Sheng Lengshuang showed no emotion on her face, thinking that buying slaves was also a considerable expense. No wonder the vast majority of slaves could never redeem themselves in a lifetime.
For ordinary people, a few taels of silver were beyond their reach.
She glanced at one of the maids.
The maid took a fifty-tael silver note and handed it to the broker.
The broker's smile widened, and he returned the change to the maid, "Miss, are you buying oxen or anything? I have excellent draft oxen here."
Sheng Lengshuang waved her hand, indicating no, "If you have anyone with martial arts skills, send someone to inform the Sheng family."
The broker thought to himself how lucky he was that he hadn't shouted indiscriminately. If General Sheng had found out, he would have certainly taken his life with a single sword stroke.
"Don't worry, Miss. As soon as I find someone with martial arts skills who is reliable, I will immediately inform the Sheng family."
Sheng Lengshuang nodded and led the maids and newly purchased servants towards the shop selling seeds.
Upon arriving at the shop, a shop assistant greeted them with a smile, bowing slightly, "Esteemed Miss, what kind of seeds would you like to buy? Our shop has the most complete and fairest prices for seeds. You can ask anyone, and they'll give us a thumbs-up."
Sheng Lengshuang tossed him two copper coins, teasing, "Are you perhaps blessed with a parrot's tongue? You speak so well."
The shop assistant pocketed the copper coins and became even more respectful, "Not at all, Miss. It's because I see you, Miss, that I can speak so well."
Sheng Lengshuang was amused and tossed him a few more copper coins, "Do you have bamboo, like moso bamboo? I need a large quantity."
"Yes, yes," the shop assistant led her to the backyard.
The backyard was planted with different varieties of bamboo, not in large numbers, but each one was growing very well.
If a gentle breeze blew, these rows of bamboo would sway, making a pleasant rustling sound.
"These here are moso bamboo, and there are other types of bamboo. Please tell me if you need anything."
Sheng Lengshuang couldn't distinguish the quality of the bamboo, but seeing that they were indeed good, she said, "I want moso bamboo..."
After buying a large batch of moso bamboo and asking the shopkeeper to deliver it to the manor in the suburbs, she then took the maids and servants to the suburban manor.
As soon as she arrived, the shopkeeper had already delivered the bamboo.
A vast quantity of it.
The shop assistant explained the precautions for planting and so on. After receiving ten copper coins as a reward, he happily drove away with the ox cart.
Sheng Lengshuang noticed many tenant farmers paying attention to the area and raised her voice slightly, "I need to recruit people to plant bamboo. If your family members or anyone you can recommend are interested, please come to me to register."
"I will need about ten more people." This was the minimum number, as the mountains would also require people.
Upon hearing this, many tenant farmers, forgetting their farm work, hurried back to the village at their fastest pace. Such a good opportunity could not be missed.
Sheng Lengshuang asked the servants to move the bamboo inside. She looked at the steward who was walking quickly towards her and said, "These are my newly purchased servants. A few of them have martial arts skills. Arrange for them to guard the mountain."
"Those who are good at farming, you can arrange for them to go up the mountain to plant bamboo later. Also, buy some chickens, ducks, and geese from villagers with good reputations in the nearby villages. Buy quite a few, to be raised in the mountains.
Also, that mountain needs to be enclosed. Once it's enclosed, then release the chickens, ducks, and geese inside."
The steward noted everything down, "Miss, would you like to raise pigs? The manor has a lot of leftover dishes or unused vegetables, which can be used to feed pigs."
Sheng Lengshuang pondered for a moment and lowered her voice, "If these things are not used up, give them as rewards to the servants or villagers. Don't give them too often, and only to those who do well and work hard."
The steward understood immediately and was very impressed, "You are truly wise, Miss! Rest assured, Miss, I will handle this matter properly."
This method was excellent. For those servants and villagers, the leftover items from the manor were considered very good, and some villagers had never even eaten or seen them before.
Giving them as rewards would better stimulate their enthusiasm for work.
Sheng Lengshuang smiled, "Leave the recruitment of villagers to you, as you are familiar with these matters. You need to recruit at least a dozen, and at most thirty. Both mountains need people; too few or too many will not be good.
From this month onwards, your monthly salary will increase by two taels."
The steward's face lit up with joy, and he bowed, "Thank you, Miss!"
Sheng Lengshuang knew exactly how to make the steward work diligently for her, "I heard that your grandson wants to attend a private school, but couldn't find a good one?"
The steward understood that an opportunity had arrived, and lowered his head slightly, "Yes. My grandson has reached the age for enlightenment. I thought that even if he cannot participate in the imperial examinations in the future, it would be good for him to recognize a few more characters."
Sheng Lengshuang had a general understanding of the rules for the imperial examinations in this dynasty. Simply put, except for women from pleasure houses, criminals, servants, those with unclear backgrounds, and those without guarantors, everyone else could participate in the imperial examinations.
The descendants of servants had the opportunity to participate in the imperial examinations.
However, ordinary people, unlike the powerful and wealthy, did not enjoy the best educational resources from childhood. Their chances of success through the imperial examinations were much smaller, but countless ordinary people still wished to change their fate through them.
"If your grandson is willing to study diligently, I will recommend a private school for him."
The steward knelt down with a 'plop' and kowtowed, "This servant is deeply grateful! Miss, this servant will protect this place with his life."
Sheng Lengshuang helped him up and smiled, "Keep your life well. Perhaps in the future, your grandson will be able to become an official and bring you some joy."
The steward wiped away tears of joy with his sleeve, "To be honest, Miss, I have thought of that. But I also understand that the imperial examinations are not that easy. As long as the child is safe and happy, it's good for him to recognize a few more characters."
Sheng Lengshuang hummed, "Alright, I'm leaving now. You continue with your work."
When Sheng Lengshuang returned to the palace, she was met with the resentful and displeased looks of Mo Lingxi and Xiao Feng. She couldn't help but chuckle, "What's wrong with you father and son?"
Xiao Feng pointed at the setting sun and pouted, complaining, "Mother, the sun daddy has already gone down, and you're only returning now. You don't care about your father and son's lives, it's too much."
Mo Lingxi nodded in agreement, handed a cup of tea to Sheng Lengshuang, and then helped massage her shoulders.
"Haven't I just finished my work?" Sheng Lengshuang took a sip of tea and pinched Xiao Feng's cheek, "I haven't stopped at all. You ungrateful little one, learn from your father and see how considerate he is."
Xiao Feng rolled his eyes and sat sulkily in the chair, "Mother, Xiao Feng is an injured person. You and Father should be taking care of me."
Seeing his indignant look, Sheng Lengshuang burst into laughter, "You can be so righteous just because you're injured? Then Mother will be sad."
"Xiao Feng, your mother is very tired. Don't throw a tantrum anymore," Mo Lingxi said sternly, "Be good."
Xiao Feng stuck out his tongue, "Mother, look at Father. He's pretending to be the good guy here. Clearly, before Mother returned, Father was complaining about you with me."