Chapter 429 The scenery is as beautiful as a painting

The market in Dahe Village has a total of twenty shops. Initially, five shops were rented out: the inn lobby, Dahe Canteen, Dahe Rice Wine Shop, Century Egg Shop, and Coal Mine Office.

After this period of development, more and more people in the village went to rent shops because the rent was cheap for the first three months, only two hundred coins a month. Even if they only earned ten coins a day, they could still make it back in a month, so many people were willing to take a gamble.

For example, Granny Zhang, after she became unable to speak clearly, started working hard. She rented a shop and specialized in selling pancakes. Vegetarian pancakes cost two coins, and fried egg pancakes cost three coins. Of course, it wasn't a pancake with an egg on it, but rather an egg mixed with chives and stir-fried, with a chopstick placed inside each pancake. She was first-rate at controlling costs.

Men from neighboring villages would come here to buy flatbreads. As long as she sold ten a day, Granny Zhang would consider herself to have made money.

Take Zhao Sanniang in the village, for example. She doesn't do business with migrant workers; instead, she focuses on the villagers. She buys goods from the city, such as oil, salt, needles and thread, and sells them in her shop. The villagers are busy and don't have time to go to the city to buy necessities, so they all patronize Zhao Sanniang's shop, and her business is very good.

Then there's Zhao Da, the man who owns an oxcart. He also rented a shop in the market. He didn't have any special skills, so he specialized in cutting grass and transporting it back to the shop in his oxcart. He then sold it to out-of-town merchants who came to the soap workshop to place orders and pick up goods. These merchants would come in several horse-drawn carts at a time. These horses were tired from the journey and needed a lot of food and fodder. Zhao Da actually earned quite a few copper coins.

Cheng Wanwan slowly walked around the market. Of the twenty shops, eight were still open, and the shops that were currently open were doing very well.

If the lotus pond can attract visitors, and there are also peach blossom gardens and jasmine gardens in the future, those who come to admire the flowers will certainly be people with a certain economic foundation. So how can the market serve these visitors and create a virtuous cycle?

If people come, then they need to eat. Food is the biggest source of revenue, but it must be local specialty food. If it's all the same, it won't be attractive.

Secondly, there's accommodation, but only people who come from afar need accommodation, so the current coverage area isn't that wide.

Another unique feature is the local handicrafts. What are the specialties of Dahe Village?

The first group of flower admirers will arrive tomorrow, so we need to see how popular the lotus pond is and whether it can make a name for itself. We also need to observe what these scholars need...

That night, Cheng Wanwan was planning for the future of Dahe Village.

The next day, Cheng Yuanyuan got up early and went to the flower garden to work with a hoe, while Cheng Wanwan quickly got dressed and followed her.

The flowerbed walls have already been built, and vine seedlings are planted along the walls. In late spring and early summer, the vines grow wildly, and some of them have already reached the top of the walls.

However, the peach tree is still the same as before, except for some more lush green leaves, and it shows no sign of blooming. It will probably bloom next year.

The aloe vera was transplanted as a whole, so there were basically no issues with adapting to the new environment.

The jasmine seedlings have also sprouted, with a survival rate of 60%, which was quite high in ancient times when technology was scarce.

Cheng Yuanyuan has been busy replanting jasmine flowers, carefully loosening the soil, watering, and fertilizing.

“These past few days, Manager Yan has been leading people to build the pavilion and also constructed many paths through the flowerbeds,” Cheng Yuanyuan said, wiping the sweat from her forehead. “While the workers are all here, I have a suggestion for you to consider.”

Cheng Wanwan nodded: "Big sister, just say what you want to say. We're sisters, there's no need to hide anything from each other."

“The flower nursery isn’t far from that big river. Could we build a ditch to bring water over? That would make watering easier in the future,” Cheng Yuanyuan said somewhat embarrassedly. “It would take up most of the day to carry water for watering, which I don’t think is worth it.”

She wasn't trying to be lazy; she wanted to spend her time on more meaningful things. Er Ya had told her that there were many beautiful flowers on the mountain, and she wanted to take some time to go up the mountain, dig up the wildflowers, and plant them at the entrance of the flowerbed. Every time she came, she would see branches full of flowers, which would improve her mood.

Cheng Wanwan's eyes lit up: "Big sister, you've reminded me!"

The Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion states that "floating wine cups on a winding stream, with people sitting in order..." This was an essential activity for gatherings of literati.

Since she wants to make it a tourist attraction, then she has to create an artificial stream to entertain scholars.

Also, the planning map for this flower garden needs to be redrawn, and at least one place needs to be built for dozens of people to rest and play.

If it could really be renovated to look like the gardens of Suzhou, she would be willing to live here for a lifetime or even ten lifetimes.

Cheng Wanwan smiled happily.

After working in the flower nursery for a while, Er Ya ran over to report: "Second Aunt, a lot of scholars have come to the village and are heading towards the lotus pond."

Cheng Wanwan washed her hands. It was the first time the lotus pond had received "visitors," so she had to go and see for herself to fully understand the customers' needs.

She returned to her courtyard and smelled the rich aroma of tea, something she had instructed others to do the day before.

After the tea was brewed, she carried the teapot, Wei Hongying carried the lacquer tray with more than twenty teacups on it, and Wei Hongyan also carried a basket with four or five plates of various fruits and snacks.

The three of them, master and servants, strolled leisurely to the edge of the lotus pond.

Inside the pavilion, more than a dozen scholars, handsome and refined, sat leaning against the pavilion, while others stood by the boardwalk. All eyes were on the lotus pond.

In late spring and early summer, when greenery spreads unrestrainedly, the lake water is tinged with green, and on top of that green are even greener, round lotus leaves. These leaves are like the hem of a woman's skirt, swaying gracefully in the wind. Amidst the vast expanse of green, a pink lotus flower stands tall and elegant, rising from the mud unsullied, cleansed by the clear ripples without being seductive.

Yesterday it was still a bud, but today the outermost two petals have already opened, making the bud even more beautiful.

"Since you've come all this way, please have a cup of tea."

Cheng Wanwan smiled and placed the teapot on the stone table. Wei Hongying quickly poured tea for everyone.

"Madam Sui!"

"Greetings, Madam Sui!"

The scholars turned around and quickly bowed.

"Please don't stand on ceremony, everyone." Cheng Wanwan gestured for them to stand up. "You are guests invited by my nephew and godson, so you are my guests too. Please sit down, have some tea and something to eat."

The group was still somewhat uncomfortable, unsure of what to do with their hands and feet in front of the seventh-rank official.

"Please sit down, please sit down," Qian Hui said, taking the initiative. "Madam Sui is very approachable, everyone please don't be shy."

Shen Zheng nodded: "Didn't we say we were going to write poetry? If you're too stiff, you'll lose your inspiration. Just be casual."

Zheng Wangfeng unfolded his paper fan: "Why don't you start with a poem, Brother Cheng?"

His gaze fell on Cheng Zhao, his eyes seemingly gentle as water, but in reality, there were shadows. He was extremely jealous of Cheng Zhao...

“If you all want to compose poems, I, a mere peasant woman, will not participate.” Cheng Wanwan pulled a hairpin from her hair. “How can there be no prize for composing poems? Everyone can give their opinions to each other, and the person who wins first place can take this hairpin.”

The scholars were not usually interested in women's jewelry, but after taking one look, they were immediately stunned.

This hairpin is made of silver, and it features a lotus scene on it. There is a round lotus leaf with a pink lotus flower in bloom, and the water droplets on the lotus flower are clearly visible. There is also a lifelike dragonfly. Even Qian Hui had never seen such exquisite craftsmanship before.

Seeing everyone's interest, Cheng Wanwan breathed a sigh of relief. This was a hairpin she had specially bought in the mall, just to use it to promote the lotus pond in Dahe Village.

She smiled and said, "I have other things to attend to, so please feel free to tell the two maids if you need anything."

If you win it, you can give it as a gift; it would be quite valuable.

"Thank you, Madam Sui! Please take care, Madam Sui!"

Everyone bowed and watched Cheng Wanwan walk away.

Shen Zheng said casually, "Today, let's compose a poem on the theme of lotus flowers, with a time limit of one incense stick."