Nongmen Fu girl group’s daily favorites

Chapter 396 Construction
The housekeeper came out soon, followed by a tall, handsome young man. He walked quickly to Shen Jia and Xiao Yichen, bowed and said, "My name is Cao Guangyuan, nice to meet you two gentlemen!"

Shen Jia and Xiao Yichen looked at each other, a hint of smile flashed across their eyes. This Cao Guangyuan must have guessed their identities, which is why he was so attentive.

It has been less than two hours since they entered Yi County. He received the news so quickly and guessed their identities. This man is quite interesting.

Xiao Yichen cupped his hands and said, "We are sorry for disturbing you by coming here without permission."

Cao Guangyuan smiled so much that his mouth almost reached his ears. He bowed and made a gesture of invitation: "You two gentlemen, your visit to my humble home brings honor to my humble home! Please come in, gentlemen!"

Shen Jia couldn't bear to look at his bright and seductive smile, and silently glanced away.

Due to their status, they are accustomed to all kinds of flattery and fawning, but it is rare to see someone like Cao Guangyuan who does not conceal anything at all.

The two followed Cao Guangyuan into the main hall. Cao Guangyuan respectfully asked them to sit at the top seats, while he himself stood below with his head bowed respectfully.

Xiao Yichen and Shen Jia didn't push or shove, they just sat down calmly.

"Landlord Cao, please sit down too!" Xiao Yichen said lightly.

"Yes." Cao Guangyuan bowed and sat on half of the stool.

The maid came up immediately to pour them tea.

"Landlord Cao, do you know our identities?"

"Yes, sir."

Xiao Yichen's lips curled slightly: "Then can you guess why we came to your house?"

"It should be related to Jibei."

"That's right. I wonder if the cotton (also known as jibei) and cotton seeds in your cotton field can be sold to me?" Xiao Yichen didn't beat around the bush and asked directly.

Cao Guangyuan did not agree to it immediately, but asked: "I wonder what the purpose of your visit is?"

Xiao Yichen glanced at him calmly, "This has nothing to do with you."

Cao Guangyuan looked embarrassed, "Your Majesty, the cotton in our fields was originally meant to be taken to other cities and sold as a winter commodity..."

Shen Jia watched them testing each other with a smile. This Cao Guangyuan gave a good impression.

If an opportunistic person suddenly heard that Xiao Yichen wanted cotton, he would pack it all and give it to him without saying a word, instead of asking so many questions like him.

After all, for a commoner, holding on to the golden thigh of the crown prince of the current dynasty is a great thing that would only befall him.

But Cao Guangyuan didn't do that, and Shen Jia couldn't help but look up to him.

Half an hour later, Xiao Yichen nodded to Shen Jia.

"Landlord Cao, are you interested in doing long-term business with us?" Shen Jia asked calmly.

"Ah!" The surprise came so suddenly that Cao Guangyuan was a little overwhelmed for a moment. Then he came to his senses and hurriedly said, "I do."

"Very good! Let's draft a contract first and then act according to it."

Cao Guangyuan agreed to sell all the cotton in the cotton field to Shen Jia, and the cotton seeds to the government.

He found five of his tenant farmers to help the government go to other places to teach them how to grow cotton, etc.

Cao Guangyuan was responsible for one-third of the cotton at Fanzhou Textile Factory. He was required to purchase cotton from the people at a price no lower than the prescribed price.

The three of them discussed for more than an hour before finalizing the contract.

"Your Highness, Princess, why don't you have dinner in my humble abode before leaving?" Cao Guangyuan asked with a burning gaze.

Xiao Yichen looked at Shen Jia, who nodded, "Thank you, Landlord Cao, for the expense." "It's an honor."

Cao Guangyuan was not stupid, and Shen Jia and Xiao Yichen were even more shrewd. The three of them talked about everything under the sun, but no one mentioned the topics that should not be touched upon.

After the meal, everyone felt as familiar as old friends who hadn’t seen each other for many years.

After having a good meal and a few drinks, the two left Cao Guangyuan's house.

The next day, the head of each village came to the county government.

Xiao Yichen, Fan Shiqing, Qin Guoqing and other officials briefly explained the contract he and Cao Guangyuan signed yesterday, and left the rest of the matters to Qin Guoqing and Cao Guangyuan.

Except for the cotton seeds they wanted to plant, the common people sold all the others to the government office, which was then taken to Fanzhou by Cao Guangyuan and distributed to various prefectures and counties for planting by the provincial government.

Qin Guoqing selected some people with good character from each village to follow Cao Guangyuan to Fanzhou, and they were sent by the provincial government to various places in the northwest to teach them how to grow cotton.

Xiao Yichen issued an imperial decree to all states, cities and counties, encouraging the people to reclaim wasteland and plant cotton. They were exempted from taxes for the first three years, the government distributed seeds for free, and people came to buy the grown cotton, etc.

Xiao Yichen observed Tan Guoqing and Cao Guangyuan for a day, and seeing that they were reliable in their work, he took his group and left Yi County.

They spent more than a month investigating various places in the northwest and finally decided to open a trade in Babu County.

On the way back, Shen Jia specially asked someone to dig a truckload of tuff and bring it back to Fanzhou.

After repeated attempts, the first generation of pure natural cement in Da Zhou was produced.

Shen Jia personally directed the guards to water the road in front of the provincial government.

Three days later, a smooth cement road appeared in front of everyone. All the officials of the Provincial Administration opened their mouths and eyes in surprise, totally unable to believe what they saw.

Fan Shiqing walked slowly onto the cement road, feeling the comfort brought by the flat and smooth cement road. He jumped a few times and found that there was nothing unusual about the cement road.

His voice became higher, and he spoke faster and more excitedly: "Your Highness, are all the official roads in the northwest built with cement roads like this?"

Xiao Yichen's handsome face was full of energy, and his eyes and eyebrows revealed an unconcealed joy. He said in a loud voice: "First, repair the official road from the northwest to the capital, and then repair all the official roads in the Great Zhou. Lord Fan, I will leave this matter to you."

Fan Shiqing happily replied: "Yes"

Babu County began to build border ports, streets, and shops. Xiao Yichen and Shen Jia would occasionally go to check on the quality and progress.

Years ago, Cao Guangyuan brought more than a dozen carts of cotton and seeds, and thirteen cotton-growing experts accompanied them.

The winery and textile factory are Xiao Yichen and Shen Jia's industries in the northwest. Jiang Zelin personally brought a dozen people with him. Among these managers, there is the second-in-command of the Beijing Winery, several embroiderers from Yunshang Pavilion who are good at weaving, and a manager trained by Jiang Zelin for Xiao Yichen.

Shu Le and a few others also came and followed the managers to do their work.

Shen Jia and Xiao Yichen found several skilled craftsmen and spent half a month developing the first new textile machine.

When several embroiderers saw the complete set of spinning wheels with piercing, spinning, stirring, vertebral bow and three-spindle foot-operated spinning wheels, their eyes were wide open and they were eager to try them out.

Shen Jia didn't spoil their fun and let them take turns trying it.

When they appeared in front of Shen Jia with soft cotton cloth, she was still very excited.

Then came the second and third textile machines...

A year later, the first trade market of the Great Zhou was officially opened, and all the official roads from the northwest to the capital had been turned into flat and smooth concrete roads.

The textile mills, wineries and raisin factories have been operating smoothly.

After Shen Jia and Xiao Yichen inspected the area and found no problems, they rode back to Mengwu Province.