Chapter 59: Actually Found a Body Double

Er Gouzi guessed that Yan Ze was likely a convicted official who had to go to the Cai Shi Chang to move stones.

It was just that he was a bit puzzled; since they were criminals in exile, how did they still have so much money?

Er Gouzi guessed it, but did not mention it in front of them, "Miss, I will do my best to find him, but could you give us a few portraits so that I can look for him around Shawan County?"

Ji Lan was familiar with this task; she knew how to paint.

Before long, two portraits of her father were finished, and Yan Ning handed them to Er Gouzi, instructing, "You must be quick. As long as the person looks like him, the amount of silver per month is negotiable."

Er Gouzi accepted the task and immediately ran off to find someone.

In just two days' time, Er Gouzi actually brought someone over; this person was similar in build to Yan Ze and looked somewhat like him, only a bit darker.

However, it did not matter; with the wind and sun at the Cai Shi Chang, being a bit dark was normal.

Yan Ning's eyes widened, "Impressive, you really found someone."

During the two days of waiting, Yan Ning had already made up her mind: if it really didn't work out, she would just find anyone to fill in, and they would speed up the production of Explosive Packages; she didn't believe the Gou Huangdi could bring soldiers over personally.

But fortunately, Er Gouzi found her someone who looked a bit like him.

At this moment, Er Gouzi said hesitantly, "Um, I told him one hundred taels of silver a month, but his wife is seriously ill and has no money to see a doctor; can we advance a bit of his wages?"

Yan Ning was very easygoing and gave twenty taels of silver directly, and also told them to bring Qian Ruofang along.

Er Gouzi prepared to take them to Shawan County.

Yan Ning gave Er Gouzi another bulging Pouch, "It would be best if he takes over my father's post within these few days."

Er Gouzi and that man hurriedly agreed.

That day, Yan Ning took her father to the Cai Shi Chang again, carrying quite a few gifts in her hands, including a Jade Pendant, Glazed Glass, and several jars of wine, and after clearing things with Steward Chen, she finally felt at ease.

It must be said, Yan Ning's money was truly well spent; with various forces keeping an eye on them, not a single person discovered the flaw.

As for Yan Rong, after Yan Ning found someone to replace her father, Yan Rong indicated that he would definitely keep his mouth shut after returning to the Capital, and Yan Ning brought him some local specialties and Silver Notes.

It was just that Yan Rong hesitated to speak several times.

Yan Ning asked directly, "Official Yan, is there something the matter?"

Yan Rong opened his mouth hesitantly, "Actually, I have another mission for coming here, but I don't know how to bring it up..."

Yan Ning said, "Please, just speak plainly."

Yan Rong gritted his teeth and said it directly, "Actually, the Emperor is very interested in your method for making Glazed Glass. If you hand over the method for making Glazed Glass, the Emperor should let you return to the Capital."

"His Highness, if you are willing to return to the Capital, the Second Prince and Third Prince are both ruined, and this position of Crown Prince would be yours!"

Yan Ze refused without even thinking, "I live well in Lingnan, so I won't be returning to the Capital."

Seeing his attitude was so firm, Yan Rong stopped trying to persuade him.

Everyone has their own aspirations; the First Prince had not been interested in the position of Crown Prince from the very beginning.

Soon, another month passed.

The Corn that Yan Ning planted was ready to be harvested; Yan Ning looked at the small patch of cornfield where all the corn had formed, and with a smile on her face, she went to find Jin Sanzhu.

Jin Sanzhu had been very diligent these days, composting the fertilizer himself, going to the sheep pens and cow pens every few days to pick up manure; with rotten leaves and manure fermenting together, he produced the Fertilizer before long.

These fields were originally very barren land, but in Jin Sanzhu's hands, the Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes grew gratifyingly, the corn stalks grew very sturdy, and the corn was very plump.

However, Yan Ning discovered that the sweet corn and waxy corn here were mixed together; when they cleared a large cornfield later, they would plant sweet corn on one side and waxy corn on the other.

Jin Sanzhu was puzzled, "What kind of plant is this exactly? I've never seen it before."

Yan Ning casually made up a story, "It was sold by foreigners from the Capital; they only said the yield is high and it tastes good. I thought I'd try planting it; what if it's something good?"

"It turns out it really is something good; this yield is better than grain."

Yan Ning was very satisfied.

Jin Sanzhu led them to continue walking, and as he walked, he began to sigh, "Sigh, these two didn't bear fruit, and the leaves don't taste very good either; what are these?"

Yan Ning was about to go over wearing her newly made dress, but was stopped by Yan Ze, "I'll go handle it."

Yan Ze began to dig, and underneath the ground grew Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes; this yield was quite good, and they grew in three months, which was truly fast.

Yan Ning prepared to let the children of Taohua Village pick the corn and dig up the Sweet Potatoes, paying them thirty copper coins a day.

Besides these, the fruits planted in other areas had not fully matured yet, but they were all growing gratifyingly.

Yan Ning casually gave Jin Sanzhu one hundred taels of silver, "Thanks to you these days, the yields are all very good."

Jin Sanzhu said with a smile, "Alrighty."

Seeing Yan Ning's generous hand, the two people planting Rice and cotton were extremely jealous.

But thinking of Jin Sanzhu, who had built a small wooden hut directly in the field, guarding it day and night, and having to check the precautions for different crops, he was in the fields watching from morning until night, except on rainy days.

Jealous as they were, they both felt that Jin Sanzhu deserved this money.

Yan Ning picked a basket of Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, and Corn, and headed straight for Li Dachu, "Li Dachu, don't rush to make lunch yet; take a look at my new ingredients."

Li Dachu took one look: two black, lumpy things, and a golden-yellow cob.

What could be made with this?

Yan Ning called her father and mother over, "Dad, Mom, we have Potatoes, Corn, and Sweet Potatoes! How do you make potato-braised chicken, sweet potato rice, and corn stewed soup again?"

Yan Ze still remembered how to make these things and said directly, "Kill two chickens; stew one for soup, just stew the chicken meat and corn together, and add seasonings after it's stewed."

"As for the other one, make potato-stir-fried meat; stir-fry it with the potatoes, stir-fry it for a longer time, and just add all kinds of seasonings."

Xie Luyan and Lady Xie came over to mooch a meal; Lady Xie's eyes were bright, "I heard there are new ingredients? What do they taste like? I want to try them too."

Yan Ning said with a smile, "Everyone come and try; the taste is especially good."

Qian Ruofang also brought her daughter along to mooch a meal.

Yan Ning picked up a small piece of potato and took a bite; the familiar soft and fluffy texture, coated in sauce on the outside, was especially fragrant.

These few chickens were also chickens she had people raise, and the meat quality was good.

Then there was the corn and pork rib soup; this corn was sweet and tasted very good.

"Make way, make way, the sweet potato steamed rice is also ready!"

Li Dachu carried a large basin and placed it on the table, "This Sweet Potato tastes too good; you can add some to porridge or rice."

Yan Ning took a bite; it was soft, glutinous, and fragrant, and quite sweet too. The leader of the Primitive Tribe had actually given them an improved variety of fruit and vegetable.

When the meal was nearly finished, a commotion was heard outside.

Dozens of villagers came over, and Er Gouzi could not stop them no matter how he tried. After a good while, Er Gouzi blocked them at a distance, "Don't go over there, I will go ask the young lady if she can sell some of these Seeds to us."