The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1667 - 1661: Going Home

The officials from the Capital City in this batch are not ones who lack practical experience.

Not to mention those officials from the Minister of Agriculture Office, they all deal with land and know how hard life is for the common people.

Generally speaking, if the common folk can live in peace and work happily, with enough to eat and warm clothes year-round, that’s already quite extraordinary.

From the moment they entered Chicheng County, these officials from the Capital City felt an atmosphere different from other places.

The people here are satisfied and content.

Their complexion seems healthy, everyone smiles, and you can tell at a glance that their lives have prospects.

Unlike the common folk seen elsewhere, whose faces always carry a hint of distress, with deep wrinkles between their brows as if they could squeeze a mosquito to death.

Even if they smile, it is tinged with sorrow and worry.

In their hearts, they gave Song Chongjin a high mark.

After all, to have the common people satisfied and worry-free, at least requires the absence of concerns over food and clothing; presumably, increased wheat production shouldn’t be a problem.

As for the officials sent by the Emperor to investigate the opening of trade routes and transaction markets, they focus more on the shops by the street.

Along the way, they saw many caravans heading towards Chicheng County, but once they arrived in the city, these caravans were nowhere to be seen on the roadside, which puzzled them. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Until their carriage headed towards the County Yamen and passed a major street, they saw at the corner that the caravans spotted on the road were all queued up, going inside.

Someone couldn’t help but ask, "What are those caravans queuing up for?"

The guard beside them glanced over casually and said, "Over there is the transaction market, and all these caravans from north to south need to register at the market. Inside, there’s a warehouse with a guard team organized by the County Yamen, watching over it twelve hours a day. Once these caravans arrive in Chicheng County, the first thing is to register, then rent warehouse space to store their goods. Next, they go to market management to select a booth, sign contracts, and sign guarantees to comply with our market regulations."

"Starting tomorrow, they can display their merchandise in the market and conduct transactions!"

The officials who asked looked at each other after hearing the guard team’s explanation, and their eyes showed astonishment.

They truly didn’t expect the transaction market in Chicheng County to be regulated to this extent.

They became increasingly curious.

However, it was already late, and the sky was filled with evening glow.

Children playing in the streets were being dragged home by their parents for dinner.

Some were reluctant to go home, hiding and playing, a distant voice from the depths of the alley called, "Er Gouzi — come home for dinner —."

The children laughed and ran away.

Shops along the street were closing, except for a few inns, where large, bright lanterns were lit at the entrance, attracting merchants from afar.

The busiest places in the city at this time were the inns and restaurants, almost brightly lit, with merchants walking in arm-in-arm constantly.

Ever since the transaction market in Chicheng County started to thrive, several new restaurants and inns have opened in the county.

Delicacies from all over, as well as master chefs, have been invited or brought by the merchants themselves, settling here.

Merchants everywhere like to choose a private room in a restaurant, then invite business partners, drink and eat, talk business, and strengthen relationships.

Song Chongjin has also booked the largest private room at the largest restaurant in Chicheng County, and the inn has already arranged accommodations for the Capital City officials.

First, they had Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang sent home, while Song Chongjin invited the officials from the Capital City to the restaurant to welcome them.

Back at the courtyard behind the County Yamen, Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang had already arranged for the servants to thoroughly clean the courtyard days earlier, anticipating their return.

Now that it’s early summer, the flowers and plants in the courtyard are lush and pleasing to the eye.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang, the servants left behind at the house all came forward in the courtyard to greet them.

Returning to familiar places, familiar rooms, everyone couldn’t help but relax.

Gu Yu and Li Xia went first to bring hot water for a quick wash, and the hot meal was already served.

As for the others who came back with them, Wang Yongzhu had already let them rest.

Questioning about the meal delivery, after getting confirmation, she nodded.

After the meal, they knew Song Chongjin wouldn’t return so early, so they sat under the grape arbor.

Meanwhile, they called Shitou to ask about the family and outside business situation over the past few months.

Shitou was well-prepared and reported everything in detail when Wang Yongzhu asked.

In the past few months, with Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang, both women, absent from home, Song Chongjin spent most of the time in the Yamen upfront, and would return home to rest for a night.

He ate with Mr. Jian and others up front, and in the back courtyard, the maidservants were allowed to clean during the day but were required to go home at night.

Only the guards would patrol, so there wasn’t much to report.

However, the external business in these months was quite profitable.

Especially the embroidery store she and Lady Shen co-managed, as the hundred-family garment caught the eye of the Empress, later Wang Yongzhu had Lady Shen embroider a few more items, sent hurriedly to the palace.

Not only did the Empress like it, even the Emperor praised it a few times.

With Wang Yongzhu mediating, the Shen Family, once relegated, has now regained favor in the palace, and their items listed as tribute.

With such reputation, the embroidery store’s business is indeed advancing in leaps and bounds.

These merchants, naturally well-informed, upon learning of this news and understanding the embroidery store’s backing, realized it was the Wife of the Heir-Apparent from Chicheng County.

Those even more informed knew this County Magistrate was not just anyone but the Princely Heir of Duke Weiguo, and his wife was the Wife of the Heir-Apparent!

Such a thick golden thigh indeed! Now is the time to embrace it!

Not to mention, the embroideries produced by the store were exquisite and always in high demand.

Now, with the aura of tribute, one can imagine the fervor.

Securing a piece means gaining prestige, whether for collection, gifting, or taking it back to the Western Region; once mentioned as tribute of Great Chu, praised by the Empress and Emperor, its value multiplies!

Currently, the embroideries produced by Lady Shen in the store are indeed hard to come by.

Even some of the outstanding embroideresses trained by Lady Shen are creating pieces with significant charm now.

Wang Yongzhu smiled; initially, she invited Lady Shen to co-manage the embroidery store for Shen’s craftsmanship and also promised the revitalization of Shen’s needlecraft.

Now, she finally hasn’t disappointed Lady Shen’s expectations.

One could imagine Lady Shen might have the face to announce to her ancestors from the Shen family.

Remembering what Old Granny Zhang said about the improving relationship between Lady Shen and Wu Zhongbao, she couldn’t help but ask about it.

Shitou chuckled, "Nowadays, this Mr. Wu turns out to be a complete reversal! Every morning, he sends Madam Shen to the embroidery store, and in the afternoon, he personally goes to pick her up. He’s practically become a scene here in Chicheng County!"