Zhulan thought it was abnormal. Zhou Shuren was the prefect, and she was the prefect's wife. Logically, someone should have asked her for news about Zhou Shuren. They had been here for so many days, but she didn't even recognize the prefect's wife. This was a bit unreasonable.
Zhou Shuren laughed softly, "Have you forgotten that I told you that when we were not here, all the officials in Lizhou were vegetarians?"
Zhulan had really forgotten that since Zhou Shuren came to Lizhou to start selling meat, the Tongzhi and other prefectures sent servants out to buy meat that day. As a result of continuous purchases, merchants saw business opportunities and two more butcher shops appeared in Lizhou City.
There are many officials of various ranks in Lizhou City. Although they have salaries and the gifts they receive seem to involve money, the gifts they receive are many and they also give a lot. In the end, they still spend their salaries and family assets. Not all officials know how to manage their family assets, and very few have their own farms, so they still need to purchase things from outside.
Zhulan was amused. "You mean, they are all waiting for me to hold a banquet and invite them?"
Zhou Shuren nodded, "Yes, the Tongzhi and Tongpan are watching me. They imitate everything I do, fearing that I will do something too extreme. In addition, I have been here for a month and have basically calmed the people. I have a very high reputation among the people. They dare not play tricks on me, let alone invite you."
Zhulan reached out and touched Zhou Shuren's face. His face was thin and darker, making his already ordinary appearance even worse. During the month in Lizhou City, in the first five days, Zhou Shuren was busy distributing grain and understanding the situation of the entire state. Later, when the seeds arrived, he was busy distributing grain and planting spring crops. Although the seeds were not many, they were the people's hope for the year.
Before the spring ploughing was over, extra labor was hired to build roads and ponds. Zhou Shuren did all the work himself. His office was not in the yamen. Not only was he running around outside every day, he also had to personally visit farmers with good character who were reported by each village.
This month has been really exhausting. Zhulan's hands moved from her face to her body, and all she felt were bones. "I nourish you every day, but it doesn't seem to be working very well. Please be gentle with your body!"
Zhou Shuren held Zhulan's hand and looked at the dark ceiling. He felt so depressed. His wedding night was ruined by the emperor's blow. He has not had a moment of relaxation since he passed the imperial examination. On the first day in Lizhou City, he looked at the people who brought their children to receive food. He was such a selfish and cold-blooded person that he felt so upset. He stood aside for a long time without moving. Until the people who received the food confirmed that it was edible and not adulterated, everyone knelt down in front of him, calling him "Master."
He was not feeling happy at that time, but rather felt more depressed. At this moment, he truly realized that he was not coming here to complete the mission or to live a better life and save his head. He also wanted to do something for the people.
The result is that he doesn't even want to look at his own face now, and he also hopes to keep himself on his best side. Well, it has to be postponed again, and he really should take good care of himself.
Zhu Lan didn't wait for Zhou Shuren to reply, "What are you thinking about?"
Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "I thought I'd take you around the area when I have some free time."
He thought he should give Zhulan a surprise, and then cough cough.
Zhulan felt sorry for Zhou Shuren. "You don't have to take me around. There's nothing for me to see. I've been out of town a lot these days, and I've seen everything I need to see."
Zhou Shuren touched Zhulan's hand. He worked hard, and Zhulan also worked hard. "Thank you for the hard work at home."
Zhulan, "I'm not tired. By the way, I bought five-year-old fruit trees. Although they are expensive, the fruit farmers said that five-year-old apple trees are in the peak production period. Even if some flowers are damaged due to planting, there will be a lot of fruit this year."
Zhou Shuren laughed, "Then I'll wait to eat the apple."
Winter apples are a delicacy in the north. He didn’t get to eat many last winter. He thought that people in modern times don’t want to eat apples, but he would miss them in ancient times!
Zhulan asked, "When do you think I should invite the wives of the Tongzhi and Tongpan?"
"It's up to you. You can invite me whenever you are free."
Zhulan wanted to ask around for information first, but then she thought that they had just been transferred here not long ago, and there were few shops in Lizhou City. These ladies basically never went out, so it would be difficult to get information. "Let me think about choosing a day."
She has to invite them because they are waiting for her. It is very important for a lady to be social.
"It's getting late, go to bed!"
The next morning, Zhou Shuren took a carriage to the yamen. Boss Zhou took Lichun to the mountains outside the city. The fruit trees were planted and many people were hired to weed and water them. Boss Zhou was there to keep an eye on them.
Zhulan was thinking about what name to use to invite people, flower viewing or tea tasting
There was no Hua in the house, but there was tea. Zhou Shuren had never been willing to drink the tea given by the emperor. Well, this could be used to help.
Zhulan thought that instead of inviting the ladies separately, she should invite the Tongzhi and others as well. Now that things are basically stable, Mumu, who hasn't been together for a long time, can take a day off. She will talk to Zhou Shuren about it when he comes back.
Zhulan was worried again. Tea tasting requires tea sets, but her home had few exquisite bowls and plates, let alone tea sets. She kept all the ones she bought in the capital, and was afraid that these porcelains would be broken on the way.
And you can’t just enjoy the tea without the scenery, you still need flowers.
The scenery of the courtyard in the house is nice, but a little monotonous. Well, it’s really a hassle to hold a decent banquet.
Moreover, there were no merchants making porcelain in Lizhou City, so Zhulan had to buy from Chuanzhou. She was very worried. She spent 3,500 taels of silver out of the 5,600 taels she had to pay for the land and saplings.
Since we were buying five-year-old fruit trees, each one cost one tael of silver. We bought 2,800 trees, and gave them 100 as a gift to prevent loss. Plus the transportation costs of 3,500, the total was gone.
Digging ice cellars was actually a small expense. Two ice cellars cost 150 taels, leaving only more than 1,800 taels in the family's account. She had not bought the shop yet, so she had to spend another sum of money to buy tea sets, plates and bowls, etc.
That's right, she hasn't bought her manor yet! This money is spent like water, it's really not easy to spend. Zhulan thought of the three houses again. Now everyone knows about Pinggang. Her house has increased in value by many times. With the income from these three houses, why should she bother to calculate now
Liu Ya knocked on the door and said, "Madam, the housekeeper is here."
Zhulan, "Come in."
Steward Ding held the letter in his hand and said, "Madam, this is a letter sent by Old Master Yang. He said it was from home."
Zhulan took it and looked at it. There were several letters, each of which was quite thick.