The Yan Clan’s woolen mill was built in an open space that spanned an area of more than thirty mu in the Yan Fortress. Inside, there were large uniform-looking buildings with white walls and green roofs. Obscured by the lush trees, they gave off an unusual aura.
At the woolen mill’s entrance, there was a spacious plaza paved with limestone. Currently, the open space at the entrance was very crowded. Since today was the woolen mill’s first official working day, there would be a ceremony. The female workers stood at the entrance as they curiously waited in excitement. The curious and envious gazes around them made them nervous, but they were still mostly excited. After all, big scenes like these were very rare, even in Pingxi Prefecture. It was incomparable to the time when they had to perform at the temple.
Most of the people gathered around the woolen mill were only here to watch. The townspeople from the Yan Fortress, the cloth merchants, and other people from Pingxi Prefecture who rushed here surrounded the place. From afar, one could only see a dense crowd of moving heads. If it wasn’t for the archery academy students maintaining order, the traffic on the streets around the woolen mill would have been jammed.
“The Yan Clan’s workshop sure has a weird name… Something ‘mill’… We’ve never heard of a workshop being called a mill in Gan Province, right…?”
“Brother, you’re an amateur. A small workshop is called a workshop. A workshop as large as the Yan Clan’s would then be referred to as a mill. Lord Yan said that calling it a mill makes it sound impressive, just like the manufacturing bureau. If you only have three or five artisans, you would feel embarrassed to call it a mill. Lord Yan’s manufacturing bureau is renowned for being able to manufacture anything. Just their four-wheeled carriages alone could bring in a profit of a million taels of silver a year. Not only that, they can make Aquapyro engines, looms, and spinning frames too. Those are all products worth lining up for. Wasn’t there a workshop that called itself a bureau in Gan Province before? I heard some people in other prefectures are also shamelessly renaming their workshops to something ‘bureau’!”
A foreign cloth merchant mumbled something within the crowd, then a man beside him interjected with a voice full of pride.
“Brother, you speak with a local accent. Are you from Pingxi Prefecture too?”
“Of course. I am from Qinghe County. My son is studying at Lord Yan’s archery academy…”
“I heard that you can meet deities in your dreams and receive guidance from them. Is that true?”
“I’ll tell you, but don’t spread it out…” The man from Qinghe County looked around, then deliberately lowered his voice as he spoke secretively. “My uncle lives here in the Yan Fortress. According to him, back when the Yan Fortress was still called Liuhe Town, many people in town saw a huge meteor flying toward the Yan Residence on the night Lord Yan was born. The midwife even said that Lord Yan’s body was glowing when he was delivered. The light was so dazzling that she couldn’t even open her eyes…”
All the students from the archery academy were out today. They were seen maintaining orders everywhere in the Yan Fortress, dressed in black uniforms. Their youthful bodies, handsome faces, and solemn temperaments were also quite a sight in many people’s eyes.
Many unmarried young ladies in the woolen mill and other women who came here to watch were stealing glances at those young men from the archery academy.
Shen Teng’s forehead was beaded with sweat as he maintained order on the streets. An older woman who had come to watch was bothering him.
“What’s your name, young man? You’re quite a handsome one. Where do you live? How many family members do you have? Judging from your age, I’m guessing that you aren’t married yet, right?”
“Let me tell you, I am from the Chen Clan. My daughter just turned nineteen this year, and she’s not married yet. She’s known as the flower in her village. She’s skillful with her hands, capable, and can take care of the family well. Whoever ends up marrying my daughter must have accumulated good deeds in their previous eight lifetimes! Our clan has a decent background too. My daughter has an older brother who works in the Law Enforcement Office. No one dares to bully us in the village. My clan owns fertile farmland that spans over an area of twenty mu, as well as several old buffalos…”
Shen Teng had always been a handsome fellow. After nearly a year of training and progressing into a Martial Warrior, the aura he exuded was very different than before. Just by standing on the street, he attracted the attention of many ladies around him.
Upon noticing Shen Teng’s distress, Shi Dafeng came over and asked Shen Teng to swap positions with him. “Auntie, stop bothering him. His parents are eager to hold their grandchildren so they have already found two wives and a few concubines for him. He was told to return next year to get married. Your daughter will surely not enjoy her life with him. What do you think about me instead, Auntie? I’m still single! Where do you live, Auntie? Why don’t I come and visit your daughter next time? I don’t mind meeting a few of them!”
The older woman looked at Shi Dafeng’s tanned face and was immediately turned off. She rolled her eyes at Shi Dafeng, then muttered something under her breath before retreating to the crowd again.
…
“Sixth Brother, who is that woman?” Lu Beixin also came to the Yan Fortress with Lu Peien and Old Master Lu today. They were sitting at a designated seating area in the plaza. At this moment, the ones sitting in the designated areas were all influential figures in Pingxi Prefecture and owners of large textile businesses in Gan Province.
Upon arrival, Lu Beixin immediately noticed Zhong Ruolan who was dressed in a gorgeous, aqua-colored long dress. Zhong Ruolan had fair skin, a beautiful face, and she moved elegantly. Sitting in the front row, she was very eye-catching in her gorgeous dress.
Lu Beixin was all dressed up today too. She was very dazzling in her fiery red long dress. In terms of looks, Lu Beixin was not inferior to Zhong Ruolan. She was young and beautiful in her own way, but she lacked Zhong Ruolan’s tranquility. Lu Beixin also sat in the front row, but many seats away from Zhong Ruolan. As though it was out of a woman’s intuition, the alarms in Lu Beixin’s heart immediately sounded as soon as she saw Zhong Ruolan.
“That woman is from the Zhong Clan of Lan Province!” Lu Peien glanced to the other side, then whispered to Lu Beixin, “That woman is in charge of all the Zhong Clan’s affairs in Pingxi Prefecture. Even Manager He of the Datong Monetary House is her assistant now!”
“Why are the Zhong Clan’s people here?”
“Given the scale of Liqiang’s businesses, it’s only natural for him to have business dealings with the Zhong Clan,” Lu Peien said lightly.
Zhong Ruolan seemed to have noticed the gaze on her, so when she turned her head around, she met Lu Beixin’s gaze. Zhong Ruolan gave her a sweet smile and gently nodded to her. Lu Beixin smiled and nodded back at her too. Everything seemed so calm on the surface, but only both women could feel the violent undercurrents in their hearts.
Old Master Lu, who had been sitting silently at the side, suddenly turned his head to Lu Beixin and said, “Xin’er, the woolen mill that will open next month is yours to take care of. I’ll have your two sisters-in-law help you out. The stewards at home will also teach you how to read the accounts. You’ll have to lead those who work under you. Father knows you have always been a smart and capable girl. As long as you’re willing, you’ll definitely be great at it!”
“Ah, Father. What’s with the sudden thought…?” Lu Beixin asked in surprise.
“Silly girl!” Old Master Lu looked at his daughter lovingly like she was the apple of his eye. “It’ll be your dowry. The Yan Clan owns many properties and businesses. If you don’t learn how to manage people and businesses, you’ll be a burden to Liqiang when you marry him in the future. Of course, I’ll have to nurture you in that aspect. If you are able to, surely Liqiang will leave all these things in your hands and you’ll be the mistress of the Yan Clan.”
“Don’t worry, Father. I’ll listen to whatever you say!” Lu Beixin nodded seriously. “When we go back this time, I’ll make sure to take care of the mill at home and our workers!”
Old Master Lu was assured as he exchanged glances with Lu Peien. Both of them could feel that Lu Beixin had changed into a new person after ascertaining her relationship with Yan Liqiang. She was so much more sensible now. Sure enough, everyone had their own weakness.
“The Prefectural Governor and Lord Yan have arrived…!” A loud shout was heard in the distance and the woolen mill instantly became silent. Under everyone’s gaze, Pingxi Prefectural Governor Wang Jianbei and Yan Liqiang walked over while sharing a pleasant chat. Several bureaucrats from Qinghe County followed behind them. Among them was an old man wearing a county magistrate’s official robe. He was walking rather slowly and seemed to be lagging behind.
Upon seeing the arrival of the Prefectural Governor and Yan Liqiang, those who were seated immediately stood up to bow to them.
“Greetings, Prefectural Governor!”
“Greetings, Lord Yan!”
“Hahaha, no need to be so formal! I am here today to witness a grand event in Pingxi Prefecture with everyone!” Wang Jianbei was in a great mood as he spoke to everyone with a delightful smile.
Steward Zhou quietly came to Yan Liqiang and whispered to him that all preparations were done. Yan Liqiang gave him a slight nod, then dismissed him after instructing him to proceed according to plan.
He spotted Lu Beixin and Zhong Ruolan too. The two women were seated in the front row, looking more beautiful than flowers. They were dressed in red and blue respectively, creating a delightful contrast. When Yan Liqiang came over, their gazes full of emotions fell on his face.
Yan Liqiang and Wang Jianbei sat down on the center and frontmost seats together. Everyone around them immediately quieted down. A moment later, Lu Wenbin came to the front. He was beaming when he started the introduction.
Yan Liqiang had chosen Lu Wenbin as the master of ceremonies. Without a doubt, being able to stand in front of so many important figures today was definitely a highlight of Lu Wenbin’s life. For a steward from the Lu Clan to serve as the master of ceremonies, this was also an indirect display of the relationship between the Yan and Lu Clans. Therefore, Old Master Lu and the others were extremely pleased.
…
Just when the ceremony was about to begin, the sounds of thundering iron hooves were heard coming from the public road twenty li away. A group of imperial guards dressed in crimson robes from the Imperial Capital was seen escorting a four-wheeled carriage. They rode swiftly in the direction of the Yan Fortress.
A shrill voice came from the carriage. “Quick! Hurry up! I heard that things are very lively at the Yan Fortress today! The woolen mill is about to open! We’re just in time for the grand event! When we get back, all of you shall be generously rewarded by the eunuch and His Majesty…!”
