At the beginning, I gave up my military power with a cup of wine, and I ascended the throne

Chapter 242 Princess Ning Xi is in charge of the household
A few days.

The Dharma bodies of Su Zhi and Du Xin left Xiliang, and the news of the battle at Guanyu Lake spread like a storm in the two martial arts circles of Northern Wei and Central Plains.

The snow in winter is getting heavier and heavier, covering the sky and the ground. The cold wind is howling, blowing up the dead branches and leaves.

The sky and the earth were all white. The grass, trees, bamboo and stones were all covered with thick snow. The doors and windows were blown by the cold wind, making rattling sounds.

It was dusk, and the sky above the Shuiyun Mountain was covered with thick, condensed dark clouds. The Guanyu Lake in the distance was submerged in the heavy snow.

In the courtyard, a woman in a plain long dress held a long sword and performed a series of exquisite sword moves. Her swaying steps blended into the flying snow.

In the side hall.

The fire was blazing, emitting heat waves, and pieces of silver charcoal were burning red.

Miaoyu picked up the boiling water and poured it into the teacup. A burst of white steam came out, carrying a faint fragrance that filled the room.

"I had too much for dinner, so I just had a cup of tea to help digest the food."

He picked up the teacup, blew away the hot air, and took a sip.

Winter is usually the quietest time for the Xiliang government, but unfortunately it just took over five counties this year.

Many things could not be delayed, so from the provincial government office to the county government office, no one took a break.

"It will be the Chinese New Year in just a month or so."

Xiao Han said, "Officials in various places have worked very hard this year. In addition to the New Year gifts from the treasury of the provincial government, we will also take out the silver from the private treasury of the Marquis' Mansion and distribute it to them."

"Gold, silver, jade, silk, and satin, whatever is due should be given."

"Well, I will discuss it with Sister Ning Xi. If the harvest of the Marquis's estate is good this year, we will give more. If the harvest is not so good, each of our courtyards still has savings, so we can just give out some."

Miaoyu spoke.

"How can I let you post it?"

He shook his head: "A few days ago, I heard Ning Xi mention that the harvest of the Marquis's property was good this year."

As he was speaking, Cui'er from Ningxi Courtyard came skipping in, holding a food box in her hand.

"My Lord, Sister Yu'er, these are the snacks made by the Madam."

Cui Er opened the box and said, "Eat it while it's hot. Try it now."

Xiao Han reached out and took a piece, "Isn't the Madam here?"

"on the way."

Cui Er explained, "She said she wanted to send the annual accounts of the mansion here today for the Marquis to review, but she was afraid that it would get too cold, so she asked me to come first."

"tasty."

He tasted a piece and said, "Qingyao, this is the cake your sister Ning Xi sent over. Would you like to try it?"

"coming."

Hearing this, Qingyao, who was practicing sword skills, sheathed her sword. She saw Ning Xi and Yu'er holding a thick box out of the corner of her eye, so she turned around and ran over.

He took it from her and carried it to the side hall.

"Husband, this is the total and sub-accounts for this year."

Ning Xi entered the hall, opened the box, and took out a thick stack of account books.

Xiao Han checked it out.

"This year, the net profit of all our industries combined is 200,000 taels of silver."

She listed them one by one, "I have opened ten new silk shops, eight wineries, three jade shops, seven restaurants and taverns in Xiliang City, and twenty-three new shops in Xiapi County and Shangdang County."

"Next year, I plan to open some manors in Oukai within the five counties of Youzhou, mainly dealing in tea, silk, wine, and jade."

"Anyone can make money anyway, so why not let our mansion make it?"

“How much capital do you want to keep?”

He read ten lines at a glance and quickly finished reading the general ledger. During the meeting, he looked at the separate accounts of each farm.

"One hundred thousand taels of silver should be enough."

Ning Xi pondered for a moment: "My husband can use the remaining 100,000 taels to reward the officials of the Marquis' Mansion and the State Government Office." "I'll leave this matter to you."

Xiao Han said: "From the business to the lower level, all that should be given should be given. In addition to gold and silver, you can also reward jade, silk, fur and the like."

"There is no need to go through various government offices. The people from the Marquis' Mansion can directly deliver it to their homes."

"it is good."

She left the table and nodded, naturally understanding her husband's intention.

“It’s still a bit shabby.”

She stroked her black hair and said, "After this year, when our family's business makes money next year, I, your husband, will give more rewards. If you make less, I will give less rewards."

"If the officials of each government office have any questions, please go and ask Yuan Shao. According to the date, the evaluation of the officials should be submitted at the end of the year. Then you should follow the official documents."

"it is good."

The two women nodded.

Ning Xi said softly, "I have bought a lot of toys for the sisters in each courtyard, and I will send them together with the year-end gifts."

"Sister Murong got two top-quality coats and a Ferghana horse, Sister Dayue'er got two volumes of guqin music, Sister Xiaoyue'er got a coral bead, and I also got Sister Yuwen's share, and asked my father to find two sword manuals from the palace."

"And sister Qingyao's."

"She blinked and said, "Ten rolls of silk, one roll of sword manual, and five hundred taels of silver."

"Hehe, thank you, sister."

Qingyao danced with excitement.

"I asked someone to have Baijian Villa make a long sword for Sister Yu'er as a New Year's gift, but it will take some time, and it may not be delivered until after the New Year."

"It's out of the way."

Miaoyu laughed and said, "My martial arts skills are almost useless."

"Madam is indeed thoughtful."

Xiao Han praised.

"Tomorrow I will be in seclusion in the Blade Grinding Hall. I will leave the major and minor matters in the mansion to you to discuss and handle."

Don’t worry, my husband.”

Ning Xi nodded.

"Husband, just practice in seclusion."

The next morning.

Had breakfast.

There was heavy snow outside, and it was all white. It was impossible to see how far away you were. Xiaohan, wrapped in a white robe with a sword tied around his waist, left the side hall with a bloody shadow.

Stepping into the gentle snow, we crossed the courtyard and walked along the tree-lined path of Guanyu Lake to the Modao Hall.

It was the coldest time of winter, with heavy snow falling, but there were many evergreen trees planted in the yard, and their green leaves were covered with frost and snow, rustling in the wind.

It didn't seem so cool. He climbed up the stone tower and went straight to the seventh floor, where the stone door closed.

At the stairs, Shen Pei and Xueying were sitting cross-legged with swords in their arms, each more indifferent than the other.

The seventh floor is the highest point of the Grinding Hall, and the martial arts collected there are all the best in the world.

Even if one cannot cultivate to the immortal realm on land, it is enough to step into the celestial realm and become a grandmaster.

The tower is heavy, built of three-foot-high bluestone. The inner wall is carved with dragons and phoenixes, and in the middle is a huge Yin-Yang Bagua.

Visit the bookshelves around to store martial arts secrets.

There were windows in total, three of which were sealed with steel bars and only one was open. Standing in front of the window, I felt the cold wind blowing in my face, causing my robe to flutter.

Looking from afar, the entire Xiliang City is in sight. Under the heavy snow, countless pavilions and towers are looming and standing in the wind and snow.

(End of this chapter)