After Gu Jinyun received Qi Surong's piggy handkerchief, he deeply realized his negligence. Two days later, he summoned all the servants of the Gu family to formally meet Qi Surong and take over the internal affairs of the Gu family. No one else had any doubts.
After Qi Surong handed over the designed clothing artwork to Yunrong Xiuzhuang, he concentrated on checking the Gu family's account books. The Gu family's monthly expenses are surprisingly low. In addition to the usual food and clothing expenses, the most expensive thing is the favors received. In addition, the gifts Gu Jinyun had given to Qi Surong actually accounted for one-fifth of the expenditure.
Qi Surong rubbed her eyebrows in a funny way. The Gu family had accumulated a lot of money over the years, even more than she expected, but the Gu family didn't seem to know how to spend it. Frugality is certainly a virtue, but knowing how to spend money is also an advantage. For example, the wages of servants of the Gu family are only increased once every three years, and there are no rewards except after holidays. Although they never criticize their servants harshly, they may not be able to control their hearts.
Gu Jinyun is quite talented in business, but because of his cold temperament, he does not care about the affairs of the inner court. Gu Chang and Gu Yufeng were both pure warriors and were not even interested in these things.
However, Gu Jinyun hired a good housekeeper to arrange all the affairs of the Gu family in an orderly manner, but... Qi Surong looked at the account book, his eyes flickering, it was inevitable that his hands and feet were dirty. Qi Surong did not plan to pursue the case for the time being. This person acted in a measured manner and did not greedy for too much money. This was still within the range that Qi Surong could tolerate.
In addition, people who are responsible for purchasing household items have more or less problems. Qi Surong guessed that Gu Jinyun should be well aware of this. Since he didn't say anything, it represented a kind of tacit approval.
However, Qi Surong disagreed with this kind of tacit consent. Isn't this condoning the greed of others
In the evening, Qi Surong mentioned the matter to Gu Jinyun and asked what he meant.
Gu Jinyun replied: "I know, the reason why I don't care is just too lazy to bother."
"Too lazy to bother?" Qi Surong said in disbelief, "What if they get greedier and get more?"
"Then send it to the officials for investigation." Gu Jinyun replied calmly.
Qi Surong was stunned for a moment, then realized that Gu Jinyun was using this to test the character of these people. From this point of view, he was indeed lazy... It took a lot of energy and time to supervise and regulate the behavior of his subordinates. Gu Jinyun just made a mental note. If anyone did not know how to exercise restraint, he would expel them directly.
Qi Surong was speechless, this was too simple and crude, it was completely laissez-faire management.
Qi Surong said: "Okay, I will be in charge from now on. Do you have any objection?"
"Of course, deal with it accordingly." Gu Jinyun hugged her and said softly, "As a husband, too..."
The next day, Ping'er handed over the list of servants in the inner room to Qi Surong. After reading it, Qi Surong said to Ping'er: "Go and inform Butler Li to transfer these two maids to Shuangshuang, and add one more to my room." Maid, the rest will remain as is for the time being."
"Yes, Ping'er will go right away."
After a while, Ping'er came in with a girl of fifteen or sixteen years old. The girl bowed to Qi Surong rather shyly.
"Your name is Dou'er?" Qi Surong said with a smile.
"Back to Madam, yes."
"I heard that before you came to the Gu family, you worked in an official's mansion?"
"Yes."
"Why did you leave your original owner's family? Their salary should be higher than that of the Gu family."
Although Dou'er's expression was awkward, she spoke clearly: "My slave is timid by nature and doesn't know how to get along with other sisters. I'm afraid of offending others, so I'm asking the master to let my slave out of the house and find another way to make a living."
Qi Surong nodded, quite satisfied with her answer. In just one sentence, enough explanation has been given. There are many disputes in the official family, and open and secret fights between subordinates are common. Dou'er said that she didn't know how to get along with other sisters, which meant that she didn't like to form cliques and get involved in disputes. But if you stay completely out of it, you will easily attract people's attention.
"Okay, you can stay with me and serve me from now on. This is my personal maid Ping'er. You two usually take care of each other."
"Yes." Dou'er said happily, then looked at Ping'er and called out, "Sister Ping'er."
Ping'er was a simple-minded person and immediately responded with a friendly smile.
Dou'er showed a shy smile and seemed to have a good impression of her.
Seeing this, Qi Surong nodded secretly. However, it remains to be seen whether Dou'er can be cultivated. When she married into the Gu family, she only brought Ping'er as a maid, which was too weak. Just like before, when guests came to visit the Gu family, no one informed her.
After lunch, the two maids, Fanghe, came to pay their respects. They bowed casually and asked, "Madam, why have you arranged two more maids for the third lady? Do you really blame me for not taking good care of the third lady?"
"You are Miss Third's personal maid."
"Yes. Madam, do you have any doubts?"
"Then shouldn't you be by Shuangshuang's side at this time?" Qi Surong said coldly, "I have seen Shuangshuang running around alone more than once. As her personal maid, is this not dereliction of duty?"
"It's not like Madam doesn't know that Miss Third is..."
"What is it?" Qi Surong looked sharply.
Fanghe immediately stopped speaking.