After discussing the evaluation, Ouyang Shuo didn't stay idle. He seized the time to go to the market.
Although he looked confident in front of Ying You just now, he hadn't even prepared the gifts for the three directors. As a reward for the three important officials, not only could it not be shabby, it had to be tasteful.
Fan Zhongyan and Tian Wenjing were both traditional civil officials, so it was most suitable to give them the four treasures of the study. The most famous four treasures of the study in China were Xuan paper, Hui ink, Hu brush, and Duan inkstone.
Such a set of four treasures of the study naturally cost a lot. The best kind was worth thousands of gold. It wasn't something a small lord like him could afford. Even the most ordinary set cost twenty gold coins. Ouyang Shuo gritted his teeth and spent forty gold coins to buy two sets.
The key was the gift for Ying You. This girl was the most senior among the three important officials, and she was also his sworn sister. He couldn't neglect her.
Gifts for girls were limited to jewelry, jade pendants, rouge, and a few other kinds. He also considered that as the elder brother, he couldn't give something too private. In the end, Ouyang Shuo chose a light and exquisite jade pendant. It was an auspicious jade pendant carved from Hetian white jade. Of course, he didn't forget the little girl Qing 'er. He also chose a jade pendant for her, spending a total of thirty gold coins.
When he returned to the lord's mansion, Shi Wansui and Lin Yi were already waiting for him in his office. He suddenly had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, before he sat down, Shi Wansui said loudly, "Hehe, my lord, I heard that you prepared year-end rewards for the civil officials. You can't be biased. Shouldn't you also give some benefits to the soldiers in the army? "
Even Lin Yi, who was usually more steady, nodded and jeered. It showed that the military had reached an astonishing consensus on this matter.
Ouyang Shuo slapped his forehead. He knew he couldn't escape this. Fortunately, he was prepared. He said mockingly, "Alright, you know to take the initiative. Tell me, what kind of reward do you want? "
Shi Wansui smiled embarrassedly and said, "I know that I didn't do a good job in annihilating the roving bandits last time and disappointed my lord. I don't want any rewards for myself. I just want to get some money for the soldiers in the army. "
Lin Yi stood up as well. "I'm responsible for what happened last time- I don't dare accept your reward."
Ouyang Shuo nodded and said with a smile, "Well, at least you have some self-awareness. How about this, each of the ten squad leaders and the director of the Military Intelligence Bureau will be rewarded with one gold coin. The cavalry platoon and the Intelligence Division's soldiers would each be rewarded with ten silver coins. The newly formed infantry platoon that has not yet made any contributions will be rewarded with 1 silver coin. Are you satisfied? "
Shi Wansui and Lin Yi nodded happily. This was a huge reward. Not daring to delay any longer, they excitedly ran out of the Lord's Mansion and went to the barracks to announce the good news.
Ouyang Shuo roughly estimated that he had spent nearly 120 gold coins on this round of rewards. He really didn't know the value of daily necessities until he was in charge. It was not easy to be a good boss with a good salary.
He went next door to call Ying You and gave her 50 gold coins. He told her to divide the rewards into red envelopes and let the Finance Bureau be in charge of keeping them.
It was already six in the evening when he finished dealing with the rewards. Ouyang Shuo went offline.
It was already New Year's Eve in reality. Early in the morning, every household began to hang up lanterns and Spring Festival couplets. The lazy Bing'er also woke up early today and pestered her brother to hang up the lanterns he bought yesterday.
The brother and sister had a hard time during the Spring Festival every year. According to Chinese tradition, they missed their parents more during the festive season, not to mention New Year's Eve which symbolized family reunion.
Every New Year's Eve, the little girl would especially miss her parents. Every time after dinner, she wouldn't make a fuss. She would just lie listlessly in her brother's arms and not say a word the whole night, making people's hearts ache.
Fortunately, as she grew older, the longing for her parents became fainter and fainter. It was hidden deep in her heart. In the last two years, Bing'er would start to be like other children on New Year's Eve, becoming cheerful. This year, Ouyang Shuo couldn't see any difference in the little girl at all.
After lunch, Ouyang Shuo began to prepare for the New Year's Eve dinner in the evening. Yesterday, he bought a lot of seafood, dry goods, and some main dishes, especially stews, which he needed to prepare in advance. According to the Chinese tradition, the New Year's Eve dinner should be prepared earlier than later. In the suburbs and villages, many people would start to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner after lunch. The earlier the better, meaning to celebrate the New Year early.
Bing'er ran into the kitchen from time to time, claiming to be her brother's assistant. How could Ouyang Shuo be at ease? This little girl was completely more of a hindrance than a help. She touched here, looked there, and asked this and that.
Ouyang Shuo had to coax this little ancestor out of the kitchen. He said with a smile, "Baby, it's New Year's Eve soon. How about you? Go take a bath now and change into the Tang suit you bought yesterday. Dress yourself up nicely. I'll be the only one in the kitchen. "
Bing'er reluctantly left the kitchen and said like a little adult, "Okay, I'll leave this place to you, brother."
Dinner officially started at six in the evening. Ouyang Shuo made a big table of dishes, including the traditional braised carp, stewed chicken, seafood, and abalone. Although it was a bit wasteful, as long as it looked festive and festive, everything was worth it.
Before dinner, the siblings first worshipped their parents' memorial tablets. Seeing Bing'er wearing a cute Tang suit and kneeling in front of the memorial tablets, Ouyang Shuo's heart was calm. Ouyang Shuo's heart was calm. Father, mother, you can rest assured. Bing 'er has grown up healthily and has become more sensible and adorable.
Just after dinner, he received a video call from Sun Xiaoyue. Bing'er was obviously very happy, showing off her new clothes to Sister Xiaoyue. Seeing the two beauties chatting passionately, Ouyang Shuo didn't disturb them. Instead, he turned around and walked into the bedroom.
Like in previous years, he not only prepared New Year's money for Bing'er, but also a New Year's gift. This year, he bought a very special gift for her.
On the surface, it was just a ball, a bit like the Summoning Ball in Pokémon. In fact, it was an artificial intelligence pet with high AI, priced at 10 million credit points. Such a luxurious pet, only Ouyang Shuo, as her brother, was willing to give it up.
With such a high price, it naturally had its uniqueness. This type of pet was strange and had long been out of the category of kittens and puppies. All kinds of pets in cartoons, movies, and even games could be cloned in reality through biological printing technology.
The artificial intelligence pet that Ouyang Shuo bought was produced by the most famous artificial intelligence company in the Federation, IX. It was the only one in the world.
As an artificial intelligence with high AI, not only could it accompany its owner in reality, but it could also appear in various virtual online games through the Skynet, accompanying its owner to continue the game journey. Of course, in order to maintain the balance of the game, this type of pet basically had no attack power in the game, and only existed as ornamental pets.
Ouyang Shuo didn't expect too much. He just wanted to find a playmate for Bing'er. A year later, this playmate could continue to accompany her in Earth ON1E. Naturally, it was perfect.
When he returned to the living room, Xiaoyue and Bing'er were almost done chatting. After all, it was New Year's Eve, and there were all kinds of greetings, so they couldn't chat for too long. Of course, Ouyang Shuo knew that, so he simply said a few words to Sun Xiaoyue and hung up the video call.
Bing'er consciously ran in front of her brother, stretched out her little hand, and said with a smile, "Congratulations, money! Here's the red packet!"
Ouyang Shuo touched her little head, handed her the New Year's money, and said, "Big brother prepared a special gift for you this year."
Bing'er took the New Year's money and asked curiously, "What gift?"
"Dang, dang, dang, dang ~ ~ ~" Ouyang Shuo took out the summoning ball from behind him and placed it in front of Bing'er.
The little girl took the summoning ball and asked curiously, "Big brother, what is this? A small ball?"
"You will know when you press the red button at the top of the ball."
Bing'er pressed on the red button curiously. Suddenly, a beautiful mechanical voice sounded, "Activated artificial intelligence pet successfully. Successfully locked on pet owner. Summoning ball activated!"
The summoning ball slowly opened, and butterfly fairies the size of fists flew out and landed on Bing'er's little hand. They said crisply, "Hello, Master!"
The shape of the butterfly fairies was exactly the same as in the movies and TV series. There was no trace of artificiality at all. They were no different from real creatures and were exceptionally cute. In order to match Bing'er's age, Ouyang Shuo specially chose the shape of a child when he made the customization. Therefore, a more accurate name should be Butterfly Fairy Baby.
Seeing such a magical little life, Bing'er was overjoyed. She giggled and said, "Big brother, is this your gift for Bing'er? Bing'er likes it so much."
"Yes, in the future, this butterfly fairy baby can always accompany Bing'er. You have to take good care of her. Bing'er, give her a name first! "Ouyang Shuo said with a smile.
"Well, let's call her Xue'er. Hehe, it will be a pair with Bing'er." It was hard to tell that the little girl was quite talented in naming.
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