Prologue 3, the lament of the lady

"You ruthless one, why have you come again?"

My money, my money, my money!

"Last year has come, why have you come again this year?"

It has not been just one or two years that my wife has been concerned about the assets of the Duke of Lai's residence.

Send more people!

Mrs. Hu gently adjusted the heavy golden hairpin on her head, tightened the fire fox fur cloak wrapped around her body, and sighed with a frown: "Why is it that other families are so wealthy?"

However, Mrs. Hu has developed this habit over the years

She asked the two young maidservants beside her in a soft tone, "What do you think, our household's account books at the end of each year are only this thick."

Similarly, occupying the northern side of Anlefang, the mansion covers an area of over a thousand acres and is exceptionally magnificent

Wuwu, wuwu, go report to the authorities, report to the authorities, use the magistrate's name to report to the authorities

Knock the Xiezhi bell

Moreover, in today's sky filled with drifting snow and dense red clouds, Madam Hu can only see the frozen center of the canal, where teams of sleds transport goods, and groups of mischievous boys drilling holes in the ice to fish

That wealth, akin to a library of gold and silver treasures.

Send more people!

This restaurant ... ...

This firewood store

Tian Enhou, this is the origin of such a new aristocracy

I heard that the account books they compile at the end of each year are as thick as five or six feet

Half an hour later, in the hall of the Tian'en Marquis's residence, the angry scolding of Madam Hu could be heard

The previous year has come, and last year has also come

The two young maids did not dare to speak up

Early in the morning, as dawn was just breaking, the mistress of the Tian'en Marquis's residence, Madame Hu, dressed herself neatly and, panting slightly, with the assistance of two young maidservants, climbed somewhat laboriously to the highest pavilion in the back garden of the marquis's residence, stretching her neck to gaze towards the west

Every morning, if she does not take a glance at the movements of the Duke of Lai's residence from this building, she finds no pleasure in even her meals throughout the day

My money, my money, my money! Ah, ah, ah, ah

This dental clinic ... ...

In the inventory of the cloth shop, there are more than ten pieces of fine fabric that have been dampened by rain. Although they have lost some color, they are still exquisite items that ordinary wealthy individuals would hesitate to wear. They can be used to make you new clothes. In the entire capital, apart from myself and the scholars, where else can you find such a generous host? You should just enjoy this in secret

Even during the finest weather, standing on this loft, one cannot see any activity from the Duke of Lai's residence

Why can't you change to a family that steals?

"Ah, this wealth!" Mrs. Hu gritted her teeth and directed a fierce glare towards the direction of the Duke of Lai's residence, stamping her foot forcefully. "Call the steward, the manager, and the accountants over here; the New Year is almost upon us, and I need a clear report on the year-end accounts."

This fabric store

Anlefang is located to the east of Min'anfang, and there is an artificial canal separating the two markets.

Two young maidservants were contemplating their mistress's past behavior, holding their breath cautiously and bowing their heads deeply

Well, everything else is quite good. This jewelry store has indeed made quite a profit, surprisingly earning 18,000 guan more than last year! Oh dear, do not say that I, the lady, mistreat the servants; you are all my own children. I am the most generous, fair, and just in rewarding and punishing. I have never had any complaints about you.

A quarter of an hour later, in the backyard of the Tian'en Marquisate, Madam Hu's cries, as if she had lost her own father and mother, and the sound of books being read rose to the heavens

Unlike Min'an Fang, which is inhabited by royal relatives and founding heroes, the residents of Anle Fang are mostly the newly wealthy of the later national dynasty

You must be cautious, for if you lose a single coin, be wary of your solitary plight

Due to the immense favor bestowed by the Emperor, the scale of the Tian'en Marquisate is even larger than that of an ordinary Duke's residence.

My money, my money, my money...

Even thieves have their principles; what you are doing is unethical and inhumane, ruthlessly exploiting our family!

Upon mentioning the term 'general ledger', Madam Hu's eyes suddenly brightened.

You useless bunch of good-for-nothings

After a busy half day, by evening, Madam Hu finally clapped her hands in satisfaction: "Alright, settled, secured, someone come, take the silver coins collected from each shop and properly store them in the treasury"

The two young maids became increasingly hesitant to speak

Even the commotion on the street densely lined with taverns and restaurants across the canal was not discernible to Mrs. Hu's keen eyes

It is evident that the three of you, as shopkeepers, have not put in the effort this year. Why has there been no increase in profits at all

These three grain stores, hetushu.com, have not changed much compared to last year. This year's profits are also quite similar to those of last year

Sound the mourning drum

"The lord has entrusted you with the responsibility of guarding the house, is this how you fulfill that duty?"

A worthless product raised on pig feed

Unless all the male descendants of the direct line of the Duke of Lai's family perish completely, the vast wealth of the Duke of Lai's family will never be within the reach of the Tian'en Marquisate

Tsk tsk

This silk shop's profit this year has decreased by a full 820 guan compared to last year. Where has this money gone? Drag it out, and thoroughly, diligently, and carefully investigate. Where has this money gone? I want it recovered in full.

Alright, I will not pursue you any further, but do not expect any rewards. Go back and work diligently and earnestly as the new year begins. If things remain the same next year, be wary of your isolation.

However, although Lord Tian'en hails from the Duke of Lai's residence, he has now established his own household and lives separately. Despite being a descendant of the Lu family from Jingyang, he has long since separated from the Duke of Lai's family.

This year the harvest is good, during the New Year, my wife and I will make a new garment for each of you, it will be stunning!

Unable to catch that thief, no one should expect to have a good year

How could they possibly afford such a large fortune

Deserving to be subjected to a thousand cuts, those without brains

This vinegar shop

In addition to the trees, the exquisite patterns carved on the stone bases of the courtyard walls beneath the Tian'en Marquisate's walls are also very clear, exuding a sense of fresh vitality.

This Zhuangzi

Last year came, and the year before that also came

This inn ... ...

The location of the Duke of Lai's residence is relative to the location of the Marquis of Tian'en's residence in Anlefang, with an artificial canal and more than half of Min'anfang separating the two.

The walls of the Duke of Lai's residence, with their stone-carved patterns long covered in moss, bear the marks of wind and rain, naturally exuding an air of historical accumulation befitting a noble family

You, the esteemed shopkeeper, in this day and age, earning money is quite difficult. Therefore, my lady has decided to grant you twenty, no, ten guan, so you can return and enjoy a prosperous year.

However, compared to the Duke of Lai's residence in Min'an Fang, the trunks of the green pines and cypress trees in the courtyard of the Marquis of Tian'en's residence are considerably thinner. The various plum trees planted in the Duke of Lai's courtyard have trunks as thick as water jars, while the plum trees cultivated in the Marquis of Tian'en's residence are each slender, only about the size of an arm.