NOVEL NEXT Chapter 126: Chapter 126
**Chapter 126: Sharing Hardships and Difficulties**
After the three women had chosen their favorite rooms, they gathered in the hall, where Zhao Ling was brewing tea. Seeing them enter, he waved cheerfully.
"Come, come! You must be hungry. The kitchen just finished cooking, so grab something to fill your stomachs."
As he spoke, Zhao Ling retrieved two kilograms of sliced, cooked beef and some pastries from his storage space.
Bo Saixi's appetite was modest, driven more by taste than hunger, but Ah Yin and Liu Erlong were genuinely famished. Drinking too much coffee tends to whet one's appetite, and the two had spent the entire afternoon at a coffee shop. It was no surprise they were starving now.
The sight of food from Zhao Ling's storage space triggered growls from their stomachs. Without hesitation, the two women rushed to the table and began helping themselves to the snacks and beef. Bo Saixi joined them, picking up a piece of dragon candy and savoring its flavor.
Meanwhile, Zhao Ling turned his attention to the low-level soul beast meat stored in his space. Thanks to its advanced preservation features, the meat was as fresh as when the beasts had been slain. A thought occurred to him—why not hold a barbecue party in the courtyard? With so much meat available, such an event would be an excellent way to bond with the mansion's servants and create a sense of camaraderie.
Zhao Ling understood that while power and wealth could command outward respect, they wouldn't inspire genuine loyalty. A great leader builds authentic relationships with their subordinates.
Before traveling through time, Zhao Ling had observed many successful companies thrive because their CEOs shared hardships with their teams during tough times. This solidarity fostered unwavering loyalty. However, when those same CEOs neglected to share their success later, their once-devoted employees grew alienated, often leading to the company's decline.
Although Zhao Ling hadn't endured hardships with his mansion's servants, he believed in cultivating goodwill. If they felt valued, they would serve him sincerely in the future.
His musings were interrupted when Qian Liu, the housekeeper, entered the hall with a group of subordinates carrying prepared meals. Zhao Ling gestured for him to approach.
"Sixth Son, come here."
Qian Liu directed the servants to place the dishes on the large table before respectfully stepping forward. "Master, what do you need from me?"
Zhao Ling explained his idea for the barbecue party and instructed Qian Liu to ensure everyone in the mansion participated.
Qian Liu was momentarily taken aback before cautiously asking, "How many people should I arrange to purchase the necessary meat tomorrow?"
Smiling, Zhao Ling shook his head and spread his hands toward the ground. With a flash, the floor was suddenly piled high with low-level soul beast meat.
"These are from my hunts in the Sunset Forest. They're all hundred-year-old soul beasts, though low-level. Most of you have probably never tasted meat of this quality before. Go ahead and try it."
For Qian Liu and the other servants, who possessed weak martial souls with little hope of becoming powerful soul masters, this was a rare opportunity. The thought of eating hundred-year soul beast meat lit up their faces with excitement.
Qian Liu finally managed to speak, "This is indeed enough meat for a barbecue, Master, but we'll need vegetables to balance the meal. I'll arrange for someone to buy them tomorrow."
"Good idea," Zhao Ling replied. He then retrieved 1,000 gold soul coins from his storage space and handed them to Qian Liu.
"Take this. It should be enough to cover the mansion's monthly expenses, provided you avoid luxury items, right?"
To Zhao Ling's surprise, Qian Liu shook his head vehemently. "Master, there's no need for this. The royal family covers all food, clothing, and salaries for everyone in this mansion. This has always been the arrangement, as decreed by His Majesty."
Zhao Ling raised his eyebrows in surprise. Even he hadn't expected Emperor Xue Ye's generosity. Not only had the emperor gifted him a massive mansion and an annual stipend of five million gold soul coins, but he also financed the staff's needs. Zhao Ling couldn't help but silently applaud the emperor's largesse.
Still, Zhao Ling had no intention of taking back the coins. "Keep the money. Consider it a bonus. If the royal family covers your basic needs, then this can be a reward for your hard work. I don't want anyone thinking I'm stingy, agreed?"
Qian Liu and the servants beamed with delight. The royal family's support was already generous, but receiving such a substantial bonus from their new master made them ecstatic. Dividing the 1,000 coins among the hundred servants would give each nearly ten coins—a windfall that seemed too good to be true.
In their eyes, Zhao Ling suddenly seemed more approachable, even endearing. Many secretly wished for a similar bonus every year.
Oblivious to their thoughts, Zhao Ling turned his attention to the now-laden table. He called to the three women, "Come, come! Let's taste the chef's skills."
The women nodded and joined him, picking up their chopsticks eagerly. The food turned out to be exceptional, surpassing even the quality of many restaurants.
As Zhao Ling savored the meal, he couldn't help but appreciate the chef's talent. The dishes rivaled those he remembered from his homeland's finest establishments. Curious, he decided to meet the chef in person someday and learn if their martial soul was food-related.
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