From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

As the year draws to a close, the affairs of the Marquis's mansion naturally become more and more numerous. However, due to the deaths of Gu Chengen and Gu Chengze, the Marquis has ordered that this year there will only be ancestral worship and a small family banquet, without any grand celebrations or banquets. In this way, it will be less expensive than in previous years.

Moreover, Chen Shi is not the chief steward; he is currently just a manager. There are no special needs for purchasing medicinal herbs during the Lunar New Year, so he is relatively free.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Du Yueming and his companions invited Chen Shi and Cui Nong over for drinks, opera, card games, and guessing games. After half a day of revelry, as the sun began to set, they invited Chen Shi into their study.

"Big brother, this is this year's dividend."

The three of them smiled and took out two small boxes that they had prepared beforehand.

Upon opening it, it contained a whole stack of official banknotes!

"This box containing 60,000 taels is a gift for Second Madam. This box containing 20,000 taels is your share, Eldest Brother."

"So many?"

Chen Shi looked surprised, then couldn't help but smile again.

Du Yueming and his team were right; last year's figures did indeed double compared to the first year!

"We can have even more next year!"

The three men were all smiles, smug and self-satisfied.

"My second grandmother and I are very confident in your handling of the matter."

Chen Shi nodded and closed the two boxes.

"In that case, I shall accept your offer."

"This is what you deserve, elder brother. Also, there are two other things I need to ask you to discuss with Second Madam..."

Only after Chen Shi accepted the gift could the three of them feel at ease.

In this way, it would be easier to ask Chen Shi for a favor.

By the time the four finished speaking and came out, it was already late, and most of the people outside had dispersed. Du Yueming and the others saw Chen Shi and Cui Nong onto the carriage and returned to Jinwu Lane.

"A full twenty thousand taels!"

Inside the carriage, Cui Nong counted the thick stack of official tickets several times, her face full of excitement.

"That's quite a lot."

Chen Shi nodded, making a rough estimate in his mind.

After the four major pharmaceutical merchants lowered prices, the kickbacks from purchasing medicinal herbs increased, amounting to approximately 14,000 taels over the year. With additional payments to various parties and commissions for his subordinates, Chen Shi himself pocketed about 8,000 taels.

In reality, he wouldn't have originally received so much, but Xiao Fengxiao didn't want his tribute, saying she didn't care about such a small amount of silver.

In addition to other sources of income and gifts from various places, it must amount to at least two or three thousand taels.

In this way, Chen Shi would have earned 30,000 taels of silver last year!

Even Chen Shi himself was taken aback when he received this number.

No wonder so many people want to climb the ladder and curry favor with their masters; the profits here are truly astonishing.

"How should we spend so much money?"

Holding the box, Cui Nong kept muttering to herself, then turned to Chen Shi with a face full of excitement.

"Let me make you some new clothes! No, no, clothes don't cost much. Let me get you a carriage instead! Right, you still walk to and from the Marquis's mansion. It's time to get your own carriage."

"However, even with a good carriage, two good horses, and a skilled driver, a thousand taels of silver would be enough. Oh dear, how should I spend so much silver?"

As she spoke, Cui Nong looked conflicted again.

"Make a few pieces of jewelry you like first. As for the carriage, there's no rush."

Chen Shi smiled, thought for a moment, and then said.

"As for the remaining silver, keep it for now; I might need it."

"Need it?"

Cui Nong was startled and looked at Chen Shi, her face becoming tense.

What does Chen Shi intend to do with so much silver?

She wasn't worried about the money, but rather about Chen Shi, since using so much money must be a significant matter.

"It's just better to be prepared. You know, the further you go in martial arts training, the more money you spend."

Chen Shi smiled but did not elaborate.

Tomorrow night is the opening day of the Ghost Market. I wonder how much silver those two medicinal herbs Mu Yunsheng mentioned will cost.

Of course, even if it's expensive, a few hundred taels of silver is the maximum.

Chen Shi mainly wanted to see if there were any good items in the ghost market that could quickly improve his strength.

It's always good to have extra money on hand.

"You're right! We should keep this money; I won't get any more jewelry made."

Cui Nong nodded and immediately closed the box.

"There's no need to be so frugal."

Chen Shi smiled and shook his head. He had only mentioned it casually, and Cui Nong was making a mountain out of a molehill.

When they got home, it was already dark. In the room, Cui Nong was holding a suitcase, looking restless.

She was worried about where to put all those silver notes, fearing they might be stolen.

"If you're worried, you can exchange it for a registered note at a money exchange another day."

"That works too. It's not very convenient to use, but at least it's reliable. When you have time, go and get it replaced."

Cui Nong nodded and looked at Chen Shi.

"You can go."

Chen Shi didn't pay attention and just said it casually.

"I?"

Cui Nong's eyes widened instantly, and she looked at Chen Shi with a surprised expression.

A registered banknote is a banknote that is only cashed to the person who registered it, thus preventing fraudulent redemption after loss, theft, or robbery.

Chen Shi sent Cui Nong, which meant that the silver was to be recorded in Cui Nong's name. This was a sum of 20,000 li!

"I'm going to the manor."

Ignoring Cui Nong's change in expression, Chen Shi picked up the large box, said something, and left.

The 60,000 taels here are for Xiao Fengxiao.

The relationship between Chen Shi and Xiao Fengxiao has already transcended that of master and servant, but as the saying goes, even close brothers should keep clear accounts, and things must be clear about money.

Aren't there countless examples of people turning against each other over money in this world?

Chen Shi didn't want to ruin his relationship with Xiao Fengxiao over a little money.

Upon arriving at the Marquis's residence, the main gate was already closed. Chen Shi called for the side gate to be opened and went straight to Xiao Fengxiao's courtyard.

"Why are you here in the middle of the night?"

Xiao Fengxiao leaned against the couch, his cheeks slightly flushed, with a hint of drunkenness.

Gu Tingshu issued an order forbidding lavish banquets, but family dinners were still permitted.

It's only the second day of the Lunar New Year, and Xiao Fengxiao, along with her sisters-in-law and younger sister, unknowingly drank a few too many cups of wine.

"Where is Yun'er?"

Chen Shi looked around and couldn't help but ask a question.

"Are you here to see me or her?!"

Xiao Fengxiao's face fell, and she looked at Chen Shi angrily.

"Of course, we're looking for Second Madam."

Chen Shi smiled and handed the box over.

Xiao Fengxiao casually lifted the lid, saw the silver notes inside, paused slightly, and then looked at Chen Shi.

"This must be worth fifty or sixty thousand taels of silver. Where did you get so much money?"

"Second Madam has a good eye! This isn't my money; it's a share of the profits that Du Yueming and the others gave you."

Chen Shi smiled and then gave an explanation.

As she was speaking, Yun'er brought in a bowl of hangover soup.

He glanced at the box containing the silver notes, then turned to Chen Shi.

"Have you eaten yet? The fire on the stove is still burning. I'll have them make you something."

"I already ate when I came."

"He's a grown man, are you worried he'll go hungry?"

Xiao Fengxiao gave a light hum, took the hangover soup, and then gestured to the box.

"Put it away."

Yun'er nodded, closed the box, and temporarily put it in the wardrobe.

It's getting late now. Tomorrow, we can either exchange it for registered banknotes or purchase land, and Xiao Fengxiao can make the arrangements.

"You just sent it all to me like that, didn't you keep any for yourself?"

Xiao Fengxiao looked at Chen Shi and suddenly asked with a smile.

"I also received a share of the profits, which is more than enough."

Chen Shi said something with a completely calm expression.

Xiao Fengxiao smiled and didn't say anything more.

He ate the hangover soup slowly and deliberately, glancing up at Chen Shi every now and then.

After a moment's hesitation, he spoke softly.

"It's so late, why don't you stay here tonight?"