Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 555 Determination
Xie Yuyan knew that Liu Erlang had been talking to Zhao Zhongliang a lot lately, but she never expected that Liu Erlang would make such a decision to return to the Northwest with Zhao Zhongliang.

The border people live in hardship, a point that Zhao Zhongliang and Liu Erlang must have already discussed, so she wouldn't repeat it. Xie Yuyan said, "For Zhao Zhongliang to become the head of the village, he needs someone to help him, especially when implementing the new laws, as he needs to balance the interests of all parties. You are indeed an excellent candidate. Go to the Northwest to implement the village association system and help the head of the village quickly gain the trust of the people. In addition, your familiarity with the affairs of the court and the government can be used to explain the benefits of the new policies to the people."

“The new policies will definitely be implemented gradually in Daliang. If things go smoothly for you,” Xie Yuyan said, his eyes gleaming, “the years you entered officialdom late will not only not be wasted, but will also become an asset to you in the future.”

Liu Erlang hadn't thought this through before, but after Xie Da Niangzi's explanation, he suddenly understood.

He had witnessed village fairs in Daming Prefecture, and now he could take them to the Northwest... and follow the instructions. It wouldn't be difficult.

Many people use the guise of the new policies to exploit and oppress the people, causing them to resist them. However, by using village associations as a pretext to slowly explain the benefits of the new policies, people can gradually accept them.

Xie Yuyan said, "The new policies are not necessarily all correct. If we can find drawbacks and solutions during their implementation, that would be a great achievement."

Liu Erlang stood up and bowed to Xie Yuyan: "Thank you for your guidance, Madam." He had now completely found his place.

Xie Yuyan said, "We still need to go back and discuss this thoroughly with Liu Zuolang." Liu Zuolang's connections can help Liu Erlang. If the father and son, one openly and one covertly, cooperate properly, they may gain even more.

Liu Erlang responded.

After everyone had finished talking, it was Zheng Sanye's turn.

Master Zheng said, "The perfume shop in the west of the city will be open within ten days."

Xie Yuyan smiled and said, "It's seven or eight days ahead of schedule."

Master Zheng was a little embarrassed: "It should have been faster, but the main problem is that we need to be very selective with the workers, and there aren't many experienced workers who can lead a team..."

Xie Yuyan nodded: "It's already very soon. If any more merchants want to open a perfume shop with me, I can take them to the shop in the west of the city."

The perfume shop in the west of the city is larger than the one at the south wharf. The interior, from the furnishings to the hot springs, is more exquisitely renovated. It is divided into a warm room and a cool room, providing hot and cold water according to the season, and also has a giant stove for drying clothes.

There is also a tea room next door, where guests can gather for tea and snacks, and also drink alcohol.

Of course, the price will be higher.

In a place like Bianjing, such perfume shops would actually be more bustling than those at the South City Wharf. Moreover, perfume shops in other places would follow suit in the future.

Xie Yuyan said, "If the perfume shop still needs money, we can ask the accountant for more. We don't mind spending more money. Once the perfume shop opens, we will be able to make a profit very quickly."

Master Zheng responded.

Everyone was fine with their questions.

Xie Yuyan said, "I have had food prepared. Eat your fill before you get back to work."

Everyone stood up and bowed to Xie Yuyan. Yang Xiaoshan walked at the front, leading everyone to the meal.

Xie Yuyan stopped Zhao Zhongliang and Liu Erlang: "You decide when to leave the capital, and I will see you out of the city."

Zhao Zhongliang bowed again.

Xie Yuyan returned to the inner quarters to rest.

Now, all that's left to do is get Duan Dalang and Xie Qi sorted out.

Duan Dalang has been staying at Baode Temple for a long time. He will not leave the temple until the pill is made. As for Xie Qi... he has not returned from the porcelain kiln for a long time.

Everyone is busy, and it is because they have done their jobs well that everything is going so smoothly.

Xie Yuyan looked at Mother Yu and said, "Have the kitchen prepare more food. Later, we'll go to the porcelain kiln outside the city to take a look."

After giving his instructions, Xie Yuyan walked towards the soft couch: "I need to rest for a while."

She had just lain down when the window was pushed open, and a fluffy little thing leaped into her arms in a few moments.

Xie Yuyan hugged the cat, who affectionately licked the back of her hand. The two enjoyed a moment of peace. ...

Baode Temple.

Wu Qian was holding the porridge and staring blankly.

He had just heard that Guan Fenglin and Chen Yixiu had been arrested.

At this moment, Wu Qian felt a mix of emotions, unsure whether he was happy or sad.

The good thing is that those people abandoned him, but they couldn't escape being arrested.

The worry is that Guan and Chen might confess to him once they're in jail.

If the authorities find out that he hasn't left Bianjing, they will definitely launch a large-scale manhunt, which will put him in even greater danger.

As Wu Qian was thinking, he suddenly felt his hand go light, and the bowl he was holding was snatched away. He tried to take it back, but met a pair of unfriendly eyes.

That was the person Wu Qian met in the Taoist temple. Later, Wu Qian followed him to Baode Temple to get porridge.

Wu Qian managed to evade the patrolmen's checks several times by blending in with these people.

"Leave some for me." Wu Qian didn't dare to speak loudly, for fear of angering him.

Yang Kuan said indifferently, "You haven't eaten it after all this time. I don't think you're hungry." After saying that, he picked up the bowl and slurped down several mouthfuls, and the bowl of porridge was immediately reduced by more than half.

Wu Qian swallowed hard. There was plenty of porridge today because the person feeding him was a young resident. The boy hadn't shaved his head and was just temporarily staying at the temple. He called Master Zhiyuan "Master." He helped out when the master was distributing the porridge.

Wu Qian dared to say a few more words in front of the child, asking him to put more porridge in his bowl.

The child had ignored him the previous times, but today the child said to him, "You don't look well, please take good care of yourself." Then the child added half a spoonful to his bowl.

At that moment, Wu Qian felt a lump in his throat and almost cried. During the days he was hiding everywhere, only this child truly cared about him and didn't want him to lose his life.

The bowl was returned to Wu Qian's hands, and he immediately poured the rest of the porridge into his mouth. Even after eating it, his stomach was still rumbling. He felt that if things continued like this, even if he wasn't caught by the authorities, he would starve to death here.

Wu Qian made up his mind and looked at Yang Kuan: "I have a business deal, are you willing to do it?"

Yang Kuan ignored him, but Wu Qian grabbed Yang Kuan and said, "I'm serious. As long as you send a message to my father, he will give you a lot of money."

"At least fifty strings of cash."

Upon hearing this, Yang Kuan looked at Wu Qian with a hostile expression.

Wu Qian shuddered: "What I said is all true."

Yang Kuan still didn't agree. He chewed on a blade of grass, staring at Wu Qian with his dark eyes for a long time, and suddenly said, "You look familiar."

Wu Qian's heart sank, and her expression immediately changed.

Yang Kuan lazily took out a notice from his pocket and slowly opened it in front of Wu Qian. Wu Qian then saw his own portrait.

……

Xie Yuyan delivered the food to the porcelain kiln, but she did not appear in front of anyone, so as not to delay the craftsmen's work.

Given Xie Yuyan's standing among the craftsmen, her mere presence was enough.

On the way back, it started to rain heavily. Although the carriage provided shelter, Xie Yuyan's clothes still got wet when getting on and off. Zhang and Yu Mama busied themselves with the others, and after a while, Xie Yuyan changed her clothes and soaked her feet in the wooden tub.

When Wang Yan arrived here in the rain, this was the appearance of Xie Yuyan.