After entering the Duke's Mansion, seeing this mansion that was like a maze with winding corridors and scenic bridges, rockeries and flowing water, pavilions and towers that seemed to have everything, it was just like they had entered the land where immortals lived.
Old Man Jiang and Madam Hu still lived in Jiale Hall.
Jiang Yujiang lived in Qiuming Courtyard, while Jiang Wenkang and his wife were arranged to live in Qingfeng Hall to the west of Yin'an Courtyard in front of Qiuming Courtyard.
After days of rushing on the road, everyone casually ate something and then went to rest. At night, Lu arranged a sumptuous banquet to welcome Jiang's parents and sister-in-law.
The Jiang family was not particular about "no talking while eating," so everyone chatted while eating.
Lu and Jiang Wenyuan told them about things in the capital for them, while Lin and Jiang Wenkang talked about things at home.
The two old men got drunk and started exchanging banter and talking nonsense.
Old Man Jiang slurred, "You old fella, my good girl was so young when you took her away. I miss her and can’t even see her!"
Doctor Qiu was not to be outdone. "What? She was clearly my apprentice. My most outstanding apprentice! In the future, when I die, I still want to pass on the position of Valley Master to her! What do you have? You're just a nobody!"
Old Man Jiang was angry. He staggered up, grabbed a roast chicken by the tail, plucked off the tip, and stuffed it into Doctor Qiu's mouth. "I have chicken butt. I'll choke you to death!"
Doctor Qiu chewed and swallowed the tail tip, poured wine for him, and mumbled, "That’s all you’re capable of. This old man won't lower himself to your level to compete."
Jiang Yuqing was afraid they would start fighting, so she quickly called her brothers over to help escort each back to their own courtyards to rest.
It is often said that the elderly become like children again. Once these old fellas go crazy, they are even harder to deal with than three-year-old kids.
Jiang Wenyuan asked how they were delayed for such a long time on the road this trip.
Jiang Wenkang said with frustration, "Don't even mention it! It was extremely unlucky this time going out. Just after getting to Jizhou, the Jizhou Bridge collapsed. We waited outside Jizhou city for three or four days until it was repaired.
We had no choice but to take a detour via Huzhou. Who would have thought we ran into a mountain collapse that blocked the road, delaying us for another half month! Otherwise, we would have arrived long ago!"
Jiang Wenyuan frowned. "You mean the Jizhou Bridge collapsed?"
"Yes, the Jizhou Bridge. That large arch bridge with twelve arches, the middle three collapsed. Even though the waters weren't high, how could it have collapsed?"
Jiang Wenyuan gave a cold laugh, "How else could it collapse? It must have been man-made disaster!
The Ministry of Revenue had specially allocated funds last November for repairs. For it to collapse this year before the flood season even arrived, I fear that bridge repair money must have gone into certain people’s pockets again."
Furthermore, Jizhou is not far from the capital. For the news to be kept from reaching us for so long, it was mostly covered up by the local Jizhou officials.
They really have some guts and skill. It looks like that Jizhou area needs to be shaken up again.
As for big brother's wedding, the elders can handle that.
Jiang Yuqing's days proceeded normally. During this time, she also attended a flower viewing at Princess Ronghua's residence upon invitation.
Unlike last time when she was challenged and provoked everywhere, this time all the noblewomen of the capital were vying to fawn over her, the popular and highly sought after figure.
And not only because of her current status and position, but also because she had a uniquely outstanding and multi talented elder brother.
It was quite inexplicable.
On the first day of the fifth month, Guan Dacheng opened his grocery store for business. Jiang Yuqing personally prepared gifts and went to congratulate him in a grand manner, precisely in order to deter the local ruffians around, making it clear that this family had backing so they better not cross the line.
The fence around the wasteland had been built with the water supply also channeled in. The buildings and furniture were also completed, just finishing up some miscellaneous matters. It was ready to recruit people.
But Jiang Yuqing really had no manpower she could use, so she reluctantly went to find Jing Yan.
After hearing her out, Jing Yan brought her directly to see Old General Qin.
Upon hearing that Jiang Yuqing built this farm solely to earn food for retired disabled soldiers, Old General Qin immediately knelt down before her.
Jiang Yuqing was also so alarmed that she hurriedly knelt down too.
For such a battle-worn veteran hero to kneel before her, wasn't he just shortening her life!
After Jing Yan helped these two up, Old General Qin said, "Over the years, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Prince of Pingyang's Estate have also allocated a portion of silver each year to support them. However, there were too many injured veterans that needed support. Our little bit of money was just a drop in the bucket, unable to solve any real problems. If your farm can really take them in and allow them to earn enough to eat properly and live with dignity, then I thank you on their behalf."
Jiang Yuqing said, "General Qin, there's no need to stand on ceremony. Frankly, we're no strangers. Haven't we drawn food from the same big pot? There's some truth in that."
Old General Qin burst out laughing, "That remark is spot on. We have indeed drawn food from the same pot." Tell me, how many people do you need this time?"
Jiang Yuqing said, "My farm that I've set up occupies quite a large area. I also need many hands to work. In the initial period, there is land reclamation, planting pasture, fruit trees, vegetables and the like.
After the pasture grows up, I also plan to build a pig farm, cattle farm, sheep pen, and chicken coops. Managing so many chores also requires additional manpower.
I figure I'll need 50 people first, best if two are literate who can help me manage the daily affairs.
As things develop later on, I’ll see if there are any other businesses worth pursuing. I’ll come back to ask you for more people then. Let’s take it step by step."
Old General Qin said, "No need to say more. I have injured soldiers aplenty here. You go back first. I guarantee finding 50 people for you within 3 days!"
"Then, I have to thank the general!"
After parting ways with Jing Yan, thinking of the empty farm, Jiang Yuqing raced back to Guan Dacheng's shop to buy up a storm.
Pots, bowls, basins, plates, firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, tea - anything that could be used in daily life - she took them all in bulk sized portions for 50 people.
Guan Dacheng's shop did not have that much inventory. He needed to order and said it might take two days. Jiang Yuqing said that was fine.
When it came time to check out, upon hearing this was to prepare supplies for comrades like him who were also disabled veterans, he absolutely refused payment no matter what.
But Jiang Yuqing insisted on paying the original listed prices. She smiled and said, "If buying from other shops, I still have to pay. I specifically came to your place because I don't want profits to flow into a stranger's pocket.
Furthermore, you just started up and aren't well off yet either. In the future when you've made your fortune, I definitely won't stand on ceremony. If I fancy something, I'll just take it directly. You better not cry then!"
Guan Dacheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but could only accept the payment. After she left, he instructed his son that for all injured & retired soldiers who came to their shop to buy things, only the cost price was to be collected.
Guan Muming nodded, indicating he would remember.
After leaving Guan Dacheng's shop, Jiang Yuqing went to the Silk Shop next and ordered 100 sets each of bedsheets and quilt covers, plus 50 sets of thick cotton quilts and mattresses for winter use. They agreed the order would be ready for pickup in two days.
Those in military service placed extreme importance on efficiency. In less than 3 days, Old General Qin sent word that he had found 50 people gathered and waiting at the Qin family's estate.
Jiang Yuqing accompanied Old General Qin to his estate and saw the 50 veterans.
They had all retired and withdrawn from the Yumen Pass Main Camp in recent years. Quite a few were survivors of that major battle. These men recognized her!
Seeing Jiang Yuqing, they were extremely excited to greet her - "Little medic", "Little Battle Goddess", and similar names echoed continuously.
Jiang Yuqing was also very moved and greeted them one by one. She then talked about the current state of the farm and future plans and ideas.
Prices in the capital were high. She informed them that their wages would only be 400 wen per month for now, which covered room and board.
In the future once the farm started yielding produce, regardless of type, 10% of profits would be distributed as bonuses for everyone.
If anyone was ill, just go to a Wan'an Clinic for medical treatment. All diagnostic fees were waived for retired veterans, and only 20% of medication fees would be charged.
This policy applied consistently at all Wan'an clinics throughout Daxia. If anyone felt the wages were too low, or had other plans, there was no coercion for them to stay.
How would those soldiers disagree? Many were even moved to tears.
In the eyes of people, they were already cripples that no one looked up to. They struggled painfully just to survive and thought they would eke out a meager existence for the rest of their lives. They never imagined there would still be opportunities to work and be productive.
Moreover, the wages provided were so generous. Medical care was also available when ill.
Even able-bodied people would have trouble finding such good treatment. How could they have any objections?
The steward that Old General Qin found for them was originally a centurion under his command whose integrity was absolutely trustworthy.
Before enlisting in the army, he had studied under old tutor Laotong's father for two years. Later his family declined, and he had no choice but to enlist.
Among the veterans, he was one of those rare talents with both literacy and prestige.
He lost his left arm in a battle. Along with the large scar on his face, he looked extremely fierce, enough to make children cry.
But this did not prevent Jiang Yuqing from admiring him. Heroes deserve respect!
Seeing that everyone was willing to go, Jiang Yuqing was also relieved. She asked them to wait here for one more day while she went to retrieve the things she had previously ordered to take to the farmstead to settle them in.
After returning to the city, Jiang Yuqing immediately hired a team of carriages and first went back to the residence to haul two carriages of rice, then went to the granary to buy some coarse grains and flour.
She then went to the shops in Guan Dacheng to load up on supplies for daily living, and finally went to the Silk Shop to retrieve the customized beddings she ordered.
Thinking of those veterans in tattered clothes, Jiang Yuqing felt that she had bought enough and additionally purchased two sets of new garments for each person. She also bought scissors and ten sewing kits.
The clothes would definitely not fit everyone, so providing sewing kits would allow them to alter the clothes themselves. They could also use the kits to mend any tears in the future.
This was not a joke. Jiang Yuqing had personally witnessed many injured soldiers sewing and patching up their own clothes very decently while recovering in the barracks.
It was understandable. Da Xia's generals governed the military strictly. There were no women, let alone prostitutes, in the camps.
Whether it was daily training or battles, clothes were inevitably damaged.
Due to limited military funding, each soldier was provided only two sets of clothes per season. If torn, they could only mend them themselves. Wanting new replacements was wishful thinking.
Over time, they had all mastered decent sewing skills, certainly better than her.
After buying these items, Jiang Yuqing happened to pass by the vegetable market and stopped to buy half a slab of pork and piles of fruits, vegetables, and melons.
Seeing glutinous rice dumplings for sale, she suddenly remembered that tomorrow would be the Dragon Boat Festival, so she also bought a basket of them.
Jiang Yuqing led her long line of carriages and transported all the items to the farmstead.
After unloading, she made an appointment with the drivers to come to the general's manor early tomorrow morning to bring people here, before giving each some money as tips and sending them away.
Looking at the warehouse full of supplies, Jiang Yuqing heaved a huge sigh of relief.
Because of the warm weather, she was worried the meat would spoil. She poured it into a large vat, added ice cubes to freeze it, covered it, and placed it in the shallow mountain stream she had diverted to the door. This would slow down the melting of the ice.
The vegetables, fruits and melons could keep for two to three days without any special handling.
That night after returning home, Jiang Yuqing told her family that she would not be able to join them in watching the dragon boat race tomorrow afternoon.
When asked about the reason, Jiang Wenyuan only then found out that in just over a month, his daughter had already accomplished this much, and he felt both heartache and pride.
He patted his daughter on the head and said, "Go on, take a few more people to help you. If there's anything you can't handle, come back home and ask Dad. Dad will figure something out for you!"
"Thank you, Dad!" Jiang Yuqing buried her head in her father's arms and nuzzled it, sighing that having family support really felt great.
The next day, when Jing Yan came to pick up Jiang Yuqing to watch the dragon boat race, he was unsurprised to find her missing.
Upon asking, he learned that the girl had gone to her maternal grandfather's farmstead at the break of dawn to receive people.
He pondered silently for a moment before instructing his guards, "Let's go to her farmstead!"
