Chapter 83: Doorway

The anger Shen Yuan felt because the money box had "lightened" flared up, and in a fit of rage, he raged for a moment.

Going out did not vent his anger; instead, he returned home with a belly full of contemplation.

Then he saw the two carts of Glass that had just been delivered from the Zhao Family Workshop.

Shen Qing and Shen Liu, who had been huddled together whispering, immediately ran over, their faces full of excitement and impatience.

They had already seen the effect at Wen Gu's place before, and now they could finally install it in their own home. The study, the bedrooms, and so on—they could all be changed according to their own preferences!

No need to suffer the cold, and it's bright! It shows status!

When the time comes to invite people from the clan over to visit and show it off, won't that bunch be envious to death?

The two carts of goods in front of him belonged only to his family, not the clan.

Shen Yuan also temporarily set aside the thoughts in his heart and asked curiously:

"Is this Glass? Is it what you all said could be embedded in the windows?"

He had flipped through the Account Book before; there were records in it, and the steward had also reported on it.

These two carts were the goods newly ordered recently.

Shen Yuan walked over quickly to take a closer look; it was indeed as clear and bright as crystal, and it even carried a slight greenish hue, which was especially obvious when the sheets were stacked together.

He just loved this kind with color!

Just looking wasn't enough to satisfy him, so he reached out to touch it.

The delivery person hurriedly reminded him: "The edges are sharp, Master Shen, please be sure to be careful!"

"Hmm, I won't touch the edges."

Shen Yuan touched it, feeling the cold sensation beneath his fingers.

"Good stuff!"

He didn't need to install it to imagine the effect, and he could also think of the hot topic for the wealthy and noble families of Xinzhou City to discuss after tea and meals.

In the winter, it blocks the wind, keeps you warm, and lets in light; it's much more useful than Bright Tile, and it's sparkling and bright—it looks wealthy!

"Install it! Install it on all the doors and windows immediately!" Shen Yuan said happily.

The Glass sheets loaded on the cart were not just one type, but several. Some were plain-colored flat sheets, some were slightly thicker with patterns, and others were different colors; the owners could install them according to their own preferences.

Shen Yuan asked the delivery person again: "At present, how many families in the city have received these Glass panels?"

The delivery person said respectfully: "In reply to Master Shen, up to now, only this batch of goods has been released, and it was sent to two families. One is your family, and the other is the family of Patrol Guard Pei."

Nowadays, the production of Glass is limited, and many wealthy families in the city have to queue up with money in hand to place orders. If your status isn't high enough, you have to wait until after the new year.

Shen Yuan felt secretly pleased.

Their family received preferential treatment because of Lady Shen, and the Pei family because they provided the craftsmen and the formula. As for the others, regardless of whether they are noble families from the South or Beidi, they all have to line up behind them!

Who would have thought that the Shen Family would suffer so much grievance and suppression because of doing business, and now the state of the world has changed so quickly!

There is no explaining luck; his Shen Family just happened to catch a wave of good fortune!

No matter how pleased he felt inside, Shen Yuan remained steady on the surface.

The delivery person also informed him that the Glass had been delivered, and if they needed specialized craftsmen to install it, they could also make an appointment; they were all experienced hands trained by the workshop.

It was just that the owners had to decide first which type of Glass to install and where.

The person in charge of the delivery explained the goods and precautions one by one, bowed slightly, hung his head, and stood there respectfully. He had no intention of leaving.

Shen Yuan:??

Is there something else?

Shen Qing leaned over and whispered a reminder to his father: "The final payment!"

Shen Yuan realized: "Oh right, there is still this final payment!"

The deposit had already been paid, and now it was time to pay the balance.

This bill could not be shirked.

Who would dare to shirk the Zhao Family's bill?

Nowadays, the Money Vouchers are all in Shen Yuan's hands, so he is the only one who can pay this sum.

Nowadays, the production of Glass is limited and it is a precious item; purchasing these two carts of goods is not a small amount.

Once again, Money Vouchers were handed out one by one.

He had originally planned to put them into the money box, but now they were all given away.

Shen Yuan smiled indifferently on the surface, but felt as painful as if his flesh were being cut in his heart.

But this is a necessary expenditure!

Glass windows can indeed improve the living environment and let them live better through this winter. For a family with affluent living conditions, it is indeed a priority configuration.

Besides that, it is also to prepare for the New Year.

When the time comes for social visits, if other families have installed it and yours hasn't, could it be that you have fallen on hard times?

There would definitely be a bunch of people being sarcastic and making snide remarks.

Now, his family's appearance also represents the face of Lady Shen. He cannot lose face!

The money is spent on something practical and has value!

Shen Yuan comforted himself this way.

As for the money box that was empty again...

Now that the days of their Shen Family are getting better, they will save it up again soon!

After settling the bill and the delivery person left, they discussed how to distribute these Glass sheets and where to install them.

"Wen Gu also had a hand in the development of the Glass?" Shen Yuan sighed, "This child is a capable person!"

He has half of my Shen Family's blood in him, so he must also have a head for business. If it were a peaceful time, and he operated it well, he would definitely be able to make a fortune and become a wealthy man of the region!

It wasn't just Shen Yuan; everyone else thought the same, looking on with envy. If the world were peaceful, they would have had to get a piece of the action no matter what.

But the world is different now; any ideas one might have can only be suppressed.

Even if one knew the formula, what could one do?

First, one cannot. Without materials, without kilns, without craftsmen, what can be made?

Second, one dares not. Competing for business with warlords on their own turf? Tired of living?!

Of course, one could also defect to other factions after obtaining the formula. But the risk is too high.

After the restlessness, things settled down again.

On the other side, Jingxing Fang.

The sudden arrival of Uncle Shen was indeed an unexpected little interlude today.

Regardless of the cause and process of what happened, as far as the result goes, it was a pleasant little interlude.

Wen Gu looked at the two Money Vouchers in his hand.

Uncle Shen is truly a good man!

Must have more contact in the future to strengthen the bond between uncle and nephew!

With the Money Vouchers put away, he continued with the day's affairs.

Today is a day of special significance for the grassroots clerks and administrative staff of Jingxing Fang.

The people from the Patrol Guard Division, besides bringing over the ten retired wounded personnel they had promised to transfer, also incidentally delivered something—

The plaque Wen Gu had applied for had arrived.

The offices of the Ward Chiefs of each ward are all different.

Grassroots-level management personnel like a "Ward Chief" generally do not have independent, formal government offices.

Some simply set up a makeshift office near the ward gate. Others use their own private residences.

Wen Gu, managing the affairs of two wards, also converted one of his own courtyards to serve as an office.

But as more people move into the wards, and the number of houses built and the daily flow of people increase significantly, the number of office staff will also gradually grow.

Wen Gu pondered that he must also strengthen his professionalism; he couldn't let people mistake them for a makeshift operation.

This courtyard underwent renovations, and to add a sense of formality and ceremony, Wen Gu specifically applied for an officially certified plaque, upon which were four large characters written by his cousin's own hand—Jingqing Public Office!

The main gate of the courtyard was renovated and rebuilt, making it sturdier and much more imposing; now, with a plaque hung up, the feeling was there, better highlighting their professional status!

From this day forward, this place is the officially recognized authority for Jing and Qing wards in Xinzhou!

It is no longer just some run-down little courtyard that anyone can enter!

It is full of the atmosphere of a government office!

Wen Gu turned his head to look at the others.

Sure enough, Cheng Zhi and He Xiaodi were both full of reflected glory, and there was a bit more reverence in the eyes of the onlookers from the ward.

It is only because there are not so many rigid rules and rituals now that Wen Gu could be slightly bold in renovating the courtyard, having Pei Jing design and modify both the plaque and the main courtyard gate.

Looking at it now, it was all worth it.

Morale has improved significantly, the emotional value is full, and even the dogs passing by would have to give a thumbs up!

Rumor has it: the facade is the GDP.

Perhaps it might even attract a few more wealthy patrons.

(End of chapter)