Chapter 72

Soon after Song Xingli and Song Xingzhi's families moved out of their fourth brother's house, they were called back again without even half a month passing.

After three days of feasting, Song Xingyi's family in the village sorted out their relationships with relatives and friends, leaving some money for Li Sheng.

A group of people then hurried back to the county town.

In just a few days, Li Sheng sent over pots, jars, seasonings, and main ingredients for making spicy cabbage. Employing several carts, they made two trips to bring everything over, with plans to send another batch of cabbage in five days.

"At last, there's something to do." Fang Shi looked at the pile of cabbage like a mountain and tears of excitement nearly welled up in her eyes.

She knew that when idle, she tended to overthink things and feel unwell. To prevent this, she and her sister-in-law Zhang Shi cleaned the furniture and floors every day, almost to the point of searching for mouse holes.

"Alright, hurry back over there to stay. Your aunt and I can handle all these tasks. If we can't finish, we'll call for help from your fifth and sixth grandaunts." Fang Shi could see her son-in-law getting agitated and worried, especially since her daughter was getting older.

At her age, most women would have had two children, but she hadn't even seen one.

It's time to go home and start a family!

Helplessly, Song Dingxiang was sent back to the neighboring general's mansion by her mother, while Li shi called her two old sisters-in-law to keep her company.

Although the courtyard wasn't large, there was plenty of empty space. The cabbage was left to sunbathe under the eaves for two days until the leaves became more dense, ready to be peeled and cooked.

Making spicy cabbage, pickling sauerkraut, boiling beans for soy paste, finding a place to grind tofu and marinate soybeans - the family was kept busy with various tasks. They not only didn't feel tired but also enjoyed the work, feeling as comfortable as if they were back in the village, chatting and laughing while getting the job done.

Liu Dagui felt that this was the most unusual family he had ever served. As a steward, he had become the laziest and most unproductive member of the household, reduced to just guarding the door and boiling water.

Nevertheless, seeing his wife getting along so well with the children and the rest of the family warmed his heart.

This family is pretty good, but the county princess's husband looks a bit scary.

Song Dingxiang was surprised to hear her husband described as "scary." Her husband got up from the kang bed, first scolded the troublemaker, and then rushed to the military camp.

Song Dingxiang massaged her sore waist and had the steward bring the account books of her and Zhou Yinuo's assets for her to go through one by one.

This steward was also surnamed Zhou, as all people sent by the Princess Consort were named Zhou, as they were ultimately slaves of the Zhou family.

The steward named Zhou Ping brought over two large boxes filled with account books. They were piled up high when taken out.

"Madam, the contents of this box are the records of all the things sent by the prince and princess consort to the general, including the furniture and decorations in the courtyard, as well as the utensils and fabrics in the storeroom. The other box contains the names of all the people in the two manors under the general's name and the revenue earned this year, along with the records of the land under your name. However, these records started from this year and due to the previous drought, there was not much income. The twelve books on top are the registration records of the twelve shops in the county town, also sent by the princess. Take a look..."

"Twelve shops?" Song Dingxiang was astonished.

Steward Zhou explained, "The general's property stretches along a street, with all the large shops on the street now under the general's name. This includes two fabric shops, a moneylender, a pawnshop, a cosmetics shop, an inn, a restaurant, a dessert shop, a dyeing workshop, two clothing stores, and a general store. Please have the princess review them."

Speechless, Song Dingxiang cursed the capitalist system. She had worked hard to be clever just to earn two shops here, and now someone had entered the upper class and become a full-fledged capitalist, occupying her own courtyard space.

As she flipped through the account books of the twelve shops, she asked, "Has the general seen all of these?"

Steward Zhou replied, "The general said he couldn't understand them, and as long as you review them, it's fine."

In reality, the general's actual words were: "What is all this? Let me look at it? Do you think I can understand it? Just put it all under my wife's name, give it to her, give it to her, give it to her."

As a steward, he couldn't possibly speak these words. Besides, these things were all purchased and organized by the princess consort, so you can't just give them away.

Even if you do, the princess consort should at least be informed.

After the drought, business was dismal, and things were just starting to pick up. These shops originally belonged to others, but when the princess wanted to buy the shops, how could the owners refuse?

So the princess consort simply bought a whole street of shops for her son, with a variety of items being sold - just looking at it was quite lively.

These twelve account books only cover a three-month period with income and expenses just balancing out. Song Dingxiang didn't understand the market for these shops, so she simply closed them and turned her attention to the books sent by the princess.

Rich people can really turn you into a sourpuss. Just these items, if taken to the modern-day, could open a museum.

Aside from the large furniture and decorations, there were various expensive papers, incense, brushes, inkstones, paper fans, and other trinkets meant for gifting, totaling a hundred sets.

Not to mention the curtains made of agate beads, white jade beads, a set of six coral ornaments, and a hundred treasures of gold and silver branches for display. Song Dingxiang felt like the gold and gemstones mentioned in the book were practically jumping out at her with their worth.

She tried not to show any sign of pettiness and calmly set the books aside before looking at the manors and land.

After all, these were the things she could understand.

The two manors given by the princess consort to Zhou Yinuo were located near Weixian County, covering a vast area of a thousand acres with various fruit trees, ponds, vegetables, grains, and livestock. One of the manors even had a mountain where hunting was said to be good in autumn.

Looking at her own land...the county princess didn't have any ancestral land. This was merely a part of the Emperor's rewards, totaling a hundred acres, just a tenth of someone else's manor.

There was also a map attached showing the boundaries and proximity of the land.

"Where is this place? Take me there," Song Dingxiang said.

Zhou Ping got a carriage ready, brought two guards and the chief maid Zhenzhu, and headed to the county princess's only piece of land.

The place wasn't far. After leaving the county town and crossing a mountain ridge, they arrived in half an hour.

Looking at the waist-high wild grass in front of her, Song Dingxiang almost burst into tears. "Wasn't this supposed to be fertile land?"

Zhou Ping explained, "This may have been fertile land before, but it's been abandoned for so long that now...it's registered with the government, and the Emperor naturally doesn't know the situation."

Song Dingxiang remembered the piece of land she saw in the village, which used to be fertile but later lay fallow.

The main drawback of this ancient land was its scarcity of people and abundance of land. With insufficient manpower to cultivate vast areas, coupled with natural and human disasters, once-fertile fields had transformed into expansive wastelands, lush enough to support grazing sheep and rabbits.

Despite this, the location was exceptional. A three-meter-wide stream meandered through the center of the land, eventually converging into a riverbank.

This riverbank was actually the upstream branch of the so-called "river ditch" back home, with both banks lined with pebbles and crystal-clear water. Further inland, one section nestled against the mountain, where a small waterfall cascaded down into the lowest pool.

Large boulders lined the pool's edge, and a few young women were washing clothes and vegetables by the water.

However, upon noticing the arrival, they all jumped in fright and scurried away with their basins.

Song Dingxiang sighed. If this prime location hadn't been neglected, it would undoubtedly have been prime farmland. Furthermore, since this was located upstream, setting up a workshop here was not an option.

Wouldn't polluting the water downstream cause harm to those living there?

"I want to lease out this piece of land. Steward Zhou, go help me find out how many people would be willing to lease it for three years without paying rent," Song Dingxiang ordered.

Zhou Ping was taken aback, "No rent for three years?"

Song Dingxiang explained, "If we cultivate the land ourselves, the court allows three years of rent exemption as a favor. Since this land is now mine, if we find someone to farm it, it's like cultivating it, so there's no need to pay rent."

Zhou Ping chuckled, "In that case, there will be a lot of people competing for it. Although the land is uncultivated, it has been cleaned up before, with just overgrown weeds. Three years is enough time for the tenants to earn some silver."

Song Dingxiang added, "Money motivates people, and with motivation, they will be willing to take care of my land properly."

She could imagine what the landscape would be like here after three years. As long as there were no disasters, the grain would definitely fill the granary, enough for sustenance.

"Also, I want to buy some uncultivated land near the county town, the type that can't be developed, to build workshops. Steward Zhou, please find out for me, at least twenty to thirty acres connected together. Also, check if there are any uncultivated lands that are challenging to clean up - I want to buy some of those too," Song Dingxiang instructed.

"Why buy uncultivated land?" Zhenzhu couldn't understand. She had always heard of buying fertile land, not uncultivated land, "Is it also for setting up shops?"

Song Dingxiang shook her head, "I want to plant buckwheat, and it would be a waste to use good land for that. By the way, if we buy uncultivated land, inform the tenants on our land that for every ten acres they have, they must take one acre of uncultivated land to plant buckwheat. For the next three years, I only want buckwheat."

Currently, there weren't many people with land, and although developing the uncultivated land exempted them from taxes for three years, it was still more effort for less food. The tenants wouldn't want to take on the risk of developing land, unsure if it would yield a good harvest.

If the land didn't yield well, they would still have to pay taxes, leading to greater losses.

Despite the few people with land, there wasn't much fertile land available. Song Dingxiang wanted to expand her farming area and saw buckwheat as a profitable crop.

Zhou Ping efficiently handled the tasks Song Dingxiang assigned without delay.

First, buying a large piece of uncultivated land, and then spreading the word that for three years there would be no taxes but assistance would be needed in developing the land and planting buckwheat. In just a few days, all the hectares of land were leased out.

Then, near the county town, more than forty acres of contiguous uncultivated land were purchased. Taking advantage of the pre-frost period, rows of houses were quickly built according to Song Dingxiang's instructions.

By the time the land was completely frozen, the houses were all completed, attracting many onlookers.

"Is anyone willing to go and look after the houses there?" Song Dingxiang gathered the remaining sixty or so servants and asked.

The group looked at each other, until an elderly woman spoke up, "Madam, our family is willing to go and help Madam inspect the houses. It's just that it's far from the county town, and concerns about food and drink..."

"Don't worry about food and drink, there will be people to deliver it to you. The houses are newly built, so the main concern is staying warm. Light a fire daily, log how much firewood is used every three days, and I will make sure you are paid." Song Dingxiang asked, "How many people are in your family?"

The elderly woman and the stableman were a couple, with two sons and a daughter. Despite being rough laborers, they were indifferent to where they worked.

As the daughter didn't want to go, being outside the county town, not knowing what might happen, the two sons, both about ten years old, could be taken along.

Moreover, over there, they would have autonomy over their food and drink, though life might be harder than here, it would also mean more freedom.

"You all go, work hard in the evenings. It might snow in a few days, so be careful not to let the snow collapse the roofs." Song Dingxiang instructed, allowing them to pack their belongings.

"And one more thing, who among you can read?" Song Dingxiang inquired again.

Six people raised their hands, five of them were men, and only one was a girl. After some consideration, Song Dingxiang asked them to write something.

The girl, who helped in the kitchen, may not have been attractive, but she had neat handwriting. As for the men, only two were selected for having similar abilities.

Come spring, she intended to establish a sauce shop and a wool workshop, although they were all family businesses, with the expansion of the shop, family members alone wouldn't be able to handle the workload. Additionally, with so many servants in the household, their monthly wages added up.

Although their labor contracts were under the authority of the princess, if the wages also had to be paid by the princess, Song Dingxiang would hesitate to continue employing these people.

Fortunately, Steward Zhou explained that the monthly allowance came from General Zhou, which relieved Song Dingxiang.

With so much silver each month to support just two people, Song Dingxiang felt she didn't have the status to warrant such extravagance. Good steel should be used on the blade, so she decided to use the money to work instead of lazing around gossiping all day.

After careful consideration, Song Dingxiang calculated that after keeping those who did daily chores like washing clothes, cleaning, feeding horses, and cooking, there were still about twenty idle people who could be spared. However, there was no need to arrange anything for them before the New Year, and everything would have to wait until after the holidays.

"Sister, you wanted to see me?" Hu Tou ran in from outside, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "Oh my gosh, this courtyard is huge! It took me forever to get here from the gate."

Song Dingxiang smiled. "If you earn more money in the future, you can buy a big courtyard like this too."

"Come on, buying a courtyard this big would mean it would take half a day for family members to even see each other. I think your courtyard is better, Sister. We can just step outside to see each other." Hu Tou took the teacup from Pearl and gulped down the water.

He handed the cup back and said, "Sister, give me another cup. The tea in Second Sister's house is so sweet and delicious."

"You sweet talker, who did you learn that from?" Song Dingxiang playfully poked him on the forehead. "I called you here because I have something to ask you. You also run a grocery store in the county town. How's business?"

Song Hutou laughed, "Not bad, I contacted Elder Gu and Second Elder over there, who brought us a lot of things. Twelfth Uncle also connected me with some small traders who make little gadgets. When our spicy cabbage and other items are on the shelves, I estimate they will sell even better."

Song Dingxiang said, "A few days ago, I received a letter from General Zhong indicating that this year's wool will be delivered soon, and in large quantities. The wool workshop can start operating early in the winter."

Song Hutou was so happy that he almost jumped out, "Many people have been asking me if our shawls and scarves are available. I haven't given them an answer yet. But now, with your approval, sister, I feel relieved."

Song Dingxiang replied, "Since you are doing business in the county town, have you visited other stores in the past few months? Are other shops doing well?"

Song Hutou answered, "Now that the drought year has passed and the northern wars have ceased, there are many merchants coming and going here. I see that many shops are doing quite well. Our eldest sister's restaurant is always packed with customers, she is always busy."

Song Dingxiang nodded and said, "I thought that after the disaster year, the shops would be slow for a while."

Song Hutou remarked, "Fortunately, it's not as severe here. It's been said that in the northwest, there were droughts in the summer and snowstorms in the winter, causing chaos. In the south, there was a locust plague. This year seems to have been wasted. But we have already recovered here. With the addition of a general and a county princess, many people think this place is blessed. Even the prices of shops and courtyards have doubled."

Song Dingxiang said, "In that case, could you help me take a look at these several shops and assess their potential profits?" She spread out the account books of the twelve shops in front of Song Hutou.

When it came to running workshops, Song Dingxiang boldly claimed that she was second to none here. However, regarding the situation of these shops, she was far inferior to Song Hutou.

Though he may not have excelled in academics, he certainly stood out in business and socializing within the Song family. It was said that he had learned many tricks from Liu Dagui and was probably a savvy person.

After examining the various shops, Song Hutou said, "The cosmetic shops are average; these items can last a long time after one purchase, and merchants are focusing more on trading food and cloth. Therefore, these two satin stores have quite a good daily flow of people. I've also seen them dealing with a batch of fabric from the previous drought and have replenished their stock.

"The pawnshop business has always been good, especially during disasters, without a doubt. The ready-to-wear store is average; even though we are in a county town, wealthy households have their clothes made, and the poor cannot afford ready-made clothes. Moreover, having two shops, it is estimated they won't only make a profit."

"As for the restaurant business...it's passable. Most customers are businessmen, not ordinary people. Small merchants won't go there; they'd rather come to our place for a hot pot, which is more delicious and satisfying."

Song Dingxiang chuckled and said, "Are you promoting Big Sister's business to me? Am I missing out?"

Song Hutou quickly replied, "Where did you hear that? I was just praising our family. If it weren't for Second Sister's skills back then, we wouldn't have so many profitable businesses."

"And what about the inn? Tongxin Inn? This inn business is doing really well, especially now that merchants are active, coming and going, rich people stay in the inn, and those with less money stay in the hostel. While the inn may not be fully booked every day, it is still quite popular."

"The bank is also doing okay, like the cosmetic shops, nobody buys jewelry when there is nothing going on. But I guess it will pick up in a couple of years. As for the dyeing workshop..."

"How is the dyeing workshop?" Song Dingxiang inquired.

Song Hutou replied, "The dyeing workshop probably dyes the old fabrics from the satin stores, so there isn't much business for most of the year. The pastry shop is doing alright, with the New Year approaching, the shop will be bustling. Who doesn't buy pastries for the New Year, right, Second Sister? But why are you asking me all this? Are you thinking of buying these shops?"

Song Dingxiang shook her head and said, "These shops belong to your brother-in-law, I'm just helping out. The managers of the shops are saying that due to the disaster year, there is no profit, and I don't really understand that. That's why I asked you to take a look."

Song Hutou was shocked, "Oh my, if I remember correctly, these shops occupy a whole street! Brother-in-law has given you shops on a whole street!"

Song Dingxiang said, "It's only considered earning money when you actually have the money in your hands, if you don't... then you're just helping others earn. Let's keep this matter quiet for now. I need to think about it further."

Song Hutou nodded and advised, "Sister, I suggest you look around more, as I've seen both profitable and unprofitable shops. It's impossible for all of them not to make money."

While they were talking, the servant Mo Yun rushed in, saying, "Madam, the few young generals who went to the capital have returned, and they said they brought gifts from the princess for you."

Song Dingxiang stood up promptly and said, "Quickly, please them in. Zhenzhu, boil water for tea and prepare some snacks for the generals to fill their stomachs before bringing some noodles over."

Zhenzhu acknowledged and left the room.

Shortly after, Mo Yun brought in the ten young generals from the capital, with the leader Liangzi bowing and saying, "Madam, we have sent those people to the capital and personally handed them to the princess. The princess asked us to bring gifts for you, please examine them." He then dropped a package from his shoulder, inside of which was a wooden box.

Opening the box revealed a thick stack of documents.

"What did the princess say?" Song Dingxiang inquired.

Liangzi replied, "The princess praised your cautiousness and feels very reassured. But in a few days, the General and Madam will need to return to the capital as the prince has submitted a document requesting the General to be included in the family tree. With all this going on, it seems like we might be celebrating the New Year over there."

Song Dingxiang smiled at them and said, "Thank you. The sitting room has been prepared with refreshments, please have some tea, rest your feet, and have a bite to eat."

Mo Yun led the group to the sitting room. Song Hutou looked at the documents in the box, astonished, and said, "Oh my goodness, why would the princess give you these things?"

"The fact that they were given to me signifies that ultimately, this family is meant for me to lead." Song Dingxiang glanced through the documents and added, "Oh, there are these as well? It might be difficult to find replacements before the New Year, so let them keep busy for a few months, we'll settle accounts together after the New Year."

Song Hutou looked confused and asked, "Sister, who do you want to settle accounts with?"

"Whoever deceives me will have to settle with me!" Song Dingxiang playfully pinched her brother's face and continued, "By the way, has Mom found a bride for you to consider?"

Song Hutou blushed and shook his head repeatedly.

"Do you have anyone you like then?" Song Dingxiang placed the documents back in the box, locked it, and attached the key to the kitchen key before placing it nearby.

After hesitating for a while, Song Hu whispered, "Sister, do you think... Zhenzhu might like me?"

Song Dingxiang: ???

——— Author's Note: Song Dingxiang: You're interested in my only personal maid?

Song Hutou: Because she is so gentle and beautiful, hehe.

——— TNote: I'm so happy to see your support in the comments. Every time I'm complimented, I feel at the top of the world, haha. Of course, I can also accept criticism, as long as it's not needlessly negative. I appreciate all feedback!