Chapter 124: Your Majesty, those are bicycles forged in the Imperial City

Seeing Lin Fusheng like this, Lu Yuan knew Lin Fusheng had misunderstood.

Or rather, he hadn't said what kind of potato he wanted to plant.

Potatoes are naturally something that can be grown in a greenhouse.

But Lu Yuan hadn't mentioned it before, so Lin Fusheng had no idea.

And the potatoes Lu Yuan wants to plant now are naturally the kind that could later yield three thousand jin, five thousand jin per mu.

But this kind of thing still can't be said.

This requires time, requiring crossbreeding with various different potatoes, cultivating, all that messy stuff.

Each kind needs time, waiting for sprouting and fruiting.

Even the temperature in the greenhouse will affect the final result.

After that, we still need to adjust the greenhouse's temperature, humidity, and many other things.

That's how it can be said.

Even if Lu Yuan possesses the Shennong classic, potatoes yielding three thousand jin, five thousand jin per mu would at earliest be visible three months later.

Moreover, this assumes smooth progress.

If things go poorly, it could possibly take several years.

So, this matter cannot be told to Lin Fusheng now.

If I said that, would Lin Fusheng then be constantly trailing behind me every day?

Then he'd have to come find Lu Yuan to ask about everything, whether there's something or not.

Lu Yuan is the sort of person who dislikes being restrained the most.

Lu Yuan does whatever he feels like; if he wants to fish today, he goes fishing; if he wants to lie down and sleep at home, he sleeps at home.

Otherwise, what's the difference from going to work?

So, Lu Yuan doesn't plan to say it; he'll tell Lin Fusheng later when there are results.

However, it's obvious that even if Lin Fusheng doesn't know Lu Yuan is dealing with potatoes that could yield three thousand jin, five thousand jin per mu.

If he thinks Lu Yuan is just dealing with ordinary potatoes, that's also very exciting.

Potatoes are a staple food, after all.

Potatoes are grain!

If in the future we can grow potatoes in the greenhouse.

This…

In a moment, Lin Fusheng became completely excited.

He immediately wanted to pull Lu Yuan along, but then he saw Lu Yuan was still eating.

He also suppressed his excited heart, waiting for Lu Yuan to finish eating before speaking.

Besides making Lin Fusheng excited about potatoes, what also excited him was that Lu Yuan finally wanted to study something about agriculture.

This made Lin Fusheng the happiest.

If Lu Yuan later researches agricultural matters, then the two of them will finally have something to talk about!

He could also occasionally find Lu Yuan for a drink.

Otherwise, going to find Lu Yuan for a drink would have no reason.

After Lu Yuan finished eating, the three of them hurried downstairs.

That experimental field is very close to the Agriculture Bureau; leaving the gate, a walk of eight to ten minutes will do, and Lin Fusheng didn't ride a horse.

Lu Yuan and Su Liyan also walked hand in hand.

"Hey, I see Liyan's vehicle is different from Lao Xu's."

Lin Fusheng suddenly asked curiously.

Lu Yuan nodded and smiled.

"It's different; this one I specially made for my wife. It looks nice, but it's not as effortless and comfortable to ride as that kind."

"But my wife just rides it to and from work, or goes to the workshop to buy vegetables, buy things—riding it is convenient enough."

Lin Fusheng, after hearing, repeatedly nodded and looked at Lu Yuan praising.

"You little brat really have ideas; sir, I'm deeply impressed."

Lu Yuan then laughed and waved his hand.

"All good, all good."

Afterwards, Lin Fusheng also looked at Lu Yuan and said.

"The thresher project—I submitted it and it was approved right away; your reward will be issued in these two days."

"Money and such need not be said; our Agriculture Bureau isn't like the Ministry of Works, where rewards are stingy—surely it's a big reward."

"But Lu Yuan, do you have any requests? Whatever you want, like a position or something—just say it, and sir will definitely arrange it if possible."

As for rewards, Lu Yuan is absolutely not polite.

Merit from battles, I deserve this reward.

But aside from money, Lu Yuan really doesn't want anything else.

If one must say he wants something.

It is hoping that the Great Zhou Dynasty flourishes day by day.

If the Great Zhou Dynasty is stable, then isn't it only natural that my own little life can be stable?

No famines, so the people can all eat their fill.

That way, there won't be refugees or displaced persons.

Otherwise, wherever famine breaks out and people are about to starve, where would those refugees and displaced persons first think to go?

It's definitely Huangcheng!

There are many refugees in Huangcheng; Lu Yuan isn't afraid, but he worries something might happen to his beautiful wife.

So, Lu Yuan wants just two things: money, and for the Great Zhou Dynasty to thrive.

Everything else doesn't matter.

After thinking, Lu Yuan grinned and said:

Just give me more money; my wife and I are about to have a child, and raising the child will cost money.

Earning more money now means we'll have savings for the child later.

As for positions, forget it—I'm just an idle person, used to being lax, and I couldn't manage anyone even if I had a position.

Hearing Lu Yuan's words, Lin Fusheng seriously waved his hand and said:

"Hey, Yuan'er, that's not how to put it—while money can solve many things, there are also many things money can't solve."

"A position is very important; you'll understand when you're older—positions really matter."

"Listen to your uncle; you must definitely get a position, and it must be one that holds authority."

"Right now, the Agriculture Bureau is fully staffed—all the good positions are taken."

"These days, your uncle has been pulling strings for you, checking if there are any good posts under the Agriculture Bureau."

"For example, the Grain Bureau and Grain Store under the Agriculture Bureau—those are good posts; your uncle will keep an eye out for you, and if one opens up, he'll immediately give you that position."

"Lin Fusheng really treats himself like family now, speaking to this extent, and Lu Yuan also grinned and said:"

"Fine, I'll just listen to my uncle anyway."

Lin Fusheng laughed and patted Lu Yuan's shoulder, saying:

"Listening to your uncle is sure to be right~"

After arriving at the experimental greenhouse of the Agriculture Bureau, Lu Yuan casually picked a greenhouse.

Immediately, Lin Fusheng had someone lock it, with only Lu Yuan holding the key—Lin Fusheng himself kept none.

After finishing up, Su Liyan rode the small cart and brought Lu Yuan home.

Back home, it was only 2:30 in the afternoon.

Su Liyan loved the bicycle so much, and with no livelihood at home, she practiced riding in the courtyard.

This drew everyone in the siheyuan to come see what it was.

As for Lu Yuan, he went back inside and started tinkering with the potatoes.

Su Liyan's bicycle really made the just-returned Wang Yulan drool.

Wang Yulan also wanted to buy this bicycle.

It's just too good-looking.

But hearing that Lu Yuan made this bicycle solely for Su Liyan, Wang Yulan felt nothing but envy.

Meanwhile, the aunties in the courtyard felt a surge of resentment.

This Lu Yuan…… came up with another gadget?

This just means……

Isn't Lu Yuan going to be rewarded three hundred again?

The Lu Yuan family has money again?!

Instantly, many aunties felt resentful while pondering in their hearts.

Just wait a bit longer, just wait a bit longer.

This is probably the last thing Lu Yuan can come up with.

Once the three hundred for the bicycle is spent, we'll be able to watch Lu Yuan eat steamed cornbread again!!

The next day.

Liu Shoucai came early, carrying a basket of things.

Upon seeing that the person who opened the door was Su Liyan, Liu Shoucai laughed respectfully and said:

"Eldest daughter-in-law, happy new year!"

Su Liyan had just been called that the day before; after a moment's surprise, she quickly laughed and said:

"I'm not a daughter-in-law; come in, Old Brother Yuan is in the kitchen."

Liu Shoucai nodded repeatedly, laughed, entered, and saw Lu Yuan in the kitchen handling potatoes and stove ash.

Immediately, Liu Shoucai quickly laughed and said:

"Master, happy new year!"

Lu Yuan glanced at Liu Shoucai, then put down the potatoes, washed his hands in the basin, picked up his outer garment, and said:

"Cut the nonsense—there's a lot of work ahead, hurry up and follow me."

Having said that, Lu Yuan directly went out and said:

"Wife, I'm heading out first; breakfast can be eaten outside."

Liu Shoucai was stunned for a moment, then his face showed an excited expression.

He then quickly put down the basket in his hands, and looking at Su Liyan who wanted to speak with Lu Yuan, he quickly said:

"Young lady, I brought some mountain produce from my home for you and the master to celebrate the new year; please accept it."

Having said that, Liu Shoucai whooshed after Lu Yuan.

On the way.

"Liu Shoucai, do you want to make big money in the future?"

Lu Yuan rode on horseback, while Liu Shoucai held the reins in front.

Upon hearing Lu Yuan's words, Liu Shoucai turned to look at Lu Yuan and said excitedly:

Why wouldn't I think about it, boss? I even dream about it.

Lu Yuan nodded and said:

"Today, boss, I'll watch you closely and learn well; I'll tell you how to build the Kang heating ducts for all these house types, so from now on you won't need me to draw the diagrams."

"You can do the drawing yourself; from now on, whenever anyone wants Kang heating ducts, I'll tell you the location, and you can bring people to do it yourself."

There are just so many people who need Kang heating ducts!!

That night, Lu Yuan took his wife to Director Xu's house to have a look.

Good grief...

Two big tables—when tallied, that makes seventeen households' leaders who need Kang heating ducts.

This is just the first batch; once these seventeen households are done, word will spread—one tells ten, ten tells a hundred—and the number will grow even more!

And this is only at Director Xu's place; we haven't even counted Lin Fusheng's side yet.

By then, there will really be a ton of them.

Can Lu Yuan really just idle all day, taking people to run around and draw?

So, just teach Liu Shoucai, and from now on he can handle this himself.

If you run into something you can't handle, come find me and ask.

At that moment, hearing Lu Yuan's words, Liu Shoucai could no longer hold back; he knew exactly what it meant.

Heedless of the morning crowd coming and going, Liu Shoucai fell to his knees with a thump, nearly startling Lu Yuan's horse.

"Boss… no… Master!!"

"From now on I will surely work diligently and surely show proper respect to you and your wife!!"

After saying that, Liu Shoucai knocked his head three times on the ground, and it really resonated.

This left Lu Yuan feeling rather embarrassed.

Good grief… a thirty- or forty-year-old calling himself master and still having to show respect…

Seeing the clueless looks on the faces of the people around, Lu Yuan curled his lip and said:

"Alright, alright, alright, get up quickly."

After Lu Yuan said that, Liu Shoucai then gave a foolish smile and stood up.

Having arrived at the East City Gate area, Lu Yuan had no intention of leaving the city; the first household happened to be right there, so he came here first.

Meanwhile, the migrant workers who usually gather outside the East City Gate have all come into the city at this time.

Upon seeing Lu Yuan, they all shouted in unison:

"Boss, happy New Year!!"

This…

Lu Yuan blinked, and thought, 'Good grief, I've made myself out like a big boss.'

Having come to his senses, Lu Yuan also hurriedly greeted them.

He quickly tossed out the few packs of cigarettes still left in his pocket.

At that moment, Liu Shoucai also called over two people, then raised his head to look at Lu Yuan sitting on his horse and said with a smile:

"Boss, these are my two brothers from home; they also know this work. I can't handle it all myself, so I'm having them help me inspect the materials."

After Lu Yuan nodded, he then flung out a big sack of money and said:

"You go buy the materials first—just buy as much as you need."

These two had never seen such a sack of money before, and their faces were filled with shock.

At that moment, Liu Shoucai also looked proudly at his two brothers and said:

"See? This is my boss… Master!"

"You think I'm just boasting to you two because I got drunk over the New Year?"

"Hurry up, take people to buy the materials; I'll come back later and give you the address."

After finishing up at the East City Gate, Lu Yuan then hurriedly took Liu Shoucai to the first household.

Lu Yuan also began, drawing diagrams while teaching Liu Shoucai.

The Kang heating ducts are hard if you say they're hard, easy if you say they're easy.

The difficulty is that it's underground, so outsiders can't study it.

Put simply, it's just a matter of raising and lowering.

Lower the stove opening, and the smoke outlet position needs to be slightly raised.

Then the fire passage leading to the heated wall needs a smoke block.

The rest is still quite simple.

Liu Shoucai isn't doing this for the first time; he's done it several times before, and after Lu Yuan taught him for a morning, he pretty much has it down.

Most of the households in Huangcheng are siheyuan courtyards.

It's either one household or two, which is simple.

As for any odd house types that might show up, we'll talk about them separately.

At noon, when the two went to a restaurant to eat, Lu Yuan pulled out a long list of names and handed it to Liu Shoucai, saying:

"First handle the few households I told you about this morning—they've already paid—then, after finishing those, start working through this list."

Liu Shoucai looked at this long list of names and addresses, feeling a bit dazed, and said:

"There's so much, boss…"

Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly and said:

"We've only just begun; there's still plenty more to come. I won't work on my own big manor for now—I'll do theirs first."

"In fact, in a month's time, my wife's family will come to stay for two days; we'll talk about it after they leave."

Besides, there's another matter: I need a small cottage built at the Threshing Machine Factory's gate. This isn't urgent, but it must be completed within a month.

At this moment, Liu Shoucai was thrilled.

So much big work!!

How much money will this earn!!

……

Time flew by like a white colt passing through a gap.

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

In the evening, an ordinary-looking carriage stopped on a bustling street.

Along the roadside, various small vendors hawked their goods, and occasionally someone rode past on a bicycle.

The ding-ding sound rang out from time to time.

"Commander Li, what are those?"

It looked quite ordinary, yet it was huge, requiring three horses to pull it, and from inside came a sharp, piercing sound.

This sound was distinctive; one could tell at once that it came from a eunuch.

A burly man in his forties wearing a coat stood beside the carriage and ignored the eunuch.

Instead, he went to the other window of the carriage, lowered his head, bent over, and spoke very respectfully in a low voice:

"Your Majesty, those called bicycles are manufactured by the Huangcheng Forging Bureau."

(End of chapter)