Chapter 1067: Chapter 890, Benevolence
After dinner at the Gujian Courtyard, Daohua sent Li Xingnian and Li Chenzhi to the guest quarters to rest, then returned to her room. She saw Xiao Yeyang sitting at his desk, shirtless, fanning himself with one hand and holding a letter with the other. She instructed Guyu to fetch a waterlon that had been chilled in well water to cut.
When the waterlon was ready, Daohua took a piece and walked over. She held the slice of waterlon to Xiao Yeyang’s lips with her right hand, “As we enter June, it’s getting hotter here in Ganzhou GuardGan State Guard. Have a slice of waterlon to quench your thirst.”
Xiao Yeyang bit into it, “Mmm… this waterlon is really sweet.” He moved his gaze from the letter, taking another big bite.
Daohua, who was also eating, nodded in agreent, “The water is scarce here in Ganzhou GuardGan State Guard, and due to the lack of water, the dry-land waterlons accumulate a high level of sugar over ti, which makes them particularly sweet and delicious. However, because there’s not enough water, the yield is low and the fruits are relatively small.”
Xiao Yeyang said, “It’s good that we can grow them. Xiliang has vast lands with sparse population. Having more varieties of fruits, vegetables, and grains will improve the lives of the people here.”
Daohua humd in agreent, “Speaking of which, this ti my second uncle and third cousin have co not only to see us but also to inspect Xiliang. They are thinking of developing businesses here. What do you think?”
Xiao Yeyang replied, “That’s a good thing. Xiliang’s developnt cannot be separated from the comrce of traders. Though Xiliang is not entirely peaceful right now, it’s comndable that your second uncle and others dare to co here to develop.”
Daohua nodded, “The Li Family’s fortune today was built by my eldest uncle and second uncle starting with nothing. They certainly have the courage.”
Xiao Yeyang fell silent for a mont, “The movent of rchant caravans can promote the developnt of Ganzhou GuardGan State Guard. Since the Li Family is taking risks to co here, the GuardGan State Guard office should provide so support.”
He paused and then continued,
“I’m planning to hire Dong Bo-Father as an adviser to help implent so details in civil affairs.”
Daohua showed full approval, “After all, Dong Bo-Father has experience as a Provincial Governor. With his help, you’ll be able to relax a great deal. Civil affairs are extrely complex. Even if you had three heads, you couldn’t manage it all. However, do we need to ntion this to the Emperor Uncle?”
Xiao Yeyang understood Daohua’s concern and shook his head, “The second household of Dong Family was implicated by the first. But the Emperor Uncle still appreciates Dong Bo-Father’s achievents during his tenure. Now I am just hiring him as an adviser without offering him an official position. It won’t be a problem.”
Upon hearing this, Daohua did not say more. She had the maids bring hot water for her and Xiao Yeyang to wash up before they went to rest.
The next day, after breakfast, just as Xiao Yeyang was preparing to go to the GuardGan State Guard office, Defu suddenly ca in and whispered a few words to him. Then Xiao Yeyang turned to Li Xingnian and Li Chenzhi and said, “Second Uncle, today I will accompany you and third cousin for a tour around.”
Li Xingnian asked with a smile, “Won’t it delay your official duties?”
Xiao Yeyang shook his head, “No matter, I’d like to check the terraced fields that Yiyi purchased and converted from five barren hills.”
Seeing this, Li Xingnian did not say more, smiling as he followed Xiao Yeyang out of the residence.
After the three n left, Daohua t with Qin Xiaoliu.
Qin Xiaoliu reported to Daohua about the incidents that occurred during the tea transportation.
Hearing that they encountered bandits on the way, Daohua frowned, “Safety cos first, as I always say. Even if it costs more silver to hire additional Escort Bureau guards, try to avoid any casualties.”
Qin Xiaoliu nodded, “I’ve taken note of that.”
Seeing that he looked visibly exhausted, Daohua said, “You’ve been working hard recently. Since the exchange with Xiliang will be quite frequent in the future, you don’t need to co every ti.”
“The shops and estates in Beijing all need your oversight. Select a few clever and steady people from the estate to train, so they can replace you in escorting the goods.”
Xiaoliu thanked her with a smile, “Thank you, Miss, for your concern, I’ve only traveled the Xiliang route a couple of tis and am still not very familiar with it. I worry that the people under won’t perform well and will hold up the important affairs of the Miss and Young Master, so I want to lead the team on a few more trips.”
Daohua nodded, “You and the others must pay attention to your health. In Xiliang, winters are extrely cold, sumrs unbearably hot, and the sandstorms are severe. When you go back, tell your people that from now on, each person will receive an extra five taels of silver for each trip they make here.”
Xiaoliu quickly responded, “On behalf of everyone, I thank the Miss.”
Daohua ntioned, “The kitchen has made milk tea. Before leaving, everyone from the Escort Bureau, including yourself, should have a bowl every day, as a way to nourish your bodies.”
Xiaoliu thanked her again.
Daohua waved her hand, dismissing him as she went to check the tea leaves that had been brought over this ti.
Xiaoliu had just returned to the guesthouse where he was staying when several robust nannies brought over several buckets of steaming milk tea.
“Butler Xiaoliu, this milk tea was sent by Miss Guyu,” one of the nannies said.
Xiaoliu was delighted at how quickly it had arrived and promptly called everyone in the courtyard to co and drink the milk tea.
“What is milk tea?” a young escort from the Escort Bureau asked quietly.
The nanny explained with a smile, “Milk tea is made by boiling together milk and tea leaves. It’s really good for you. Madam is kind-hearted, thinking of how hard you’ve worked to transport goods from far away, she specially prepared this to nourish you. Co on, everyone get a bowl. Once you’re done, we still need to go back and make lunch.”
Upon hearing this, everyone happily went to get their servings of milk tea.
Milk, which in other inland areas was a rare delicacy, was not sothing that could be easily had.
This ti, for the tea leaf escort mission, Xiaoliu had hired three Escort Bureaus. The leaders of the three bureaus exchanged glances as they tasted the sweet milk tea in their bowls, drank quickly, and then went together to find Xiaoliu.
“Do the three of you have sothing to discuss?”
“Butler Xiaoliu, this is our second escort run with you, and you should have a fairly good idea of our capacity and character by now. We’d like to continue cooperating with the Xiao Residence.”
The routes in Xiliang might be treacherous, and there were dangers along the way, but the compensation from the Xiao Residence was high. Moreover, by the act of sending milk tea today, it was evident that the master of the Xiao Residence was a benevolent person.
For those in the escort business, a powerful yet benevolent patron like this was the most desirable type of client.
Being able to cooperate with the Xiao Residence on a long-term basis would not only ensure a stable source of inco, but also reduce the casualties of the Escort Bureau by traveling the sa routes regularly.
Xiaoliu, who used to be an escort runner himself, understood the feelings of the three n. He and his clan mbers had changed their perilous escorting fate thanks to eting the young lady.
“I understand what the three of you an. In fact, I also hope to continue our cooperation with you. Considering the situation in Xiliang, which we are all aware of, successful escort missions require a sincere partnership,” he conveyed.
“We can cooperate, but I must remind you here: never, ever harm the interests of the Xiao Residence. Otherwise, the consequences will be more than you can bear.”
The three Escort Bureau leaders looked pleased upon hearing this, “Butler Xiaoliu, rest assured, we are all earning a living out here; naturally, we know to follow the rules.”
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