Chapter 10

After finishing the official business, Lu Hong changed the subject.

"I heard from Zhang Yi that you have some interest in the little girl from Ye's family?"

Gao Yuan couldn't help but blush, "Not really, I just felt sorry for them and gave them some help."

Lu Hong waved his hand, "There's no need to be embarrassed in front of me. The daughter of Ye's family is quite pretty, just a bit thin. With good care, she might improve. However, there's one thing I need to remind you: this family has a rather unusual background."

"Three people, a mother and two children, can't even afford to eat properly. What could be unusual about them?" Gao Yuan asked curiously.

"Hmm, they are not originally from Fufeng." Lu Hong thought for a moment, "They've been in Fufeng for about ten years. Actually, every year, some outsiders come, and I didn't pay much attention to it. But since they live next to you, I noticed them. Once, I found out that all three of them can read and write, which is quite unusual."

"What's so unusual about that?" Gao Yuan didn't understand.

"You, you're really naive. Studying is a costly affair, and they've never hired a tutor since coming to Fufeng County. The only possibility is that this Ye's wife herself can read and write. In this era, even men who can afford to study are few and far between, let alone a woman who can read and write. This is quite strange. So I investigated, but I couldn't find any information about their background. It's as if they fell from the sky."

"Maybe they came from a very far place, and Uncle couldn't find out."

"Maybe you're right, but usually, Ye's wife doesn't seem different from other women. However, occasionally, she shows something that shocks me. Gao Yuan, I've seen many noblewomen, but the demeanor Ye's wife occasionally displays is something even our governor's wife can't match. And Ye Jing'er's every move and word is extraordinary. In the first year of Zhaoping, many things happened, and many prominent families were wiped out overnight. I suspect they might be related to those events. This is no small matter. If you really have feelings for the little girl, you need to consider this."

"What exactly happened in the first year of Zhaoping?" Gao Yuan asked.

"Don't ask about that. In short, the events of that year are not something we commoners can inquire about or discuss. If this family is indeed related to those events, I advise you not to provoke them. Otherwise, you might bring trouble upon yourself. Even the governor couldn't protect you then," Lu Hong said seriously.

Gao Yuan was startled. "I understand, Uncle. But it's been almost ten years. Things have changed, and it might not bring any trouble."

Lu Hong looked Gao Yuan up and down. "It seems you've really taken a liking to the girl. Just keep it in mind."

"Thank you for your concern, Uncle. I have one more request. Please grant it."

"Sure, what is it? Speak up!"

"Uncle, Zhang Yi has been with me for a long time and is very helpful. My family also needs someone to manage the household. I would like to ask Uncle to give Zhang Yi to me."

"I thought it was something serious. A servant, if you want him, take him."

"Not just Zhang Yi, I want one more!" Gao Yuan said with a sheepish smile. "A maid from the household, her name is Cuier."

"Are you talking about Zhang Yi's sweetheart?" Lu Hong laughed. "Alright, I'll do a good deed to the end. I'll give her to you too."

"Great, Uncle! I'll send the redemption money for both of them to your house later."

"What are you talking about? They are just servants, what money? I'll have Lu Bin give you their indenture contracts. From today on, they belong to you."

"Thank you, Uncle!" Gao Yuan was overjoyed. Zhang Yi was reliable, and Gao Yuan had become quite dependent on him.

When Gao Yuan left the Lu residence, he had two more people behind him. Zhang Yi and his sweetheart Cuier, both indentured servants, had nothing to pack. Each carried a small bundle and from today on, they belonged to Gao Yuan. Both were overjoyed. Gao Yuan looked at Cuier and found her just as Zhang Yi described: big chest, big hips, a good breeder.

Suppressing a laugh, he returned home and instructed Zhang Yi and Cuier to clean out a side room.

"Since you two are sweethearts, there's no need for formalities. This room will be your home. We'll choose a good day to have a small ceremony at home, and you'll be married. In the future, Zhang Yi will earn two guan a month, and Cuier one guan. I don't have much money now, but I'll raise your wages when I can. Is that okay?"

Zhang Yi and Cuier both bowed deeply. "Thank you, Young Master. We will serve you faithfully."

"That's enough, enough. No need to bow all the time. Follow me, and I won't let you down!" Gao Yuan waved his hand. "Cuier, start cleaning. Zhang Yi, come with me."

Zhang Yi followed Gao Yuan out happily. Even though the Gao family was small, he was now the household manager. No matter how big the Lu family was, he was just a servant. In the future, he wouldn't have to fear offending the Lu family's head steward.

"Zhang Yi, find me a few bricklayers tomorrow."

"Is the Young Master planning to renovate the house? Alright, I'll take care of it tomorrow."

"Renovate the house? I want to build a still. I drank some so-called good wine at Uncle's today, and it was terrible. I'll make some real wine myself. By the way, don't sell last year's old grain; I'll use it for brewing."

To his surprise, Zhang Yi was stunned and shook his head. "Young Master, you can't do that."

"Why not?" Gao Yuan was puzzled.

"You've forgotten. Brewing isn't something anyone can do. In Fufeng, only County Magistrate Wu's family is allowed to brew. Anyone else who tries will be arrested."

"Is that so?" Gao Yuan was taken aback. It was a monopoly. But he still wasn't concerned. "No problem. I'm not doing it for business, just for personal consumption. I'll also give some to Uncle. I noticed Uncle likes wine, and that so-called good wine from Magistrate Wu is terrible. It's just a token of respect. Do you think Magistrate Wu would come to my house and arrest me? He'd have to dare to do that. I'm not competing with him, so he wouldn't deny Uncle this favor."

"Originally, I thought you were just brewing for yourself, Young Master. You scared me!" Zhang Yi patted his chest. "Young Master might not know, but in the past, people who tried to compete with the Wu family ended up very badly. Now, the entire Fufeng is under the Wu family's control for the wine business."

"Alright, find the bricklayers tomorrow. I plan to get this done before I take up my post. There might be a lot of trouble there. Being a soldier is about food and pay. Without food and pay, it's hard to manage."

"Don't worry, Young Master. Everyone in Fufeng knows that Lord Lu is your uncle. Those soldiers wouldn't dare to disrespect you; they'd be asking for trouble," Zhang Yi said nonchalantly.

"You don't understand." Gao Yuan waved his hand. "I need to think of a way. The key is money. With money, things are easier. Forget about this for now. Zhang Yi, go rest. Find the bricklayers quickly. Tomorrow, we need to start making the yeast. To brew wine, the yeast is crucial."

"How does the Young Master know about this? I know about yeast; it's the key to good wine. Only the most trusted people in the Wu family know how to make it. How does the Young Master know?"

Gao Yuan smiled mysteriously. "I was born with this knowledge. Understand?"

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