PNB Chapter 336 Xu Chaoqian sells his property
Chapter 336 Xu Chaoqian sells his property
Chapter 336 Xu Chaoqian sells his property
Seeing that there was no hope of being transferred back to Beijing, Xu Chaoqian changed his mind.
He looked at Xu Rongrong's face and said tentatively, "Sister Rong has a point. Your father has never been familiar with the ways of the officialdom, which is why he has been unable to climb the ladder for many years... However, although life in the northwest is difficult, it is not as complicated as the relationships in Beijing. The people in Weizhou are all rough and tumble. If you try to make some effort, it won't be difficult to get along with them."
Xu Rongrong knew Xu Chaoqian too well, and she knew what her father was going to say next - asking for money.
Sure enough, Xu Chaoqian continued: "But you know, the housekeeper Xu Liu used to be very capable on the surface, but in fact she made a huge loss from lending money at high interest rates. Your father tried every possible means to stop the loss and even sold the only two porcelain shops for this purpose..." Xu Rongrong nodded: Yes, the deeds of the two shops were lying in her small box.
"It's my fault for trusting Xu Liu too much that we've ended up like this... To be honest, the money I used to spend on my appointment in the northwest was squeezed out of Xu Liu's dowry by your second sister... Now all the money I have is almost gone, and I can only wait until the end of the year when I receive my salary to ease the pressure. If I return to the northwest, I'm afraid I'll be left with nothing, not even enough to support one or two attendants."
He spoke with a sorrowful look on his face, and only hoped that the county lady's daughter in front of him would take the initiative to lend a hand and support him.
"I never thought that my father's life would be so hard." Xu Rongrong sighed.
"Yes, otherwise I wouldn't have come to Rong Jie'er to ask this..."
Xu Rongrong nodded and said, "I understand your difficulties. If there's anything I can do to help, please feel free to ask."
Xu Chaoqian was overjoyed upon hearing this. "Since Sister Rong is so willing, this shouldn't be difficult... Your marriage to the Marquis is imminent, and whether it's the betrothal gifts from the Marquis or the rewards from the palace, they're bound to be substantial! I wonder if you could lend me some temporarily. I'll definitely return it in full when my salary comes in at the end of the year."
Xu Rongrong smiled and said, "Look at what father said... If you're short of money, why would you need to borrow from me? I'll naturally offer whatever I have. However, the Marquis lost both his parents when he was young, and this marriage was personally arranged by His Majesty. Therefore, all matters are being handled by the Imperial Palace, and all betrothal gifts and rewards are registered. I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to fulfill your father's wishes."
Xu Chaoqian: "..."
Is this road blocked again?
But facing his daughter's words, he couldn't think of any reason to refute them. After all, it was all a matter of the royal family...
Seeing Xu Chaoqian's face darken, Xu Rongrong blinked. "But father, don't worry. If you're short on money, I'll definitely find a way to make up for it. But compared to the current crisis, I think there might be a way to solve the long-term spending problem." Hearing about money, Xu Chaoqian's eyes lit up. "Rongjie, what's your plan?"
"Father, do you still remember the manor outside Beijing?" Xu Rongrong asked with a smile.
"That... was the first property my father bought after arriving in Beijing. It was used to house the servants he brought from the old house. How could I not remember that?"
"My daughter heard that my second sister has laid off many people in the mansion in the past few months to cut expenses, but the manor has not been touched..."
Xu Chaoqian nodded. "That's true, but there are only five or six farmers there. Even if we cut them off, it won't save much money. Even though the farm hasn't been very successful in recent years, it still needs someone to look after it."
"Father also said that there's nothing promising in the manor... Why do we still want to keep it?"
"Huh?" Xu Chaoqian was stunned. Xu Rongrong continued, "The people father brought to the capital from the old house must have been useful people. But for so many years, he hasn't been able to manage the farm in the capital well. This shows that the difference in crops between the north and the south is huge. These farmers are helpless. So why not take this opportunity to sell the farm? Father can send the farmers back to the old house, so that their skills won't be wasted. This is one reason. In addition, the reduction in population will save money in the capital and solve the crisis that father is facing. Isn't it killing three birds with one stone?"
Seeing Xu Rongrong's logical analysis, Xu Chaoqian nodded subconsciously: "Sister Rong's method is quite good."
But soon, he remembered something: "But... Min Jie'er is still at the farm?"
Last year, Xu Minmin deliberately stopped the sick Xu Rongrong and did not allow her people to ask for a doctor. Even the Queen knew about this and sent Eunuch Wang to reprimand him in person, right in front of his immediate superior Lu!
So after returning home, he directly sent Xu Minmin to the manor, where she has lived ever since.
After hearing what he said, Xu Rongrong looked quite surprised: "Why hasn't father brought my third sister back yet? Father... is too cruel."
Xu Chaoqian: "..."
Aren't I just trying to vent your anger?!
How come I am the one who is cruel!
He was about to make some excuses when Xu Rongrong continued, "Minjie'er is young and impatient. She acted impulsively, which is why she caused your father to be scolded by the Empress. However, it's been half a year since that incident, and Minjie'er has been reflecting on it for so long at the manor. I'm sure she's realized her mistake... Father, why don't you take this opportunity to bring her back and take care of the manor affairs at the same time? That way, before your father returns to the northwest, Minjie'er can still fulfill her filial duties by your side."
In fact, when Xu Rongrong mentioned selling the farm just now, Xu Chaoqian's heart was moved.
Xu Liu's dowry was gone, at least Xu Yaoyao couldn't squeeze out any money. All that was left was to sell the larger items in her dowry. But once they started pawning these things, people would surely know that the Xu family was short of money! After all, he had been an official in the capital for ten years and couldn't afford to lose face.
But selling a farm is different. Exchanging properties is the most common thing for powerful families.
Land in the capital is more valuable than gold, and the farms in the suburbs of the capital are no less valuable. This way, not only can he solve his current crisis, but the extra money can also allow him to buy some property in Weizhou!
He stood up and said, "Sister Rong is absolutely right. I will go find a suitable dental clinic right away."
Xu Rongrong smiled and said, "Don't worry, father. Selling the farm will not be done overnight. I still have some money. Let me give it to you first to help you out."
So she called Wen Yao.
Xu Chaoqian was overjoyed when he heard this. This trip was truly worthwhile. He accepted the five hundred-liang silver notes and said with a smile, "Sister Rong is so thoughtful! When you go back tonight, I'll have someone clean up your yard and come back to take you home in two days. You can just focus on preparing for your marriage."
How could Xu Rongrong agree? She glanced at the banknotes in Xu Chaoqian's hand with embarrassment: "But if my daughter marries out of the mansion, won't it increase the burden on my father?"
Xu Chaoqian was stunned.
This is true...