Carpenter Hu was planing a table when he looked up and saw the two people about to enter. His face lit up with a smile, and he quickly put down his work to greet them. "It's Mr. Chen and Mrs. Cheng! Are you making gift boxes again this time?"
The two people in front of him are stable, important clients. Not only are they stable, but they are also easy to get along with. Such clients are rare, so he has to serve them well!
Although making gift boxes is a bit labor-intensive and time-consuming, they are quick to pay, unlike some people who don't pay the final payment even after being urged several times.
Cheng Yue and Chen An stepped in, and Cheng Yue said with a smile, "This time we're not making gift boxes, we're making doors and windows."
Carpenter Hu was stunned for a moment before realizing that they were building a new house. He immediately offered his congratulations: "Congratulations! May your house construction bring you good fortune!"
Cheng Yue and Chen An exchanged a smile. This carpenter Hu was quite eloquent. They replied, "Thank you, Master Hu!"
Carpenter Hu chuckled and then took out a booklet from the side and introduced it: "These are the styles we can make. They're all here. Take a look and see if there's anything you like."
Or you can provide us with a design you'd like, and we'll make it exactly as shown, guaranteeing no discrepancies!
He could tell from the gift box business that these two people were people with their own ideas and might not necessarily appreciate his designs.
Cheng Yue took the booklet, slightly surprised. Not only were there blueprints to choose from for building houses, but there were also booklets for furniture styles. It was just as convenient as modern times.
Cheng Yue and Chen An flipped through the pages one by one. Although the drawing was a bit rough and the details were not very clear, it was still relatively clear, and at least the style was understandable.
There aren't many styles of doors and windows, only three or five types, but there are quite a few pieces of furniture, with tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets all having different shapes and patterns.
The two looked through the furniture, and Chen An gestured for Cheng Yue to make the decision. Although he had seen many styles of furniture, he didn't know what to choose since it was for his own home. After all, he wasn't particular about such things; he just wanted something sturdy and practical.
Ah Yue is different; she has good taste and high standards for many things.
Cheng Yue knew what Chen An was thinking and didn't force him. However, the catalog had limited styles of doors and windows, so after thinking for a moment, she said:
“Master Hu, the styles here are all nice. I like this grille, but I don’t like the carvings; they’re too complicated. I want to remove all the carvings and make the grille bigger.”
Good lighting is very important, especially in a house like this without electric lights. She doesn't want the house to be dark during the day, as it would be too inconvenient to do anything.
Carpenter Hu nodded and replied, "Sure, no problem!" It's even simpler to make without carvings!
Chen An handed over the blueprints. "Master Hu, these are the blueprints for the new house. The dimensions are marked on them. Can you calculate how much it will cost? We'll use pine wood for the timber."
Although pine wood is soft, it is tough and not easy to crack. Moreover, most people use pine or fir wood, as they cannot afford more expensive woods.
Everyone has their own expertise. Cheng Yue didn't know much about wood, so she didn't get involved. She just focused on choosing the style and left the rest to Chen An.
Carpenter Hu took the blueprints and was stunned after just one glance. He knew that Cheng Yue and the others came from the village. Although they had made money doing business, he thought that building houses in the village was just a matter of building a few rooms.
After all, they have money and will most likely buy houses in the county town; the village is just a place to stay.
Who would have thought it would be a small courtyard with two sections? With this layout and size, it would be hard to find even in the county town!
Carpenter Hu composed himself, then remembered something important and tentatively asked, "Master Chen, Madam Cheng, your house is so big, why don't you have the furniture made at the same time?"
The two of them only mentioned making doors and windows, without mentioning furniture. He couldn't figure out what was going on, so he could only ask, "If they finish all of this, it'll be enough for me to take a year off!"
Cheng Yue didn't hide anything and said truthfully, "My husband is a carpenter. He can make these small parts himself. If there weren't too many things to make, he would want to make the doors and windows himself."
Carpenter Hu couldn't hide his surprise, "Master Chen is also a carpenter?"
He thought the couple were in business together! Turns out they were in the same industry?
No wonder they only let him work on doors and windows; he got a lucky break with that order!
Looking at Hu the carpenter's expression, Cheng Yue wondered if he was upset that they had seen the blueprints. After all, in a competitive industry, blueprints were a major taboo, and she hadn't thought of that before.
He then gave Chen An a look and said to Carpenter Hu, "Master Hu, we just looked at your drawings and it was our oversight. How about this, we'll have you make the beds and wardrobes for five of the rooms as well!"
After Cheng Yue finished speaking, Chen An nodded.
It's his fault too. He was so busy picking out furniture with Cheng Yue that he forgot about this taboo. He really shouldn't have done that.
Carpenter Hu waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, no, it's not that serious! There are only a few styles of furniture, and every carpenter knows how to make them. Even if you see them, it's nothing!"
Although they are all carpenters, even with the same blueprints, the finished products can vary greatly, depending entirely on their skill level.
Moreover, once something is made, anyone can easily replicate it, so it's really not a big deal.
He was able to open a shop and have more repeat customers because he had been a carpenter for a long time and had good skills, which allowed him to earn more money than younger people.
Skills cannot be copied, so he is not afraid.
Cheng Yue and Chen An couldn't help but admire Hu the carpenter's open and honest attitude. Although the principle was the same, people are different, and not everyone has such a broad mind.
For this reason alone, Carpenter Hu is a man worth getting to know better; perhaps there will be an opportunity in the future…
Cheng Yue smiled and said, "Master Hu, since we've already said it, there's no reason for us to take it back. Please do it together!"
Carpenter Hu rubbed his hands together, grinned, and nodded: "Alright! Alright!"
He was just being nosy. People who build houses naturally know what they need to do. But his question caused him to steal the business of five houses. He felt incredibly embarrassed.
Moreover, Cheng Yue and Chen An were so thoughtful and considerate that he was a little at a loss.
"We'll make the simplest style of beds and cabinets for these rooms. Master Hu, could you calculate the total cost? Once we've paid the deposit, you can start making them."
"Okay!" Carpenter Hu replied, and immediately picked up his abacus and started calculating rapidly.
There were more than twenty doors and windows, plus five large beds and cabinets. It took Hu the carpenter a while to finish calculating. "The total is twenty-three taels and four mace. I'll round down the four mace and give you ten wooden stools as a bonus!"
Having cooperated several times before, and with Carpenter Hu offering a discount and free gifts, Cheng Yue and her companion readily agreed and paid a deposit of five taels of silver.
Carpenter Hu beamed with joy, "I'll start today!"
However, we don't have enough timber on hand. I guess my junior brother has some. I'll go check it out in a bit. It's such a big order, so we can do it together!
Cheng Yue smiled at Chen An, chatted with carpenter Hu for a few more minutes, and then left.
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