Chapter 226: Discussion
Editor: Atlas Studios
“Since the army can’t guarantee the soldiers’ monthly military salary, they can only relax their requirements during war. Moreover, with these spoils of war motivating us, the soldiers will fight harder.”
Wealth moved people’s hearts.
Mu Shi had directly ransacked the house of a noble of the Jin Kingdom. Of course, most of the things had been handed over, and only a small portion had been divided by them.
Qi Haoran took the lion’s share, followed by Mu Shi, and the remainder was split among the soldiers below.
As there were many children in the family, most of whom are girls, Mu Shi had chosen some things for girls. The precious dagger in Mu Yangling’s hand was obtained by killing a deputy general of the Jin Kingdom on the battlefield. The deputy general was probably a noble, so he would wear such a precious dagger encrusted with gems on his waist. Spoils obtained on the battlefield did not have to be handed over, so this dagger belonged to him completely.
Qi Haoran would not snatch these from his subordinates, so Mu Shi kept it.
Apart from these things, Qi Haoran also brought back a few pearl flowers and a few silver hairpins for Mu Yangling, Xiuhong and Xiulan. He felt that the three girls were getting older by the day and had to learn to dress up.
Great-aunt also received two silver bracelets. Mu Shi forcefully put them on and said, “Aunt, if you weren’t at home, I wouldn’t be at ease at home even if Ah Ling is capable. These silver bracelets weren’t bought either. They were given to me after we snatched them from the enemy. It wouldn’t be eye-catching for you to wear them.”
What Mu Shi gave Shu Wanniang was a pair of sparkling and lustrous jade bracelets. Mu Yangling couldn’t take her eyes off them. Of course, Mu Shi only took them out when the couple was alone at night. Mu Yangling only saw the bracelets the next day, but Great-aunt didn’t notice them. It was only after a long time that she suddenly realized that Shu Wanniang was wearing them.
Compared to accessories, Great-aunt was more concerned about whether Mu Shi had snatched some silver. Hence, when she untied Mu Shi’s two bags and realized that there were only some small accessories and bundles of fabric, she couldn’t help but ask in confusion, “You didn’t snatch any gold or silver? These things look good, but they can’t be used as money.”
Mu Shi touched his nose and said, “The gold and silver have to be taken back. I hid these gold and silver accessories in the cracks between the stones before secretly going back and bringing them out.”
Shu Wanniang asked curiously, “Considering jade is more expensive than gold and silver, why are they only so strict about gold and silver?”
“Mother, gold and silver are money. As long as these jewelry are melted, they can be used. However, other things, such as jade and gems, have to be exchanged for money. Since they wouldn’t be exchanged for a good price if there’s too much, it’s better to leave such things for the soldiers as spoils of war while they take back the gold and silver.” Mu Yangling continued after a pause, “Since the General has occupied Hanzhong Prefecture, he has to rebuild the defensive line and also recruit soldiers and buy horses. These all require money, so he’s forbidding the soldiers from keeping the gold and silver, right?”
Mu Shi nodded. “That’s right. Keep these things. If our family needs money in the future, we can pawn them and exchange them for some money. However, in troubled times, we don’t know how much money these things can be exchanged for.”
Great-aunt quickly turned around and took out the pair of golden bracelets. “Then I can’t take this. Get your wife to put it away.
Shu Wanniang pushed the bracelets back and grabbed her hand. “Aunt, there’s a lot of money at home now. We haven’t even touched the money that General sent over last time. This pair of gold bracelets is very pure. One might not necessarily be able to make such a good one in Xingzhou Prefecture. Keep them as Xiuhong’s dowry in the future. It’s dignified!”
Mu Shi asked in confusion, “Why would General send money to our family?”
“It’s the money for the corn seeds. It’s a total of 320 taels. Originally, Ah Ling wanted to pay the tax according to the ratio, but the general refused no matter what. He said that it was already a great merit for Ah Ling to plant this thing. It’s fine if she doesn’t want a reward, but he won’t collect this tax from her.” Great-aunt was happy when she said this. She had only planted the corn because she couldn’t dissuade Mu Yangling, but it turned out to be such a rewarding matter.
“Speaking of corn, I was about to tell you guys that the corn can be harvested tomorrow. I’ll go tell Grandpa Sun and inform the others to quickly dry it while the weather is still good. Otherwise, the seeds will be affected.” Mu Yangling looked at her father and said with a smile, “Since Father can now help with work at home, it’s the perfect timing. It doesn’t take any skill to harvest corn and only requires strength.”
Qi Xiuyuan took the harvesting of the corn very seriously. After receiving the news, he specially rushed over. Rong Xuan and the emissary came with him.
Meanwhile, Qi Haoran and Fan Zijin were already standing in Mu Yangling’s field.
Qi Haoran was rolling up his sleeves and personally helping to break the corn. Fan Zijin helped to put the corn into a bag while discussing business with Mu Yangling. “…You’ll only be in charge of planting rabbits, and the contract for the workshop will still be in effect. How about that? This way, you don’t have to worry about having too many rabbits and not enough pasture.”
Because this was indeed advantageous for her, Mu Yangling agreed without thinking.
Fan Zijin took the opportunity to bring up the topic of selling goods from the south to the north. “Hanzhong Prefecture is a large city. Things like satin, tea leaves, and so on are very easy to sell. It’s just that the Great Zhou and the Jin Kingdom’s borders were sealed previously, so things can’t be transported over, so these things are very lacking. Anyway, since Butler Chen has to come back after selling the diced rabbit meat, why don’t we let him bring these things back? We can earn another sum via this method.”
Mu Yangling’s eyes lit up. This kind of business was not something that ordinary people could do. At the very least, travel passes were not so easily obtained. Since Fan Zijin was willing to rope her into this business, it could be seen that he really treated her as a friend.
Mu Yangling took the time to pat his shoulder and said, “Good brother, I won’t forget you. If you encounter any trouble later, just look for me. I’ll definitely help if I can.” Mu Yangling didn’t expect Qi Xiuyuan to be so good at teaching people. He had taught Fan Zijin to be cheerful, loyal, and less money-grubbing so quickly.
Qi Haoran couldn’t help but laugh when he heard that. “Ah Ling, Zijin needs your help now.”
Mu Yangling tilted her head and looked at Fan Zijin.
Fan Zijin coughed lightly and said, “Haoran and I don’t have much money, so you have to fork out all the capital.”
Mu Yangling immediately retracted her hand from his shoulder and said with a straight face, “Although we’re friends, we still have to discuss business. Tell me, how much profits will I get if I fork out all the funds?”
Fan Zijin counted with his fingers. “Butler Chen is my man. He’ll be in charge of deciding what to buy and sell, how to go about doing it, as well as determining the price. Also, the items will be escorted back by Haoran’s men. In that case, Haoran and I will take 30% while you take 70%. How about that?”
Mu Yangling calculated in her heart and felt that she wouldn’t lose out, so she nodded and said, “Alright, let’s split it like this. But how can you guys not have money when you also occupy a lot of shares in the workshop?”
“We need the money urgently now and can’t withdraw it for the time being.”
Mu Yangling said generously, “It’s fine if you don’t have money. Tell me if you have any good ideas in the future. I support you, but you can only take out the money from the amount you helped me earn. You can’t have any designs on my family’s money.”
Fan Zijin looked around her crops and asked, “How much can these things of yours be sold for? I remember that you planted so much wheat and rice, but in the end, after handing over the military rations, it was only enough for your family’s own consumption. You seem to have earned a profit from the corn. 320 taels? Cousin didn’t ask you to deduct the military rations from that, right? Haoran, tell her how much your monthly salary is.”
“50 taels.”
Fan Zijin glared at him. Qi Haoran said, “Big Brother gives me 50 taels of silver a month. Zijin also gives me another 50 taels a month.”
“Look, your family’s money isn’t even enough for him to spend for two months.” After filling a bag with corn, Fan Zijin clapped his hands. “It’s only because of me that you can earn so much and take money out to let us do business.”