Chapter 71: A Pleasant Conversation?

Wen Gu's maternal grandfather was a wealthy merchant in the past, the kind of wealthy merchant who had relatives serving as high-ranking officials in the clan.

Nowadays, the one managing the family affairs is Wen Gu's own uncle; although his talent is not as great as the grandfather's, he can barely be entrusted with important tasks.

During this period, the uncle is not at home, so Wen Gu did not go to pay a visit.

Unexpectedly, these two brothers came looking for him directly.

Since they are already here...

Wen Gu flattened the drawing paper, on which was an architectural drawing he had sketched with a Charcoal Pencil.

Shen Liu, who was sitting across the table, had an impatient temperament; he leaned over and, before he could clearly see what was drawn on the picture, was first curious about the brushstrokes.

"Eh? This pen?"

His finger touched it, and carbon powder stained it; the lines at that spot became blurred.

Shen Liu hurriedly retracted his finger, pretending he had done nothing, and looked at Wen Gu again; he should not have noticed.

"Ahem, this... what is this drawing? It's quite good-looking."

Shen Qing, who had also walked over out of curiosity, had already understood that this was a luxurious and imposing building—no, not just one building, but several houses connected together by flying bridges. It was a bit like the high-end entertainment venues he had seen in the Imperial Capital before, but there were many differences.

Wen Gu looked at them sincerely: "This is the integrated park for eating, drinking, playing, and living that I originally wanted to build!"

His drawing skills were limited, and some details were difficult to display, so Wen Gu explained to them one by one.

In Xinzhou City, there are strict regulations on building heights. Except for the watchtowers that monitor fire and Evil Plague, the residential buildings in each ward have strict height limits and are not allowed to exceed the Neicheng wall, so as not to hinder observation.

Those nobles who want to build high towers can only change them into pavilions and towers; if they want to climb high, they must make an appointment to go to the watchtowers—they shouldn't even think about it in their own homes.

However, since vertical development won't work, let's develop horizontally!

Inns, teahouses, bookstores, shops...

The Six Great Clans gather the most prestigious group of people in the north and south today; they have seen plenty of luxurious building complexes, so Wen Gu focused on other configurations.

Glazed Ware doors and windows that shimmer with flowing light, luxurious Crystal colored lamps, high-end ceramic facilities for changing clothes and washing hands, alternative folk art performance venues...

The Shen brothers looked at this building and then at that building; they had already converted these into physical objects in their minds and couldn't wait to go in and play for a round immediately.

After the world became chaotic, the family placed many restrictions on them, and the outside was dangerous. They spent all day wandering around in that palm-sized place, facing those few familiar faces every day. Moreover, Xinzhou City had no other entertainment venues; when old and new friends wanted to gather, they couldn't find a suitable place.

Wealthy households and nobles all built a few venues for tea tasting and leisure in their own homes. The reason they scrambled for building materials wasn't because they had nowhere to live, but because they felt their residences were too small and had nowhere to play!

This one of Wen Gu's is quite good, with many varieties.

Shen Liu stared at the drawing and urged Wen Gu: "Then build it."

"Can't build it, no money and no people," Wen Gu said.

Shen Qing didn't believe it: "My uncle, your uncle, and our cousin have allocated quite a lot of building materials to you!"

"You go and look again, see how much is left!" Wen Gu looked full of worry, "You'll know the consumption rate after building a few civilian houses. I actually can't bear to give up either, but reality is like this. If I weren't afraid of you misunderstanding, I wouldn't be complaining to you. It can only be shelved for now, until some time in the future..."

Wen Gu made a gesture to roll up the drawing paper.

It didn't budge.

Shen Qing pressed down on one side of the drawing paper: "Tell us more about this inn and teahouse."

Wen Gu looked at these "Qing-Liu" brothers: "You are interested? Then you go build it. Here, we are all relatives, the drawing is a gift for you."

Shen Qing thought to himself: We could pool money, but there's no place!

Shen Liu had a more direct temperament and said: "The Xianghui Fang where we live has long been covered in houses. Building a small courtyard is fine, but where is there room to build a park!"

Wen Gu looked as if he didn't take it seriously: "Find Cousin and open another ward."

The Shen brothers were choked up.

Who does everyone think they are, able to ask Cousin directly for a ward just like you?

No, wait, you brat even asked for two wards!

Wen Gu continued: "After you get a ward, you can find more people to share the pressure, which means letting more people participate in the profit shares; it's easier to get things done with more people. Rest assured, you won't lose money. If it's built, it will be the only one of its kind in this Xinzhou City!"

The Shen brothers were crazily tempted; the most important thing was having face!

Everything sounded excellent, leaving only one problem—who would go find Cousin to open another ward and build a park?

Wen Gu's eyes encouraged them: You go!

The Shen brothers shook their heads: I don't dare!

You are making things difficult for us!

Shen Qing looked at the drawing, then thought of the large, vast open spaces he saw when entering Jingxing Fang today. After all, it was a newly opened ward, so there was plenty of land.

But, other than here, where else was there any "other place."

Shen Qing tapped his hand: "Simple! We'll just fence off a piece of land in your Jingxing Fang to build the park."

It would still be in their own brother's territory, making everything convenient.

Shen Liu also felt it was feasible: "There is still land empty here, right?"

Wen Gu looked hesitant: "I originally planned to build civilian houses. If Cousin and Brother really have the intention, I will have them stop work now."

"Hurry and stop work, clear the land, and let's calculate it properly."

Shen Qing looked at the drawing in his hand.

This drawing must have cost Wen Gu a lot of energy, and it wouldn't be very good to just take it away, so he said: "Cousin, we will also calculate profit shares for you for this park!"

"There is no need to be so polite; the drawing can be considered an apology for my failure to visit these days. Furthermore, now that I am the Ward Chief of this Jingxing Fang, it is not very appropriate to participate in it," Wen Gu said sincerely.

Shen Qing thought about the temperaments of that father and son of the Zhao Family.

The path Wen Gu takes is indeed different from theirs, and he really doesn't understand the ins and outs of this.

More genuine smiles appeared on Shen Qing's face; he patted Wen Gu on the shoulder and said: "Alright then. I accept this gift. We are all our own brothers; if there are any difficulties, you must tell us."

"There really is one!" Wen Gu looked worried.

Shen Qing: "..."

Wen Gu: "I would like to ask you, Cousin and Brother, to help me scout for a few craftsmen when you are looking for them. There are too many things to build in the two wards I manage, and I am short of craftsmen."

"And those scholars who can write and calculate, if they are in dire straits and willing to seek other work, you can introduce them to me. If they can stay, I will provide food and lodging, and even their families can be settled together!"

Shen Qing's guarded heart relaxed again: Oh, those things.

Perhaps they could even use this to earn some favors.

Large, prosperous families with many members have many survivors, and they spend their days locked inside fighting and draining each other; there are plenty of sordid affairs. There are also those clamoring to split the family estate all day long, but building a house nowadays is no easy task.

Throwing them to Wen Gu is just right!

"Easy, easy!" Shen Qing laughed and agreed.

They continued looking at the drawings, and where they did not understand, they let Wen Gu clear up their confusion.

Wen Gu also gave some suggestions: "You can expand in stages. Do the first phase of the project first; if you can't build three stories, build two first. Wait until the regulations are looser later, and you have made a profit, then build the third story. For example, build one building first..."

Shen Liu: "A teahouse!"

Shen Qing: "An inn!"

Shen Liu said: "Brother, build a teahouse first; we will have a place to drink tea and chat when we go out."

Shen Qing disagreed: "An inn can also be used for drinking tea and chatting, and you can change things up, listen to little tunes, and stay the night if you go out late!"

Shen Liu: "But it's not elegant enough."

Wealthy families and nobles who advocate for an exquisite life like to play "tea whisking" when they are idle at home. Shen Liu felt that kind of style was higher-class.

Since alcohol is strictly controlled now, then play with tea.

Shen Qing had his own considerations: "We can build the inn larger and build a few private rooms!"

The brothers discussed for a while, then asked Wen Gu again.

"That Glazed Ware door and window, Crystal colored lamp, ceramic facilities, and performance venue you mentioned just now, can you really pull it off?"

Even though various gems and jade wares have greatly depreciated in value now, they are still not easily obtained; high-end goods are still hidden in the hands of nobles.

Wen Gu said: "Try it first; only by trying will you know. Since we are building, it cannot be shoddy. When I was on a Study Tour, I saw some wealthy families using Crystal Curtains; it was truly 'the Crystal Curtain moves as a breeze rises, the whole trellis of roses scents the courtyard'."

The Shen brothers also lived in luxury and had plenty of wealth in their family before, so they had seen similar things and felt particularly relatable. They were quite nostalgic for their former life.

For a moment, they were somewhat lost in thought.

Wen Gu pulled their attention back:

"In addition, Qingyi Daozhang of Qingyun Fang can provide a few formulas, which might make these things build faster. But it still requires the assistance of craftsmen with rich experience in firing ceramics."

Knowing that the two could not remember, Wen Gu took paper and a brush and wrote them down one by one.

"Besides ceramics, there are many related matters such as drainage, carpentry, and so on. If there are skilled hands, it will be built faster. Are there any craftsmen who fire Glazed Ware? I have also recruited some ordinary craftsmen recently, but they cannot do that kind of delicate work."

Shen Qing came back to his senses and said: "That's for sure. Capable craftsmen are all kept by wealthy families and nobles. There might be capable craftsmen among the commoners, but the Zhao Family already recruited a batch in the early stages, so it's hard for you to recruit them."

Wen Gu wrote down the precautions and mentioned again: "Are there any suitable supervisors? Someone who is literate and can hold down the fort, so you can know the progress of the construction."

The Shen brothers nodded; they must send trusted aides to supervise and report daily.

Laughing and talking, the Shen brothers stayed for over an hour before leaving with the drawing and the few pages of "precautions" that Wen Gu had given them.

They came with an aggressive air, but left chatting happily, the atmosphere harmonious.

Lady Shen at Zhao Zhai also received the news.

Like a clap of thunder, Lady Shen was so shocked that she knocked over her teacup.

"Who? Who is chatting happily with whom?!"

Usually dignified and steady, she now showed panic on her face.

Confirming it again, she felt a blockage in her heart.

Lady Shen said sternly: "Those two wicked beasts!"

The maid lowered her head, not daring to make a sound.

Since "wicked beasts" had come out, she knew the mistress wanted to say "wicked obstacles" but made a slip of the tongue, which showed how extremely angry she was.

After saying it, Lady Shen also realized the slip of the tongue; scolding her nephews like this was indeed inappropriate, but she was stifled with anger inside.

"A misfortune to the family!"

Unable to dissipate her anger, she ordered: "Go and ask immediately, what exactly did those two wicked obstacles talk to Wen Gu about!"

If they were being unreasonable and causing trouble, she would go and give them a beating with the board!

It was rare for the maternal side of the family to produce a talent like Wen Gu; he must not be led astray!

The maid went out and returned not long after.

"The cousin from the Wen family had Chang Shun deliver a letter."

Lady Shen immediately took it and opened the letter to read.

Worry, doubt, contemplation, calm.

"Oh, so that's how it is."

Just a moment ago she was furious, like a stormy sea, but now she was calm and peaceful again.

It only took the time of reading a letter.

Lady Shen smoothed her temples with dignity: "They are all brothers of the same generation in the family; it is good for them to cultivate more affection."

The maid bowed deeply.

Whatever was said above, that was how she listened.

(End of this chapter)