There's chaos in the west side of Cheng'en Hall, near Huan Yue.
The east side belongs to His Highness and is orderly.
The east side room, the study, and the tatami by the window were all neatly arranged.
Xie Zhou carried his wife over and lay her on the couch to play. It was so much fun! Look at my wife, want to play?
Huan Yue glanced at him, colder than the autumn wind outside. "Bring Baishi Village over."
Xie Zhou held his wife in his arms as they looked at a map of Baishi Village, though he was actually quite unfamiliar with it.
Huan Yue personally designed it.
Xie Zhou said, "The lake can't be dug that deep, and the river occasionally floods. So if we dig up this hill, we can create a few acres of land. We can also raise the land along the river a bit."
Huan Yue looked at him and thought, "That bastard is ruthless. He's trying to destroy the evidence."
Xie Zhou looked directly into his wife's bright eyes and knew he wasn't intimidated!
He's turned over a new leaf now. The key point is: "There's nobody here, so digging up the hill won't make a difference."
Huan Yue nodded: "I'll have them measure it later." He then chuckled, "If we just raise this area, and the fields get flooded during a major flood, will it become an island?"
Xie Zhou said, "There's nothing we can do about the flood. At least the houses you build should be of better quality. Just add a gentle slope."
That will prevent the building from standing out too much.
Baishi Village is roughly like this: a river flows through it, there is a road outside, inside is a field, and further inside is Baishi Village nestled against the mountain. So people would pass by asking for water before entering the village.
It's about a mile from the river to the village. Even if a section of the river is built across, it will still be separated from the village by fields.
In Huan Yue's grand plan, the area is basically surrounded by Taoshan Mountain, the lake, and the houses behind it.
Xie Zhou then suggested, "This riverbank is nice; we could build a small dragon there."
Huan Yue said, "That would make the project even bigger."
Xie Zhou said, "No. The farming season will be over soon. We'll take advantage of this winter and next spring to hire more people from Changhe County and pay them higher wages."
Huan Yue nodded.
The news that Baishi Village is going to be repaired has spread far and wide, and many people in Sheng'an know about it.
Paying higher wages earns a good reputation. Most ordinary people will be satisfied if they benefit from the higher wages.
Huan Yue drew Taoshan a little larger; the details still need to be examined, it's not her concern.
Huan Yue plans to enclose this lake in a crescent shape.
A simple garden was built in the lake, with a thatched hut by the lake and a row of trees planted outside the lake to separate it from the fields.
Xie Zhou looked at it and thought the lake was acceptable.
Huan Yue said, "Use grass if you can, make thatched huts and thatched pavilions."
Xie Zhou nodded: "We can go and take a look later."
Huan Yue estimated the location again and drew a half circle behind it.
The courtyard next to the lake is where the teacher lives; the next courtyard is the school.
Huan Yue thought for a moment and decided to change the school building into a square.
The front represents enlightenment, the back represents academic studies, the left side represents girls, and the right side represents other subjects.
Xie Zhou nodded. The initial education would likely come from Baishi Village, but if the academic pursuits went well, even Changhe County might come. Miscellaneous learning should be encouraged. For girls, besides literacy, they should also learn needlework and other skills.
In the village, boys and girls aren't separated as much; this kind of separation is fine.
Huan Yue had to draw the school a little bigger, but not too big.
In the middle is a garden.
As for the children in the village, their activity range is all over the mountains and fields, not to mention there is still space ahead.
If there are many, about ten gentlemen are needed, and a two-courtyard house can accommodate them.
Xie Zhou had his arm around his wife's waist; it wasn't too late.
Huan Yue continued.
Next to the school is a charity hall, which raises children and cares for the elderly, so that lonely old people will not have to worry in the future.
Huan Yue said, "Here I have company, people to talk to, and I can help out or watch over the schoolchildren. Although I'm old and a bit old-fashioned, I also have some valuable experience."
Xie Zhou nodded, "My wife is wonderful!"
Huan Yue pointed to a plot of land that was being built for the village.
If it's a bit bigger, it can probably accommodate eight courtyards.
Huan Yue said, "This whole thing belongs to the Chang clan. We should make reasonable use of it, collect money when necessary, and use it for the overall operation."
Xie Zhou nodded. Let the Chang family handle it themselves; there's no need to involve the Earl of Fumin.
If they can't even handle this simple matter, what else can we give them?
Huan Yue looked at the last piece again and realized he had messed things up.
Xie Zhou watched her do it with a smile, saying that she could do whatever she wanted with this matter.
Huan Yue said, “Come in from the crossroads, clear a large flat area, and build a row of thatched huts along the edge. Markets are not allowed here, as it will become chaotic if too many people gather. But we can set up an early morning market, which will last about an hour from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. Many markets are only lively for about an hour or half an hour.”
Xie Zhou said, "This way it will be much more convenient for the village to have what it needs. If it's available every day, there won't be as many supplies as before."
Huan Yue nodded: "Just like a river, let it flow more smoothly. But now that Baishi Village is rich, it needs at least one pig a day, as well as fish and such, so this should be achievable."
After passing the market's flat ground, there's another flat area where people can distribute porridge and drink tea—this is a fusion of different places.
Let's build another large hall here.
The ground outside is now level; this area can be transformed into an open pavilion, and boards can be used to enclose it.
If the hexagon has a side length of four zhang (approximately 13 meters), its area is about 460 square meters.
Huan Yue said, "Six pillars inside are enough."
Xie Zhou nodded.
There are twelve pillars on the outside, and eighteen pillars would be enough if you want to build eaves on the outside.
Although the porridge distribution was done outdoors, it still became a symbolic event.
It doesn't need to be particularly luxurious; it's about the level of a wealthy commoner.
Huan Yue drew a row of two-story houses in the background.
It is roughly three connected buildings that then bend over, surrounding the main hall.
Xie Zhou asked, "Would you like to set up an inn?"
Huan Yue nodded: "There are quite a few people going to Baishi Village, so there's no need to bother them in the village."
A more upscale building, facing the lake and the garden.
It's an ordinary dormitory building, big enough to cramm in any number of people.
Alternatively, they can sleep on the floor. Even disaster victims can lie down there.
Oh, and there's also a clinic.
There will likely be quite a few people seeking medical help, and patients inevitably carry germs, which is no small matter.
Huan Yue thought about it and decided to put the clinic first.
Xie Zhou said, "The pharmacy is in the back, and the doctor is also in the back. We can also prepare medical books for the doctor."
Huan Yue said, "If we can save a few lives or train a few people with similar medical skills, we will have accumulated good karma."
Xie Zhou's daughter-in-law said, "Your Majesty is merciful."
Huan Yue stopped and went to sleep.
Xie Zhou, carrying his wife, where are we going?
Huan Yue thought he wanted a beauty?
Xie Zhou thought for a long time, and had no choice but to let go.
I'm busy right now, I'll pester my wife when I have time. She'll be his sooner or later.
Huan Yue ignored him.
The palace maid brought over a cloak.
Huan Yue dressed and went to the back hall.
A strong wind blew by, and it felt quite cool.
The sky was blocked by the ginkgo trees; the area under these trees was suitable for shade but not for stargazing.
The palace maid looked at the ginkgo nuts on the ground and laughed, "There will be more to pick up tomorrow."
Huan Yue asked, "Did you pick up a tomorrow?"
The little palace maid blinked.
Chaoyun smiled and shook her head. "Every day I'm picked up from somewhere," she said, "that's quite a profound statement."
A palace maid came to report: "Consort Wang can't get the maids to serve her. The two maids are crying there, probably resenting the Empress again."
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