Since the guests were all the gentry in Kunming, the standard of the banquet could not be low. This was not a big deal, after all, Mrs. Liao had seen countless grand occasions. It was just gentry, which was not a big problem for her. The difficulty lay in the fact that the Ji family had made mistakes before. Therefore, Mrs. Liao had to be cautious in everything and do every step personally, so she was very busy.
But even so, when she heard that Su Yao was coming, Mrs. Liao still put down what she was doing and went to meet him.
She had a good impression of Su Yao. Besides, anyone with eyes could see how much Su Rong valued this sister. Xiao Heng also looked at Su Yao differently. Her attitude towards Su Yao became even more polite.
When she saw Su Yao, she smiled first and said, "I was just about to go to the county lady. Some flowers were sent over from the farm just now. I wanted to ask if the county lady liked any of them. There are also a few baskets of fresh bananas. I just don't know if the young lady likes them."
Mrs. Liao has been taking good care of Su Yao these days. She never forgets to send her a portion of anything good. When she heard that it was bananas, Su Yao smiled and thanked her: "Niuniu likes to eat them. Mrs. Yuan said before that she wanted to send someone to see if there was any on the street outside. Now it's ready."
These two people have a predestined relationship and a good relationship with each other. Mrs. Liao knows this and smiled when she heard it: "That's great. There are also some rare foods that I am not used to eating. I just don't know if the child likes them. I will send them over when the time comes. Niuniu is really cute, and even I like her."
After a few trivial talks, Su Yao changed the subject to business.
When Mrs. Liao heard that Su Yao wanted to purchase medicinal herbs, she didn't take it seriously at first. She just asked Su Yao to make a list and she asked her subordinates to do it.
How much money can a girl spend even if she buys as much ginseng and deer antlers as she wants
Mrs. Liao naturally wanted to do this favor.
Su Yao shook her head and smiled patiently: "Madam, you misunderstood. It was not me who wanted to purchase the herbs." She repeated what Doctor Shen had said before and said softly: "After all, the soldiers have to go to the battlefield. In addition, their water source is really not good. So I thought about purchasing some herbs. According to Doctor Shen's instructions, I must ask them to add herbs to the water and boil it. This way, they will not get sick easily after drinking it."
Mrs. Liao had also heard about this matter.
In the past, Councillor Yang would often come and complain, saying that the natives were prone to illness and that a war would result in more casualties.
But who would have thought of hiring a doctor for the natives at that time
In fact, even if he was invited, according to Senator Yang's personality, it is impossible for him to spend money to help them purchase medicinal materials for prevention.
After all, these soldiers are like leeks in the field. If they are cut, they will grow again.
Now that Su Yao had mentioned it, Mrs. Liao had to seriously consider it. She nodded and said, "I'm afraid it's a considerable amount of money."
No matter what kind of medicinal material it is, multiplied by more than 30,000 people, it would be a huge expense.
Mrs. Liao was a little worried. She looked at Su Yao with a thought in mind and asked tentatively: "County Lady, this expense..."
Should the imperial court be asked to do it
Or should we let Yunnan produce it
No matter where you get the money from, it will probably be a problem.
After all, you have to know that the imperial court also needs money everywhere. Not to mention the annual maintenance of the two rivers, there is also the military expenditure for fighting against Japanese pirates on the southeast coast and the city defense on the northern border. Even the hole in Yunnan has been blocked by the imperial court for many years.
No matter how much silver he asked for, even if it was Xiao Heng who came to quell the rebellion, I am afraid that the court would have something to say, because the silver from the Ministry of Revenue is not so easy to give.
If we have to use Yunnan’s finances, it would be even more difficult.
Su Yao smiled at Madam Liao and said, "That's exactly what I wanted to discuss with you, Madam. Aren't you going to invite the gentry to the banquet? I think with more people there is more power, and maybe we can solve it."
Mrs. Liao's eyes suddenly brightened and she understood what Su Yao meant.
Yes, it is not necessary for the court to give this money.
She felt relieved in her heart, and the look she gave Su Yao now showed a bit more complexity and admiration. She now realized that Su Yao had already had this idea, and he came here just to get her to share the credit.
After all, those gentry are now eager to get close to Xiao Heng, and they are worried that they have no way to please him. How can they not do something that is delivered to their doorstep
As the governor's wife, she could also be credited for gathering the medicinal materials and helping solve such a big problem in the military camp.
She was just about to say a few more words to Su Yao when she suddenly heard someone coming from outside to report that Xiao Heng and the others had returned.
Mrs. Liao hurriedly said, "Then ask the kitchen to prepare and boil some hot water."
When these people come back, the first thing they do is often not to eat or sleep, but to take a bath. After all, everything is inconvenient in the military camp, and Mrs. Liao already has this experience.
After Xiao Heng and the others came back, Mrs. Liao became even busier, and Su Yao took the opportunity to get up and say goodbye.
As soon as she returned to her yard, she saw Qingkun at the gate, so she raised her eyebrows and coughed.
Qingkun was startled and looked towards her, then hurried over to greet her. When he saw Yancao beside her, he couldn't hide his joy on his face.
Su Yao couldn't help laughing. He glanced at Yan Cao, then let them talk on their own and went in first.
Qingkun scratched his head, took out a small box and handed it to Yancao: "I, I made merit in the Black Mountain Camp and received a reward. I saw this beautiful bracelet on the street and bought it for you."
Yancao was extremely happy. She was never shy. When she saw the gold bracelet in the box, she also praised Qingkun: "Brother Qingkun is really amazing!"
The two of them laughed at each other and said a few words. Qing Kun's eyes lit up: "Sanjiu is here!"
He and Sanjiu often meet in the military camp, and they have a very good relationship now. When he saw Sanjiu coming, he greeted him.
Sanjiu also smiled and winked at him. Everyone knew about him and Yancao.
Yan Cao felt a little embarrassed by their noise, so she straightened her face and asked him why he came here.
Sanjiu held up a long box and smiled slyly: "What did Qingkun come here for? I came here to give the county lady a gift!"
As he spoke, he handed the box to Yan Cao: "Please ask sister to give it to the county lady for me, saying that this is a gift from His Highness, and tell her not to worry. The Earl also knows about it, so feel free to accept it."
Su Rong did know that Xiao Heng gave Su Yao a gift, and he was very annoyed. He said to Xiao Heng sullenly, "This was a private gift. Does Your Highness know? Don't do this again in the future."
Alas, he has such a hard time.
Neither of them is the type to follow the rules, and as their older brother he can only persuade them and not go too far.