Chapter 14: More people and less trouble

Su Tang put down the income account book last month, and picked up the expense account book again, with a puzzled expression on his face. It is said that these two accounts are nearly 1,320. How can there be only so much on the general account? I turned over a few pages, and the more I got confused, "Why are there so many people spending?"
Uncle Song is a man who is used to discerning and observing colors. When he saw Su Tang's frown, the more he frowned, he thought and explained, "These you see are the master's silver under the command of the lieutenant."
"Well, isn't it that the lieutenant-general has a dying court?"
"It's such a young lady. In these years, the situation has been tense, the war has continued, and the soldiers have suffered a lot of deaths and injuries. Although the court paid compassionate money, it was a sloppy salary. The young man was kind and adopted those disabled and familyless soldiers in the village outside. For family members, who have a difficult life, they must pay enough money each month. Furthermore, the young master also gives preferential treatment to those tenants. The land rent tax is very light. You look at this monthly amount and compare it with other estates. It ’s far worse than that. Even if the rents are collected, they are mostly used everywhere. Every month is exactly the same. Occasionally, some silver is left in the government's account. "
Su Tang nodded. He had previously heard that he was well-loved by the lieutenant generals, especially the black rider he created, all of whom lived and died with loyalty and loyalty. Now it seems that it is not unreasonable. . Holding his own silver post to supplement his men, not every general can do it, not to mention, it still takes ten years.
Su Tang stroked his forehead. Since all the land rent taxes collected from outside were used for the brothers of life and death, then the expenditure in this general's house can only rely on that little stag, how can it be!
Although fifty-two silver is not a small number, middle families with five or six people can save money and spend two years, but this is, after all, a general's mansion, a large house, and many family members. Where's the mother-in-law? Just two days after Su Tang came here, she saw countless people walking around. In the courtyard where she lived, she was afraid that there would be twenty people. So how many of the entire General Mansion really do n’t know? I'm afraid that the monthly payment of money to the housekeeper is not a small sum.
Su Tang deliberately searched the account of the next month's money. Although he was prepared, he was taken aback when looking at the total amount-one hundred and eighteen! As much as twice as cold noodles!
"How many people are there in this house?" Su Tang couldn't help asking.
"Mrs. Hui Shao said there were 121 people in the house and 31 people in Zhuangzi outside the house." Song Shu replied.
Su Tang listened to this answer and looked at the book. He was secretly surprised that the General ’s Mansion connected her to only three masters. Even if there were four Xiyuan, there were only seven, but there were 128 subordinates. There are also nearly twenty people waiting for the co-author.
Look at these people's monthly silver, the highest is the two housekeepers inside and outside—Jinxiu and Uncle Song, that is, three or two silvers in January. The other little girls and little sisters have 500 yuan. The monthly money is not much, but Can't stand so many people!
It's too wasteful.
"Do you need so many people in the house?" Su Tangyu took the book in his hand, put down and picked up another.
Uncle Song raised his eyelids and saw that she only looked at the account book in her hand, her tone was flat and could not hear anything, and she could not help turning her head quickly, wondering whether those words should be said, and the old lady reminded Madam that it was not right It's simple, and then he calms down and says, "Actually, it's not needed."
"Oh? How do you say that?" Su Tang was intrigued.
Uncle Song bowed his head and said in a hurry: "Among the hundred or so people in the house, when the emperor gave the house, the emperor gave ten maids, two old mothers, and ten young concubines. Later the old lady came and brought Six mothers, eight maids, and eight sisters-in-law. There were eight guards around the young master, and then twenty from the army were assigned as guards ... "
This is seventy-two people, plus the Song family ancestors and uncle Song, four in Xiyuan, and the magpie themselves, there are eighty-one people, so how come there are thirty people?
"This is actually enough, but in the past three years, the emperor and the ministers have successively rewarded or given some maidservants, which is unnecessary."
Su Tangdao said, "The emperor's reward will be fine. What can I give to the ministers? The government is not short of people."
Uncle Song glanced around and saw no one nearby, lowering his voice and saying, "It's common for ministers to give each other maids and sisters-in-law. Most of these people are nails planted in the various courts. You also know, master It's the court minister, and everyone will stare at every move. "
"Why do you know these people are nails?" Su Tang asked.
Uncle Song pursed his lips, apparently something inexplicable.
"You can say anything." Su Tang was straightforward.
"These were agreed by the young master."
amount? Isn't cold noodle willing to be watched?
"Master said, he is standing upright, it doesn't matter to peep."
Su Tang could almost imagine the bullish courage when he said this coldly, and he couldn't help sneering, "The money in my pocket is not enough to support my family, so I'm here for nothing!"
Uncle Song is ashamed, this young lady is too outspoken! But he also said what he was saying, God knows how hard he keeps his balance and expenditure every month!
"Say me, just return these people!" Su Tang was simply.
Song Shufu's face couldn't stand it, "No!"
"What?" Su Tang raised an eyebrow.
Uncle Song felt respectful, "This person has delivered it, accepted it, and there is no reason to return it!"
Su Tang thought about it, and felt the same, "Forget it, these people will just stay there, and next time someone will donate it, they just decline it!"
"Ah? What should the old slave say?" Uncle Song was a little embarrassed.
Su Tang spread his arms, "That's not easy, and the generals have no food left!"
"..." Uncle Song believes that if the young master hears this sentence, his face will be very unsightly. His young master is a very good-looking person. If he is not good-faced, he will not be so shy and hard to accept so much. Extra people-this is what he has always wanted to say but has never dared to say!
What a joke a general can't even afford a girl-in-law?
"Eh?" Su Tang found another new question, "It costs a lot of money to get married, how can I not remember it all?" The dowry banquet or whatever should be costly.
"Mrs. Hui's words, part of the silver money for the marriage was allocated by the palace, and part of it was the old lady's private house money.
"Oh? Dare to love my marriage and cost the emperor and the old lady." Su Tang was surprised and ridiculous.
Uncle Song also felt ridiculous. The emperor let the young master get married. The young master said that he had no money, and the emperor swiped down the silver. Those who offered gifts were still out of the palace. This shows how urgent the emperor's wish for the young master to get married However, it seems that this matter is not easy to tell Madam Young.
Uncle Song glanced at Su Tang and saw her looking down at the ledger without asking anything, she couldn't help but feel relieved.
"What about the gifts you received yesterday?" Su Tang was more concerned about this.
Uncle Song's eyelids jumped, and his eyes looking at Su Tang were different immediately-Madam young, don't despise it!
"It's all written in the yellow booklet below!"
Su Tang felt Uncle Song's gaze, but only smiled, and then generously took out the yellow-edge booklet, and at a glance, he wanted to vomit blood!
The five hundred dollars from the civil and military officials were all clear, some gave four treasures in the study, and others gave only one calligraphy and painting, and they made it by themselves! Among the ministers, the prime minister's courtesy is the thickest, but it is only 800 yuan plus a ring!
"These ministers are really good enough!" Su Tang bluntly said, she remembered that when the four sisters were married, the prefecture of Zhixian sent gifts more than this waist! These are all Beijing officials too!
Uncle Song wiped the sweat from his forehead. The master really couldn't help it. "Actually, these are unwritten rules set by the young master."
Su Tang listened to her, but she wanted to know how the General Song set the rules.
Uncle Song brewed it and carefully said: "In the past few years, the grandson of Prime Minister Li was married, the master sealed five hundred wen as a gift. He also said that the war situation was unstable and frugal, and the emperor took it seriously. I used five hundred pennies as a standard. "
So now it's Feng Shui's turn to finally come home? Su Tang was ashamed.
After simply flipping through the ledger and asking a few more words, Su Tang had a general understanding of the general's situation. Got it, I can't help but have a headache-people have more money and less trouble, this is not a good place to be!
"All these years, you and your aunt Fairview have suffered!" In the case of not making enough money to make ends meet, there are still a few hundred dollars more on the account. What a great deal of care! The eyes of Su Tang looking at Uncle Song were heavy and admired.
Uncle Song was almost grateful, and finally met an understanding young lady. God knows how painful he is when he reports to the young master every time-this master, die to save face and suffer, spend money like running water, and completely disregard the existence of the government. How much silver two! What a humiliation and sadness he had to make a calculation for a general's housekeeper for a copper plate! I dare not say hello to my colleagues when I go out!
After Song Shu left, the room was quiet. Su Tang put his chin on and listened to the birds crying outside. He watched the smoke in the incense burner, his brows frown, and his sorrow was extremely sad.
Magpie looked at the picture of her own lady and knew that she was going to complain again. Sure enough, after sighing, Su Tang began to mumble.
"Little magpie, your lady ’s life is terrible! You still have to take care of the house shop when you are married, and you have to clean up such a mess! Look at you, you see, there are so few people, so many people I ca n’t afford it, whine, sorrow, and grief!
Su Tang grimaced and turned to a rejoicing,
Fortunately, Miss you, I have a foresight, and let the cold face go off early ...

"What!" Magpie's eyes are almost falling!
Su Tang wondered, "Did I not tell you?"
The magpie shook her head like a rattle.
"Oh, I tell you now."
Watching the lady go to the back room, Magpie quickly followed, and asked anxiously: "Why! Why do you want your aunt to take a break from school! Why are you doing this, miss? What a bad break! This is so bad She knew that her lady would not stop.
Su Tang suddenly stopped and the magpie almost ran into it.
Su Tang teased out: "Your aunt and your lady are tired of seeing each other, so you have to take a break from school, understand?"
"I don't understand!" Murmured in joy, "Miss, you just married here for two days, and what you say is boring, I think my aunt is fine! Miss, don't be upset!"
"Ah, it's only been two days, you just turn your elbows out!" Su Tang poked at Magpie's head.
"It's not the uncle's eccentric eccentric, it's the lady. You are too unreliable!" Magpie is righteous.
A sly smile flashed in Su Tang's eyes, and he approached Magpie's ears and said, "You are my dowry, and you want to enjoy the cold noodles. At that time, I will send you to her to pass through the house. Can help a waiter! "
Su Tang was a joke, but Xixi listened shyly and annoyed, and stomped, "Miss you, you are dead!"
Su Tang is innocent. "It's not a day or two thing that I'm bad. It's not a day or two thing that you know me anymore. Now I know it's too late!"
Magpie knew that she couldn't pull her tongue, and she no longer tangled, and her head turned and said, "Miss, don't you like your aunt at all?"
Su Tang sighed, and said whether it is true or false, or false, and said, "Like it is like it, but your aunt does not like us. As a result, Su Tang frowned again to make Xizi hold his heart.
Who knew that Magpie didn't look at her, only looking at Su Tang, her face changed, "General ... General!"
Su Tang was startled, and Huo Ran turned around. At the door, Song Shi'an struck Mo Yi and stood upright, but this expression-about Mo is not very good-looking.