Chapter 133

Chapter 133

After Steward Su finished receiving the New Year gift-bearers from the manor, he came in to report to Chen Jue. Huo Yu had already gnawed through half of the big steamed bun he was holding. Seeing him arrive, he raised the bun toward him: "Eat... eat..."

Steward Su's face broke into a wide smile: "There's a good boy, Little Yu. Thank you. Steward Su's not hungry, you eat it. Are you gonna eat this whole big bun all by yourself?"

Chen Jue chuckled: "I had some too. He ate a quarter of it."

Steward Su laughed heartily: "That's still a lot! Good boy, eating so well!"

Old folks always love kids with good appetites. Steward Su had been in his sixties in his previous life, and though he was only forty in this world, his mental age was still sixty.

Old enough to be Huo Yu's grandpa.

Steward Su picked Huo Yu up: "The Marquis will be back soon. We're having hotpot tonight, and I made you a little milk pot too."

Huo Yu only caught the last word: "Milk... milk..."

Steward Su and Chen Jue looked at each other and burst out laughing.

After the laughter subsided, Steward Su said, "Doctor Chen, I'll take Huo Yu to play. Take a look at these gift lists—I've already sorted everything and put it in the warehouse by category."

Chen Jue nodded: "Alright, thank you for your hard work."

He trusted Steward Su's work, but he still made a show of reviewing things in front of others.

In a marquis's household, he had to keep up appearances.

Luckily, Steward Su had laid everything out in great detail for him.

He was good at mental math, and though the accounts were many, they wouldn't take up too much of his time.

This year's income included the emperor's gifts, the harvest from the marquis's estates, and dividends from "Chen's Pharmaceutical" and other partner workshops.

The manor's harvest was mostly grain, chicken, fish, eggs, and the like—enough to feed them for the coming year.

It was a decent chunk of income, but since Huo Jilin had only been made a general in late summer, it only covered half a year.

Luckily, their main income didn't depend on this.

Next year, part of the manor's land would be turned over to growing medicinal herbs. Chen Jue had already talked it over with Huo Jilin—growing enough grain for their own needs was enough; no need to sell it.

This half-year's grain harvest was enough to feed the marquis household.

As for other household expenses, they had other sources of income.

These were their other key businesses.

The drug factory's income and the dividends from the Tung Oil Paper Mill.

The pharmaceutical business was currently split into two parts: one was the finished medicines from "Chen's Pharmaceutical," and the other was cordyceps.

During the three months of the epidemic, "Chen's Pharmaceutical" had no income, but in the four months after, they not only made up for the losses but earned what would normally take a whole year.

"Chen's Pharmaceutical" had built up trust among the common folk during the epidemic, and with the emperor's personally written plaque, its reputation had blown up. Few drug companies ever made a name for themselves—people were afraid of medicine—which was why those drug factories stayed the same for years.

But "Chen's Pharmaceutical" was different. It truly won the people's trust, served them, and kept prices affordable. As a result, their medicines were stocked not just in Dongling County's pharmacies, but in pharmacies across other prefectures and counties, even all the way to the capital.

Chen Jue had saved the day during the epidemic and built up "Chen's Pharmaceutical."

The future of the pharmaceutical business was easy to imagine.

Whenever Steward Su reviewed the monthly accounts sent by Zhou Qingzhu and the factory managers, he'd silently marvel—he could already see "Chen's Pharmaceutical" becoming another "Huachen Pharmaceutical."

Also, the dividends from the Tung Oil Paper Mill that Huo Jilin had invested in were pretty substantial, with household paper and writing paper making up the biggest share.

Zhao's Paper Industry had also opened a branch in the capital by year's end—clearly raking it in.

Zhao Jinming had personally come by the day before yesterday with congratulatory gifts—besides the dividend banknotes, there were also several boxes of presents.

He'd deliberately timed his visit for when Huo Jilin was home.

The gifts were meant specifically for Huo Jilin.

A chest of silver ingots, a chest of jewelry, a chest of silk, and a chest of rare delicacies.

The gifts were extremely generous. Huo Jilin had Steward Su accept them—this was Zhao Jinming's way of paying tribute to rely on the Huo family's protection. If he didn't accept, Zhao Jinming wouldn't feel safe.

Besides the gifts, Zhao Jinming had also heard they planned to set up a branch drug factory in the capital after the New Year and wanted to invest. Huo Jilin and Chen Jue naturally welcomed the idea.

This was exactly when they needed the money.

Over the past few days, Steward Su had organized all the gift lists, and Chen Jue could review them at a glance. When he was done, he said to Steward Su: "We've got some breathing room this year. Next year's factory construction should go smoothly."

Steward Su smiled: "Yeah, it'll definitely go smoothly. This is just half a year's income—next year's full-year earnings will surely be enough to build the factory."

"Good. Once Jilin gets here, I'll plan next year's construction with him."

Chen Jue said. After going over the income, he had a clear picture of next year's factory plans.

He then pulled out the factory proposal he and Huo Jilin had been working on.

Seeing he was busy, Steward Su took Huo Yu to play nearby.

It was the dead of winter, and the underfloor heating had been lit, warming the room—a stark contrast to the temperature outside.

Chen Jue added the usual mugwort and angelica root to the incense burner. Burning them in winter helped ward off colds. The scent was subtle—a crisp, clean herbal smell that cleared the mind.

Huo Yu played in the outer hall with Steward Su for a bit, then came looking for Chen Jue again. Whenever Chen Jue was home, he didn't want to be far from him. So this time he stayed close, playing with glass marbles with his little playmate—a new toy Steward Su had made for him.

It was a square wooden board with holes carved into the four corners and tracks chiseled across the surface. Glass marbles sat on top, and you could use levers to guide them along the tracks into the nearest holes.

It was a miniature modern version of billiards mixed with the marble games kids used to play.

In the 80s, both billiards and marbles were favorites for adults and kids alike.

Since Huo Yu was still at the age where he put everything in his mouth, Steward Su had added a cover over the wooden box so the glass marbles couldn't be taken out.

Even so, it captivated little Huo Yu and his companion—the wet nurse's son, three years older than Huo Yu, who was just as mesmerized.

With this toy to play with, the two didn't have to run around in the snow outside.

By the time Huo Jilin got back, it was already pitch dark outside. He came through the covered walkway, brushed the snow off himself before going in, took off his heavy cloak, and warmed up by the brazier in the front hall before having himself announced. By the time Huo Yu got off the couch, Huo Jilin was stepping into the inner room.

"Da... da... da..." Huo Yu said to Chen Jue as he ran over to Huo Jilin. He dropped his beloved marble game and ran down to greet him.

He hadn't seen Huo Jilin in a few days and missed him.

Huo Jilin didn't wait for him to grab his leg—he crouched down and picked him up. After a round of tossing him in the air, Huo Yu was laughing as usual, and Huo Jilin carried him inside.

Chen Jue put down his brush and asked, "You're back? How was the road?"

Huo Jilin nodded. "Getting out of the capital was rough, but the city's fine—they've cleared the snow off the streets. Tomorrow I'll have the soldiers clear the snow off the main road outside the city."

Chen Jue sighed softly. "I just hope this heavy snow is it, and it doesn't snow again on New Year's Day."

On New Year's Day, all the civil and military officials have to perform sacrifices at the Altar of Heaven. It's not just a long trek—there are over three hundred steps.

Huo Jilin sat down next to him, Huo Yu in his arms. The kid wouldn't get off his lap, so Huo Jilin just held him and said to Chen Jue, "This holiday's like it doesn't even count."

Chen Jue laughed at that and teased, "Long as you're in the capital, it's like this every year."

Huo Jilin closed his eyes, looking like he'd had enough. Huo Yu thought something was wrong and reached out to pry his eyelids open, calling, "Da... da... da..."

Huo Jilin hoisted him up and pressed his face into the kid's chest, muttering, "I really don't wanna work overtime!"

Huo Yu, with Huo Jilin's head bumping his belly, thought it was a game and giggled happily, which just made Huo Jilin look even more pitiful.

Chen Jue wanted to laugh along with Huo Yu—the sound was so infectious—but he held it in, needing to show Huo Jilin some sympathy.

Normally, this wouldn't bother him. Regular folks worked all day, even in winter, but everyone agreed you should rest during New Year's—otherwise, you'd be busy the whole year ahead.

Huo Jilin happened to be busy every single day lately, especially since he had to work overtime on New Year's Day itself.

At some point, Huo Jilin had stopped being the workaholic he'd been in his past life. When did that start?

Was it after Huo Yu was born?

It seemed so—after Huo Yu came along, he spent all day coaxing the kid, carrying him everywhere.

A new mother would cling to her baby, not wanting to leave him or go to work. Huo Jilin had the same symptoms.

Chen Jue glanced at Huo Yu, who was laughing away. Kids had such a healing power—anyone who saw him couldn't bear to leave.

Oh, and maybe himself too. Huo Jilin clocked out on time and came home—surely he was coming back for him as well, right?

Chen Jue smiled at that, pretty confident in himself.

Huo Jilin finished playing with Huo Yu. Holding him with one arm, he flipped through the medical book Chen Jue had been writing with his free hand. As he flipped the pages, he said, "You wrote all this in one afternoon? You didn't stay stuck in one spot the whole time, did you?"

Chen Jue said, "No way. With him around, how could I sit still?"

Even with big steamed buns and glass marbles to keep him busy, Huo Yu couldn't stay on the couch all day—so every half hour, he needed something new.

Not out in the snow, but inside—kicking a shuttlecock with the maids, playing with little balls, hopscotch, pitch-pot, and games like that. Huo Yu wanted Chen Jue to join in, and when he did, the kid clapped his hands with joy.

"Good. No matter how many books, you still need to rest—your health comes first," Huo Jilin told him. He paused, then added, "Starting tomorrow, no more work. Save your energy for the busy year ahead."

He'd picked that up from Steward Su too. Chen Jue laughed. "Next year's definitely going to be busy."

Construction on the factory starts in early spring—how could he possibly be idle?

Huo Jilin looked at him. "There'll be people to manage it. You just need to make the prescriptions, same as before."

He thought for a moment, knowing Chen Jue couldn't sit still, then added, "I want to open a medical clinic for you."

What Chen Jue wanted most was to be a doctor; the medicine factory was just a small part of it.

Sure enough, Chen Jue smiled. He'd had this plan too but hadn't even brought it up with Huo Jilin yet—and Huo Jilin was already on board?

Seeing his expression, Huo Jilin quickly added, "I just mean you'll see patients—three times a week, not every day. Same as before. You need to rest plenty."

They'd both died once before and knew what mattered most.

Chen Jue nodded and promised, "Alright, I promise."

Huo Jilin looked at him and said, "I feel like you're just saying that to shut me up."

"How could that be?" Chen Jue said with a wink.

The servants nearby quietly lowered their heads, smiling. They'd never seen a couple interact like this—not only discussing things together, but Doctor Chen was the one calling the shots.

Marquis Huo really took them by surprise.

Huo Jilin asked Chen Jue, "Are Qingshan and Zhou Shun about to set off?"

Before the New Year, they'd sent letters inviting them to the capital for the holiday. Part of it was to discuss the new medicine factory in the capital after the New Year, which involved personnel arrangements.

Zhou Qingzhu was being transferred to the capital. He'd become the liaison between the capital factory and the old one.

On his last visit back, Chen Jue had deliberately trained Zhang Shuier—he was literate and a quick learner.

Maybe from years of farming, he had a strong knack for identifying medicinal herbs, so he could now fully take over the classification, screening, and initial processing of herbs.

Zhou Hehua and Zhang Yan helped Zhou Qingshan manage the workers.

Add in the shopkeepers and accountants Steward Su picked out.

With the staffing complete, the whole village of Pingshan now depended on "Chen's Pharmaceutical" for their livelihood, so the clan, led by Village Head Zhou, would fully back the enterprise.

On top of that, there was the emperor's nominal endorsement—a monthly inspection by an officer from the Commandant's Office—which served as open backing.

The title of Imperial Merchant wasn't just for show; it also came with a certain degree of military support.

These precautions weren't against the clan powers of Pingshan Village or the county officials—those people, upon learning that Huo Jilin was the current Brave General and a marquis of the Huo estate, would be eager to curry favor, let alone dare to scheme behind their backs.

What they were guarding against was the power in the capital.

"Chen's Pharmaceutical" produced medicine—lives were at stake, and not a single mistake could be allowed behind the scenes.

So Huo Jilin had deployed everything he could think of.

So this invitation was mainly about reuniting with them.

To put it in capitalist terms: it was year-end, time to give these employees benefits—a luxury travel package, show them the world, and make them work even harder for him next year.

"Just kidding—I know you miss them too," Huo Jilin said to Chen Jue with a smile.

After all, Uncle Liu, Zhou Qingzhu, Qingshan, Zhang Yan, and Zhang Shuier from Pingshan Village were all simple, honest people. They had taken care of Chen Jue during the time Huo Jilin was away, giving him warmth in this unfamiliar world.

Sure enough, Chen Jue was already looking forward to it. He smiled and said, "Qingzhu wrote to say they'll come after the Minor New Year, on the twenty-sixth of the twelfth month. It's just a pity that Uncle Liu has to stay in the village to keep watch over the New Year—he also wants to paste the Medicine God statue at the factory—so only Qingzhu, Qingshan, and Sister-in-law Xiuer will come with the little girl."

Zhou Qingzhu had also written in his letter: 'Thanks to Brother Chen for emphasizing in your letter that this is about planning the capital medicine factory—otherwise my brother wouldn't come. He's afraid that as a country bumpkin, he'll cause you trouble in the capital. He's not as bold as my sister-in-law—she misses little Xiaoyu and has been making clothes for him these past few days.

Oh, Brother Chen, Zhang Yan said he'll come this year with Zhou Dajiang, leaving the kids behind to spend New Year with Aunt Zhou and the others. Zhang Yan misses you like crazy. This married man is practically running to your house for the New Year.

As for Zhou Hehua, she's pregnant again—just found out—so she can't risk the bumpy journey. She asked me to bring you lots of cured sausages, saying her parents made them by hand and they're delicious... Brother Chen, wait for me to celebrate the New Year with you... I miss you all so much...'

The letter was already brimming with the joy of reunion, so even the usually reserved Chen Jue couldn't help but look forward to it.

New Year—it's about being together, isn't it?