Chapter Thirty Three

Seeing that the house was tidy up, Nanny Lian asked : "Madam, it's stand the reason that we just move here and we have to say hello to the neighbors . But tomorrow will be the Laba festival , why not make a Laba porridge and send it to tha neighbors and say hello along the way?".

Yang Haiyan agreed to Mammy Lian's idea; " You will make the arrangements ."

It's different to have a helper by her side. A Mammy like Mammy Lian is different kind of servant who came from a second high ranking official. Other servant on the house, can't compare to Mammy Lian. So, she valued Mammy Lian more.

Mammy Lian was very happy when the wife agreed to her idea; " The slave and Nanny Fan will discuss it, we will cooked more Laba porridge tomorrow and send it to the neighbors , as well as the centurion under the master lead."

Such a servant that can gave a suggestion to master are valuable that those slaves who only listen.

Yang Haiyan nodded: "You can do it as you like".

Because tomorrow is Laba, so today's housewarming, the Qin family didn't celebrate and put simply tomorrow . After Qin Fang returned from duty,he saw Huang Huzi was guarding the house. He was one of the private guards of Qin Fang.

Huang Huzi stepped forward and took the reins from Qin Fang hands; " My lord is here".

Qin Fang nodded and went inside the house.

Behind Qin Fang was Kun Shi, who led the horse and went to the stable with Huang Huzi, there are goat and donkey in the stable.

Regardless of goat, horses and donkey, Uncle Hong in charge. Uncle Hong used to be a hunter and he knows a lot more animals than others.

Uncle Hong is not idle. During the day time, he will call one of the private guard and pick up a firewood. He will drive the donkey cart to transport the firewood so he need someone to accompany him. In the past Aunt Hong could accompany him but now it's inconvenient for Aunt Hong, specially with a child to care. Uncle Hong himself understands that among all servants, Aunt Hong have the easiest life because she has to take care of the children. So, he do more work and can't live up to the master's kidness.

Therefore , since Uncle Hong arrived, the house has never been a short of firewood and two goats are also fat.

Today the donkey cart moved several time today and it was very hard. So he needs to comfort it. Seeing Kun Shi and Huang Huzi pulling the horse over, he said; " Captain Kun and Guard Huang are here. Captain Kun do you want me to brush your horse?"

Kun Shi; "No need, I can brushmy own". He wanted to take care of his own horse so he will do it himself.

Huang Huzi joked; "The captain treats the horse as a woman".

Kun Shi; "Go..Go.. As if you have a woman."

Huang Huzi; "My woman was in hometown and she will come here after new year."

Now he was a private guard of commander and there is a monthly wages . The food and lodging are also available. He is happy, he can bring his wife here and live with her. So he write a letter to his hometown.

Of course, Yang Haiyan would object. Afterall, if there were no accidents , these private guards will follow Qin Fang for the rest of his life. How could they would separate to their family.

Moreover, Qin Fang's monthly salary is more that 8 taels of silver, which enough to support the family and private guards. The four private guards have 300 wen paid per month , the captain Kun Shi have 500 wen. Adding up to 800 wen, Qin Fang's salary is sufficient enough.

As for the other servants, the income of Yang Haiyan dim sum shop is sufficient . Although is was closed due to the disaster, during the opening the shop, the gross profit can surpass 12 taels silver a month.

Yang Haiyan thought that if wife the wife of these private soldier will come, she will open a new shop in a county seat and make Nanny Fan to manage it. Nanny Fan is her trusted person , she will be responsible for making a dim sum . It's enough for Aunt Hong and Nanny Fan to know the recipe.

As for Aunt Hong, she will contyto manag the town's dim sum shop. When she was busy, she can make the wife of the private guards for help. Anyway there's more than one private guards are married .

….

When Qin Fang came to the main court yard, he saw Nanny Yu guarding the court yard.

Nanny Yu hurriedly saluted when she him;

" Your excellency is here."

Her voice was a little quieter because of the low esteem, but she was more better when she came, she has now grown a little flesh. A bowl of goat milk is not for nothing.

Nanny Yu is someone who doesn't go anywhere and she doesn't gossip. She did the rough work every day and guarded the gate for Yang Haiyan. For her , it is safe to have a job.

As soon as Yang Haiyan herad that Qin Fang returned, she out down her work. She had nothing to do, so she make a close fitting clothes for Qin Fang because it was getting worn. Mammy Lian hurriedly fetched a basin of hot water and gave it to Qin Fang to wash his face and hands to eat dinner.

The couple eat their food ,while the private guards eat their food in their place.

Dinner was bacon and sauerkraut noodles . Qin Fang eat two more bowls, eating sauerkraut make people have appetite.

During the meal, Yang Haiyan ssked ; " Master , it's Laba festival tomorrow. Do you have laba porridge in the barracks?".

Qin Fang was take a back at the moment;

" No. I have never been eating a Laba porridge since I serve in the army. When i was in my hometown , my family will prepared it. Speaking of which, i will go home by next year and then i have a month vacation".

When Yang Haiyan heard this, she was very curious about the Qin family and even have some expectations. After all Mother Qin and Grandmother Qin gave a good impression . She hoped she could along with his family because she know that Qin Fang is a filial person; " Mother and Father must be happy to see Xianggong grown so tall".

Qin Fang feel sad; " I am doing well, i dont know if they fine.."

Yang Haiyan comforted him; " We'll found out when we go back next year. If they don't have a good time, we'll pick them up?" . She was inquiring if Qin Fang can hear her meaning. Naturally, Yang Haiyan didn't like to live with her in-laws. It is not unfilial , modern couple rarely live with their in-laws. But she didn't object the Qun family will come over, she can buy a yard in town and will make them live there. Because Qin Fang is the eldest son and eldest grandson so they cannot refuse them, more specifically, she have to get along with the in-law.

Qin Fang shook his head; " They will not come , our hometown is our roots and they would not get used to it. If possible we will visit them every two years. When the grandparents will come, for sure Aunts and my Uncles will come as well and the parents and grandparents will not approve it."

Yang Haiyan understood, Qin Fang was willing to pick up his grandparents and parents but not the other extra family.

Yang Haiyan changed the topic ; " Master, are you going to send Laba porridge to the soldiers of 18 districts tomorrow ?"

Laba festival have had a specific meaning. In Qigou , Laba festival is the day to worship god and ancestors, pray for a good harvest and prosperity. Therefore, on the Laba festival every year, friends and relatives will send Laba porridge each other to express their good luck.

Qin Fang heard Yang Haiyan asked about the soldiers of 18th district. He thought about it and ask; " How much does it cost to have more that a thousand of soldiers?".

Yang Haiyan chuckled.

Qin Fang was a little embarrassed ; " Don't laugh.."

He was serious. If he spent a lot of money, he would not prepare it at all. If he could afford it , of course he will do it once a year. But being laugh at by his wife made him shy.

Yang Haiyan already calculated it, more than a thousand soldiers . It will only cost almost 3 taels of silver. 2 bowls per person is not a problem. Two hundred catties of rice, one hundred catties of brown rice, peanuts, red beans, mung beans, longan, red dates and lentils.

The next day..

When it was slightly dawn,Nanny Fan and Uncle Hong wake up early to buy the ingredients for the Laba porridge. In fact, the house had already an ingredients , but it was enough for the them. So , if they add the thousand soldiers, the ingredients at home will be insufficient .After they buy all the materials they need, they hurriedly back . Several of big pot of porridge being cooked in the kitchen.

Good thing that the commander house have a separate kitchen. Nanny Fan can show off her cooking skills. She was quite happy. Originally, she wants to gain fave in front of the wife. But because of Mammy Lian presence, she couldn't compare to her at all. So , the kitchen were her way out to prove her value. Besides, kitchen is one of the important place in the house, as a servant being trusted is big confidence.

Well, Nanny Fan indeed is a good cooked. Although Yang Haiyan can cooked, she is not comparable in Nanny Fan in terms of skills and innovation. Nanny Fan's cooking are like in the modern chef, she cooked delicious food regardless of any type. This cooking skill are not limited by ingredients.

At noon at back door of the barracks…

Several donkey carts in a row towards the back door of the barracks, the guards immediately take a precaution fearing that there might be gonna happen.

After awhile, they saw Uncle Hong in front of the donkey cart and breath a sigh of relief because they Uncle Hong, he is the servant of Master Qin's family. Before the snow disaster, he would always delivered every meal to Master Qin every day.

More than a thousand of Laba porridge is being delivered but the donkey cart of the Qin is not enough , so Yang Haiyan rented another donkey cart in town.

Uncle Hong got off the cart and respectfully salute to the soldiers in guard; " hello gentleman, can you please call my lord?"

One of the soldiers say; " No problem, i will go now.. Uncle Hong can wait a moment ".

Another soldier asked; " Uncle Hong, are all these whole team are yours?"

Uncle Hong ; " Yes, today is Laba festival , the wife wants to give porridge to the soldiers in 18th district ".

When the other soldiers heard this , they were immediately envious .

Uncle Hong; " If the gentleman want it,the wife have prepared for you too".

The soldiers immediately said happily; " of course, i like it. I'll get a bowl.

"Bring my bowl too". Said the other one.

When Qin Fang got out, he came together with the 10 centurion soldiers of 18th district . They will help to carry the porridge. When they saw the several pot of Laba porridge in the donkey cart.. they are speechless. . 'My mother.. it's a lot of porridge'

The 10 centurion of 18th district carry the pot several times, going back and forth. It must known that the weight of each pot it's quite heavy, which is different from the dim sum. Some soldiers asked curiously and learned that the wife of Master Qin brought them a porridge to celebrate the Laba festival and they quiet move.

Soon, General Ao know about it and he thought to himself thag the wife of Qin Fang is a thoughtful person. General Ao have a cheek to join together with soldiers to eat the Laba porridge.

As soon as General Ao came, the other General who got the news also came to join the fun.

Since Yang Haiyan have the confidence to deliver a porridge to the soldier, the ingredients in it of course is not bad. Red dates and longan are precious , but peanut, red beans, mung beans . Etc.. are slightly cheaper, but the ingredients are sufficient.