On this trip, Mu Wanqing brought four maids and Li Pingan and his wife. With Du Shaoxuan accompanying them, there was no need to worry about safety, as his entourage were all highly capable and carefully selected.

Li Ping'an and his wife have become her confidants. They not only protect her safety but also stay by her side to do chores.

Her parents and two brothers really wanted to accompany her, but there was no way as they all had their own work to do.

Especially Mr. Mu, he is responsible for managing two farms and building two workshops on the farms.

She set aside a special area on the farm as a workshop area.

First, the military ration shop has already accepted the order and is taking the route of small profits but quick turnover. Although the price is low, the consumption is huge, so the profit will not be less.

Second, the textile workshop, through everyone's hard work, has produced soft and delicate cotton cloth, but the raw materials have been exhausted and there is no way to continue.

Mu Wanqing assigned new tasks to Jiao Da and others. The first was to develop an efficient loom, and the second was to develop the wool business first.

She bought a batch of unprocessed wool and taught the whole process step by step, from washing, de-peating, drying, combing, twisting, and winding, to making wool yarn. Note (1)

She also specially invited experienced herders to come and teach her how to dye.

How to dye the wool evenly and beautifully without fading, and make the wool soft, delicate and tough at the same time, this is the direction that Jiao Da and his team want to study.

Dyeing cloth is the same as dyeing wool. They are professionals, so there shouldn't be any problems.

When she comes back, if nothing goes wrong, we will be able to start mass production of woolen fabrics.

Sweaters, trousers, scarves, socks and hats, get them all.

Winters in the north are cold, and these things are life-saving treasures, so the demand for them is huge.

By the way, she bought some processed wool in Ganzhou City last winter and wanted her mother to knit a few warm sweaters, but she was so busy that she forgot about it and kept putting it off until now.

She was concentrating on writing this year's work arrangements in the carriage. The focus this year was to set up the two workshops, which would provide thousands of jobs and help thousands of families get out of poverty.

As for planting cotton, we have to wait until March or April next year, and the harvest can only be done in August or September. The finished cotton cloth will have to wait until October.

Right now, there are three most important tasks in Ganzhou. First, get cotton seeds, the more the better. Second, buy a batch of wool, which is the easiest, just keep the price as low as possible. Third...

The maids around her watched her write with such concentration that they dared not speak for fear of disturbing her.

"Knock, knock." There was a knock on the window, and Du Shaoxuan's familiar voice also sounded, "Wanqing, we're at the inn, come down."

Mu Wanqing's thoughts were interrupted, and she lifted the curtain. Dusk was falling, and the colorful clouds in the sky had not yet dissipated. She couldn't help but take a few more glances.

Du Shaoxuan looked at her beautiful face and couldn't help but be dazed. It was strange that she was still wearing neat men's clothes, but she felt completely different.

The image that came to his mind was her wearing women's clothes, and she looked beautiful no matter how he looked at her.

But, before, he just felt sorry, why wasn't she a boy? Now, he seemed a little relieved that she was a girl...

"What are you daydreaming about? I've been calling you for a long time."

Du Shaoxuan came back to his senses and blushed, "Ahem, I was wondering what to eat tonight?"

Mu Wanqing couldn't help laughing, okay, foodie!

"Go in and take a look. If there's nothing delicious, I'll cook a few dishes."

Du Shaoxuan shook his head slightly, "You must be exhausted after a whole day's journey. Have a good rest and have a simple dinner."

The group traveled in a low profile, getting up early to travel and staying in an inn at night so as not to disturb anyone.

Mu Wanqing was not a nosy person. She always took enough luggage with her when she went out. She usually stayed quietly in the carriage, reading books, teaching the maids, making plans, and occasionally cooking.

The weather was too hot and she would sweat profusely even without moving. It was difficult to cook in the carriage, so she would not do it unless it was absolutely necessary.

After arriving in the room, Mu Wanqing took a hot bath, changed into clean clothes, and felt like she was alive again.

Lichun stepped forward to serve her and wiped her hair clean, "Miss, Master Du invites you to come down for dinner."

After everything was taken care of, Mu Wanqing walked downstairs briskly. Du Shaoxuan was already waiting for her.

Braised beef with soy sauce, mutton soup, and Hu pancakes are the standard dishes of the inn, and every table is eating these.

And there was an extra bowl of cold noodles on Du Shaoxuan's table by the window, which was white and had nothing added.

Mu Wanqing scooped up the noodles and put them into two bowls, mixed them with the special spicy meat sauce, and sprinkled them with sesame seeds. A bowl of fragrant noodles was ready.

I picked up another bowl of kimchi, which was sour and spicy and very appetizing.

"Eat it."

Du Shaoxuan picked up his chopsticks and ate with relish. The spicy meat sauce was absolutely amazing. It tasted good with anything, even noodles.

Maybe the way he ate was too appetizing, and people around him stretched their necks to look at him, thinking that the food looked so delicious.

"Xiaoer, we want this too."

The waiter replied respectfully, "Sir, we only provide boiled noodles. The sauce for the noodles is brought by the customers themselves."

Everyone was regretful.

A man in brocade clothes came over and bowed to Du Shaoxuan, "Brother, can you sell some to me?"

Du Shaoxuan didn't even raise his head, "No, we don't even have enough to eat."

This is what Mu Wanqing worked so hard to make for him!

The man's greed was aroused, and he refused to give up. "I'll pay a high price."

Du Shaoxuan was so annoyed. Was he short of money?

He pretended not to hear. The atmosphere was a little awkward. Mu Wanqing sighed silently. What a bad temper he had.

"There really isn't enough sauce. If you don't mind, I'll give you a plate of kimchi."

This time, Du Shaoxuan didn't pretend not to hear, "There aren't many kimchi left."

The man who had been somewhat dissatisfied with the simplicity of the kimchi immediately put down a piece of silver, took the food and ran away, "Thank you."

In fact, he thought kimchi was not delicious, he just had a rebellious mentality.

But after tasting the kimchi, he fell silent, and couldn't stop eating one bite after another.

He cherished the last piece of food so much that he was reluctant to swallow it.

How can there be such delicious kimchi? Ahhh, I want to eat more, what should I do?

Du Shaoxuan looked at Mu Wanqing with some resentment. Mu Wanqing was amused by him. Why was he so protective of his food?

"I will braise some meat and eggs in the carriage tomorrow and give them all to you."

Du Shaoxuan was happy then, "Add more stew, you eat too, you have lost weight."

I really want to eat Mu family's braised food after not having it for a few days. Wanqing understands him the best, but she has to work hard.

However, braised meat is not too tiring as long as all the ingredients are prepared.

At this moment, a surprised voice sounded, "Little brother, it's really you!"

Mu Wanqing felt that the name sounded familiar, so she turned around and saw that it was indeed an acquaintance.

"Brother Guo, what a coincidence, come and sit down, why are you here? Where are you going to make a fortune?"

The second young master of the Guo family, a wealthy merchant family in Jiangnan, has some friendship with Mu Wanqing.

Mu Wanqing got her first pot of gold from him and started her entrepreneurial journey.

Brother Guo was really happy to see Mu Wanqing. He thought he would never see her again in this life.

He was deeply impressed by this young brother's mysterious origin, clever methods and extraordinary intelligence.

However, after hearing Mu Wanqing's words, he remembered his worries, "What kind of fortune? Hey, our Guo family is in big trouble."

"What's wrong?" Mu Wanqing asked with concern.

Guo Er sighed softly, "Someone is targeting our Guo family. Our business has run into a lot of troubles and everything is going wrong. We asked someone to find out, and they said that we have offended the commander of the Ganzhou Guard..."

His voice suddenly became low, and only Mu Wanqing and Du Shaoxuan beside him heard it.

"But my family has never offended him, and has never been to Ganzhou for business."

They still don't understand where this grudge came from.

Mu Wanqing was stunned, and suddenly remembered that she introduced herself in Ganzhou City as a worker from Guo's Trading Company.

Could it be that Commander Ji couldn't catch her, so he went to find trouble with the Guo family?

If so, then it was a disaster she had caused unintentionally.

"Is it troublesome?"

Guo Er's eyes were rimmed with dark circles, as if he had trouble sleeping. "My family asked me to go to Ganzhou City to meet that master and find a way to clear up the misunderstanding, but...ah."

He is just a businessman, and it is hard to say whether he can get in touch with Commander Ji.

But this matter must be resolved. If it continues like this, the Guo family will not be able to bear it.

Mu Wanqing felt a little guilty, "Second Brother Guo, you don't have to worry if you didn't do it."

If she really caused it, then she has to be responsible for cleaning up the mess.

No matter what, innocent people cannot be implicated.

Guo Er smiled bitterly, "Little brother, although you are extremely smart, there are many things you have never seen, such as the county magistrate who destroyed the family and the governor who exterminated the clan, not to mention that he is a high-ranking garrison officer."

Mu Wanqing was silent for a moment. "Ganzhou is thousands of miles away, and he is a military officer. He can't reach Jiangnan, right?"

Guo Er is a veteran in the business world and has seen too many dirty things. "As the saying goes, officials protect each other. The officialdom is a huge network of relationships. You can always touch them if you go around in circles."

Mu Wanqing's mind raced as she skillfully mixed a bowl of noodles, "Second Brother Guo, eat something first."

As soon as the noodles were handed over, she pulled back, "Ah, your stomach is not in good condition, you should eat less raw and cold food."

A depressed voice sounded, "How do you know he has a bad stomach?"

Guo Er, who was preoccupied with his thoughts, only then noticed Du Shaoxuan and was stunned for a moment, "We lived together for a while..."

"What?" Du Shaoxuan's face turned pale and he snatched the noodles. "Don't talk nonsense, she is..." She is a woman!

Mu Wanqing glanced at him indifferently and successfully made Du Shaoxuan shut up.

"I really miss the Pan Family Manor where we lived together. How is Boss Pan?"

Guo Er was absent-minded and didn't notice anything wrong. "Don't mention it. He used your tea brick recipe and became very successful. He sold the tea bricks to merchants all over the country and made a lot of money."

"Little brother, you are at a loss."

"We have settled the payment." Mu Wanqing had nothing to regret after accepting the money.

Seeing her calm expression without a trace of regret, Guo Er admired her character even more. "He no longer sells loose tea and has monopolized the market. If you go to buy tea this year, I'm afraid it will be a wasted trip."

Mu Wanqing raised her eyebrows. Is Boss Pan going big? Doesn't the Guo family also have a recipe? The market is so big that it's impossible for one company to dominate.

"It's okay. I won't do the tea business this year. I'll switch to something else."

Guo Er has a recipe, but his family business is being bullied all the time and he is busy running around putting out fires. How can he have the time to do this business?

"Can you give me a little hint?"

An idea flashed through Mu Wanqing's mind, "Let's keep it secret for now. If there is an opportunity for cooperation, I will consider your Guo family first."

Guo Er was shocked. "You said it, little brother. You have to keep your word."

Seeing the two chatting endlessly, Du Shaoxuan lost his patience and said, "Evening..."

He stopped talking in time, "Hurry up and eat. Go to bed early after eating. You've been tired all day."

What's there to talk about? It's so annoying.

Mu Wanqing glanced at him. She knew that she had to ask him for help in this matter. Well, she had to coax him.

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Note (1) From Wikipedia. I will try to write more tomorrow. Today is the first day of my period and the pain is unbearable.