My Husband is a Drama King [Book Transmigration] 78

Chapter 78: Sugar Workshop

The homeowner looked at Xu Zhizhou’s back and thought, As expected of the new top scorer. It’s only been a short while, and he’s already bought a house.

Some officials couldn’t afford to buy a house in the capital even if they worked there for a lifetime.

The homeowner went to the broker to entrust the house to him, and then went home himself.

Xu Zhizhou’s burden was lightened. He returned to the courtyard house. The craftsmen he had found had already moved the bed, tables, and chairs. They had also changed to a new door and a new plaque. The brand-new plaque read “Song Residence.”

He walked through the corridor to the main courtyard. The flowers and plants in the courtyard were a bit overgrown. After a little tidying up, they could be used. He could also set up a grape trellis in the courtyard. When it was planted, it would be just right to eat grapes in the summer.

The tables and chairs were new. Xu Zhizhou touched them. “My taste is really good.”

The tables and chairs he had used at the Xu family’s were bought when his parents had gotten married. They were already old when he was a little older. When he had married into the Song family, the tables and chairs he had used were also old. Since they could still be used, they had to be used.

Later, he had been moving around with his husband. Now he finally had his own house. He could buy whatever he wanted, and he didn’t have to be told that he was wasting silver. There was no one to restrain him.

Of course, he was a very frugal person and would not spend recklessly.

The kitchen was much more spacious than the rented residence. Mo Pozi went to the servants’ room. Seeing the bed she had arranged, she was quite happy.

“I’m so lucky. Following the master’s husband, he’s an official and has bought a house so quickly. The future will probably be even better,” Mo Pozi said, putting her clothes in the wardrobe and taking a broom to sweep.

The courtyard house had side rooms. Now that there were few servants in the Song residence, she was comfortable living alone.

In the future, there would be more servants. The master did not yet have a carriage or attendants, and the master’s husband did not have a personal attendant to serve him. The residence would be so lively in the future.

It was indeed not lively now. The house was empty, and it was tiring to clean. There was little money left in hand. But at least it was a housewarming. They had to invite relatives and friends to liven things up.

It was not yet tidy. After a day or two of tidying up, they would make some good wine and dishes to invite them over.

“Now that we’ve moved into a new house, I really want to change everything to new. I think the quilts are old, the bowls and chopsticks are old. I want to change everything,” Xu Zhizhou sighed. He rolled on the bed a few times.

He enjoyed it for a while and wanted to buy some decorations. “We need vases, and we should buy a better set of tea utensils. The ones we used before were cheap. I was just thinking of them as a temporary transition. Now that we can settle down, we should buy good ones for everything.”

Xu Zhizhou thought of something and was a little regretful. “I should have bought good ones before. They would have lasted a long time, and I wouldn’t have to change them. But it’s also very happy to change to a new set of tea utensils.”

Xu Zhizhou was a very open-minded person. Since the past could not be changed, he had to make himself happier in the present.

“A new wardrobe, a new dressing table, oh right, I also have to leave a room for my husband as a study,” Xu Zhizhou said, and went out to buy decorations.

Now that he was standing on Chang’an Street, he suddenly felt that he was one of them. He had settled down.

Speaking of which, this was the way of thinking of the people of the Ningxing Dynasty. They always felt that to settle down, they had to buy a house in the place where they were.

“This, this I want,” he said. Buying some small decorations could make his mood much better.

Xu Zhizhou bought them and went home. Ran Xingwen came back from the outskirts. The sugar workshop was almost built.

He was a good cook. On his way back, he had gone to the market to buy pork, ribs, and half a chicken.

He had made several meat dishes. He didn’t have time to make a good soup, so he made a winter melon soup.

Ran Xingwen: “Master’s husband, I know how to take care of flowers and plants. I can trim the ones in the courtyard. Also, the sugar workshop is already built. If you want to hire people, you can.”

Xu Zhizhou nodded with satisfaction. He had two bowls of rice and said, “I’ll go and hire people today. I’ll find five or six first.”

He still had two hundred taels of silver in his hand. Fortunately, it was already the end of the month. When the money from the Bobo Chicken shop came, he would have another hundred taels.

It was enough, but a bit tight.

But the sugar workshop in the outskirts, the house, and the shop were all bought. There were no extra expenses every month.

“I’ll write a recruitment notice first.”

When Xu Zhizhou was about to write, he was a little afraid that his handwriting was too ugly. “Forget it. I’ll wait for my husband to come back and write it.”

Xu Zhizhou took Ran Xingwen to decorate the house. They had to decorate the main courtyard first. The east and west wings were still empty, as no one was living there at the moment.

After buying things and decorating the courtyard, Xu Zhizhou was so tired in the afternoon that he lay on the bed to rest.

.

When Song Changxu reached the Ministry of Personnel, he continued to organize the files and the retirement list.

The recommendation for Tong Yangyu had been approved by Minister Xu. Emperor Pingjing had approved it. It would take about two months for the document to reach Zhouyuan County.

When Director He learned of this, his nose was almost crooked with anger, but he couldn’t say anything. The matter of Tong Yangyu had already been settled by His Majesty. If he were to make a scene, wouldn’t he be courting death?

He silently made a note of Song Changxu.

“He’s really arrogant with his talent. He dares to do such a thing just because he’s the new top scorer,” Director He sneered.

His hand could not reach Song Changxu for the time being. After all, he was now under Assistant Minister Su.

Song Changxu had his lunch at noon. A young eunuch came to find him with a smile. “His Majesty has invited Sir Song to the Panlong Hall.”

Song Changxu cupped his hands. “Please lead the way, eunuch.”

The officials of the Ministry of Personnel looked at each other, their gazes on Song Changxu’s back, lost in thought.

“Why would His Majesty look for Sir Song? I almost forgot that he used to be a daily recorder by His Majesty’s side.”

“It seems that His Majesty appreciates Sir Song very much.”

Seeing them whispering, Assistant Minister Su said, “Go back. Don’t speculate.”

Director He’s expression was obscure. He turned and left.

Song Changxu was a little apprehensive when he reached the Panlong Hall. He hadn’t seen Emperor Pingjing in a long time. Now he lowered his head to greet him.

“Laifu, give him a seat.”

Song Changxu sat down.

Emperor Pingjing chatted with Song Changxu about the matters in the memorials. Song Changxu answered cautiously.

“Your Majesty, the lack of agricultural output may be due to the farm tools and the soil, as well as the fertilizer. The Ningxing Dynasty is vast and rich in resources. We can adapt to local conditions. For example, in the northeast, the climate is dry, which is more suitable for growing wheat, sorghum, soybeans, buckwheat, cotton, and silk…”

Emperor Pingjing nodded and had Laifu write it down.

“As for the reform of farm tools, Your Majesty can send people to the Ministry of Works to find craftsmen. Also, by improving their treatment and rewarding them for new ideas, they will be motivated to think of how to improve.”

“Your Majesty governs the world from the imperial palace, while the local officials are outside. Their actions represent Your Majesty’s will. Your Majesty should not only look at the performance evaluation of the Ministry of Personnel, but also send special people to visit various places every three years.”

Laifu’s brush was moving quickly.

Emperor Pingjing said thoughtfully, “These few suggestions you’ve made, Minister Song, are all good. It seems that although you are in the Ministry of Personnel, you are still concerned with the major affairs of the court.”

Song Changxu was embarrassed. It was mainly based on historical experience.

Emperor Pingjing pushed the Buddhist beads in his hand. These beads had been prayed for by Empress Dowager Xiao when he was young and sickly. He had been wearing them ever since.

The emperor was hesitant about how to deal with the Xiao family and the various aristocratic families. He hated the Xiao family for bullying him when he was young, and he hated the aristocratic families for not taking him seriously and overstepping their authority.

But if he really were to make a move on them, Emperor Pingjing could not estimate the future.

He would not disregard the world for his own selfish desires.

“What do you think of the Xiao family’s matter, Minister Song?” Emperor Pingjing’s gaze was burning.

Song Changxu’s heart skipped a beat. He thought that he was going to die here today.

His mind was in a whirl.

Song Changxu said, “Your Majesty has already made a decision on the Xiao family’s matter. If I were to say, I can only say to divide and conquer.”

Emperor Pingjing waved his hand and had Song Changxu leave first. Song Changxu lowered his head and went back to the Ministry of Personnel to continue his work.

When he was off duty, he returned home and found that the door was locked. He took out his key and was about to open it, but found that he couldn’t.

“I’m so muddled. We must have moved today.”

Song Changxu turned a corner and walked a few more steps to his new home. The entrance was clean. He knocked on the door first.

Mo Pozi opened the door and saw it was Song Changxu. She immediately welcomed him in.

“You’re back, sir. We’re still cleaning the courtyard.”

“You can go on with your work,” Song Changxu said, and walked into the courtyard in a good mood. The small residence was too small. In this residence, he could see the scenery. When he reached the main courtyard, most of the rooms had not been changed. The tables and chairs were new, and there was a vase on the table. The tea set was new.

Xu Zhizhou had also wanted to buy a screen, but the price was too high, so he had given up.

He lifted the curtain and walked into the inner courtyard. Xu Zhizhou was sleeping soundly on the bed. Song Changxu did not want to disturb him. He changed into his casual clothes and went out.

Song Changxu was going to find Xie Huaichuan. He had a feeling that His Majesty’s question about the Xiao family might mean that he was going to make a move.

When he found Xie Huaichuan, his brow was relaxed. “So it’s Changxu. What can I do for you?”

He was not yet off duty. It was his turn for the night shift tonight.

“Are you very close to the Xiao family, brother-in-law?” Song Changxu asked.

Xie Huaichuan: “I was promoted by the Xiao family in the army. Otherwise, how could a person with no background like me have come to the capital? Have you heard any news?”

Song Changxu: “It’s just that the court has been in a state of panic recently. I’m afraid that if something happens to the Xiao family, it will implicate you, brother-in-law. After all, the ministers who were dealt with by His Majesty a few days ago were all implicated.”

Xie Huaichuan met Song Changxu’s gaze and understood. “Don’t worry. Ever since I’ve come to the capital, I’ve only had contact with the third young master of the Xiao family. As for him, he should be leaving the capital soon.”

Xie Huaichuan’s gaze was a bit heavy, as if he had thought of something. “I’ve been at the border for many years. The Xiao family has been stationed there for many years. They have made a contribution to the border.”

Having made a contribution, they should not be arrogant.

In the capital, they should be even more low-key, not calling on friends and parading through the streets.

Song Changxu changed the subject. “Zhizhou and I have moved to a new house. In a few days, we’ll invite you and my elder brother to celebrate.”

“You’ve bought a house?” Xie Huaichuan was surprised. He knew how high the housing prices in the capital were. He had also thought of buying a house, but he didn’t have that much savings at the moment.

Song Changxu nodded.

Xie Huaichuan said, “Congratulations.”

Xie Huaichuan was on the night shift tonight. He was from a humble background. Because his parents had died early, and Wu Yi had been a great benefactor to him, he had brought him to the capital. This time, after he had disappeared, he had wanted to go home and discuss it with Master Wu.

Also, the matter of them buying a house had made Xie Huaichuan think. He still had three hundred taels of silver. His current salary was seven taels of silver a month, which was not enough. Should he also open a shop and do business?

The teahouse Zhici had mentioned was not bad. He couldn’t just sit and eat away his savings. Now that there was no war, he had no income from killing people, only his salary, which was not enough to live on in the capital.

After his night shift, Xie Huaichuan went back to his residence. Xu Zhici had already woken up early. After the autumn harvest, the weather had gradually grown cooler. He had made some zha jiang last night.

Now he was cooking the noodles.

“Husband, I’ll add two poached eggs for you.”

Xie Huaichuan smiled and agreed.

The noodles Xu Zhici made were delicious. He always rolled them out himself, and they were very chewy.

“Go and call Master Wu for noodles.”

Xie Huaichuan called out to Wu Yi.

After Xie Huaichuan had finished his noodles, he said, “Changxu and Zhizhou have bought a house. They’ve invited us for dinner in a few days.”

Xu Zhici was surprised. “So soon.”

Xie Huaichuan had made up his mind this time. “I still have some silver. Didn’t you say you wanted to open a teahouse? Why don’t we just open one?”

Wu Yi stroked his beard. “Xie Furen’s cooking skills for noodles are good. Why don’t you open a noodle shop and a teahouse together? A noodle shop can be open all year round, and the profit is not thin, and you have the skill. There are too many teahouses. They are popular in the summer, but are cold in the winter. Unless it’s a large teahouse, where the customers are not ordinary. They are mostly for socializing.”

Xu Zhici: “You’re right, Master Wu. I’ve heard from Zhizhou that their Bobo Chicken also sells well in the summer, but less in the winter. My herbal tea is the same.”

Xie Huaichuan also thought that Wu Yi was right. After Xu Zhici had left, Xie Huaichuan invited him to the side to discuss matters.

He told Wu Yi what Song Changxu had said.

When Wu Yi had learned that the new top scorer was Xie Huaichuan’s brother-in-law, he couldn’t help but sigh. Besides Xie Huaichuan, who had come from a small village, another new top scorer was also related to him.

“You can listen, sir. His Majesty’s attitude towards the Xiao family is uncertain, but your connection with them is not deep. As long as the third young master of the Xiao family leaves the capital, it will have nothing to do with you. Did Empress Dowager Xiao go to the suburban villa to deliberately give His Majesty an opportunity to make a move? Also, the Phoenix Lord’s attitude is also uncertain.”

“As for the future of the Xiao family, it depends on what Empress Dowager Xiao, the Phoenix Lord, and General Xiao are thinking.”

The third young master of the Xiao family was useless to the situation. As for Xiao Ding, he was just the eldest son and did not have much power in his hands yet.

Wu Yi was actually interested in the matter of them buying a house. He guessed that there must be another opportunity. Otherwise, it would be impossible to have saved up the money for a house so quickly.

He had been a military strategist in the Xiao family for many years. Although General Xiao had not liked to use him later, he had still saved up a lot of money over the years. He had no wife or children. In a place like the army camp, he had no place to spend his money.

He only liked to have a little drink. He valued Xie Huaichuan and Xu Zhici. This time, Xie Huaichuan had brought him to the capital, and he was already very moved.

“Sir, if you are short of silver, I still have some savings that I can give you.”

Xie Huaichuan refused. “How can I be so shameless? You have already been a great benefactor to me, Master Wu. I cannot take your money.”

Wu Yi smiled faintly and took out two bank notes. “You can just treat it as my meal money, sir.”

Two one-hundred-tael bank notes. Seeing that Xie Huaichuan was still refusing, Wu Yi said, “If you refuse again, sir, I won’t have the face to eat at your house in the future.”

Xie Huaichuan had to accept.

His features were a bit tired. It seemed that he had not yet recovered from his night shift. Seeing this, Wu Yi said, “You should go and rest first, sir. For Sir Song’s housewarming, I will also go and join in the fun. I have not yet seen the top scorer.”

Xie Huaichuan smiled. “Then we’ll go together then.”

Wu Yi was really a bit curious about Song Changxu. Hearing Xie Huaichuan’s agreement, he was delighted.

Xie Huaichuan fell asleep as soon as he lay on the bed.

.

When Song Changxu returned home, Xu Zhizhou had already woken up. They had dinner. Xu Zhizhou took Song Changxu for a walk.

“The house is so big. We can have our parents come and live with us,” Xu Zhizhou said, looking at the courtyard with satisfaction.

“I’ve written a letter. I still have to wait for their news.”

“By the way, husband, I’m going to hire workers for the sugar workshop. Can you help me write a recruitment notice?” Xu Zhizhou said. It was not yet completely dark. He could still go for a walk in the night market after he had finished writing.

Song Changxu agreed. For the sugar workshop workers, he first wrote the requirements, and then the salary. After he had finished, he showed it to Xu Zhizhou.

“You’ve thought of everything, husband,” Xu Zhizhou said, and pulled Song Changxu to the night market to post the recruitment notice.

They wandered around for a while and also bought some small things to take back. Song Changxu suddenly had a few ideas for farm tools in his mind. When he returned home, he went to his room to draw.

After all, he was not a professional. He stopped after drawing three pictures. He would show them to the people in the Ministry of Works to see if they could be used.

After he had finished drawing, Xu Zhizhou said, “I’m planning to make the room next to this one a study. I’ll buy a bookshelf and a desk and chairs tomorrow. Do you have any requirements?”

Song Changxu: “As long as it’s comfortable.”

Xu Zhizhou glared at him. “You might as well not have said anything. How comfortable is ‘comfortable’?”

Song Changxu had to be direct. “I want good ones.”

Xu Zhizhou: “That’s easy. The ones I’m getting for you will be a little better.”

The next day, Song Changxu gave the drawings to the Ministry of Works. They said they could be used and gave him a credit. Xu Zhizhou’s notice had attracted five or six people. He had them sign a contract to prevent them from leaking the sugar-making recipe in the future.

“A day off every five days, about the same as when my husband goes to court. Then the Bobo Chicken can also have a day off every five days, but we have to stagger the time,” Xu Zhizhou’s eyes lit up. He thought he was very smart.

The sugar workshop was in operation. Every five days, it would be sent to the Zhuang family’s sugar shop. The bill was settled every five days, and they could earn forty taels.

That way, they could earn two hundred taels of silver a month.

Xu Zhizhou counted the money on his fingers, his mind working like an abacus.

By that calculation, plus the money from the Bobo Chicken shop, it would be three hundred taels a month, and three thousand six hundred a year.

“We’re rich, we’re rich. Doing business is really good. I forgot to count the monthly salary,” Xu Zhizhou said, slapping his head.

***

Author’s Note:

Little Xu: Staggered leave. [Pats head]

Little Song: An honest worker. [Pity]