Chapter 599: Chapter 586: Feeling Nauseous
Chu Jinnian seemed to be more adept at assembling this waterwheel model than she was. Nonetheless, the blueprint was somewhat complex, and since he was new to it, he’s not exactly adept at doing it.
For this reason, both of them could only study the blueprints and the various assorted wooden pieces, trying to figure out how to assemble it together.
With almost a whole day’s worth of effort, by the time it is getting dark, the model of the waterwheel has been fully assembled.
Both of them were somewhat tired, especially Zhuang Qingning, who felt as though her brain cells had been severely damaged. Her eyes were aching quite seriously.
However, looking at this exquisitely small model, which completely resembles an actual waterwheel, even when placed in the water basin, it could function just like the actual waterwheel, brought a sense of accomplishment.
The task was accomplished. The reward, which was the real disassembly drawing of the waterwheel, was already distributed.
After receiving the disassembly drawing, Zhuang Qingning also let Chu Jinnian take a careful look at it.
Chu Jinnian nodded repeatedly, “This decomposition diagram is quite detailed. We can send it to Lu for the local officials to ramp up the construction.”
The drought was severe. An earlier day of using the waterwheel meant an earlier day of alleviating the drought.
“Indeed, it should be so.” Zhuang Qingning thought for a moment and then said, “However, this model of the waterwheel has just been made, and the actual large waterwheel might not necessarily work very well. Since we have such a model at hand, and have understood this waterwheel quite well, why not let the local people make a real one first? If there are any problems, they can be slightly corrected, or improved.”
“Once we understand thoroughly, when we send the drawings to Lu, we can directly send skilled artisans along as well to offer some guidance, thus doubling the results with half the effort.”
Chu Jinnian felt this made a great deal of sense and nodded approvingly, “Indeed, so it should be.”
Moreover, there had been a long drought in Lu, and in some places, the public resentment was soaring. If the drawings were sent hastily, but the construction of the waterwheel does not go smoothly, this could lead to giving people hope, only to disappoint them later, making the common people feel that the government is messing around. This could deepen public resentment and instead outweigh the benefits.
With this in mind, Chu Jinnian had Jing Zhao go to the County Government Office overnight to inform Xu Zhengping and asked Xu Zhengping to summon the skilled craftsmen in the county to work day and night on the waterwheel to complete it as soon as possible.
After receiving the command, Xu Zhengping sent people to find manpower overnight, studied the blueprints of the waterwheel, and began to expedite the production of the waterwheel.
The waterwheel matter, for now, had a temporary arrangement and should be completed in a few days.
Therefore, Chu Jinnian suggested that he and Zhuang Qingning take a boat trip on the lake during this hot summer day.
During the hot summer, taking a boat ride on the lake, looking at the layered mountains in the distance, the green trees nearby, the scent of the lotuses coming towards them, the gurgling water under the boat, chatting leisurely with Zhuang Qingning, they might even hold hands…
Chu Jinnian gave a light cough, hiding his thoughts, waiting eagerly for Zhuang Qingning’s nod of approval.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” Zhuang Qingning replied truthfully, “I have to check the soap workshop and the textile workshop today.”
It had been more than twenty days, and she didn’t know what the current status of the two newly opened workshops was.
Hearing this, Chu Jinnian sighed internally.
Indeed, in Zhuang Qingning’s mind, the business matters seemed to take up a significant portion.
Possibly, even more substantial than him.
A bitter feeling seemed to surface in Chu Jinnian’s heart.
“Then since you’re going to visit the workshops…” Chu Jinnian said, “I might as well go with you.”
“Together?” Zhuang Qingning raised her eyebrows.
“Yes, together.” Chu Jinnian affirmed, “After all, this soap workshop is a business venture that you and I have partnered in. Naturally, I should also go and see how the workshop is doing, whether it can make a profit.”
Upon hearing this, Jing Zhao, who was on the side, incredulously rolled his eyes.
His young master was becoming more adept at lying with his eyes open.
If he wanted to accompany Miss Zhuang, he should just say so. Instead, he had to beat around the bush saying something about wanting to see how the business was doing and whether it could make a profit. Trying to come up with a heap of reasons might just fool himself.
Clearly, he was someone who had never shown any interest in any industry or shop business. But now, he was eager to see whether a soap workshop could make a profit…
If this got out, who would believe it!
This was just revealing his true clingy nature…
Of course, Zhuang Qingning could also see Chu Jinnian’s thoughts. She didn’t reveal it but simply smiled, “Indeed. No matter how you look at it, it’s a business venture that we’re both involved in. You should be concerned about it.”
“Yes, so we must go and take a look.” Chu Jinnian also smiled. He and Zhuang Qingning, after some preparations, went to the county town.
Firstly, they visited Zhuang Yutian’s textile workshop.
Zhuang Yutian and Mrs. Meng were extremely pleased with Zhuang Qingning’s arrival. They brought over chairs and served cool tea, “A few days ago, we initially planned to discuss the situation of the textile workshop with you, Miss Ning. After we returned, we heard that you were out and didn’t know when you would return, so we had to wait until you returned to discuss it.”
“I had to go to Xuanyuan City for a few days recently. I just came back the day before yesterday. Yesterday, I checked the workshops at home. Today, I hurridly came to visit.” Zhuang Qingning laughed, “How has the workshop been these days, and what is the production of cloth like?”
“I was about to tell you about it.”
Mrs. Meng smiled radiantly, pointing to the fabrics on the shelf for Zhuang Qingning to see, “These are all woven during this time. The daily output of cloth is quite considerable, and the quality of this fabric is also excellent.”
As she spoke, she picked up a few pieces for Zhuang Qingning to see, “These are all natural-colored cloth, dyed before weaving, and the color is more even than the cloth that is woven before dying, and it feels more comfortable. ”
“For this figured cloth, we hired two master craftsmen to match the colors and make the designs. The cloth they woven is also very beautiful.”
“These fabrics have already begun to be gradually put on the shelves in the cloth shop. Even if we include the rent of the shop, the wages of the clerks, and the deducted profits from the sales, the overall selling price can match the import price from Songjiang.”
“In this case, unless the other cloth shops are willing to sell at a loss, they can’t compete with the cheap and good quality cloth in our cloth shop.”
Hearing Mrs. Meng mention the other cloth shops, Zhuang Qingning instantly thought of Cao’s Shop and laughed, “So isn’t Cao Jiande at a big loss now?”
“Isn’t that right?” Mrs. Meng also laughed heartily, “Previously, this Cao Jiande caused trouble one after another, and now he has a store full of goods that he can’t sell. I heard that he was so worried these days that his hair was going white.”
“This Cao really doesn’t know what’s good for him. He could have conducted his business honestly and made a profit from selling cloth. He insisted on causing lots of trouble, which ended up not leading to gain but a loss. He ruined the business of his shop himself.”