novelraw Chapter 116: Forging Ahead
Chapter 116: Forging Ahead
Chapter 116: Forging Ahead September 2, 2025 Zhao family's young people purchased a piece of land as a group, which remains temporarily idle, and the blueprints haven't even begun to be drawn.There's even internal dispute over its intended use.
Some believe they should follow Wen Gu's suggestion and build a row of shops for rent, keeping a space for themselves to relax and have fun, while also annoying the Shen family brothers. However, others are more ambitious, wanting to start a venture to prove their capabilities surpass those of others.
Days of bickering have led to no progress. They possess wealth and provisions, and the joint land purchase cost them a significant amount, exceeding expectations.
As for when the shops will be built, it depends on the cost and the financial deficit. A rough calculation suggests it might be challenging.
Some elders in the family are pessimistic, often mocking them based on their seniority.
"They are truly young and impulsive,"
"It's obvious they were bamboozled by Wen Gu! Have they forgotten which faction Wen Gu belongs to?"
"They have too much money!"
"It's better to practice martial arts, calligraphy, and painting at home; opportunities will come.
Look at Zhao Han…"Pressure mounted. After impulsively buying the land, the young Zhao family members became confused and hesitant.
Some regretted it, while others wanted to give up and return to their laid-back lifestyles.
"Lying around is so much better, no worries!"
However, just then, a follower rushing from Jingxing District with news informed them that someone wanted to rent a shop! Those who were confused, dispirited, and resigned to mockery at home sprang to action like startled carp.
"What?! This is possible?" They quickly gathered to understand what was happening.
"So, they'll pay a deposit, and the merchant caravan sees prospects there, wanting to book it in advance? It seems unreliable, are they playing us?"
"But that's the renowned grain merchant, the Sheng family!" Although they usually have nothing to do, they stay informed about the city's movements.
The Sheng family had visited twice last year, so they were familiar.
"That's an empty lot right now! They can already see prospects there?!"
"The rent there isn't cheap! We don't even know what it will look like when built, yet they want to reserve two shops in advance?" The group deliberated urgently, still unsure of what to do.
It was a situation where: "I haven't even exerted myself, haven't found the right direction, haven't extended my hand, and money is flying to me…" They suddenly felt timid.
Someone worried: "Could the Sheng family's merchant caravan be trying to bribe us and probe for secrets?"
"Uh… if it's a bribe, the amount is a bit small.
This is at most a gesture of goodwill?" An honest person asked, puzzled: "But, why would we be worthy of this?" Several people around him looked at him and playfully hit him. Even without power or reputation, did he need to be so blunt? However, it did relieve some of their worries.
A sharp-witted individual said: "Jingxing District is Wen Gu's territory. Since he has no objections, why should we? He's the one who proposed this idea!" The shrewd ones began to pass the buck.
Hearing this, others nodded in agreement. Exactly! Even if there were problems, someone from above could handle them! They didn't admit Wen Gu's superiority to them usually, but now they were more than willing.
"Let's go!" They immediately set off, finding horses too slow, and rode directly. Their upbringing included horse riding as a compulsory course.
Whether they were proficient was one thing; whether they could ride was another. Even those who usually disliked riding couldn't bother with anything else now.
A group of about ten young people, riding horses, galloped from the core area of Xin Prefecture City towards Jingxing District. Upon arrival, no effort was needed from them.
They simply used the standard documents provided by the Jingqing Public Office, made minor modifications, filled in the amounts and terms, and the parties would confirm later when the merchant caravan arrived in the autumn and winter of this year. Three copies would be made, with one kept at the Jingqing Public Office.
Holding the signed and stamped documents, along with the newly received deposit in money certificates, Zhao Mu looked dazed.
"It's… rented out just like that?" Zhao Kun beside him took the money certificates and looked at them.
He wasn't greedy for this small amount of money, but he felt satisfied, a great sense of accomplishment! The others felt the same.
"As long as the accounts are clear and it's not bribery, this is our legitimate income, right?"
"Definitely! As long as the shops are built by the end of the year!" They were satisfied.
The steward, who successfully secured two shops and completed his task, was also satisfied. Wen Gu, who received the contract, was even more so.
Those mediocre second-generation individuals just needed to build the shops quickly and wait to collect rent, rather than embarking on reckless ventures! Those people, even if they did nothing, already had advantages far beyond ordinary people.
Why was the Sheng family's merchant caravan willing to book the shops in advance? Zhao Mu and his peers belonged to Xin Prefecture's top echelon in terms of political background—the "Zhao" of the Zhao Clan! The Sheng family had already established their stance; not purchasing property in Xin Prefecture indicated their attitude.
However, renting a place wasn't necessarily reliable, and the landlord's identity needed careful consideration. They hadn't found a suitable option until now.
Fortunately, they had old friends and acquaintances everywhere, whom they could rely on or rent from short-term. Now that they had found a place they fancied, with a reliable landlord, coupled with comprehensive considerations for long-term development, Sheng Ren made the decision.
When the Sheng family's merchant caravan wanted to rent shops there, the first to receive news wasn't Zhaohui District. Before that, Wen Gu had already sent someone to the Zhao Residence.
The merchant caravan's ability to rent shops there was already tacitly approved.
In the Zhao Young Master's assembly hall, the Sheng family's merchant caravan was also being discussed.
"We still need to be wary of the Sheng family's merchant caravan." The Sheng family's merchant caravan's non-interference in politics meant they didn't proactively interfere in political affairs.
For example, a merchant caravan wouldn't proactively transport a secret letter. However, if the secret letter was mixed with goods, and the employer paid sufficient remuneration, they would, under the premise of "ignorance," help transport these goods to the designated location.
Similarly, if anyone investigated, they would cooperate. They would not conceal who the sender and receiver were, or where the address was.
"I fear Sheng Ren's interest in that location is also to more conveniently gather information," a scholar said. Zhao Young Master, however, chuckled calmly: "Although there are drawbacks, the benefits are greater."
Zhaohui District, for once, did something beneficial. Consequently, the young Zhao family members soon received praise from the Zhao Residence.
They became collectively excited.
Whether they made money or not was secondary.
With their current status, with the surname "Zhao," as long as they didn't cause major trouble, they didn't need to worry about starving. More importantly, they could prove their ability!
"Build the shops! Build!"
"Immediately!"
"Get the design drawings out quickly!"
"Stockpile building materials!" Building materials are currently scarce.
Although a significant amount of timber was transported via snow roads over the winter, most of the timber has already been reserved by the numerous wealthy households in the city. Now, cutting in line would be impossible without incurring considerable favors.
However, it was worth it!
The Zhao family's young people, who were idle and prone to fighting, seemed to have received multiple spurs and became busy like spinning tops. They were promised completion by the end of the year.
If those shops weren't built by autumn this year, they would likely make a poor impression on the Family Head. A good impression equates to a good future.
They shared the surname Zhao, yet their futures varied; who would willingly be left behind by their peers?
Within a few days, Jingxing District's construction site, which was already at full capacity, had new work. The well-informed loafers quickly relayed this important information to various districts.
Winter had passed, and as temperatures rose, the outside would become increasingly dangerous. Commoners eager to earn food and firewood rushed over.
Regarding wages, whether paid monthly or bi-monthly, in the current situation, it could be devastating for a poor family. Therefore, the construction sites generally paid daily, or every two to three days.
Any longer would be unsuitable and damage the Zhao family's reputation.
As the money certificate amounts were too large and physical items inconvenient to manage, the newly opened construction sites promptly exchanged them for food ration tickets from Jingxing District.
The laborers were quite pleased. The loafers were also feeling smug these past few days.
Having the opportunity to secure benefits for their neighbors meant they would also receive help when they encountered trouble in the future. In these times, common folk like them couldn't survive solo for long.
For instance, when the Zhao family opened this new construction site, they immediately notified their neighbors once they learned of the developments. The laborers who were successfully hired now owe them a debt of gratitude.
During a break at the construction site, people from the same district, including laborers and loafers, gathered to chat. A thin laborer felt his sleeve pocket again, confirming the food ration tickets were still there before sighing in relief.
This was his wages for two days. Seeing this, a loafer nearby lowered his voice and quickly said: "Stop touching your sleeve pocket all the time.
Are you afraid people don't know you're hiding food ration tickets there?!" It was only because they were familiar neighbors that he offered this special reminder. Otherwise, a street rogue like him wouldn't hold back! The laborer nervously glanced around and whispered, "Yes, yes, I remember!"
He couldn't help but be nervous; this was something that could keep his family alive.
During the autumn and winter, he fell ill and missed the recruitment for the city's outer defensive works. His wife took on sewing work to support the household.
However, even ordinary wealthy households were tight on money these days, and work wasn't frequently available. After recovering, he had wanted to work at the Wanfu Garden construction site, but he was too weak then and wasn't selected.
Resources were scarce, and they ate sparingly. It was only a few days ago, upon hearing news from a neighbor about a new construction site recruiting, that he hardened his resolve to eat more food for a few days to regain some strength.
Fortunately, he was successfully selected and started working at the construction site. However, he still felt uneasy and asked softly: "Should I exchange all the food ration tickets I received for food?"
The loafer, accustomed to such questions, smiled dismissively and said: "Food ration tickets can only be exchanged for cooked food at the canteen.
If you want to stockpile food, exchange them for dry biscuits, which can last for several days. It's fine now that it's cold, but they won't last long once the weather gets hot.
Actually, you're better off this way. If you were to exchange them for rice or wheat, you'd need firewood to cook them.
Can you chop firewood yourself? Or afford firewood and coal?"
The laborer remained worried, as they had experienced disasters before: "What if grain merchants raise prices again, and the canteen follows suit…" Just as the loafer was about to retort casually, he caught sight of a clerk surnamed He out of the corner of his eye. His tone turned serious, and he said loudly: "You don't need to worry about that! Do you know who is in charge of the rice market in Xin Prefecture City now? It's Shen the Manager!" He then exaggeratedly cupped his hands towards the Jingqing Public Office: "That's Foreman Wen's maternal uncle! I can't guarantee other places, but in our Jingxing District, grain prices won't fluctuate wildly!" He Da, who had just passed by, pouted: "Exaggerated! Too exaggerated!" And "our"? Was he a resident here? Perhaps his heart was here, though he lived elsewhere? It wasn't impossible.
As long as these loafers didn't break the district's rules, he generally didn't interfere much. However, He Da himself came from the streets and knew very well how restless these people could be, so he had to keep a close eye on them, inspecting them several times daily.
His He family was finally on the rise; anyone who ruined his future, he would fight to the death!
Not far away, after seeing He Da walk away, the loafer resumed his normal chat with his fellow laborers from the same street, informing them of the rules here. After a short break, the loafer led the laborers to the general store next to the canteen.
"You can save up your food ration tickets, you can buy many things here," he said. The laborers bought the most water flasks and lunch boxes here.
At the Jingxing District canteen, some food categories purchased with food ration tickets included hot water. So, after saving up food ration tickets, many laborers bought a large-bellied pottery kettle to take home for their families.
During the epidemic, they knew not to drink raw water indiscriminately. But firewood was expensive! Chopping firewood outside was dangerous, and the areas near Xin Prefecture City had been cleared.
They couldn't afford coal either, and in the past, they had to drink raw water out of sheer luck. Now, with hot water provided for purchased biscuits, the boiled water was safe, and they were naturally happy.
With accumulated food ration tickets, they could afford a pottery kettle, usable by the whole family. Lunch boxes were also convenient for them to take food home.
The new laborers, after a tour with the loafer, began to make plans. Once people have goals and hope, their spirits are uplifted by several levels!
The loafer looked around and whispered to his fellow street neighbors: "Most items in the general store are fired from the kilns in the adjacent Qingyun District.
Sometimes, they fire some defective or flawed items, which they don't retrieve and sell at a lower price." The laborers' spirits lifted.
"Where? Where do they sell them?" As long as it didn't affect the main function, they were willing to buy imperfect products! The loafer chuckled: "Dream on. Everyone is short of everything now.
Those with the inside information have already claimed them; no goods even reach the general store!" He said mysteriously: "However, for the sake of being neighbors, if you need them, I'll try to get some for you." He had a sworn brother who knew Brother Yu Er from Qingyun District, who said he could help get some goods later.
Being neighbors, he wouldn't overcharge, just earn some pocket money.
The laborers naturally expressed their thanks repeatedly.
Saving even a little on wages was good, and if they could purchase imperfect items through a channel, they would be even happier. The loafer, facing everyone's gratitude and flattery, was very pleased, but since he hadn't received the goods yet, he couldn't show off too much.
"Ahem, there's also a boutique shop over there, but it's not something we can afford. Only officials and nobles shop there."
Not far from the general store was a boutique shop, but they only glanced at it from the outside, not daring to enter. If they accidentally broke something, they wouldn't be able to afford it.
Qingyun District. Yu Er was writing his work report.
Unlike He Da and Tao San, who were always hanging around the public office, he lived in Qingyun District and couldn't get Wen Gu's attention frequently. However, he wisely used his work performance to make himself known.
The defective goods from the kiln allowed him to gather information. The Zhao family also had large ceramic kilns outside, but the defective products from those kilns were first supplied to the military districts in the outer city area, which was the Zhao family's confidence.
After the autumn and winter seasons, the outer military districts had added more troops, and there were temporarily no surplus goods to supply the commoners in the inner city.
Now that everything was in short supply, for the commoners and soldiers, everyday necessities like pots and bowls, even if defective, were valuable private property.
Yu Er used the defective products from the Qingyun District kilns to explore and build his information network. The information received by the common folk was very limited, but similarly, for survival, they could be extremely perceptive.
In plague-ridden chaotic times, those who survived to this day couldn't possibly lack perceptiveness! Others' situations didn't concern Yu Er, but if there were any movements detrimental to their Foreman… Hmph!