A shrewd wife can manage 60 scholars at home.

  Yang Lan returned to her own courtyard after talking with her mother for half a day, continuing to study with Master Fu. The main focus was on studying the Records of the Grand Historian and Zizhi Tongjian, while poetry and songs were secondary and only taught briefly. Master Fu saw that she didn't particularly like poetry and songs, so he only required her to have a basic understanding, and tailored his teaching to her needs.

  After finishing the lesson, the two of them discussed the finished products such as Xianglu Fangzi. Yang Lan gave some ideas based on the characteristics of cosmetics in later generations, for example, face masks, which also existed in this era, but were not called face masks, they were called "敷脸" (apply to the face), and cosmetic water was called "香露" (fragrant dew), and face cream was called "香膏" (fragrant ointment).

  Yang Lan then gave Lin Fuzi some guidance, for example, people with acne on their face should take care of themselves, whether they can specialize in researching and selling products that target specific skin problems, and also mask products can be more detailed. The climate in Beijing is relatively dry, so we can start by supplementing moisture and hydration, and there are also makeup powders made from ingredients such as flower powder, pearl powder, and rice powder, whether they can be made even finer, lighter, and more moisturizing, making them more natural and fitting.

  There is also the color of powder that can be divided into finer shades, some people's skin tone is naturally darker, and rubbing it too white doesn't look good either, this is also a direction.

  These ideas inspired Lin Fuzi greatly, his excited eyes shining brightly as he carefully recorded them down, saying that he would go back and study them thoroughly, and could come up with many products to decorate the storefront.

  In the afternoon, I followed Lin to learn about pharmacology, identify medicinal materials, recite herbal knowledge, and remember some food and herbs that are mutually beneficial or inhibitory, as well as some toxic substances. Later, we would practice martial arts in a private courtyard.

  After dinner, she had to check some accounts. Learning to read accounts was not enough; she had to learn the intricacies of account books and the tricks inside, which was a task left by her mother.

  Tomorrow she will take over the kitchen of the princess's mansion for a day as a practice, which is also her mother's intention to let her learn about managing household affairs.

  The next day, the kitchen manager came. Li De's family, wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt, was sturdy and neat, cleaned up very neatly, and had some fat that made him look a bit silly and honest.

  "Come on, Li!" Yang Lan smiled and had someone bring over a cup of tea.

  Li De's family quickly got up, bowed their heads respectfully and replied: "I don't dare, I am Li De's housekeeper, young master has any orders, just speak out, I will definitely use my heart!"

  Yang Lan nodded slightly, "En. Mother wants me to take over the kitchen. It's also a way to temper myself. I heard that Li Shu is in charge of the kitchen, so I came to ask for your advice!"

  Li De's family did not dare to take credit, and his attitude was still very calm. He replied in a steady voice: "I don't dare to accept your instruction. I will do my best to serve!" His attitude was neither arrogant nor humble.

  Yang Lan pointed to the account book on the small table and said, "I've looked at the account book, you've been diligent over the years, but I personally think there's a bit too much waste. Some of it is unnecessary. If it were just the servants taking things back to make up for their own expenses, that would be one thing, it would still be the master's kindness. But this cold storage meat has gone bad and yet you have to go buy fresh meat every day, it really is a bit wasteful..."

  The accounts are not balanced, and there is still some discrepancy. But it's not too big of a deal, the kitchen is a place with oil and water, if the water is clear then there will be no fish, it's impossible to not let people take advantage at all, taking advantage but being able to do a good job is also okay. What I'm afraid of are people who can't even get things done after taking advantage.

  Li De's family did not show fear, but acknowledged, "There is such a thing, sometimes the slaves are also neglectful."

  "Well, I think so too. However, waste is never good. Your mother often praises you for being diligent and the dishes are still quite good. I have a new idea, would you like to hear it? If it's not suitable, you can also tell me?" Yang Lan was very modest.

  Li Dejia felt a bit disdainful, thinking that even if he changed his bad habits, it wouldn't make much of a difference. With so many people in the kitchen, how could he possibly keep an eye on each and every one of them without missing anything?

  "I've calculated that our household's kitchen expenses are around 200 taels per month, plus the meat, vegetables, and fruits sent by Zhuangzi, adding up to a total of about this much. Rather than wasting it, I'd rather save the silver for special occasions and give it to everyone as a reward. This is what I think: every month, calculate the expenses at 250 taels, and I'll give you this amount of silver to manage. If there's extra, you can split it with the kitchen staff, and during holidays, also give them a bonus. If there's not enough, you and the kitchen staff will make up for it together. The things from Zhuangzi's place remain unchanged as before. You are in charge of the kitchen, I don't recognize anyone else. If any problems arise, I'll only talk to you about it. Do you think this method is feasible?"

  Yang Lan took a sip of tea, smiling slightly, with a gentle and warm expression on her face. Actually, this method wasn't new either, it utilized the concept of restaurant franchising, every year it's just this amount of money you arrange yourself, if you make a profit it's yours, if you lose you can't blame anyone else.

  Li De's family didn't smile, but instead carefully lowered their heads and pondered in their hearts for a long time before gritting their teeth and agreeing, "Alright, this servant has accepted the task. From now on, it depends on the servant's skills!"

  Yang Lan looked at her and didn't seem like that kind of arrogant person, and she felt relieved in her heart.

  "That's settled, sign and seal this contract! Three months is the observation period, one year is the limit. If you do well at the end of the year, I'll give you a separate reward, no less than ten taels of silver. One week in advance, I'll give you the menu, and based on that, slightly adjust the seasonal dishes, vegetables, pastries, etc." Yang Lan gave a signal with her eyes, and Biyun immediately brought over a contract, which outlined the terms and requirements for the concession.

  Li Dejia's slightly familiar characters, after listening to Biyun read them once, he looked at them again himself and confirmed that there was no problem, then pressed his handprint.

  "Are there any other instructions, County Master?" Li De's household had finished stamping the seal and his heart was at ease. On the contrary, he was ambitious and planned to go back and think about it again, how good it would be to tidy up once a year and save some silver money! This time it was all theirs!

  "Yes, I remember that every night there would be some snacks served as a midnight snack, but I saw that many were left uneaten and not good the next day, some weren't even eaten by the staff, just thrown away. Think about it when you go back, how to improve it. I was thinking of changing to noodle soup, flatbread or wontons in broth, which would be more suitable than snacks. Eating too much at night is easy to get indigestion, this is just my humble opinion, if it's not suitable, just pretend you didn't hear it, after all, I've never worked in the kitchen, don't know much!" Yang Lan still gave Li Dejia face in the end.

  Li De's family thought for a moment, smiled and nodded, "Young master, this is a great idea. I'll go back and discuss it with the others. This way, not only will we save some trouble, but our people downstairs can also benefit from it and have some midnight snacks. Making noodles is much simpler than making pastries. I remember to discuss it again when I get back and make a menu for you, okay?"

  "Alright, you go ahead. I'll also make a list. You all deliberate and come up with something that meets my simple requirements: we must eat well and save money. Money should be spent wisely, can't waste things!" Yang Lan concluded and proposed the overall guideline.

  Li De's family nodded repeatedly to show understanding, then retreated and went out of the yard. She turned back to take a look, wiped her sweat with her sleeve, and quickly ran towards the kitchen.