CHAPTER 348: CHAPTER 345 GOOD BUSINESS

Miao Zigui is willing to settle in the Chen Family Village and has promised that their first son will take the surname "Chen." Though this is not written on paper, having said it in front of Chen Yongsheng and Mrs. Gao, it is naturally not something he can renege on.

Xie Liangchen looked at Chen Yuyu’s blushing face and was truly happy for her.

Xie Liangchen said, "Now Second Uncle can be at ease."

On the road to Dai State this time, Xie Liangchen observed how Miao Zigui behaved; he always stepped forward in times of trouble, showed great concern for the household workers, and helped take care of the wounded on the battlefield. According to Chen Yongsheng, when the Dai State Pass was about to be captured, Miao Zigui held a weapon and stood at the city gate with the defending soldiers, showing no fear.

Such a person, with responsibility and affection, is a good match.

Chen Yuyu couldn’t help but think of her deceased parents and held onto Xie Liangchen’s hand, "Thank you, Sister."

Xie Liangchen laughed, "Why thank me?"

Chen Yuyu was not eloquent and didn’t know how to say a lot of nice words, but she understood in her heart that before Sister returned, she was timid and cowardly, always feeling like a burden and never imagining she could one day earn a silver coin to support her family.

Maybe people outside also noticed her change, but only Chen Yuyu herself truly understood how different she was from before. If someone like Miao Zigui had come to propose before, she wouldn’t have dared to believe it.

Now, hearing Miao Zigui say those things and willing to come to the Chen Family Village for her, although she was touched, she felt utterly open-hearted with no guilt—she could accept all these because she would become even better in the future.

"Sister," Chen Yuyu looked at the paper in Xie Liangchen’s hand, "what are you busy with?"

Chen Yuyu feared she had delayed the village’s work due to Miao Zigui’s matter and hadn’t been able to help Sister.

"I tried dyeing with Mr. Xu," Xie Liangchen said.

Chen Yuyu said, "Are we changing the colors of our thread tassel tying ropes?" Sister mentioned before that after a while, the tying ropes need to change color to prevent imitation.

Xie Liangchen said, "No, I’m trying to dye paper. If it works out, we might be busy in the Paper Workshop for a while." She didn’t explain the details to Chen Yuyu yet, preferring to wait until everything was prepared before telling everyone.

"There’s no rush for this. You’ll be called when you’re needed," Xie Liangchen said. "I’ll go check on the weaving room and then look for Mr. Dongli."

After saying that, Xie Liangchen hurried off.

Chen Yuyu watched Xie Liangchen’s back, not knowing what Sister was up to again. Having followed her for so long, she should have some idea, but she still couldn’t guess until the last step every time.

Xie Liangchen first went to check on the spinning wheel, guessed that Mr. Dongli had finished teaching Chen Zigeng, and then headed to Mr. Dongli’s courtyard.

The kitchen was wafting with a delicious aroma, and the usually stern and solemn Mr. Dongli had put down his books early and was sitting in the courtyard with Chen Zigeng.

In no time, Xu Tingzhen brought out dishes from the kitchen, and Mr. Dongli quickly went to lift the curtain himself, allowing Mr. Xu to place the dishes on the table in the room.

Xie Liangchen felt a surge in her heart as she looked at Mr. Xu. No wonder Mr. Xu said she should invite Mr. Dongli for help; Mr. Dongli undoubtedly agreed because Mr. Xu had already laid the groundwork for her.

Xie Liangchen stepped forward to greet Mr. Dongli.

Mr. Dongli said, "Let’s have a meal first. We can talk after eating."

Chen Zigeng set the chopsticks, and Xie Liangchen helped Mr. Xu bring the dishes. The four of them happily finished their meal, with Mr. Xu thoughtfully providing a pot of hot tea.

Mr. Dongli squinted contentedly, feeling as if he could doze off right there. Such comfortable days were rare.

Just as Mr. Dongli was contemplating in a haze, he heard the sound of Xu Tingzhen coughing beside him, immediately rousing him to sit up straight and look at Xie Liangchen. "What brings you here, Miss Xie?"

Xie Liangchen said, "I have a matter I’d like to discuss with you. There are some aspects I’m unsure of, and I would appreciate your guidance."

Mr. Dongli said, "Whatever I can help with, I’ll do my best."

Only then did Xie Liangchen say, "During this trip to Dai State and Xinzhou, I found that the places are quite similar to here, with medicinal herbs on the mountains, and mulberry and hemp crops. The agriculture and medicinal herbs need planning for the spring planting, but some things can be prepared in advance."

Everyone knows that managing the Eight States is not easy, and even though the court will provide relief, it can only go so far and is not a long-term solution.

Mr. Dongli said, "You want to teach the people of the Eight States to use spinning wheels?"

Xie Liangchen said, "That’s one part, and there’s another important matter."

Xie Liangchen placed the dyed paper before Mr. Dongli, "And that is paper."

"Several of the paper workshops in Zhenzhou and Qi State have many workers skilled in making Paper Medicine," Xie Liangchen continued, "These workers can become masters in the new workshops. But this time, besides making Paper Medicine, I want to use it as a base and create something more. This way, both the quantity and quality will ensure the Northern Workshops gain standing."

Previously, the combined workshops of the two states were too few, but now with more locations, more mulberry, and more medicinal herbs, one must look further ahead than just Paper Medicine to make a name in the North for the workshops.

Xie Liangchen said, "I want to make flower paper and also dyed golden paper, but such things have no reference, and I fear we might not do well."

Mr. Dongli, having studied from a young age and having a fondness for pen, ink, paper, and inkstones, had obtained a few flower papers made in the previous dynasty.

Moreover, Mr. Dongli knew the abbot of Jianguo Temple, and dyed golden paper was often used for copying Buddhist Scriptures; these were things Xu Tingzhen was well aware of.

Mr. Dongli sighed, realizing why Xu Tingzhen made four dishes — it was to fill him up for work.

Mr. Dongli said, "Golden paper is not easy to make."

Xie Liangchen nodded, "A layer of beeswax is needed on top, using medicinal pigments to prevent insect damage and beeswax for mildew protection, so that the Buddhist Scriptures can be preserved longer. Yet, to judge the quality of our golden paper, we must seek guidance from the temple’s abbot."

High-quality golden paper is rare, and if done well, the temples will naturally want it.

Mr. Dongli looked at Xie Liangchen, "If the temples want it, what will you do next?"

Xie Liangchen said, "I heard that when the North was in chaos, the monks of Jianguo Temple once distributed porridge and helped bury the dead, holding rituals for departed souls. After the Eight States battle, I suspect the monks of Jianguo Temple would be willing to go again. If we can produce golden paper, we won’t charge Jianguo Temple any silver coins. For any other temples that come, we will just charge the cost."

Mr. Dongli understood Xie Liangchen’s intention, "Pious believers taking golden paper from the temple would leave blessings that can be used to help the people of the Eight States."

Xie Liangchen nodded.

Mr. Dongli said, "With paper given away like this, how will the workshop earn silver coins?"

Xie Liangchen said, "After the abbot helps us make the golden paper, we can use the same method to make ’white wax paper,’ which can be used for writing invitations and making private collections."

Mr. Dongli had to admire Miss Xie’s sharp mind, for this was indeed a good business venture.