novelraw Chapter 99: Not Enough to Go Around
Chapter 99: Not Enough to Go Around
Chapter 99: Not Enough to Go Around Daoist Master Qingyi fell into a deep hesitation, wondering whether to jump into a perceived trap ahead.Zhao Residence.
After sending out the New Year's greetings, Wen Gu continued to revise the post-New Year development plan.
There were still many things to do.
The picture album was indeed a small surprise for this New Year. He hadn't expected to find the right person, and he also made the Daoist Master put some thought into the pigments.
The Daoist Master might be unwilling now, but for the development of Qingyun Temple, these things would have to be done sooner or later. So, he would have to trouble the Daoist Master to work a little harder!
Zhao Han's brushstrokes were simple, and his painting skills were immature, which was not appreciated by wealthy families.
However, with some minor embellishments and added colors, and by creating upgraded versions of the picture album to enhance its prestige, he believed those rich households would be willing to spend money on it.
One should not underestimate the risk-resilience of generations of accumulated wealthy families in these chaotic times.
They still had a considerable amount of stored food and supplies. One could offer them more choices for consumption.
While the picture album aimed to raise everyone's awareness of epidemic prevention, Wen Gu also wanted to use it as a test.Seeing that the time was approaching, Wen Gu tidied himself up and then headed to the venue of today's grand banquet with Tietou.
New Year's Day, Zhao Residence's Grand Banquet.
The banquet was for those who held a significant status in Xin Prefecture, or who had shed blood and sweat for Xin Prefecture and made important contributions.
The Zhao Residence's New Year's Eve family banquet focused on "family," while the New Year's Day grand banquet placed more emphasis on the political significance of the "clan."
The guests attending the banquet included close friends and relatives of the Zhao family, important generals and strategists, noble families and officials, as well as important personnel from the Four Seas District who came to pledge allegiance with their supplies.
Family members could be brought along today, but there were limited spots. Guests brought their wives and children, respected elders, or favored juniors, resulting in a considerable number of attendees.
Wen Gu did not wander around but went straight to the destination.
At this hour, many people had already arrived.
The younger generation was full of energy and couldn't stand being confined. Upon arrival, they didn't enter the warm rooms to wait but gathered in groups of three to five, chatting in the corridors outside.
Before Wen Gu had taken a few steps, he was called out.
"Wen Gu! Over here!"
The voice came from the Shen family's side.
Shen Qing and Shen Liu, the brothers, waved enthusiastically as if they were afraid Wen Gu wouldn't see them.
They had something to discuss with Wen Gu.
This New Year, glass products had been a great success. However, the production was limited.
Even the Shen family, after purchasing the first batch of glass windows, might not be able to buy more immediately.
Shen Qing lowered his voice and said to Wen Gu, "Can the glass kiln in Qingyun District produce another batch?"
It was too difficult to book an order at the Zhao Family Workshop, with extremely long queues.
Even without glass windows, other glass products, such as door curtains or exquisite decorative items used to show off, could be bought if available.
Wen Gu sighed softly and looked around, as if sharing a secret.
The Qingliu brothers also leaned closer.
Wen Gu said, "The glass kiln in Qingyun District will likely be dismantled after the New Year!"
"Ah??"
The Qingliu brothers were shocked.
Wen Gu explained, "The craftsmen have all been recruited to the Zhao Family Workshop."
The craftsmen related to the "Mirror" project were immediately transferred to the new workshop.
The original employers of those craftsmen had also been interviewed.
News about the craftsmen's movements was not spread, but as long as one put in the effort to inquire, it could be found out, and it was no longer a secret.
The Qingliu brothers were filled with regret. They had originally planned to find a way to get some goods from the glass kiln in Qingyun District, but it seemed they were too late!
However, they soon had other concerns:
"Wanfu Garden is about to resume construction, and a lot of glassware will be used for decoration.
As for the budget… is it still enough?"
In the future, buying glass products would require ordering from the Zhao family's workshop. They didn't know what the price would be.
If the quote was high, they would have to buy it, albeit with a heavy heart!
Wen Gu gave them a reassuring look, "Let's discuss this in detail later, but you don't need to worry too much."
The Shen brothers felt a bit more at ease.
Indeed, the Zhao family wouldn't be too greedy.
They then inquired about the progress of Wanfu Garden.
Although they had dispatched supervisors to the construction site and were aware of the project's progress, they trusted Wen Gu's judgment more.
Wen Gu said, "During winter, some carpenters worked indoors, and a batch of prefabricated parts was stored in the warehouse.
By hiring more laborers to rush the work, the first phase of the project should be completed in half a year."
"That's great!"
The Shen brothers were overjoyed.
"Recently, I've met a few new friends, and there's nowhere suitable to host them."
It wasn't convenient to invite them for a meal.
Once the first phase of Wanfu Garden was built, there would be a suitable venue for gatherings. That would be their chance to shine!
Their mood improved, and with greater anticipation, the Shen brothers became spirited.
As they chatted, time passed, and someone announced the entry.
The ladies were in another hall nearby.
Shen Liu craned his neck to take a look, then obediently followed the Shen family elders into the banquet hall.
Wen Gu asked Tietou to sit with the Shen family, and said to the Shen brothers, "Help look after him."
"Ah? Oh, okay! Don't worry!" Shen Qing agreed. Seeing Wen Gu walk off to the other side, he asked, "Where are you going, Wen Gu?"
Wen Gu pointed forward.
Then, the Shen family watched as an attendant led Wen Gu all the way to a table in the very front row.
???
"Are you kidding me?!"
Shen Liu exclaimed in disbelief, standing on tiptoe to confirm, as if afraid of misseeing.
I thought we'd be sitting at the "kids'" table together, but you, brat, went to the VIP table alone!
Uncle Shen heard Shen Liu's shout and looked over, his eyes narrowing slightly.
The seating arrangement at today's banquet had significance!
After observing for a while, he turned and instructed Shen Qing and Shen Liu to take good care of Tietou.
Shen Qing's mind raced as he pulled Tietou aside and asked, "Brother Iron Head, your brother…"
"My brother is up front!" Tietou replied.
"I know, I know, I meant…"
Shen Qing wanted to inquire further.
However, Tietou was stubborn. If he didn't know, he didn't know, and if he couldn't say, he wouldn't say.
Shen Qing was frustrated and could only glance at Wen Gu from time to time, observing his movements.
Did Wen Gu sit in the wrong place?
There were two large tables closest to the main seat.
Those who could sit here must be absolutely trusted confidants of the Zhao family and were highly valued! It represented the power that could most influence Xin Prefecture's decisions!
It wasn't just the Shen family staring in that direction. Other guests who were already paying attention to who was sitting in the front, upon seeing such a young face, whether they knew Wen Gu or not, were filled with surprise.
By what right was this person sitting at that table?
If the occasion were more suitable, they would have gone over to ask in detail!
After Wen Gu arrived in Xin Prefecture, he had indeed caused quite a stir, with his honeycomb coal stoves and glass. As a foreman, he had made quite a commotion.
The official Xin Prefecture newspaper had helped publicize his achievements, and combined with his status as a relative of the Zhao family, he was indeed in the spotlight.
However, in everyone's impression, Wen Gu could at most be considered a new dignitary.
To be seated in that position?
At last year's New Year's Day banquet, Pei Jun was the most eye-catching.
Pei Jun, less than thirty years old, held considerable power and was very noticeable.
Unexpectedly, this year was even more astonishing. Wen Gu, less than twenty years old and seemingly without much real power, was also able to sit at the same table as those influential figures!
Pei Jun, as the chief officer of the Patrol Division, brought his family to the banquet.
His younger brother, Pei Jing, could only sit at other tables with other members of the Pei family and not in the front row seats.
The guests, who were unaware of the situation, shared the same question in their hearts: By what right was Wen Gu there?
Was it because of what he had done in Jingxing District and Qingyun District?
Certainly not just that.
He was also responsible for the glass and honeycomb coal stoves, was that it?
Probably not entirely!
The influential figures at the front tables were not people who would tolerate being disrespected. If they felt slighted, those who were more rash and straightforward would definitely retort.
However, as the guests took their seats one by one, the highly influential figures at the front tables, despite their different personalities, all treated Wen Gu with the same amiable attitude!
Seeing the scene there, Shen Qing spilled his tea.
He quickly wiped it off, his face full of confusion.
"Did we… miss some important news?"
He looked at others.
The same shock and confusion.
Amidst the strange atmosphere, the banquet began.
The times were unusual, so there weren't many elaborate rituals and rules.
The procedures were shortened, and efficiency was improved.
Newly made charcoal copper pots were brought in one by one, supplying fresh vegetables and meat.
In the northern winter, fresh vegetables were a luxury. Even those grown in noblemen's greenhouses were underdeveloped.
However, the vegetables provided today were much more robust!
The guests whispered amongst themselves, soon figuring out the reason – the renovation of the greenhouses had incorporated glass windows.
Several wealthy households from the south, with ample funds and resources, were planning to build a greenhouse at their homes.
Their eyes scanned the fresh vegetables and then landed on the charcoal copper pots.
With the rampant epidemic, everyone wanted to eat hot food and drinks at any banquet.
The charcoal copper pots perfectly suited their desires.
The pots were of a novel design, with a detachable small chimney.
In normal times, everyone would have studied them carefully. However, today, many people's attention kept drifting back to a certain table in the front.
Wen Gu appeared humble and courteous, but his dining posture showed no sign of restraint or guilt. He looked very confident.
The people at his table were very amiable. Even those who were usually stern and unsmiling seemed more lively at this moment.
They had seen telescopes and microscopes. They had been called to the Zhao Residence by the Zhao Family Head that day and had seen them with their own eyes.
They knew what kind of miraculous devices they were!
Even if Wen Gu did nothing else in the future, the Zhao family would be willing to pamper and support him.
Although the credit could not be disclosed to the public for now, everyone present knew Wen Gu's contributions.
It was precisely for this reason that they had no objection to Wen Gu sitting at this table, welcoming it even!
Some people, using coded language, subtly inquired with Wen Gu whether they were difficult to produce and how long it would take to make one.
It's hard to be fair when distributing limited resources.
Military supplies would always have an order of distribution. However, for themselves and their subordinates, to be able to use these miraculous devices as soon as possible, a little private effort was not excessive, was it?
The chief officers and deputy officers of the City Defense Army, Xiànsòu Army, and Patrol Division were all devising plans.
A middle-aged scholar looked at Wen Gu with admiration and praised, "The younger generation is formidable!"
Another rugged military official grinned, "What younger generation and what juniors? I can't stand hearing you talk about 'youngsters' and 'juniors.' We only know that the wise are to be respected! Age is not a problem, seniority can be ignored!"
He looked at Wen Gu and laughed heartily, "As long as we sit at the same table, we are brothers born of the same parents!"
He insisted on pulling Wen Gu into a brotherhood, his gaze sincere and enthusiastic.
Wen Gu responded humbly and with an even more sincere gaze.
The military official, while smiling, sighed inwardly.
Tsk, he couldn't get any leverage with Boss Zhao. He had originally thought of trying his luck with this brat, to see if he could get some convenience from him.
It's not easy!
It seemed that he would have great difficulty obtaining any benefits from Wen Gu!
The influential figures at the table took turns complimenting him, some in an elegant and cultured manner, others in a rough and direct way.
Wen Gu showed no nervousness or awkwardness, only his eyes were exceptionally clear and enthusiastic.
A general sitting to Wen Gu's left, around forty years old, had deep worry lines on his forehead, giving him a very stern and rigid appearance.
However, when he leaned over to speak to Wen Gu, he immediately started with veiled allusions to illicit dealings behind others' backs…
For example, could they get a telescope first, even a defective one would do as long as it was usable!
Before Wen Gu could speak, an arm reached over from the right, encircling Wen Gu and pulling him to the side, "Brother Wen, let's negotiate…"
And so on, and so forth.
They slung arms around each other and raised their glasses for some cross-generational communication, appearing very harmonious.
A server pushed a portable small stove, on which sat a pot of medicinal porridge, bubbling away.
Nowadays, people emphasized eating everything warm, so the stove was directly pushed over, and the porridge was respectfully served to the distinguished guests.
A military man sitting on the side glanced at the porridge on the stove.
"This porridge doesn't look like enough to go around!"
"Indeed! We all have big appetites, this won't be enough!" another person added.
The others chuckled, their meaning unclear.
As they clinked glasses, the sound of clinking cups seemed as if they would shatter, as if an invisible fire was brewing.
Wen Gu didn't say much, except to respond to others' inquiries.
Most of the time, he just listened. Given his junior status and lack of seniority, this demeanor was normal.
These influential figures on the table talked about how several wealthy households had been added this year, and how they had also earned a lot from external trade…
When discussing these matters, they wouldn't forget to give Wen Gu an appreciative look or a few words of praise.
Aside from their own hidden agendas, they genuinely recognized Wen Gu's abilities.
Trade between major powers had always been ongoing. This year's earnings were exceptionally high, for example, with glass windows and many other orders in the pipeline.
Xin Prefecture earning more food and supplies was naturally a cause for joy for everyone.
However, as Wen Gu listened, these people, whether they appeared shrewd or reckless, all spoke with hidden intentions.
Especially when discussing the extra food and supplies earned at the end of the year, their smiles held a deep meaning.
Of course, it wasn't directed at Wen Gu.
After some thought, Wen Gu analyzed that these people, like him, seemed to be eyeing Old Zhao's accounts!
Trade between major powers, in addition to earning grain and daily necessities, also involved vehicles, horses, minerals, medicinal materials, Greek fire, and other valuable items.
In these chaotic times, these were treasures!
Xin Prefecture's three major military institutions were all keeping a close watch!
Wen Gu drank the nourishing porridge made from precious medicinal ingredients in his bowl.
It tasted good, and he also wished he could have more.
(End of this chapter)