Shipin Dalizheng

Chapter 323: Divide the money!

It took a lot of effort to explain that he was looking for wives for several older bachelors in the family.

The matchmaker scratched her face. "Old sister, let me be clear. These military officers can't be considered ladies from famous families. At best, they are just beautiful girls from ordinary families. And one of them is already in his thirties. I'm afraid it will take some effort to marry him."

Nanny Xi first took out a handful of silver peanuts and pushed them over. "We are all knowledgeable. Madam, you are also an official, and your knowledge is broader than that of us servants. I trust you. Even these gentlemen in the family, although they are born as the master's guards, are all talented in both literature and martial arts, and are highly valued by the master. Their future will only be better. I would like to trouble you to pick a few who are also literate and good-looking. It doesn't matter if they are rich or poor, the dowry is enough, as long as they are good girls."

The official media lady laughed, "Old sister, you are so open-minded. I will definitely give you a letter in the new year."

Just as Nanny Xi was about to leave, she turned back and asked awkwardly, "What preparations are needed for the grand ceremony? I'm thinking my young uncle will be getting married soon."

The matchmaker laughed even louder and found her a list of gifts for the wedding ceremony. "Don't forget to call me when you go! No matter how much you're in love, you still need a matchmaker."

Nanny Xi also left with a smile.

I was in a good mood and walked around outside for a while to buy some of my favorite New Year snacks. Occasionally, I looked back and saw a sneaky figure with a wrapped head and face and a package on his shoulder, sneaking into a small door.

The snack shop owner followed her gaze and curled her lips, "Yao Decai's family. This idiot got such bad luck that he hooked up with a rich lady who actually pays for his support."

Nanny Xi shuddered suddenly, and without saying anything, she hurriedly picked up the box of cakes and returned home.

At this time, Rong Tang had already gone to Fuxinzhuang and bought more than a dozen pigs and sheep, and slaughtered and divided the meat on the spot.

The 3,000 new soldiers also saw the disabled veterans, and were deeply moved when they learned that they were now being supported by the Earl of Jian'an.

One was a former soldier, the other was an active-duty soldier, and they felt a sense of sympathy. The new soldiers, young and strong, helped the veterans repair the huts. In fact, they didn't know that the shabby huts they saw were the result of a minor renovation by the veterans over the autumn and winter.

It was freezing cold, making it impossible to dig the foundation and build a new house. Tents of all sizes were set up in the gaps between the houses, leaving almost no space to step.

Seeing Rong Tang coming, Rong Xian and Wei Wu took him to see the newly purchased land. Rong Xian pointed to the thousand acres and said, "Young Master, this land is all saline and alkali, and crops can't be grown. I was just about to send someone to inform you when you came. Ask Steward Tao how much silver it cost. If it's too expensive, we can return it. If it's not expensive, we can only build new barracks next year."

The 3,000 new troops he brought were independent units and did not form a joint force with the Beishan Camp or the Dongjiao Camp. Right now, Emperor Xuanning had not thought of assigning them a specific location. It was estimated that only after the new year when construction could begin would he allocate a piece of land for them.

“Salt-alkali land?”

Rong Tang squatted down and looked at the thin snow that had not melted completely in front of him. He pushed it away with his hand and saw the barren and pale frozen soil.

This piece of land was given to me by someone else. Now thinking about it, no wonder it was given to me, it turned out to be a wasteland.

Steward Tao was helping with the butchering of a pig when he was called over. He adjusted his fur hat and said, "He didn't want any money, not even for what he thought. Later, I gave him something very firm, and he felt bad. He said the land wouldn't grow crops, and if he thought it was worthless, he'd just give him some of the sugar he produced after the New Year. He could sell it elsewhere and not compete for the market in Beijing."

Rong Tang pointed to the large area around them and said, "Go ask how much of this area is unusable for growing crops. We'll take it all. If anyone asks what it's for, just say it's for horseback riding and training."

Butler Tao was a little puzzled. A horse ranch would need grass, right? This saline-alkali land was a wasteland where even horse grass couldn't grow well. But thinking about his master's abilities, he realized he couldn't guess, so he just agreed.

When they returned to Fuxinzhuang, the New Year meat had already been slaughtered and divided. Taking advantage of the short time before returning to the city, Rong Dashan, Rong An, Rong Xian, and the specially invited Mr. Du Sanye divided the accounts with the Fuxinzhuang sugar factory and winery.

According to the contract, Fuxinzhuang Sugar Factory belonged to Rong Tang's private property. After paying the old soldiers' wages and giving 10% of the profits to the Du family, he still had more than 12,000 taels of silver left.

The winery belonged to Fuxinzhuang, of which Rongtang had a 30% stake. After the wages were paid, he received more than 200 taels, the Du family received more than 100 taels, and Fuxinzhuang got nearly 400 taels.

It's not that the winery can't make much money. In fact, Rong Tang had considered this at the beginning. Most of the people in Fu Xinzhuang are disabled, and those who are able to work cannot be compared with the entire labor force. It would be good enough if this winery can support Fu Xinzhuang's independent operation and no more investment is made in it.

Even so, because production decreased in some places before winter, the imperial court banned private distilleries from brewing, and production was suspended for more than a month. Later, the imperial court transferred one million shi of sorghum from the northwest to alleviate the gap.

Mr. Du Sanye had no complaints. He had originally exchanged five hundred taels for a ten and a half share, thinking of giving it away for free. It was considered good to have recovered two tenths of the original investment in the past six months.

Rong Xian and the others were in tears as they held the huge pile of silver. Many of them had received their wages. These four hundred taels were the free profit of the farm. After discussing it for a while, they started to calculate other accounts.

Rong Tang had to pay back the money for the cotton-padded clothes he bought for them.

Rong Tang had to pay for the wheelchairs he bought for them.

When you go to the village clinic for treatment, remember to pay the bill.

After all the calculations, plus the reward from Old Tan and Youzi, it would just be enough for summer clothes. Rong Xian solemnly pushed it over, insisting that Rong Tang accept it.

Rong Tang didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Uncle Xian, what is this doing?"

Rong Xian was very serious. "If you don't accept it, we won't dare ask for even a little favor from you in the future. This year is much better than previous years. We have enough food per person to last a year, and we have some change to survive. We are already content. We will pay you back for the cotton clothes and wheelchair next year, and we will settle the bill when we have paid them all."

Rong Tang thought for a moment and said, "Even if I have to pay it back, there's no rush. How about this: you keep this year's money and build a new row house in the spring. When you all live in a solid house, you can start paying it back. I don't need it for the time being, so it's okay to keep it."

Even the new recruits in active service are jealous of the interaction between them. This is their leader. He will reward those who have made contributions and share the rewards with those who have worked hard. As long as you are not dead and as long as you are still alive, he will not give up on you.

The road ahead is bright.

On the way back to the city, Mr. Du whispered, "You've earned ten thousand taels now. Otherwise, take the title deed to Fuxinzhuang back!"

Rong Tang raised an eyebrow, "Why, biting your hand?"

Third Master Du smiled bitterly, "I'm not biting my hand. I've made quite a bit of money selling candy in the past six months. I thought you were going to rip me off, but it turns out you were sending money to my family."

The sugar factory here got more than 1,000 taels, but the sugar shop in the city earned more than 10,000 taels, which was more than the profit of all their shops combined.

And because it is the exclusive supplier to Shangjing, countless people are jealous of their cooperation with Rong Tang.

"As for the fan and the water truck, you also earned some money, right?"

Mr. Du Sanhei said, "It's unspeakable."

"I have another business to discuss with you. If it's convenient for you?"

"Convenient, anytime is convenient."

"Look, I have a few shops I want to sell. Of course, I'm not really selling them. I'm just turning them around and looking for some fresh air. I'll buy them back in two years."

"Which shops? Tell me."

"East Fourth Street, eight rooms in a row."

Mr. Du thought for a moment, "Aren't those eight shops on East Fourth Street the virtuous concubine's dowry shop?"