The craftsmen were so miserable. They were living well in the prosperous capital, but because of the woman in front of them, they had to travel thousands of miles to the border to eat sand.

The immense fatigue, cold weather, and unfamiliarity with the local climate along the way made them very exhausted, and their impression of Mu Wanqing was extremely poor.

She screwed them over!

Even if she was the master, so what? They had already agreed that they would just slack off and not put in any effort, and when she got impatient, she would drive them back to the capital.

Mu Wanqing looked at the reluctant craftsmen and raised her lips slightly, "Everyone, I will only say three things. First, I have a recipe. Please try to mix the proportions."

The main raw materials are lime, pure alkali and quartz, in a ratio of 12:13:75.

As for the process of high-temperature melting, molding, and cooling, they need to figure it out.

The craftsmen didn't take it seriously at first. In those days, recipes were not easy to come by.

But after reading the recipe, his expression changed a little.

Whether it will be successful is still unknown, but the fact that the proportion is so specific clearly shows that there is something to it.

Everyone is getting a little eager to make a move. Anyone who has some ambition would want to make a name for themselves.

However, they agreed not to do their job properly.

Mu Wanqing raised two fingers and said, "Second, if you can produce a finished product within half a year, each of you will receive 800 taels..."

This time, everyone was shocked. "Eight hundred taels?"

This is their income for twenty years!

Mu Wanqing has always been willing to spend money, as long as there are results, everything will be fine.

"That's right, eight hundred taels for each person, no excuses."

Everyone looked at each other, feeling slightly excited. They decided to do it. They had to do it and earn the five hundred taels of silver first.

If you have the money but don't make it, you're a fool. Just treat it as an errand boy.

Mu Wanqing saw it all and smiled slightly, "Third, you can stay here with peace of mind. According to the standards of technicians, food and accommodation are provided, and the monthly salary is five taels, and four sets of clothes every season."

The craftsmen were very surprised that the income in this desolate border area was actually higher than that in the capital. They earned two taels of silver in the capital, which was considered high.

Mu Wanqing's three targeted suggestions immediately dispelled the craftsmen's resentment and stimulated unprecedented enthusiasm for work.

She gave too much! Money can solve most problems.

One craftsman asked cautiously, "If we make a finished product, can you let us go back and reunite with our families?"

"Of course, you are free to come and go." Mu Wanqing smiled and looked dignified and graceful, which made everyone feel at ease.

Go back? That's impossible. Mu Wanqing said that she would make these people cry and beg to stay, voluntarily.

Du Shaoxuan looked at the sweetly smiling woman, then at the group of excited craftsmen, and couldn't help laughing.

How could Mu Wanqing let go of the person she had finally gotten? They were a bunch of naive people who knew nothing about Mu Wanqing.

The craftsmen stayed there and lived in suites. The food was very good, with both meat and vegetable dishes, tonic soups and desserts, with no limit on the amount, as long as they didn't waste it.

There are two canteens on the farm. One is the canteen of the boarding school. The food is large and you can eat as much as you want, including an egg and a cup of goat's milk every day, all for free.

One is a large canteen set up in the workshop. This costs money, but the price is not expensive, just a little bit more expensive than what you can make by yourself, just to balance the expenses.

The workshop employees all go to the cafeteria to eat, which saves time and effort. It is better to work more and earn back the money for the meals instead of cooking.

The workshop operates on a piecework system where more work means more pay, and everyone works very hard.

Family members are also allowed to go to the cafeteria to get meals, which is considered an employee benefit.

The craftsmen ate in the main house with Mu Wanqing, and after signing a confidentiality agreement, they were not allowed to run around.

Time flies, and it’s New Year’s Eve in the blink of an eye.

The Mu family is usually busy, but they are closed from New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the New Year. After a busy year, it's time to take a good rest and reconnect with each other.

Mu Wanqing returned to the city to celebrate the New Year with her parents. Her eldest brother Mu Zicheng also returned from Ganzhou City. He had become thinner and darker, but he was full of energy and in high spirits.

He also brought a lot of gifts for his family, and the whole family was very happy.

As the patriarch of the Mu clan, his most important responsibility is to lead the clan members in worshiping their ancestors.

Even though the ancestral hall is not in Liangcheng, the necessary procedures still need to be followed.

Mu Wanqing didn't really think much of it, but everyone else took it very seriously and came over early to ask how to prepare food and fruits for the worship.

On this day, Mu Wanqing simply gathered everyone together to celebrate the New Year reunion, with each family contributing a dish and a snack.

The same goes for the food for worship. Each family should contribute one dish, and after discussing it with each other, they should avoid repeating themselves.

This suggestion received a warm response from everyone and it was very lively with many people.

What’s more, it’s much nicer that you don’t have to prepare a table full of food and don’t have to work so hard.

A shed was set up in the back alley, and once a brazier was placed, it gradually became warmer.

The children wore new clothes, with their pockets filled with candies and peanuts. They chased and played happily, the air was filled with the joy of the New Year.

The adults were all very busy, but everyone was in high spirits.

I have gained a lot this year, made a lot of money, and live a stable and abundant life.

Mu Wanqing leaned lazily on the beauty couch. The coffee table was filled with all kinds of food and fruits. She ate, drank, and read, thinking about nothing. It was a rare opportunity to relax her body and mind.

She doesn't want anyone to accompany her, she just enjoys herself.

When people see her, they come over to greet her, chat for a few minutes and then go about their own business. Even the children don't bother her.

The head of the Fang family came with his wife, and everything was carefully tidied up. The whole family lived very comfortably and relaxedly in the academy.

Patriarch Fang cupped his hands and said, "Miss Wanqing, I wish you a happy new year. I wish you good health, peace and happiness every year."

Mu Wanqing stood up to greet them, "Happy New Year, Uncle Fang and Aunt Fang. Come and take a seat."

The Fang family head and his wife chatted for a while, then looked at each other and said, "Miss Wanqing, I want to discuss something with you."

"You say." Mu Wanqing pushed the fruit plate forward, motioning for them to take it themselves.

Patriarch Fang took a deep breath and said, "I would like to ask Miss Mu Nannan to marry San'er. What do you think?"

Mu Wanqing was stunned. Young Master Fang and Mu Nannan?

It doesn't seem impossible. Both of them are fugitives, and they are a good match. No one will look down on the other.

Now that the Fang family is under the protection of the Mu family, they will support Mu Nannan, and the marriage relationship between the two families will be even closer.

It was indeed the head of the Fang family who was smart and came up with this idea.

It would be impossible for him to marry anyone else. Mu Nannan is the most suitable candidate.

"I'm not Mu Nannan's family member, so I can't make the decision for her. How about I ask someone to ask?"

The head of the Fang family made the decision after careful consideration. Although Mu Nannan was from the eldest wife's family and had good character, Mu Wanqing did not dislike her. On the contrary, she liked her very much.

Secondly, if this marriage goes through, their Fang family will have completely established a foothold here.

"You are the patriarch of the Mu family. Only with your permission can I come to propose marriage."

To show his seriousness, he informed Mu Wanqing in advance.

Mu Wanqing is not only the patriarch of the Mu family, but also the savior and decision-maker of the entire family.

Her preferences are the weather vane.

Mu Wanqing said what she should say first, "The rule of our Mu family is monogamy, and we are not allowed to take concubines."

Mrs. Fang couldn't help but smile bitterly, "Why would we take a concubine in our situation? We are alive now thanks to you."

She was especially grateful to Mu Wanqing for giving them a place to settle down.

The head of the Fang family also said, "No matter what, San'er will never take a concubine, and he agreed."

They were so sincere, Mu Wanqing had nothing to say, "Okay, I have no objection. As for whether Mu Nannan's family agrees or not, that's their business, I won't interfere."

"clear."

This seems to be a start. Anyone who wants to get married will come and tell Mu Wanqing.

Unmarried men and women of the Mu family are very popular. Look, several of them are going to get married next year.

Mu Wanqing usually doesn't ask too many questions, but if they tell her, she will ask someone to check the other party's background.

If there are no problems, congratulations; if there are problems, let the other party know. As for whether the wedding will go ahead or not, she doesn't care.

Lord Zeng and his brothers also lived here, so they were naturally invited to celebrate New Year's Eve together.

Mr. Zeng and his men have transferred to military positions and are doing quite well. The store business is booming and they have made a lot of money. They are living a comfortable life.

When their families first arrived, they were disgusted and complained that their men were crazy for coming to such a shitty place to suffer.

But now. I just want to say that he is worthy of being the head of the family, and his vision is long-term.

They can't make so much money in Beijing, nor can they live so comfortably.

When the time came, Mu Wanqing led the clansmen to worship their ancestors, distributed New Year's goods to everyone, and gave red envelopes to the children. The whole place was filled with laughter.

There were more than a dozen tables set up, and everyone was enjoying the delicious New Year's Eve dinner in a lively atmosphere.

At the same time, in the capital, the imperial palace

Members of the royal family and officials above the fourth rank entered the palace with their families for a banquet and wished the emperor a happy new year.

This is an annual event that everyone takes very seriously. They dress up carefully early in the morning, wearing formal dresses of corresponding levels and putting on the most formal makeup.

The Prince of Jin dressed very low-key and asked his wife to dress more plainly and not to put too much makeup on her face.

The Crown Prince's Consort looked at him strangely, "For such an occasion, one has to dress up and wear full make-up to attend the ceremony. How can one dress plainly? Dressing plainly is disrespectful to the Emperor and Empress."

Besides, on such a festive day, of course one should dress magnificently and joyfully.

Why are you so tidy? There's something wrong with you.

The Prince of Jin looked very strange, "Well, keep a low profile and don't try to stand out."

He was wrong. He dressed plainly because he didn't want to hurt the emperor and empress's eyes. Once the prince died, the emperor and empress would be heartbroken and start a massacre.

He didn't want to run into the muzzle of the gun.

However, it hasn't happened yet, and the best thing to do is to go with the flow.

"I know." The Crown Prince's wife looked at her man steadily, feeling that something was wrong, and asked with concern, "Prince, what happened to you these days? Did something happen?"

Although he behaved as usual, they were husband and wife and she knew him well. He had been a little anxious and excited these past few days and hadn't slept well at night.

"It's okay." The eyes of the Prince of Jin flashed slightly. Today is the day the prince will die. For some people, the biggest disaster has come.

Of course, his chance finally came. He had been waiting for this day for a long time.

He changed into a new set of formal clothes, looked in the mirror, and made sure that there was nothing wrong before walking out. "Let's go. I can't wait any longer."

He was looking forward to seeing the sickly prince die of poison with his own eyes. After all, that man's brilliance was so dazzling that it made everyone feel suffocated.

The Crown Prince's wife frowned slightly, her heart skipped a beat, and she felt inexplicably uneasy.