novelraw Chapter 71: Pleasant Conversation?
Chapter 71: Pleasant Conversation?
Chapter 71: Pleasant Conversation?
Wen Gu's maternal grandfather was once a rich merchant, whose clan had relatives who were high-ranking officials.
Currently, his uncle is in charge of the family affairs. Although his talent is not as great as his grandfather's, he can still be entrusted with important responsibilities.
His uncle has not been home recently, so Wen Gu did not visit.
He did not expect these two brothers to come directly to him.
Since we are here...
Wen Gu laid flat a drawing paper. On it was an architectural drawing he had sketched with a charcoal pencil.
Shen Liu, sitting opposite at the table, was impatient. He leaned over, and before he could clearly see what was drawn on the picture, he became curious about the brushstrokes.
"Huh? This kind of pen?"
He touched it with his finger, and some charcoal powder smudged, blurring the lines there.Shen Liu quickly retracted his finger, pretending he had done nothing, and looked at Wen Gu, who probably hadn't noticed.
"Ahem, this... what is this painting? It's quite beautiful."
Shen Qing, who had also walked over with curiosity, had already understood. It was a magnificent and luxurious building, no, not just one, but several houses connected by flying bridges. It was somewhat similar to the high-end entertainment venues he had seen in the Imperial Capital, but with many differences.
Wen Gu looked at them sincerely, "This is the integrated park for dining, drinking, entertainment, and living that I originally wanted to create!"
His drawing skills were limited, and some details were difficult to portray, so Wen Gu explained them one by one.
Xin Prefecture City had strict regulations on building height. Apart from the watchtowers used to monitor fires and epidemics, the residential buildings in various districts had strict height limits and were not allowed to exceed the inner city wall to avoid obstructing observation.
Those nobles who wanted to build tall towers could only convert them into pavilions and towers. If they wanted to ascend, they had to make reservations to visit the watchtowers; it was impossible in their own homes.
However, vertical development was not feasible, so they would focus on horizontal development!
Inns, teahouses, study rooms, shops...
The six major clans gathered the most distinguished people in the north and south today, and they had seen many luxurious building complexes. Therefore, Wen Gu focused on other configurations.
Gleaming glazed tile windows and doors, luxurious crystal colored lights, high-end ceramic facilities for changing clothes and washing hands, and entertainment venues for alternative folk art performances...
The Shen brothers looked at this building and then that building, their minds already converting these into reality, wishing they could go in and play right away.
After the world became chaotic, their families imposed many restrictions on them, and it was dangerous outside. They spent their days confined to that small area, facing the same few familiar faces every day. Xin Prefecture City had no other entertainment venues. When old and new friends wanted to gather, they couldn't find a suitable place.
Rich households and nobles would build a few places in their own homes for tasting tea and leisure. They competed for building materials not because they had nowhere to live, but because their residences were too small and they lacked places to play!
What Wen Gu proposed was quite good, with many options.
Shen Liu stared at the drawing and urged Wen Gu, "Then build it."
"I can't build it. I have neither money nor people," Wen Gu said.
Shen Qing didn't believe him, "Your maternal uncle, my uncle, and our cousin allocated quite a lot of building materials to you!"
"Go and look again, see how much is left!" Wen Gu looked distressed. "Building a few civilian houses will reveal the consumption. I actually don't want to give up, but reality is like this. If I weren't afraid of you misunderstanding, I wouldn't have complained to you. I can only put it aside for now, and wait for some time in the future..."
Wen Gu made a gesture to roll up the drawing paper.
It didn't move.
Shen Qing pressed one side of the drawing paper, "Tell us more about this inn and teahouse."
Wen Gu looked at the "Qingliu" brothers, "Are you interested? Then you build it. Here, since we are relatives, I'll give you the drawing."
Shen Qing thought to himself: We can pool money, but there's no space!
Shen Liu was more straightforward and said, "Xianghui District, where we live, is already densely populated with houses. We can build a small courtyard, but where is there space to build a garden!"
Wen Gu looked like he didn't care, "Ask Cousin to open another district."
The Shen brothers were taken aback.
Does anyone else get to ask Cousin to directly give them a district like you?
No, you even asked for two districts!
Wen Gu continued, "After you get one district, you can find more people to share the pressure, that is, let more people participate in the profit sharing. With more people, matters are easier to handle. Don't worry, you won't lose money. If it's built, it will be unique in Xin Prefecture City!"
The Shen brothers were immensely tempted, and most importantly, it would be honorable!
Everything sounded very good, but there was only one problem left – who would ask Cousin to open another district to build the garden?
Wen Gu's eyes encouraged them: You go!
The Shen brothers shook their heads: We dare not!
You are making things difficult for us!
Shen Qing looked at the blueprint and thought of the vast empty land he had seen today in Jingxing District. After all, it was a newly opened district with plenty of land.
But, besides here, where else would there be "elsewhere."
Shen Qing clapped his hand, "It's simple! We'll carve out a piece of land in your Jingxing District to build the garden."
It was convenient to do anything on their own brother's territory.
Shen Liu also thought it was feasible, "There's still land vacant here, right?"
Wen Gu appeared hesitant, "I had originally planned to build residential houses. If Cousin and Younger Cousin are truly interested, I will have them stop construction now."
"Hurry up and stop construction, clear the land, and let's discuss it properly."
Shen Qing looked at the drawing in his hand.
This drawing must have taken Wen Gu a lot of effort; it wouldn't be good to take it directly. He said, "Younger Cousin, we'll calculate your share of the profit for this garden too!"
"There's no need to be so polite. Consider the drawing as my apology for not visiting you these days. Besides, I am now the foreman of Jingxing District, and it's not appropriate for me to participate in it," Wen Gu said sincerely.
Shen Qing thought about the temperaments of the Zhao father and son.
The path Wen Gu was taking was indeed different from theirs, and he truly didn't understand the intricacies involved.
Shen Qing's face showed a more sincere smile. He patted Wen Gu on the shoulder and said, "Alright. I accept this gift. We are all relatives, so if you have any difficulties, you must tell us."
"I actually do!" Wen Gu looked troubled.
Shen Qing: "..."
Wen Gu: "Please ask Cousin and Younger Cousin to help find some craftsmen when you look for them. There are too many things to build in the two districts I manage now, and we are short of craftsmen.
"And those scholars who can read and write, if they are in financial hardship and want to find other work, they can be introduced to me. If they are willing to stay, food and lodging will be provided, and even their families can be accommodated!"
Shen Qing's wary heart was put to rest: Oh, these things.
They might even be able to earn some goodwill from this.
In large households with many descendants, the surviving members are numerous. They constantly plot against each other within the family, leading to many unpleasant affairs. There are also those who constantly clamor to split the family, but building houses is not easy nowadays.
It's perfect to send them to Wen Gu!
"No problem, no problem!" Shen Qing readily agreed with a laugh.
They continued to look at the drawing, and Wen Gu explained what they didn't understand.
Wen Gu also gave some suggestions: "You can expand in stages. Start with the first phase of construction. If you can't build three floors, build two floors first. When the regulations are relaxed later and you start making profits, then build the third floor. For example, start with one building..."
Shen Liu: "Teahouse!"
Shen Qing: "Inn!"
Shen Liu said, "Brother, let's build the teahouse first. We'll have a place to drink tea and chat when we go out."
Shen Qing disagreed, "An inn can also have tea and chat, and you can change the flavor, listen to small tunes, and stay overnight if you come back late!"
Shen Liu: "But it's not elegant enough."
The wealthy and noble families who pursued a refined lifestyle would play "diancha" (whisked tea) at home. Shen Liu felt that had a higher level of sophistication.
Alcohol is now strictly controlled, so they would play with tea.
Shen Qing had his own considerations, "We can build the inn larger and add some private rooms!"
After discussing for a while, the brothers asked Wen Gu.
"You mentioned glazed tile windows and doors, crystal colored lights, ceramic facilities, and performance venues earlier. Can they really be produced?"
Even though various gems and jade have greatly depreciated now, they are not easy to obtain. High-end goods are still kept by nobles.
Wen Gu said, "Let's try first, and we'll know after trying. Since we are going to build, it cannot be substandard. When I was traveling, I saw some wealthy families using crystal stones as curtains, truly like 'crystal curtains ripple as a gentle breeze rises, and fragrant roses fill the entire courtyard'."
The Shen brothers had also lived in luxury and wealth before and had seen similar things, which gave them a strong sense of identification. They greatly missed their former lives.
For a moment, they were lost in thought.
Wen Gu then brought their attention back:
"In addition, Daoist Master Qingyi in Qingyun District can provide several formulas, which might speed up these constructions. However, craftsmen with rich experience in firing ceramics are still needed to assist."
Knowing that these two wouldn't remember, Wen Gu took out paper and brush and wrote them down one by one.
"Besides ceramics, there are many related matters such as drainage and carpentry. If there are experienced hands, construction will be faster. Do you have craftsmen who fire glazed tiles? I have also recruited some ordinary craftsmen recently, but they cannot do such fine work."
Shen Qing came back to his senses and said, "Of course. Skilled craftsmen are kept by rich households and nobles. There might be skilled craftsmen in the private sector, but the Zhao family recruited a batch early on, so it's hard for you to recruit them."
Wen Gu wrote down the precautions and added, "Are there suitable supervisors? Ones who are literate and can command respect, so you can know the progress of the construction."
The Shen brothers nodded. They indeed needed to send close confidants to supervise and report daily.
Chatting and laughing, the Shen brothers stayed for more than an hour before leaving with the drawing given by Wen Gu and several pages of "Precautions."
They arrived with great momentum but left with pleasant conversation and a harmonious atmosphere.
Madam Shen at the Zhao Residence also received the news.
Like a thunderclap, Madam Shen was so startled that she knocked over her tea bowl.
"Who? Who had a pleasant conversation?!"
Usually dignified and composed, she now showed a panicked expression.
Upon reconfirming, her heart felt heavy.
Madam Shen sternly said, "Those two beasts!"
The female attendant lowered her head, not daring to speak.
When "beasts" came out, she knew Madam meant "brats," and it was a slip of the tongue, indicating extreme anger.
After speaking, Madam Shen realized her slip of the tongue. Scolding her nephews like this was indeed inappropriate, but the anger in her heart was suppressed.
"My family has no luck!"
Unable to suppress her anger, she ordered, "Go and ask immediately, what exactly did those two brats discuss with Wen Gu!"
If they were being unreasonable and causing trouble, they would be beaten with a plank!
Her maternal family had produced such a talent as Wen Gu, so they absolutely couldn't be led astray!
The female attendant returned shortly after leaving.
"Young Master Wen's cousin, Chang Shun, sent a letter."
Madam Shen immediately took it and opened it to read.
Worry, confusion, contemplation, calmness.
"Oh, so that's how it is."
Her anger had just subsided, and the turbulent waves had calmed down, and now she was calm again.
It only took the time to read a letter.
Madam Shen gracefully smoothed her temples, "They are all siblings of the same generation. It's good for them to cultivate their relationship more."
The female attendant bowed deeply.
She would do as she was told.
(End of this chapter)