Wealth and glory seek stability

"That's fine. After all, there is no order without rules. It won't work without drastic measures." Jian Xi agreed with this approach.

Lei Zi frowned and replied, "Yes, Master."

"Zicui, set the table."

"Yes, girl."

A table of feast was set up in the flower hall of Huashui Pavilion.

Lei Zi hesitated to speak, but finally said, "Master, there is a difference between men and women. I am a foreign man, so it is inconvenient for me to stay in the inner courtyard. I will take my leave today after drinking a glass of light wine."

"it is good."

Jian Xi smiled and raised her glass.

"A toast to Steward Qi."

Lei Zi drank it all in one gulp.

Finish drinking.

He turned around and wanted to leave, but after taking less than seven steps, he suddenly turned around.

"master."

Jian Xi looked confused, "Manager Qi, what's the matter?"

Lei Zi hesitated for a long time, not knowing how to start.

Jian Xi burst out laughing, "Hahaha."

Lei Zi looked helpless, knowing that this was Jian Xi's evil taste coming back, "Master, you are playing tricks on me again."

"What are you talking about? How did I play tricks on you? I don't know what you want to say by coming back." Jian Xi poured another full glass of wine.

The amber wine in the luminous cup has an attractive color and a mellow aroma. "The wine provided by the farm this year is really good, and it tastes like the mellow aroma of grain." Jian Xi was not in a hurry. If Lei Zi didn't say anything, she would talk about other things.

Lei Zi actually knelt on the ground without hesitation, "Master, I am pleased with Caiyun, please grant my wish."

"You finally said it, but Caiyun is not one of my subordinates after all. I have subordinates like Zicui, Xiaoshuang and others. If you like them, I have asked for their opinions and maybe they can help you. Caiyun is under the control of the lady of Wu'an Palace, so how could I have that ability?" Jian Xi looked helpless, as if this was really a big problem.

Lei Zi's shoulders drooped, with a helpless look on his face, "If the master wants to help, there will naturally be a way."

He knew Jian Xi's abilities best. When Shen Nanxing was not yet successful, he already had such abilities and insights, which showed that he was not an ordinary person.

Although Lei Zi was the one who took care of Jian Xi's business in these years, he still discussed any important matters with Jian Xi. He sincerely admired the woman in front of him.

Lei Zi firmly believed that if Jian Xi was a man, it would not be impossible for him to become a general or a prime minister.

Jian Xi finished her cup and asked jokingly, "What good will it do me if I help you?"

Lei Zi straightened his back, knowing that this matter was settled, "It will naturally earn the loyalty of my subordinates."

Jian Xi narrowed her delicate eyebrows, revealing her sharpness, "What? Do you think I can't do without you?" After that, she snorted coldly.

Lei Zi's forehead was covered with sweat, and he quickly waved his hands and said, "Of course not. I have decided that if Caiyun and I have a child in the future, I will recognize you as my godparent. My whole family is willing to be loyal to you with all our heart." After saying that, he kowtowed to the ground.

No one knows the real Jian Xi better than him. Jian Xi seems to be very kind to everyone around her, but when it comes to ruthlessness, I'm afraid no one can compare to her.

Everything she does has a method and a purpose. She won't release the eagle until she sees the rabbit. People like her are the most terrifying.

In the business world, open and covert struggles are constantly taking place, but Jian Xi has a clear understanding of everything and can even formulate a development strategy for the shop for the second year based on current affairs.

Jian Xi chuckled and said, "Hurry up and get up. I was just joking with Brother Leizi, why did you take it so seriously? Everyone knows that you are my top subordinate. If others see it, they will think that I am intolerant."

Lei Zi's heart trembled, knowing that Jian Xi was warning him, and he quickly expressed his opinion, "Master, don't worry, Fengyu is the only master of you. Now that you are free, the farm and business under your command will naturally be under your jurisdiction. I am just helping to manage them."

Jian Xi finally smiled knowingly. It is easy to talk to smart people. "I know what you mean. As long as you work hard, you can get as much from me as you would from starting your own business. Next year, I plan to expand my territory. When the Xuanyuan Dynasty has opened up the north-south connection,

The next one is the Xuanwu Dynasty. The burden on your shoulders will only get heavier. I will help you take care of Caiyun's affairs. When she reaches the age, I will take her in as my sister and give her a generous dowry so that you can get married."

Lei Zi bowed, this time sincerely, "Yes, thank you, Master. I didn't expect you to have such great ambitions. I will go through fire and water without hesitation."

Jian Xi bowed across the round table and said with a faint smile, "You're welcome. Today is the Little New Year. You should go back soon to accompany Uncle Qi and the others."

"Yes."

Mother Xing came forward to serve the dishes, "Miss, logically speaking, you shouldn't have invited a man from outside to the Huashui Pavilion."

Jian Xi picked up a piece of venison and found it tender and fresh. She couldn't help but praise it, "The venison is well cooked today. The whole kitchen will give each of them a monthly reward."

"Yes."

After Jian Xi finished eating, Zi Cui handed her a wet towel for washing her hands. The flower hall was eerily quiet.

Perhaps Mother Xing realized that she had said something wrong, and she knelt quietly on the ground, not daring to say anything.

"Mother Xing, the venison that Steward Qi sent today is fresh. I have ordered the whole family to celebrate and everyone can get a piece of venison. Do you know how much this piece of venison is worth outside?"

"I don't know, old slave."

"Then let me tell you, what Steward Qi sent was all venison. Venison of this quality outside costs five taels of silver per pound. If someone in the mansion doesn't want venison and wants to exchange it for silver, they have to pay three taels of silver. How many people do you think want silver but don't want to eat venison?"

"This... I'm afraid that few people would want to eat venison. They just want the money." Mother Xing was in a dilemma. For the poor families out there, being able to eat pork once a year was already a great thing. Venison, such a precious thing, would naturally be better if it could be sold than eaten by herself.

Jian Xi wiped her mouth, put the handkerchief on the tray, and then helped Xing's mother up and said, "Since you know this truth, you should know that only the real benefits are real. It's okay to turn a blind eye to many things. If I don't win over my confidants as you said, how will the whole family survive? Can we rely on the meager salary of our general?"

"You will need to set up the rules of this courtyard in the future. I have never liked to deal with these mundane matters, but if it is my turn to deal with them, then you will be of no use."

Jian Xi was smiling, but Mother Xing sensed a hint of coldness and quickly replied, "Yes, young lady, I know about this and I will definitely not let you worry about it in the future."

"That's right. I've asked someone to pack two boxes of gold and silver jewelry. You can distribute them to all the servants. First-class maids will get two gold hairpins and two rolls of satin. Second-class maids will get one gold hairpin and one silver hairpin and two rolls of blue satin. Third-class maids will get two silver hairpins and two rolls of cotton cloth. Let everyone be happy. The servants will convert the hairpins into silver and distribute them according to the same quota. Then, let the needlework room make two new clothes for the people in the mansion according to the quota. Everyone will have a good New Year."

"Yes, thank you girl."

The servants in the Huashui Pavilion knelt on the ground, all of them were delighted.

Jian Xi looked at Zi Cui and the others and took a look. "Make two large coats for Zi Cui and the others, as well as Madam Gui and Madam Xing in the kitchen. They will have to go out with me for social events in the future, so they can't be shabby. The same goes for the general's attendants. Madam Xing, please tell the sewing room to speed up the work. If there are any maids who are good at sewing, give them some wages and let them do it together."

Although Mother Gui was not around to serve, Jian Xi did not forget her contribution.

"Yes, thank you for the reward, young lady."

First give a stick and then give a sweet date. Jian Xi has now learned some of the true skills of the Xia family.

The young age is the happiest time for the servants. Jian Xi was generous and gave out a long list of rewards, which made the people below go crazy with joy.

Liu Rui was busy registering the holiday gifts sent from the farm in the accounting office, while Mother Xing came with her pair of cards to withdraw the money.

"So much reward this year?" Liu Rui was surprised. He had seen people who were generous, but he had never seen anyone so generous.

Mother Xing stared at her servants taking out the silver and said casually, "You old fellow, our young lady said that the reward should have been given when the mansion was moved, but she didn't know what the tempers of the servants in the mansion were. These days, they have served us very hard, and the New Year is coming soon, so let everyone have a good New Year."

Liu Rui knew that Mother Xing was trying to establish authority for Jian Xi, and he was happy to do her a favor. "That's right. Everyone in the mansion knows that the young lady is the most kindhearted. The general is busy with military affairs, and the young lady is in charge of everything in the mansion. With the young lady's kindness, we have to work harder to live up to her generous reward."

The person who was moving things nearby heard what Butler Liu said and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, thank you for the reward, young lady."

Mother Xing then nodded in satisfaction and took the withdrawn money back to report.

The group of people started talking only after they saw Xing's mother leave.

"You said that this girl has been away from the mansion for several months. Why is there such a grand reward when she returns?"

"Why do you care about her? We are happy to have no master to serve us. If they are willing to show off their power, we just have to accept it."

"That's right. Now that we have money, we should have some fun. I'm going to set up a game tonight, and you guys should all come and support me."

"Okay, we will definitely come to support Brother Liu's game."

Several people gathered together to discuss. Liu Rui couldn't stand it anymore and scolded them, "Shut up quickly. You don't know how much money you have. I tell you, this master is not a good person. If you run into a snag, don't blame me for not pleading for you."

Apparently, they didn't take Liu Rui's words to heart and responded with a few casual remarks, "Don't worry, Steward Liu, we just want to have some wine. We are bored on night watch. We are just having some fun. Nothing will happen."