An Shi'an was not surprised at all that An Qi'en would buy a house. A few years ago, she told An Shi'an that in today's prosperous and peaceful times, it is best to buy more houses, land, and shops. These are guaranteed to make a profit, and can also be used as family property. Passed down from generation to generation!
He said happily: "Okay, we will stay here for several more years. We will have our own place to live and live more comfortably. We, brother and sister, will also have a good life in Jingyang."
Lu Bochu said with envy: "The relationship between you two brothers is really enviable to others."
An Shi'an pursed his lips and smiled: "Blood relations are naturally close."
After three drinks and five dishes, the three of them were almost full. An Shian reported what happened in Guyang, and after chatting for a long time, the meal was finally finished.
After the meal, the maid cleaned up the dishes and went back first when someone from Lu Bochu's house came and said it was important.
An Qien took An Shi'an to the newly bought house. She had arranged all the food and clothing expenses early. The house was not small, not big, and not conspicuous. It was more than enough for the two brothers and sisters to live in.
She planted many flowers in the yard. Now is the season when dead trees are blooming again, and the branches are quietly sprouting.
An Shi'an looked around the house with great satisfaction: "Qi En has a good taste. This house is elegant and elegant and the location is excellent. Although it is not luxurious, it looks like an elegant residence where literati live."
A beautiful smile appeared on An Qien's lips: "I really bought this house from a scholar."
An Shian raised his eyebrows with interest: "Oh?"
"Probably it was the third time Meng's mother moved. The scholar wanted to sell his old house in order to have a career in Beijing and settle down. I happened to have the need to buy a house. There was no mess in this house. I bought it when it looked clean. "
The more An Shian looked at the house, the more satisfied he became. He put his hands behind his waist in a mature and steady manner, looked around again and nodded: "Not bad, not bad."
The two of them walked forward along the atrium. The shadows of the trees swayed when the wind blew. There was also a large bamboo forest in the backyard, which was swaying leisurely. An Shi'an couldn't help but close her eyes when she heard the crisp sound and soaked up the beautiful environment.
After seeing the house, An Qi'en immediately arranged for people to move it. In fact, there was not much in Lingshan Temple, most of which were herbs she had dried.
Agui sent a few maids and servants for their use. An Shian did not refuse. His current status was equivalent to Lu Bochu's prime minister, and he deserved this treatment.
...
After everything was moved, An Qi'en was here. An Shi'an didn't rest after arriving in Jingyang. He and Lu Bochu started building canals the next day, leaving early and returning late.
It was a big event on the river side. An Shian commanded the leaders skillfully and professionally. Lu Bochu felt much more relaxed when he came here.
The craftsmen were all working hard and hard. After An Shian finished explaining the various tasks, he went to Lu Bochu who was watching all this from a high place and reported: "Your Majesty, the manpower is still insufficient,"
Lu Bochu is already thinking of a solution to this problem. Currently, canals are being built from south to north. Every province is short of people and it is impossible to transfer people from other places.
Jingyang is a large province with the largest population. This place lacks people, let alone other places.
Lu Bochu frowned, this problem was really difficult to solve.
An Shian added: "According to the current manpower situation, I'm afraid it won't be completed in three to five years."
These words happened to be overheard by An Qi'en, who came over with lunch in his hand. An Shi'an sent someone back to say that he would not go back for lunch and would have a big pot meal with everyone at the construction site.
An Qi'en was free, so he cooked some of An Shi'an's favorite dishes and sent them over. An Shi'an was thinner than before, and his complexion was not as good as usual.
He is the only legitimate son of the An family and the only one who can carry on the family line. Jiang always told An Qien in his letters to watch over An Shian and not let him tire himself out.
An Qi'en was also very concerned about this matter, so the soup he brought was a soup that replenished the body and vitality. When he heard that the two of them were worried about this matter, An Qi'en took the initiative and said: "Your Majesty, if there are not enough men, there are still women. Ordinary people If it's not enough, there are still prisoners. This is a matter of people's livelihood. Although women have little strength, they can always do jobs that they can do. On the other hand, they can also supplement the family income. As long as the prisoners are not on death row, they will participate in the construction of canals. If they perform well, they can be punished and receive meritorious service."
"In this way, the manpower will not be so tight. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Lu Bochu looked at An Qi'en with his dark eyes. This woman always impressed him. This was indeed a good idea, but women had never worked together with men. This was not good for a woman's reputation, and basically it was not good for her. Men want their women to work among a group of men.
Lu Bochu thought thoughtfully for a while and then said: "Normal women can't do the work here, but prisoners can do it."
An Shian: "Your Majesty, I believe that men and women can work together. Many women want to be self-reliant, but the virtues of the times do not allow it. As long as we avoid the aspects well, there will be no trouble. You can write a recruitment guide first." , let’s see how many people sign up first.”
Lu Bochu thought this was a good method, and he could only give it a try at the moment: "I will ask someone to write a recruitment notice first. Qi'en will ask you to worry about the matter at the Children's Home."
"Your Majesty, you're welcome. This is what Qi En should do."
When Lu Bochu saw what she was carrying, he was in a good mood and jokingly said: "Qi'en, you are so unfavorable to others. You often say that you treat me like an older brother, but I have never seen you bring me a meal once. Shi Anyi You came all the way here carrying the food, and you don’t know if I have benefited from Shi’an!”
His gentle tone sounded a bit jealous.
An Qi'en was used to his tone. She smiled slightly and replied respectfully: "They are all available. If the prince wants to eat, he can eat with his brother. Qi'en brought a lot."
When Lu Bochu heard this, his eyes immediately became happy: "It seems that I have misunderstood you. Qi En still has me in my heart."
An Qi'en blushed immediately. Lu Bochu's words were so ambiguous and so imaginative!
Inexplicable emotions were rolling in her heart, but the face of the person who said this remained as natural as ever.
An Shi'an also heard the ambiguity in these words, and gave An Qien a meaningful look. He didn't know if anything had happened between the two of them during his absence!
He pretended not to know, thinking that he would go back to An Qi'en in the evening and ask what was going on.
An Shi'an naturally greeted Lu Bo when he first came to the simple dining room built at the construction site to eat. The workers ate at the construction site at noon, and then started working after a quarter of an hour lunch break.
Although the food on the construction site is not that delicious, it is full of both meat and vegetables. Many workers do not have such good food at home, so the workers are happy to work here, and they are all enthusiastic and hardworking.
An Qi'en did not follow, so she said gently: "Prince, brother, Qi'en still has something to do, so I'll go back first."
An Shi'an warned: "Be careful on the way back. Don't send it here again. The food here is also very good, so there is no need to come all the way."
An Qi'en nodded obediently, then bowed to Lu Bochu and said goodbye.
Lu Bochu and An Shi'an came to the dining room and sat down. They watched happily as Agui opened the mahogany food box. The soup he took out first was Black-bone Chicken Herbal Tonic Soup, just one bowl!
What came out was a big bowl of steaming white rice, or just one bowl!
What came out next were scallion-flavored eggs, pickled pork with pickled vegetables, crispy radish and dried minced pork. The vegetables were fragrant but the portions visible to the naked eye were just enough for one person!
Lu Bochu and An Shi'an's expressions froze. An Qi'en said that she brought a lot to feed two people!
Is this enough for two people? No wonder she left in a hurry. It turned out to be because she was afraid that Lu Bochu would make trouble for her on the spot!
Lu Bochu sneered in disbelief, thinking that this girl looked so obedient An Jingjing, but she was unexpectedly quite smart!
An Shi'an silently wiped away the cold sweat and said proactively: "Your Majesty, please use it. I will humble myself and eat in the official kitchen."
The embarrassment in Lu Bochu's eyes flashed away, and he pretended to be natural: "No need, this is your sister's wish. I'm afraid she will have objections if I eat it all."
After saying this, Lu Bochu got up and went to the public kitchen's special dining room to eat.
An Shi'an didn't know what to say, so he simply said nothing. After Lu Bochu left, he ate in a state of laughter and tears.
An Qi'en walked to the market, and Qingbi asked worriedly: "Madam, if the prince sees that this is someone's meal, will he be unhappy?"
An Qi'en left in a hurry just because she was afraid that he would be unhappy. She didn't know that Lu Bochu also wanted to eat the food she sent.
He is a prince and his food and accommodation must be excellent. What she cooks is just some home-cooked food.
If she knew that Lu Bochu wanted to eat the food she cooked, she would naturally cook an extra portion. In this situation, she can only fight like this, otherwise he will say that he favors one over the other!
An Qi'en also felt strange. Why was the prince always jealous of his own brother? Isn't it normal for her to treat her brother better?
"There's nothing I can do about it if I'm not happy. I don't know he wants to eat it."
Qingbi: "Madam, can we still give it away tomorrow?"
An Qi'en hesitated for a second. Thinking that An Shi'an said she wouldn't give it away, she replied: "I won't give it away. The food cooked by the public chef should be okay. After all, the prince is here, and they don't dare to fool him."
While talking, the two of them arrived at the Yitong Yard. The craftsmen had already laid the foundation and were working in an orderly manner.
There were probably less than thirty craftsmen here, and they were surrounded by building materials. An Qi'en looked around, and when a leader saw her coming, he bent his shoulders slightly and took out this piece of paper from his sleeve in a humble and flattering manner. Rice paper folded together.
"Ms. An, this is the amount of money we have needed since the start of the project. The details are all written on it."
An Qi'en took the rice paper and opened it. Inside, there were densely written items that required money. After reading it, An Qi'en ordered, tilted his head and told Qingbi: "Give a hundred taels to the manager."
Qingbi took out the check from her sleeve and handed it to the steward with both hands. The steward took the money and thanked her before stepping back and continuing to work.
This scene was clearly seen by Lin Yanyun who was not far away. She was suspicious that her parents said that this place was under the control of the prince! Why is this woman in charge?
She also brought a check of one thousand taels in her hand! At this moment, Lin Yanyun would rather tear up the check! No more donations!
