The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

After hearing Chen Heng's words, Bao Qin already frowned and said angrily: Brother, are you trying to imitate Li Kui and become a donkey killer?

Seeing Bao Qin's displeased look, Chen Heng laughed and explained, Don't blame me, second brother. I thought uncle would send a steward to help you.

Bao Qin shook her paper fan, her expression turned into a subtle chuckle, and asked, It seems that the eldest brother is not blaming me for showing up.

Hearing the slightly raised teasing tone of the other party, Chen Heng quickly shook his head and said firmly: How can it be possible? Without the help of my second brother, how could this matter go so smoothly? When he said this, he laughed out loud, Then he changed the topic to something else, How are things going in your store?

It will be almost the same when we come back. Bao Qin closed the paper fan and followed behind Chen Heng and Principal Zhao. She is also a store owner on Qiupu Street now, so it wouldn't hurt to come and have a look.

Xue Ai naturally despises Xue Ji's shop. He originally wanted to wait for his daughter to come back and then send a steward over to take over. It doesn’t matter whether you make money or not, just a few years, as long as you don’t lose too much.

It really doesn't work. Anyway, the store has been bought and then rented out to others while I sit back and collect the money. It's still a simple business.

However, Baoqin didn't agree with anything and didn't know what he thought. After returning home, he refuted Xue Ai's arrangement. With two thousand taels of his own money, he acted like I can do it myself even if you don’t agree.

Xue Ai had no choice but to leave another two thousand taels for Bao Qin after Chief Zhao returned the five thousand taels to their family. He only told the other party that if he lost all four thousand taels, he would go home.

On the way, Bao Qin chattered about things at home. Chen Heng also didn't express his opinions casually and smiled most of the time. As the saying goes, it is difficult for an upright official to stop household chores, and both Xue Ai and Bao Qin were right.

Even if Xue Ai agreed in the end, he is now considered a very enlightened elder. The eldest sister can go out because she helps her parents' family and has the support of her eldest brother-in-law. Baoqin is doing business on his own, which is completely different in nature.

When the three of them had already entered the workshop, Chen Heng stopped thinking. He took Principal Zhao and Xue Baoqin around and made adjustments in advance for various arrangements in the workshop.

Because of the Suhang case in front of him, Director Zhao now obeys Chen Heng's words and fully trusts his judgment. After visiting the horse training workshop, Chen Heng went to the mulberry forest and talked with the mulberry farmers about the approximate production value of raw silk next year.

When everyone returned to the office again, there were already two experienced embroidery workers accompanying them, one surnamed Wang and the other Xu. They are all from Yangzhou, and they also learned Yangzhou skills in their early years.

Chen Heng invited these two people here as technical consultants, so that he could directly inquire about various points.

Everyone found their seats in the hall. Master Wang and Master Xu were a little surprised to see Chen Heng still sitting on top of Master Zhao. None of them expected that this young man had such a powerful background.

As the real person in charge of Qiupu Street, Chen Heng didn't pay much attention to the looks of the two people. For some things, just let the results speak for themselves. Prestige is not given by others, it is all earned by yourself.

As for hiding behind and being the secret controller like before, it will be a little troublesome to deal with things in the future. Chen Heng thought about it and simply flipped the cards and sat in front of everyone.

There are too many people in the dyeing and weaving workshops, and we can't use them now. Before Chen Heng finished his sentence, the two old masters were already in a mood, We will check it out in the next two days and select people with suitable skills. , a new tailoring workshop is set up, located behind the embroidery room.

Seeing that the young man was not being laid off, the two old masters felt relieved. When they saw Director Zhao on the side, he picked up a pen and started recording, they became even more suspicious of Chen Heng's background.

Chen Heng has no choice. Now the raw silk from Qiupu Street has to be shipped to Suzhou and Hangzhou first. There is really no need to keep too much of the first two.

Bao Qin, who was sitting with him, listened and compared Chen Heng's ideas with his own, and asked: Brother, do you want to make ready-made clothes?

Yes. Chen Heng nodded. The cloths he bought now were all defective and semi-finished products. Qiupu Street’s energy is naturally focused on improvement and design.

The master named Xu asked aloud: Xiao Langjun, then we will no longer do weaving and dyeing? Although she is an embroiderer, she also knows that the upstream of textiles is to weave and dye by herself. It would be a pity if Qiupu Street was abandoned like this.

This was an old master in the workshop. Chen Heng also respected the other person's ideas and immediately explained: Don't worry, Aunt Xu, I won't kill the goose to lay the eggs. It's just that Qiupu Street is in urgent need of business improvement now. When I have enough money in the future, Yes, we must invest money until we have cloth that belongs only to us in Yangzhou.

After hearing this, the two masters felt a little relieved. Just when they were asking questions, Chen Heng saw that the atmosphere was pleasant and said to each other: Two ladies, I invite you here today, and I have something to ask you. Now our workshop is in urgent need of people who are good at embroidery. First, I want to I want to ask you if you have anyone to recommend. Secondly, I also want to ask you to start a class and teach some additional apprentices in the future.

Ah?! The two old masters looked confused when they heard this. Their skills were all acquired by paying apprentices back then. In the future, I plan to use it to pass down the craftsmanship to my descendants so that they can settle down and live a good life.

What they do now in the embroidery workshop are simple techniques. The skill of large embroidery is still a secret between the two. Many of the female workers in the workshop had studied privately, but they were all severely rejected.

This matter is not urgent. You two ladies can think about it slowly. Chen Heng is not a person who imposes things on others, and he also knows the current social opinions. He just said temptingly, If you two are willing to agree, I can directly take two hundred taels of silver and give it to you. You two will be rewarded. Your monthly money will also increase from three taels a month to five taels. Every time you bring out a disciple, I will reward you with another one tael. From now on, as long as Qiupu Street is here, you two can stay.

Even though the two ladies were used to seeing people, they were stunned by Chen Heng's generosity. When they first learned the art, the fee for apprenticeship was only twenty taels of silver.

With such a sum of money in hand, don't say what will happen in the future. Now alone, the situation at home is much better.

Xue Baoqin saw everything in his eyes, and after thinking about it, he felt that Chen Heng wanted to buy a horse with a thousand pieces of gold. It not only established prestige for oneself in the community, but also used this matter as an example for future generations.

Chen Heng was not in a hurry. Seeing that the two of them were already interested in making a move, he looked specifically at Director Zhao, Don't worry, Madam, Director Zhao will recognize what I say.

Yes. Mr. Zhao nodded in agreement. With his reaction, the two ladies felt reassured. They quickly lowered their heads and began to think about it silently.

Putting this matter aside, Chen Heng gave the ladies time to think, and continued to Director Zhao: In three days at most, the goods we bought from the Weaving Bureau will arrive. You can arrange for people to arrive in the early morning and evening Just go there and pull the goods, don’t affect the people’s livelihood at the terminal.”

Okay, I'll remember it, you continue.

After the shipped cloth is returned to the warehouse, we start making ready-made clothes. As for the sizes, we will all choose four feet eight inches and five feet one inch. Chen Heng has even thought about the specifications. These two sizes will be converted to one meter in later generations. Six and one meter seven.

Director Zhao was moved when he heard the sound and directly put the notes on the paper. When Xue Baoqin heard this, he had questions and said, Brother, what if the size the customer bought is wrong?

How many unsold stores are there on the street? Chen Heng asked Manager Zhao, who did the math in his mind. Nowadays, all the good stores on Qiupu Street have been sold out, and the remaining 20 to 30% are in poor locations.

After hearing the number reported by Director Zhao, Chen Heng ordered, Choose four rooms, as far apart as possible from the front, back, left, and right. Use them as sewing shops. As long as the clothes bought on our Qiupu Street are all You can change it directly here. Remember, you are not allowed to collect money from customers.

Ah?! You don't want money? Mr. Zhao didn't react. How much less money would he earn? Clothing stores outside also charge some labor fees for changing the stitching. Don’t want this at all?

Well, the matter is settled like this. Chen Heng smiled and did not explain the mystery. After doing something, everyone will naturally discover the benefits.

If you want to choose someone, please ask two masters to choose someone with good skills and good temper in the workshop. Chen Heng warned the two ladies, Both of these two points are extremely important. Don't choose the wrong person.

Okay. The two ladies quickly stood up and agreed.

Bao Qin on the side fell into thinking. If he did this, the business on Qiupu Street would be much better. In just one breath, he gave up all the money. Brother Chen's demeanor was indeed different from ordinary people.

Chen Heng coughed and drew everyone's attention back, Let's talk about the choice of clothes now.

This is the most important thing today. Only when the products are good and the prices are cheap can Qiupu Street become an instant success. Naturally, Chen Heng also knew the importance of this. He had previously thought of asking Xu Jinhou, Xue Biao and others who were good painters to design it.

But these people are all men after all. They paint all year round and their vision is somewhat artistic. It is difficult to say that the version that can be taken out is difficult to mass-produce and sell because it is too exquisite.

Taking into account the aesthetic differences between men and women, Chen Heng said to Bao Qin, who also studied painting: Second brother, I would like to ask you to paint a few paintings for me.

Ah?! Bao Qin was stunned, and then she said that she was about to leave, why was Chen Heng holding her back? It turned out that she had something waiting here.

Hahaha. Chen Heng chuckled and expressed his thoughts. For example, pay attention to the fact that the craftsmanship does not need to be perfect, it can be simple, beautiful and generous, and the aesthetic issues of female customers should also be considered.

Baoqin hurriedly listened and wrote down Chen Heng's requests one by one. But this matter is really too important. Chen Heng really didn't dare to put his treasure on one person, so he said to Director Zhao: You can find a few painters from the city and ask them to draw a few pictures of ladies. The characters don't have to be exquisite, but the style of the clothes should be beautiful. , put in enough effort.”

Okay, don't worry, Mr. Chen, I will definitely take care of this matter. Director Zhao agreed.

These two groups of people were not enough, so Chen Heng had to go back and look for Xu Jinhou and Xue Biao from the academy. If possible, it would be great to round up the people who are good at painting in the city and capture them all to design clothes for Qiupu Street.

To do this, money is needed. Chen Heng thought for a while and then said: I'll pay fifty taels later and you can keep an account. Is there an accountant in our workshop?

One or two. Manager Zhao said honestly. Business was not good in the first half of the year, so there was really no need to recruit more.

Then let's use it first. It's not time to spend lavishly now, Chen Heng said again, Look back and see if any of the female workers know how to do accounting and calculation. If so, we will have two sets of teams in the future. Cross-reference the ledgers.”

After Director Zhao finished writing the matter on the paper, Chen Heng continued to give instructions, Starting tomorrow, before the New Year's Eve. Buy another 30,000 saplings and continue planting them in the wasteland outside the city. This matter takes a long time, but it cannot be stopped. It cannot be stopped. It affects our harvest next year.”

This is something that must be done. Even if the business on Qiupu Street is not good in the end, the raw silk grown can still be sold to Suzhou and Hangzhou. It was Chen Heng's plan to prepare a way out.

Afterwards, several details were explained, and Chen Heng discussed the issue of working overtime with Director Zhao. Chen Heng thought too much about this. Now there is no electricity, so lighting relies on oil lamps and candles. Let’s not talk about whether the female textile workers are willing to work, but in the flammable horse training workshop, open flames are used. The risks it brings are huge.

After Chen Heng reacted, he knew that he had thought too much and immediately followed the good advice. However, after hearing that Director Zhao mentioned fire, he asked about the fire prevention measures in the workshop and the situation of the fire watchtower.

After receiving a clear answer, Chen Heng kept the matter in mind and prepared to check the details of the matter personally in the future.

Does Mr. Chen want to take advantage of the New Year to rush out a batch of goods? Director Zhao asked tentatively. Seeing Chen Heng nod, he added, In that case, why not go to the government office and talk about it. Let's relax in the square. The opening and closing time limit is set, and opening the workshop earlier every day also allows the craftsmen to come in earlier.”

This is indeed a good way. If business really gets better, it is natural to extend working hours. As for human rights and so on, it is too early to discuss these now. It's only been a few years, so it would be nice to have something to do.

Chen Heng remembered Director Zhao's opinion. By this point, everyone has pretty much discussed it. Seeing that Chen Heng was about to stand up and leave, the two ladies hurriedly said: Little Master, I have thought about what you just said.

Hearing the two voices in unison, Chen Heng couldn't help but sit back and said patiently: Two ladies, what do you think?

We are willing. Masters Xu and Wang couldn't help but nodded, fearing that if they finished speaking, Chen Hengxing would want to reduce his salary.

Okay. Chen Heng chuckled, and asked Director Zhao to get fifty taels for them on the spot, and then said, The remaining money will be included in next month's wages. You two masters, don't mind if I talk about this matter. Bar.

Holding the silver in their hands, the two aunts, Wang and Xu, smiled from ear to ear and said immediately: I don't mind, I don't mind. When we go back, we will have a good talk for the young man.

With this good start, Chen Heng said to Director Zhao: In the future, as long as the master's skills are up to standard, we will pay them all five taels of wages.

Manager Zhao felt a little pained when he heard that it was another expense. But now that Magistrate Lin has entrusted everything to him, he can only agree.

After finishing this matter, Chen Heng took the documents signed by the jewelers from the hands of Director Zhao and walked to the government office. When he left the government office, a chamber of commerce called Qiupu Street Cloth Shop also came into being.

This chamber of commerce will directly take charge of street affairs in the future. This approach is also to compete with Suhang in the future. Without large-scale production capacity, if the merchants on Qiupu Street are allowed to fight alone, who can beat the weaving bureau in Suhang.

Currently, 50% of the chamber of commerce is jewelers who have invested heavily. The government office occupies the remaining 40%, and only this 40% will be transferred out in the future when a suitable person appears.

Xue Baoqin had a monopoly of 10% because of his relationship with the Weaving Bureau. This is Chen Heng's care for her, and it is also because now without the Weaving Bureau, no one can play. Therefore, the entry of the Xue family is a must.

In business, Chen Heng does not want to owe too many favors to Qiupu Street. Even he himself will choose the right person to take over the supervisor's position when Qiupu Street is on the right track.

Chen Heng knew that Qiupu Street was a stop in his life, but it would not be his end. The original Director Zhao will continue to stay in the Chamber of Commerce as the representative of the government and be responsible for supervision.

It's just that Director Zhao, like the jewelers, has no actual management rights, and the latter can still get dividends. For the former, the only solace was the extra wages issued by the Chamber of Commerce.

But now that Qiupu Street is in ruins and waiting for renovation, and with himself in charge, Director Zhao can still participate. When the successor appears, you can use this title to eliminate the opponent at any time. It can be regarded as Chen Heng's consideration for his successor to prevent the other party from being constrained in doing things in the future.

After finishing these chores, Chen Heng was pretty busy. He turned directly to the academy, found Xue Biao and Xu Jinhou, and mentioned his request to them.

It was also the first time for the latter to receive such leisure work. In the past, he mostly enjoyed painting. When I heard it for the first time, I was very interested and agreed very easily.

It was agreed to pick up the painting three days later. Chen Heng left a deposit of fifty taels and went home to rest.

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In the following days, Chen Heng was mostly busy at both ends. I study and study at Shan Chang's house in the morning, and I am busy on Qiupu Street in the afternoon. Xue Biao and others also discovered this, although they were curious about why the other party suddenly stopped coming to the academy for classes. But with Qiupu Street, they really wanted to find Chen Heng, and they knew where to go.

Spending a hundred taels to collect various pictures of ladies from outside, Chen Heng held the Baoqin and worked with the embroidery workers in the workshop to decide on the styles to be cut and made.

Among them, Master Xu has two finalists, which are recognized as having good aesthetics and simple methods. Xue Biao made three paintings, and when he chose one, it was just so-so. The strangest thing to Xue Biao was Bao Qin. His sister drew five pictures and selected them all without exception. Xue Biao was amazed.

After ordering the drawings, the rest was to work overtime. One end is the finished fabric and the other is the clear drawing. Naturally, there is no need to elaborate on how to do it. Nowadays, the embroidery room with the largest number of people has the heaviest task.

Their stitching must be perfect, and you can imagine the energy and effort that goes into remaking defective fabrics into clothing. It is a pity that most people only began to learn and further their skills from Xu and Wang. Chen Heng had no choice but to make a more detailed division of labor according to their skill levels.

As a group unit, each group is responsible for the area they are best at. The craftsmanship is carried out step by step to ensure that the finished product can be produced as soon as possible. Of course, Director Zhao will help keep an eye on these matters.

When Chen Heng got some free time, he concentrated on studying with Pei Huaizhen. It is really interesting for Shanchang to teach. He often takes the newspaper sent by the imperial court and tells the students the news in it.

If there is a personnel change, tell the students about the origins of the two people and the pros and cons of the change. If you see a place name appear, talk about the historical allusions of this place and what happened.

After a month of this, Pei Huaizhen suddenly took the newly arrived newspapers and letters, waved at Chen Heng and said, Heng'er, come and take a look.

What's wrong? Master.

Chen Heng, who was immersed in writing an article, rubbed his hands and walked towards Pei Huaizhen. It is now November, the weather has turned cold, and the temperature has plummeted. He sat and wrote for more than half an hour, and his hands were a little frozen.

Look at this sentence and see what clues you can discern.

Pei Huaizhen pointed to a place in the residence newspaper. Chen Heng took a look and saw that it read: Because of Jia's talents and virtues, she was specially named a virtuous concubine.

Chen Heng was surprised when he saw this. He didn't expect that this happened in November. He has been following Pei Huaizhen recently and has a deep understanding of the Four Kings and Eight Gongs. Looking at this will again, I feel it is even more subtle.

Pei Huaizhen took out the letters sent by students from the capital and showed them to Chen Heng. It said: Because of your filial piety to the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty allows your concubines and relatives to visit the palace on the 26th of every month. The Supreme Emperor felt that the palace would be in chaos when relatives came to visit, and he also felt that it would be inconvenient for relatives to meet in the palace. In addition, concubines in the palace are allowed to go home to visit their relatives on their own, except on the 26th of each month.

Chen Heng already felt something was wrong after reading this, so he continued to read: His Majesty said that in addition to the favor of entering the palace on the 26th, anyone who has a home in Chongyu Courtyard can visit the relatives.

The person who wrote this letter has neat handwriting and a straightforward narrative. It should be just a paraphrase of the news from the outside. Nothing has been deleted, only some reflections have been added.

Seeing the student put down the letter, Pei Huaizhen wrapped herself in a cotton coat and asked, What do you think?

In ancient times, the matter of visiting relatives was not even mentioned in plays. Chen Heng sighed, and suddenly understood why the Jia Mansion would turn from prosperity to decline after building the Grand View Garden. His Majesty said that only those who have Chongyu Villa can visit relatives. When I think about it, Still unwilling to agree to this matter.”

Quite smart. Pei Huaizhen nodded, Always a bit stupid and bold, and can't understand the word 'fan'. Then why do you think you want to make Jia's daughter a virtuous concubine?

The war at the border must be tense, and the emperor wants to appease and win over the nobles in the court. Chen Heng now also knows the status and appeal of Rongguo Mansion and Ningguo Mansion among the nobles.

Of course. Pei Huaizhen continued to raise the point, If you think about it again, why is it related to the wedding ceremony?

Yes, why do we need to involve relatives? Chen Heng frowned and thought, and suddenly thought: But because most of the concubines married in the palace are from noble families. Both sides can take advantage of this...

Chen Heng raised his hands and made a pinching gesture. For this reason, Pei Huaizhen knew that the child really understood. Some words must be disrespectful, so the teacher simply asked the student to be silent and think.

As long as you understand it, you can experience it yourself.

yes.

Chen Heng sat down honestly, he knew what the mountain chief meant. He just kept silent to sort out the thoughts in his mind, and felt even more dangerous about the game between the two sides.

Now that Li Zhi's filial piety has failed, the Supreme Emperor suddenly issued a decree to let the concubines in the palace come to visit. If Li Zhi blocks it, it will hinder the filial reunion of the ministers' families.

You don’t need to think too much about this matter. With a little editing, someone can leave an unethical impression on Li Zhi and deepen the world’s understanding of his unfilial piety.

As a leader, the most important thing you need to maintain is your own image. If this aspect is compromised, how will we be able to convince the public in the future, and how will the history books be written?

If Li Zhi agrees, the advantage will fall on the Emperor who speaks. This unprecedented favor was given by the Supreme Emperor, not Li Zhi. When I look back, are I grateful to the Supreme Emperor or to His Majesty Li Zhi?

Being so stuck in the middle, no wonder Li Zhi used the word fan to mention concubines. If your family has a land and house of sufficient size, you can see them if you want. I just looked back and thought about how I could explain such an over-the-top building in my home.

If not, that's better, just stay in the palace and don't show up unsightly and cause trouble for yourself.

The border war is urgent now, and the national treasury is also very short of money. If anyone dares to reveal his wealth at this time and lavishly lavish Huanyu Courtyard, what will happen...

Chen Heng chuckled lightly, stopped talking, returned the letter in his hand to the mountain leader, and went back to reading and writing articles.

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In late December, Jia Min suddenly received a letter from her parents' family. The letter was written by Mrs. Jia. She mentioned in the letter that she was planning to build a provincial residence for relatives. He also said that he knew the child Yuanchun. After the house was built, she would definitely let her sisters live in it as soon as she returned to the palace. I would like to ask her and Yu'er if they have any ideas for the yard? Take care of yourself so that those who build houses can take heed.

Mrs. Jia was thinking about her baby daughter and granddaughter, but she didn't expect that Jia Min almost fainted from anger when she first saw this letter. That is to say, Jia Min has a strong temper and does not get sick from anger. Jia Min was holding her breath and discussing countermeasures with her husband every day.

Daiyu on the other side saw that her mother was unhappy every day, and her father frowned every day. I didn't know anything about the situation inside and outside, so I sent a message to Chen Heng and asked him to tell it to his family.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, book friends! ! ! I have dinner at home today, so I’m sorry for the late update. Hahahaha, I hope everyone will be reunited and have a happy family