottom of the seven pharmacies.
He never got to experience any of the good things before.
The Ye family's offer to collaborate with him, though sudden, was exactly what he wanted, as it would allow him to expand his store while also eliminating the hassles of running a business.
Now that Su is in charge of things again, I can finally rest easy.
Ye Shanming raised an eyebrow, seemingly unaware that the words were directed at him, the out-of-town businessman.
However, Su Qing's attitude made the locals very happy.
When they are in charge, they side with their own people.
Some people even stopped being hostile towards Ye Shanming and no longer regarded him as a threat.
"Thank you." Ye Shanming deliberately lowered his voice.
Su Qing pretended not to know and instructed his subordinates to arrange the harvest.
The musical troupe arranged by Ye Shanming, as well as the incense and candle offerings, also came in handy.
On the official fields, officials, tenant farmers, and onlookers alike watched with great interest as the medicinal herbs ripened.
I'm not saying anything more!
A great find!
On such a fine day, let's hurry up and collect the medicine!
"These medicinal herbs are plump and beautiful. After harvesting and processing, they will become excellent wound medicine."
"That's wonderful! I never expected that our Nanjiang County would be so suitable for growing medicinal herbs."
"The crops were good this time, and all the pesticides were harvested. Many farmers are now willing to plant pesticides in the second half of the year. Village chiefs and neighborhood leaders are all discussing planting more pesticides."
These pharmacy owners could make a considerable profit simply by earning money from buying and selling.
Ah, listening to Steward Su was definitely the right thing to do.
Fortunately, we cooperated with her in preventing and controlling the epidemic; otherwise, we wouldn't have had such a good outcome.
I didn't see the Bai family or the Hao family.
They were the first to respond to Master Su, and now they are the ones who go to help with all kinds of illnesses in the government office, from minor ailments to the sickness of the logistics officer, Yu.
You can also earn money by taking care of the wounded.
Now even the Ye family of Jiangnan wants a piece of the pie.
This must also be due to the trend of injury medicine.
As everyone cheered, Su Qing looked at Ye Shanming again and politely asked him to stay.
Seeing her expression, Gu Congsi knew there was another reason, so he stayed by her side.
Today, Ye Shanming wore a pale yellow embroidered long gown, and all the accessories he wore were exquisite and gorgeous.
Fortunately, he was tall, about the same height as Gu Congsi, and looked more imposing.
He walked over with a smile, and to the uninitiated, he would just be considered a wealthy idler.
Su Qing had no time to appreciate his handsome appearance at the moment, and only asked, "Young Master Ye, have you received any news?"
"Has anything changed in Nanjiang County?"
Ye Shanming didn't answer, but seeing Su Qing glaring at him, he smiled and said, "Manager Su is truly insightful."
"You are much stronger than the average man."
Only then did he glance at Su Qing's fiancé, Gu Congsi.
Although Ye Shanming was in Jiangnan, he was always aware of the situation here.
After punishing the local gentry Wang by returning the borrowed grain, Su Qing's decisiveness was evident in every subsequent event.
She could even establish connections within the military. If it weren't for her well-known abilities, the military wouldn't have allowed her to care for the wounded and would have helped her connect with the imperial officials.
But seeing is believing.
When I got to her, I realized that her intelligence went far beyond that.
Seeing that he was only half-heartedly answering and making small talk, Su Qing asked directly, "I've heard that the Ye family does some business with the imperial court. Have you learned some important news?"
"It's understandable that your family set up a general store here before the Lunar New Year."
"His personal involvement in the sale of wound medicines this time is certainly not solely for those nine thousand acres of medicinal fields."
Having said that, Ye Shanming no longer needed to hide it. He had intended to discuss it with Su Qing beforehand anyway, so he said seriously, "There is indeed news from the palace."
"The General proposed that Nanjiang County be made a transit point for wounded soldiers in the military logistics department."
"In other words, most of the supplies transported from various places to the front lines will pass through Nanjiang County in the future."
"Boats and carriages all dock here."
Su Qing and Gu Congsi both gasped in shock.
The two had spent a long time together, and their movements were extremely synchronized, making Ye Shanming's teeth ache.
But he also knew why the "unmarried" couple was so surprised.
Because if this matter can be accomplished...
In the entire Nanjiang County, just by earning money from the lodging fees of those traveling to and from the county, one could make a fortune.
Simply put
Even in modern times, a place that serves as a transportation hub would inevitably be prosperous.
The constant flow of people brings in an immeasurable amount of income.
If it really works out.
The development of Nanjiang County is bound to be extremely rapid, and it is possible that it will be called the "Little Jiangnan of the North" in the future.
No wonder the eldest son of the Ye family came personally to make the arrangements.
“Nanjiang County is peaceful and stable, grain prices are stable, and there are no epidemics.”
"In addition, he cultivated medicinal herbs, cleared waterways, and had a good relationship with the palace officials."
"General, how could you not value him?" Ye Shanming said with a smile, his tone filled with undisguised admiration.
In the aftermath of the war, local officials were exhausted from running around.
Nanjiang County is unique.
But that's all.
Not to mention Su Qing, even Gu Congsi's expression turned sour.
Ye Shanming understood what was going on, and said with his eyes lowered, "This matter can only benefit Nanjiang County."
"But for you, Master Su, who knows whether it will bring good or bad fortune?"
After all, it carries such a heavy responsibility and offers such substantial profits.
Will it be given to Su Qing?
She was merely an unnamed acting manager, never a local official, or even a clerk.
As if deliberately breaking the heavy atmosphere, Ye Shanming raised an eyebrow and looked at Gu Congsi: "Life is ever-changing."
"By the way, I have some good news here."
"Guangyue Prefecture will soon have a new prefect and a new education commissioner, and the autumn imperial examinations will definitely be held this August."
"Congratulations in advance to Scholar Gu on becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination)."
Gu Congsi's expression worsened, and he subconsciously looked at Su Qing.
Su Qing might be replaced, but the autumn imperial examination is about to begin.
He dared not imagine what his family would do if he passed the imperial examination and became a scholar.
Gu Congsi retorted, "If you really pass the imperial examination, then I'll invite Young Master Ye to a double celebration."
Autumn examination wine and wedding wine.
Ye Shanming curled his lip. As far as he knew, the Gu family was arrogant and actually considered him their fiancé.
Su Qing's personality is not suited for marriage and domestication.
He should be his assistant or manager; he'll surely be able to make the business here thrive.
Su Qing rolled her eyes, stopping the two from their inexplicable confrontation, and said directly, "You're still a long way from replacing me."
Su Qing suddenly remembered what Consort Yu had said.
We still need to promote this person in charge to the official position as soon as possible.
Using Nanjiang County as a transit point for frontline supplies presents both a crisis and an opportunity.
She had to act immediately.
Without hesitation, Su Qing wrote three letters and sent them out.
Before sending it out, she asked Gu Congsi to polish it for her. Ordinary letters were fine, but this kind of letter needed to be written in classical Chinese, which she really didn't know how to do.
I sent a letter to the eunuch, asking if there were any precedents of women serving as county magistrates, and requesting his help in handling the situation.
He also inquired about the health of Eunuch Yu and sent him some good medicine.
The matter with Commander Xue is relatively simple; he was asked to deliver the last letter to the General.
The letter made no mention of his knowledge of the transit point, but only stated that his current status was inconvenient and that he wanted to obtain a legitimate official position.
Otherwise, the clerks and runners in the three shifts and six departments would not be able to obtain official documents, which would cause many inconveniences in their work.
Their lives in Nanjiang County have been difficult since the war, and they hope that the General will have mercy on them.
Finally, she thanked the general for quelling the rebellion and for personally removing her father, Magistrate Su's, body from the city wall, allowing him to be laid to rest.
He, along with his mother and five-year-old brother, bowed in gratitude, and if given the opportunity, he would personally present the gifts to express his thanks.
Although the wording of this letter was polished by Gu Congsi.
But the meaning inside is what Su Qing wanted to write.
Gu Congsi then understood why some people praised the letter for its cleverness.
Su Qing's letter was quite astute.
In his opinion, Su Qing was the only one suitable to be the magistrate of Nanjiang County.
But I wonder what the General meant.
Su Qing smiled. No matter what the general meant, she would fight for herself.
If one path doesn't work, she'll try another.
Anyway, she's definitely going to take this official position.
Ask her to give up her hard work to someone else? Absolutely not.
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