novelraw Chapter 75: New Project
Chapter 75: New Project
Chapter 75: New Project
Due to the incident at Wanfu Garden, Madam Shen took some time to chat with Wen Gu and the Shen brothers, Qingliu and Shen Liu, about family matters.
Madam Shen placed great importance on the first phase of Wanfu Garden that Wen Gu had mentioned, but she also felt a bit uneasy. It wasn't that she didn't trust Wen Gu, but she was worried about the people on the Shen family's side.
When Wen Gu arrived, the Shen brothers, Shen Qing and Shen Liu, were already there and chatting with Madam Shen. Having recently embarked on their careers, they had not only proven themselves capable but also earned praise and recognition from their elders. They were beaming with pride and full of high spirits. Their conversation with Madam Shen was particularly enthusiastic.
They had asked Wen Gu the same questions Madam Shen was now posing, so they knew how to answer. Apart from a slight hesitation when recalling details, their responses were generally smooth. Madam Shen wore a rare look of satisfaction.
When Wen Gu arrived, Madam Shen didn't ask him many questions about Wanfu Garden. She had already learned about the latest developments from the Shen brothers. Madam Shen beckoned Wen Gu to sit beside her and said gently, "Your cousin mentioned your interest in calligraphy and painting and has selected several renowned scholars for you. The final choice is up to you. However, these masters are quite proud. Even if they are not taking disciples but merely offering guidance, their requirements are strict. To gain their approval, you must show sincerity, following the example of Chengmen Lixue..."
Perhaps it was the harmonious atmosphere, coupled with the recent praise and flattery, that emboldened Shen Liu. He thought he heard something about a "city gate" and blurted out, "I know this, Yang Ji Chi Yu!" Madam Shen felt a twitch in her forehead and closed her eyes in pain. What had her Shen family done to deserve this? The consequence of ignorance and loose lips was a hefty punishment of copying books. Shen Liu was on the verge of tears as he choked out his acceptance. Truly, he would have preferred a spanking, even double the punishment! Shen Qing, who had initially been eager to show initiative, dared not speak now, keeping his head down, trembling. Wen Gu watched, noting that Shen Qing looked as if he were afraid of meeting his tutor's eyes and being called upon. The two brothers, whose minds had been drifting, finally quieted down, though they still seemed restless.
As they were about to leave, Madam Shen, unable to hold back, called Wen Gu aside and subtly advised him to keep his distance from these cousins unless absolutely necessary. She genuinely feared the influence of bad company! However, after leaving the Zhao family, seeing that it was still early, the Shen brothers pulled Wen Gu along to the Shen family estate to mingle with other clan relatives. Relationships, after all, were forged through interaction. Upon hearing this advice, Madam Shen, when she found out later, was speechless. She mused that they hadn't copied enough books if they had free time for gatherings! Completely oblivious to the crisis, the Shen brothers, led by Wen Gu, introduced him to everyone. Wen Gu used this opportunity to learn about the backgrounds of the Shen family members.
As expected of a once-wealthy merchant family, in an era when merchants were suppressed, they sought patrons and allies. Marriages were either between officials and merchants or alliances between merchant families. It wasn't just rich merchants; other prominent families were also intricately connected, which was standard practice. It was learned that many of these marriages had been facilitated by Wen Gu's late maternal grandfather. The old man was truly remarkable. It was a pity he didn't live to see the great opportunities awaiting the Shen family today. This chaotic era had disrupted the Shen family's original development path but had also brought them immense wealth. After the Shen family relatives arrived in Xin Prefecture City, they formed alliances and intermarried with several prominent families who had pledged allegiance to the Zhao clan. In short, none of the current Shen family relatives were poor. When these cousins and siblings arrived, the items they casually handled, while Wen Gu couldn't fully appreciate their aesthetic beauty, exuded an aura of luxury.
As the atmosphere was pleasant, someone brought up Wanfu Garden, which was in its initial construction phase. Wen Gu produced a scroll he had brought with him. "I almost forgot, I have something else today," he said, unrolling the drawing. "Jingxing District and Qingyun District will also need new constructions. See if you think this project should be incorporated into Wanfu Garden. If not, I'll assign it to another project.""Let me see," Shen Qing said, stepping closer. Having tasted the benefits of Wanfu Garden, they were very curious about what Wen Gu had presented. The drawing was a rough sketch, simply rendered, appearing to depict a long aerial path connecting Wanfu Garden and Qingyun Temple...
"Qingyun Temple?" Shen Liu asked curiously.
"Daoist Master Qingyi has submitted several prescriptions, and he has been granted permission to build a Grand Daoist Temple," Wen Gu explained. "In addition to refining elixirs, Daoist Master Qingyi is skilled in refining incense for exorcising evil. If distinguished guests at Wanfu Garden express interest, they can directly reach Qingyun Temple via this long bridge. Qingyun District has many kilns and workshops, and is often dusty and cluttered. If one wishes to avoid traveling on the ground, they can use the aerial path. It's similar to a flying bridge or a covered walkway, just extended."
The Shen family members listened intently. They trusted Wen Gu's words. The Zhao father and son had always had a negative impression of monks and Taoist priests, but the fact that Daoist Master Qingyi was allowed to build a Grand Daoist Temple in Qingyun District indicated his extraordinary abilities. Perhaps this would become the only Taoist temple in Xin Prefecture City! Wealthy and noble families certainly had religious needs, and while they now maintained family shrines and temples, the establishment of Qingyun Temple would offer a legitimate place for worship and prayer. It sounded quite promising, and integrating it with Wanfu Garden would further enhance their status.
Just as Shen Qing was about to agree, someone cautiously asked, "With the current regulations on market districts, would building this be against the rules?" Shen Qing jolted and quickly followed up, "Yes, yes, it looks great, but whether it can be built is a big problem!"
Wen Gu smiled calmly, "I've already reported it to my cousin and received approval. We can build it."
"Cousin agreed?!" Shen Qing's spirits soared, as did everyone else's. Approval meant recognition!
"We can do it!" Shen Liu slammed the table. Shen Qing looked at the long bridge on the drawing. Compared to the intricate architecture of Wanfu Garden, this bridge seemed less challenging. A minor project. He nodded, "Incorporate it into Wanfu Garden!"
Wen Gu pointed to the long bridge on the drawing and continued, "The first phase of Wanfu Garden won't be completed anytime soon. We can start by building the first section of this long bridge, the part spanning Jingqing Alley..." "It's nearly three stories high. Building houses might exceed the limit, but if we adjust it slightly, a two-and-a-half-story height would be just within the limit. Building a section of covered walkway might make it a landmark in the city this year. This structure has other advantages as well..." Wen Gu explained, answering everyone's questions. The group huddled together, discussing animatedly. Shen Qing looked at him with admiration, "You, kid, have quite a few ingenious ideas!" Wen Gu replied humbly, "It's not entirely my own idea; I've seen many things during my travels."
Wen Gu's proposals indeed piqued the interest of many present. With so many people gathered, the murmur of conversation grew louder, making it difficult to hear individual voices. Shen Qing, finding the crowd disruptive, waved his hand, "Alright! You all go back and consider it. We have important matters to discuss!" He dismissed the others and continued their private discussion.
Wen Gu said, "If we expedite the work, this section might be completed before the New Year." The Shen brothers were surprised, "So soon?" Even though they didn't understand many things, they knew that such flying bridges couldn't be built in a short time. Wen Gu replied, "Provided we transfer some of the prefabricated components from Wanfu Garden." The Shen brothers considered the pros and cons. The prefabricated parts being produced now were for next year's preparations, so transferring them would be fine. Shen Qing agreed, "If it can be completed before the New Year, we can move all of them! That 'landmark' you mentioned is excellent! Wanfu Garden isn't built yet, so let people see the long bridge of Wanfu Garden first!"
Wen Gu elaborated, "We can use the timber and prefabricated parts directly. Recent technological breakthroughs from several workshops in Qingyun District can also shorten construction time. If we hurry, it might be possible." Shen Qing and Shen Liu pulled Wen Gu aside to discuss the issues facing the Wanfu Garden project in more detail. For some matters, Wen Gu didn't even need to be involved; Zhou Shan and his team could figure them out together. Regarding technical challenges, Wen Gu had even recruited a Taoist priest! This was indeed a talented individual who could solve many difficult problems. However, the Shen brothers, despite having many people around them, found that while they enjoyed the flattery, few were reliable when it came to actual work. Even selecting a supervisor involved much deliberation, and they ultimately chose someone from their father's staff.
Therefore, the brothers had specifically sought out Wen Gu today for a sincere consultation: "How do you recruit such talented individuals?" Wen Gu answered truthfully, "By impressing with virtue and persuading with reason!" However, speaking of the talent he currently had, Wen Gu was not satisfied with the number of personnel. It wasn't enough! As more people with status entered Jingxing District, Zhou Shan and his team struggled to manage them. Wen Gu then inquired about the Pei family from Shen Qing, mentioning Pei Jing, for the purpose of asking Pei Jing to revise some design drawings. The Shen brothers, who had been pondering matters of "reason" and "virtue," immediately shifted their attention upon hearing Wen Gu's request.
"Their family!" Shen Qing hadn't spoken yet, but Shen Liu next to him had an expression of "I know their gossip." With no one else around, they could speak freely. "The two from the main branch of the Pei family are quite capable. Although their mother passed away early, Pei Jun, Pei Jing's elder brother, was quite accomplished before, and he's even more so now that he's moved to Xin Prefecture City, becoming the Chief Officer of the Patrol Division!" "Pei Jing, his physique isn't as strong as his brother's. I heard he had a serious illness when he was young. If the times were peaceful, he could have pursued the Imperial Examinations and entered officialdom. It's a pity all his studies are of no use." Shen Liu clicked his tongue twice, looking regretful. "The most troublesome is that they have a father who drags them down!" Shen Qing also looked extremely displeased, pointing and saying, "When their father was young, his family was strict, and he behaved himself. Later, when no one above him was watching, the older he got, the more absurd things became. The serious illness Pei Jing had as a child is rumored to be related to Old Master Pei, and their father-son relationship has always been strained."
Seeing Wen Gu lost in thought, Shen Qing worried that he might be frightened by the Pei family's affairs and affect his social circle. He added, "These things are common in prominent families. What I've said won't cause much of a stir. Moreover, their elder is currently at a disadvantage and can't cause trouble. Feel free to ask Pei Jing to revise the design drawings!" After chatting about the "dirty laundry" of prominent families and hearing Wen Gu's optimistic outlook on the future of Wanfu Garden, the informal gathering concluded. Both parties were highly satisfied.
Wen Gu returned to Qingyun District first, using the long bridge project to provide some encouragement to Daoist Master Qingyi—"From now on, distinguished guests can directly reach your Qingyun Temple, so hurry up and redouble your efforts to complete the temple construction." (End of this chapter)