Previous | Table of Contents | Next
Mo Zichen was impatient. “If you’ve got something to say then say it! This general is busy!”
“What’s more important than military payroll?” Su Biluo stared calmly at her husband.
Mo Zichen haughtily took his seat in silence.
Su Biluo gave Mo Di a look.
Mo Di had gone from the dignified steward of the general’s estate to Su Biluo’s chief financial officer and secretary.
He opened a trunk of silver next to the table. The flickering silver light instantly caught Mo Zichen’s attention.
Su Biluo declared loftily, “Grand General Mo, this is the Mo Family Army’s first payment—50,000 taels. Please check and accept it.”
Mo Zichen dropped his attitude. After all, he’d never thought in just three or four months, without stealing or robbing, but using her genuine skill, she would be able to earn 50,000 taels.
“Mm, good work. This general accepts.” Mo Zichen’s pitch-black eyes flashed with admiration.
Su Biluo was elated. She smiled and said, “Why so polite? This is what I, your wife, ought to do. Of course, we actually made 100,000 taels, but I know the Mo Army is almost out of money, so take these 50,000 taels to take care of your urgent needs. But don’t spend it all. 30,000 taels will go to Neverland to cover expenses and for working capital. The other 20,000 taels of silver will be used to pay wages and salaries.”
“Mm.” Mo Zichen gave a slight nod. “That’s as it should be. Then, this general will be off.”
He stood, but Su Biluo motioned for him to remain seated. “Not so fast, Grand General. Even though Grandmother and Mother-in-law are here at the general’s estate, you are still the head of the household, so in order to facilitate things going forward, there are some things you have the right and need to know. Relax, I won’t hold you up too long.”
Mo Zichen sat down again, his cold, pitch-black eyes locked on the calm, composed Su Biluo across from him. The scene from last night when she’d stolen a kiss flashed before him and a thousand curses flitted through his mind.
She had been unbridled and frivolous last night, but this morning she was confident and capable. But when things got awkward, a second her emerged. Which one was the real her?
He stared at her with probing eyes.
Su Biluo was going on and on in her clear, charmingly beautiful voice.
“Like I said before, from now on, the pay portioned out to everyone here will double every month. From Old Dowager to the maids and pageboys. Including myself. Yesterday, I asked a certain someone in the plum grove for a salary, but that person did not respond. So I will have to pay myself.”
She was looking at that cold, handsome face opposite her. Mo Zichen pretended he didn’t hear her and quickly averted his eyes.
She pursed her lips and glared at him, then looked away. “Please see Steward Mo Di on the first of every month to receieve your share.
“Aside from the money for salaries, 2,000 taels will be deducted every month from the remaing profits from Neverland to cover daily expenses at the general’s estate. Aside from that, half will go to military payroll, and the other half will be used for business operations. If business is good at Neverland then there will be New Year’s bonuses; next year you will receive a 50% raise.
“In other words, the more money we make, the more money you all will receive. All you have to do is trust me and let me do what I need to do, and this wife guarantees you all will live well! Does anyone object?”
Su Biluo’s limpid eyes swept over everyone. They all looked excited, some nodding over and over. There was no opposition. “Good. I’ve already drawn up the regulations. Vivid, give everyone a copy. Ok, then I will continue with work distribution arrangements.”
The Courtyard 