Cheng Hao nodded, said he was good, and thanked him again, then told Xiao Liu Zi to rest well. He planned to find time to have a good talk with his father.
His cheap father was clearly not someone who easily trusted others.
And had strong control issues.
Basically, all the food and supplies in the caravan had to go through him.
As could be seen from his pronouncements.
He was somewhat indulgent towards Cheng Hao, but if he ever crossed a line, it was estimated that even his own son would be seen as a thorn in his side.
Cheng Hao was currently quite satisfied with the people in the caravan; after all, they were sensible, diligent, and followed orders.
However, his father, blinded by authority, was prone to impulsive mistakes and was truly unsuitable for leadership. But if he continued to overstep, his father would surely be angered.
Therefore.
He planned to have a good talk with him, to show that he had no intention of competing with him, and that he was only acting this way to make the caravan better.
In reality, he did need some prestige to establish himself, so he was accumulating goodwill.
It was just that he couldn't let his father know, but he could appease his father for now.
Su Miaomiao didn't know what Cheng Hao had said to his cheap father, but soon an announcement was made to the caravan: from now on, all matters involving the use of supplies would require the approval of the Cheng family head, and anything needed should be requested from him.
There would no longer be any need to go to the servants to ask for things.
The servants below breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
As long as the supplies didn't have to pass through their hands, it was actually a good thing for them. From now on, they only needed to continue to obey orders, and wouldn't be forced to be good or bad people. If everyone in the caravan started asking the servants managing supplies for things, they would be in a difficult position.
Fortunately.
This wouldn't happen for now.
The Cheng family head didn't see this as a problem yet; he felt this was exactly what he wanted, and announcing it directly to everyone was a good thing.
Moreover.
He also understood from his son that manpower was precious at the moment, so he was told to treat them kindly, at least not to scold them all the time and chill their hearts, as that would be dangerous later.
The Cheng family head immediately said he understood and took it to heart. He even heard Cheng Hao say that they shared the same blood, so how could he betray him? He respected him too much. His own obedience was to allow him to enjoy life earlier, and he would handle those trivial matters below.
Cheng Hao also stated that he would compile a list of the types and quantities of supplies being collected and present it to him, making all the caravan's supplies visible at a glance.
The Cheng family head said that being the patriarch was comfortable, and that having such a capable son was a great blessing to him. During their heart-to-heart talk, he almost shed tears.
He trembling asked, "Father didn't take good care of your mother, do you really not resent father? You went out to seek knowledge at such a young age, you really brought honor to father and made your mother and me worry constantly, yet I couldn't take good care of your mother."
His most beloved woman had died in front of him, and it was a knot he couldn't untie. Therefore, for this outstanding eldest son of his bloodline, the descendant left by his beloved, he was both proud and guilty.
Cheng Hao felt nothing for him, but under the circumstances, he still said, "You worry too much. I have never resented you. Life and death are in heaven, and you were powerless. How could I blame you? You must not think this way."
The Cheng family head was extremely pleased with this, nodding repeatedly. Looking at such an outstanding son, he was extremely proud and had nothing more to say.
Su Miaomiao, after listening to Cheng Hao's retelling in the carriage, almost burst into laughter. She said that the Cheng family head was like a drama actor, but he was indeed quite easy to coax.
Cheng Hao reached out and rubbed her head, smiling and shaking his head, not saying anything, but he understood that the Cheng family head treated him this way precisely because of that blood relation; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so kind.
At least for now, things had stabilized, and he wouldn't bully servants anymore.
He asked Lai Fu and Ji Bo to pass down these new rules: besides needing to get a supply request slip from the Cheng family head for any materials, all personnel within the caravan were forbidden from bullying others, and absolutely no loud arguments or fights.
If there were any conflicts, they should be brought to Ji Bo and Cheng Hao. If they couldn't resolve them, then they should be brought to the Cheng family head.
Ji Bo's status remained that of a steward, and he had the authority to arrange any miscellaneous matters. Other servants were still to obey his commands and show him utmost respect.
The latter rule could have been omitted; everyone respected the old man.
Cheng Hao was now second-in-command. Besides the Cheng family head, he was the highest authority and could arrange matters. Even Ji Bo needed to obey his commands.
But this had always been implicit. It was good to state it clearly now, so everyone knew. The other servants would continue to be responsible for the supplies on their own carts and follow the arrangements from above.
After everything was instructed, the horses had also rested enough.
Lai Fu and Ji Bo returned to the front of the carriage and said that the caravan was about to set off. "Young Master, Young Madam, please settle in! We're departing!"
Lai Fu said this, and then began to hold the reins, preparing to set off.
Ji Bo was also happy, "We'll be traveling on the old official road from now on. Although it's narrower, it's much easier to travel on than the mountain paths we built. It's smoother!"
Lai Fu continued to laugh, "Isn't that right? The cartwheels won't be filled with mud anymore!"
Both of them were in good spirits, because their masters had fought for status for the servants and established a new rule: no bullying within the caravan. This was indeed the most friendly rule for them, the most humble group.
The servants' moods were the same as theirs; they all felt very secure.
Finally, they could work with peace of mind.
Otherwise, they were always trembling, fearing that the family head would throw them out at any moment.
They were also afraid of being bullied.
Now that people's hearts were stable, the atmosphere was more than a little better than before.
Even the Cheng family head could feel that they were working harder and more actively, and couldn't help but praise, "My son is truly capable, he is indeed my bloodline!"
Stabilizing people's hearts truly had its reasons. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
From the carriage, the servants finished organizing their belongings in an instant.
They could set off immediately.
The Cheng family head's wife, however, was very displeased and pouted like a spoiled child, coquettishly saying, "Your son, your son, your heart is now completely filled with your son. Do I still have any place in your heart? It's my misfortune to have been born so many years later and married you so much later, otherwise I would be the one giving birth to your legitimate son!"
She was naturally pampered and usually acted in a cooing manner. The Cheng family head was quite pleased to see her like this, but in his heart, his original wife was clearly more important. Thus, he rarely put on a stern face and said sternly, "Enough! The overall situation is more important! Can't you control your temper a bit? Do you still think we're in Fengcheng?"
The Cheng family head's behavior depended on his mood. If you were important at this moment, you were the most important. If not, he could turn his back on you immediately.