Chapter 2188

No longer need to go hungry.

After a day of hard work, returning home to hot, fragrant pancakes is a dream for many!

After the second harvest came in, Shanjin regions everywhere began holding harvest festivals.

Sacrifices to heaven, earth, and the dragon god.

The country also began gradually promoting new crops as planned; the Shanjin Plain is vast, and spiritual energy concentration rose rapidly, so many spiritual herbs that once could only grow on high mountains began to descend in elevation.

These are higher-value cash crops.

He Lingchuan has long hoped for the ancient Xian Sect's spiritual rice and seeds to return to the human world; such spiritual rice would surely greatly enhance the common people's physique.

The mines of the Shanjin Plain all belong to Cangyan State, but aside from large mining fields operated officially, the rights to scattered small mines are leased or operated as public-private ventures; since the Dragon God Army seized them during the Dragon God War, they have been mining and smelting around the clock.

At this time, mineral products have no trouble selling; Shanjin Plain's smelted goods are welcomed in any country.

The residents of the Shanjin Plain pay no heed to foreign affairs, focusing solely on production, and naturally someone guards them; but in truth, looking at the whole world, when has there ever been a day of peace?

……

Moudu, Suxi Qingxi.

After a fresh rain, You Huan opened the window of his retreat and immediately smelled the fresh fragrance of grass and soil.

He had spent his entire youth in a rural farmstead and greatly liked this scent.

Then he saw Mei Wuniang walking along the winding stone path behind the stream, holding a gilt-decorated food box; today she wore a tender peach-pink outfit, her flowing skirt hem touched with water like a rain-drenched peony, yet her short attire was neat and agile, leaping over the stream with extra lightness, unlike the wide robes and large sleeves favored by Moudu noblewomen, which made walking inconvenient.

When passersby came, she greeted them, her smile lively and bright.

When Mei Wuniang lightly tapped on the retreat's door, she heard a flat "Come in."

She pushed the door open and saw You Huan diligently writing, the documents on his desk stacked high, over two palms tall.

"You work so hard, rising early and sleeping late—did the Emperor grant you extra pay?" She naturally walked in, placing the food box on the low table beside the couch, "Today's breakfast has your favorite osmanthus red bean ice cream."

When it's hot, people love to eat something icy and refreshing.

Her retreat behind the stream has green trees shading the rear from sunlight and a clear, cool stream in front lowering the temperature; it's close to the palace, and You Huan often comes in the afternoon and evening, sometimes staying overnight instead of returning to his residence.

This place naturally became one of his offices; he uses a storage ring to transport documents back and forth.

You Huan watched Mei Wuniang take out the snacks one by one and arrange them on the small table.

This woman is very meticulous and discreet; when he works or has documents on his desk, Mei Wuniang does not approach him, lest she cause annoyance.

After all, the documents You Huan routinely reviews are filled with secrets.

In this, she does better than his own family.

"Is today's breakfast so lavish?" You Huan closed his book, rose, moved to eat by the couch, while listening to Mei Wuniang chat about amusing shop incidents.

She always smiles faintly, appearing somewhat carefree, and doesn't even peel his boiled eggs for him.

Unlike those women who wholeheartedly serve him.

You Huan rarely hears her complain, and she has never made a request of him; he feels he is merely a more distinguished guest here.

Is Mei Wuniang playing hard to get?

Speaking of which, the Grand Tutor often comes here to linger, precisely to give Suxi Qingxi fame; soon, many high officials and nobles came here to drink tea, listen to lectures, and engage in refined conversation.

This thought having arisen, Mei Wuniang asked him: "May I ask you, Lord You, for advice on a matter?"

She finally wants to speak? "Go on."

"The grand horse and carriage stable on Nanli Street suddenly wants to sell; I specially inquired—they raise their three to four hundred horses very conscientiously, strong and seldom ill, and the horses are young, able to serve another three to five years; also, the three owners of Bai Shi Fang's teahouse have split up and can no longer continue. You say, which should I buy?" Mei Wuniang played with her braid, "Opportunities are hard to come by."

In Moudu, she has also established a foothold; now she wants to expand her business.

Mei Wuniang today coiled her luxuriant hair into a shiny, water-bright braid at the side, charming and down-to-earth.

You Huan glanced at her: "Why not take both? Are you short on funds?"

Mei Wuniang wore a serious expression: "Money is one factor. Horse stables and teahouses both employ many people; more staff means more trouble managing them. As a newcomer, I'd best focus on one trade at a time, or I'd truly be overwhelmed."

"Then take over the Bai Shi Fang teahouse."

"Why?" Mei Wuniang pressed, "What's the point?"

"By law, during war, civilian horses may be requisitioned; civilian draft horses in other counties have already been conscripted, while those in the capital will be later." You Huan answered readily, "You ask why the grand horse and carriage stable wants to cease operations and transfer?"

"Ah, they heard the wind beforehand!" Mei Wuniang bit her lip, resentful, "So deceitful, trying to trick someone into taking over."

The state requisitions draft horses for war needs, offering little compensation; if this risk exists, her taking over the stable would be stepping straight into a pit.

Without horses, wouldn't the stable have to close immediately?

"Fortunately, I have a great deity here giving me a tip!" Mei Wuniang immediately bowed to You Huan, "Thank you, Lord You, for your guidance! I understand."

Seeing her delighted look, You Huan knew she would again find an excuse to leave.

Used and then run off—truly not staying even a moment.

Sure enough, Mei Wuniang's next words were: "You eat slowly, I'm going now to discuss the Bai Shi Fang teahouse. I hear many people are interested in taking it over."

You Huan recalled the night he assumed the post of Grand Tutor and stayed at Suxi Qingxi.

Clearly, the two had been intimate and warm that night, but the next morning, Mei Wuniang smiled and sent him off to court without a hint of reluctance.

"Wait."

Mei Wuniang had turned halfway, but stiffly turned back to look at him: "Anything else to warn me about?"

"I've solved a major problem for you—how will you thank me?"

Mei Wuniang pursed her lips, took two steps to his side, her slender jade fingers hooking his belt, eyes like silk: "What do you think, my lord?"

The pure maiden with her great braid instantly shifted into a bewitching temptress; You Huan was somewhat overwhelmed, but he remained rational, stroking her face: "I must hurry to the palace."

"Then tonight I'll accompany you on a boat ride on Shangxi Stream?" Mei Wuniang's eyes turned as she had an idea, "The stream is quiet, no noise. Besides, I hear it's firefly season now. When the wind blows and the boat passes, hua—lanterns fill the sky."