Chronicle of Farming in Muxianfu

Chapter 452
Ouyang saw that her complexion was not good, stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Let's talk about it when the child wakes up." Mu Ai reluctantly nodded, sent Mr. Jin and others out, and went back to the main hall.

Dayu and Xing'er followed in. Dayu knelt down and said guiltily, "Mom, I didn't take good care of my brother."

Xing'er also knelt down and said, "Don't blame Big Brother, it was I who wanted to eat snacks, and Big Brother took me to eat for heaven."

Mu Ai stretched out his hand to help them up, sighed and said, "I don't blame you, Simba and Cheng'er have been fearless since they were young, it's better to learn more lessons, so that they don't feel like they wish they belonged to our family. Let them run amok."

Xing'er remembered that the second elder brother always called himself the hero of helping the world, and how he would fight in the world in the future, but today he was knocked down by a drug, and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The mother and son were talking, when Ouyang walked in, Dayu and Xing'er got up and saluted, and then asked, "Daddy, what should we do about the grass flying?"

Ouyang glanced at Mu Ai, and said in a low voice, "It's a rule in the world, one arm or one foot is broken."

Xing'er heard that the man's fate was so bloody, she felt a little frightened, and went to her mother's side for a blow.Mu Ai patted her on the back and said, "Xing'er is not afraid." Then she turned to look at Dayu, "Call the people who followed Simba and the others to come in."

Dayu agreed, went out and called Xiao Fang, who was the oldest and most prudent, to come in. As soon as Xiao Fang and the others came back, knowing that the two young masters were not poisoned, they knelt down in the corridor and entered the hall at this time. Without waiting for the mistress to ask questions, she carefully explained what happened. Mu Ai was silent for a while, and then said calmly, "Go to Cui Peng, and everyone will receive ten boards."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Do you know why you want to start a family law?"

"The young master fought with others, but the slave didn't persuade him in time, and after the fight, he didn't protect the young master well." Xiao Fang replied respectfully.

"Just understand. Go down." Xiao Fang kowtowed again, stepped back and left the hall.

Ouyang took a sip of tea and was about to speak when Xi Yuan came in and told, "Master, someone in the front yard is here to visit."

Mu Ai frowned slightly, and exchanged glances with Ouyang, "I'm afraid this guest came here for the grass fly, Simba and Cheng'er made the first move today, it's unreasonable, if the grass fly won't It's not good for the two children, let him go."

Ouyang nodded, got up and went to the front yard.

After all, Mu Ai still felt sorry for the two children, and called Xiao An to come in and ask a few words. Knowing that they drank the medicinal soup and had already fallen asleep, she brought the maids to prepare a gift. After all, Ouyang and the teahouse owner had a good relationship, and their children Today, under the fighting, he smashed up the lobby of his family and delayed the business, so he had to pay a visit to pay a gift.

Xing'er saw that her mother was in a bad mood, so she obediently followed her to help, and Dayu also spread out the account books of the paradise and sat quietly on the sidelines.

In less than half an hour, a message came from the front that a table of banquets would be prepared.

Mu Ai guessed that Ouyang had reached a reconciliation with others. People in Jianghu usually establish friendship either during a fight or at the wine table. Presumably, after this meal of wine, today's knot will be unraveled.

Waving his hand to take out some fish, shrimp and fresh vegetables from the space, Xiao An immediately took Xi Hua Xi Yuan to the kitchen and went to the kitchen to gather eight dishes quickly, and Mu Ai added four jars of mincemeal wine, and sent them to the front together.

Simba and Cheng'er might sleep until tomorrow morning, so Mu Ai took Dayu and Xing'er around the small round table, ate four small dishes, drank some meat porridge, and ate two pieces of egg pancakes. Sent away dinner.

At the end of Youshi, I drove the two children back to sleep, and waited for a while before the banquet broke up. Xiao An took someone to finish the work, and Mu Ai picked up Ouyang, who was slightly drunk, and put the spring water into the big wooden barrel, let him After washing, the wine was mostly sober, and they changed into clean and soft cotton clothes. The two of them sat on the soft couch, eating fruit and gossiping.

"Is that flying on the grass?" Mu Ai stuck a piece of apple with a toothpick and brought it to Ouyang's mouth. Ouyang lowered his head and ate it, then nodded and said, "It was a former friend of Cui Peng who came to beg for mercy. Well, it’s not a big treacherous person.”

"Then cut off his hands and feet?"

"Continuously."

Mu Ai nodded when she heard the words, "We've just got married, so it's unlucky to see blood. Besides, Simba and Cheng'er are always yelling to go to the rivers and lakes. It would be good if we can make one less enemy."

The corner of Ouyang's mouth turned up slightly, and he reached out to peel a lychee for Mu Ai to eat, "They praised the delicious food and wine."

Mu Ai was instantly discouraged, fell into his arms, and complained, "Since I saw you, my fruit wine has suffered. How long has it been? There are less than ten jars left. I will go to Xue's teahouse tomorrow, after You must accompany me to make wine at home."

"Okay." Ouyang nodded with a smile, "Do you have any plans for those shops?"

"Well, Mr. Ren brought the location map in the afternoon, and I asked about the surrounding environment, but I have some ideas." Speaking of business, Mu Ai immediately became interested, pushed away the fruit plate, took out a paper and pen, and discussed with Ouyang carefully up.

When she had a plan, it was already the middle of the hour. She took off the hairpin, took a hot bath and came back, and was immediately hugged by Ouyang from behind. Last night, she was thinking about picking up the child this morning. The two of them They didn't dare to indulge, and they had no worries tonight, so they lingered until midnight before embracing each other and falling asleep.

Waking up early in the morning, Ouyang took Dayu and Xinger to practice martial arts in the back garden. After all, Mu Ai quietly went to see the two boys who were sleeping soundly. Fried cabbage, mixed with shredded tofu in chicken sauce and sweet and sour lotus root slices, and finally baked two plates of shredded radish pancakes, divided one portion for Xihua to send to Mr. Jin, and placed the rest in the hall.

As soon as Mu Ai changed the sleeves of the apron, Ouyang came back with the children, Xing'er grabbed a handful of sweet-scented osmanthus with a smile, and the corners of Dayu's mouth curled up, showing that the father and son were enjoying themselves together.

Muai asked them to wash up, and then sat down to have breakfast together.

Xiao An came in and asked with a smile, "Ma'am, Second Young Master and Young Master Cheng are awake, calling for chicken soup and porridge."

Mu Ai said quickly, "The casserole on the kitchen stove is reserved for them, and the small dishes on the side plate should be served together."

Xiao An responded, and Mu Ai turned her head to see Ouyang and the two children staring at her, and asked doubtfully, "What's the matter, but my face is covered with ashes from the stove."

Xing'er grinned and said, "Mom is partial to Second Brother and Brother Cheng the most. Yesterday she was clamoring to beat them, so I got up early today to cook porridge for them."

Mu Ai remembered that she was short of breath yesterday, as if she really said that she would starve them for two meals, but unfortunately she forgot it when she got up early in the morning, so she blushed and argued, "Well, mom wants to feed them, and then they will be hungry when they hit the board. Shout out the pain."

Saying this made Dayu and Xinger laugh, and even Ouyang chuckled and gave her a piece of emerald green cucumber. Mu Ai was slightly annoyed, and said angrily, "If you don't believe it, it's fine. After dinner, Dayu Follow me and your father to Xue's teahouse to make amends."

Dayu nodded in response, and after dinner, Xing'er ran to the west chamber to play with his two older brothers who didn't know that their butts would suffer, and Muai Ouyang took Da'er to Xue's teahouse by car.

At the end of the hour just now, there were no guests in the teahouse. A few waiters were cleaning the tables and chairs and washing the tea sets. When they saw two carriages parked outside the door, they rushed out to greet them and asked, "The guest officer wants to come in for a cup of tea, rest?" Rest?"

Ouyang waved his hand and asked, "Is your boss here? Go in and report, just say that Ouyang is visiting."

The waiter wanted to ask a few more questions, but was swept away by Ouyang, and immediately turned around and ran in. After a while, a courtyard door next to the teahouse opened from the inside, and the red-faced, extremely heroic Xue The boss came out to welcome him, and smiled when he saw Ouyang, "Last night your sister-in-law said that you would come to the door today, but I still didn't believe it, but she was right."

Ouyang cupped his hands and saluted, and said, "I'm bothering brother Xue by taking the liberty of visiting."

"Haha, why are you being polite to me, go in quickly, your sister-in-law is still waiting." Ouyang turned around and nodded towards Wuhu, and the carriage passed through the two wide open ebony gates and entered the yard.

When the car door opened, Dayu jumped down first, put down the small wooden stool, and then helped his mother down.

Boss Xue didn't seem to expect that Ouyang brought a female relative to the door, he was slightly taken aback, and then glanced at Ouyang with a strange smile.

Mu Ai saluted first and smiled slightly, "I came to visit early in the morning and disturbed Boss Xue."

Dayu followed closely and saluted, calling him Uncle Xue. He was so happy that Boss Xue welcomed them into the second door immediately.

Miao Sanniang had been waiting in the second gate, when she saw Mu Ai, she was not surprised at all, she stepped forward to hold her hand familiarly, and said with a smile, "If my guess is right, this is the new daughter-in-law of our Ouyang brothers. , the famous Mrs. Xian, right?"

Mu Ai smiled lightly, nodded and saluted slightly, and said kindly, "Sister-in-law has shamed me, it was all before getting married, and I am only Ouyang's wife at this time." Then she pointed to Dayu, "It's still the son of this reckless child. Mother, yesterday he acted improperly and made a big fuss in sister-in-law's shop, I specially brought him here today to make amends. I hope sister-in-law won't blame her."

When Miao Sanniang saw Mu Ai talking with a smile, she was polite and kind, without any arrogance, she immediately got close to her heart, and said with a joyful smile, "That's such a small matter, one day my teahouse won't be smashed down a few times." Again, why did my nephew not smash it? Why do you and your wife come to the door to make an apology so solemnly? Besides, this child gave me a piece of gold. Sister-in-law, I not only didn’t lose money, but also made a lot of money.”

Mu Ai listened to her cheerful and interesting talk, and felt a little defensive, and followed Boss Xue and Ouyang into the hall together with her.

All of a sudden, the maids served tea and snacks, Xiao An and the others came up with presents, and Mu Ai pointed to those snack boxes and fruit baskets and said, "I don't know what my sister-in-law likes, and there is nothing good at home, so I just picked some and gave them to you." It’s a novelty to eat, give it to my sister-in-law to try something new.”

Miao Sanniang looked at the fruit basket with flower balls, filled with strange golden or bright red fruits, which were different from those sold in the fresh fruit shop, and knew that she put her heart into it, so she laughed, " My sister, this fruit is really novel, my sister-in-law has never seen it before, when I eat it later, I am afraid that I will swallow even the kernel."

Mu Ai smiled and said, "Sister-in-law was joking, I just need my servant girl to tell the little girl a few words." Then she pointed to the Wuhu couple standing outside the door, and said, "Ouyang once mentioned that my sister-in-law praised the taste of this minced fruit wine the day before yesterday. Well, today I also moved two jars for my sister-in-law, there are not many in stock at home, so sister-in-law should not feel too little."

"Not a lot, not a lot." Seeing the fruit in the wine jar, Miao Sanniang smiled a little deeper, obviously she was very happy with what was in the glass, "Sister, this wine is really good, say To be honest, sister-in-law, I started talking about it when I came back the night before, I don’t know when I can drink another pot, I didn’t expect my sister to bring it today, how can my sister-in-law thank you.”

Boss Xue also clapped his hands and smiled, "Your sister-in-law is a good wine, and she is very defensive. I'm afraid I won't be able to even share the two jars of wine."

Miao Sanniang scolded, "Go drink your Zhuangyuanhong and Zhuyeqing, what kind of fruit wine will you grab from a woman like me?"

Boss Xue immediately made a bitter face, pointed at her and said to Ouyang, "Look, look, she didn't let us interrupt for a while just now, and now she is calling herself a woman."

Everyone laughed together, drank tea and chatted for half an hour, Ouyang offered to leave, politely declined Miao Sanniang's kindness to keep a meal, and then drove out of the courtyard.

Miao Sanniang took her husband's arm and said with a smile, "Brother Ouyang has found a good wife."

Boss Xue nodded and praised, "Dignified and generous, decent and harmonious, the most rare thing is that he has no arrogance at all. He respects Brother Ouyang very much. It is a good marriage, which is enviable."

"Envy?" Miao Sanniang raised her eyebrows and twisted her husband's arm, "Why do you envy him? Am I not gentle, dignified and generous?"

Boss Xue immediately smiled and coaxed, "My daughter-in-law is the best woman in the world, no worse than that fairy lady."

"It's not too bad." Satisfied, Miao Sanniang happily took her maid to play with those novel fruits, leaving Boss Xue lamenting alone, that Mrs. Xian would not be like her own daughter-in-law, who is virtuous on the surface, but a tigress behind her back. only?

Going out to the left and right, Mu Ai thought about going to the shops that Ren Baiyi bought, but there were more and more people on the road, and the carriage was not as easy as when it came, so Wuhu and Sihai jumped off the shaft and dragged each other. The reins lead the way.

Ouyang got into the carriage and talked with Mu Ai's mother and son. It took a full hour to finally see all four shops. Mu Ai kept the surrounding environment in mind, and occasionally discussed with Ouyang Dayu, then revised The plan drawn up last night.

After returning to Osmanthus Alley, the family of three changed into homely clothes, and invited Mr. Jin, Ren Baiyi, Uncle Zhong, Cui Peng and others to gather in the hall to discuss the future financial plan in the valley.

Ren Baiyi bought a total of four shops, two of which are near the labor market, which is considered to be a relatively messy area in the city. There are nearly a thousand people waiting here every day, waiting for a big family to hire them to do some manual work. There are also plasterers and Carpenters and other craftsmen are mixed in it.

The third house is located on the main street, only a few tens of feet away from the Rongcheng government office. Although the surrounding area is not prosperous, people of some status come in and out.The last one is just at the end of Xinghe Street where there are many restaurants and restaurants. It has three doors and a small courtyard. It is a bit remote, but very quiet.

Ren Baiyi was a little embarrassed when he heard the surrounding environment of Mu Ai Yidao Ming's shop. Although he was usually regarded as a military advisor by the Gu Li brothers, it was all a matter of the world. With this way of money, he only thought that the exchange prices of the four shops were cheap, but after taking over, he found that there was almost no business every day, and there were very few people.

This is another important matter in the valley, and there is no room for perfunctory and negligence, so he has no choice but to ask Mu Ai for help.

Mu Ai saw that he was uneasy, and said quickly, "The locations of these four shops are all very good, it's hard for Mr. Ren to exchange them at such a cheap price. The business was not good before because the business direction was wrong. In the restaurant How can you sell groceries in a place full of trees? If you sell silk and satin on the main street, it will be strange if the business is good. We just need to change to a business that is in line with the surrounding environment, and everything will be fine."

Hearing this, Ren Baiyi immediately straightened his waist, and shook his gold-painted fan. He was about to brag a few words, but Ouyang glanced at him coldly, and the words he uttered became, "Mrs. , no matter how bad the location of the shop is, it will definitely have a prosperous business."

Everyone laughed amused by his obsequiousness, Mr. Jin said, "It's rare for Kid Ren to be so humble, madam should teach him a few more words."

Mu Ai smiled lightly, took a pen and circled the shops near the two temporary labor markets in the east and west of the city on the drawing and said, "These two are close to the temporary labor market. , eat at home in the morning and evening every day, usually bring some dry cakes or steamed buns at noon, and just deal with it with cold water. If we open a restaurant, vegetables are cheap in summer, we will cook a few stir-fried dishes and steam a few The pot and the noodle steamed buns, two steamed buns plus a few spoonfuls of vegetables, the cost is controlled at about five yuan, and the selling price is ten yuan, so that the hired workers who can earn about one hundred yuan a day will not be too distressed. If we can eat hot food again, the business of the shop will definitely be good. In winter, vegetables are expensive, so we can buy some bones to make soup, and put more cabbage and tofu in it, and the cost will not exceed five renminbi."

Cui Peng was thoughtful, and said whatever came to his mind, "Ma'am, the profit of this business is only five cents, isn't it too little?"

Mu Ai smiled slightly, did not answer, just glanced at Dayu, Dayu understood, and said with a smile, "Uncle Cui, the so-called dripping water wears through rocks, and gathering sand forms a tower. There are 2000 people coming and going in the labor market every day. If 1000 of them Every day we eat in our restaurant, each person earns five Wen, five taels a day, 150 taels a month, 800 taels a year, and 600 taels a year. The profit is not too thin, and it is only busy at noon every day, so the steamed buns and vegetables can be prepared in advance, which does not take up many hands."

Everyone nodded in unison, and Uncle Zhong agreed, "There are a lot of people in the city of short-term workers, and they often deal with big families. Wouldn't it be convenient to inquire about the news then?"

Mr. Jin smiled and said, "In this way, it's really a good deal. If it's done well, maybe half of the business of Xue's teahouse will be robbed by us."

Everyone rejoiced to find a business that would make a steady profit without losing money, and also took care of scouting for news. They were all relieved and started talking and laughing.

However, Ren Baiyi was still thinking about the other two shops, and quickly asked, "Madam, what are the plans for the other two shops?"

Ouyang was raising his hand to pour tea for Mu Ai, feeling sorry for her after being out for a whole morning, and she would continue to work hard for the livelihood in the valley when she came back. At this time, when Ren Baiyi urged her, she just threw a sharp glance at her, and Ren Baiyi immediately lowered his head, Abducting Cui Peng with his arm, "It's your turn to ask next time, otherwise the leader's eye knife will kill me alive."

Cui Peng ignored him with a naive smile, only drank tea and waited for other arrangements.

Ren Baiyi had no choice but to look at Mu Ai helplessly, Mu Ai was amused, drank a sip of tea, and said, "The other shop on the main street is a two-storey building with a small courtyard at the back, and is close to the government office. , suitable for opening a teahouse. Of course, this teahouse is not the kind of teahouse. It should be said that it is closer to a restaurant, but the food sold is different. Most of the restaurants are fresh dishes. We only sell dumplings, steamed buns, siu mai and other pastries here. Congee and soup. Because those officials and petty officials came to the government office early in the morning to go on business, and most of them left at the beginning of the morning. At that time, they had already had breakfast and lunch had not yet arrived, so they happened to go to the building to drink some porridge. Two plates of delicious crystal dumplings or siu mai pads to cushion their stomachs. Those who come to the government office to ask for errands must also be happy to have a quiet and convenient place to talk about private things. Adding the two together, the business will definitely not be bad. "

Everyone was even more delighted when they heard this. They didn't expect that the money-losing shop, which was a headache for everyone, would seem to give birth to waste of money after the leader's wife pointed it out, pouring into their wallets?
Ren Baiyi's eyes were shining brightly, and he was no longer afraid of Ouyang's cold eyes, and asked in a vigorous voice, "These three companies are all engaged in food business, but which one in the end is also going to open a restaurant?"

Mu Ai shook her head, pondered for a while, but changed the subject, and said, "After all, you are from the Jianghu. Although you used to be bounty hunters, you have offended some people, so your family members live in the city. There are still some risks. Now that the flood has receded, wouldn’t it be better to move the elderly, children and women back to the valley? The children also need to study and practice martial arts, and rice and vegetables can be grown on the flat land in the valley, and some chickens and pigs can also be raised. Self-sufficient."

Mr. Jin nodded, "I've been thinking about this for the past few days. The children are the real foundation of the valley. They really can't take risks with us."

Cui Peng asked, "It's a good thing for the children and the elders to go back, but the women's relatives have gone back. Who should take care of the restaurants? Do you want to buy some people?"

Mu Ai nodded, "Choose four good cooks from the women's family, put two in the restaurant to cook, and buy a few more people to teach for two days and help with chores. The pastry and porridge in the restaurant, after I make a list, Let Xiao An teach it personally, and we can use our own people in the front waiter and shopkeeper."

There are more than a dozen female relatives in the valley, only four of them are selected to help manage the shop, and the remaining seven or eight are enough to take care of the elderly and children in the valley. Everyone unanimously expressed no opinion.

Mu Ai waved her hand and dug out a jar of mince fruit wine from the space. Everyone didn't know what she was going to do, and they all looked over in doubt. Mu Ai smiled slightly, "You have drunk my mince fruit wine before, so naturally you know how it tastes. I I want to plant fruit trees on the hills around the valley. When the fruit bears fruit in autumn, all of them will be made into fruit wine. I will turn the shop next to the restaurant into a winery and sell this fruit wine exclusively. If the price is set a little higher than Zhuangyuanhong and the like times, that is, 20 taels of silver per pot, and can earn Gu Li 2 taels of silver a year."

After her words fell, the hall was not as lively as it was just now, it actually became quiet, and even Ouyang looked at her with eyes full of gratitude.

　It is said that it is going to snow heavily here, woo woo, why hasn't spring come yet, the weather is really cold.

　　Thank you friends for supporting the genuine version, your support is the motivation for my codewords, work hard!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)