Read Novel Full Chapter 1319: Looking at Industries in the Suburbs
Chapter 1319: Looking at Industries in the Suburbs
Editor: Henyee Translations
While Qiao Xuan had forgotten about this detail, Shao Yunduan had not. Her excitement was palpable.
It wasn’t a matter of having a poor memory; rather, she hadn’t taken this matter very seriously. Although she had contributed 350,000 taels of silver to the Crown Prince, it was essentially a portion of the 300,000 taels she had originally given him, transferred directly from Zhao Shu. The additional 50,000 taels was a dividend from the perfume workshop that hadn’t cost her anything.
In contrast, Zhao Shu’s finances had seen a significant boost since the previous year. Qiao Xuan hadn’t attached much importance to the 350,000 taels of silver, as it didn’t affect her significantly, so she hadn’t considered this matter until now.
Finally, it dawned on her. Of course, as a couple working for the Crown Prince, a trip to Jiangnan should be arranged without any fuss.
Qiao Xuan even contemplated whether the lack of retaliation from the Fourth Princess Consort after their public confrontation was orchestrated by the East Palace.
After all, the Fourth Princess Consort didn’t strike her as a magnanimous person.
Considering these factors, Qiao Xuan concluded that earning money for the Crown Prince might not be such a bad idea after all.
Since she had the opportunity to travel to the South before the New Year, the exact timing didn’t matter to her anymore.
With Songshi already overseeing the 1,200 mus of land in Cloud Water Town, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan decided to visit the town together, as Shao Yunduan would be occupied in the next two to three days.
Upon arriving at the Shao family’s farm in Cloud Water Town, they were greeted by a spacious and well-lit main courtyard. Several magnolia, sweet osmanthus, and pomegranate trees adorned the yard, while local persimmon, walnut, peach, and other trees were planted outside, all according to Qiao Xuan’s preferences.
Beyond the main courtyard, the servants’ quarters, warehouses, and storage rooms were all thoughtfully organized and constructed.
The tenant houses were situated on the outermost perimeter of the property. Rows of standardized, small courtyard houses, all constructed with green bricks, created a neat and orderly appearance. Even the ground was paved with green bricks, maintaining a clean and well-kept appearance.
Each courtyard house was surrounded by structures on three sides, with the main building being a uniform, two-story structure. These courtyards, while modest in size, were equipped with all the essential amenities.
All of this had been constructed based on Qiao Xuan’s specifications. Songshi initially thought it was an unnecessary expense and overly generous to the tenants, but he complied with Qiao Xuan’s wishes.
What Qiao Xuan didn’t reveal was her underlying rationale. She didn’t need to be overly thrifty in this endeavor. Creating a well-organized and aesthetically pleasing farm not only simplified its management but also fostered a sense of belonging among the tenants, contributing to long-term development.
Moreover, the relatively minor expenses incurred could be recuperated easily. In the coming year, Qiao Xuan planned to employ her superpowers to enhance the production and quality of watermelons, cantaloupes, and potatoes. Selling these improved fruits and vegetables at a favorable price would quickly offset the investment.
Songshi’s diligence and unwillingness to cut corners left Qiao Xuan very satisfied. At the very least, he had passed the initial test of being in charge. He demonstrated a capacity to execute orders with precision and efficiency.
Taking in the scene, Songshi met with the servants in the main hall.