Zhulan, "So charcoal is expensive this year. If the price is not controlled, it will continue to rise."
Zhou Shuren said, "Firewood is not cheap either. I saw quite a few people selling firewood."
"Well, if you work harder, you can sell several times a day."
The Zhouhou Mansion has its own farm and does not need to buy firewood. The farm will deliver firewood to the capital every day. The entire mansion is very large, with many masters and servants. The daily consumption of firewood alone is not counted, but charcoal is the biggest expense.
One can imagine how much the entire marquis's mansion consumes in a day, and the monthly salary is also a considerable amount. For an official family without a clean financial background, life is not as glamorous as it seems, without considering the favors given.
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard and said, "Many officials received advance payments this month."
The court's salaries have increased several times, which is considered good, but it's a pity that life in winter is difficult.
Zhulan said: "It would be better if we don't borrow money from the national treasury."
Zhou Shuren snorted, "Don't even think about it."
Advance payment of salary is already his bottom line, and the emperor will not allow it. Every penny in the national treasury must be spent wisely.
The last naval battle gave the emperor a great sense of urgency. He would look at the drawn coastline map from time to time. Thinking of this, Zhou Shuren got a headache. Building a defense line requires money, which is a bottomless pit of money.
In the evening, the whole family had a reunion dinner in the main courtyard. They still wore plain clothes and did not change into bright clothes. After all, the Zhouhou Mansion was somewhat close to the royal family!
While other officials could return to their normal lives after a month, the Zhouhou Mansion remained low-key. At least the Emperor was pleased to see this, and Zhou Shuren also remembered the kindness of the retired Emperor.
The next day, Ming Teng accompanied his grandfather to the morning court. After the anniversary, Marquis Rong'an would officially appear in the court.
The end of life refers to Ming Teng. He stood in the court. Although he was very young, his position was conspicuous. After a year of silence, Ming Teng had changed a lot. The scriptures he wrote in a year were not written in vain. He not only wrote but also studied every day, and his mind became more and more calm.
The emperor was very surprised when he saw him. He praised Ming Teng for his filial piety and then took Ming Teng away after the court session.
Old Master Wen was jealous and depressed. The Wen family was the prince's maternal family. The emperor had suppressed the Wen family several times, but he trusted Zhou Shuren unconditionally. Everyone could feel the emperor's love for Ming Teng. The surname Rong really took advantage!
Old Master Wen stabbed, "Marquis Zhou is so lucky."
Zhou Shuren, "Who made me have a good mother? No, I should say who made me reincarnate?"
Mr. Wen, "..."
This old man shouldn't be so mean.
Lord Wen left angrily, and the others came over to congratulate him. They all knew that the emperor wanted to use Rong Mingteng. There was nothing they could do about it, even though they were jealous. The surname was one reason, but also because the Rong family was small in number, the emperor trusted the Rong family and was not afraid of it becoming bigger.
Zhou Shuren replied politely, and after everyone left, he walked away slowly with his hands behind his back.
The second prince looked up to the sky, wondering why it was so difficult to win over the people in Marquis Zhou’s mansion!
Zhou Shuren didn't know about the second prince's depression. He was thinking about his third son. Chang Lian's life became difficult after winter. Even though the imperial court controlled the merchants to take the opportunity to make huge profits, the aristocratic families also had their own ways to make profits.
Zhou Shuren was also pleased that this was Chang Lian's opportunity. After enough training, it would become Chang Lian's asset.
After leaving the palace, Zhou Shuren saw the Prince of Qi standing next to the Ministry of Revenue's carriage and was puzzled, "Does the prince want to see me for something?"
King Qi said: "Private matter."
Zhou Shuren did not get on the carriage, "Your Majesty, please speak."
King Qi, "Everyone in the capital knows that the winter vegetables in the Marquis' Mansion are good. I want to borrow a few vegetable farmers."
Zhou Shuren thought it was a private matter, "It's all a small matter."
The King of Qi lowered his voice again, "Does Lord Zhou still remember the good breed?"
Zhou Shuren took a moment to react, "Improved varieties of grain?"
"Yes, I heard from my brother that it has stabilized this year."
Zhou Shuren really hadn’t heard the emperor mention it. He probably wanted to wait until things were completely stable. “This is a good thing.”
Increasing grain production is a good thing that benefits the people, especially in years of grain production reduction, it is a shot in the arm.
The King of Qi was not sure whether the emperor should take the credit for himself or give it to his father. Logically, it should belong to his father, but when his father was unable to do it, it was the emperor who did it himself.
After the Prince of Qi left, Zhou Shuren got on the carriage of the Ministry of Revenue and stroked his beard. The Prince of Qi wanted to test him on some of the Emperor's plans, but unfortunately the Emperor had not told him.
Not long after Zhou Shuren returned to the Ministry of Revenue, he saw Ming Teng. "You came here right after leaving the palace?"
Ming Teng nodded, "Yes, the emperor has arranged a task for his grandson."
Zhou Shuren was not surprised. The emperor would definitely use Ming Teng. "What job?"
Ming Teng, "The emperor asked his grandson to be in charge of growing grain."
This really surprised him, he thought he would be assigned the task of guarding the palace!
Zhou Shuren smiled, "This is my trust in you."
"Um?"
Zhou Shuren repeated what the King of Qi said, "If nothing unexpected happens, there will be results next year. All these years of hard work will be successful. The emperor trusts you by letting you take charge."
It was arranged only because of great trust.
Ming Teng also smiled, "It's a good thing that benefits the country and the people."
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard and said, "The emperor is giving you some merits for nothing."
Ming Teng also figured it out, "My grandson will not let the emperor down."
Zhou Shuren said: "The Rong family is loyal to the emperor, just remember that."
Ming Teng nodded, "My grandson will keep his mouth shut."
He was clear about his identity, Marquis Rong'an, which was the royal family's trust in the Rong family.
Zhou Shuren was happy for Ming Teng, but also a little jealous. He had worked hard for all his achievements, but Ming Teng was fine, and the emperor had to take the trouble to arrange it. But he was mostly happy, "You hosting the banquet this time means your status in the capital, you don't need to be stage-frightened."
Ming Teng smiled, "Grandson understands."
The Rong family doesn't have many people, but they are very confident!
At Zhouhou Mansion, Zhulan looked through the posts Liujia had chosen and said with a smile, "It's pretty good, let's go with this one."
Liu Jia was happy to hear this. She was afraid that she might not be able to choose well enough, and then it would be the Rong family that would lose face. "I'll go back and arrange for someone to write the post."
Zhulan smiled and nodded, "Don't be too tired to take your time."
Liu Jia knew that she couldn't be impatient. Li waited for her daughter-in-law to leave and said with a smile, "This child is still not confident."
Zhulan, "Take your time. Everyone learns things step by step."
Li said, "Sometimes I feel dazed when my daughter-in-law handles the affairs of the mansion. I can't believe that she can handle it so well."
"You're still bragging. Well, you're the best, and you can teach me."
Li laughed out loud and said, "I don't know how Mingyun and his wife are doing recently."
Zhulan was not worried. "Didn't you write last time saying that the vegetables you planted have grown? Don't worry about them anymore. I think they are living a happy life."
Li, "It's different with my wife by my side."
Zhulan also laughed. It was indeed different. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law talked about some things in the capital. Suddenly, Li said, "The Crown Princess is pregnant. She is about to give birth."
Zhulan counted the days, "It's really coming soon."