Shen Zhiyan and Elder Hong discussed for two whole days before finalizing the bridge's structure and various detailed dimensions.
On the first day of October, Old Hong came to find Ye Caiping with a list:
"Based on calculations, the total length of this bridge is 11 zhang (approximately 37 meters), and the estimated cost of the materials used is 3250 taels."
Ye Caiping exclaimed in surprise, "I thought it would cost tens of thousands of taels!"
Old Master Hong laughed and said, "No need. Even including the craftsmen's wages, it's only three or four hundred taels more. Oh, I'll keep 300 taels for myself."
Ye Caiping chuckled: "That's only right. You used the best materials, didn't you? You can't skimp on the money for me."
"Don't worry, they're all the best. Guaranteed to last a hundred years."
"I wonder how long this bridge will take to build?"
"It should be almost done by next spring." Building a bridge is not like building a house; it's much more difficult.
Ye Caiping said, "Then from today onwards, Elder Hong will stay at my house. Oh, and what about the craftsmen?"
For the past few days, Mr. Hong has been staying at Shen Zhiyan's house to discuss the blueprints.
Old Master Hong said, "I have my own team of craftsmen, twenty people in total. They should arrive in three or four days. Please ask Madam Ye to build them a few thatched huts for temporary lodging."
Ye Caiping's house couldn't accommodate twenty people.
Even if we could manage to stay there, it would be too chaotic.
"Okay, I'll send someone right away."
Ye Caiping called Shanzi over and asked him to go to the banyan tree and ask for 25 coins a day to find someone to build a thatched hut.
When Shanzi called out from under the banyan tree, a group of villagers responded.
Hearing that it was for building thatched huts for the craftsmen, they all said they didn't want any money and would work for free.
Almost every household sent one person to rush to the designated open space to build a thatched hut.
The thatched huts were temporary dwellings and did not require foundations. With many people and great strength, the villagers mixed mud to make adobe bricks and used dry straw to build thatched roofs. They divided the work and cooperated, and in just a few days, they built a row of simple thatched huts that could accommodate twenty or thirty people.
Add two more large communal beds, and you're done.
As for meals, they went directly to Ye Caiping's house to eat communal meals.
October 2nd.
Jin Hua excitedly ran into Xiao Yan's room, and the two girls closed the door and began to divide the accounts.
Jin Hua held up an account book: "We opened on September 22nd. On opening day, Manman had Miss Qin bring several rich young ladies over, and we earned 23 taels in one day. Although sales gradually declined afterward, they eventually stabilized at around two or three taels per day."
Jin Hua continued, "Last month, for 9 days, after deducting all costs, the total was 45 taels and 6 mace."
Xiao Yan laughed and said, "I didn't expect to get half of the investment back in the first month. If we can keep making this amount every day, we can keep earning."
Jin Hua said, "We can open branch shops in the future, even in the prefectural city. For now, let's keep 15 taels and 6 mace for inventory and working capital, and divide the rest among ourselves."
The two girls each received 15 taels and were quite satisfied.
We only operated for 9 days last month! Next month's revenue sharing will only be more.
Xiao Yan never imagined she would earn so much money in a month. As long as the shop develops steadily, she won't have to worry about the future.
"Xiao Yan." At that moment, Ye Hufeng's knocking sounded at the door.
Xiao Yan quickly went to open the door, smiling broadly: "Mother, I was just looking for you. Here, take this back."
As he spoke, he handed 15 taels to Ye Hufeng.
Ye Hufen was taken aback, then grinned from ear to ear: "What do you mean 'return'? What's mine is yours. You can keep it."
She then shoved the item back into Xiaoyan's hand and pulled her outside, saying, "Quickly, Matchmaker Liu has brought a young man to meet you. He's at your maternal grandfather's house right now. No, no, don't go yet, quickly change your clothes."
Xiao Yan frowned: "Oh... I think this outfit is fine, no need to change."
Ye Hufen glanced at her daughter.
Since opening the embroidery shop, my daughter has paid great attention to her appearance, always wearing silk clothes. She also wears a velvet flower in her hair, making her look delicate and pretty.
Ye Hufen said proudly, "That's right, my daughter is so beautiful. Let's go now."
Ye Hufen pulled Xiao Yan along and left excitedly.
Jin Hua came out of the room and just saw Grandma Ye carrying a few ears of corn: "Xiao Yan and Hu Fen went out? I was just about to ask them if they wanted some corn."
Jin Hua said, "The matchmaker brought a young man to meet her. I think Xiao Yan doesn't seem too keen on meeting him... but why doesn't she refuse and still go?"
Old Mrs. Ye chuckled: "Or perhaps it's not that she doesn't want to meet someone, but rather that the person she's meeting right now isn't the one she wants to see?"
Jin Hua's eyes lit up: "Grandma, what do you know? Tell me quickly."
"Go away, I'm not really sure either, I can't just say things like that."
Upon hearing this, Jin Hua was so anxious that she felt extremely distressed.
......
Uncle Ye's house.
Xiao Yan sat awkwardly in the main room.
A boy of about eighteen or nineteen years old was sitting across from me.
With regular features, Xiao Yan couldn't take her eyes off him from the moment she entered, her smile so honest and simple.
Uncle Ye, Aunt Ye, and Ye Hufeng were all there, along with Uncle Ye's three daughters-in-law.
Matchmaker Liu smiled and said, "Youliang, my nephew and I were passing by today, so we came to visit you."
This is just a polite way of saying it. You can't really say you're looking for someone; you have to say you're visiting relatives. Otherwise, it would be awkward.
Aunt Ye smiled and said, "Good, good. What's your nephew's name? Where is he from?"
The matchmaker, Liu, said, "He's from Shanghe Village, and his name is Lu Yang. It's not far from here, only about six or seven li away. His family is well-off, and they're considered a good family in the village."
"His parents are healthy and hardworking. They own a rice shop in town and more than 30 acres of fertile land. They also employ a servant, so he doesn't have to do any heavy work. They just hire day laborers for the fields when the season comes. I wonder which lucky girl will be able to marry into his family, hahaha."
Aunt Ye and Ye Hufen both laughed upon hearing this, quite pleased.
With a shop, no worries about food or drink, and a servant, they were already considered wealthy. They were indeed a well-off family.
This young man is fairly good-looking; if he has a good personality, it could be a good match for him.
Moreover, it was obvious at a glance that the young man had taken a liking to Xiao Yan; he was staring at her and grinning foolishly.
Seeing the expressions on Ye Hufen and the others' faces, Matchmaker Liu knew they were satisfied, and she was delighted.
For a while, she introduced this girl to ordinary farmers, but later, when she learned that the girl was quite capable and had even opened an embroidery shop in the county, she immediately introduced her to a wealthy family.
Matchmaker Liu continued, "My nephew is also very hardworking. He helps out at the shop every day. Although there are day laborers hired in the fields, he often goes to the fields himself whenever he sees a job, and he doesn't pick and choose jobs at all. Everyone in the whole Shanghe Village praises him."
Xiao Yan glanced at Lu Yang, but lowered her head and remained silent.
When the matchmaker saw that Xiao Yan looked a little choked up, she wondered if she hadn't taken a liking to her.
Aunt Ye noticed this too, and chatted with Matchmaker Liu for a few more minutes before Matchmaker Liu took her leave.
Aunt Ye and Hu Fen saw the two matchmakers off at the door.
Matchmaker Liu told the young man to wait under the big tree ahead, and said to Ye Hufen:
"Your daughter doesn't seem too satisfied. To be honest, this young man is one of the better ones I have, mainly because of his good character."
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