The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 85 Baoqiao
The final maintenance and repair work on the flybridge is proceeding normally, and it can be put into initial use as planned within the expected timeframe.

Before that, Wen Gu went to the Zhao residence and asked his cousin to unveil the curtain.

Therefore, a Taoist priest specializing in dogs was consulted to check the weather and determine an auspicious time and day.

The first representative building in Jingxingfang and Qingyunfang is about to be unveiled, and the restoration work is not going to be done quietly.

Cousin Zhao is busy with other matters, and he usually wouldn't spend time on something as trivial as a newly built structure in a small neighborhood. However, considering other things, he agreed to Wen Gu's invitation after some deliberation.

The design of the overpass above Jingqing Lane was approved by him, so he roughly knows what it will look like, but he has not yet seen the actual structure.

He didn't even go to check it out beforehand. A review shouldn't disappoint.

The key figures for the unveiling ceremony have been decided, and Wen Gu then went to invite the major investors of the Wanfuyuan project.

Upon learning that Young Master Zhao was going to personally unveil the ceremony, the investors, regardless of their original plans, showed great enthusiasm and expressed their intention to attend.

At the same time, it was also to see how much of the money and supplies they had contributed were actually used for this purpose.
Even if it's only 50%, they can accept it.

The Shen brothers, known for their integrity and humility, didn't suspect Wen Gu of embezzling funds and grain; they had seen the flying bridge beforehand. They weren't so much curious, but rather eager to show the rest of Xinzhou City the first achievement of the Wanfuyuan project!
Chaohuifang.

People from the collateral branches of the Zhao family also received the news.

"My cousin actually agreed to unveil the curtain?" a young man asked in astonishment.

It's just a flying bridge, and only a broken section at that. As the young master of the Zhao family, he must be very busy with official business at this time. How could he actually find the time to go to that remote place to hold some kind of unveiling ceremony?
Isn't this just a way to give those who revisit the past a boost?!
"You can tell he really values ​​it!"

The Zhao family also planned to acquire land in the next newly opened neighborhood to build a garden.

They analyzed that this kind of entertainment venue must be profitable, and they couldn't let the Shen family make all the money!

This year, several neighborhoods in the core area of ​​Xinzhou City have seen an increase in new faces, with the number of wealthy and powerful families rising again, presenting them with an opportunity!

"Let's go take a look then. Those two idiots in the Shen family have been exaggerating the beauty of that flying bridge, making it sound like a magnificent palace."

"I want to see exactly where Wen Gu spent his money and provisions!"

This is also just for reference, to estimate the budget.

If they were to recruit people to build a garden, what would the approximate cost be?

Wen Gu knew that after his cousin Zhao agreed to come and unveil the curtain, all the neighborhoods in Xinzhou City would definitely pay attention, but he felt no pressure and continued to arrange things in an orderly manner.

We originally planned to set off firecrackers, but the gunpowder was all strategic material, prepared in preparation for the threat next spring and summer. So we had to create some other noise – we hired a music and dance troupe to create a lively atmosphere.

Before we knew it, the auspicious day for the unveiling ceremony arrived.

The weather is fine.

The Taoist priest's weather predictions are indeed accurate!
Jingxing Ward was bustling with activity early in the morning, as the city's defense troops entered the ward in advance to inspect various parts of the area.

The idle men responsible for running errands relayed the latest news to their employers. However, when they returned to Jingxingfang, the crowd was too large, and the city defense forces had already taken control, preventing them from getting close.

The crowd that came to see what was happening couldn't even enter Jingxingfang; they could only watch from a distance.

One after another, luxurious carriages arrived, and the wealthy owners of Wanfuyuan came as promised.

Uncle Shen came with the Qingliu brothers and other members of the Shen family, but they did not immediately follow the clerk to the resting place. Instead, they waited at the gate of the neighborhood.

Seeing this, the other wealthy customers turned around and came over to wait as well.

Before long, two well-equipped guards approached, escorting a carriage.

The people on the outside craned their necks, but the people in front of them blocked their view so much that they couldn't see the family crests on the carriages belonging to the nobles.

"Are they the city defense troops?"

"Not the city garrison. They're dressed better than the city garrison, and they're much more energetic. Are they the guards of some noble person?"

"There are still people in Xinzhou City who dare to use such guards..."

Really!
The young master's carriage had already arrived at the gate of the town, and the guards formed a path for him.

The carriage could have driven right in, but Young Master Zhao got off at the entrance. Since he was already here, he figured he might as well see what had become of the place.

One of the people guarding the entrance to the neighborhood bowed and greeted the others, while the attendants beside him seemed to want to kneel down as well.

Young Master Zhao waved his hand and said, "It's freezing cold, no need for formalities, please get up."

He glanced at the construction site in Jingxingfang and the newly built houses, then looked up at the location of the tent.

He said to Wen Gu, who was walking over, "I've heard that your neighborhood is very lively. It is indeed... full of life!"

As the young master of the Zhao clan, he had seen all sorts of situations and could tell how genuine the emotions of the onlookers were.

He had seen many places outside the neighborhood, but now, looking at the residents inside Jingxing Neighborhood, the vitality emanating from their hearts was particularly unique.

It's hard to believe that these people are ordinary citizens who only moved to Xinzhou City this autumn and winter.

"It lives up to the name I wrote for this neighborhood!"

Young Master Zhao was in a very good mood.

Wen Gu simply smiled and said, "This is nothing."

Young Master Zhao assumed that Wen Gu was referring to the flying bridge that was to be unveiled today, so he stopped and quickened his pace toward the tent.

Knowing that his cousin had other matters to attend to, Wen Gu didn't delay and led him to the unveiling location. On the way, he briefly explained the affairs of the neighborhood during this period, including how to arrange the people transferred from the Patrol Guard.

The Shen brothers, several members of the Zhao family's collateral branch, and several other prominent families tried to get closer but were stopped by the guards.

Uncle Shen remained calm and didn't approach, knowing that this young master Zhao and Wen Gu still had things to talk about, so he skillfully maintained a safe distance.

Soon, the group arrived at the venue for the unveiling ceremony.

We didn't get too close; we were near the staircase leading to the bridge, but we could still see the bridge itself.

Most of the scaffolding inside has been removed, and another batch was removed this morning. Now the tents are just hanging in a few corners, and several places are still being maintained by manpower, just waiting for the final ceremony to take them down.

All you need to do is pull down the red silk on one side, and the craftsmen in other locations will remove the curtain.

The auspicious time hasn't arrived yet, so we're going through the formalities. My cousin will say a few words first, as we've prepared in advance.

So, with a kind and approachable smile, Young Master Zhao used elegant and down-to-earth language to express his affirmation of the work of reviewing the past, his expectations for Jingxingfang and Qingyunfang, and his concern and reassurance for the people who had moved here.

Wen Gu didn't show it on his face, but thought to himself: The Zhao family father and son are indeed qualified political creatures!

Look at the residents in the neighborhood, their eyes are red with emotion—it really wasn't a shill I arranged!

In feudal times, social classes were clearly defined. Now, in this chaotic era, when people encounter such a people-friendly leader, they are naturally moved to tears and are surely glad that they have chosen the Zhao clan.

After glancing at the angle of the sun, Wen Gu subtly gave his cousin a hand gesture.

Young Master Zhao finished his speech naturally with his kind and approachable smile.

The atmosphere team started up again, doing their best to play instruments and make sure the young master could hear their enthusiasm! But at this moment, the young master Zhao's mind was not on anything else. Following Wen Gu's guidance, he pulled down the red silk next to him, but his eyes were fixed on the flying bridge.

Swah——

The heavy curtains were finally taken down.

As the obstruction slid down, the long-hidden flying bridge finally revealed itself to the sunlight.

The instrumental ensemble, suddenly choked, abruptly stopped playing strange tones. But no one paid any attention.

The moment Feiqiao revealed his true form, many people, including Young Master Zhao, couldn't help but close their eyes.

So shiny!
The first thing that catches the eye is the typical palace-style green tiles and red walls.

Yet it is different from the glazed green tiles of the past.

The tiles, with their rich, deep color yet translucent quality, resemble the overlapping scales of a crystal behemoth.

The eaves curve upwards, as if spreading wings and taking flight.

The stacked, gleaming tiles, with their upturned, soaring shape, do not appear bulky at all; instead, they give a sense of lightness and dynamism.

Five stripes on the ridge, and six beasts at the four corners.

Each mythical beast has multiple colors and different expressions. The colors are vibrant yet crystalline, and there are also almost colorless parts that are neither conspicuous nor out of place.

Under the sunlight, the guardian beast on the ridge emits a halo, obscuring its appearance, but one can still feel its majestic aura.

Sunlight shines through the brighter, purer parts of the guardian beast's body, casting rainbow-like rays onto the roof.

Those below couldn't see clearly, but the soldiers on the inner city walls all had their eyes practically bulging out. Someone shouted something, but was quickly gagged and dragged away.

The red walls are not entirely painted vermilion; many of the patterns on them actually gleam, like colorful crystals inlaid on them.

The two sides of the long bridge are not simply railings, but are composed of floor-to-ceiling windows!

The window frames resemble tortoise shells, fish scales, flower knots, and auspicious clouds... They incorporate patterns from both the north and south, and are inlaid with glass of different colors, creating an interplay of light and shadow.

Combined with the green tiles and red walls, it appears even more magnificent.

The colors are rich and vibrant, yet not ostentatious or gaudy; instead, they evoke a sense of elegance and nobility.

A wind chime-like object hangs under the eaves.

The city used sound to warn of danger and strictly controlled other noises. Therefore, what was hung was only an ornament made to resemble a wind chime, with many concave and convex patterns carved and polished on the surface. The colorless pendant extending from it, which looked like ice crystals, was also polished with complex edges and corners.

Sunlight shines on it, cutting it into countless tiny light fragments, each light and shadow edged with seven colors, projected onto the flying bridge.

The wind propels it to rotate, and countless mesmerizing lights constantly sweep across the flying bridge, presenting a state of perpetual flow.

Sacred and vibrant!
I am very satisfied with the sunlight at this moment.

True brilliance can only be revealed in the sunlight.

What is an auspicious time?

The perfect lighting angle can maximize the impact on the visual senses!
The scene fell silent for a moment, then erupted in a roar, like a vast ocean of sound.

Several members of the Zhao family's collateral branch craned their necks and let out a few meaningless yet seemingly complex "ah" sounds.

He stared intently at the flying bridge above, trembling uncontrollably.

They also had some rather exquisite glass ornaments in their home, which had been imported from overseas and ended up in the hands of high-ranking officials and nobles. Now that the Zhao family held an extraordinary position, someone had given them these ornaments.

They would cherish those things and wouldn't usually take them out to play with, only showing them off on special occasions when they needed to show off.

Even though glass windows were invented during this period, production was limited, and in terms of exquisiteness and artistic value, they could not compare to the ornaments in their hands.

However, at this moment, their gaze shifted from the gleaming roof tiles and mythical beasts on the flying bridge to the gemstone patterns on the walls, and then to the wondrous sight of the "wind chimes" hanging under the eaves...

The impact of this combination is far greater than that of a glass window!
People who are good at math constantly estimate the value in their minds, and the more they calculate, the more their hands tremble.

I felt suffocated and broke out in a cold sweat.

The cost is enormous, enough to make one tremble with fear!
Before my eyes, I could almost see kilns, not firing glass and crystal, but countless grains of rice and money!
At that moment, they became afraid.

They even doubted whether the money and grain they could gather would be enough to build a bridge, let alone a garden...

How dare he... how could he possibly dare?!

Uncle Shen is in a similar state now.

Although he was incredibly amazed by the flying bridge's miraculous appearance, his mind was already calculating the money.

As his gaze fell upon something, he estimated the values, constantly adjusting the dial, continuously adding to it, and constantly drawing out air.

His eyes gradually became dull.

The wealthy patrons of Wanfuyuan, amidst gasps of surprise, had their minds racing like dog racers, with all sorts of ideas vying for attention.

There was no loud shouting or questioning, no rushing over to touch and admire it personally; it was all out of consideration for the young master's presence, and they could only mutter to themselves.

The magnificent bridge before us seems to defy the laws of nature; how was it built?

How could the small amount given to the craftsmen be enough?!

Although I know that some of the prefabricated components from the garden were moved over, those gleaming tiles, the mythical beasts on the ridge, and those rare crystals—even if they were fired, it wouldn't be simple, would it? Perhaps many of them were purchased from other sources?

The money and resources they invested were allocated in installments, and they knew exactly how much they received. But was that enough money and resources to build such a magnificent bridge?
Some people even suspect that Wen Gu not only did not embezzle funds and grain, but actually subsidized them!
Otherwise, how could such a magnificent bridge have been built in such a short time?!

Just how much subsidy was given?

Should they offer any further "expressions"?
Compare the current results with the money and resources they invested before.

It seems... there really is... a tiny bit less.

If it were an ordinary person supervising the construction of the flybridge, they would naturally ignore it; how much subsidy you provide is none of my business!

But Wen Gu has a special status, and the young master values ​​him highly, so we can't really let Wen Gu pay out of his own pocket... right?

Not far away, the Shen brothers, Qingliu and his brother, didn't think much of it, but they were also shocked by the strange sight before them.

His mouth opened and closed.

"This flying bridge..."

"...She looks different than before!"

The way the curtains cover the view and the way it's exposed to the sunlight feel like two completely different things!

One is like a jewel in a box, while the other is a rare treasure set in a scepter or crown.

The dazzling light made one wish to immediately light incense sticks and offer them as a sacrifice!
(End of this chapter)