Since we're opening a workshop, we should naturally choose an auspicious day to celebrate.
Liu Ying helped Gu Lili check the almanac and set the date for two days later.
Gu Lili specially asked Lao Zhou to carve a plaque, which was then placed above the entrance to the courtyard.
Gu's Workshop!
In the past few days, all the servants we bought have been put into the small courtyard.
Gu Lili also investigated these people.
Those who were meticulous and bold were promoted to management positions by Gu Lili, while those who were careless were simply not allowed into the distillation room and were instead assigned to tasks such as picking and washing flowers.
The opening day of Gu's Workshop was truly a lively affair.
Gu Lili hired twenty-six servants, as well as craftsmen, carpenters, bricklayers, and so on to help with the work.
Yu Shanhai also prepared gifts well in advance and came to offer his congratulations.
Even Prefect Duan and Magistrate Meng, having somehow heard the news, came to offer their congratulations.
Since the visitor was a guest, Gu Lili naturally had no reason to kick them out.
However, judging from the respectful look in Prefect Duan's eyes as he looked at Chang'an, he must already know Chang'an's identity.
No wonder Prefect Duan had that expression when he was at the Liu family's house that day.
Today, Liu Ying had the Liu family's new housekeeper buy all the vegetables and meat needed for the opening day for Gu Lili early in the morning.
Then they went to the best restaurant in Jiangdu and invited its chef to cook for them.
Just as noon arrived, the sound of firecrackers crackling and popping rang out outside the door.
Gu Lili looked at Chang'an; this must have been prepared by Chang'an.
"Lili, may your business prosper. Are you happy with this gift?" Chang'an said gently with a smile.
Gu Lili nodded.
These firecrackers were specially prepared by Chang'an for Gu Lili. When the family's workshop opened before, Gu Lili used bamboo, which could also make crackling sounds when burned.
However, it wasn't as loud as the sound of firecrackers.
After the firecrackers burned out, everyone said auspicious words to Gu Lili.
Gu Lili thanked them one by one and then invited everyone to sit down for dinner.
After lunch, the workshop officially began making essential oils.
Yu Shanhai had ordered his family's farmhands to pick the fresh roses early in the morning.
After the guests had all left, Gu Lili began to teach them how to distill essential oils and hydrosols.
Fortunately, they were all quick-witted, and after five days of instruction, they were all able to grasp the methods.
Watching them learn, Li Ershu understood that Gu Lili's return was imminent.
Gu Lili had arranged everything properly, and Li Ershu was able to handle it.
Old Zhou, despite his advanced age, couldn't hold back his emotions when he learned that Gu Lili was going back to Donghai.
I've been feeling down for many days.
These past few days, whenever Lao Zhou sees Gu Lili, he discusses carpentry-related matters with her.
Although Gu Lili didn't understand, she had plenty of experience.
It can at least offer some advice to Lao Zhou.
With Gu Lili gone, he doesn't know who to consult if he has any ideas.
"Old Zhou, your beds are getting better and better!"
Old Zhou, who was lost in thought and looking dejected, was pulled back to reality by Gu Lili's voice.
Old Zhou said with a displeased look, "Master, no matter how well I do, without your guidance, my progress will be slow."
Gu Lili couldn't help but chuckle; she understood what Lao Zhou meant.
He was unhappy because he was about to return to the East China Sea.
Looking at Old Zhou, who was quite old but had a more childish mentality than her, Gu Lili felt helpless.
“Old Zhou, I know you want to improve, but I also have things to do in Donghai. If I come to Jiangdu again in the future, I will definitely have someone inform you. At that time, you can talk to me.”
Old Zhou still had a frown on his face, and it seemed that his mood had not improved.
"Alright then, Master, remember to visit Jiangdu often."
As Old Zhou spoke, he took out the gift he had prepared for Gu Lili.
"Master, this is for you," Old Zhou said in a deep voice.
This is something he made based on the book Gu Lili gave him.
This can be considered an explanation for all the guidance I've given Gu Lili over the past few days!
Gu Lili looked at the palm-sized piece of wood in Old Zhou's hand and took it with some curiosity.
She held it in her hand and examined it for a long time, but couldn't figure out what it was.
Gu Lili tapped it with her hand, and it seemed that it was hollow inside.
However, the wood looked perfectly intact to the naked eye, and no one knew how Old Zhou had hollowed it out.
After watching for a while, Gu Lili finally figured out the secret.
Old Zhou was initially quite pleased with himself when he saw that Gu Lili couldn't open the box.
This means that he has completed his apprenticeship.
Seeing Gu Lili pull open the thin wooden sheet on top of the box with a single tug of her finger, he was instantly deflated.
He admired Gu Lili even more; his master was indeed his master.
Gu Lili really liked the jewelry box that Lao Zhou had given her; it was square and just the right size to hold a pair of bracelets.
Old Zhou used a mortise and tenon joint structure, which fits perfectly.
In addition, he had carefully polished the edges, so Gu Lili didn't notice it at first.
At the same time, I have grown to admire the person who invented the mortise and tenon structure more and more.
"Great job, Lao Zhou!" Gu Lili praised.
If this were combined with Yu Yirou's mother-of-pearl inlay, the jewelry box would be even more exquisite.
But Old Zhou is getting on in years, and I'm afraid he wouldn't want to go back to Donghai with Gu Lili.
However, Gu Lili still wanted to ask.
"Old Zhou, would you like to come back to Donghai with me?" Gu Lili asked.
At the same time, she also told Lao Zhou about her plan.
Old Zhou was also very interested when he heard this.
His two sons are both married and don't need his care.
His wife passed away from illness a few years ago, and he is now all alone.
Upon hearing that Gu Lili wanted to combine his craft with Yu Yirou's, he realized that...
He felt a surge of excitement when he turned the products into furniture, jewelry, and other items, and sold them to more people.
I feel that although I am getting old, I am still at an age where I can go out and explore.
So he agreed without even thinking about it.
Gu Lili was surprised that Lao Zhou agreed so readily, and she was very happy.
Originally, Gu Lili's plan was to return to Donghai and find some carpenters to make furniture and jewelry.
Yu Yirou only needed to be responsible for setting the mother-of-pearl.
Now that we have Lao Zhou, all we need to do is find some apprentices and carpenters in Guzhuang and the surrounding villages.
only......
Gu Lili couldn't help but smile wryly, realizing that the courtyard at home would probably need to be expanded again after she returned.
This expansion will definitely make it bigger.
Old Zhou's three apprentices also expressed their willingness to return to Donghai with Gu Lili.
Gu Lili, of course, accepted it all.
These days, Gu Lili has witnessed firsthand how diligently Old Zhou's three apprentices have worked.
There's one downside: all three of them are clearly in their twenties.
He's become Gu Lili's uncle, but whenever he sees her, he calls her "housewife, housewife."
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