Chapter 128: Liu Liang’s Identity
When Steward Qin heard that she had arrived, he quickly came forward to welcome her.
“Miss, you have come. About the signboard…”
“I know. In a while, I will have Liu Liang bring the calligraphy over. You may have someone copy it and mount it into a signboard.”
“Good, good. I have already found the right person. He is the most famous mounting master in Jingling City. He will certainly make the signboard flawless.”
Mu Yunyao could not help smiling.
“Naturally, I trust your eye.”
Only then did Steward Qin realize that he had been far too anxious. He could not help chuckling.
“Miss, now that we have His Majesty’s signboard, the number of people coming to reserve seats today has suddenly more than doubled. Reservations are already lined up until a month from now. Also, early this morning, several traveling merchants came to order tea leaves. It is only that our tea garden is too small and cannot keep up with the supply.”
His tone was full of regret. Seeing people come to their door holding silver, yet being unable to take that silver into their hands, truly made one’s heart ache.
“Our tea garden is small, but the whole of Jiangnan is vast. We can purchase fresh tea leaves and roast them ourselves. For places where transportation is inconvenient, we can directly send over masters who have learned how to roast tea. Find a courtyard there, hang up a Buxian Tower sign, and both buying and selling will become convenient.
“In the future, when Buxian Tower grows larger and we wish to open tea houses elsewhere, we will already have a foundation there. Why not do it?”
Steward Qin froze for a moment, then slapped his forehead.
“Is my brain made of wood? Such a simple principle, yet I did not even think it through. I have made Miss laugh.”
“You simply did not think of it for a moment. However, if we go elsewhere, everything must be considered clearly in advance. The people sent out must also be reliable. After all, once the place is far away, trouble can easily breed.
“Our Buxian Tower hangs a signboard bestowed by His Majesty. The quality of the tea leaves must remain consistent from beginning to end. Even if we go elsewhere, we must strictly control it. We must never smash our own signboard.”
“Yes. I will certainly choose carefully. Miss, please rest assured. The account books will also be delivered on time. When the time comes, we will settle Miss’s share punctually.”
Mu Yunyao smiled.
“That is naturally good. In the future, I will be sitting at home while money falls from the sky.”
Steward Qin quickly went down to make arrangements. Mu Yunyao called Liu Liang over and asked him to investigate the beggars at the garden gate.
Jin Lan could not help asking, “Miss, why are you interested in those people?”
No matter the place, beggars were never few. Xiling in the Capital was the same, let alone Jingling City.
“I simply feel that they are somewhat interesting. If they can be used, then not only will we open a path of survival for them, but we will also effortlessly find people we can make use of. It would be killing two birds with one stone.”
“Miss wishes to use those beggars?”
Jin Lan could not help worrying.
“Although there are good people among beggars as well, many of them have already formed their temperaments. They only think of accepting others’ charity. Even if there is work for them to do, they may be lazy and slippery. I fear they may not be fit for great use.”
“For now, I am only taking a look. If they truly can be used, they will still have to be carefully selected.”
Now that Buxian Tower had gradually stabilized, and once Niyun Pavilion reopened, it would also bring in gold by the measure each day. It was time to think of a way to cultivate some people of her own. Later, when she opened embroidery pavilions and tea houses in other places, they would be useful.
Mu Yunyao handed the matter to Liu Liang, then felt at ease and went to busy herself with other things.
By evening, Liu Liang came back to report.
“Master, I have already found the place where the beggar you mentioned stays. Along with the young girl who spoke to you today, they both come from the Ciyou Bureau.”
Mu Yunyao was somewhat surprised.
“The Ciyou Bureau?”
“Yes. It is a place specifically used to take in the elderly without support and young children of Jingling City. The young girl is named Cai Qing. The child who spoke with you is called Nan’er. They only came outside the garden in the past few days.
“That Cai Qing also specifically learned embroidery before, but halfway through, something happened to a child at the Ciyou Bureau. She returned to take care of that child, and so she was delayed.”
“That is rather interesting. Let us watch for now.”
“Master, do you need people? I have already recruited some men under me. If you have use for them, simply give your orders.”
Mu Yunyao was somewhat astonished. After she had given Liu Liang silver before, she had let go and no longer asked about it. She had not expected that in such a short time, Liu Liang had actually found people he could use.
“Can they be trusted?”
“They can.”
Liu Liang nodded.
Looking at his certain expression, Mu Yunyao suddenly asked, “Liu Liang, speaking of it, I still do not know your real name. What did you do before?”
She could trust Liu Liang’s character because, in her previous life, she had seen him remain by Jin Wang’s side, loyal to him from beginning to end. But when it came down to it, whether in the past or now, she knew absolutely nothing about Liu Liang’s history.
Liu Liang’s entire body stiffened. Then, abruptly, he dropped to one knee before Mu Yunyao.
“I do not remember. But Master, please rest assured. Liu Liang will never betray you.”
Seeing such a strong reaction from him, Mu Yunyao, who had originally only asked casually, could not help developing a few more thoughts. Her gaze as she examined Liu Liang became unusually cool.
“If I did not believe you, I would not have entrusted my life and everything I own into your hands. Get up. If you do not wish to speak, then let it be. Why make up some story about not remembering?”
Liu Liang remained kneeling on the ground, his posture firm and stubborn.
Mu Yunyao frowned. Anger immediately rose in her heart.
“What? Are you no longer willing to listen even to my orders?”
Liu Liang quickly lifted his head, a hint of panic appearing in his eyes.
“Master, that is not what I mean. It is only…”
“Enough. When employing someone, do not doubt them. If you doubt them, do not employ them. You have followed me for no short amount of time. If I did not trust you, I would have driven you away long ago. I only asked casually, yet with you acting like this, it makes it seem as though you are hiding something.”
Liu Liang had never been good with words to begin with. Hearing Mu Yunyao speak like this, he became even less certain how to answer.
Looking at his wooden appearance, Mu Yunyao laughed helplessly in her heart. She had long known what sort of person he was. Why bother being angry with him?
“Get up. If you are unwilling to speak, then I will not ask. Since you have usable people under you, then help me watch Steward Qin’s movements. I imagine that in a few days, he will send people to other places to purchase fresh leaves and make tea. I need to understand some of the situation at least. I cannot completely let things go and allow them to proceed unchecked.”
Although she and Yue Wang were cooperating now, who could say whether one day in the future they might turn against each other? It was never wrong to take more precautions.
“Yes, Master.”
“Have your people be especially careful. I would rather they watch loosely than be discovered.”
“Master, please rest assured. I will certainly instruct them well.”
“Mm. You may go.”
After Liu Liang left, Mu Yunyao lifted her head. After thinking for a moment, the crease between her brows eased slightly.
For now, Liu Liang could still be considered trustworthy. She only hoped he would remain so.
Early the next morning, when Mu Yunyao went to Jinxiu Garden again, she thought of the child at the gate and specially took a detour to the main entrance.
At the gate, the child named Nan’er was indeed there. Seeing her, his face immediately showed restraint.
“Greetings, Young Miss.”
“Your elder sister is not here today. Would you like to come into the garden with me and eat some pastries?”
Seeing how thin and small he was, yet how especially clear his eyes were, Mu Yunyao felt a few traces of fondness arise.
When Nan’er heard this, his eyes lit up. After hesitating for a moment, however, he shook his head.
“Many thanks, Young Miss. But Elder Sister said that one must not accept rewards without merit. I have not helped Young Miss do anything, so I cannot eat your food.”
One must not accept rewards without merit?
This child was rather interesting.
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this kid is soooo cute!!!
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