Ordinary clear day

Chapter 237 Retreat

Zhenzhen said with some guilt: "It's...not that my second mother doesn't care about you, it's really...the location of Cyclamen's land is so good, it's inevitable that someone will stare at it. It's okay if my Ama is there, Once he leaves office... Shopkeeper Bian may not be able to hold on..."

Tong Shi nodded: "That's nothing. In fact, Cyclamen made a lot of money in the first two years, four to five thousand taels a year, but last year it was only a thousand taels of silver. It's not the same as before. Really. Accepted, it’s nothing, it’s just a little sudden, and I didn’t hear my in-laws mention it before.”

Zhenzhen lowered her head and said, "Yes, at first it was only our family, but later others also opened a few, and the business was not good. Some people learned the dim sum recipe of cyclamen... Shopkeeper Bian once thought about not running a tea house, but changing to a restaurant. Do other businesses with more lucrative profits, but I, Ama, don’t allow it, saying that I’m afraid of ruining my reputation..."

Tong Shi didn't make a sound, and didn't ask what the business that would ruin her reputation but be more profitable was meant, but she had been to that teahouse and knew how good the location was.It has been several years since my family left Guangzhou. Now the business of foreigners in Guangzhou is booming.People like Huo Comprador thought of other ways early on to open up the situation in Beijing and no longer stick to the south.

Shu Ning listened by the side, thought for a while, and then asked Zhen Zhen: "Sister Ah Yin and Chun Xing, what will they do? Their family is co-operating with us to run a teahouse. If we withdraw, will they be able to survive?"

Zhenzhen said: "The second mother has already asked them about this matter. They have earned a lot these years. Sister Ayin is tired, and the children of Axin and Chunxing are growing up. They plan to buy a piece of land outside the city. It doesn’t matter whether you are farming, planting mulberry or raising silkworms, you can live in peace. Ah Xin also wants his son to go to school.”

Shu Ning thinks this is not bad, but she is just worried about whether they can live a happy life without their backer.After Zhenzhen heard this, she smiled and said, "Don't worry, they have been in business for the past few years, and the big boss always knows a few, and they have some friendship. As for money, our dividends are so generous, how can they be less? Guangzhou It’s no better than the capital there, everything is more expensive, 100 taels of silver is enough for their whole family to live comfortably for a year.”

After hearing this, Shu Ning felt relieved, and said to Tong: "Er Niang, since that's the case, let's accept it. To be honest, Guangzhou is too far away from us now, so it's hard to control, unless someone in our family is here again." I'm an official there. Besides, the money earned by the teahouse has been greatly reduced in the past two years, so it's better to get the money back and find another way."

Why doesn't Tong Shi know this truth?Originally, the main purpose of participating in the shares was to build a good relationship with Wudan's family and win a good wife for his son.Now that the son has married someone back home, this investment has become one of the bonds between the in-laws and the family.The property in Beijing is very profitable, and she doesn't feel it's a pity to lose this income, but Mrs. Wen's actions make her feel a little uncomfortable.

But seeing the guilt and embarrassment on her daughter-in-law's face, she gradually softened her heart.No matter what, the jade bottle can't be overturned and the daughter-in-law can't be caught between the two families.So she nodded and said: "That's okay, in fact, there are many restaurants and teahouses in Beijing. If we let people open a cyclamen in Beijing, the business must be good." She turned to Shu Ning: "Isn't your mansion only Is there a restaurant?"

Shu Ning hesitated for a while, and said: "That restaurant's business is still good, and it has been around for a while, so it's better not to move it for the time being. But if Er Niang wants to open a cyclamen in Beijing, it will be a bit difficult. Let alone the cook Where can we find it? We don’t have anyone reliable and experienced to take care of it, do we? For the cyclamen in Guangzhou, we have always just waited for the dividends, and we have never intervened.”

On the contrary, Tong realized that she had taken it for granted.It is impossible for Ah Yin's family to leave their hometown and go north, and they may not be able to find a suitable cook locally, but Bian Cai is from the general's family.Among the servants in his family, only Gu Quansheng is the best at doing business, but now he is in charge of the Shunfeng grain store in Fangshan, and he also has to take care of the operation of Tongzhou Hengfu warehouse, how can he take care of Beijing and Zhongzhong again?

But she has another idea: "Then take Huo Comprador and borrow his family's boat to do some north-south goods business. His wife came to greet me yesterday. Speaking of his family's business, it is very prosperous now. We don’t want to compete with them, but we can come up with ideas for wood or Jiangnan silk and satin embroidery. The family members who were sent to the south before have some experience.”

Shuning didn't make a sound, and Xiao Liu asked in a low voice: "This kind of business requires a lot of capital, right? Our family doesn't have that kind of family background." But Tong said: "It's not that I want to be big. When I was doing the dowry for Shu'er earlier, You have all heard that these two things are in the south and in Beijing, and the price difference is not 01:30. I thought about it before, but I am not in Beijing, and Duan’s brother and daughter-in-law’s housework is only getting started , it’s just inconvenient.”

Shu Ning thinks this idea is also good, although it is a bit risky, but the profit is very rich.However, when she saw the uneasiness on Zhenzhen's face, she suddenly thought that it was different now. Tong's family was far away in Baoding, and she was a married woman. If she really invested in a new industry, the person in charge of management would be Zhenzhen. .Now Zhenzhen is just managing the existing property in the family, and it is a bit difficult. She is different from herself. She is not a person who is used to housework since she was a child. If her burden is increased, will she be able to bear it?Looking at Zhenzhen's slightly thinner chin, she hesitated.

After thinking about it, Shu Ning asked: "How's the profit of the grain store and the storage room recently? It's going well, right?" Zhenzhen hurriedly replied: "It's very smooth. I just wrote to ask beforehand if I want to buy the land next to the warehouse and build a few more warehouses."

Shu Ning said to Tong: "Emiang, although the wood and silk business can make a lot of money, it is also risky, and we have never done it before. You are not in Beijing, and I don't want to take care of my mother's affairs. My sister-in-law alone is too much. Thank you for your hard work. In fact, our family’s grain store and storage room are very profitable, so it’s better to invest more money in it, open another grain store, or set up an extra yard for storage, it’s a safe way.”

Tong Shi was startled, and turned to look at Zhenzhen, who lowered her head in embarrassment.Mrs. Tong looked at her carefully, and sighed: "Forget it, we don't have to worry about money anymore, let's be on the safe side. According to your sister-in-law's wishes, whether it's food or storage, I'll leave it to you. If I’m really tired, so just use the money to buy land, more land is always better.”

Zhenzhen hurriedly said: "I can do it, please don't worry, Er Niang." After a pause, she glanced at Xiao Liu again: "What about the auntie? Just wipe it off like this?" Only then did she remember that Xiao Liu had a share of the cyclamen business, Shu Ning hurriedly apologized to her, saying that she should not forget to ask her.

But Xiao Liu waved his hand and said: "What are you talking about? It was given to me for free, and I don't understand these things. It's useless to ask me. I have enough money, so just wipe it off." Tong said: " Why are you being polite as a family? I was negligent about this matter. Although you have money, is it possible that you are not thinking about Xiaobao's future? That's good, I will pay him to buy a property for him, so that you mother and son can rely on you in the future. "

Xiao Liu hurriedly refused: "How can this be done? I have money, and I should pay for it if I want to buy a property." But Tong has made up his mind: "Just do it this way, there won't be too many fields, but food and clothing are still there. It's not a problem. At least Xiaobao will call me Mommy, don't bother me any more." Xiao Liu knew that this matter couldn't be pushed away, so she had to thank her again and again, but when she sat down again, her eyes were still very happy.

The four women discussed for a while longer, decided on a rough charter, and then went to do their own things.Tong specially left her daughter behind and chatted with her about the farewell.Shu Ning roughly described the housekeeper's experience in the past few months, especially complaining about the gift giving.

Tong couldn't help laughing and said: "It's true that every family has a hard-to-read scripture. In our own family, we only need to give gifts to relatives and friends, as well as your superiors and colleagues in Ama's officialdom. But when you marry into the clan, you have to give gifts You are not very good at dealing with people and giving and receiving gifts when you were at home, so it is difficult for you to do this. But what do you mean by 'purchasing goods in the off-season'? mean?"

Shu Ning smiled and said: "It's just a thought. I originally thought that except for the festivals in a year, the most gifts are given around Longevity Festival, Qianqiu Festival and New Year's Day. The prices of curio shops in Beijing are very high at this time. It's better to look at it a few months in advance, and buy it back before the price rises. But when I discussed it with Tong Ying, I found it a bit difficult, because there are always people celebrating birthdays and getting married all year round. The so-called off-season is actually not Where are you going?"

She took a sip of tea and continued: "Although I know Huo Mirador, I can get some discounts, but the things he has are a little better, and they are worth thousands of taels. It's fine once or twice, if you want it every time If he makes a profit, after a long time, he will definitely have an idea. Even if he doesn't care, and the favor is owed, if his family asks me for something in the future, can I still have the cheek to say no? Therefore, I can't always Every time I go to his store to buy, and I can’t make him suffer too much.”

Tong Shi nodded slightly, and asked again: "Then what should you do? This gift must be given, if it is poorly delivered, others will think you look down on them."

Shu Ning smiled and said: "So, I asked the housekeeper to find some workshops or craftsmen with good craftsmanship. I have already found a glass workshop, a silver shop, and a jade carving master, and I need to find someone who is good at wood carving, bamboo carving, and stone carving. , Porcelain... We are looking for those who are good at craftsmanship but not in a good situation. We spend some money every month to support them. If we find good materials, we will let them make fine objects, such as decorations or stationery. Tong Ying Many people know that if you are good at painting, the gift books you give are more fragrant, and others will not say anything, but after a year, you can save a lot of money."

Tong Shi was a little dazed when she heard it, and sighed after a while: "Why didn't I think of it? Shu'er, you have really grown up. This is indeed a good idea."

Shuning suddenly felt a little blushing: "Cough...not really..."

But when it came to giving gifts, she remembered one thing: "Emiang, when I went to Yongwang's mansion a few days ago, Si Fujin asked, saying that his elder brother was one year old, and you only sent someone to send a few things. But he didn't say anything, I don't know why?"

Mrs. Tong was silent for a while, and said: "Now his family is no different than in the past. He is a king, has a wife and a concubine, and has both children. Brother Si is not worried about no one to take care of him now, so I don't have much to do. You are a family member, Your brother has known him since childhood, so it doesn't matter. But I am a family member of a foreign official, and I have been around a lot, so there is no guarantee that some people will not get used to it. If there is something to do, give some small gifts, that's all." After a pause, she suddenly smiled: "Although it is a small gift, I made those few clothes with my own hands. Jade Guanyin also specially invited eminent monks to consecrate them. I personally went to twelve monasteries to ask for the twelve peace symbols. Thinner, but full of heart. Shu'er, some people, even if the gift is small, as long as the heart is enough, they will be happy."

Shu Ning nodded her head, but she could hear some overtones from her mother's words: "Emiang, did you hear something? Has anyone found out that we have private contacts with Prince Yong's Mansion?"

Mrs. Tong shook her head and said: "It's nothing, it's just that your older brother married a wife and had a son earlier, and the fourth elder brother came to congratulate him, which was a little more conspicuous. Some words spread to Baoding, and there is that villain who is afraid of chaos in the world and wants to make trouble. .”

Shuning shuddered when she heard the words, and hurriedly asked what was going on.Tong was questioned repeatedly by her, and finally revealed the truth: "The newcomer at the beginning of the year, Zuo Canzheng, is a little jealous of you, Ama, and often speaks harsh words, and always loves to confront each other. He has some background in the court, I'm afraid he has malicious intentions. But you, Ama, have been in the Zhili Chief Secretary's Yamen for several years. You have distinguished political achievements and good popularity. How is Ama?"

Having said that, Shu Ning still felt uncomfortable when she heard that such a person was there: "What is the origin of this person? Why do you want to get along with Ama?" Tong shook her head and said: "He didn't want to be with you, Ama I can't make it through, I'm afraid it's because of the seat that will be vacated by Lord Fantai next year after his term expires. Right now, in the chief secretary's office, your ama is the loudest voice for promotion, and that person just wants to pull you down. Just climb up."

Shuning's brows were wrinkled, and she wanted to seek the position of chief political envoy just after she took the seat of the Political Consultant?What's the matter with this man?Suddenly, she thought of a possibility: "Emiang, is it... it started again? Just like it used to be in Guangzhou?"

Although she said it secretly, Tong Shi already understood, and said with a wry smile: "Maybe. To be honest, you, Ama, are a little discouraged, as if you can't escape this anywhere. I'm not afraid to tell you, he discussed it with me, If he can be promoted, he will serve one more term, otherwise, when the term of this term expires, he will retire and go home to live a leisurely life."

Shu Ning was taken aback: "Ama is only in her 40s, and she is in the prime of her life, why is she retiring so early?" Tong sighed, "Why doesn't he want to do more? But if there is really another party struggle, it's better to retire Live a peaceful life. We thought about it, it’s better to go home early to have a grandson. Your sister-in-law’s housekeeper is really struggling. While I’m in good health, take care of her for a few more years, so that she has the opportunity to give birth to your brother. Child." After saying that, he glanced at Shu Ning's belly: "It would be great if I could have a grandson sooner."

Shuning's face flushed.

A few days later, the imperial court really issued an order to call General Wudan back to Beijing to report on his duties.Wudan's family set off for the north.

At the same time, the marriage between Chongli and the daughter of the general soldier was finally settled.Shuning received a post about the wedding banquet.

(I have something to go to other places tomorrow, and I probably won’t be able to come back at night, so I have to stop for a day. Sorry, you don’t have to wait for my update tomorrow night.)
(End of this chapter)