Qingyu Case: Female Minister of Dali Temple

After Fu Jiu asked everyone to leave, only Chen Shao and three Yulin guards were left in the side hall.

The three Yulin guards standing at the door were whispering and wondering whether Li Tianliu had really gone to Jianwei County.

Chen Shao listened carefully for a few words, and seeing that they didn't know where Li Tianliu was, he turned his attention back to the new clues provided by the families of the victims.

Except for not seeing the scene, the body or the autopsy report, she already knew almost everything about the case.

At present, there are quite a few suspects listed, but none of them are related to the "Quan" symbol left by the murderer at the scene, or in other words, no clues that can be found to connect them have been found.

Even if the "all" symbol is just a cover, there is currently no evidence that the suspects listed are "familiar" with all the victims.

I still have to go to Xitang County to see the scene in person and find out about the deceased's interpersonal relationships. After collecting the clues, Chen Shao rubbed his brows, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes slightly, and began to think about the arrangements he would make in Xitang County.

Although Hongyuan County has not yet gotten completely on track, all the necessary arrangements have been made, and it is only a matter of time before it gets completely on track.

She couldn't stay here forever. Whether it was the collapse of the Shipailou or the case in front of her, they were obviously aimed at her. If she continued to stay here, she didn't know how much more trouble the former princelings would cause.

However, although she had made arrangements early on, and Liu Deming and others were gradually able to take on responsibilities, it was not possible for her to just leave without caring about anything. But how should she arrange it?

Before Chen Shao could figure out a comprehensive solution, Chan Yi came back with Li Tianliu.

Li Tianliu's face was tinged with a hint of embarrassment and discomfort, and the tips of his ears were also slightly red, while Chanyi's face was full of sarcasm.

The two of them entered the side hall one after the other. Before Chen Shao could ask, Chan Yi said, "He is sleeping in Xiuzhu Academy, and he threatened Master Wen not to reveal his whereabouts."

Chen Shao glanced at Li Tianliu, then looked back at her, and asked with a smile: "How do you know he is at Xiuzhu Academy?"

Chan Yi said as a matter of course: "Since he wants to hide from the young master, he must not be in the prefectural governor's mansion. Huimin Pharmacy and Shipailou have many people and gossips, so he must not be in these two places. Shuyu is the young master's man, so he can't hide in the Zhu family or Gu family. Excluding these places, isn't there only Xiuzhu Academy left?"

Xiuzhu Academy was the name given to the school by Wen Ying. He came to her a few days ago to ask for a name, saying that he would carve it into a plaque and hang it on the gate. He also said that there were only children from Huimin Pharmacy in the academy now, and after the New Year, he planned to find some more children to study there. He also said that the Imperial Academy was idle now, and the teachers had nothing to do, so he had already made an agreement with many people to let them teach there after the New Year.

His ideals were very ambitious, so Chen Shao asked Quan Shuyu to allocate another 100 taels of silver to him for educational expenses.

"Master Wen was relieved to see me coming over." Chan Yi rolled her eyes at Li Tianliu and continued, "He just took advantage of Master Wen's kindness and didn't bother with him."

"No need to look at me," Li Tianliu sat down opposite Chen Shao in response to her teasing gaze, "I've already said that if you want to go to Xitang County, I will go with you, and you don't need to persuade me, there's no room for negotiation on this matter!"

"I don't intend to persuade you," Chen Shao smiled, "I have asked Fu Jiu to invite Qi Ye and the others. I will arrange for them to take care of Hongyuan County themselves."

Li Tianliu obviously didn't believe it, but he didn't refute it.

Half an hour later.

Qi Ye, Zhao Liangzhu, Liu Deming and others arrived one after another.

After Quan Shuyu helped Chanyi add tea to everyone, Chen Shao raised his hand and gently knocked on the tea table twice, interrupting everyone's whispers: "I'm sure you've all heard that the people from Xitang County came to me to solve the case. The case in Xitang County is a bit complicated. It's hard to catch the murderer based on just a few words from these people, so I asked you to come here today to make unified arrangements for your follow-up work."

"Sir, are you going to Xitang County?" asked the Seventh Master.

Chen Shao nodded.

Zhao Liangzhu glanced at the uneasy expressions of the crowd and said loudly: "Xitang County is a bit far from Hongyuan County, but with your ability, it will take at most two months to go back and forth."

Chen Shao smiled and said, "It's hard to say how long it will take to go back and forth. Investigating a case is like doing business. It's always unknown when the goods can be sold. But what is certain is that even if I can come back in two months, it won't take long before I leave again, forever."

Without waiting for everyone to discuss, he continued, "The future of Hongyuan County depends on you, not me. I have been thinking about how to test whether you are capable of taking on the responsibility of revitalizing Hongyuan County. There is no doubt that the case in Xitang County is a perfect opportunity. Just limit the time I have to go to Xitang County to investigate the case, and let me see your respective abilities."

After saying this, Chen Shao's gaze first fell on the Seventh Master.

Despite his advanced age, Qi Ye still straightened his back unconsciously.

"Let's follow the previous plan. Huimin Pharmacy will be the main pharmacy in Hongyuan County. From now on, all matters of the pharmacy will be under your full responsibility, including but not limited to the employment, purchase, expansion and development of branches." After pressing his hand to signal him to be patient, Chen Shao looked at Liu Chengxi again, "It's the same with you. From now on, the pharmacy over there will be the first branch of Huimin Pharmacy, and you will be fully responsible for it. However, your full responsibility only includes employment, purchases, etc. If you want to expand such a large expense, you need to discuss and decide with the main store, that is, the Seventh Master. I allocated 10,000 taels of reserve funds to Huimin Pharmacy earlier. You can also go to Miss Quan to get 5,000 taels of silver as a reserve fund for your branch store."

After Liu Chengxi readily agreed, Chen Shao looked at Zhao Liangzhu again.

Zhao Liangzhu immediately sat up straight.

Chen Shao smiled and signaled him not to be nervous, then said, "During the time I'm in Xitang County, you have to take over the comprehensive shops of the Zhu, Gu, Fan and Qi families as soon as possible, as well as all the shops that have been confiscated by each family, whether they are still in operation or have been vacant. For the shops that are still in operation, you have to make reasonable plans, such as continuing to operate, merging with similar shops, or closing them. For the shops that have been vacant, you must also make plans and not leave them vacant all the time. The people of Hongyuan County and several counties under its jurisdiction almost don't have to pay taxes for three to five years, but during these three to five years, they can't really have no income, so the tax gap will fall on your side of the business tax."

Zhao Liangzhu agreed with a solemn expression but a hint of excitement.

Chen Shao looked at the Seventh Master and Liu Chengxi again, "Within three days, after the medicine shop is completed, decide whether it needs to be expanded and how big it should be, and then consult Uncle Liang Zhu. As long as the plan is reasonable, the required shop space can be allocated to you for free. After that, at least within fifty years, if it needs to be expanded, you will need to pay for leasing or purchasing it yourself."

Qi Ye and Liu Chengxi nodded at the same time.

Chen Shao looked at Xu Shifang, also known as Master Xu.

Master Xu's expression turned serious the moment she looked at him.

Chen Shao curled his lips and was about to speak when Wen Ying suddenly interrupted, "Sir, can you allocate a few shops to Xiuzhu Academy?"

Fearing that she would not allow it, Wen Ying explained hesitantly: "Although Huimin Pharmacy only has more than 60 students now, the store will grow bigger and bigger in the future, and the number of students will also grow bigger and bigger. Xiuzhu Academy only has two shops. Although it is enough to accommodate more than 60 people, there is not much room for activities. If more than 60 people come, I am afraid it will seem cramped."

Chen Shao said: "Then you should also plan how many shops you need and go to discuss with Uncle Liang Zhu. After that, just like the medicine shop, if you need a shop again, you have to find a way yourself."

Wen Ying stood up excitedly and said yes.

Chen Shao waited for a while, and after making sure that no one interrupted him, he looked at Master Xu again. He first asked Master Xu about the results of herbal medicine cultivation, and then continued: "I have handed over the medicine shop to Master Qi and Liu Chengxi, and the matter of herbal medicine cultivation will be handed over to you. You decide how many herbs to plant and which herbs to plant. The herbs grown must be supplied to the Huimin Herbal Medicine Shop first. If there are any surpluses, you can buy and sell them freely. Whether it is supplied to the Huimin Herbal Medicine Shop or the money earned from free trading, except for normal taxes, you can deal with it. Of course, the premise of your disposal is that you cannot owe wages to the people who planted herbs for you, and you also need to take on the responsibility of training excellent doctors or talents in breeding herbal medicine."

Master Xu said three good words in a row.

Chen Shao also reminded Qi Ye and Liu Chengxi that in the future, when purchasing medicinal materials for Huimin Pharmacy, they should first purchase them from Master Xu before turning to Liu Deming, Xu Xianmin and Sun Qi.

With the three people's expectant eyes, Chen Shao smiled and said, "From now on, the three of you will be in charge of the warehouse. Just like Zhang Ruyuan and the others, you three are equals. No matter how big or small the matter is, you must discuss and decide with each other. There is only one assistant general of the warehouse, assistant general of the household, and assistant general of the judicial department. Who will be competent in the end depends on your own ability."

The three of them looked at each other, and their eagerness to fight was immediately apparent.

"Healthy competition, no cliques or tricks behind the scenes." After Chen Shao reminded him, he continued, "Also, when the matter of the Shipailou is settled, the three of you can help me tell the other students to find a way to divide the villages in Hongyuan County and the three counties under its jurisdiction. After the division, come to Chanyi for filing. After the filing, whoever gets the village will be in charge of it in the future. This management is not simply to resolve disputes, but to manage every aspect of each village's annual grain production, income, education, medical care, etc. Three years is a unit, and the manager of the village that has performed well for three consecutive years will directly replace the poorly performing one among you, and the rotation will be in this way."

The three people who were ready to fight just now suddenly felt a huge pressure.

Quan Shuyu, who originally thought that he was the only one who would stay, was instantly relieved when he heard that Chanyi was also going to stay.

Only Li Tianliu stared at Chen Shao with a sinister look.

Chen Shao ignored him and turned to Wang Cong, and continued to make arrangements: "Please help me train 100 people, Mr. Wang. These 100 people will stay in the prefectural governor's mansion or the county government to serve. The prefectural governor's mansion or the county government will pay them monthly wages."

Wang Cong asked, "Your Excellency wants to abolish the labor service for the people?"

Chen Shao shook his head: "Whether it can be cancelled depends on whether it is feasible to hire people with monthly wages. If it is not feasible, they will still need to perform labor service."

Wang Cong nodded and agreed.

Chen Shao thought about it and explained everything that needed to be explained. As for the details that were not explained, she let them solve them themselves. If there were any problems, it would not be too late to correct them after she returned from Xitang County.

Thinking of this, Chen Shao said, "I have arranged everything here. If you have any questions, you can raise them now."

The Seventh Master asked first: "Miss Chanyi and Miss Quan are not going to Xitang County with you, Master?"

"Yes," Chen Shao glanced at Li Tianliu from the corner of his eye, "Miss Quan has a lot of things on her plate, so it's inconvenient for her to leave. Miss Chanyi stayed mainly to help her hand over these things."

"Since Miss Chanyi and Miss Quan are going to stay, then we will have no problem." Zhao Liangzhu said.

The others nodded in agreement when they heard this.

"Since there is no problem, then..." At this point, Chen Shao suddenly paused, and after a long while, he smiled and said, "I was so busy arranging things that I forgot the most important thing, the monthly salary. You didn't get any monthly salary when you worked with me before, and I didn't think about it until you mentioned it. How about this, you each go back and think about how much monthly salary is appropriate for you and your subordinates. Once you have thought it through, write it down and give it to me before dark tomorrow."

After they nodded in agreement, they chatted for a while before leaving one after another.

Li Tianliu did not leave.

After everyone else had gone away, he said coldly, "You let them stay in Hongyuan County?"

Chen Shao nodded: "You heard it too. There are still many things to do in Hongyuan County. If you follow me, will you not want Hongyuan County anymore?"

Li Tianliu stood up and sneered, "Do you think you can force me to surrender by doing this?"

Chen Shao pressed the corner of his mouth and pretended to be puzzled: "How did I force you to submit?"

Li Tianliu snorted coldly and turned away: "You know in your heart how you forced me to do this!"

Chen Shao looked at his back, smiling: "I'm not sure."

Li Tianliu sneered twice and walked away without looking back.

"Let's go, go back and pack up, the earlier we go, the earlier we can come back." Chen Shao also stood up and went back to Chengfeng Courtyard.