Chapter Ninety-Four Recruiting Soldiers

  "You don't say it and I know..." Li Qizhen's wife nodded repeatedly.

  Shen Zhongge was a renowned general, and killing someone was as easy as swatting a fly. She didn't have the guts to spread these rumors outside.

  After chatting for a while, Li Qizhen's wife took out the Ganoderma lucidum she had brought with her. "I know you don't care about this now, but it's a token of our goodwill towards you and your brother Li. Please accept it." She sighed and said, "If it weren't for you saving Dogzi, we would have lost this lawsuit. Yesterday, as soon as I got back, your brother Li put Spring Brother under house arrest."

  Zhen Shining suddenly remembered that last night, Dogzi's mother had come in and kowtowed to her, insisting on giving her the ancestral white jade bracelet. "...I didn't want it either, but if Dogzi was saved, it was his good fortune. We're all neighbors, you're making me feel ashamed." In the future, they still need to open a pharmacy, and there are many places where they will rely on Li Qifu's couple, so she can't accept this lingzhi.

  Li Qizhen's wife immediately fell into a sulk, "Her family is poor and that jade bangle is an heirloom. You can't accept it from her, but you must accept this one from me!" She wasn't just being polite; she was truly grateful to Zhen Shiniang.

  It's no longer just a matter of good luck if you get into trouble with the authorities.

  "Knowing I'm not short of it, you still bring it to me!" Zhen Shi Niang slapped her hand away. "If you're really grateful to me, let Li Da Ge help me recruit a few honest and reliable young men tomorrow."

  She had thought it over, since Shen Zhongge didn't agree to reduce the workforce, she simply sent everyone to work at the pharmaceutical factory, which also saved on labor costs. Now let Li Qi help with the selection, and in the future when he takes over, it will be more convenient.

  These words were spoken sincerely, and Li Qizhen's wife was deeply moved in her heart. Without hesitation, she put away the Ganoderma lucidum and said, "How many young men do you want? What kind of people are they? I'll let Brother Li take care of it immediately."

  It's said that Zhen Shi Niang wants a few people who understand medicine. Li Qi's wife was shocked and widened her eyes, "Ah You is thinking..."

  "I can no longer practice medicine, so I'm thinking of doing some business with medicinal herbs..." Zhen Shi Niang said calmly.

  "Is..." Li Qizhen's wife gazed at Zhen Shiniang with sparkling eyes. She wanted to ask:

  Is it doing business with medicinal materials in the army?

  Why can't the two families work together? They can take a smaller share if they want!

  Zhen Shining has a renowned general behind her back, and taking on just one military business deal is a lucrative source of wealth. Even if she only takes a small share of the profits, it's still more profitable than Rui Xiang Medicine Shop!

  It's just that Zhen Shiniang's status is no longer what it used to be, and Li Qiao'er owed her a favor in the first place, so she couldn't bring herself to ask these questions.

  Watching her eyes sparkle, Zhen Shiniang understood her intention and had a plan in mind. However, Xiao Yu's side has not sent any news, and it is unknown when the medicine factory can be opened. It's still too early to discuss these matters now, so she smiled and chatted with her about other things.

  Zhen Shining didn't continue talking about the pharmaceutical factory, and Li Qiu's wife was slightly disappointed, but she had made up her mind. It was a rare opportunity to meet the famous General's wife, and she must hold on to this leg tightly.

  After sending off Li Qizhen's wife, Zhen Shiniang called for the magpie. "...I think I'll go to Beijing tomorrow." She mentioned her plan to cooperate with He Taigong Hospital to open a pharmaceutical factory, "...At least we can leave some property for Wen Ge and Wu Ge, so you won't have to rely on others in the future."

  The magpie was taken aback.

  Zhen Shining had also often said she wanted to open a pharmaceutical factory, but she never took it seriously and didn't think she would suddenly have to take action. "Can her body handle it?" She worried in her heart, opening her mouth to advise, thinking that Zhen Shining's life was not long, but Wen Ge and Wu Ge's road was still long, it was time to do something while Shen Zhongjie was willing to support them, so she nodded again, "...Miss will also take the opportunity to pay New Year's greetings to Mr. Xiao and Old Lady Xiao."

  "I mean it." Zhen Shi Niang thought for a moment, "Tomorrow I'll take Dong Ju with me." She smiled again, "That day I just listened to her speak fluently and bought her back, didn't expect she's actually a rare beauty... really found a treasure."

  The pimple on Dong Ju's face was cured by Zhen Shi Niang in a few days, and a white and delicate small face appeared, which was quite handsome.

  A small melon-seed face, delicate skin, a pair of willow eyebrows inserted into the temples slightly raised, young age, unexpectedly brought a hint of charm.

  "No, Miss is going to take Qiuju with her." Ji Kuai shook his head decisively, "Dongju doesn't trust the bottom, leave it at home and let the slaves watch it." Seeing Zhen Shiniang smile, he glared at her, "...the slave is telling the truth, these two days, the more I look at her words and deeds, the less she looks like a rough maid, that face full of acne doesn't seem to be allergic either."

  "She was poisoned by someone..." Zhen Shi Niang said calmly.

  The magpie opened its eyes wide.

  "Magpie Aunt just figured it out!" Qiuju said with a "you're really stupid" expression, "On the first day Winter Chrysanthemum came, Miss already noticed and had me investigate." Smugly glancing at Zhen Shiniang, "This matter is actually related to General, what a coincidence... she ended up by General's side..."

  It's said to be related to Shen Zhongjie, and Ji Kuai sat up straight, "......If you have something to say, say it quickly, don't keep us in suspense!"

  "What's the point of hiding it now? I've been saying that all along..." Qiuju muttered softly, then continued.

  When the news of Shen Zhong's triumphant return arrived, Old Lady began to arrange for buying people and adding children. She chose a personal maid for him, Dong Juan was among the most famous matchmakers in the capital city, Feng Ma, along with three other sisters who were all as beautiful as flowers. They were all trying to curry favor with the General's household, selling them at a good price. Feng Ma also put her mind to it, specially inviting people to teach etiquette, and tempting them by saying that if they could be chosen by the General's household, once they served the great general satisfactorily and were taken in as concubines, it would be a lifetime of glory and wealth.

  Even the best of sisters would turn against each other with such a great temptation.

  Among the four, Xuedongju was good at etiquette and had a transparent personality. Even the etiquette teacher praised her, saying that she was the most suitable to be the general's concubine this time. She also fantasized about flying high and becoming a phoenix from then on. However, on the day of the selection, early in the morning, her face started itching, and before arriving at the general's mansion, a layer of red rashes appeared.

  Feng's mother treated her for several months but couldn't cure her. In disappointment, she was sold to Liu's mother in Wutong Town.

  Qiu Ju was sweet and gentle, warm to people, and few could resist her sincerity. Zhen Shi Niang deliberately arranged for Dong Ju and her to be together, both as companions and with a hint of surveillance. Unexpectedly, after just a few days, Qiu Ju had already inquired about all the details. In the end, Qiu Ju sighed, "Because she was prepared to be sent to the general, the nanny's training was particularly strict, her demeanor was more elegant than everyone else's, and naturally, she didn't look like a coarse maid."

  "I say... " Ji Kuai snorted, "Really doesn't know the height of heaven and earth, thinking that just by being a concubine she can fly up to the top branch and tear apart her face to grab things!" She came from the Shangshu Mansion, where she had seen those concubines being beaten and abused by their masters' wives, and it was even more miserable than being a regular miss's personal maid. "How could they know that this is actually the real fire pit..." Her voice suddenly stopped, and Ji Kuai suddenly lifted her head, "Miss can't let her stay by your side, these two days have her do needlework in the slave quarters, and when Liu Ma comes again, have her take her away."

  With such a charming and seductive appearance, she will eventually capture Shen Zhongche's soul!

  Now Zhen Shiniang is not a ruthless person, she has a kind heart and will never argue with a concubine. Once she lets her get the upper hand, isn't it like inviting a wolf into the house?

  Zhen Shining suddenly felt a stir in her heart and slightly furrowed her brow.

  She treated it with her own hands, but the poison on Dong Ju's face was no ordinary one. How could a poor girl who had fallen to selling herself into slavery have this?

  With such a brilliant poisoning technique, that person went to great lengths to replace Dong Ju and enter the General's mansion. Was it just to be Shen Zhongge's concubine?

  "Miss!" Seeing Zhen Shining hesitating without speaking, Ji Kuai called out, "Did you hear what I said?"

  "I heard that..." Zhen Shining suddenly laughed, "If she really has the ability to climb onto the general's bed, I'll send her to the general's mansion and let her compete with Chu Xinyi."

  Shen Zhong's bell is not hers either, whoever likes to hook up with whoever hooks up, how many women he has is also none of her business.

  "Miss!" The magpie was getting anxious.

  "Joyful magpie aunt, rest assured, winter chrysanthemum sister is grateful to the young lady and will not have a second heart! ... She embroiders clothes for the young lady every day until midnight."

  At first, no one wanted to buy the brothel, and Dong Jiu had suffered all kinds of humiliation and ridicule for half a year. She thought her life was over, but unexpectedly, she was saved by Zhen Shi Niang, and she was extremely grateful.

  "Ten of you can't catch up with one of her cleverness!" Ji Kuai gave Qiu Ju a white eye, "You'd better be careful not to be cheated by her three good words, and help count the money after being sold."

  "The servant girl is just slow to react, Miss said that thinking about it for a while would be fine, not stupid." Seeing Ji Xiu glare at her, she continued, "Yesterday the scab on her face fell off, and there wasn't even a scar left, so I praised Miss's superb medical skills, and asked where Miss learned her medical skills..."

  The magpie was taken aback, "What did you say?"

  "Let me tell you..." Qiuju paused for a moment, then continued slowly, "Miss's poisonous skills are even more powerful than this. She can cure your face, but she can also make it worse than before." With a smug expression, she looked at Xikui, "Dongmei immediately turned pale and repeatedly promised me that she would never betray Miss and would never reveal the true identities of Wengong and Mugong."

  This chrysanthemum looks lovely and innocent, but it's actually quite fierce.

  Zhen Shiniang burst out laughing.

  After this display of kindness and intimidation, I believe Dong Ju will never have a second thought again.

  The magpie also put down her mind, only reminding in her mouth, "You can't be careless either, remember to leave a little heart for everything." For the safety of Jian Wu and Jian Wen, they couldn't make any mistakes.

  Chrysanthemum smiled and nodded in agreement.

  "I took her to the capital, also wanting to take another look at her temperament..." Zhen Shi Niang picked up the topic, "Letting Qiu Ju stay home with Wen Ge and Wu Ge makes me feel at ease."

  It's also true, so the magpie just nodded.

  Let the long river hire a carriage, good Jianji agglutinin, dried vegetables and fruits that were only dried in autumn, self-produced lotus seeds, self-made sausage, and packed up half a carriage. Although they are not valuable things, these are all made by Zhen Shiniang herself, which is her true heart and also has its own characteristics.

  Everything is ready, just wait for the sixth day of the first month to get up early and rush on the road.

  Who would have thought that at dusk, Rong Sheng arrived with a ceremonial entourage.