Tianliangyuan

Chapter 270 Let’s get started!

Chang Sheng looked humble, but he couldn't suppress the smugness in his smile.

"Reporting to my master, it wasn't just my effort; I also owe a great deal to the brothers who accompanied me."

"Yes, it's good to earn a living through your own abilities!"

A blush crept onto Changsheng's face.

Xu Zhaozhao asked, "Yan Shu, what do you think about the fact that the boys and girls I recruit will have two martial arts lessons every ten days?"

Yan Shu was taken aback: "Girls also need to take martial arts classes?"

The virtuous man studies the Six Arts, so the great scholars who emerged were not like some scholars of later generations who were incapable of lifting heavy objects; on the contrary, there were often those who were proficient in both literature and martial arts.

However, very few girls practice martial arts.

"It's just to make them healthier, and women are more likely to get into trouble when they're out and about. It's always good if they can protect themselves."

"Yes, martial arts lessons are no problem. We have no shortage of soldiers here. It's just a matter of having them practice some boxing to loosen up their arms and legs, no problem."

"Alright. If there are indeed skilled martial artists among them, please have Yan Shu select them so we can train them properly."

"My subordinate understands."

Xu Zhaozhao did not discuss the matter of the school with her family, but only occasionally mentioned it to her two older brothers.

This place originally belonged to Xu Zhaozhao, so it was naturally up to her to decide how to arrange it.

Moreover, Xu Zhaozhao was not short of money, so setting up a school was a small matter and did not cost much.

This place is much bigger than the Hundred Fruit Garden. Xu Zhaozhao arranged a polo match, which made Princess Anhe very excited.

Although the mansions in the capital were not small, they were not really places where horses could run.

It's different here. Under the blue sky and white clouds, riding horses and playing ball is truly delightful!

Xu Chuan came over carrying a stack of account books.

"Zhaozhao, there are three shops owned by the Zhou family in Lantian County here. They are all vacant now, and we don't know what kind of business to do with them."

What kind of business did these three shops do before?

"There was a cloth shop, a jade shop, and a restaurant."

"It's not bad. Besides the jade shop, have the other two shops tidied up and open for business as well. Where is the restaurant located?"

Xu Chuan glanced at the land deed and casually recited the street name.

It's still the most prosperous area in Lantian County.

Opening a restaurant here certainly shows great foresight.

Although the Zhou family is a bunch of scoundrels, it must be said that they have a really good business sense.

"Keep the restaurant open. I have some recipes for new dishes here. Have someone try them out. You should talk to Uncle Yan about who should be the manager and the accountant. As for all my properties, we should select people from our estate."

"Okay, I understand."

Xu Chuan turned to leave, but was stopped by Xu Zhaozhao.

“Cousin, there will be more and more industries in Lantian County in the future. I may need to arrange for the accountant to check the accounts from time to time. When we get back, you and Uncle Gao can discuss how to check the accounts more appropriately.”

"Okay, I'll talk to Uncle Gao when I get back."

Xu Chuan is clearly more capable of accounting than others, so Xu Zhaozhao plans to train him to be the CFO.

Moreover, he is one of their own, so he is bound to be able to keep some of the unruly managers in check.

No matter how many businesses Xu Zhaozhao owns, she has no intention of managing them personally.

However, some industries in Beijing can still be replicated here.

For example: Xiangpiaopiao!

Xiangpiaopiao is naturally fragrant because it is braised or fried. Some people have tried to open similar shops, but the taste is always a notch below.

Now that Xiangpiaopiao is about to open in Lantian County, it has naturally attracted many wealthy locals who are eager to try their luck.

You're in for a treat!

Two days later, the magistrate of Lantian County, along with his assistant magistrate Fang Youwei and the county constable, came to pay their respects.

Xu Zhaozhao's fiefdom was in Lantian County, but that did not mean that all of Lantian's profits belonged to Xu Zhaozhao.

However, with a county magistrate like Xu Zhaozhao in Lantian County, its status immediately rose.

This place has a powerful backer, so it's naturally different.

Moreover, in just a few months, the manor has already taken shape. Although it is not fully completed yet, the weaving workshop was the first step, and the current cloth production is not low. Furthermore, it is said that the county magistrate intends to move some of Wannian County's industries here, so naturally, he has to come and show his appreciation.

"Perfect timing. Since you weren't coming, I was thinking of inviting a few of you over to discuss some things."

Xu Zhaozhao asked Xu Chuan to hand over the things he had copied earlier to the three adults for them to see.

The magistrate, who finished reading first, asked excitedly, "Your Highness, is everything written here true?"

Fang Youwei was still waiting, so he simply grabbed it himself and took a look.

The magistrate ignored him, but stared at Xu Zhaozhao with eyes that seemed to be shining with gold.

After the three adults had finished reading, Xu Zhaozhao asked Xu Chuan to give a brief explanation.

"Our county magistrate's idea is to repair the road first. Yunqi Mountain Villa is about ten miles from the county seat, and the road is in poor condition. Therefore, our county magistrate has already planned to arrange for people to repair the road. Our county magistrate's idea is that she and your county will each bear 50% of the cost. I wonder what Your Excellency thinks?"

The magistrate nodded: "That's feasible!"

"Alright, next is that our county magistrate plans to build two workshops on the outskirts of Yunqi Manor, right here. One will be a brewery, and the other a dyeing workshop. The two workshops will be about a mile apart. The county magistrate intends to plan some shops in the middle area. Of course, there's no rush. We can discuss the specifics further."

After all, the land here no longer belongs to the county magistrate, but to the imperial court.

The magistrate had no objections: "There's no problem with these two workshops. I can approve them directly when I get back."

"Thank you, sir. In addition, our county magistrate's third brother is researching ways to increase grain production. The county magistrate has already discussed it with the third young master, and a pilot project will be set up in Lantian County. Yunqi Manor will naturally be included. As for other places, it depends on the magistrate's arrangements."

The magistrate was overjoyed; this was an incredibly good thing!

Although he didn't come up with the method to increase grain production, the pilot project was conducted in Lantian County.

If it can really be done, wouldn't that be a political achievement?

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness!"

Xu Zhaozhao smiled slightly. There was no problem with increasing grain production. From the beginning of breeding to the end, everything was done according to the method she wrote. At least one to two dou of grain could be increased per mu of land.

This is absolutely a great achievement!

Xu Zhaozhao had seen that the yield of an ordinary field was about one shi (a unit of dry measure), while fertile land, that is, top-quality land, could yield up to three shi.

Therefore, the key lies in nurturing the land.

Xu Zhaozhao couldn't possibly make chemical fertilizers, but she had already given Xu Junting some methods for making soil fertilizers. With more scientific planting and maintenance, it would definitely be effective.