Chapter 227

The next morning.

Translation: "The next day, early morning."

After Lu Yuan's family had finished eating, Yulan rode her bicycle early to open the door.

After Lu Yuan's family had finished eating, Yulan rode her bicycle early to open the shop.

After Lu Yuan's family had finished eating, Yulan then rode her bicycle early to open the door.

Now that the shop has staff, we can't say we go at 9:00 a. m.; we need to go earlier to open the door.

Now that the shop has staff, we can't say we go at 9:10; we need to go earlier to open the door.

Of course, from now on this task will be Yulan's responsibility.

Translation: "Of course, from now on this task will be Yulan's responsibility."

Su Liyan's routine is the same as before: after finishing her meal, she rests at home and then goes at 9:10.

Translation: "As for Su Liyan, just like before, after eating she rests at home for a while, then goes at 9:10."

Today, Lu Yuan also needs to go out, but he's not going to the shop.

Translation: "Today, Lu Yuan also needs to go out, but not to the shop."

Lu Yuan has already taken care of everything at the shop, so he won't need to worry about it anymore.

Translation: "Lu Yuan has already fully arranged everything for the shop; from now on he won't need to worry about it."

Lu Yuan plans to make a trip to Qingbei University today.

Translation: "Lu Yuan plans to make a trip to Qingbei University today."

To see how the students at his school are doing.

Translation: "To see how the students at his school are doing."

Although the homework isn't due for another five days, as principal Lu Yuan should go take a look ahead of time.

Translation: "Although the homework is due in five days, as the principal Lu Yuan should also go check ahead of time."

In case anyone has something they don't understand, Lu Yuan can help explain it.

Translation: "If anyone has something they don't understand, Lu Yuan can also help answer."

After all, the ultimate purpose of homework isn't the homework itself, but to enable students to learn knowledge.

Translation: "After all, the ultimate purpose of homework is not the homework itself, but to enable the students to learn knowledge."

If we do homework just for the sake of homework, we'd just make these people think on their own, and as a result they'd think along the wrong lines.

Translation: "If it's just doing homework for the sake of homework, then you'd have these people think on their own, and the result is that they think along the wrong lines."

In the end, the submitted homework is all wrong—what's the point of it then?

Translation: "In the end, the submitted homework is all wrong—what meaning does the homework have then?"

"Brother, just hold onto the money; the shop doesn't need that much. When it's time to restock, I'll come ask you for it."

Translation: '"Brother~ you hold onto the money; the shop doesn't need that much cash. When it's time to restock, I'll come ask you for it~"'

Su Liyan, sitting on the edge of the bed, looked at the stack of bills and said in a sweet voice,

Translation: "Su Liyan, sitting on the bedside, looked at this stack of bills and said in a coquettish voice."

Lu Yuan, sitting beside her, shook his head and said:

Translation: "Lu Yuan, sitting to the side, shook his head and said:"

"No need; just keep the money with you. When it's time to restock or need something, you can settle the accounts directly on your end—no need to go back and forth, which would be troublesome."

Translation: '"No need, just leave the money with you. When it's time to restock and need something, you can settle the accounts directly on your side; going back and forth is troublesome."'

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, he then said:

Translation: "After Lu Yuan finished speaking, he then said:"

"From now on, if the shop lacks anything or needs something, just have someone buy it. Remember, you must never be petty."

Translation: '"From now on, if the shop lacks anything or needs anything, you just have someone go buy it. Remember, you must absolutely not be petty."'

"In this shop, we buy only the best and use only the best."

Translation: '"Everything in the shop, when buying, buy the best; when using, use the best."'

"Our customers are all wealthy ladies, so our goods must be of high quality."

Translation: '"Our shop's customers are all wealthy ladies, so our shop's goods must be of high quality."'

"Even though it costs more, don't begrudge it—we're doing this to earn more later."

Translation: '"Although we spend more money, don't be reluctant; we're doing this to earn even more later."'

"Do you understand?"

Translation: '"Understand?"'

Lu Yuan still worries a bit about his wife; she's very good at managing the household.

Translation: "Lu Yuan still worries a bit about his wife; his wife is very good at managing daily life."

That's certainly a good thing.

Translation: "That's certainly a good thing."

Running a business naturally requires careful budgeting.

Translation: "Doing business naturally also requires careful calculation."

However, we can't be stingy about everything; some expenses are unavoidable.

Translation: "However, you can't be stingy about everything; some money cannot be spared."

For example, the tea we serve guests in the shop must be high-quality tea leaves costing three yuan per tael; using cheap tea at three mao per tael just won't do.

Translation: "For example, the tea used to entertain guests in the shop must be good tea leaves costing three yuan per tael; using tea that costs three mao per tael just won't do."

These ladies can tell the difference at a taste.

Translation: "These ladies can tell the difference with just a taste."

Likewise, the pastries must be freshly made fresh from Louwailou.

Translation: "Also, the pastries must be freshly made fresh pastries from Louwailou."

These expenses cannot be cut.

Translation: "These expenses cannot be spared."

Money isn't saved by cutting corners; it's earned.

Translation: "Money is not saved; it is earned."

Su Liyan nodded repeatedly as she listened to her husband's words.

Translation: "Su Liyan nodded repeatedly as she listened to her husband's words."

In the end, Su Liyan hid the money—she actually just put it under the bedside table.

Translation: "Finally, Su Liyan hid the money; she said she was hiding it, but actually she just put it under the bedside table."

Afterwards, Lu Yuan pushed out his vehicle, greeted his mother-in-law, then rode his bike with his wife to the market.

Translation: "Afterward, Lu Yuan pushed out the vehicle, greeted his mother-in-law, then rode the vehicle with his wife to the market district."

The route to the market is along the way; Lu Yuan first takes his wife to the market, then goes on to school.

Translation: "The route to the market district is along the way; Lu Yuan first takes his wife to the market district, then he himself goes to the school."

On the way, Lu Yuan explained his business philosophy to his wife.

Translation: "On the way, Lu Yuan explained his business philosophy to his wife."

Su Liyan sat sideways on the back seat, one arm around her husband's waist, her beautiful face pressed against his back.

Translation: "Su Liyan sat sideways on the back seat, one arm around her husband's waist, her exquisite face pressed against his back."

No matter what Lu Yuan said, Su Liyan obediently nodded.

Translation: "No matter what Lu Yuan said, Su Liyan obediently nodded."

After Lu Yuan finished telling his wife about the tea and pastries, he then said:

Translation: "After Lu Yuan finished talking to his wife about tea and pastries, he then said:"

"These are just small expenses; as more people come to the capital, our shop will need to expand,"

Translation: '"This is still just small change; waiting for the future when more and more people come to Huangcheng, our shop will also need to expand,"'

"when customer numbers grow, we'll also need to hire a professional tea master."

Translation: '"When the time comes and customer numbers increase, we'll also need to hire a professional tea master."'

"So you must never scrimp on this money—think about how much we could earn; pinching pennies not only serves no purpose, it could even cause problems."

Translation: '"So you must absolutely not skimp on this money; think about how much we could earn—pinching pennies is not only meaningless but also likely to cause trouble."'

Su Liyan, sitting in the back, nodded repeatedly and said in a sweet voice,

Translation: "Su Liyan, sitting in the back, nodded repeatedly and said in a coquettish voice:"

"Mm~ I'll listen to whatever you say, big brother~"

Translation: '"Mm~ I'll listen to whatever you say, Brother~"'

Lu Yuan pondered, planning to wait a month or two to see how things develop.

Translation: "Lu Yuan pondered, waiting to see the situation after one or two months."

If the turnover stabilizes, we wouldn't even say we could net over five thousand a day; even making one or two thousand a day would be fine.

Translation: "If the turnover could stabilize, we wouldn't say we could net earn over five thousand per day; even if it's just one or two thousand per day."

Then Lu Yuan would have to consider whether it's time to expand the shop.

Translation: "Then Lu Yuan would have to consider whether it's necessary to expand the shop."

If we tried to expand the shop as it stands now, it wouldn't be easy to do so.

Translation: "If we were to expand the shop based on the current shop, it wouldn't be easy to expand."

Now that the population of the capital is growing, the shop's price is rising as well.

Translation: "Now that the population of Huangcheng is increasing, the shop's price is also rising like water lifting a boat."

For example, a shop in Lu Yuan's location would cost around twenty thousand yuan.

Translation: "Like the location of Lu Yuan's shop, a shop now costs around twenty thousand yuan."

After these two months, it will probably cost even more.

Translation: "After these two months, it's likely to become even more."

So although we could afford to buy a neighboring shop, it feels like that money could be used for something better.

Translation: "So although we could afford to buy a neighboring shop, we feel that using this money could accomplish more."

Lu Yuan therefore plans to buy a plot of land outside the city and build a building there directly.

Translation: "Lu Yuan plans instead to buy a plot of land outside the city and then directly construct a building."

The capital is already expanding outward.

Translation: "Huangcheng is already expanding outward."

These past few days Lu Yuan hasn't been delivering clothes outward; doing so naturally means going all around the city.

Translation: "These past few days Lu Yuan hasn't been delivering clothes outward, but delivering clothes naturally means wandering around the whole city."

Construction activity can be seen everywhere.

Translation: "Everywhere there are signs of construction."

Furthermore, as Lu Yuan said, the court has recently begun debating whether to demolish the city walls.

Translation: "Furthermore, as Lu Yuan said, recently the Imperial Court has indeed begun discussing whether to demolish the city walls."

Of course, nowadays nobody would think this city wall is a cultural relic that needs protection; the opposing side mainly worries that, without this city wall.

What if the Gilded Dynasty runs into some trouble lately, what if troops come to the city—the imperial city has no wall protection, isn't that dangerous?

Of course, those who support tearing down the walls think the Gilded Dynasty is already half‑dead.

At most they'd only skirmish on the borders; the Great Zhou Dynasty hasn't exterminated them—they should be burning incense in gratitude—how could they still manage to invade?

Anyway, this matter has been under discussion lately.

Lu Yuan, on the other hand, simply doesn't take part.

Anyway, how the walls will turn out is another matter, but they're definitely going to expand outward.

Lu Yuan plans to find a chance to ask the Ministry of Works, uh… even just go directly ask Gu Qingwan would work.

He just wants to ask, if the imperial city is to be expanded, which direction should be planned first.

South, east, or west?

Whichever direction is developed first, Lu Yuan will go buy a plot there, first mark out the land, then later build a building.

It would be similar to a modern luxury hotel.

Of course, that would require a lot of money.

Even if Lu Yuan pulls out the 300,000 left by his three great‑grandfathers, it's still not enough.

But the patent is about to come through, right?

In the past month or two, his own shop has also been making money.

Moreover, building the tower isn't a matter of pulling out all the money at once.

It's paid according to the schedule—give a portion each month, say 100,000 this month, 80,000 next—this way Lu Yuan's family can earn while building.

Besides, having Liu Shoucai do the construction would also save a lot of money.

Building that kind of tower Lu Yuan mentioned, including final decoration, would take at least a year or two, right?

Splitting that money into twenty installments would greatly reduce the pressure.

Of course, if it's still not enough in the end, Lu Yuan would go borrow money from Gu Qingwan.

Soon after arriving at his own shop's doorstep, Lu Yuan stopped and said to his wife:

"Eat a proper lunch, okay? We make this much money every day, you ought to eat well, don't just slap something together, or else I'll get angry."

Su Liyan stood at her shop's doorstep, beaming with happiness, and said:

"I know~"

"Brother~ you also eat a proper lunch at noon~"

Lu Yuan grinned and said:

"Brother will definitely not shortchange himself; just eat well, okay, let's go~"

Having said that, Lu Yuan rode his cart away from the market block.

Now there are few people in the morning, so he hurried out; otherwise, later when it gets crowded, he'd have to get off and push the cart.

Su Liyan watched her husband depart with utter sweetness, then turned and entered the shop.

She must work hard, earn more money, so she can support her husband~

……

Lu Yuan made his way to the school, waiting until he entered this street intersection.

Lu Yuan gazed oddly toward the Guozijian.

At this moment, the road leading to the Guozijian was covered with red carpets, and the grand archway at the intersection bore a large red flower.

Lu Yuan wore a strange expression as he looked toward the Guozijian, huh?

What kind of flashy stunt is this??

Lu Yuan blinked, paid it no mind, turned a corner, and entered the Qingbei Daxue campus.

Constructing Qingbei Daxue is the top priority task assigned by Gu Qingwan to the Ministry of Works.

Four days.

The school's teaching buildings and such— their foundations have already been dug.

The campus grounds here have all been paved with blue stone slabs.

No longer are they just dirt plots as before.

Lu Yuan looked over these foundations and was still very satisfied.

Don't look at Qingbei Daxue now having only a few hundred students.

Plus Lu Yuan as a teacher.

This is just the first batch.

After Lu Yuan finishes teaching this batch of students, Qingbei Daxue will continue to operate.

Of course, by then Lu Yuan will be a proper principal and won't have to give lectures every day.

That would be too exhausting.

Then Lu Yuan will retain some of the better‑performing students from the first batch to serve as teachers.

Soon, Lu Yuan rode his cart to the practical workshop.

Here, just as Lu Yuan originally said, there is a shed up top, supported by several large timbers.

The walls all around are made of iron sheeting.

It's pretty much like the current Qingbei Daxue cafeteria and dormitories.

Before Lu Yuan even entered, he could hear a noisy clatter and clanging from inside.

When Lu Yuan went in and looked, he saw a bunch of students, working in groups of four, either squatting on the ground or gathered around a table, even on stools.

All around are various parts and valves.

At a glance, in front of these students are mostly half‑human‑sized steam engines.

Of course, the assignment Lu Yuan gave these people wasn't just to build a half‑human‑sized steam engine.

but rather a steam power device.

Simply put, it's not just about boiling water.

but it must be able to move.

Simply put, Lu Yuan's locomotive is a standard steam power device.

Driven by steam.

As for now, the steam power devices Lu Yuan has seen are all kinds of strange.

There are humanoid steam power devices; simply put, they are robots.

There are also steam ducks, steam dogs…

They can be described as myriad and bizarre.

In Lu Yuan's view, these things are useless and have no future prospects.

It's kinda like Shougong Geng…

But that's not important; what matters is that these students have ideas, which is a good thing!

Lu Yuan recalled that, back on Earth when he used his phone to watch short videos, he often saw in those invention‑creation videos some big‑brained folks.

No matter what the video uploader creates, there will always be some messed‑up people gaping and shouting.

What use is it? What use is it?

Useless! Useless!

Sometimes, seeing those comments, Lu Yuan really wanted to dive into the screen and tear that person's big mouth apart.

You should know, many things aren't invented all at once.

Just like airplanes.

Humans have long yearned for flight; before modern airplanes were made, many pioneers had tried.

For example, airplane wings were made to fold like a bird's and to flap.

Of course, without exception, they all failed.

But although they failed, they provided ideas and inspiration for later inventions.

Likewise, when speaking of cars, after the steam engine was invented there also appeared steam‑powered cars.

However, steam cars were simply too big and impractical, so they were abandoned.

But can you say the people who built those steam cars back then were brain‑damaged?

Obviously not.

The age needs pioneers, and these people are the pioneers.

Lu Yuan's arrival caused a sensation.

Everyone stared at Lu Yuan with bright eyes, eagerly hoping the headmaster would come to their work and give a couple of comments.

Everyone hoped to receive Lu Yuan's praise.

Besides awarding star ratings.

They also hoped even more to gain the headmaster's approval.

For these students' works, whether useful or not, Lu Yuan would find various angles to praise them.

As for whether these students' works are useful…

Well…

For now, they're useless.

Actually, it's no surprise, after all, the widest use of the steam engine is the train.

Besides trains, there are some other machinery.

They haven't studied machinery, but Lu Yuan has built a train.

Naturally, they can't produce anything useful.

Lu Yuan watched from start to finish, thinking it was about to end.

But in the last few groups, he suddenly saw something that lit up his eyes.

This group made a boat.

Lu Yuan just misspoke; besides trains, the steam engine also has a very important application: ships!

This group's boat is not the modern standard propeller‑driven ship.

But a steam‑driven paddle wheel: the boat has two rows of paddles on each side, and those paddles are ordinary oars.

To modern eyes, this looks a bit comical.

But that's normal; invention and creation are always limited by the era's conditions.

This group could think of using a steam engine to power a boat, but couldn't think of replacing the paddles with a lighter propeller.

However, once they have that idea, they'll surely be able to come up with a propeller.

And Lu Yuan, as someone from Earth, his biggest role is to speed up everyone's thinking~

"How's it going? Have you run into any difficulties?"

Lu Yuan approached the group without changing his expression, smiling as he asked.

Upon seeing Lu Yuan, the group quickly rose and said:

"Headmaster."

Lu Yuan nodded, then raised his chin and pointed to the one‑person‑sized steam sailboat model, saying:

"Well done."

This bunch, feeling a bit embarrassed, scratched the back of their heads and said:

Actually... not too good... there are many difficulties...

This thing certainly has big difficulties.

The biggest difficulty is, if the two rows of oars on this ship are all driven by steam...

One row has eight oars; two rows make sixteen.

Then the ship's steam engine would need to ensure that the air-pressure valves of all sixteen oars have sufficient air.

If so, how large would this steam engine need to be?

Sixteen oars would consume far too much power, and this design takes up a lot of space.

With this design, the ship couldn't carry cargo—the interior would be filled entirely with the steam engine.

Where would there be any space for cargo?

Moreover, this design is extremely prone to failure.

Lu Yuan listened with a smile as the group finished describing the difficulties, then broke into a grin and said:

Actually, we just need to change our approach.

Huh?

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, everyone was stunned.

They didn't understand what Lu Yuan meant.

The next second, Lu Yuan picked up the pen and paper on the nearby table and drew a propeller.

After Lu Yuan finished drawing, the crowd fell silent, seemingly unable to make sense of it.

They just thought it looked a bit like a fan.

But after a few seconds, someone clever figured it out.

Their expressions went from bewildered to shocked to incredulous.

Their gaze toward Lu Yuan was as if they'd seen an immortal.

With a casual sketch, Lu Yuan brought the steamship into being.

Thanks to echo Laoge for the 100 book-coin tip.

Still two updates a day...... Compared to catching yang, lack of money is still scarier.

I'd rather die from yang than die broke.

All right, let's just get it done.

(End of chapter)