Chapter 2382: Chapter 2357: Recommendation (April Monthly Ticket Bonus 18)
A group of imperial doctors were busy until the hour of Shen, and it was almost time for dinner.
Director Xiao instructed the kitchen to prepare food for them. After washing their hands, everyone sat around the table, eating and discussing work. "I handed out three prescriptions. What about you?"
"I gave out three as well."
"I gave out two."
"I didn’t give out any. Upon examination, they weren’t exactly robust, but they’re all young and their health is quite good. It’s just that they’ve had less meat and eggs before, so some are slightly lacking in vitality. But all this is within the expected range."
Manbao also said, "Prepare more meat and eggs, but there’s no need for overly greasy food. Two eggs a day and some chicken porridge will greatly boost vitality."
Director Xiao glanced at her and said, "Two eggs per person per day is already a lot. It’s still the New Year, so eggs are not easy to come by in the capital."
With the cold weather, hens don’t like to lay eggs, and with the New Year, eggs are even more in demand.
Manbao sighed regretfully, "If only we were in our county, it would be great. We have a little manor with a lot of chickens and ducks, collecting many eggs daily. Ah, my Third Brother said that because of that little manor, the egg price in our county has dropped. You can buy two for a single coin now."
Director Xiao and the others: ...
"But it’s okay. I also have a lot of chickens on my farm in Yongzhou. If we can’t buy any, I’ll let the procurement manager contact my Fifth Brother. They can transport some from Yongzhou, though it won’t be a lot either."
The manager listening to the orders looked up in shock, wondering if Imperial Doctor Zhou was going to intervene in procurement.
Director Xiao cleared his throat lightly and asked Zhou Man, "Is it really one coin for two eggs now?"
The manager started to break into a cold sweat.
Manbao laughed and said, "That’s because Luojiang County has many eggs. I remember when I was a kid, it was three coins for two. Then, according to my Second Brother, it’s one coin for one. In recent years, with more people raising chickens, the price probably dropped again."
Manbao chuckled, "It’s a sign of peace and prosperity; low prices are a good thing."
The manager’s forehead was drenched in sweat.
Director Xiao glanced at him, then smiled at Zhou Man and asked, "Do you know how much eggs cost in the capital?"
Manbao shook her head, "I don’t buy or sell eggs in the capital, so I naturally don’t know. But my brothers definitely do."
Enthusiastically, Manbao asked, "Director Xiao, are you planning to stockpile some eggs? Many people will be coming for variolation later. Should I bring my Fifth Brother here? He’s the most knowledgeable about this."
Director Xiao initially wanted to refuse, as he wasn’t interested in these matters. He intended to use Manbao’s words to prompt the manager, but after seeing the manager’s lowered head, he paused and nodded, "Alright, have your Fifth Brother come over. If the price is right, we should stockpile some eggs."
Manbao happily agreed.
The manager: ...
Director Xiao then discussed with everyone some meal plans. After all, as long as people eat grains, with an adequate staple food and sufficient vegetables and meat, vitality can gradually be restored.
Those being retained didn’t have any major health issues. At least their health was guaranteed to be better than the old and wounded soldiers living not far away. If they could pass the variolation test, this selected group should do even better.
After dinner, the meal plans were finalized. Director Xiao handed the list to the manager, "Prepare three meals a day as stated on the list."
The manager took it and agreed.
Manbao timely added, "We have many chickens and pigs on our little manor. All of these are meat and can be discussed."
Director Xiao laughed out loud and nodded, "Alright, let your Fifth Brother come over and talk. But Imperial Doctor Zhou, is the farm you bought in Yongzhou that big?"
Manbao looked at him puzzled, "I didn’t buy it. It’s official land, hundreds of acres. By the way, I got promoted again this year, so by July or August, I should be able to allocate another batch of official land. I wonder if it can still be nearby. Otherwise, if it’s scattered, it would be hard to manage."
The other imperial doctors turned their heads in unison. Even Imperial Doctor Lu couldn’t resist asking, "Are you saying the farm is actually your official land?"
Manbao nodded, "Yes."
"You manage your official land yourself?"
Manbao nodded, "That’s right."
Seeing their expressions, Manbao quickly added, "I’m not breaking any laws. It was approved by the Ministry of Revenue."
Since the salaries of officials in the capital are directly received from the Ministry of Revenue, Director Xiao didn’t know the details. Only when the Ministry of Revenue stopped paying salaries would officials approach their principal official for resolution.
Director Xiao and Imperial Doctor Liu had vaguely heard about this. They only found out because one year, they couldn’t find Manbao for duty.
However...
Director Xiao said with a hint of mystery, "I thought you bought a manor near your official land."
This way, it would be easier to encroach on the official land. Ahem, it’s not surprising Director Xiao thought this way; many officials did just that.
Manbao, being an "old hand" in the officialdom, caught the underlying meaning in Director Xiao’s words and said, "Do you think I’m that kind of person?"
Director Xiao said, "You’re not, but I didn’t expect that the farm you mentioned was actually your official land all along."
The other imperial doctors couldn’t help but inquire, "Imperial Doctor Zhou, is the expense large when managing your own official land? How’s the income?"
"It’s quite large. The first year was a loss, the second year broke even, and starting from the third year, it became profitable..." After returning, Zhou Lichong showed Manbao the accounts, so she knew them well. She told them how much she spent on seeds in the first year, as well as on tools for the tenants, small chickens, and piglets...
When they heard about these expenses, their initial interest quickly dwindled, "That’s way too much expenditure."
"It’s mainly troublesome too. With such high expenses, you need someone watching constantly. Otherwise, if tenants are careless, forget three years, even five or six years might not be enough to break even, resulting in a huge loss."
"Moreover, farming depends on weather. In Yongzhou and near the capital, except for that drought two years ago, there hasn’t been any other disaster. But what if luck doesn’t hold, and this year there’s a drought, followed by a flood next year?"
"So, it’s better to let the Ministry of Revenue manage it. We’ll just enjoy the results and collect tenant rent every autumn and winter."
"Exactly, exactly."
Manbao said, "My manor produces a lot, besides chickens and pigs, we also have many fruits and vegetables. If anyone wants anything, you can buy from my Fifth Brother, and I’ll have him give you a discount."
Imperial Doctor Zheng sighed and asked, "If I remember correctly, doesn’t Imperial Doctor Zhou have six brothers?"
Manbao nodded, "Yes, I’m the eighth, and I even have an older sister."
Everyone further reined in their interest. Their family didn’t have that many brothers to help oversee official lands. The primary reason they hesitated remained unspoken because it was a bit ominous.
What if they invested this year, only to face dismissal next year?
Just thinking about it was heart-wrenching, so it seemed safer to sit back and collect tenant rent.
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