"The sound of firecrackers marks the end of the year, and the spring breeze brings warmth to Tusu. Thousands of households always replace old talisman with new peaches."
New Year's Day.
This is Zhu Hao’s second New Year in Daming. During last year’s New Year, he was still on the “study tour”. The road was bumpy and there was no festive atmosphere at all. This year, he finally settled down and could stay at home and enjoy it, and experience the Spring Festival in this era.
Folk customs, and even began to prepare for taking the imperial examination in the coming year.
"Hurry up and put on the new talisman..."
Zhu Niang directed Zhu Hao and Zhu Ting to post door couplets together.
As the elder brother and the only male in the yard, Zhu Hao was naturally the first to bear the brunt of this kind of thing.
My younger sister Zhu Ting has also grown into a seven-year-old girl. Her face is gradually opening up, and her words and actions are more measured than before.
Zhu Hao's plan was to open a girls' school after Mrs. Gongsun's confinement, and then ask Zhu Ting to go there to study and learn some things.
If his elder brother's imperial examination did not go smoothly, or if Zhu Houzhao did not die early as history did, or if it was not Zhu Houcong who succeeded the throne...
When Zhu Ting grows up, it would be good for her to help her mother take care of the business.
In this era, besides my mother, who else can I trust more than my sister?
"Ma'am, do you want to help?"
Yu San brought a few people over to pay New Year greetings.
I saw a family of women and children busy and wanted to help but was afraid it would be inappropriate, so I could only make a request from a distance.
Zhu Hao smiled and said: "Little Third Brother, you don't trust me. Even if I am not tall now, I just need to step on a stool. If you post Spring Festival couplets, won't you take away my family's blessings?"
"
"No, no, you are the boss, this blessing is too great, we can't bear it!"
Of course Yu San knew that Zhu Hao was joking, so he couldn't help but smile and flatter him.
While talking, Uncle Zhong also arrived with Gouzi and others.
Yu San is not involved in the dilapidated house business now, and is still responsible for the theater and the laboratory. Uncle Zhong and Gouzi just help with some trivial things like housekeeping and nursing home. The shop and supporting businesses are basically the same as shopkeeper Ma.
Shoulder carry.
This is a way for Zhu Hao to show his trust in Shopkeeper Ma and not to put "one of his own" in the way.
If you, old horse, are really capable, then form your own group and see how you deal with Su Xigui and Prince Xing's palace...
Shopkeeper Ma usually talks a bit more and is a bit arrogant, but his ability is absolutely top-notch. This is developed step by step under Su Xigui's high standards. It seems that when working under Su Xigui, anyone can contradict him, as long as something is wrong
Done well, there are no faults.
This is probably an important reason why Su Xigui is so successful in business... He never punishes his subordinates for raising opinions.
In Zhu Hao's view, Shopkeeper Ma is too self-aware. When his boss orders something, he always has to demonstrate it from all aspects, point out many problems, and eliminate doubts before executing it meticulously.
At any rate, Shopkeeper Ma still understands etiquette and respect. After all, Zhu Hao still holds the contract of betrayal.
…
…
Zhu Niang had already prepared a red envelope, which contained broken silver instead of copper coins.
A wave of welfare was distributed before the new year, and money will continue to be distributed after the new year. Those who came to pay New Year greetings early in the morning are considered "old employees" who have worked with Zhu Niang for several years. This can also be regarded as a reward from the mother and son to everyone who has worked tirelessly to follow.
There was a lot of excitement here, and a voice came from outside: "Get out of the way!"
It was a harsh old woman's voice, and you knew it was Zhu Jia's visit.
During the Chinese New Year, the family was enjoying themselves happily, but the old lady came again. When Zhu Hao saw the rapid changes in the faces of Zhu Niang and Aunt Li, he knew that they were filled with helplessness...
I wanted to have a good New Year, but there are always people jumping out to cause trouble. It seems that my mood is not going well today.
"Mom, why are you here? Xiaohao, please say hello to grandma." Zhu Niang greeted her.
She has nothing to worry about. There are not only maids in the house, but also a caretaker.
In addition to Uncle Zhong and others who came to pay New Year's greetings, they would not suffer any loss if they were dragged out and had a group fight with the Zhu family.
Zhu Jia probably knew that this daughter-in-law was not easy to mess with, and she was not here to do anything. Apart from Butler Liu, there was only one coachman and two attendants around her, and Zhu Wanjian and her mother-in-law were not brought with them.
"No."
Zhu Jiashi walked in the door with her head held high.
The shop in front was empty, and the shelves had long been removed. Zhu Jia looked around, opened the door curtain, and headed to the inner courtyard immediately.
…
…
Main hall.
What is enshrined on the incense eucalyptus is still the spiritual tablet of Zhu Hao's father, Zhu Wangong. During the Chinese New Year, the incense is especially popular, and even the portrait is enshrined.
Zhu Niang had no feelings for the Zhu family, but she was deeply devoted to her late husband.
Zhu Niang originally thought that the old lady would speak kindly after seeing her son's portrait and spiritual tablet, but the old lady didn't show any respect at all. She raised her head and glanced at the portrait, then sat down on the chair in front of the memorial tablet.
Butler Liu came in and stood to one side.
"Mom, you are here, what do you want me to do?"
Zhu Niang came in with her son, and Aunt Li and Zhu Ting could only stand in front of the door and wait for orders.
Yu San and others were guarding outside the Moon Gate. If there was any disagreement inside, they would take action...
As if no one dares!
Zhu Jia's tone was cold: "You don't even have the etiquette to bring your child back home to pay New Year's greetings during the New Year? They say that this child will have to take the child-student exam after the new year, but in my opinion, he doesn't even understand the basic etiquette of filial piety and righteousness, so it's okay to go there
Go for nothing!"
Zhu Niang's lips were tight and she didn't speak.
She was afraid that the Zhu Jia family would say that Zhu Hao would not be allowed to participate in the imperial examination again, so she was ready to face the storm... Now she was determined. The more the Zhu family did not allow her to do something, the more she would persist.
What the Zhu family objects to is definitely a good thing for their mother and son.
After years of hard work, if she doesn't even understand this truth, Zhu Niang feels that her hardships in the past few years have been in vain.
"This time when my mother came to the city, I first looked at all the shops in the clan, and by the way visited the Liuli Workshop..."
When Zhu Jiashi said this, Zhu Niang became nervous.
Could it be that the old lady was talking about silver mirrors and eyeglasses business?
What did the Zhu family know?
Logically speaking, these items are not sold locally, and the partner is Su Xigui. There has always been a grudge between Su Xigui and the Zhu family, so they shouldn't betray them, right?
Zhu Jiashi said: "It's really rare. After the Zhu family took over the glaze workshop, they have finally achieved some results in more than half a year, but they only made one or two hundred taels of silver..."
When the old lady said this, her face was full of pride.
It seems that because her second son's skills have greatly improved, she can finally prove to her third wife that it doesn't mean you can make money only if you have the business in your hands, the Zhu family can do the same.
Don't think that the Zhu family will give in. They have to call you back to be some kind of big boss to turn losses into profits.
"Congratulations, mother."
Zhu Niang could not comment on this, so she could only congratulate her first.
Zhu Jia's face was stern: "I just want to ask, how did you earn more than a thousand taels of silver and redeem the house? Is it true that it is just like what is said outside? It was accumulated when you were doing the shop business and has been hiding it.
Tucked in?"
"ah?"
Zhu Niang was astonished.
Old lady, what does this mean?
Are you here to ask questions?
Say I'm hiding money...
Then you also need to have evidence.
Zhu Hao smiled and interjected: "Grandma, actually we have entered a new business and have a slight profit..."
Zhu Jiashi glared at Zhu Hao with an unkind expression, with a look of contempt that said, "Look, I'm really right, this kid is rude." She asked with a straight face: "Have you got a new career?"
"We are in the business of demolishing houses, right on the edge of the Han River." Zhu Hao replied with a smile.
On the side, Butler Liu said: "If you don't say hello to your family when doing business, if something happens, won't it ruin the reputation of the Zhu family? Third Madam, is it not appropriate for you to do this? Even if the family is separated, you should inform the family first if anything happens.
Hey, the Zhu family is a respectable family in Anlu, so we can’t mess with the rules."
Zhu Hao asked in surprise: "Last time at the ferry, didn't I meet Butler Liu when I went to check on my business? Why did Butler Liu say it as if you didn't know anything about it?"
"Um!?"
As expected, Mrs. Zhu Jia glanced at Butler Liu coldly.
Butler Liu suddenly felt like he had been tricked by this boy, and hurriedly explained: "Back to the old lady, at that time I didn't know that the young master went to the ferry to check the business..."
Zhu Jia's face was gloomy. With her character of spending every penny, it was impossible not to get angry, but she probably wanted to inquire more carefully after she went back. At present, her target was only Zhu Niang and her son: "The year is not good, but she actually ran away.
If we lose money in the business of demolished houses, do we have to mortgage the property left by my son? Will the house change owners at that time?"
Zhu Niang said: "Mom, my daughter-in-law spent money to redeem this house. Mother Xu is very worried about how to deal with it in the future."
"Asshole!"
Zhu Jiashi did not expect that her daughter-in-law would be so ignorant of the rules and contradict her face to face.
She originally thought that out of anger, her daughter-in-law would kneel down and kowtow to admit her mistake, but she didn't expect that Zhu Niang's face became firmer and she even turned her head to one side.
She used to have illusions about the Zhu family and was naturally controlled by others. Now her face is torn and she has already separated and lived alone. Why do you come to me to show off your power?
If I hadn't worried about you being my son's grandmother, I would have been anxious with you.
Liu Guanjia said: "Nowadays, there are big businessmen in the local area. I heard that it is businessmen with government background who run the collapsed houses. It is difficult to do business everywhere... The third lady is involved in the collapsed house business now, and it will be a matter of time before she loses money."
Even though he was taught a lesson by the old lady just now, Butler Liu still unswervingly played his due role.
Zhu Hao smiled and said: "No, we have made money. By the end of the year, we have made a lot of money..."
"Um?"
Zhu Jia's face was stern.
Zhu Niang on the side was also surprised.
Didn't we agree before that we couldn't tell the Zhu family?
How can I reveal my trump card now?
Butler Liu said coldly: "Impossible! Nowadays, there are big businessmen running on me, and all the local property business has lost money, unless... the business you do is too small."
"Mom, the business we do is not very small, right?" Zhu Hao looked at Zhu Niang.
Zhu Niang was stunned and didn’t know how to answer.
What the hell is your son doing again?
Zhu Hao continued: "When I settle the accounts at the end of the year, didn't I say that I earned more than two hundred taels of silver in one month?"
When Butler Liu heard this, he suddenly laughed out loud in a very serious situation. Look at this bragging... there was no limit to it: "Young Master, you have to be honest in what you say. No one can do everything in the local house collapse business."
Earn two hundred taels a month...uh..."
Something suddenly occurred to him.
Zhu Hao said: "Is it true that Lao Ma lied to us? Mom, it seems that we should call shopkeeper Ma over and ask in detail. He said he made two hundred taels but actually didn't... This is a false report of profit and must be strictly investigated!"