Traveling through time as a peasant girl to turn things around

The time in the space was long and there was enough time to sleep. After everyone had a good sleep, they got up, washed up, and picked fruits and vegetables. Ye Heng looked at the beef pot, tasted the meat, and when it was done, he put it in a basin. Guoguo and his son came out last. Seeing that the vegetables were almost picked, they said, "It's time to go out. Everyone close your eyes." "Okay!" Everyone shouted in unison. In a daze, everyone went out to Guoguo's room. Ye Heng said, "Okay, everyone, forget about what happened tonight and don't say anything. Go outside." Guoguo put out the baskets and basins of prepared food, vegetables, and fruits. Ye Heng then said, "Everyone go carry the things and put them in the main hall." Guoguo said, "Put the meat in the kitchen. Carry the vegetables and fruits for gifts to the main hall!" Ye Heng said, "Okay. Everyone do as I say."

Everyone was laughing and carrying their belongings to the main hall. Ye Heng held his son, Chai Zhen held Chen'er and Xiaoxiao. Everyone had a smile on their face. Old Lady Li, along with her sons and daughters-in-law, also arrived one after another.

Qin, chess, calligraphy and painting were all at home and put the meal on the table together. Qin stayed at the gate to guard it while everyone else went to eat. According to the rules of the Chai family, servants and masters ate at the same time, but not together. They had a special room as a dining room for everyone to eat, just like a canteen. Guests also ate here.

Someone in the kitchen washes the fruits for use after dinner.

The breakfast was very rich, with millet porridge made with spiritual spring water, pork rib soup, and last night's mutton soup. Everyone could drink whatever soup they wanted, and there were flower rolls, bean buns, meat buns, sugar buns, and cakes. There were both meat and vegetables, as well as milk and egg custard. Old Mrs. Li fed Huangbao, Li Ru served Xiaoxiao rice to eat, and Fu Zhaoxia also served her son rice. Xiaochen also ate by himself and didn't want his mother to feed him. Chai Ping'an drank milk. He was used to it and would drink a bowl of milk first every day. Ye Heng served him more than half a bowl of mutton soup and said, "Dad, try it." Chai Ping'an: "Okay." After hearing that it was mutton soup, Chai Ping'an was sweating all over and said, "This is good to drink in winter. It warms you up." Guoguo said, "I usually drink this at night in winter. Of course, you can drink it at any time. Chili peppers warm the stomach, and mutton is also a hot food. People with cold bodies should eat more."

Everyone ate their fill at the meal. Afterward, they skipped the fruit and gave it to the rest of the family. Ye Heng and Guo Guo distributed the items. Guo Guo said, "One basket of durian per family, and the same with the other fruits. Apples can get two baskets." Ye Heng glanced at them and said nothing. Guo Guo then moved on to the wine. "Moutai is so precious, so each family gets one bottle." Ye Heng nodded. "Two bottles of Congtai wine per family, Henan wine, Lao Baige wine, red wine, and so on." The wine alone filled a large basket. Mid-morning, Ye Heng summoned the butler, Ye, to load the carriages with gifts for the New Year's gifts, which were delivered to each household. The butler asked, "Your Highness, I have prepared gifts too." Ye Heng said, "Load them all." The butler said, "That's too much." Ye Heng said, "No problem, more is more." The butler said, "Okay, I'll go right away." The butler arranged for the guards to load the carriages. This year, there were so many gifts, so each household got two. The butler worked all day to finish delivering them. Li Dong came in the evening and said, "This year's gifts are too much. I haven't even prepared them yet." Guo Guo said, "My uncle is busy, Guo Guo doesn't mind."

Guoguo called Chai Tao and said, "How's the work going before the New Year?" Chai Tao said, "Almost done. All the orders before the New Year have been completed. The next work will be after the New Year." Guoguo said, "Well done. Let's have a holiday early this year! Go and get everyone to collect the New Year's goods and distribute them to everyone. Let's go home and rest for the New Year. We'll start work on the seventh day after the New Year." Chai Tao said, "Okay, master. I'll go and inform everyone right away." Ye Heng had the things moved to the door of the main hall. Guoguo saw that almost everyone had arrived. The New Year's gifts from all over the country had been delivered to Ye Heng a few days ago. The pork had been slaughtered in advance, and the guards were holding knives to divide the meat. Each piece weighed ten pounds. Guoguo saw that everyone had almost arrived and said, "Everyone has worked hard for a year. Let's have a holiday early so that everyone can go home and rest. Here are the New Year's gifts. Everyone has put in the effort in everything they do. So the things distributed are the same, but the bonuses are different. I hope everyone doesn't mind. Ten pounds of meat per person, ten pounds of oil, one bag of rice, fifty pounds. One bag of flour. Two pounds of sugar, two pounds of melon seeds and two pounds of peanuts. Each person received a bonus of 100 taels. When the people below heard this, they were overjoyed, thinking it was equivalent to a year's salary. "The managers have more responsibilities, and they worry more, so Chai Tao, you can divide it up." Chai Tao said, "Okay, Master."

Chai Tao took out the list of workers and called out their names to receive their belongings. Ye Heng called in the guards to help deliver them home. There was a carriage outside, and Ye Heng instructed, "Send them home." The guards replied in unison, "Yes, Your Highness."

Outside the palace, family members from various households were waiting. Those who had something to accept took it themselves, while those who didn't had guards deliver it. It took a long time to distribute it all. One guard said, "These women are quite capable. I'd like my wife to come next year, too." Guard One: "Sure. As long as your wife is a good worker, our master will accept her." Guard Two: "These aren't just any women. They're skilled at embroidery and making clothes. Many of them come from the palace and make clothes for the emperor's masters. Do you think anyone can do it?" Guard Three: "My wife is also a good worker." He thought to himself, "I'll go home and ask my wife if she wants to do it."

These days, there is a bustling crowd of people coming and going in front of the Chai Mansion.

Butler Ye came to report, "Master, someone is coming from Duke Huo's mansion." Ye Heng said, "Please come in!"

Butler Huo bowed and said, "Your Highness, I am the butler of the Huo family. This is the annual gift from the master." Ye Heng said, "Ye Renwen, please accept it." "Okay. Please follow me." He drove the carriage in and called for the guards to unload it. Butler Ye gave the man a tip, "Please accept it. Thank you for your hard work." Butler Huo said, "Thank you, brother." Butler Ye escorted the man to the gate, took his leave, and politely sent him away. His master had instructed that Butler Ye had been a lifelong expert in dealing with people, and he was known for his tact and smooth manners. Ye Heng was reassured; he had been with him since childhood.

Over the next few days, the housekeeper received many New Year gifts from families and arranged for the return gifts.

That day, General Ma returned and brought Huo Ying and his son to the Chai Mansion to visit the Chai family. Old Lady Li and Chai Zhen were at the gate to greet them. General Ma and Huo Ying knelt before the Chai family as soon as they entered. The Chai family hurriedly helped them up, and Chai Zhen said, "Let's go inside." Chai Zhen took General Ma's hand and said, "Nephew, you've worked hard defending our country!" Ye Heng said, "General, please come to the main hall to talk." Qin arranged for someone to bring tea. Huo Ying was pulled by Old Lady Li to sit on a sofa. Huo Ying knelt again and said, "Mother! Your daughter thanks you! Thank you for your help and care over the years." She kowtowed three times to Old Lady Li. Old Lady Li said, "Yingzi, what are you doing? Sit down." Li Ru hurriedly stood up and helped Huo Ying up. "Sister, please sit down." Li Ru then brought Huo Ying tea. "Drink tea to moisten your throat."

General Ma stood up and knelt before Chai Zhen, saying, "I am deeply grateful for your help in my time of need! Please accept my greeting." Chai Zhen watched Ma Chong kneel down and kowtow, then looked at Ye Heng and gestured for him to help him up. Ye Heng said, "General, please sit down and talk." Ye Heng poured tea for Ma Chong and pushed it towards him. Ma Chong took the tea and took a sip. "Good tea!" Chai Zhen smiled. Ye Heng looked at Guo Guo, who understood. He walked to the door and said to Qin, "Go to my room and get a can of good tea."

The few of them talked for a while, and Ye Heng invited General Ma to the study to talk. Then the two talked about the frontline. Ma Chong said, "There is nothing going on at the frontline for the time being. I usually farm for half a day and train the soldiers for half a day." "Don't be lax. The old or disabled soldiers will be retired and sent home. Each of them will receive 100 taels of silver as resettlement allowance. If you can give more, give more." "Here, here, Your Highness, you also know that there is a shortage of money in the army. We have been able to eat enough in the past two years, which is already good." Ye Heng smiled and said, "General, I know. You can calculate how much money the retired people will get. I will ask the Ministry of Households to pay. If it is not enough, I will find a way to pay it." General Ma stood up and saluted, "Okay. Thank you, Your Highness." Ye Heng said, "General, please sit down and have some tea! In addition, the disabled soldiers will be properly arranged so that they can live a good life in the future." General Ma said, "A few years ago, I arranged for 200 people to go to the Chai family in Taohua Village. I heard that they are all doing well now, and I am preparing to send more people! They are all homeless soldiers who can't live at home." Ye Heng listened and said, " Here, send fewer people, maybe two to three hundred people, not more. "When General Ma heard that there was a way out, he looked at Ye Heng. Ye Heng continued, "If it doesn't work, send it to the capital and I will make arrangements. Look at how many people there are, but your character must be good! General Ma said, "I can select people who are honest and of good character and send them to Taohua Village." Ye Heng continued: "Those with bad conduct should not come to me." "General Ma said: "Your Majesty knows that there are no such bad people in our army. "Ye Heng knows that people who have served as soldiers and fought in wars are generally not wrong. "I will hand over a thousand people to return to the capital, and two to three hundred people to Taohua Village. Taohua Village must ensure that they are of good character and don't cause trouble for me. General Ma said: "Okay." I try my best to make arrangements to return to my hometown. "Ye Heng added, "In the past few years, our Dayan has become better and better, and we can live well. With a hundred taels of resettlement allowance, everyone will live a good life, unless they are seriously injured! "The two of them agreed and went to the front hall to eat. Ye Heng said: "Eat before leaving. "Okay." "

Chai Zhen took out some good wine to entertain them. Huo Ying was sitting at the women's table. When he said this, Butler Ye came to report, "Your Highness, Duke Huo is here." Ye Heng said, "Please invite him in." Ye Heng walked out and said, "Your Highness has some good wine. Let's have a couple of drinks today." Duke Huo and his wife had both arrived. Old Lady Li welcomed them to the women's table. There were three tables set up in the hall today, one for young people and children, one for women, and one for men.

The masters of calligraphy and painting returned, and the meal was served. Duke Huo said, "Duke Ding's house has great wine. I've always wanted to come and drink with you." Chai Zhen smiled and said, "How old are you this year, brother?" Duke Huo said, "I'm sixty-eight, old!" Chai Zhen smiled and said, "I'm seventy-three!" "How old are you! Why do you look so young to me?" Ye Heng said, "Duke Huo, my great-grandfather was indeed in his seventies." "You look too young, like you're in your forties." Chai Zhen said, "I'm in a good mood, relaxed, and my family has no worries." Duke Huo said, "Indeed, your family is simple, so there are not many worries. Come on, let's have a drink and not talk about those unhappy things." Chai Zhen and Ye Heng raised their glasses, "Cheers!" "Cheers!" "Cheers!" Chai Ping'an drank with them. Chai Zhen added, "I only have this one son, and now he's married and has another daughter. One son and one daughter. I can be considered a couple." Duke Huo said, "Well, I am the same. I have one wife and two concubines, but my wife alone gave birth to two sons and a daughter. I am very happy too." Ye Heng said, "Come, let's drink to Duke Huo!" Duke Huo was delighted. "My daughter is back now, and I'm so happy. Let's drink!" Chai Zhen said, "Cheers." After drinking a few glasses of wine, Ye Heng said, "Eat some food and try the cooking of our chef." Duke Huo ate slowly. "Mm, it's delicious. It's better than the cooking of my chef. The tomatoes with sugar are refreshing. The spare ribs are also delicious. They are fragrant and soft. I can eat them."

The feast at Chai Ye's table was a lively one. There was wine, and Guoguo walked over and said, "Drink less. You'll get drunk if you drink too much." Chai Ye said, "Sister Guoguo, everyone's having a good time today. Let's drink a few more sips!" "Don't get drunk," Guoguo told Qin to make some hangover soup.

"Yes, Master. I will go."

Old Mrs. Li said, "Aying, you won't leave this time you come back, right?" Huo Ying said, "Well, I'll stay at home with my son. I won't go." Old Mrs. Li said, "Okay, okay. Auntie is looking forward to you staying at home to take care of my son. Ye'er has never seen you lack motherly love since he was a child. You are irreplaceable." Chai Ye heard it and said, "Grandma, Ye'er doesn't lack motherly love. I have Grandma and Mother Ru, and now I have my own mother. Ye'er has a lot of motherly love." Everyone in the room laughed. General Ma felt comforted. It was not easy for the child. The child had a good childhood thanks to the Chai family. They are so kind! This time when he came back, his son didn't feel unfamiliar with him. It was all because of the good education of the Chai family! Thinking back to when the child was very young, a group of children went to the front line. Now seeing his son having fun, he forgot the sadness of separation.

When Guoguo was about ten years old, some children started talking about General Ma. Being brave, Guoguo took the children and drove out of the village in a horse-drawn carriage, all the way to the front line. Secret guards were following them, and Chai Zhen was so frightened that he led many people in pursuit. He finally listened to the children's story and went to the front line. At that time, General Ma met his son. Now, when he returned, his son was already an adult.

General Ma drank several more glasses. Ye Heng reminded him, "Don't get drunk, General Ma. This wine is strong." "Thank you, Your Highness." General Ma ate and stopped drinking. The meal lasted over an hour. The dishes were cleared, the room cleaned up, and fruit and tea were served. Guoguo had specially made milk tea, which both boys and girls loved. Old Madam Huo also had a cup and said, "It's delicious."

Huangbao finished his meal and called his little brother to go play outside. Shu and Hua followed the little master. Guoguo's stomach was showing and he felt a little sleepy. He said goodbye to everyone and went back to rest. Qi supported him.

Huo Ying said, "Father and Mother, let's go home too. We'll come back another day!" Duke Huo replied, "Yes, it's time to go home." Chai Zhen, Chai Xing Ye Heng, and a large group escorted Duke Huo and his family outside the mansion. As they boarded their carriages and drove off, Ye Heng said, "We're going home." He instructed the gatekeepers to keep an eye on the gate and close it at noon. The guards replied, "Yes, Your Highness." There were three gatekeepers: two standing outside, and an errand boy inside.

Ye Heng took his son back to the house to rest. Xiaochen and Xiaoxiao had gone back to sleep with their mother. Qi stayed with the Third Madam. Qin stayed with Guoguo. Li Ru also had two servants; she didn't usually want anyone around. Zhang Baohua was in charge of the shop when she wasn't home, while Jiaxing managed several stores. Guoguo let Jiaxing take care of everything. Jiaxing checked everywhere every day. Fortunately, Ye Heng had people helping out on the mountain. Otherwise, Jiaxing wouldn't even have time to rest.

At the Huoguo Mansion, Duke Huo and General Ma were in the study, saying that the Chai family could provide food! Ma Chong said, "Yes, the Chai family has sent food to the front line many times. Otherwise, my son-in-law and Aying would have starved to death on the front line, let alone winning the battle." Duke Huo said one after another, "It was all Ma Minrui's fault. Later, the prince found out and executed all the men in the family and exiled the women." General Ma took out tea leaves to make tea, and when he returned, Ye Heng handed it to him. Duke Huo said, "The Chai family sent more New Year gifts this year than in previous years, filling up two large carts. I heard from Butler Ye that some were prepared by the Wang Mansion and some by the Chai family. When the two families are combined, ours seems to have sent less." General Ma said, "The Chai family won't mind." "That's right." "We at the border now grow enough food to last us a year, and we have vegetables. The Chai family taught us how to grow vegetables, and with more crops, we have higher yields. Vegetables are especially well grown in greenhouses in winter, so even on snowy days we have fresh vegetables to eat. The soldiers are in good health and spirits, training half a day and farming half the time." Duke Huo said, "Well, that's good too. In their free time, when there's no fighting, the soldiers will have an easier time. But training can't stop..."