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Chapter 400: Preparations for Bribery
Chapter 400: Preparations for Bribery
Chapter 400: Chapter 400: Preparations for Bribery
Qiao Xiaomai looked at Qiao Changshun’s face, as rough as tree bark, and pointed to the pile of firewood in the shed. “Dad, start the fire. You haven’t worked in the fields for two days. Eat and sleep early, there’s still work to do tomorrow.”
Qiao Changshun looked at her and sighed again, then went to bring the firewood into the kitchen to start the fire.
All he could do now was pray in his heart for the Retired Emperor to spare the Tong Family
His demands were not high, just to keep things as they are, and let Qiao Xiaomai live a life of comfort and prosperity.
The night passed like this. The next day, Qiao Changshun summoned the workers who usually worked in his house to the fields. Qiao Xiaomai, on the other hand, went to find Yang Ye.
She needed to find out about the Retired Emperor’s daily food preferences, so as not to flatter him inappropriately.
Yang Ye was standing at the entrance to the village, watching the soldiers digging a deep trench. Ten meters deep and five meters wide, it completely surrounded Anping Village, making it seem like an isolated island.
Upon hearing of Qiao Xiaoinai’s purpose, he said, “The Retired Emperor is in good health and there’s nothing he can’t eat. As long as you don’t make anything too hard or indigestible, you should be fine.”
Qiao Xiaomai nodded and then asked, “Sir, could you help me make something out of iron, like this?”
She gestured the shape of an oven.
She was curious about the texture of the food baked with firewood.
After hearing her description, Yang Ye immediately sent someone to prepare it in the blacksmith’s shop in the town.
Qiao Xiaomai returned home, hitched up the ox cart, and prepared to go to town.
To satisfy the Retired Emperor as much as possible, some ingredients needed to be prepared now, such as fish and shrimp.
If they were raised with water from the Spiritual Spring, they would certainly taste better than those raised with ordinary water.
Sigh, this year she must set aside a few acres to cultivate with the Spiritual Spring water.
On one hand, these crops would be for their own consumption. On the other hand, they would be used to bribe nobles like Yang Ye.
With these thoughts in mind, she turned the ox cart towards the Tong Family’s residence.
Originally, she planned to be responsible for Tong Sanlang’s meals from now on. But given the current situation, the only thing she could provide for Tong Sanlang was sour plum soup in a clay pot.
Tong Xingda had returned.
After the commotion caused by Cen Hong yesterday, he had promptly rushed back to Anping Village.
Then he became severely anxious and worried.
With a sword hanging above his head, this situation was too unbearable.
When he saw Qiao Xiaomai, a light immediately shone in his eyes.
“Oh, Xiaomai, what are you making?” he warmly greeted her.
“Sour plum soup.” When giving gifts, she couldn’t just give them to Tong Sanlang. She had taken the largest clay pot and filled it with a big pot of sour plum soup.
“It’s for cooling down during the summer heat, for Elder Master Tong.” Qiao Xiaomai smiled.
By this time, Tong Sanlang had come over, “Are you going to town?”
“Yes, to buy some things.”
Tong Sanlang made a sound of agreement and fell silent. He was currently not allowed to leave the village, so he couldn’t accompany her.
Then Tong Xingda also joined them. Upon hearing Qiao Xiaoinai’s words, he happily said, “So, not just for your Elder Master Tong, others can also drink it?”
“With such a big clay pot, everyone can drink. Sanlang, take the pot back.”
As instructed, Tong Sanlang easily lifted the giant clay pot.
Qiao Xiaomai then addressed Tong Xingda, “Uncle Tong, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving first.”
“Go ahead, go ahead.” Tong Xingda, grinning, waved his hand.
He watched Qiao Xiaoinai’s figure retreating. Then he went back to the courtyard, saw Tong Sanlang coming out from the kitchen, and immediately beckoned him over. “Come here, I have something to say to you.”