Although Qin Fang was thoughtful and scheming, and always followed his own plans, there was only one thing that would never change, that is, he would always leave a way out when doing things. He would not rush into adventures. He would not do dangerous things without a backer. For example, he would not think of hiding sulfur mines and saltpeter mines. For example, he immediately presented the method of making ice from saltpeter to the emperor. He knew that for a person of his status, the most important backer was the emperor.
So, when Yang Haiyan said to offer this potato flour and sweet potato flour to the emperor, he agreed. However, his agreement was one thing, and his wife's courage was another. But think about it, his wife was from the family of Taifu Yang, who was involved in the fight for the throne, so it was normal for people from the Yang family to be courageous.
Qin Fang smiled unkindly when he heard Yang Haiyan say that she wanted to repay the emperor. His half-smiley eyes clearly told Yang Haiyan that he didn't believe her lies. Everyone in the family was smart, and if it was like this, it would be his father and mother.
Yang Haiyan thought his smile was a little bit naughty, and asked unconvincedly: "Husband, what are you laughing at?"
Qin Fang immediately said, "I laugh at my wife being the smartest." How could he possibly tell the truth? To be honest, wife, I don't know why you want to repay the emperor? The emperor is a wise ruler. If you "repay" the emperor, even if the emperor doesn't give you what you expected, the emperor will not let you suffer. As a wise ruler, how could he take advantage of his subjects
Yang Haiyan didn't know what he was thinking. The couple was about to celebrate their first anniversary of marriage. In Yang Haiyan's heart, Qin Fang had always been an honest and sincere person. At the beginning, her attitude towards Qin Fang was that of a character in a book. In the book, he was a responsible person. No matter how the original owner tossed him around, he never said harsh words to her or took action. Therefore, Qin Fang left a good impression on her. When they met again, she was very satisfied with Qin Fang's appearance and figure. This was the type she liked, so she tried to get along with him, tried to date him, and also tried to tease him and make him sad for herself. She knew very well that whether it was modern or ancient, the most important thing for a woman to live a happy life was to get a man's heart. Unless a woman intends to live her own life, she will not be obsessed with a man.
But as they spent more time together, she got to know Qin Fang better. He was a careful person who planned for the future. He joined the army and wanted to make progress. When General Ao said that they might have to go to the capital, he considered that Yang Haiyan didn't want to go, so he decided to retire and open a escort agency. This way of life would be better than going home.
From this incident, we can see that he is a person who takes three steps forward and will not panic when the time comes.
However, Yang Haiyan never knew that Qin Fang had a side to him. In front of her, he would hide his little thoughts and his dark side. Just like now, she didn't know that Qin Fang had seen through her, but he still said some nice words to prevent her from knowing.
Qin Fang was not hiding himself, he just simply wanted her to be happy and live an easy life.
Yang Haiyan was of course happy to be praised, so she proudly told him about her plan, from franchising, franchise fees to management, etc. Qin Fang was also very considerate and gave her tea: "Please drink some water slowly, drink some tea first."
Yang Haiyan nodded, her mouth was indeed dry.
While Yang Haiyan was drinking tea, Qin Fang asked: "What do you think, whether it is potato flour or sweet potato flour, their profits are two times that of potatoes and sweet potatoes?"
Yang Haiyan said: "Yes, this is still based on the price of flour. If the price of potato flour and sweet potato flour is higher than that of flour, then the profit will be greater. Moreover, potatoes and sweet potatoes are sold at one penny per pound, and if they are purchased in large quantities, it is estimated that one penny is possible for three pounds. I think this is a good thing. The common people make land, and the noble families make potato flour, and we can make money together."
She did not propose to let the common people join. First of all, the common people could not afford the expensive franchise fee, so of course the money had to be earned from the noble families. Secondly, the common people had no power and influence, and even if they got the franchise quota, they could not keep it in the local area. Maybe others would go to the downtown area and praise it after a few times. Therefore, this franchise must be from a noble family, and it must be a noble family with good character that he dare not offend because of his power. Finally, the emperor was involved in this matter because if this was the emperor's plan, no one dared to ruin the emperor's reputation in the downtown area. The emperor who emerged from the fight for the throne, no matter how sharp his knife was, no one was willing to try.
Qin Fang said: "Then write down the plan, and I will ask Tao Shan to send the memorial to the capital."
Yang Haiyan was shocked and couldn't help but ask with a smile: "Are you not going to give the letter to Du this time?"
Qin Fang couldn't help laughing: "The emperor asked Chief Steward Chi to pass on the letter. It also mentioned that if there is something wrong here, I can report it directly." This is mainly to prevent the sulfur mine and saltpeter mine from being out. "But I will also tell Mr. Du, after all, Mr. Du has been very kind to me." In fact, although there is no master-disciple relationship, it is still a master-disciple friendship. Moreover, Mr. Du's letter this time also gave him a lot of advice.
Yang Haiyan said, "Then let Tao Shan send some potato flour and sweet potato flour to Lady Du's house. I have written down the recipes for potato flour and sweet potato flour. But we don't make much potato flour and sweet potato flour now. These are the small ones that Nanny Lian and I made. Now they need to be sent to the Emperor and Lady Du. These small ones are not enough."
Qin Fang said: "Okay."
The couple finished talking about the business, then took a bath and went to sleep. Speaking of which, Yang Haiyan was very happy recently because Qin Fang stopped pestering her to have a child. Although Yang Haiyan didn't know why, she didn't ask, lest if he asked, Qin Fang would start to be obsessed with the child again.
Ten days later, a large batch of potato flour and sweet potato flour was ready. These were dry powders made by the people in the General's Mansion led by Yang Haiyan, so the quantity was large.
After the potato flour and sweet potato flour were made, Tao Shan set out with a letter to Du Fu and a memorial to the emperor. He had to bring a lot of things with him, so Tao Shan also brought the guards from the general's mansion.
In these ten days, Meng Ping who went to look for Aunt Fan has returned. The reason why Aunt Fan did not return was because of her daughter's matter. That year, Aunt Fan's daughter went to raise money, but before she could raise the money, Aunt Fan was sent away by the dental clinic. After her daughter learned about this, she fell ill and has been ill intermittently since then, and has never recovered.
The reason why Aunt Fan didn't go back home was that she was taking care of her daughter in her hometown. Originally, Aunt Fan had always been passive in her hometown. Her daughter's in-laws and her ex-husband's family all joined forces to bully her, and she didn't want to cause trouble for the general's mansion, so she didn't say that she was doing things in the general's mansion until Meng Ping went there. The family knew that Aunt Fan had a backer behind her, and they didn't dare to bully Aunt Fan anymore. Aunt Fan's life was a little easier.
Knowing that Aunt Fan was fine, Yang Haiyan was relieved. The kitchen was now managed by Kun Zhang, Meng Qiu was Kun Zhang's assistant, and the yard was managed by Aunt Yu and Meng Ping, so the general's mansion actually bought only a few servants in Yunxiang County, and the number was very small. She thought that instead of buying servants and paying monthly wages, it would be better to directly hire the family members of the private guards. In this way, the family members of the private guards would not have to look for work, and she would not have to find servants she didn't know, which was perfect.
"Country Lady...Country Lady..." Yang Haiyan was taking a nap when she heard Aunt Lian's voice calling her.
"What's the matter?" Yang Haiyan stood up. Although she was not tired recently, she was not relaxed at all, because she had been busy with potato flour and sweet potato flour for the past ten days. She had to be very cautious and careful when handing over the things to the emperor, for fear that something might go wrong. So during those days, Yang Haiyan's mind was always tense. Speaking of things, even during these days, she did not dare to relax. As long as the things did not reach the emperor's hands and she did not receive the emperor's receipt, she would be worried.
Speaking of it, her behavior was indeed very bold, because the only thing she knew about the current emperor was what was written in the novel. The novel said that the only stain on the emperor was the crown prince. From a prince to an emperor, he was wise and intelligent all his life. However, because Yang Xinhua and his wife were the protagonists, even if he chose the child who was supposed to be a legitimate prince as the crown prince, no one would notice this stain. Because... How could a prince who was raised by the protagonist be bad because of the influence of the protagonist's brilliance
But in fact, Yang Haiyan didn't know whether the current emperor was just like the one in the novel. After all, the novel was written, and the people in the novel were flesh and blood. But now, the people she came into contact with were all flesh and blood.
Yang Haiyan was adventurous. With her knowledge of novels and the emperor's act of conferring the title of county lady on her, she took a risk.
If the emperor is just like in the novel, then her adventure will be successful and she will be appreciated by the emperor. If not, she will not take risks again, and just based on this incident, the emperor will not put her in a bad situation. If the emperor really wants to do something to her, then she has the ability to protect herself.
So these days, she was still very tense.
Nanny Lian said, "The soldiers guarding the city reported that Huang Huzi had brought the Qin family and had already arrived at the city gate. Huang Huzi asked him to tell the township master first."
Yang Haiyan hurriedly said, "Hurry up, comb my hair for me. I have to go to the door to meet them." She hadn't seen the Qin family for a whole year, and she didn't know how they were doing. She didn't know how the Qin family chose this matter. But she was still happy that the Qin family could stay, and it would be more lively in the future. Although she didn't like living with her parents-in-law, it was still lonely with only her and her husband at home. Now that the Qin family had left, they would be arranged to live in the military camp and fields, and they would not live together, so she would have more places to move around.
Nanny Lian briefly familiarized Yang Haiyan with her hair, which was messy due to her nap, and then went to the gate of the general's mansion to pick her up.
Yang Haiyan: "Uncle Hong, open the front door and let the guests in later."
Uncle Hong: “Oh.” Uncle Hong was quite nervous when he heard Yang Haiyan say she was a guest.
Nanny Lian said, "We haven't arrived yet. The distance between the county gate and our house is so long, even with a carriage it will take a while. Don't be nervous, my lord."
Yang Haiyan smiled and said, "I am a little nervous. I haven't seen my grandparents for a long time, and I miss my father and mother. The soldiers just reported, but can you tell me who are the people here today?"
Nanny Lian said, "I asked, and the soldiers said they didn't know exactly who was killed, they just said a lot of people were killed, not only a lot of people, but also a lot of stuff on the carriage."
Yang Haiyan was unsure about who they were, but the more people there were, the happier Qin Fang would be. He was a filial man. He was worried about his family when he was doing well outside. Even if he sent money to his family every year, he knew that his family was thrifty and reluctant to spend money. So he always wanted to let them eat something good and not let himself suffer.
But people in the country are used to being frugal and would never be willing to spend money.
Yang Haiyan thought that the elderly were reluctant to spend money, and now they lived in Yunxiang County. Whenever she sent them the meat and vegetables she bought, they were always willing to eat them because they were even more reluctant to let them go bad.
Aunt Lian suddenly said, "It's almost time, my lord, there are several carriages passing by."
Yang Haiyan also saw it. Even though she couldn't see clearly who was who, because of the distance, she could see several carriages, which must belong to the Qin family.
Sure enough, when they got closer, they were indeed members of the Qin family, because the leader was Huang Huzi riding a horse, and behind him was Qin's father driving a carriage. Qin's father and his three brothers all knew how to drive a carriage. The Qin family naturally didn't have a carriage, but because the Qin family owned land, they had rented oxen and donkey carts from other families. Driving a horse carriage was the same as driving an ox or donkey cart, so Qin's father and his three brothers all knew how to drive a horse carriage. Compared to ox or donkey carts, a fast-running horse carriage was what men liked more.
Yang Haiyan unconsciously walked out of the door and took a few steps outside. Then, she saw the curtain of the first carriage opened, and someone looked out from inside. It was the familiar mother Qin.
Mother Qin went out after hearing what Father Qin said, saying that she had met Yang Haiyan. As a result, she really met her daughter-in-law. She nervously shouted, "Yanyan." She was nervous, excited and happy, so her voice was particularly loud. But after shouting, she felt that she had made a mistake. How could she speak so loudly in this county town? She would be laughed at. Suddenly, Mother Qin felt embarrassed again, thinking that she had embarrassed her son and daughter-in-law.
Unexpectedly, Yang Haiyan also responded in a low voice: "Hey, mother, you are finally gone. My husband has been talking about you these days and I couldn't eat because of it." It is impossible to make Qin Fang, a hardworking man, lose his appetite.
When Qin's mother heard her daughter-in-law respond enthusiastically, she was relieved. She was relieved that her daughter-in-law didn't dislike her. When she heard her daughter-in-law talking about her son, Qin's mother's eyes were red. Compared with her son missing his parents, the parents missed their son more. Because they were worried that their son would be in trouble outside, after all, military generals were very dangerous.
When the carriage arrived at the gate of the general's mansion, Qin's father jumped off the carriage first, and then helped Qin's mother down. Yang Haiyan came to the side of the carriage, also stretched out her hand, and at the same time called Qin's father, "Dad." Then she said to Qin's mother, "Mom, please be careful."
In fact, Qin's mother was still a little cautious about her daughter-in-law. After all, in her heart, her daughter-in-law was a good match for her son. Even if she thought her son was good, she felt that her son was marrying a daughter-in-law who was above her station. People said that daughters-in-law from wealthy families were difficult to get along with. Qin's mother did not think that Yang Haiyan was difficult to get along with, but it was the mother-in-law from a peasant family who always felt pressured to get along with daughters-in-law from wealthy families. But now, seeing the enthusiasm of her daughter-in-law, she felt a little more relaxed. Qin's mother said, "Don't worry, Yanyan, I'm used to doing rough work at home, so this is nothing." After saying that, she jumped down.
Yang Haiyan didn't know what Qin's mother was thinking, but she had a good impression of her. Since ancient times, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law problem has been an extreme. A good mother-in-law is very good, and a bad mother-in-law is very bad. In Yang Haiyan's heart, Qin's mother is probably that good mother-in-law.
Seeing this, Yang Haiyan supported her and said, "Mom, besides you and Dad, who else is dead? Are grandpa and grandma dead?"
"It's time to go..." Grandma Qin's carriage was right behind, and when she heard Yang Haiyan's words, she spoke first. She spoke because she was worried that the eldest grandson's wife hadn't seen it.
Seeing this, Yang Haiyan walked to the back of the room and said, "Hello, grandma. You must have had a hard time along the way."
Grandma Qin smiled and said, "I am old now, so the journey was a bit hard, but when I think about being able to see you, it is no longer hard for me."
Yang Haiyan thought that this grandma was very thoughtful and what she said was very thoughtful.
When Grandpa Qin and Grandma Qin got off the carriage, everyone else in the carriage got off. The first and third rooms were all gone, leaving only Uncle Qin and Niu Dan in the second room. Niu Dan was the most lively and greeted first: "Sister-in-law."
Yang Haiyan also likes lively, cute and well-behaved children. As a person used to being alone, she sometimes wants to have a lively home, but sometimes she is afraid of trouble. "I haven't seen Niu Dan for only one year, and he has grown taller."
Niu Dan replied, "I eat an egg every day." After the family split up, the second wife also raised chickens, and Qin Erya knew some simple needlework, so Aunt Qin would occasionally buy meat for the family.
Yang Haiyan said: "Then starting from today, I will give you an egg every day to help you grow taller."
Niu Dan's eyes lit up: "Really? I really like eating eggs."
Yang Haiyan said, "Of course it's true." After teasing Niu Dan for a while, she asked her second uncle, "Second uncle, why are Second Aunt and Erya not together?"
Uncle Qin said honestly: "She..."
Grandma Qin said, "Yanyan, let's go inside and talk about this."
Yang Haiyan was wondering if Aunt Qin had done something wrong. She didn't ask any more questions and greeted Uncle Qin's family: "Uncle, Aunt, San Ya, it's just right that San Ya is now gone. She can keep Si Ya company. By the way, Si Ya is Si Ya. I gave her a formal name according to Si Ya's birth order, Si means missing, and Ya means sprouting."
Qin Shouye said, "At the end of last year, Siya bragged about her name in the letter she sent me. It was because my sister-in-law gave her such a good name."
Yang Haiyan saw Qin Shouye, who was in good spirits. The young man had grown taller. Young men of his age were the fastest. "Then you better be careful. When she comes back from the embroidery workshop, she might compete with you in literacy."
Qin Shouye said, "I'm ashamed to say that I don't know as many characters as she does." He had only studied for a year, and the number of characters he knew was limited.
Yang Haiyan said, "It's okay. Shoucheng has books there. You can go and read them. If you don't know a word, Shoucheng will teach you later."
Mother Qin said, "That's great."
Uncle Qin said, "Afang's wife, how about you give our daughter a formal name?"
Aunt Qin San also thought it was a good idea, so she couldn't help but say, "San Ya and Si Ya are sisters, so a formal name is indeed a good idea, but it will be too much trouble for Yan Yan."
Qin Sanya was also looking forward to meeting Yang Haiyan.
Yang Haiyan was embarrassed: "This... Is it okay for me to name it?" She asked Grandma Qin. She named Si Ya because she thought girls should have a formal name. Besides, she was the eldest sister-in-law and was raised by her eldest brother Qin Fang, so it was okay. But as for San Ya, she was her cousin from another room after all, so she didn't dare to make the decision.
Grandma Qin said, "What's the matter? It's really good that you, the eldest brother, let Afang name the boy, and you, the eldest sister-in-law, name the girl. Later, let Afang give Niu Dan a formal name as well."
Mother Qin said, "Then Yanyan should give Xiaoya a name, and bring the name back when Second Uncle returns."
Uncle Qin said, "Okay, that's fine. What about Erya's name?" He was a very honest person, so he also suggested some awkward ideas.
Yang Haiyan had a bottom line in her heart after this conversation. Uncle Qin was going to go back? "Then marry Erya as well. I need to think about the name. I'll tell my family later when my husband comes home and we have dinner. It's hot outside now. Let's go in first."
We are just chatting with our family, and everyone is still outside.
Grandpa Qin said, "You women go in first and dry the food outside. Old man, you guys move the food inside."
Yang Haiyan paused: "Food?"
Grandpa Qin said, "The next few trucks are all grain. We thought that they had all been transported, and the grain at home would get moldy if left outside, so we brought them all in."
Yang Haiyan praised, "Grandpa is really thoughtful." In fact, it must be tiring to carry all the food along the way. But the old man was thrifty, so she naturally wouldn't say anything. "Grandpa, you and your family should go in too." After saying that, she said to Uncle Hong on the side, "Uncle Hong, ask someone to move the things."
Uncle Hong: “Yes.”
Yang Haiyan took the opportunity to introduce: "Grandpa, grandma, Uncle Hong who just went in is the doorman of our family. There are few people in our family, and he is the doorman and also the housekeeper of the mansion. This is Nanny Lian, who is by my side. If you have any problems, you can find her. There are also many in the mansion..." She led the family in while talking about the things in the mansion.
After entering the general's mansion, the Qin family was stunned.
Because the General's Mansion is quite old and has only been repaired but not refurbished, they did not feel the mansion was grand when they were outside just now. But now that they are inside, they can feel the difference.
Grandma Qin cried out: "Oh, this... these are all the general's?" That can't be it.
Yang Haiyan explained with a smile: "This general's mansion was once the residence of a prince. The prince was the younger brother of the late emperor, so his mansion was very small. Later, the prince passed away and the mansion was empty. After my husband and I passed away, this mansion was renovated into the general's mansion. However, it is only for us to live in temporarily. The general's mansion is not ours. If my husband is transferred to another place, the general's mansion will have to be returned to the court. So this general's mansion is for us to live in." Therefore, they all belong to the court, and it doesn't matter whether it is reduced in size or not.