Chapter 740: A Gathering of Talents

Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations

The pastry itself, being a delicacy, it’s fitting that the packaging matches its esteemed status. Chu Qingzhi, after observing for a while, mentioned to Shen Ruyue, “I’m going to check on the brick kiln. I’ll leave the things here to you.

“Go ahead, don’t worry,” Shen Ruyue reassured.

Chu Qingzhi left the workshop.

All the walnuts from the trees and the ground had been collected into bags, waiting for Chu Qingzhi’s next instructions.

Chu Qingzhi, pulling a cart, approached, “Thank you all for your hard work.”

Wan Haonan quickly took the reins from her, “Miss, where should we take the walnuts? We’ll transport them for you.”

“To the old house,” Chu Qingzhi directed.

“Got it.” Wan Haonan signaled the others, “Let’s help load them up…

Everyone promptly came over to load the walnuts onto the cart, then drove the horse towards the village.

Wan Haonan said, “Now that there’s nothing immediate, let’s help shell these walnuts.”

“Okay.”

The group not only shelled the outer green husks but also spread them out on winnowing baskets to dry, leaving nothing for Chu Qingzhi to worry about.

Chu Qingzhi, impressed, asked, “Can any of you build a horse barn?”

Luo Hongping confidently replied, “I can. I was in charge of the horses when I first joined the army. I’m very familiar with horse barns.”

Chu Qingzhi probed, “Then can you build a barn with everyone?”

Luo Hongping said confidently, “Yes, and it’s definitely built very well.”

Chu Qingzhi said, “Then help me build one. There are more and more horses at home. The Ma Peng from before is a little crowded.”

Luo Hongping readily agreed, “Sure, just tell me where, and with the right tools, we can have it up by dusk.”

“Follow me.” Chu Qingzhi thought to herself, never to underestimate anyone as they might just be an expert in their field.

She led them to the site for the cattle shed, “Wait here, I decided to build the horse barn on a whim. I’ll lay out the area first.”

After considering the layout, she marked off an area with lime, “We 11 build it here. I’ll use the adjacent area for a cattle shed, which will make it convenient to look after both.”

Then, a soldier named Fu Kangping mentioned, “I used to herd cattle before my service. I know how to build a cattle shed.”

Chu Qingzhi thought to herself, there really were many talents among them, “Would you mind building a cattle shed for me?”

Fu Kangping was straightforward, “Of course, and I assure you’ll be satisfied.

Chu Qingzhi gave Wan Haonan 100 taels of silver and asked him to buy the tools to build the barn. Then, she called Fu Kangping to the side and said, “Then let them build a barn here. Let’s go to the side and talk about building the shed in detail.”

“Okay.”

Chu Qingzhi told Fu Kangping about her plan to raise cows…

She planned to raise at least a hundred dairy cows to meet the workshop’s demand for milk, and with business expansion, the number of dairy cows would need to increase. Therefore, besides comfort, the cattle shed had to accommodate future expansion…

The two of them discussed for two hours.

Fu Kangping said confidently, “Miss, don’t worry. I’ll definitely build a cowshed that will satisfy you.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded with a smile, now only needing to concern herself with acquiring calves.

Where to buy calves?

And about the pigsty, if they knew how to build one, might as well construct it too.

After some inquiries, the task of building a pigsty was taken up by someone named Guo Shangyong.

In the workshop area.

Shen Ruyue received several letters in quick succession, all of them feedback about the sales of the mini cakes.

“Ten pounds of mini cakes were sold out instantly, nearly causing a frenzy.” “Ten pounds of mini cakes, sold out within three-quarters of an hour, several customers came back for more.”

“Ten pounds of mini cakes, all sold out within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, many have placed orders.”

Shen Ruyue, reading the letters, smiled satisfactorily.

The next day, she started recruiting more workers to expand production.

However, as it’s still in the trial selling phase, full-scale production would only commence after the workshop is fully operational.

In the capital, at Tanan Restetraunt.

Lu Yice specifically reserved a private room to invite Lu Yichen for a meal, but after a long wait, Lu Yichen hadn’t arrived

As darkness fell, Lu Yice couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

He kept looking out the window, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, “Will Yichen come?”

This was the first time he had invited Lu Yichen to dine together. If Lu Yichen didn’t show up, it meant he didn’t accept their brotherly relationship.

Would Yichen want to reconcile with him?

Actually, Lu Yichen had already arrived but hadn’t appeared in Lu Yice’s line of sight. He was conflicted about whether to join Lu Yice for the meal.

He felt indifferent towards this older brother. Having him around wasn’t bad, but he couldn’t decide, or rather, he couldn’t fully let go of the past.

“Forget it, since I’m already here, I might as well listen to what he has to say.

Lu Yichen entered the room through the window, exuding an aura of detachment, as if keeping everyone at arm’s length.

Lu Yice brightened up upon seeing Lu Yichen, “Second brother, you finally came.”

Lu Yichen’s tone was cold, “If you have something to say, make it quick. I have a lot to do and not much time.”

Lu Yice, undeterred by Lu Yichen’s aloofness, was just happy that Lu Yichen had come, “Second brother, I just wanted to have a meal with you. We brothers have never…”

He stopped before finishing, not wanting to stir painful memories.

Lu Yichen’s gaze turned icy, “Are you trying to flaunt something?”

Lu Yice hurried to clarify, fearing a misunderstanding, “Don’t overthink it. I have no intention of boasting. My only intention is to have a meal with you.” Lu Yichen asked skeptically, “Are you sure it’s just about having a meal?” Lu Yici lowered his head slightly and clenched the hem of his shirt with his hands on his lap. After some deliberation, he asked, “How do you and General Tang plan to deal with Father?”

Lu Yichen’s lips curled in a scornful smile, “So that’s your real purpose, isn’t it?” Seeing Lu Yichen’s misunderstanding, Lu Yice quickly said, “I genuinely just wanted to have a meal with you. The question just now was incidental.” After observing Lu Yice for a moment, Lu Yichen revealed, “If Lu Lizhang willingly confesses his hidden forces, he can have a quick end.”

Lu Yice tensed up, sensing Lu Yichen’s hatred for Lu Lizhang, realizing there was almost no chance of sparing Lu Lizhang, “I’ll try to persuade him. But I hope you don’t end up with the stigma of patricide.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t personally kill him. It’s not worth it to dirty my hands for Lu Lizhang,” Lu Yichen said with heavy sarcasm, clearly disdainful..