One night passed without incident.
The next morning, those summoned for a meeting began to arrive at the estate.
Once everyone had assembled, Fang Er appeared in the front hall, his hands clasped behind his back.
“Greetings, Lord!”
Everyone in the hall immediately rose and saluted.
“Everyone, be seated!” After returning the salute, Fang Er walked to the main seat and sat down, then began to address the purpose of the meeting.
“Starting tomorrow, I will be going into seclusion to draw plans, so there are a few matters I need to delegate.”
“Lai Yifa!”
“Your servant is here!”
“Dispatch the East Factory agents to seek out skilled goldsmiths, carpenters, weavers, and painters. Spare no expense; I want the best craftsmen!”
“Yes, Lord!”
“Li Yongfei.”
“Your servant is here!”
“I have accepted a task from the Ministry of Revenue to have the bank issue national bonds worth ten million guan, with an interest rate set at four percent.”
“The Shenyang branch will issue them first, and for the other four branches, I will send East Factory personnel with my personal order to notify them.”
“Yes!”
“Zhao Gang!”
“Here!”
“You select a few suitable candidates and establish a new Construction Bureau, primarily responsible for railway laying work.”
“The Torch Team has completed the surveys, and the surveys for the Provincial Governor’s office should also be finished. I don’t need to explain the specifics of how to proceed, do I?”
“Yes, your servant understands.”
“Tan Zong!”
“Here!”
“Hurry up with the matter of alloys. Your burden is heavy!”
“The helicopter body, machine tool cutters, and other components are all waiting.”
“Yes!”
~~~~~
Order after order was issued from Fang Er’s mouth, and those present diligently noted down the tasks they were responsible for.
After the meeting concluded, tables and chairs were set up in the courtyard, and Hua Niang, leading her people, brought out various dishes.
During the feast, Liu Meng suddenly leaned close to Fang Er and said with a grin, “Lord, look over there quickly.”
Fang Er was momentarily stunned, then looked in the direction Liu Meng was pointing.
He saw that Zhu Zi and Hua Niang had somehow ended up together, and they were currently in a corner of the courtyard, whispering to each other.
This is the downside of having such a large courtyard. Sitting in the middle, Fang Er couldn’t even see their expressions.
“Here, Lord, use this.”
Liu Meng promptly handed over his personal telescope.
Fang Er was also curious about what was going on with the two of them. He took the telescope and looked towards them again.
What he saw was astonishing!
Hua Niang was gazing at Zhu Zi with eyes full of affection, while Zhu Zi’s old face was flushed red, as if he had been drinking.
Fang Er casually asked, “Meng Zi, how much has Zhu Zi had to drink?”
“Where? Brother Zhu hasn’t had anything to drink yet. Hua Niang called him over as soon as he sat down.”
“What the…?”
“Are these two getting together?”
“Judging by the situation, Hua Niang is the one making the move?”
“Rare, incredibly rare!”
“Go, call them over!”
Fang Er suddenly felt a mischievous impulse and decided to play matchmaker.
“Brother Zhu, Sister Hua, Lord is asking for you.” Liu Meng quietly walked behind the two of them and suddenly spoke loudly.
Startled, they both flinched, and the atmosphere became awkward.
When they walked over, Fang Er smiled and looked at Zhu Zi.
“Well now, when did our Commander Zhu capture a flower from Fang Family Village?”
“Confess, how long has it been?”
Zhu Zi was extremely nervous, shaking his head vigorously. “Lord, you misunderstand. There’s… there’s nothing!”
“Nonsense! When we were at the village, you used to peek at Mother daily!”
“What, you dislike me because I’m a widow? Or do you think my looks aren’t good enough for you?”
Zhu Zi’s words made Hua Niang instantly resemble a bristling lion. She glared at Zhu Zi and said.
“Good heavens!”
There were nearly twenty people sitting at two tables in the courtyard. With her shout, all eyes were immediately drawn to them.
“Peeking at Hua Niang?”
Fang Er felt the situation was becoming more interesting. He looked at Zhu Zi, waiting to hear his explanation.
“Don’t talk nonsense! I only peeked at you cooking, nothing else!”
Zhu Zi was sweating profusely in his anxiety.
“Pfft—!”
Upon hearing this, Fang Er spurted out a mouthful of water.
“This guy is truly pathetic!”
“Peeking at cooking, what kind of ridiculous act is that?”
“When she was bathing, what were you doing?”
“When she went to the… toilet…”
“Never mind, peeking at that is not appropriate.”
“Alright, alright! Zhu Zi, be honest. Do you like Hua Niang?”
Taking out a handkerchief to wipe the water from the corner of his mouth, Fang Er asked.
“Ah… I… I… I…” Zhu Zi’s face turned even redder, stammering and unable to speak.
“What do you mean ‘I’? Lord is asking you a question!” Hua Niang, angered, reached out and twisted Zhu Zi’s ear.
“Violent Hua Niang!”
This scene reminded Fang Er of Hua Niang urging Liu Meng, Ma Chao, and the others to eat and work when he first settled in Fang Family Village.
Back then, Hua Niang, holding a large ladle in one hand and hands on her hips, would shout at everyone: “Eat faster! Get to work after you finish. Anyone who dares to slack off, I’ll beat them to death with this ladle!”
“Yes, that’s the spirit!”
In the blink of an eye, more than three years had passed. Time truly flies!
“Ah! It hurts! Let go, I’ll listen to Lord!”
Zhu Zi’s cry interrupted Fang Er’s reminiscence.
However, his words felt strangely awkward. This was usually a line spoken by the woman, wasn’t it?
Zhu Zi, who feared no danger on the battlefield, had been transformed into a soft whisper by Hua Niang. Remarkable!
Watching Zhu Zi’s contorted expression, Fang Er chuckled.
“Hahaha! Hua Niang, I, your Lord, will decide. From today onwards, Zhu Zi is betrothed to you.”
“Later, I will have Master Yuan select an auspicious date to hold your wedding.”
Hua Niang was overjoyed upon hearing this. She quickly curtsied to Fang Er and said in a soft voice, “Thank you, Lord, for making the decision for this servant.”
After Fang Er nodded, he turned to Zhu Zi and said, “Did you hear that? Lord has betrothed you to me!”
“So from now on, I’ll be in charge at home!”
“Whoa!”
“The style of this is changing too quickly!”
One moment, a gentle, mature woman; the next, a tigress.
“The Oscars definitely owe you a pile of little gold statues!”