What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 127 The Emperor's Preface Subdues the Empress!
Su Mo was somewhat surprised to see the blacksmith who made the iron pot for him in Dingzi Camp!
Seeing that the blacksmith was highly skilled, he even entrusted him with the task of forging distillation equipment.

I never expected it to be one of my own subordinates!

If it were anyone else, Su Mo would have used him as an example to deter others.

He's a newly appointed official, but he's out there making extra money!
Disrespectful to superiors!

Disrespect for the imperial court!

But Su Mo couldn't bear to part with it!
Talent is rare.

Ding Bashi, in later generations, would definitely be a level eight or even a level nine worker, a precious gem!

Many of my future ideas will require a skilled blacksmith to realize.

Su Mo continued to try to establish his authority by using that fat, big-eared, domineering fellow.

However, after inquiring about the situation, he changed his mind.

He didn't bully other craftsmen or rob them of their money, that's why he got this physique.

He worked as a kitchen helper in a restaurant in the outer city...

The reason he wasn't the head chef was simply because of his status as a military craftsman.

In fact, most of the dishes in that restaurant were created by this guy.

It will come in handy when I open a restaurant in the future.

It cannot be used to establish authority.

Despite the threat of force, they dared not disobey because they needed to.

However, their initiative is certainly not strong.

Treat them a little better, and they will be motivated to improve their skills and work for themselves to earn money.

Isn't that much easier than coercion?

Neither of them can establish authority.

other people……

Seeing their pale and emaciated faces, Su Mo couldn't bear it!

I really don't have the talent to be a bad guy!
Forget it! Let's skip establishing authority and try offering incentives instead.

I happen to have two restaurants that are about to open, and there are a lot of things that need to be built and renovated. I'll just have them come and do the work for the restaurants.

The craftsmen of the Dingzi Battalion were surprised to find that Su Mo not only did not ask them to pay tribute, but also said that he would find them work and pay them no less than fifty coins a day, and those with ability could earn even more.

Even their family members and colleagues can be recruited to work.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Is this the commander?

The one who has arrived must be a living Buddha!
Seeing their listless appearance, Su Mo worried that they wouldn't have the energy to work.

They simply gave Ding another three taels of silver, instructing him to take care of the meals and help the military craftsman recover in the next few days.

Finally, amidst the bewildered gazes of the people in the Dingzi Camp, he left with an air of nonchalance!

It was already late afternoon when Su Mo said goodbye to Hao Rui and the others, then rode his chestnut horse and left the Gufeng Mountain artisan camp.

A journey of ten or twenty miles, seven or eight kilometers, can be completed in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea if you ride at full speed.

But not long after leaving the Lonely Peak Mountain camp, Su Mo unexpectedly discovered a large carriage on the official road.

The carriage itself was quite ordinary in style, but the carriage body was enormous, probably ten feet long and seven feet high and wide!
Two magnificent black horses were pulling the reins, their steeds were truly outstanding!
A dozen or so valiant female cavalrymen, clad in black armor and armed with weapons, stood guard around the sedan chair.

A petite, elegantly dressed young woman stood respectfully beside the carriage.

Su Mo's expression hardened slightly.

These female cavalrymen are not only rare, but they also appear to be extremely powerful!

Although he couldn't sense any magical aura from the other party, Su Mo had a faint feeling of extreme danger!

He naturally slowed down.

They looked at the strange carriage and female rider with suspicion and wariness as they appeared in the desolate wilderness.

Then, suddenly, a soft, weak voice, as if recovering from a serious illness, came from inside the carriage.

"Commander Su, please get into the carriage for a talk."

Su Mo frowned!
Those who know their own banner commander status.

Aside from Lin Moyin, there are only people from the Fengming Division!
They've come knocking on our door so quickly?

Just as he was wondering, the pretty young woman beside the carriage stepped forward and looked at Su Mo expressionlessly: "Commander Su, please get in the carriage!"

Su Mo hesitated for a moment, then finally dismounted.

He walked up to the carriage, glanced at the cold, expressionless female knights in black armor, then lifted the thick curtain and strode inside.

He squinted, observing the situation inside the carriage.

The carriage was slightly dark, but surprisingly, it was furnished with a table, low stools, and an incense burner on the table.

The entire carriage was filled with a delicate fragrance.

Behind the desk sat a young woman with a slightly pale face, her body hidden beneath a white cloak from the neck down.

Su Mo was somewhat surprised.

The person in the carriage was strikingly beautiful, slightly plump, with a gentle and approachable demeanor, like a mature woman next door.

Her relaxed demeanor gives people a very comfortable feeling.

Leng Liuxi also sized up Su Mo, then said calmly, "It's our first meeting, Commander Su, please forgive my abruptness!"

Su Mo hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the sickly-looking older woman: "May I have the honor token for a look, sir?"

Leng Liuxi took out a gold-inlaid jade pendant and handed it to Su Mo: "This concubine is Leng Xixi, a centurion of the Fengming Division."

Su Mo took the ivory token.

His gaze inadvertently fell on the other person's delicate hand.

His fingers were long and slender, the skin on the back of his hands was fair, and the veins were faintly visible. There were no scars, not even the smallest ones. He had obviously been pampered since childhood and his fingers never got dirty.

He carefully examined the tooth tag.

Apart from being inlaid with gold wire, it was not much different from his own flag ivory plaque.

The carved phoenix is ​​also identical.

On the other hand, there is the cold and aloof name of Fengming Division's Hundred-Household Commander.

Strangely, it has no serial number.

Su Mo respectfully returned the ivory token with both hands.

He then asked, "May I ask, Lord Centurion, what business do you have with me?"

Empress Leng Liuxi said calmly, "It's nothing."

"General Su said that a restaurant could generate several thousand taels of silver a year, and invited Fengming Company to invest in it."

"I am somewhat puzzled as to how a mere restaurant could make such a huge profit, so I have come to ask General Su for clarification."

Su Mo was somewhat surprised again.

This Fengming Division Commander had a soft, sweet voice that was very pleasant to hear.

He doesn't look like a Fengming Division centurion at all, who should be decisive and ruthless!
Spy leaders shouldn't all be like Lord Qianhu, cold and aloof, giving off an aura of authority without anger.

Even at the very least, he was like the commander of the Fengming Division, cold and stern, exuding a sense of oppression.

Well, it must be because her rank is too low, not reaching the level of a commander.

I guess they just got promoted.

She was very friendly and polite!
However, Su Mo did not dare to underestimate the other party.

This afternoon, I reported to the authorities that I was inviting Fengming Company to invest in the company, and they came to my door this evening.

Clearly, they have a very strong voice in this matter.

Whether or not Fengming Si can be brought onto his pirate ship in the future depends on this sickly older sister.

Su Mo's expression immediately turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "Your Excellency, I dare to say this because I am confident in my abilities!"

Leng Liuxi gave a soft "Mmm": "This concubine is willing to hear the details."

Su Mo immediately said, "In my humble opinion, the consumption potential of the powerful, noble families, wealthy households, and merchants in the capital is enormous..."

Leng Liuxi suddenly interrupted Su Mo: "Is the consumption potential enormous?"

She frowned slightly: "How come I hear that everyone in the court and the countryside, scholars, farmers, artisans and merchants, is suffering?"

Su Mo hesitated for a moment: "Please forgive my presumptuous words."

"In my humble opinion, they are not poor, but rather, they are forced to be poor!"

Leng Liuxi narrowed her eyes slightly: "Because... the imperial court is poor?" Su Mo nodded, no longer continuing with this somewhat dangerous question, and went straight to the point: "This subordinate has already calculated it."

"Transform that cloth shop into a restaurant, with two floors, each floor having hundreds of dining tables, capable of accommodating two thousand people at the same time!"

"Even at half capacity, there would still be over a thousand diners each time!"

"Two meals a day, table turnover rate... well, two rounds of guests per meal, four thousand a day!"

"Even restaurants can offer takeout services..."

Seeing Leng Xixi's suspicious look, Su Mo could only explain again: "It means hiring people to pack up the food from the restaurant and deliver it to the homes of guests who are unable to go out."

He paused, a confident look spreading across his face: "The restaurant's daily customer count is no less than five thousand!"

Even after deducting costs, labor, taxes, and other expenses, each person only makes ten coins in profit, totaling fifty thousand coins a day, equivalent to fifty taels of silver!

"Monthly interest of 1,500 taels!"

"That's seventeen thousand taels of silver a year!"

Su Mo looked at Leng Liuxi very seriously: "As long as Fengming Division is willing to invest, there is no need for us to do anything. I am willing to give up 50% of the profits, which will amount to several thousand taels of silver a year."

"However, I have a small request: I must be fully responsible for the operation of the restaurant, and Fengming Division must not interfere with its management."

Leng Liuxi frowned slightly: "Why can't I interfere?"

Su Mo didn't answer the question, but simply shook his head: "This is my request, sir, please grant it!"

Leng Liuxi thought for a moment: "There is something I don't understand."

"That's how the accounts sound, but how can a restaurant possibly support five thousand customers every day?"

She paused, then continued, "I've heard that even on the first floor, there are only three to five hundred guests a day!"

"There are countless restaurants and eateries in the capital, but none like this one!"

Su Mo smiled and said, "I am not aware of other people's situations."

"But I still have confidence in the restaurant I run."

Leng Xi looked at Su Mo with a half-smile: "Chief Su certainly looks very confident."

"However, I still have one doubt."

"The restaurant business is booming, and other merchants will naturally imitate it and compete for profits. In fact, Fengming Company could simply abandon Chief Su and run its own restaurant. Why should it let Chief Su take away half of the profits for nothing?"

Su Mo smiled: "As the master said, this is how the accounts should be settled."

"But in practice, that's another story."

"Theory and practice are different."

He paused, then said, "As the saying goes, practice makes perfect."

"Your Excellency may also do so. Let Fengming Si run the same restaurant. The difference will be obvious when you compare the two."

Su Mo really wished Fengming Si would do that.

I'll take over the restaurant when it goes out of business.

Doesn't this mean there's another chain store?
Upon hearing Su Mo's words, Leng Xixi's expression suddenly changed, and a sharp glint flashed in her eyes: "What a fine saying, 'Practice makes perfect'!"

"Commander Su... truly, a man of extraordinary learning!"

She paused, then couldn't help but ask, "Commander Su, is your confidence based on your culinary skills?"

"Such a method of operation for a restaurant cannot be accomplished by Su Zongqi alone. If it is passed down, it will not be kept secret, and other restaurants will definitely be able to steal it."

As she spoke, she squinted at Su Mo and said, "I'm even more curious now."

"General Su is a man of profound learning and profound knowledge."

"He is well-versed in the principles of governing a country and skilled in making money; he can also readily produce masterpieces that will be passed down through the ages."

"He is knowledgeable in brewing fine wines, making secret perfumes, and possesses superb culinary skills."

"But as far as I know, Commander Su comes from an ordinary background. How could he have so many ancestral secret recipes? How could he have such profound knowledge?"

Su Mo felt a chill run down her spine.

It seems that Leng Xixi's status in the Phoenix Cry Division is far higher than he estimated!
He took a deep breath, a look of reminiscence in his eyes: "Back then, I was very young. One day, when it was snowing heavily, an old man with a white beard lay in the snow at the gate of our house, refusing to get up..."

Leng Liuxi...

She waved her hand to stop Su Mo from speaking: "Such deceitful words, Commander Su, do not try to deceive me."

"Since Commander Su is unwilling to speak plainly, I will not force him!"

Then, she changed the subject: "With such great talent as Commander Su, why doesn't he enter the imperial court and serve the government?"

"The Emperor values ​​talent. If Commander Su is willing to serve the court, I believe His Majesty will certainly give him an important position!"

Su Mo blinked and looked at Leng Liuxi: "This humble servant... isn't he serving the imperial court now?"

"But I haven't seen His Majesty promote me either?"

Leng Liuxi...

Then, she covered her mouth and burst into laughter!
"Commander Su is absolutely right!"

"I was wrong."

She looked at Su Mo with suppressed laughter: "However, I do not agree with what Commander Su said about the court not promoting you!"

"Just two months ago, Commander Su was still a Jinyiwei guard!"

"Is Commander Su still not satisfied? What official position does he want? Why don't you tell me?"

Su Mo was speechless.

Look at what she's saying!

It's as if they can become any official they want.

Did she think she was Empress Leng Liuxi?
He could only smile wryly and say, "My lord, please don't joke with me. How could I dare to dream of such a thing?"

"My only wish now is to run the restaurant well, earn a little money, and support my family."

He was too lazy to beat around the bush with the other party.

It's either a success or a failure!

If we lose the Phoenix Cry Division, we can always go find that greedy Vice Commander Wei Zhengguang!

Leng Liuxi's expression turned slightly serious: "Now that the court is facing financial difficulties, if Official Su can use the profits from the restaurant to alleviate the court's pain, I believe His Majesty will certainly reward him handsomely!"

As she spoke, she frowned and said, "I have something to say from the bottom of my heart. Would Commander Su be willing to listen?"

Su Mo couldn't help but become curious: "Please speak, my lord, I am all ears."

Leng Liuxi said earnestly, "If that restaurant can really earn tens of thousands of taels of silver a year, it's probably not going to work if Commander Su only allows Fengming Division to make half the profit."

"Wealth that is disproportionate to power is a path to disaster..."

Su Mo blinked: "What do you mean, sir?"

Leng Liuxi: "My intention is that Fengmingxuan cannot only accept 50% of the profits!"

"At least 70%!"

Su Mo: "Sixty percent!"

"I will take full responsibility for the business operations!"

Leng Liuxi: "Okay!"

Su Mo stretched out her palm...

Leng Liuxi blinked, looking at Su Mo's large hand with some surprise.

"Commander Su, what's going on?"

Su Mo was in a bad mood, having lost a small advantage for no reason, and said irritably, "Let's make a vow with a high five!"

Leng Liuxi hesitated for a moment.

He extended his right palm and gently touched it with Su Mo's.

Then, with lightning speed, he shrank back into his cloak!
The business deal was agreed upon.

Su Mo was preparing to take her leave.

Leng Liuxi suddenly asked abruptly, "I have heard that Commander Su once told Ding Yu of the Ministry of Revenue that there is a way to quell the troubles of the Northern Barbarians?"

Upon hearing this, Su Mo frowned slightly.

After being reprimanded by Lord Qianhu, he understood what he could and could not say.

But just as he was about to say that this was just boasting, his eyes suddenly widened in shock as he stared at the top of Fengming Si Baihu's head!

Affection progress bar? ???
I have some bad news to share. My editor wants me to post 10,000 words a day for seven consecutive days to boost next week's recommendations, but I'm worried that if I update too much, my readers won't dare to subscribe. What should I do?

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(End of this chapter)