at dusk.

after dinner.

Zhu Xiuyuan, Dong Cheng, Dong Shuyu, and Dong Shuzhen gathered in the flower hall of the main house.

Yan Dashan was also called over by Zhu Xiuyuan.

The reason why it is called Yan Dashan is because this discussion is about the formation of family generals.

"The earl can form a family of a thousand generals, and the generals' food, salary, armor, horses, weapons, and training must be prepared by themselves. The court will not provide money or food."

"In our mansion, the Jinwu Guards are still serving as family generals. After all, Jinwu Guards are the emperor's own soldiers. It's okay to serve as family generals in the short term, but definitely not in the long term."

"So, my father-in-law, Shuyu, Madam, and Dashan, we are going to start forming our own generals for Jiangcheng Uncle Mansion!"

Zhu Xiuyuan glanced at everyone and announced his decision to form a family general.

"Well, my good son-in-law is now the uncle of Jiangcheng. It is indeed time to form a family general. However, as far as I know, the consumption of family generals is very high. There are many lords who either plunder tenants or deduct the military pay of their soldiers... Only in this way can we

Guarantee the supply of the generals."

"This is also a major shortcoming of our Chen country... Generally speaking, family generals are always more elite than regular soldiers..."

Dong Cheng twirled his beard and made some analysis.

"Well, Dashan, you once served as a captain in the army. What do you think?"

Zhu Xiuyuan looked towards Yan Dashan.

"My dear friend, what I said is very correct. I have nothing to add."

Yan Dashan suppressed the excitement in his heart and formed a family. His benefactor would definitely give him this task...

His hands had been itchy for a long time.

"So it seems that the most important thing when setting up a family is to ensure that there is enough money and food."

Dong Shuyu also spoke, her beautiful eyebrows slightly furrowed, obviously racking her brains to think about this issue.

Because of the title of "Kefu's daughter", Dong Shuyu was prepared not to marry for the rest of her life.

Then the things at home and the people in the family are one of her sustenance.

Regarding Zhu Xiuyuan, she always dreamed that he would be promoted step by step and become a general.

Now, Zhu Xiuyuan is about to form a family, which is what a count should have.

Therefore, Dong Shuyu also actively participated and made suggestions.

"Well, what Shuyu said is right. A good general can save his life at critical moments, but it takes a thousand days to maintain an army. Needless to say, it costs a lot."

Zhu Xiuyuan nodded and looked at Dong Shuyu approvingly. Money and food were indeed the biggest constraint.

"Dad, Xiu Yuan, before my Dong family, although there were no high-ranking officials, it was still a family of poetry, etiquette, and scholarship. Reputation was more important than life."

"Therefore, we cannot do things like exploiting tenants and deducting food and wages. The expenses required to build a family must be earned from merchants!"

Dong Shuyu spoke slowly, looking at the faces of Dong Cheng and Zhu Xiuyuan from time to time.

Dong Cheng and Zhu Xiuyuan both nodded, agreeing with Dong Shuyu's words.

"Shuyu said it right. We don't bother to do those things, so let's make money from the business of merchants!"

Zhu Xiuyuan agreed, which set the tone for the matter.

"That being the case, Xiuyuan, the matter of opening the restaurant we discussed yesterday needs to be done as soon as possible." Dong Shuyu said again.

"Okay, in two days, it will be the Winter Solstice Festival. After the Winter Solstice Festival, we will start to deal with the matter of opening a restaurant!"

I wish Xiuyuan the final word.

…

After the discussion, everyone went back to their respective courtyards.

Zhu Xiuyuan took a comfortable bath, changed clothes and came out, ready to chat with his wife.

Dong Shuzhen is really his "fruit of trouble removal".

Just listening to her silver bell-like laughter made Zhu Xiuyuan feel comfortable, as if all the worries of the day had disappeared.

In this way, you can sleep more soundly.

However, Zhu Xiuyuan walked around their small courtyard, but could not find Dong Shuzhen's shadow.

Even Xia Wu didn't know where she was going.

Only the little maid Qiu Wen followed him, seriously being her little follower.

"Hey, where is the lady? Xia Wu is not here either, where have they gone?"

After searching around and not finding it, Zhu Xiuyuan couldn't help but ask.

"My aunt, my servants don't know either. My aunt came out after taking a bath, and both the young lady and Xia Wu were gone."

However, the only person who responded to Zhu Xiuyuan was the little follower Qiu Wen.

"That's all. Madam and Xia Wu should be playing somewhere in the house."

Zhu Xiuyuan shook his head. This mansion was too big and had its disadvantages.

For example, now, he can't find his wife...

Shaking his head, Zhu Xiuyuan turned around, walked towards the bedroom, and ordered: "Get ready to go to bed, ignore them."

"Okay uncle."

So Qiu Wen went to make the bed, fold the quilt, light sandalwood, and arrange everything properly.

However, as soon as Zhu Xiuyuan entered the room, Dong Shuyu's maid Chunxue ran over and said that the eldest lady had something to discuss with him.

Zhu Xiuyuan was stunned for a moment, grabbed a coat and went out, following Chun Xue to a pavilion near the main house.

Dong Shuyu had already been waiting in the pavilion.

There is no moon tonight, but there are lanterns on the corridors throughout the mansion, illuminating the pavilion and corridors.

The pavilion was built next to the water, with a lotus root pond below. It is winter now, and there are no lotus flowers or leaves in the pond, only a pond of "withered lotus".

Zhu Xiuyuan approached and saw Dong Shuyu sitting on the fence of the pavilion, with his back against the stone pillars of the pavilion, looking at the dead lotus in the pond, as if in a daze.

Zhu Xiuyuan could only see her profile.

The candlelight of the lantern hit Dong Shuyu's snow-white dress, which was heavily piled with gauze, and dyed it a light red.

Through the outline of the long skirt, you can vaguely see her legs and feet, which are held together in a very ladylike manner. Under the hem of the skirt, a pair of small and exquisite embroidered shoes reveals a head naughtily...

What a small pair of lotus feet!

Zhu Xiuyuan vaguely understood why people in ancient times liked to bind their feet.

Because under this soft ancient long skirt, a pair of lotus feet is hidden, which indeed looks very interesting and fascinating...

Her entire painting style looks very gentle and soft, with the unique temperament of a lady, like a spring breeze!

The footsteps of Zhu Xiuyuan and Chunxue disturbed Dong Shuyu, who was in a daze.

She turned back and stood up.

Looking at the beauties under the lantern is naturally very interesting.

Dong Shuyu is undoubtedly a superb beauty, but her beauty is not ostentatious, but more about her inner temperament, which is graceful, reserved, graceful, and has the temperament of a lady.

It's very pleasant to get along with him.

"Xiuyuan, you're here. Please sit down."

"It's getting late. Shuyu called me here. Is there something urgent?"

Zhu Xiuyuan asked while sitting down in front of the stone table in the pavilion.

"It's not that important..."

Dong Shuyu also sat down, his face slightly red.

After night fell, her sister-in-law was summoned. Although Chun Xia and Dong Mei were here to accompany her, it still made her feel a little strange in her heart.

But for that matter, she could only endure the strangeness in her heart.

"I just want to ask about Miss Huamanlou Kou..."

Dong Shuyu was a little embarrassed to speak, and his face became even redder.

"Oh, so that's it. Shuyu, please don't worry, that girl Kou and I just met by chance, and it's nothing more than a casual acquaintance!"

Zhu Xiuyuan was quite generous. Obviously, he had simulated this answer in his mind countless times.

"So...that's what it is!"

Dong Shuyu nodded, raised his eyes and glanced at Zhu Xiuyuan gently, then immediately looked down again.

"But... today..."

"Oh, although Miss Kou is famous all over the world, she is still a weak woman. It is extremely difficult for her to deal with the powerful people in the capital. Therefore, Miss Kou needs to find some help."
To be continued...