Chapter 157: Xiao Xiao's Difficulty (Pink Tickets 700 + Extra Chapter)

  Shen Mu Qing understood.

  "Hesitated and said: 'It's just that Master is no longer in office now...'"

  "I just have some things to ask Mr. Shen," Xiao Sa said, "The Great Zhou army has Liaodong in the east, Gansu and Xuantong in the west, and Fujian in the south. Let's not mention Fujian and Liaodong, both of which are commanded by highly respected generals who can't be compared to each other. But General Liang Yuan of Xuantong and our General Zeng were promoted around the same time, so their seniority is about the same. However, the military pay on the Xuantong side has always been allocated earlier and faster than ours. I've walked a lot in Kyoto these past few years, but to little effect. I've been thinking if there's something I've overlooked or haven't grasped...I've always admired Mr. Shen's broad-mindedness and insight, and have long wanted to ask for his advice, it's just that you've been in Jiangnan and haven't returned..."

  Shen Mu Qing stared at Xiao Sa in surprise: "You, have you been to our house?"

  Xiao Xiao thought for a moment and nodded slightly.

  "Every time I come to Kyoto on business, I'll drop by your place for a visit, but unfortunately we've never had the chance to meet!"

  Shen Zhen is now retired and living at home, with few visitors except for a few old friends. For a politician like him, it's a habit to care about the dynamics of the imperial court... If Xiao Sa goes to ask for his advice as a junior, first Shen Zhen will have someone to talk to, and secondly he might actually be able to help Xiao Sa...

  Shen Muqing nodded immediately: "In that case, come with me to see Master then - I was just about to head back to Songshu Hutong."

  Whispering in my ear.

  Shen Muqing suddenly remembered: "Have you had breakfast?"

  "No!"

  Shen Mu Qing hurriedly called out to Ying Fen, "Young Master Xiao hasn't eaten yet." As she spoke, she turned her head to look at Xiao Sa, "Did you bring any servants or followers?"

  Xiao Xiao shook her head.

  Shen Mu Qing instructed Ying Fen: "You go and tell Lin Jin Cai's family to prepare some food for Xiao Gongzi."

  They all dispersed in an instant.

  "Shen Mu Qing said with a calm and clear tone: 'You're the same, when you go out why don't you bring someone along? If something happens, there's someone to take care of it.'"

  "You're making me sound like a child who can't leave their parents' side!" Xiao Sa retorted, "I'm not that fragile!"

  Shen Mu Qing wasn't afraid of his delicate nature, but rather his temper.

  "What about Pang? Didn't he follow you?"

  "I'm not an official, and he can't be a staff officer!"

  "How about Bao Liang? He shouldn't be young this year, should he?"

  "I sent him back to Lincheng. So he wouldn't keep chattering in my ear."

  "Who is serving beside you?"

  "Jinliang and Yuliang. Don't worry, I have someone by my side!"

  "How's life in Gansu?"

  "There's nothing I'm not used to. I followed Second Uncle on a cargo boat when I was ten, don't think I'm some weak and useless pretty boy."

  Shen Mu's calm and clear voice paused for a moment before asking: "Are you married?"

  "No!" Xiao Sa was very concise, "I only have 72 taels of salary per year, not even enough for myself, let alone getting married? What would my wife and children eat? What would they use?"

  Shen Mu Qing smiled: "If there's money to repay Third Brother's debt, then there's no money to marry a wife."

  "Oh no!" Xiao Sa said with a bit of annoyance, "Why do you always nag me like an old lady every time we meet? Can't you just let it go?"

  Serene and tranquil, with a clear atmosphere.

  "Alright, alright, what's the point of just talking about this? I haven't eaten yet. Whatever it is, let's talk after dinner..."

  "Ah, just in time! Where's breakfast being served, miss?"

  Shen Muqing took a look at the flower hall.

  Swept clean and tidy, a wintergreen tree is placed on the high table in the corner of the wall.

  "Shall we eat here?" she asked Xiao Sa.

  "Go!" Xiao Xiao shouted.

  Yingfeng went out, and Mingxia brought in two lunchboxes with her.

  Where did the others go?

  Shen Mu was deep in thought, while Ying Fen had already started serving dishes with Ming Xia.

  Ten small copper enamel bowls, each containing: sauce rabbit meat shreds, white-boiled chicken shreds, wine-braised fish, honey-glazed spicy cucumber, five-spice cooked mustard greens, stir-fried soybean sprouts, mushroom-stirred ham, cold-mixed radish, garlic juice, and a bowl of something black that I don't know what it is. Finally, a steaming hot bowl of noodles in red chili oil was served.

  Xiao Xiao stared blankly.

  "What is this?" Shen Mu Qing asked, pointing at the dark thing.

  "This is Doufu Fa." Ying glanced at Xiao Sa, "Lin Jinchai's family said that people from Shanxi all love to eat this."

  How come I've never heard of it?

  Shen Muqing was secretly worried in her heart and looked towards Xiao Sa.

  Xiao Xiao smiled and said, "To mix with the noodles." As she spoke, she took it upon herself to pour the garlic juice into the dough and added some fermented bean paste.

  "Eat less salty things." Shen Muqing swapped the cold mixed water radish and five-spice fermented bean paste, "Eat more green vegetables."

  Xiao Xiao murmured "uh-huh" and continued eating noodles with her head down.

  Shen Muqing saw the curtain of the flower hall swaying gently.

  "Who's outside?" Shen Mu Qing looked at Ying Fen, "Go take a look!"

  Ying hurriedly went out, lifted the curtain and spoke in a low voice outside for a few sentences, then came back smiling: "Auntie, it's Bu Yue. She just came to see if there were any instructions."

  Shen Mu Qing's face turned red, and she felt it was improper for her to sit beside Xiao Sa while he ate noodles.

  She stood up and was about to speak when Xiao Xiao suddenly looked over at her.

  "I have another thing, I'd like you to help me with."

  Shen Mu Qing listened quietly and sat down again, saying: "What's the matter? Just speak directly."

  Xiao Xiao glanced at Ying Fen and Ming Xia who were standing beside her serving.

  Both of them were sharp-eyed and immediately knelt down and retreated.

  Seeing no one in the house, Shen Muqing asked again: "What's going on?"

  Xiao Xiao held her chopsticks hesitantly for a moment, then said: "Can you help me find a place to live?"

  Deeply shocked and saddened.

  Xiao Xiao hurriedly said: "I'll set off at the end of November and stay for no more than a month and a half. It won't be too long."

  Shen Muqing saw a hint of pleading in his eyes, and her heart softened. "Why don't you just stay here? There are two guest rooms next to the flower hall."

  Xiao Xiao hesitated for a moment, then said: "The White Paper Workshop is too far from the Six Departments... Can you tell Shen Daren that I want to live on that side?"

  This made Shen Mu Qing hesitate.

  "The inn is also an option... I've embezzled some of the military allowance, now one coin can be used as two... Staying at an inn may not cost much, but every bit counts!"

  "How could you embezzle military pay?" Shen Muqing's voice had lowered, "Exactly how much did you embezzle? I'll help you make it up. With the year-end approaching, if this money that should be distributed isn't given out, beware of a military uprising... How can you be so muddled?"

  "Don't worry, just wait for the military salary to be issued and it'll be fine!" Xiao Sa said disapprovingly, "Things in the army are complicated. You don't understand. Now you should focus on finding me a place to stay. The White Paper Workshop is outside the city, I have some engagements over the next few days and it's too late to leave the city gate. And if anything comes up, we can discuss it with Lord Shen at any time."

  "This matter I can't decide. Wait and discuss it with the old master, only if he agrees will it be alright. After all, that is his home."

  Xiao Xiao looked at her and solemnly nodded: "I understand!"

  Shen Muqing suddenly thought of something else and stood up again: "Hurry up and eat, be careful the noodles get cold. I'll go and come right back."

  Xiao Xiao nodded and said "uh-huh", Shen Muqing had already hastily left.

  She went to the study in the main house and came out with a black lacquer box with gold trimmings in her hands after a while.

  Right in front of him, he saw Bu Yue's anxious expression as she pulled Yin Fen, saying something in a low and urgent tone.

  Shen Mu Qing furrowed his brow and shouted "Ying Fen".

  He was so startled that he jumped up in fright.

  She looked flustered and shouted "Auntie".

  "What's going on?" Shen Mu looked at Ying Fen with a cold gaze.

  Yingfen's face immediately turned bright red, and Bu Yue looked at Yingfen and stepped forward to report: "Young lady, the young mistress of the Liang family from Dingyuan Houfu wants to see you. She is waiting outside the door."

  Liang's family young madam? Wang Wenxiu?

  Shen Mu's calm demeanor couldn't hide his astonishment.

  "Auntie, I didn't intentionally deceive you." Ying hurriedly stepped forward to explain, "I thought that you wouldn't need to bother with the Liang family again..."

  Whether you see it or not depends on your own decision!

  Shen Mu Qing's face was not pleasant, but in front of Bu Yue, she couldn't scold Ying Fen. She just nodded hastily and instructed Bu Yue: "You go and welcome the young mistress to the east wing. I'll be right there."

  She followed him out of the room.

  Shen Mu Qing didn't even glance at Ying Fen and went straight to the flower hall.

  Xiao Xiao had finished his breakfast and all the dishes on the table had been cleared away. He was now drinking tea.

  Seeing Shen Muqing enter, he smiled and pointed at the tea in his hand, saying: "It's really worthy of being a tea business, this tea is truly good!"

  "This is indeed 'Yuhua Tea' produced in Nanjing's Shi family tea factory."

  "Whose house?" Xiao Xiao laughed and said, "The house of Master Shi Zi Mo?"

  Shen Mu Qing's eyes widened: "You know too!"

  Xiao Xiao laughed and said, "Director Shen will take you to Jiangnan, I think he must have set foot in Nanjing's home. It is said that Director Shen was promoted by Mr. Shi when he was young, and the two have always been close friends."

  Shen Muqing put the box on the table.

  "The relationship between the two is pretty good." Then she briefly told him about what happened to her when she met Shi Jingyu at home, "...Two days ago, I received a letter from Shi Niang, saying that after the Chinese New Year, she would set out for Kyoto. When the time comes, I plan to go with her to Fujian. She has been running around outside for a long time, has a lot of experience, and has capable people by her side, so following her makes me feel more at ease."

  "Go to Fujian!" Xiao Xiao said thoughtfully, "Since you want to cooperate with Miss Shi in business, I think there should be someone by your side. Relying solely on her, I'm afraid that in the future when you discuss business with her, you won't have the heart to negotiate terms."

  That's exactly what she wanted to hear.

  Serene and clear-headed.

  "Moreover, it's best not to do business together. If you must partner up, before taking the money, first clearly write out the contract, including how much each person invests, how profits are divided, and how losses are shared... everything should be written clearly."

  Shen Muqing knew he came from a merchant family and was familiar with such matters.

  "The business of a tea house, I didn't plan to partner with anyone else." She told Xiao Sa her intentions, "I also made it clear to Shi Niang. Shi Niang wanted to do wild vegetable business in Kyoto... can't say it's wild vegetables, but homegrown wild vegetables..."

  Shen Muqing felt that this statement was also somewhat inaccurate. Who knew that Xiao Sa had already spoken up and said, "Is it possible to mass-produce wild vegetables?"

  "Right, right, right." Shen Muqing smiled and said, "When Miss Shi was planting tea, she found that many tea farmers were eating wild vegetables during the slack season. She tasted it and thought it was extremely delicious. To save expenses, she had the chef at the tea plantation dig some back to plant. The taste is not much different from purely natural ones, and it can ensure quality and quantity. So I want to open a wild vegetable restaurant in Kyoto, specializing in vegetarian dishes, and I think this idea is feasible. She also wants me to invest."

  (Sisters, these two days are really chaotic... Tomorrow I'll continue to get injections... I haven't had a cold in many years, and I didn't expect that having a cold would require getting three consecutive shots ! Everyone can check for updates around 19:00 every day, it will definitely be there!)

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