The little girl of the landlord's house

Chapter 82

After eating good food and tasting good wine, Zhou Tianhao still couldn't fall asleep for a while.Zhou Tianhao crossed his hands behind his head, thinking of Xie Yujiao's flushed face just now, he couldn't help laughing.

The cheeks that were originally sickly and pale turned red in an instant, as if a slight poke would bleed.If it weren't for the women, maids, and mothers standing around, Xie Yujiao would have looked like that just now, and it would be most suitable to be hugged and bullied fiercely.

Thinking of this, Zhou Tianhao felt that his breathing was a little short, and his heart was inevitably a little more restless.

The night outside was getting darker, Zhou Tianhao still felt a little bit sad when he thought of leaving this place early tomorrow morning.I don't know if the ladies in the capital have left the cabinet during the time he has been hiding.As a modern person, Zhou Tianhao still couldn't adapt to it. These ancient ladies lived like statues, and it seemed that they would never have the look of agility on their faces.If he was allowed to live with such a statue for the rest of his life, there might be only one ending, which would be two statues.

Early the next morning, did housekeeper Liu Er prepare the carriage, and waited for Zhou Tianhao to come out at the door.At this time, Xie Yujiao had just got up, and the magpie was carrying hot water to help her wash, Xie Yujiao opened the makeup, and saw the hairpin on the top.

Magpie helped her comb her hair, took a mirror to look at the hair on the back, and said: "The second housekeeper Liu sent back a new mirror two days ago, and it was exactly the same as the original one, but now there are two sides. Mirror."

After hearing this, Xie Yujiao remembered the mirror that Zhou Tianhao had brought back, took it out of the drawer, turned to look at the arrow marks on the back, and suddenly felt a trace of sadness welling up in her heart.Swords and swords have no eyes on this battlefield, no one knows what will happen to Zhou Tianhao in the future, this mirror has saved his life anyway, and it is considered an auspicious object for him, so it is better to give it to him.

Xie Yujiao just stuffed the mirror into the magpie's hand, and said: "Give this to Mr. Yang."

The magpie was puzzled for a moment, but when she saw Xie Yujiao's order, she nodded in agreement, found another box, put it up, and sent it to the front yard.

Zhou Tianhao was about to leave at this time, when he heard someone calling him, he turned around and saw that it was the maid beside Xie Yujiao, so he turned around with a smile and said, "Madam Magpie, what are your orders?"

The magpie stepped forward, handed the box in his hand to Zhou Tianhao and said, "Master Yang, this is what our girl asked the slave to bring to you."

Zhou Tianhao's eyes flashed, and he only asked, "Does she have anything else she wants you to bring to me?"

The magpie just shook his head and said: "The girl didn't bring any words to the young master, the young master is careful all the way."

Zhou Tianhao suddenly felt a little lost, and was about to turn around and leave when Mrs. Xu and Mrs. Zhang sent them out.

Mrs. Xu saw that Yun Song was preparing her luggage and that the carriages at the door were all ready. Knowing that Zhou Tianhao was going to leave today, she felt a little bit reluctant for a while, so she said, "If Mr. Yang passes by Jinling in the future, Remember to come to Xie's house for two days to play."

"Don't worry Madam Xie, if I'm in Jinling, I'll definitely come here to beg for mercy for a few days. The cooking skills of Xie's family are enough for me to think about."

Mrs. Xu knew that he was talking politely, but she was still sad, so she only smiled and said, "Jiaojiao is not in good health these days, otherwise, let her accompany you to Nanshan Lake and Hongjue Temple. They are all famous places in our Jiangning County."

Although Zhou Tianhao felt in his heart that with Xie Yujiao's temperament, letting her play with him obediently was basically out of the question, but he couldn't do this without giving Xu face. He just smiled and said, "When you come next time, there are still opportunities."

Xu knew that these words were just perfunctory, but she had no choice but to let him go with a sigh.

In the evening, Mrs. Xu accompanied Xie Yujiao and Xu Huiru to eat at Xiulou as usual.Whenever Xu had something on her mind, she would show it all on her face. Xie Yujiao looked at her like that, and knew that she still felt sorry for Zhou Tianhao, and she was blaming herself in her heart!
Xie Yujiao couldn't open her mouth, so she gave Xu Huiru a wink, and Xu Huiru comforted her, "Auntie, I heard from my father that he once had a relationship with the Marquis of the Marquis of Jinyang in the capital, and now Mr. Yang I saved my aunt again, and when my father goes to the capital, let him prepare a generous gift and send it to the Marquis of Jinyang, so that my aunt can feel at ease."

Where is Xu's depression in her heart? She is depressed that Xie Yujiao has no thoughts on this aspect at all, and she just watched people go away like this.But Mrs. Xu also understands that girls should be reserved in this kind of thing, and Xie Yujiao did this because she taught her well.It's just that Mrs. Xu didn't understand what kind of person Zhou Tianhao was this time. How could he finish teasing the girl with his forefoot and then slap his ass with his back foot and leave. This... This really worried her to death.

Xie Yujiao saw that Mrs. Xu was still frowning, and had no choice. Fortunately, Madam Zhang came over at this time, saying that Chaozong had been breastfeeding and was thinking about asking her to hug her. She felt a little disturbed at the moment, so she invited Mrs. Xu over.

As soon as Mrs. Xu was interrupted by this incident, her depression in her heart eased a bit, so she just followed Mama Zhang back to the front yard.

Xu Huiru is a girl with a sensitive mind. Seeing Xu's appearance, and remembering the old aunt and grandma's group talking about Xie Yujiao's marriage at Xu's side a few days ago, she suddenly understood, and she only leaned into Xie Yujiao's ear , said in a low voice: "Cousin, Auntie has taken a fancy to Mr. Yang and wants him to be the son-in-law in Xie's house, right?"

Xie Yujiao was drinking tea after dinner at the moment, when Xu Huiru suddenly said such a sentence, she was so surprised that she sprayed the tea all over the floor, and said with an embarrassed smile on her face: "Why did you think of going here? How is it possible? ?”

Xie Yujiao put down the teacup, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and said, "No matter how stupid my mother is, she won't be so confused. Our Xie family is the richest man in Jiangning, but in the eyes of those dignitaries outside, it's just It’s just a local rich man, who will take us to heart? The reason why I have been unwilling to agree to recruit a son-in-law is because my father’s filial piety has not passed, and secondly..." Xie Yujiao paused and only sighed Said: "Actually, I have never had such an idea. The reason why I said that at that time was nothing more than to stop Youyou's mouth. The Xie family is not short of money. When Chaozong grows up and marries a daughter-in-law. Then I can do whatever I want, wouldn’t it be great? Why do I have to get married?”

Xu Huiru was a native of ancient times. Hearing Xie Yujiao's words, he was so shocked that he couldn't speak for a moment. He opened his big eyes and stared at Xie Yujiao in horror for a long time before he couldn't help saying: "Cousin, what you said is true. ?"

"Do you think I'm telling a lie?" Xie Yujiao just turned her head to look at Xu Huiru, and continued: "If there is no Chaozong, maybe I will forcefully recruit a son-in-law for the Xie family's heirs, but now that there is Chaozong, this A shackle is lifted, why can't I live better for myself? You were grievous for me two days ago, why don't you support me now?"

Xu Huiru's cheeks flushed when she heard the words, and she only whispered: "But, if my cousin does this, my aunt will definitely be sad. What kind of elders don't want their children to be in groups?"

Of course Xie Yujiao knew that Mrs. Xu would be sad, but at that time, the Xie family might no longer have a reason for her to stay. If the time comes when she candidly tell her where she came from, Mrs. Xu will also look at her over the years. For the sake of doing your best, let her go.

"It's time to talk about it when the time comes. When I think this way, I just hold a thought that I would rather be short than excessive. If I ruin half my life's happiness like my aunt did for this matter, then it's better not to get married!"

When Xu Huiru thought of her aunt, she was wary, but suddenly felt that what Xie Yujiao said made sense, and became confused for a while, she just covered her ears and shook her head: "I don't listen, I don't listen, cousin, how dare you?" Talk about such nonsense!"

Seeing Xu Huiru like this, Xie Yujiao just smiled and said, "What? You're starting to think that my 'wrong ideas' make some sense?"

The carriage was driving all the way on the mountain road leading to the county government office, Zhou Tianhao just bowed his head and remained silent, his eyes kept falling on the Linghua mirror in the box, Liu Fugen was restless, looking at Zhou Tianhao's expression along the way, he seemed not very happy Alright, I just tentatively said: "Mr. Yang is going to Mr. Kang's mansion this time, do you plan to stay for a few more days? If you need something small, just ask."

After waiting for a while, Liu Fugen didn't hear Zhou Tianhao's words. Suddenly, he heard the lid of the box close with a click. Zhou Tianhao raised his head and said to Liu Fugen: "Your girl is not married yet, right? Go back and pass her a message for me." If I can come back from the battlefield alive this time, I will marry her."

Liu Fugen only heard the first sentence at the beginning, and was about to reply, but who knew that Zhou Tianhao uttered the latter sentence like a cannonball, so frightened that Liu Fugen only stammered: "Young master Yang, how can such a big marriage matter be trifling?" Young Master Yang, why don't you ask a matchmaker to come over and ask my girl first..."

This Liu Fugen didn't say anything about his "pro" himself, but Zhou Tianhao said: "Don't be so wordy, what if I die? You just tell her and let her know."

After Zhou Tianhao finished speaking, he only rolled up the curtain and took a look. Seeing that the Jiangning County Government Office was not far away, he called the carriage to stop, jumped out of the carriage, and walked away.

For the next few days, although Xie Yujiao was still recuperating from her illness, she was not as idle as before, and had to go to the study from time to time to discuss matters with Xu Yuxing and others.It turned out that the imperial court issued a document a few days ago to recruit 1000 recruits in the Jiangnan area. Although Jiangning County has a quota of [-] people, this is a land of fish and rice in the south of the Yangtze River where strong labor is used to go to the fields. It is also quite a number.

Kang Guangshou didn't even care about the filial piety on his body, and started running around. The war in the north became more and more intense, until it seemed like it was about to burn.Xu Yuxing received a letter from Yue's family, saying that he lost both battles with the Tartars a month ago, and that Prince Gong, who had been leading the battle at the front, was also seriously injured and had to return to Beijing to recuperate.Now in the capital, two factions, the main war and the main and the two factions, have emerged. On the surface, the capital seems to be still calm, but in fact it has already been turbulent.

Xu Yuxing only opened his mouth and said: "In the past two months, the real estate prices in the city have risen by one level, and the houses that were originally garrisoned have been visited by people. Jiaojiao, do you think it's better to sell them? Or continue Keep it?"

Xie Yujiao heard Xu Yuxing talk about the war, and Zhou Tianhao's appearance flashed in his mind. Xu Yuxing thought Xie Yujiao was distracted, so he asked another question, and Xie Yujiao came to his senses. Well, if it is true that the north can no longer hold on, the houses in this city will still go up, and then you will earn more than one floor."

Xie Yujiao was originally very interested in making money, but for some reason, this time she didn't have the same passion as before.Seeing Xie Yujiao's lack of interest, everyone didn't open their mouths to speak. Xie Yujiao only paused, and then smiled shyly: "It may not be impossible to hold it. Isn't this recruiting new recruits? Maybe we can still hold it."

Xu Yuxing saw that Xie Yujiao's words were a little confusing, but he thought she was tired, so he said, "If Jiaojiao is tired, go back and rest first, it's not too late to discuss these things tomorrow."

At this time, Xie Yujiao felt that she was a little abnormal, so she just said, "Don't worry, uncle, I'm not tired, you can continue talking."

Seeing what Xie Yujiao said, Xu Yuxing gave Liu Fugen a wink and told him to say, "Miss, Mrs. Kang said that our Xie family is a big family in Jiangning County, so among the 1000 recruits, there must be six or seven hundred recruits." They are all tenants of our family. Moreover, the imperial court gave preferential policies to recruits. One person joins the army and the whole family is exempted from tax. But those people are all tenants of our family. There is no land at all in the family. The rent is also handed over to us on weekdays, so there is no more As for the tax exemption, in this way, no one is willing to serve as a soldier at all, and it has been five days since the document was issued, and no one has even asked, so what should we do?"

Although what Liu Fugen said was not very clear, but Xie Yujiao understood it. She just rubbed her temples and said with a smile: "It's a pity that our Xie family has no males except Chaozong. Otherwise, we would also join the army. The whole family Tax-free, wouldn't our Xie family not have to pay taxes to the court?"

It's hard for Xie Yujiao to still be in the mood to joke at this time, Xu Yuxing only smiled and said: "It's true, but a family like ours, even if they have ten sons, they would not want to part with one of them going to the battlefield."

This joke is over, and the things that should be resolved still have to be resolved. Xie Yujiao just frowned and thought about it, and asked: "How many tenants are there in total in our family now, and how many young men from sixteen to thirty and below are there?" ? How many of them have brothers in their families? Have you checked all of them?"

Liu Fugen only nodded and said: "I checked this early in the morning. The Xie family has a total of more than 600 tenant farmers, and there are more than 600 tenants who are over 1000. Among them, 1000 and 600 have brothers in their families. That is to say, this Of the 600 people, half of them must go to the front line, even if there is only one person in each family, there will be more than [-] families..." Liu Fugen winked at Tao Laixi again when he said this. Tao Laixi manages the rent money. If more than [-] households do not pay the rent, it is unknown how much money they will lose.

Hearing this, Tao Laixi frowned and said, "Miss, the rent of this field is a matter, but if the more than 600 strong laborers leave, I'm afraid there will be no time to do the work in the field next year. It’s going to be lowered again, if the tax is not reduced, it will be difficult for the imperial court to explain.”

After Xie Yujiao heard this, she really got bigger and bigger. Now that she has been fighting for years, the court is already poor, and now she barely raises taxes. It is all to stabilize people's hearts, so even if the Xie family wants to propose tax cuts, I am afraid that Kang Guangshou will not He will agree, and Xie Yujiao won't be able to refute him when he speaks a big reason.The most important thing is more than that, if the flames of war come to the south, the production capacity of the Xie family's fields can't be kept, they both said it, so... they can only fight.

Seeing Xie Yujiao's sad face, Liu Fugen said again: "Master Kang said that now the imperial court has only issued the documents for recruiting soldiers, but if the recruiting fails to recruit people, then there will be compulsory conscription. It's not as simple as it is now, and there may be troubles at that time."

Xie Yujiao understood what Liu Fugen meant. The biggest harm caused by the war was actually the disruption of production. If the people were displaced, no matter how much land the Xie family had but no production, it would be nothing but a wasteland. It's still safe, take care of it, as long as the common people are stabilized first, the war can only be left to the court.

Xie Yujiao picked up the abacus on the side and dialed it. Even if the battle lasted for three years, if the tenants of six hundred households did not pay the land rent, it would only be a loss of ten thousand taels of silver. For the Xie family, they could still afford it.It's just... if there is someone from the imperial court who wants to beg for alms, Xie Yujiao will also feel heartache.

"Master Steward, tomorrow you will send people to post notices in every village and town, saying that those who are willing to join the military force will not be charged land rent for three years, and the previously planted land will not be taken back. Anyone who signs the paperwork, Everyone rewards five taels of silver."

Tao Laixi was relieved when he heard this, but in the end he felt sorry for Yinzi, so he just said, "When the master was here, he was very relaxed about the land rent. He always said that the common people were busy all year round. Pay a few taels of silver and let us collect the grain. Even if there are times when a family is in short supply, we just let us turn a blind eye. It is very clear, if it really relied on the income from the fields, the Xie family would have been defeated long ago, and now the girl has to post money to recruit soldiers. Forgive the old slave, people who understand will naturally know that the girl is for the good of the common people. They will say that our Xie family has a lot of filthy money, so we will unite with the imperial court to oppress the people, and let the people work hard, I am afraid that even if the money is spent, the girl will not be able to make good money!"

Xie Yujiao didn't expect Tao Laixi to think of this. Although there was some truth in it, it was a bit unfounded to worry about. She just smiled and said: "Since ancient times, people have died for wealth, and birds have died for food. This five taels of silver is not much, but it is It’s just a little thought from Xie’s family. It’s just the labor money I gave them to supplement their children. The court doesn’t give any money, but just wants the people to work for him. How can it be possible? To be honest, the people I don't care who is the emperor! What I care about is those who are officials, even I don't care, but I think, after all, the tartars are foreigners, and when the time comes to burn, kill and loot, we will die, why not So I took refuge in the imperial court with peace of mind, so as to keep a moment of peace."

Seeing that Xie Yujiao's words were reasonable, Xu Yuxing just nodded and said, "Jiaojiao's words are reasonable, besides, if the imperial court really moves to the south, then our place will be in the suburbs of Beijing. The aristocrats have come, and they don't know what to do, if the Xie family wholeheartedly joins the imperial court, then maybe it will be easier."

When Xie Yujiao heard this, her heart trembled. The Xie family had so much land. When the famous families from the north moved south, would they bully others and take their land by force?Even if you don't preempt it, if you use power to overwhelm people, it will be enough to cheat people if you buy and sell by force. At this time, it is absolutely necessary to have a good relationship with the court.

On the first day Tao Laixi's notice was posted, it attracted many spectators, but at the end of the day, no one was willing to sign the document.Mrs. Xu saw Xie Yujiao coming back from the outer study, and saw her sad face, so she asked her to sit down and rest, brought warm tea and said, "How is it? Has anyone come to join the army?"

Xie Yujiao sighed and shook her head, and had to admit that the ordinary and comfortable life would make people lazy: "We didn't call here, the big guys live and work in peace and contentment, and no one wants to go out to work hard, but there are a few passionate young lads. As soon as the family discussed it, there was no news, if this continues, I really can't change the six or seven hundred people."

After hearing this, Mrs. Xu also sighed. It has just entered summer these few days, and Xie Chaozong also caught a little cold. He had a fever last night. Mrs. Xu and Aunt Shen took turns to watch over her. Now she looks not very well. good.

Xie Yujiao asked about Xie Chaozong's condition, Xu only comforted her and said, "It's nothing, it's a child's family, it will be fine in two days."

Mrs. Xu ordered to prepare lunch, but she heard a woman from outside came in and said: "Girl, the two housekeepers said that Boss Xiao from Qinglongzhai outside brought a group of people, saying that he was going to join the army."

When Xie Yujiao heard this, she was overjoyed for a moment, and quickly stood up from her chair, and ordered: "You invited Boss Xiao and the two housekeepers to my study, and I will go there right away."

It turned out that after Zhou Tianhao left, he did not leave Jiangning immediately, but went to Qinglongzhai to meet Boss Xiao.Boss Xiao and his party were all refugees who fled from the north, so they naturally hated the Tatars, and wished they could drive them out of Dayong immediately, so Zhou Tianhao recruited a group of people with just a few words, and only asked Boss Xiao , When the Xie family passed on the imperial court's order to start recruiting soldiers, I will report.

(End of this chapter)