Tianliangyuan

Chapter 213 Let's offer some benefits to His Majesty

It wasn't until noon on the 29th of the twelfth lunar month that Xu Chuan returned home carrying a pile of things.

Xu Chuan's wife glanced at it and saw that it was another large piece of meat. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was a spare rib.

"This is?"

"Today is officially my day off. I have to go back to work on the seventh day of the first lunar month. I can finally rest a bit."

After Xu Chuan finished speaking, he took out several strings of coins.

"This is my pay for this month. It's settled. I won't get paid next January; I'll have to wait until February. Keep it."

When Xu Chuan said these words, he clearly carried a hint of pleasure and pride.

At the end of last year, he also settled his wages, but it was clearly less than what he received here.

Moreover, going back further, they usually refuse to settle wages at the end of the year, always making excuses and delaying payment.

What's rare is that Pagoda Fruit not only pays high wages, but also gives out a lot of celebratory gifts.

It's a rare find, with both meat and cloth.

"Oh, this fabric is so thick! I'll get it ready right away. It'll be enough to make a cotton-padded coat for you and our son."

"I'm not in a hurry. I have clothes to wear now, so I'll make one for my mother first."

Xu Chuan's mother smiled and said, "I don't usually go out, and it's not cold inside, so you don't need to make one for me. Your daughter-in-law can make one for herself."

Xu Zhaozhao was to accompany her mother and aunt to the banquet at the palace. This time, the two concubine daughters of the second branch of the family were not eligible.

Only legitimate sons and daughters are eligible to enter the palace for the New Year's banquet.

Xu Zhaozhao didn't want to go at all.

But she couldn't refuse; both the Emperor and the Empress had specifically requested that she go.

The old lady didn't go, saying she was too tired.

As a result, there were practically no proper masters left in the entire Marquis's mansion.

Princess Leyang got involved in Xu Zhaozhao's newly established medicinal herb business.

The previous papermaking and printing businesses, along with the Zhenguo Duke's mansion, were extremely profitable.

Nowadays, who in Beijing doesn't know about Xu Zhaozhao, the master of Midas?

Of course, there are also many people who hate her.

For example, the Jiang family, who had previously built up their fortune through brewing, has now been squeezed out of the high-end market and can only sell their wine as low-priced liquor. At least they can make some money and support their family. But with Liu Huaien constantly asking for money, the Jiang family simply can't keep going.

Xu Zhaozhao didn't care whether they could hold on or not. She hadn't done anything wrong, so even if someone wanted to complain, they couldn't blame her.

In normal market competition, if you are less skilled than others, does that mean you can't let others have a good time?

Moreover, competition can also be an opportunity.

Haven't you noticed that several breweries in Beijing have successfully transformed their businesses?

Some are also learning to brew fruit wine or other medicinal wines; in short, they are all looking for change.

If you remain stagnant and complacent, can you blame God for not sending money to you?

Jiang Ning was a concubine of the Prince of Zhong, and she was not qualified to attend such an occasion.

Although she held the title of Ruren, even the illegitimate sons and daughters of wealthy and powerful families could not participate, so what was a mere Ruren?

Princess Leyang pulled Xu Zhaozhao aside and whispered, "Princess Ningshuo has asked me several times just now, she wants to see you."

"Hmm? What brings you here?"

"From what I heard, she probably wants to get involved in your business as well. But I know you've never liked taking sides. Ning Shuo is Prince An's older sister. If she does business with you, people might think you're on Prince An's side."

Xu Zhaozhao nodded; she indeed did not want to have too close a relationship with the princesses or the eldest princesses.

Occasional social engagements are certainly fine.

But if it involves interests, then it won't work.

For example, she could send fruit wine or other rare items to the princesses and their residences every year, but she would never allow them to profit from it.

This is a fundamental difference.

If it weren't for the fact that Prince Qi was a staunch royalist, she wouldn't have dragged Princess Leyang into this mess.

"I don't really care much about business matters. My subordinates are all very capable and efficient. If the princess asks again, just say that I'm still thinking about getting rid of people from outside, so naturally I don't want anyone else getting involved. And most importantly, everything I do here has been approved by the emperor, so it's not appropriate for any princes or princesses to get involved."

Xu Zhaozhao wanted to avoid Princess Ning Shuo, so she quietly reminded Le Yang to avoid being resented by the princesses.

Emperor Yong'an didn't have many sons, but he did have quite a few princesses.

Of course, besides his daughter, there were also the eldest princesses left by the late emperor. Even though some of them had died young, there were still so many that it was enough to make one's scalp tingle.

Not every princess could be taken seriously by the nobles. Some princesses were not favored from childhood and still lived unhappy lives after marriage. Some were even married off to distant places.

Princess Ning Shuo was the emperor's only legitimate princess, so Xu Zhaozhao really didn't want to offend her.

After much thought, Xu Zhaozhao still felt she needed to add another layer of protection to herself.

When you come to the palace to pay your respects again in the first month of the lunar calendar, you must find a way to meet the Emperor.

She would rather give away some benefits to the emperor than have the princes and princesses get involved.

In such a vast palace, it would be incredibly convenient for Xu Zhaozhao to hide from people if she truly wanted to.

Not to mention that Xu Zhaozhao has an external cheat code.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, the ladies of the court were to go to the palace to pay their respects. Originally, Xu Zhaozhao was not required to go, but since she was the Princess of Anle, personally bestowed by the Emperor, she had to go to the palace this year as well.

However, as soon as Xu Zhaozhao entered the palace gate, she was stopped by the chief eunuch of the Taiji Hall and then invited to speak with the emperor.

Wang Ruolan was somewhat worried, since the Emperor rarely summoned female relatives.

"Don't worry, Madam, the Marquis and Xie Sanlang are both here."

Wang Ruolan's thoughts were seen through, but she didn't feel guilty. She simply nodded slightly and said, "Thank you for your trouble."

Xu Zhaozhao entered the Taiji Hall and clearly felt that the atmosphere inside was very pleasant.

Indeed, there is no problem that gold and silver cannot cure.

If so, then it's not enough!

"Xu Zhaozhao, today your father and brother sent several boxes of silver into the palace, saying it was your share of the profits for me?"

Xu Zhaozhao lowered her head: "Your Majesty, my Baiguoyuan, whether it is winemaking, papermaking, or gourmet food shops, is all thanks to Your Majesty's patronage. I am not talented and can only make a small profit. I dare not keep it all for myself. Therefore, I ask my father and brother to bring the money into the palace to present to Your Majesty."

"Haha! You silly girl! I know you're in the medicinal herb business with Leyang, what do you think?"

"Your Majesty, it has been too short a time to see the specific profits, but it is certain that making money is inevitable. When I discussed this matter with Princess Leyang, our initial goal was to exchange for more medicinal herbs to give the soldiers on the expedition more confidence. We never expected to have such an unexpected gain."

Emperor Yong'an was in a great mood and, with a wave of his hand, was about to reward someone.

"Tell me, what do you want? As long as you can name it, I will not refuse you!"