Chapter 37

Chapter Thirty-Seven: A Thousand Gold in One Throw

Zhao Cheng then explained his next plan. He intended to build two major roads, one horizontal and one vertical, along the dry canal, construct two bridges to connect with the official road, and then select higher ground along the roads to build four new villages, relocating all the tenant farmers.

"Second Master, why build roads and relocate the tenants? The current places where the tenants live are still manageable, and the roads can be used as they are!" The chief steward, Zheng Fu, looked at the prince with doubt and asked.

"I've said before, we need to think long-term, not just about the immediate present. We are planning to do great things. Once the roads are built, it will be easier to transport our crops out and bring in what we need. We not only need to build roads but also construct a wharf by the Bian River. As the saying goes, 'To get rich, first build the roads!'" Zhao Cheng explained, "Building new villages follows the same logic. The places where the tenants live now, some are rented from the main house, and others are built on vacant land. They are either in disrepair or leaky. If you had to live in such a place, would you feel at ease?"

"Second Master, I understand now. We need to plant the phoenix tree to attract the golden phoenix!" the second steward, Zheng Lu, suddenly realized.

"Second Master, building roads, bridges, dams, and dredging the canal will cost a lot of money!" The chief steward, Zheng Fu, clicked his tongue and said.

"Money that needs to be spent must be spent; don't be stingy!" Zhao Cheng smiled and said, "Moreover, since we are doing this, we must do it well. I don't understand these matters, so I need you to take care of them, but the standards must be high. The canal must be widened and deepened to avoid needing repairs in just a couple of years. The roads must be wide enough for two large carts to pass side by side, and the road surface should be paved with stone slabs. Trees should be planted on both sides of the road, and roads should also be built between the fields to accommodate carts carrying a hundred stones. Low-lying areas unsuitable for farming should be dug into ponds to store water for irrigation during droughts!"

Everyone listened with wide eyes and open mouths. The prince's plans were grand, but his next words surprised them even more. "I plan to build the new villages here, here, and here, to make it convenient for the villagers to go to the fields and for travel between villages!" Zhao Cheng pointed on the map and said, "Each village should accommodate five hundred households, with a reasonable layout for easy access. Each house should be able to accommodate a family of six, and every twenty households should have a shared well. That's it for now; we can discuss the details later!"

"Second Master, if we build roads and villages, we might not have enough manpower, and it could delay the farming season!" Zheng Lu calculated and said.

"Ha, we can start the work based on priority. We can't delay the farming season, so we'll start with the dam and the canal dredging. We can delay the construction of the new villages until after the summer harvest, but you can spread the news quietly!" Zhao Cheng smiled lightly and said.

"Yes, we'll follow Second Master's instructions!" Zheng Lu looked at the prince, who had a sly smile on his face, and immediately understood. He secretly marveled at the prince's shrewdness.

"Now, we must do two things immediately: Second Steward, you need to find experts in water management and road construction to estimate the manpower, time, and cost required. Purchase tools and materials before starting the work to avoid delays. Chief Steward, you need to recruit people from each village tomorrow. Be polite, bring cash, and register and advance payment to those who sign up. This must be done without any ambiguity!"

"Yes!" "Yes, we'll arrange the manpower immediately!" The two nodded in agreement.

"Second Master, I have one more question. How much should we advance to the workers?" Zheng Fu asked.

"How much money does a family need to get through the New Year and the spring famine?" Zhao Cheng countered.

"Three guan per month should be enough!" Zheng Fu calculated and said.

"Good, we'll advance three guan. Tell them that once the work starts, they will be provided with two meals a day, and there will be bonuses for good performance!" Zhao Cheng decided immediately.

"Second Master, this will likely create a deficit in the household. If we recruit a thousand people, at one hundred wen for wages and fifty wen for meals, for a hundred days, the cost will be fifteen thousand guan, not to mention the tools and materials, which will cost even more!" Zheng Fu said, pained. A middle-class family's wealth was only a few hundred guan, and the prince was spending tens of thousands.

"I've already considered this. The household has nineteen thousand guan, and this won't use it all up. Besides, we can find other ways to earn money. Don't worry about the money; I'll handle it!" Zhao Cheng said confidently. He had been thinking about this for several days and had a plan to earn money. If successful, the money would flow in like a stream.

"What can a child like you do? Unless you ask the Emperor for money, why do we need stewards if you can get the money?" Zheng Fu thought to himself. Looking at the chief steward, who had been silent, he suddenly remembered that the prince had built a greenhouse and earned nearly ten thousand guan for the household. Perhaps the prince really could find other ways to earn money, or the chief steward wouldn't have trusted him to take charge. The more Zheng Fu thought about it, the more he believed it, and his gaze toward the prince changed.

"The prince has given his instructions; everyone must do their best. This time, the prince is setting the stage for you, and you must perform well!" Huang Jingchen repeated a phrase the prince had been saying for the past two days. Though it was a cliché, it was simple and clear.

"Yes, the prince sets the stage, and we perform. We will not辜负 the prince's trust!" The stewards, being sensible people, immediately understood the chief steward's meaning. This meant they would be the ones to take the lead, while the prince would support and direct from behind.

"If this is done well, you will not be treated unfairly. After the work is completed, I will reward everyone according to their contributions!" Zhao Cheng stood up, hands behind his back, and said to the group. However, his posture was awkward, lacking the authority of an official and even a bit comical.

"Thank you, Second Master!" The three stifled their laughter and thanked him in unison.

"Cough, Zheng Shou, how are the New Year preparations coming? Don't let these matters affect the New Year celebrations," Huang Jingchen, unable to hold back his amusement, coughed and said to the third steward.

"Chief Steward, all the food and items for the New Year have been purchased, the tributes from the village have been delivered, and the 'welfare' the Second Master ordered has been prepared. We've also invited a theater troupe and some acrobats, all of whom are well-known in the capital!"

"Good, the New Year is a busy time, and there are more people this year. Pay attention to fire and theft prevention, and don't let anything go wrong!" Huang Jingchen nodded and instructed.

"Chief Steward, rest assured, everything is arranged, and we've increased the night patrols," Zheng Shou replied respectfully.

"Alright, everything is arranged for today. Everyone will be busy in the coming days. Today, I'll treat you all to a meal as a reward!" Zhao Cheng stood up and smiled, "Jianxi, tell the kitchen to serve the meal!"

"Sure thing!" Jianxi responded and immediately went out to instruct the kitchen to serve the dishes.

When the group entered the adjacent dining room, they first saw a purple copper hot pot on the table, with boiling hot broth inside. The pot looked different from the ones they were used to; it was integrated with the stove. Hot pots had a long history and were already common in the taverns of Bianjing, but they were just pots, similar to modern ones, where all kinds of meat and vegetables were cooked together.

On the table were two large plates of sliced mutton, as thin as cicada wings, arranged by the cook to resemble a large peony flower. Small bowls and dishes with colorful seasonings were placed around, and there were four small dishes for drinking. On a side table were fresh vegetables from the greenhouse, such as tofu, spinach, cabbage, and lettuce.

The stewards knew the prince's 'quirk' of not liking fruit platters, but today's meal still surprised them. They didn't know how to use the chopsticks, and even Huang Jingchen, who often ate imperial cuisine, was puzzled. They wondered if the prince was inviting them to dip the raw mutton and vegetables in the seasonings and then drink the soup.

"Come, today I'm treating you to hot pot mutton!" Zhao Cheng, seeing their confusion, took a small bowl of sesame sauce and deftly added some coriander, leek (which he had to make do with since it wasn't the season), and fermented tofu (which he had created in the kitchen) to the bowl, stirred it, and added a bit of salt. He then placed it in front of Huang Jingchen, picked up a piece of mutton with a clean pair of chopsticks, swirled it in the boiling broth until it turned gray, and placed it on Huang Jingchen's plate, "Uncle Huang, try it and see how it tastes!"

Huang Jingchen, looking at Zhao Cheng, picked up the mutton, dipped it in the freshly prepared sauce, and put it in his mouth. After chewing it slowly, he immediately picked up another piece, swirled it in the broth, dipped it in the sauce, and put it in his mouth, unable to wait. After eating a few pieces, he realized everyone was watching him, "Where did the prince learn this way of eating? The mutton is tender and delicious, making it hard to put down. I've lost my composure!" Huang Jingchen blushed and said apologetically.

"Chief Steward, the mutton is from the hind legs of sheep from Shanzhou, frozen and then sliced by the cooks. The broth is made by the prince himself, with ingredients like fragrant mushrooms, shrimp, and scallops. The most important part is the fermented tofu made by the prince, which gives the sauce a unique flavor. Even the pot was designed by the prince and crafted by the household's artisans!" Jianxi, proud of his involvement, explained in detail.

"Did the prince learn this from a certain immortal master? I heard he is a famous gourmet!" Huang Jingchen whispered to Zhao Cheng after hearing Jianxi's explanation.

"Ha ha," Zhao Cheng chuckled, not answering, and gave Huang Jingchen a knowing look.

Watching the group enjoy the meal, Zhao Cheng felt secretly pleased. This imitation hot pot mutton, though made with good ingredients, lacked the secret recipes of the modern versions, so the taste was definitely not as good. If these people could live another thousand years and try the authentic hot pot mutton at 'Donglai Shun,' they would probably beat him up and stomp on him. But who knew, maybe his method would be passed down and revered as the authentic origin!