Zhang Shixun led them into the yard and said, "There are stone benches here. Sit down and rest for a while. If you want some water, go to the kitchen and get some."
Back in the living room, Zhang Shixun told Wang Dong what happened today.
Wang Dong jokingly said, "In just over a day, he got promoted again, and ten levels in a row. This is really cause for celebration!"
"Don't tease me. I was planning to use the pendant to cheat Prince Yun out of some money. The price was almost agreed upon, more than one million strings of cash. But someone unexpectedly showed up and let Zhao Ji get the advantage for nothing. I'm so heartbroken." Zhang Shixun felt extremely upset when he thought of Yinghui.
Wang Dong saw his dejected look and consoled him, saying, "Now that you have a real position in the Imperial Guards, you can proceed with the next move. As for the money, these 450,000 strings of cash should be enough to last you for a while."
"You don't need to comfort me. I just feel that it was taken away by Zhao Ji for no reason. It's a bit unfair."
"You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a child. Besides, you haven't suffered any loss. You've leveled up ten times in a row."
Zhang Shixun nodded and talked about Prince Yun's investment. "Prince Yun and his men want to invest, and I haven't discussed it with you. However, I think it's a good thing. Prince Yun is a prince and the head of the Imperial City Department. Gao Yanei and He Ji's father are both leaders who hold military power. They have money and power. With their participation, our interests are tied together, and we will avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble when doing things."
Wang Dong said, "That's fine. I have no objection. Just do as you see fit."
"good!"
Wang Dong added, "I gave Zhuangzi a name."
"Oh? What's the name?" Zhang Shixun was very interested.
"Gao Laozhuang."
"Ah!" Zhang Shixun was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. "Your last name isn't Gao, so why is your name Gao Laozhuang?"
"It's a catchy name, I like it!"
Zhang Shixun waved his hand: "Alright! As long as you like it! It's your farm anyway. Don't call it Gao Laozhuang, I don't mind calling it Wild Boar Forest either."
Wang Dong rolled his eyes. “The point is, it’s useless for you to have an opinion.”
Encountering this kind of person, Zhang Shixun didn't want to argue with him, so he asked him, "What are your plans next? Tell me."
Wang Dong said, "I want to tear down all the houses and rebuild them."
"This is quite a big deal, it must cost a lot of money, right?" Zhang Shixun frowned.
"It doesn't cost much. Last night, Li Shiyi and I... you know Li Shiyi, right?"
Zhang Shixun said, "I know. He's the village head... Oh! He should be the village head of Gao Laozhuang now, right?"
Wang Dong nodded. "I discussed it with him and decided that tearing down the entire village and rebuilding it would cost about 100,000 strings of cash."
"So little? That's a whole village."
"Let's make do with what we have." Wang Dong smiled and continued, "You've seen houses in the countryside. They're all made of adobe. The walls are rammed solid, a few wooden sticks are placed on top, and then covered with thatch. That's it. The farmers don't have high requirements anyway. As long as it can shelter from the wind and rain, it's fine. Don't make it too simple."
"Farmers' houses can be like this, but your house can't be so simple."
"Of course. I'm planning to build a courtyard house with brick and tile structure. I also want to dig some holes in the ground."
"Underground fortifications?"
"That's right, I'll make you fart!" Wang Dong winked at him and smiled.
"That's right! We should plan ahead and prepare for the upcoming Jing Kang Year."
"Now that I have a tunnel, when an emergency occurs, I can just go inside. Hehe! Who can do anything to me?"
"Your tunnel plan must include a secret passage mechanism, right?"
"Is that even necessary?"
The two of them burst into laughter.
After talking for a while, Wang Dong said, "Alright! Stop talking nonsense and hurry up to make me dinner. We have to go back after dinner."
"Why are you in such a hurry? Let's go tomorrow. It won't take a moment longer."
"We have to be quick. Time is short and the task is heavy. I plan to finish building Gao Laozhuang within 20 days, and then start building the glass workshop and the wine workshop. I will hurry up and make money. The next step is to consider building the gunpowder workshop and the steel workshop."
Zhang Shixun asked, "Do you want me to help you find a craftsman to build your house? Gao Yanei's guards are full of idle men."
"No need to look for him. There are bricklayers in the countryside. You can just hire them. The wages are cheap."
"Okay! I'll go to the street and order takeout for you." Zhang Shixun said, standing up and walking outside. He stopped after just a few steps and said, "Old Wang, don't eat at home. Why don't you go to Chen Erniang's soup and noodle shop?"
Wang Dong waved his hand: "Forget it this time, maybe next time."
Zhang Shixun wanted to ask him how things were going between him and Chen Erniang, but seeing his impatient look, he stopped asking.
After Wang Dong finished his meal, he left two farmhands with Zhang Shixun and left with the other two farmhands.
Zhang Shixun watched Wang Dong walk away, and only returned to the yard after their backs had long disappeared.
The two farmhands were not very old, about fifteen or sixteen years old. They stood awkwardly in the yard.
Zhang Shixun waved his hand: "Come here and tell me your names."
"My name is Dawai."
"My name is San Gou."
Zhang Shixun couldn't help laughing when he heard it, and said, "This name is really down-to-earth..."
Dawai smiled foolishly and said, "My lord, the lives of country people are cheap, so it's easier to keep them alive if you give them a bad name."
Seeing their restraint, Zhang Shixun said, "You will follow me from now on. There are not many rules here. As long as you work hard, I will not treat you unfairly and will pay you on time."
The two of them quickly saluted him.
Zhang Shixun arranged them in the wing room in the front yard, and took them for a walk around the yard, explaining what they needed to do and what they should not do. The two men nodded in agreement.
Zhang Shixun took them to the street to buy new bedding and bought them both new clothes.
After returning home, I asked them to take a shower, change clothes, and throw away their torn clothes, which made me feel very distressed.
After dealing with these things, it was already time to light the lamps.
The music score that Zhao Ji requested could not be delayed any longer. He was the boss of the Song Dynasty, and he had to do his bidding well.
Zhang Shixun returned to the back house and took out a glass mirror from his travel bag and put it in his arms. He had known Li Shishi for so long, and giving her a gift was a normal interpersonal interaction.
Before leaving, he told Dawai and Sangou, "You two should feed the horses and go to bed early. I'm going out to do something and may be back late."
The two agreed, and Dawai asked, "Sir, should we keep the door open for you or bolt it?"
"Of course you must bolt the door. Be alert when you go to bed. I will knock on the door when I come back."
"Okay, sir, go ahead and don't worry." The two agreed.
Zhang Shixun arrived at Li Shishi's house. After the maid went in to announce it, Li Shishi came out to greet him: "Master Zhang, you are such a rare guest."
"I can't help it. The government came to my house today and asked for the music score again."
"The emperor came to your house?" Li Shishi was very surprised.
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