Chapter 40: Gathering Around the Brazier to Appreciate Beautiful Women

  Xu Shi-zhen's heart was first delighted, then worried. This was undoubtedly a great opportunity, but also a huge test. The topic that the 14th Master had brought up was big, and his ambition was even bigger. Governance was indeed a major issue. He bowed his head and said, "Thank you, 14th Master, for pointing this out. I will start working on it as soon as I return. If there is anything inadequate, I hope the 14th Master will instruct me."

  After Xu Shi-zhen left, Yong-zhen had someone call for Wan Jian-tu. This man was 47 years old, of Han ethnicity, and one of the twelve slaves sent by Eighth Brother. He came from a family of builders, and it was he who oversaw the renovation of Ninth Brother's estate in the suburbs of Beijing. In later generations, he would be considered a great master builder.

  Wan Jian came quickly, and as soon as he entered the door, he saluted with a thousand bows. Yongzheng didn't stand on ceremony either, directly taking out his own draft plan: "When we passed through Jiangning, we stayed at the Longjiang Treasure Shipyard site for four whole days. You must have gained some insights, discussing and exploring with those old shipbuilders in Jiangning. By next year's first month, the shipyard planning design must be completed. This is the planning draft for the riverside land enclosure. Revise it, then bring more people to use lime to plan out the empty land, buy materials, hire workers, and first build the workshops for each construction site. At the beginning of the year, a large number of workers will arrive, and having no place to live would be a big problem. Each workshop should be built according to the standard of accommodating one hundred people, with four or five workshops per construction site initially, and more added later in the year. Time is a bit tight, so hire more people, don't worry about spending money."

  "Master, it's not that I'm shirking my duties, but we're already in the twelfth month and nearing the year-end, it's really hard to find someone to hire."

  "Hard to hire people? Raise the pay, usually one worker is 50 cents, raise it to $1, don't be afraid to spend money." Yongzheng said nonchalantly, "The workers' shed must be built ahead of time, otherwise at the beginning of the year it will be a big trouble, this matter cannot be delayed."

  "Yes, Master cares about the welfare of the workers, so even if we don't get a New Year's break, we must still build the workshop."

  After arranging things, Yongzheng took out paper and pen to practice calligraphy. However, after practicing for a while, he couldn't calm down, so he put down his pen, changed into casual clothes, and walked out the door. As soon as he came out, he found that the sky had already started snowing heavily.

  This snowfall will slow down the progress of building the shed, and Yin Zhen's heart is even more annoyed. However, what should be considerate still needs to be considerate, "Someone come and notify Wan Jian Tu, give each worker half a catty of hot wine every day."

  The Hai Feng in the next room heard the noise and hurried out to see the snowflakes all over the sky, but he was quite excited. "Fourteenth Master, is there something?"

  Yuan Zhendong shook his head and took the umbrella handed over by Da Chun, "Nothing, feeling a bit stuffy, want to go out for a walk."

  Why did the master go for a walk in the snow? Hai Feng vaguely guessed the purpose of Yun Zhen's walk, and quickly followed him while secretly laughing at how stubbornly he insisted on saving face despite suffering. If only he had known earlier, he wouldn't have sent people to follow him, which would have avoided all this trouble.

  He held an umbrella, facing the wind and snow, and walked out of Liuchun Garden with great enthusiasm. As soon as he left the garden gate, he saw a familiar horse-drawn carriage approaching him. His heart suddenly beat faster, staring intently at the carriage.

  The horse carriage stopped about a dozen steps away from him, the curtain lifted, and a familiar figure jumped down quickly. It was none other than that unusual maid, Zhang Mengjiao. As soon as she got off the carriage, her bright eyes scanned Yunzhong's body in a circle, and she smiled sweetly: "Fourteenth Master is really in high spirits, on this snowy day, you still want to go out?"

  "Miss, your enthusiasm is not bad at all," said Rong Lang with a smile. "Braving the snow to visit friends, this is indeed a refined and elegant hobby."

  When Yun Zhen considered her a friend, Zhang Mengjiao was delighted in her heart, but she said with her mouth, "Who says this lady is visiting friends in the snow?"

  "Oh, so the young lady was just passing by." Yunzhen had a look of sudden realization, "Then I won't delay you any further, farewell." With that, he took a step and walked away.

  "You——." Zhang Mengjiao stamped her foot, her delicate nose wrinkling, "Is this the way Fourteenth Master treats his friends?"

  "Hehe, so the young lady still braves the snow to visit friends." Yin Zhen smiled and said: "Indeed it is, please come in, young lady, inside please."

  Zhang Mengjiao's mind was quick and nimble, knowing that as soon as she entered the Liu Chun Garden, she would be in a passive position. She couldn't let this great opportunity slip away. Her eyes sparkled as she smiled sweetly and said, "On a snowy day like today, what's the point of staying indoors? Let's go to 'Tian Ran Ju' outside the city instead. It's elegant and quiet there, and the wine is extremely fragrant. Drinking by the river while admiring the snow has a unique flavor. I wonder if Master Fourteen would condescend to join us?"

  "Excellent, gathering around the stove to drink and appreciate the snow, and having a beauty by my side is indeed a great pleasure." Yin Zhen said without hesitation, but his hands behind his back were signaling to Hai Feng and Da Chun. He didn't know anything about this girl's background, while the other party knew his identity. As the saying goes, "A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall", it's better to be cautious.

  Hai Feng turned around to make arrangements, and he was also very curious about Zhang Mengjiao in his heart. Who is this young lady from a good family? She knew the identity of the 14th master, but when she met him, she didn't greet him or show any courtesy. Her words even carried a hint of equality. Looking at her clothes and demeanor, it was impossible that she was an unsophisticated village girl who didn't understand etiquette. And yet, the 14th master didn't seem to be displeased at all. It's really puzzling. Even if they had hit it off, they couldn't disregard basic courtesy, could they?

  What he didn't know was that the thing he appreciated most about Zhang Mengjiao was her carefree and uninhibited nature, unbound by trivial matters. Being with her made him feel relaxed and at ease, thoroughly enjoying this casual and equal interaction.

  'Tian Ran Ju' is only two or three miles away from the city, a three-story high building stands on the riverbank, showing extraordinary grandeur. Standing on the third floor, the view is broad, and the entire Huangpu Port and Shanghai County are all in sight, making it one of the most famous restaurants in Shanghai.

  Before long, Yin Zhen and Zhang Mengjiao arrived at 'Tian Ran Ju'. It was unclear whether it was due to the snowy weather or Da Chun had cleared the place ahead of time. The large 'Tian Ran Ju' was empty, with not a single guest in sight. As soon as Yin Zhen and the others got out of the carriage, the second servant hurriedly came forward, "Two old customers, please come inside quickly, Old Wang's white charcoal fire is warm and cozy."

  Zhang Mengjiao walked into the house and took out a twenty-tael silver note, "Shopkeeper, I'll take the third floor, and make sure to treat these followers well."

  Before the shopkeeper could speak, Yin Zhen pressed down on the silver ticket with one hand and smiled: "What reason is there to let you bear the expense? Protecting women is a man's proper demeanor." As he spoke, he pulled out a 100-tael silver ticket. "Shopkeeper, today's bill is all taken care of. The rest is hush money. If I hear even half a sentence of gossip, be careful or I'll have this broken-down building torn down."

  "This customer has a big tone, the shopkeeper was startled, glanced at the guards who followed in, and suddenly turned his anger into nothingness. His face instantly filled with smiles. "Don't worry, sir, our 'Tianranju' is the most strict." He took over the silver ticket, looked at it, saw that it was a 100-tael bill, and quickly bowed his head, "Thank you, sir, for your generosity. Please go upstairs." As soon as he stood up, he repeatedly ordered his assistants to do things, and personally escorted the two of them to the third floor."

  Seeing Zhen's thoughtfulness, Zhang Mengjiao felt a warmth in her heart. Although she was carefree, she also cared about her reputation. After sitting down, when the maid had poured the wine, she waved her hand to shoo the maid away. Then, picking up her cup, "Thanks to Fourteenth Master for his concern, Mengjiao offers you a toast." She said, and drank it all in one gulp.