The kitchen steward approached Gu Jiu to complain.
"Madam, there are many things to do in the kitchen. Once the staff is cut off, it will be even more busy. Please take it back, Madam."
Gu Jiu looked at Pozi Zhu, "Abolishing the manpower is a matter decided by the prince and the princess, and there is no way to change it. If you are dissatisfied, go and talk to the princess."
Mrs. Zhu cursed in her heart, if the slaves can talk to the princess directly, why should they come to see you.
She tried to say: "There are so many things in the kitchen every day, from morning to night, the two girls, Qingzhu and Xiaocui, saw it with their own eyes, and the servants absolutely did not lie in the slightest. The kitchen is even more busy if it is cut off from everyone at once. After a while, you may have to reassign people to work in the kitchen. It is better to use skilled hands than novice hands.”
Gu Jiu looked at Granny Zhu with a half-smile, "There are a lot of things in the kitchen, it's busy, it's true. But no matter how busy it is, it's not so busy that it can't be overwhelmed by laying off a few people.
Thirty percent of the cost of each courtyard has been cancelled. I heard that the fourth son used to have eight dishes and two soups for each meal, but now the fourth wife is in charge, and each meal has been changed to four dishes and two soups.
There are fewer meals in each courtyard every day. It stands to reason that your kitchen is much more relaxed than before. Not to mention abolishing 10% of the people, even if 20% of the people are axed at a time, they can still be busy. "
Mrs. Zhu's face was as pale as a pig's liver, "Ma'am really knows everything. But, can the slaves decide who will be dismissed?"
Gu Jiu stared at the other party, and smiled softly, "It's not impossible for you to decide, after all, you are the kitchen manager, and you are most familiar with the inside and outside of the kitchen. However, you should show the list to Mrs. Ben first."
Overjoyed, Mrs. Zhu directly reported the list of several unsightly servants.
When Gu Jiu heard the name, she smiled knowingly.
Unsurprisingly, everyone is taking the opportunity to root out dissidents.
She said directly: "The list you drew up is not good. As far as I know, these people have been working diligently. Except that their mouths are a little rough and they like to sue you, there is nothing wrong with them."
Mrs. Zhu was embarrassed by this, but she was still arguing, "Ma'am, this servant really has no selfish intentions. This servant wants to improve the kitchen wholeheartedly, but these people always fight against this servant so that they can't do anything well. Madam wants It is absolutely impossible to reorganize the kitchen without dismissing these people."
Gu Jiu snorted coldly, her face turned cold, "Are you threatening Mrs. Ben?"
"The slaves dare not."
Grandma Zhu said she didn't dare, but she didn't think so in her heart.
She curled her lips secretly, what kind of lady, who has no power, really thinks that she can make decisions
Gu Jiu laughed mockingly, "If my wife insists on keeping these few people, what will you do?"
Zhu Pozi said: "That servant is really helpless, and I'm afraid the whole kitchen has no intention of doing anything."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows and smiled, "In this way, your ability is really unbearable. You can't manage a kitchen well. What qualifications do you have to be a kitchen steward. Why don't you just fire you and replace you with capable people? Madame takes care of the kitchen."
Zhu Pozi's face changed, "This servant is an old man in the house, and has been working in the kitchen. In the whole house, there is no one who knows the kitchen better than this servant."
"So what? The kitchen is a place to cook food, not a place to compete for qualifications. Since you can't manage the kitchen well, then go home and retire."
Gu Jiu's face was serious and she showed no mercy.
But Mrs. Zhu said: "Madam can't get rid of slaves. The maid's daughter is married to Mother Qin's nephew. The slaves are going to see Mother Qin and the concubine."
"Diao Nu!" Mother Fang yelled sharply.
Gu Jiu waved her hand to signal Nanny Fang not to worry.
She looked at Mrs. Zhu, "Do you think you are so important that the princess would scold Mrs. Ben for you? Who gave you face
My wife is the eldest daughter-in-law of the majestic royal family, and I don't believe that anyone would dare to slap me in the face if a servant is dismissed.
If you don't believe me, you can try it and see if Mrs. Ben can deal with you.
Someone, drag her down to me, and investigate her corruption, and how she enriches her private pockets. Be sure to handle this matter firmly, no one dares to overturn the case. "
Rong Xin and Huang Zhuo of the little Huang family bowed to accept the order and dragged Mrs. Zhu down.
At last Mrs. Zhu knew she was afraid.
She flung open the two yellow doors and knelt on the ground with a plop, "Madam, I know my mistake, I really know my mistake. I will never dare again, and I will obey Madam in everything from now on. Madam told me to go East, slaves will never go west. I beg Madam to give slaves another chance."
Gu Jiu sneered, "Can you take care of the kitchen?"
"Yes, yes, yes! This servant must be able to manage the kitchen well."
Gu Jiu snorted, "It's a pity that it's too late. You didn't want my wife to give you shame before, so don't blame this lady for being ruthless now. Drag it on."
This time, Rong Xin and Huang Zhuo didn't give Mrs. Zhu a chance, and kept dragging her out.
Grandma Zhu yelled, "Madam, please spare me! The servant refuses to obey, and the servant wants to report to the princess, saying that the lady is taking private revenge."
"Wait!"
Nanny Fang called out to stop the two yellow doors.
Mrs. Zhu was pleasantly surprised, thinking that there was something bright in the dark.
Nanny Fang stepped forward, raised her hand, slapped, and slapped Mrs. Zhu's face swollen.
Then he said: "Stop her mouth. If you dare to talk nonsense, cut off her tongue."
Zhu Pozi's eyes widened, she couldn't believe it.
Gu Jiu lowered her head and smiled, Fang Nanny came out of the palace, she was the real ruthless person.
Huang Zhuo took a stinky sock and stuffed it directly into Mrs. Zhu's mouth.
Mrs. Zhu was almost overwhelmed by smoke.
Then she was dragged away.
After dealing with Mrs. Zhu, it will be much easier for Gu Jiu to tidy up the kitchen.
She rearranged people to manage the kitchen, and promoted a few people who dared to do the job.
Finally, the abolition list was handed over. The first name on the list is Mrs. Zhu.
When Princess Pei saw the list, she was noncommittal.
Nanny Qin accepted the benefits of Mrs. Zhu's daughter, so she naturally wanted to speak for Mrs. Zhu.
She took a chance and said to Mrs. Pei, "Your Majesty, the Da Furen cleaned up the kitchen. This method is too cruel. Could it be that she wants to establish authority and replace her. After all, she is the eldest daughter-in-law and should be the housekeeper. "
Mrs. Pei was not happy to hear this, "What do you mean by being a housekeeper? This princess is not dead yet. Don't forget, this is Prince Ning's mansion, and this princess is the mistress of the palace."
Mother Qin pretended to be terrified, "The slaves dare not forget what your mother said. But the eldest lady may not think so. It is said that this time to clean up the kitchen, the mother specially arranged errands for her in the hope that she would perform well.
In the end, she turned against the empress, and specially eliminated the empress's people. It's too arrogant for her to do so. It's like a slap in the face! "
Pei frowned, and looked at the list again, and sure enough, they were all familiar names.
To say that these people belonged to her was not enough. But it's not right to say that these people are not hers.
The Pei family is in charge of the palace, and has a lot of resources and money in his hands, so he doesn't count on the oil and water in the kitchen at all.
Therefore, the people arranged in the kitchen are not her cronies.
It was because he was pleasing to the eye and considered clever that he agreed to arrange Mrs. Zhu and others in the positions of managers.
But what Mother Qin said is also reasonable.
As soon as Gu Jiu made a move, he cut off the person he had arranged, and it was clear that he was acting against her.
She threw the list to Nanny Qin, "Tell Da Furen to draw up another list. Don't stare at those petty profits all day long."
When Mother Qin heard this, she was overjoyed.
At least this matter was done.
"Slave servant, send someone to the east courtyard now."
…
east courtyard.
Qingmei's maidservants were filled with righteous indignation.
Xiao Cui snorted, "It must be that Nanny Qin who made trouble. Grandma Zhu's daughter is Nanny Qin's nephew and daughter-in-law. It must be Nanny Qin who slandered the princess in front of her, so the princess would reject the list made by the madam. .”
Qingmei said: "Is there anything I can do. Qin Nanny is the most useful nanny by the princess's side, one word from her is more useful than ten words from my wife."
Nanny Fang discussed with Gu Jiu, "Madam, do you want to draw up a new list?"
Gu Jiu shook his head, "No need. Mrs. Zhu must be abolished, and this matter cannot be changed. If Mrs. Zhu is turned over, from now on, no one will listen to Madam Ben's order in the kitchen."
"Nurse Qin wants to protect Mrs. Zhu, and the concubine is on the side of Nanny Qin. What should I do?"
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "Nurse Qin really thought that she could change Mrs. Ben's decision with a few words and make Mrs. Zhu turn around. Then Mrs. Ben will let her know that some things cannot be changed by slander Go and call Huang Zhuo and the others.”
Nanny Fang's eyes lit up, "Is Madam planning?"
Gu Jiu laughed, "The lord and the concubine have repeatedly emphasized the need to be frugal. My wife will follow what they say, catch moths and cut the kitchen expenses. After the results are obtained, I will naturally report to the lord and the concubine."
Nanny Fang laughed, "Madam is right."
Huang Zhuo and others thoroughly investigated Mrs. Zhu.
In a short time, the ironclad evidence has been obtained.
Gu Jiu checked all the evidence and nodded in satisfaction.
When everything was ready, Gu Jiu brought all kinds of materials and came to Chunhe Hall.
The second wife, Ouyang Fu, asked with concern: "I heard that sister-in-law has started to dismantle the kitchen, is everything going well?"
"Thank you for your concern, my second brother and sister. Everything is going well."
Xiao Qin'er laughed when she heard the words, "Sister-in-law really knows how to open her eyes and tell nonsense. How did I hear that the mother concubine has already rejected your list and asked you to draw up a new list and submit it."
Gu Jiu smiled softly, and looked back at Xiao Qin'er, "Is there such a thing? Why didn't I know? The news about the fourth sibling is really well-informed."
Xiao Qin'er was dissatisfied, "Why are you pretending to be stupid. This matter has already spread throughout the whole house, and you still want to deny it. Hmph, you will suffer for your face."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "I don't have to worry about my affairs. You should take care of your own one-third of an acre of land."
Everyone is here, and Mrs. Pei has also arrived in the hall.
Everyone stepped forward to salute, and then sat down separately.
Mrs. Pei got straight to the point, "After so many days, have you done everything I told you?"
"Your Majesty, don't worry, it has been done as you ordered."
Everyone handed in their respective lists, and Mrs. Pei glanced at them and said, "This princess will review these lists one by one to ensure that no one uses power for personal gain."
After finishing speaking, she swept her eyes towards Gu Jiu, "Daughter-in-law, where is the list of kitchen layoffs?"
Gu Jiu took the list from Qingmei and handed it in.
When Pei looked at it, his face collapsed, "What's the matter with you? Didn't the concubine send someone to tell you that this list was not approved and asked you to draw up a new one. You actually handed in the exact same one again, isn't it plausible? "
Gu Jiu was not in a hurry, and said in a calm tone: "Mother Concubine Rong, my daughter-in-law deeply reflected on herself yesterday, what is wrong with this list, is there someone who was wronged
Later, the daughter-in-law checked the account books of the kitchen for the past five years and found the crux of the problem.
The few people on the list deserve death, and they must not be allowed to stay in the palace as moths, greedy for money from the palace.
Concubine mother, please look, this is a bill sorted out by my daughter-in-law. I believe that the concubine mother will support her daughter-in-law's decision after reading this bill. "
The bill was handed over to Mrs. Pei.
Pei flipped through the pages, his expression becoming more and more serious.
Nanny Qin stretched her neck, peeked a few times, and her heart skipped a beat.
The eldest lady is so vicious, she really did everything she could to get rid of Mrs. Zhu.
She looked towards Gu Jiu with gloomy eyes.
Gu Jiu smiled at her, as if to say: You will be the first grader, and I will be the fifteenth grader. I am willing to bet and admit defeat, and don't blame anyone.
Nanny Qin clenched her fists tightly. At this time, she did not dare to speak nonsense, for fear of being angered by the princess.
I only hope that the concubine can see through Gu Jiu's treacherous scheme, and don't be fooled.
After reading the bill, Mrs. Pei asked with a gloomy face, "Is this true?"
Gu Jiu said with certainty: "It's absolutely true."
"What about the evidence? I can't conclude that those people are moths just based on the bill you made."
"There is evidence."
After finishing speaking, Gu Jiu clapped his hands, and the servants came in carrying all the books in the kitchen for the past five years.
Gu Jiu pointed to those ledgers and said, "I want to report to my concubine, my daughter-in-law has already circled and marked any questionable accounts.
And the daughter-in-law also compared the prices in the capital over the past five years, and came to the conclusion that in the past five years alone, the few people in the kitchen have spent at least tens of thousands of taels of silver.
Pushing forward a few years, I don't know how much money they have been greedy for.
For example, chicken tongue is the fourth son's favorite food. It is said that one hundred chickens must be killed each time to make a chicken tongue feast. After calculating the cost, it is about thirty taels.
But the account book records fifty taels, and it gets higher every year. This year, the fourth son had a chicken tongue feast, and the price had risen to eighty taels.
In fact, adding up all the costs still only cost thirty taels. The extra fifty taels was naturally lost by Tan Mo. "
"Okay!" Xiao Qin'er was so angry when she heard this, "I dare say that the expenses in our yard have been corrupted by these moths. Concubine Mu, you have to decide for us." Pei stared Glancing at Xiao Qin'er, there is no city mansion at all, and she jumped out just for the sake of a few dozen taels, are her eyelids so shallow
Concubine Shen secretly smiled, Xiao Qin'er must have gotten into Qian's eyes. Didn't she help Gu Jiu a lot by jumping out.
She also said that she was going to fight Gu Jiu in the ring, but in her city, she was led away by Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu took the fourth son's favorite chicken tongue as an example, obviously out of deliberate scheme against Xiao Qin'er.
However, Xiao Qin'er took the initiative to jump into the pit, she was really stupid and didn't know it.
Xiao Qin'er also had no choice.
It doesn't matter if you say she is looking for money, or you say she is short-sighted, doesn't she really know how to jump into a pit? Didn't she know that by jumping out, she was helping Gu Jiu
In fact, she knows all about it.
It is really poor and short-sighted.
She has a lot of dowry, but Liu Yi can't stand the high expenses.
Liu Yi doesn't have any property under his name, it all depends on the monthly regulations in the mansion and the money from office errands.
Prince Liu Yi's mansion, how can this little money be spent.
From time to time, I have to ask Xiao Qin'er for money.
Xiao Qin'er's dowry money is also limited, so there is no way to open up to provide for Liu Yi's messy expenses.
There is no way but to find a way to make money.
Coupled with the sudden cut of 30% of the expenses, Xiao Qin'er is worrying about money these days, almost to death.
When she suddenly heard that the kitchen dared to covet the cost of their yard, she was so angry that she wanted to kill the kitchen staff.
The old lady worked so hard to save money, and she was reluctant to spend it, but it turned out to be cheaper than that bitch.
At this time, Xiao Qin'er didn't care about her position, no matter what conflicts she had with Gu Jiu, she only wanted to tell the kitchen lady to spit out all the money she had been greedy for, so as to eliminate the hatred in her heart.
Mrs. Pei picked up a ledger casually and flipped through it.
Sure enough, as Gu Jiu said, all the ledgers are marked with red pen, which is clear at a glance.
The price on the ledger is compared with the actual price, and the price difference is clear at a glance.
Turning over page by page, after flipping through an account book, and doing a rough calculation, let alone three or four thousand taels of greed.
This is a ledger.
After five years, there are a total of ten ledgers.
Pei Shi didn't even dare to calculate the accounts here.
Snapped!
Mrs. Pei threw the ledger on the table, "Go, call Master Jia Ling. I want to ask him, how does he manage the house? There are so many moths, so much greed, and he didn't notice it beforehand?"