Chapter 938 Peach Blossom Debt
Lu the carpenter once did some calculations, but he didn't finish because the cost of building just the hull of the ship would be tens of thousands of taels of silver.
It would be better to cover the hull with a layer of sheet metal, but that would greatly increase the cost.
"Do as you wish, don't worry about the money."
To build a large ship, you first need to open a shipyard and find skilled craftsmen; Lu the carpenter alone cannot do it.
Qi Heng had already planned this, and sent his men to search for people everywhere. Now everything was ready, and all that was needed was the right opportunity.
Yingcheng's fishing villages are the first choice for opening a shipyard. The scope can be gradually expanded. When the war ends in the future, some military supplies can be saved. Qi Heng plans to maintain a fleet of ships.
The first thing to do is to open a shipyard. Qi Heng has money, Lu the carpenter has people, and with the money coming in, the rest won't be a problem.
"Eat first, don't talk while you eat."
Lin Yuesha had already prepared the meal and kept it warm in a large pot. She estimated that it was about time before she interrupted the two of them.
"Sister-in-law, thank you so much."
Unlike their initial coldness and wariness, Lu the carpenter wiped the table, Qi Heng served rice, and the three of them sat together.
Women are usually expected to avoid drinking with men, but there was no such rule with Qi Heng.
Lin Yuesha, a modern person, didn't notice anything amiss. The three of them sat together, chatting and eating, enjoying themselves immensely.
"Sister-in-law's cooking skills are amazing. If you open a restaurant, it will definitely become a century-old brand."
Carpenter Lu was full of praise and gave Lin Yuesha a thumbs up. He lived alone in the village and usually just made do with whatever he could find for meals; he realized how important it was to have someone who cared about him.
"Brother Qi, if you don't mind, you can stay at my house for as long as you like."
With someone to talk freely with, and having met a kindred spirit, Lu the carpenter was very excited. He raised his wine glass and repeatedly toasted Qi Heng, saying with a smile, "Sister-in-law is a quick and efficient person. I'm just tagging along for a meal."
The thought of having a hot meal in the future made Lu the carpenter even happier.
The villagers would occasionally invite him to their homes for meals, but he was shy and embarrassed. He had spent all his savings over the years researching wooden sailboats, and he didn't want to go empty-handed, so he didn't want to get too close to the villagers.
As time went on, he became a loner, working for his former employer when he ran out of money to save up for his continued research on wooden sailboats.
"Brother Lu, hasn't a matchmaker come to visit?"
Lin Yuesha asked the question rather tactfully, as it was rare to find a man in the Great Qi who was over thirty and still unmarried.
Yes, there are.
As Lu the carpenter spoke, his face turned red, and he quickly lowered his head.
A man in his early thirties, when it comes to the issue of getting married, looks more naive than a young boy.
"Sister-in-law, you don't know this, but for so many years I've had a huge weight on my heart because of Father and my eldest brother's situation."
The ship that went out to sea never returned, but Lu the carpenter always held onto the hope that one day his family would be reunited.
Supported by his unwavering belief, he dared not slacken his efforts and devoted himself to research for many years.
Lu the carpenter was afraid. He was afraid that no one would understand him, that he would neglect his wife after getting married, and that he would be distracted.
Too many concerns prevented him from taking the first step.
"Brother Qi, what business are you here for? I'm familiar with the situation in this village."
If you're dealing with seafood, the quality varies greatly from vendor to vendor, and some are even rip-offs.
"I want to buy a batch of sea worms."
Lin Yuesha admitted that she needed a batch of sea cucumbers to supplement the soldiers' nutrition.
The supply of meat and eggs in the military camp was scarce, and there was no guarantee that there would be fish and meat every day. They bought sea worms that the fishermen didn't want, which were cheap and highly nutritious.
"Actually, I want to go solo."
Lin Yuesha's idea was that instead of buying and purchasing, she should buy a fishing boat and hire people to work for her.
That way, there's no need to negotiate the acquisition price; whatever she makes is hers.
Once large-scale purchases are made, the price of sea worms will inevitably be driven up, and the extra silver will be borne entirely by military supplies.
Ordinary fishing boats are inexpensive and do not have a high demand for fishing.
Lu the carpenter nodded repeatedly; he didn't know anything about business, he was just listening for the excitement.
The three were chatting when suddenly there was a loud banging on the door.
"Lu Mutou, come out here! There are some things you need to explain to me today!"
The woman had a loud voice, which the three people in the room could hear clearly.
Qi Heng and Lin Yuesha looked at Lu the carpenter, whose face immediately turned red to the roots of his ears. He stammered, "I...I'll go for a bit."
Once everyone left, Lin Yuesha curled her lips at Qi Heng and whispered, "A debt of love."
"So it's better to be a husband, never getting involved with women."
Qi Heng hurriedly tried to promote himself, but deep down he felt inexplicably guilty.
He used to be a nice guy, but he caused a lot of trouble.
Argumentation erupted from the courtyard, and then a woman rushed in. When she saw Lin Yuesha's face, she froze, her heart sinking.
"Is she the girl the matchmaker told you about? I'm not as good as her."
The woman had a round face and a cute appearance. She lowered her head with embarrassment, her arrogance gone, and said softly, "Brother Lu, I'm sorry to bother you."
"Wait a moment."
Sensing something was wrong, Lin Yuesha called the woman to a stop, instinctively feeling that the round-faced woman had misunderstood something.
"I'm sorry, I heard from the villagers that the matchmaker brought a brother and sister to the carpenter's house. I didn't believe it, so I came to see for myself."
The woman held back her tears and explained generously, "I've always had feelings for him; I'm just stubborn."
Her rudeness today has nothing to do with the carpenter.
Lin Yuesha's focus wasn't on the relationship between the round-faced woman and Lu the carpenter; she asked again to confirm, "A brother and sister came to Lu the carpenter's house?"
The phrase "no one else" likely refers to her and Qi Heng.
"Yes, it's you guys."
The round-faced woman took a deep breath; her brother-in-law was coming to visit, and the wedding was not far off.
"Young lady, this is my wife."
Qi Heng stood up to assert his dominance, and heaven knows, the two words he feared most were spoken by the round-faced woman in front of him.
He didn't want to be siblings!
"I can't do a proper woman's hairstyle, so I just wrapped it up with a handkerchief, which is why you misunderstood."
Lin Yuesha said sarcastically, "These days, there aren't many women who are straightforward and dare to express their feelings."
"Really?"
The round-faced woman immediately stopped crying and started laughing. She stared at Qi Heng and Lin Yuesha for a long time before adding, "Even if you are siblings, you are definitely not blood-related siblings."
People who look very different are either half-siblings or half-brothers.
"Zhang Daya, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Carpenter Lu put on a stern face. He had already explained everything, but Zhang Daya didn't believe him. Her reckless barging in made him feel very embarrassed.
Right now, they're implying that Brother Qi, a toad, has managed to eat swan meat.
Although he thought so too, he couldn't say it so directly; that would be incredibly naive!
Although Brother Qi is of average appearance, a man doesn't rely on his looks to make a living. Brother Qi knows how to build ships and is a very capable person.
"It's my fault. There are oysters in the yard. To express my apology, I'll make you my specialty, garlic oysters."
Zhang Daya was poised and graceful, turning around and leaving with a brisk and decisive manner.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
