Zhao Liang was about to be promoted to centurion commander but he was embarrassed to say it. He was single-handedly cultivated by Han Kuo. If Han Kuo hadn’t lost that arm, with his bravery, he would definitely have a better future than him.
It was a pity, but there was nothing that could be done about it. On the battlefield, the sword had no eyesight and all depends on life.
When Han Kuo saw him like that, he knew what he was thinking. If it were before, he would definitely be depressed, but now, he had a better place to go. In a moment, he’ll envy him!
"Let's go. Take me to see Captain Zhang." Han Kuo put his arm around Zhao Liang's shoulders and walked inside.
He wasn't qualified to seek audience General Yang directly. He had to meet Captain Zhang first and get him to convey the purpose of his visit.
That afternoon, Captain Zhang found General Yang Hong Yang and told him about Han Kuo's coming to deliver the money.
In fact, General Yang had already received a letter from his family and knew that his family had made a hundred thousand liang this time. So he wasn't surprised to hear the news.
"Then what’s General intention?" Zhang Duwei said excitedly.
"This money isn't for us. It was earned by Han Kuo and the others to be given to the soldiers who were injured or died. It has nothing to do with us at all." General Yang said solemnly.
Captain Zhang's mind turned and he understood what he meant. They wanted to keep a distance from Commissioner-in-chief Shen. The imperial army couldn't accept any money that wasn't from the imperial court. But Han Kuo and the others have left the army, so they weren't included in this list.
General Yang had given it a lot of thought. Captain Zhang sighed, knowing what he should do.
From this day on, soldiers who were in the Yang Family Army but were injured and left or died began to receive money one after another. Minimum five liang, maximum ten liang or so. Don't underestimate this small amount of money. Five-six liang of silver could buy a person's life. This money had saved many people and helped many people get through difficulties.
Some people shed tears of gratitude, while others kowtowed.
General Yang didn’t see Han Kuo and others. Han Kuo and others quickly left, but news about them spread in private.
Everyone knew that Han Kuo and the others went to sea with Commissioner-in-chief Shen and made a lot of money and even distributed the money to their former brothers.
Their minds looked forward and had a lot of expectations for the future. If they leave the army one day, will they be able to go to sea and make money like them?
They also wondered, if one day they were unfortunately killed, would someone give their family money? If that's the case, they could leave with peace of mind.
Everyone seemed to be less afraid of the legendary Commissioner-in-chief Shen.
After discussing with Shen Feng Ming, Jiang Yun Zhu decided to leave a batch of money to build a fleet. There were only two fleets now, which was a bit small. Of course, this wasn't urgent yet. As for the remaining silver, it would be transported back to Shen Manor first.
The two of them had already been in the villa for five-six days. On this day, they returned to Shen's manor.
Without them, the Shen Family became extremely deserted again.
After hearing that the two were back, Princess Danyang finally had a smile on her face.
When she saw the big chests filled with gold, silver, pearls and jade, she was quite surprised. Where did these things come from?
Jiang Yun Zhu explained to her that she and Shen Feng Ming earned this from doing business in maritime trade.
Princess Danyang knew that her son did not care about money matters. After questioning, it turned out that it was Jiang Yun Zhu who came up with the idea and she was mainly responsible for the business.
The first time and it made so much money. Then...
Princess Danyang felt that it was impossible for her family to be rich enough to rival the country in the future.
At this time, she looked at Jiang Yun Zhu, finding it fortunate and feeling happy. She felt that the most right thing she did was to ask Emperor Qinglong to grant marriage to Shen Feng Ming and Jiang Yun Zhu. Otherwise, she would regret it if such a good daughter-in-law married someone else!
In the evening, Academician Shen learned about this and was surprised that maritime trade could be so profitable.
However, neither of them intended to interfere with the affairs of Yunming Trading Company. Since Jiang Yun Zhu and Shen Feng Ming run this business, let them do it.
But there was one thing they agreed on. Jiang Yun Zhu’s pregnancy was further along now, so she couldn't be too tired.
"Thank you, Father, Mother. I know." Jiang Yun Zhu said. She knew her own body.
Another half month passed before Huang Che and Li Xing Lin set sail.
More than two months later, Chi Zheng and Han Kuo embarked on the journey.
It was already August. Jiang Yun Zhu's due date was around August 15th. Everyone in the manor became nervous. The Mid-Autumn Festival was a big festival. A major household like the Shen Family should prepare early, but no one had the mind to. According to Princess Danyang, "The Mid-Autumn Festival happens every year, but Young Madam giving birth does not."
This set the tone for this year's Shen manor, which was mainly preparing for Jiang Yun Zhu's birth.
In fact, there was nothing to prepare. What should be prepared had been prepared long ago. It was even checked three times.
On this day, Jiang Yun Zhu suddenly wanted to eat mooncakes.
It wasn’t August 15th yet. Still, it was easy to sort. Princess Danyang immediately order the kitchen to make moon cakes.
"Mother, I'll do it myself." Jiang Yun Zhu said.
Princess Danyang was frightened. The delivery date was in less than half a month, how could she enter the kitchen?
She won’t personally do it herself, just go to the kitchen and give instructions. Jiang Yun Zhu suddenly wanted to eat Yunnan ham mooncakes, but there was no such mooncake in this era. She must tell the cooks before it could be made.
After hearing this, Princess Danyang's expression softened a lot. Still, she felt that a place like the kitchen wasn't suitable for Jiang Yun Zhu.
Jiang Yun Zhu was feeling fine. With Attendant Zhong and her experience in modern times, she went about as usual during the pregnancy. For such a long time, except for the occasional morning sickness, she had had no discomfort.
As for the kitchen, Shen's kitchen was clean and bright with no peculiar smell at all and there was nothing that was off-limits.
Jiang Yun Zhu habitually looked at Attendant Zhong. She had always supported her.
Attendant Zhong just felt like she was being put on a fire. According to her experience, it was true that mothers should exercise more before giving birth. There was no problem going to the kitchen, but if something happened, she couldn't afford to take the responsibility.
However, she was Jiang Yun Zhu’s person now. Not standing on her side...
Finally, she gritted her teeth and said to Princess Danyang, "It’s fine. This servant will follow Young Madam. Madam, you can rest assured."
Since she said this, Princess Danyang could only agree to let Jiang Yun Zhu go to the kitchen.
A line of cooks had already stood in the kitchen. Each of them were as if facing a formidable enemy and fearing to anger or tire Jiang Yun Zhu.
Jiang Yun Zhu didn't want to cause trouble for others, but she felt that she was fine. She can't possibly not go anywhere or do anything because of being pregnant.
The cooks in the kitchen had already made mooncakes, including those filled with bean paste, date paste, etc. Jiang Yun Zhu picked up one of the prepared ones and tasted it. This mooncake was similar to the modern five-nut mooncake. It contained melon seeds, walnuts, chestnuts, and other things. However, because of the high-quality ingredients, it was much more delicious than the modern five-nut mooncake.
She nodded while eating.
The cook at the side was surprised and delighted. Jiang Yun Zhu’s cooking skills were superb. Every time he watched her cook, he almost lost his confidence. Now she liked the mooncakes he made? Finally he had something to show.
At this time, Jiang Yun Zhu put down the mooncake and told the cook what mooncake she wanted to make and how to make it.
She wanted to make Yunnan ham mooncakes and snowskin mooncakes. The Yunnan ham mooncakes were what she wanted to eat before, while the snowskin mooncakes were a last-minute idea. The mooncakes made in the kitchen do taste good, but the combination of the greasy fillings and the crust mixed with sugar and oil made them a bit greasy after eating too much.
The Yunna ham mooncake was okay. The cook had heard of the sweet and salty meat mooncake before. Since it was possible to use lean meat, it should be no problem to use ham.
It was just that he didn't quite understand this snowskin mooncake.
Jiang Yun Zhu didn't need him to understand, just follow the steps.
As expected of the capital, a place where all directions gather. The purchasing steward had ran around half of the capital and did find some Yunnan ham.
Chop the Yunnan ham into pieces and mix them into fillings. Now knead the dough and form the skin, wrap the fillings into the skin, and then bake it. An oven full of Yunnan ham mooncakes were ready.
At this side, the snowskin dough was mostly done, put it in the ice cellar to refrigerate for a while. After taking it out, wrap the fillings and press it into shape with a mold at once.
The freshly baked Yunnan ham mooncakes were golden in appearance and full of aroma, while the snow-skin mooncakes were milky white and transparent, exuding a cool feeling.
Breaking open a piece of Yunnan ham mooncake, a special aroma of meat mixed with a little wheat fragrance instantly spread out.
After taking a bite, the Yunnan ham were salty and slightly sweet. When paired with the crust, they were soft and fragrant. As expected, it was delicious.
Jiang Yun Zhu ate one piece and then went to eat snow-skin mooncakes. She had made this kind of mooncake before in modern times. At that time, she felt that it wasn't as delicious as the Yunnan ham mooncake. Now it may be because of her pregnancy, she liked to eat something lighter. This snowskin mooncake was cool and glutinous, which suits her tastebud very well.
Soon, Princess Danyang and Academician Shen had freshly baked Yunnan ham mooncakes and snowskin mooncakes. How to put it? Quite delicious!
In the kitchen, after Jiang Yun Zhu left, there were a few mooncakes left in the kitchen. The cook first tasted the Yunnan ham mooncake, and then tasted the snowskin mooncake. The confidence that had just risen was gone in an instant. As expected of Young Madam!
In the afternoon, Shen Feng Ming came back. With him was Mrs. Chen.
In the Xia Dynasty, it was a custom for mothers to take care of their daughters during the postnatal confinement period. After Mrs. Chen heard that Jiang Yun Zhu was pregnant, she had been worried about her and wrote several times to ask her if she needed help.
After discussing with Jiang Yun Zhu, Shen Feng Ming decided to take her to the capital to stay for a while and take care of Jiang Yun Zhu.
Princess Danyang and Academician Shen were delighted when they heard that Mrs. Chen was coming.
In the hall, Mrs. Chen felt uneasy. Princess Danyang was the emperor's younger sister. She was just an ordinary peasant woman. There was as much difference between them as clouds and mud. She even regretted writing to Jiang Yun Zhu. As soon as she entered Shen's manor and saw Jiang Yun Zhu surrounded by people, there was no need for her to take care of her at all.
"Sit, sit. Such a long way, you must be tired." Unexpectedly, Princess Danyang was very polite.
Princess Danyang was arrogant. If it were an ordinary woman, of course she wouldn't even give her a glance. But she valued Jiang Yun Zhu. Mrs. Chen was Jiang Yun Zhu's mother. Loving the house as well as the bird that came with it, she naturally won’t treat her like others.
"Not tired, not tired." Mrs. Chen said awkwardly, not daring to sit down.
"Do sit. We are all one family." Princess Danyang stated.
Mrs. Chen looked at Jiang Yun Zhu.
Jiang Yun Zhu smiled at her and signaled that it was okay. Mrs. Chen sat down.
Princess Danyang started chatting with her. Laced in her words were two meanings. One was to thank Mrs. Chen for raising such a good daughter as Jiang Yun Zhu. She liked her very much. It was a blessing for the Shen Family to marry her. Secondly, since Mrs. Chen was here, please advise Jiang Yun Zhu to rest more and stop being busy all the time.
Mrs. Chen was stunned for a moment after hearing this. She thought that Jiang Yun Zhu had married into a higher position when married into the Shen Family. Like a high that couldn’t be any higher. How could Princess Danyang say such a thing? Also, when a wife marries into her husband's family, the husband's family always found the new wife lazy. Why was it the other way around when she came to the Shen Family?
At this time, the maid brought the Yunnan ham mooncakes and snowskin mooncakes that Jiang Yun Zhu had made in the morning. Mrs. Chen understood what Princess Danyang meant.
Actually, cooking in the kitchen was nothing at all in the countryside. When she was pregnant with Jiang Yun Zhu, she went to the fields to cut wheat the day before giving birth. Farmers were basically like this. If one didn’t work during the busy autumn season, wait for the rain to water the wheat and starve to death?
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