Chapter 82

Chang Wei was the first to be seen by Lady Chang, who held his nephew's hand, inquired about his well-being, and felt extremely pleased in her heart.

Chang Wei had not been here long enough to remember much the last time he came, but this time he had grown into a tall and handsome young man, which made Lady Chang feel a bit melancholic.

Fortunately, Chang Wei was sweet-tongued and said several heartwarming words to his aunt, showing much more social grace than his father.

In less than a quarter of an hour, everything was moved and placed properly. The house had guards, and Wang Changfu and Old Cai bid their farewells one after another. Lady Chang wanted to keep them for dinner, but these two politely declined and left with their men in a grand procession.

Chang Jinquan said enviously, "Brother Han's subordinates are truly capable. It’s hard for him to find such people."

Lady Chang knew that Wang Changfu was originally a deserter, later a porter, and Old Cai was a street thug, a useless one at that. These people were gradually trained by Zhang Han to become what they are now, but she didn't say this, as it might seem like she was praising her own son.

When the outsiders had mostly left, Lady Chang walked up to the carriage and said with a smile, "Is it Eldest Miss inside?"

"That's right." Chang Jin, who was still staring at the self-sounding clock, had to let Chang Jinquan, his uncle, step forward to help Chang Wei assist Chang Ning out of the carriage.

"Niece greets Aunt," Chang Ning said.

Chang Ning was very well-behaved. At this moment, Lady Chang carefully examined her niece.

She was very tall, about sixteen years old, and probably wouldn't grow much taller. She was slightly taller than Lady Chang, with a slim figure and well-fitting clothes. She had a oval face, large, lively eyes, and especially fair and rosy skin, smooth and delicate. When she bowed, her hands, white as snow and with delicate, tender fingers, were revealed from her sleeves, making one feel delighted.

In terms of demeanor, Chang Ning was graceful and poised, with a lively gaze, not like a girl who rarely goes out and is dull.

"Truly, her skin is smooth and her manners are elegant," Lady Chang said, genuinely liking her and couldn't help but praise her greatly, "Her lips are red without lipstick, her eyebrows are green without makeup, her face is like a silver basin, and her eyes are like water almonds. She is truly a born beauty!"

Chang Ning was a bit shy but still said naturally, "Niece thanks Aunt for the praise."

"Family, no need to be so formal," Lady Chang took off a delicate gold bracelet from her wrist and said with a smile, "This is what Brother Han had made for me. I think it's too elaborate for my age, but you would look much better wearing it."

Chang Ning was a bit hesitant. She looked at her father, who was still studying the self-sounding clock, but Chang Jinquan said with a smile, "Your aunt is giving it to you, what are you afraid of? Just put it on."

"Really beautiful!" Chang Ning, being a girl, raised her wrist to the sunlight after putting on the bracelet. The bracelet was indeed very beautiful, and it sparkled in the sunlight, making Chang Ning very happy, not because she liked gold, but because she liked the design.

"When you got out of the carriage, I saw that you, as a girl, though our family is not very wealthy, should not dress too plainly," Lady Chang said, smiling and taking Chang Ning's arm. "Let's go inside and talk."

Chang Jinquan and Chang Wei naturally followed. Seeing that Chang Jin was still reluctant, Lady Chang said with a smile, "Brother Han has over ten thousand books in his study and many exquisite items. Since he's not at home, you can go and look at them. Let's go inside and talk and have tea first, how about that?"

"Good, good, very good, couldn't be better."

The Chang family was a trading family, not like the Zhang family with a scholarly background. The family couldn't afford many books, and even if they did, it was just to see if they could produce a few scholars. They only prepared some common examination books and wouldn't buy miscellaneous books. Chang Jinquan's financial resources were limited, and hearing that Zhang Han had over ten thousand books, he couldn't wait to go, temporarily abandoning the self-sounding clock.

Lady Chang said with a smile, "Big brother is still the same old dork."

Chang Jinquan said, "It's really strange. He never asks about the business, but he's obsessed with miscellaneous studies. In the past two years, he's been interested in agriculture and has been experimenting with our land."

"Is it useful?"

"It's actually quite useful," Chang Jinquan said with a smile. "Many people in the clan used to gossip, but after Big Brother increased the yield by over one shi per mu, everyone shut up."

"Brother Han also likes these things," Lady Chang said, feeling a bit nostalgic. "I wonder when he will come back. When he returns, he and Big Brother will surely have a lot to talk about!"

"What is he doing?"

"Let's talk about it inside. A few days ago, we received a letter. It's already taking shape, and he will return once the furnace is set up."

Lady Chang held Chang Ning's hand, and the family chatted as they slowly made their way to the main hall.

The two maids, Yangliu and Hehua, followed behind. Once they entered the main hall, they had nothing to do for the moment and leaned against the eaves waiting for instructions.

Both maids were newly bought. Hehua watched the Chang family enter the house and whispered to Yangliu, "It looks like this cousin might be the young lady that Lady favors. Look at how Lady looks at her. Humph, in terms of appearance, how are you any worse than her... Last time when Young Master vomited on you, you really lost out."

Yangliu was also extremely aggrieved. If things had worked out that day, she would have become a concubine and would have a place in the welcoming party for the Chang family's young lady. Even if a main lady came, her position as a concubine would be secure, and she might even have a son first...

"Forget it, I have bad luck," Yangliu said, not bothering to dress up since Zhang Han was not at home. Even so, her natural beauty was hard to hide. When she looked into the distance, the fine, white skin of her neck was striking. She said lazily, "The family is in ruins, and Young Master isn't very interested in me. I don't know who I'll end up with in the future..."

She glared at Hehua and said, "I have to thank you for that bowl of tofu pudding!"

"Ah... I didn't mean to... I won't compete with you. Young Master is good, but he will have many women in the future. I'd rather follow a young and promising man and live a simple life."

Talking about her future, Hehua also sighed.

A few weeks passed, and Zhang Han gradually opened up the situation in Lingqiu.

Li Shenming stayed for about ten days, saw that everything was going smoothly, and then bid farewell and left. He planned to travel to Xuanfu to help Zhang Han smooth out some connections in advance.

The Fan family had a head start in some areas, but in many preparations, they were behind Zhang Han. Now both sides had their advantages, but Zhang Han had a slight edge. Li Shenming's job was to expand this advantage further.

Zhang Han led Liang Hong, Liang Xing, and others to the ironworks every day. Later, when the houses were built, he moved in with his people. Zhang Han did not directly handle the purchase of raw materials or the hiring of workers, nor did he directly interfere with Cai Jiu's management. However, with him present, everyone's morale was high. After the mountain people from neighboring villages ate and received silver, the news spread, and people from over a dozen nearby villages came to work. The expansion of the ironworks and the mining of the ore veins accelerated several times. In just over twenty days, the furnace was already well on its way.

"Master, the number of miners is still not sufficient," Cai Jiu said.

After this period of training, Cai Jiu's timidity and fear had decreased significantly, and his voice had become much clearer and more decisive. He frowned, holding several lists with the names and origins of many miners... and the names and addresses of their guarantors.

To strengthen the management of the miners, which was what Zhang Han called "rules," He Yusheng Ironworks was particularly strict. They did not accept miners who might have a criminal record, even if they were experienced. Such people might be grateful and obedient, but they might also be troublemakers. It was better to accept miners with a clean record, who, even if they gambled or fought, would be more cautious and restrained because they had no criminal record.

This was like how a security company would not accept or hire deserters. Once someone has deserted or been a bandit, they are likely to have a direct reaction to future events, and it's not worth taking the risk.

Cai Jiu, under Zhang Han's daily guidance, had made rapid progress. He could already read and write, and could handle charts and lists. Zhang Han also called in some literate foremen from various places to help... The ironworks would be a very important profit point in the future, with at least five to six thousand people working there, and possibly nearly ten thousand blacksmiths. Additionally, a large number of security guards would be recruited from the miners, making Lingqiu even more important than Xinping Fort in the future.

Outside, it was drizzling, and the world was shrouded in a misty haze. The distant mountains were obscured by the rain, becoming indistinct.

In such weather, other furnaces would also stop production, waiting for the sky to clear before starting again. Miners left the mine and wandered around. Cai Jiu was originally sitting and looking at the lists, while Zhang Han, the master, stood under the eaves of the house, watching the rain and breathing in the fresh air... In the East Mountain, the air was probably one of the worst in this era, perhaps only comparable to the mining areas in Jiangnan and eastern Fujian. Even in densely populated areas like the capital, with over a million people using firewood and coal daily, the air was definitely better than here.