Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 397 - 233 Planning

Gu Chengyu instructed Nanny Liang to lead the way and settled Ye’s mother and Second Sister Ye in a courtyard of the second entrance, while Ye Zhiqiu stayed with him temporarily in the front yard.

The furnishings of the residence were purchased by Gu Wanqian and Yu Tuanzi in the Capital. Although they weren’t as precious as the materials from Gu Chengyu’s space, they were still generous and practical. Gu Chengyu planned to find an opportunity to select some materials from his space to custom-make furniture.

The next day, calculating the hour when Yin Kun would finish court duties, Gu Chengyu went to the Yin Mansion.

"Your return has indeed been delayed for quite some time. Since you’re back, quickly go to the Imperial College to enroll!"

Yin Kun was unaware of the incident that happened to Gu Chengyu on the way to and from the Capital and thought that Gu Chengyu had stayed longer at home.

As it was something from the past, Gu Chengyu didn’t feel like explaining.

"I am planning to go in these two days. I also have to thank you, senior brother, for finding the residence for me. I am very satisfied with it."

In these two months, the profits from First-class House and the tavern were good. Yu Tuanzi had long given the silver to Yin Kun. This was Gu Chengyu’s instruction in his letter, as he knew Yin Kun was also not financially abundant.

Yin Kun laughed heartily upon hearing this: "As long as you are satisfied! That house was not easy to acquire. It originally belonged to a wealthy merchant who lost money in business and was preparing to return to his ancestral land. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been your turn! Three thousand six hundred taels of silver for such a large house isn’t expensive at all!"

Gu Chengyu also found it quite cost-effective and then remembered the matter of going to the Imperial College.

"Senior Brother! What should I be aware of when entering the Imperial College? Please enlighten me." Although Gu Chengyu had already asked his teacher, his teacher had been away from the court for a long time, and the information he got might not be as current as Yin Kun’s.

Yin Kun pondered for a while, then said: "As long as you study diligently and don’t stir up trouble, it should be fine. Just avoid provoking those nobles’ offspring, as aristocratic families are intricately intertwined. If you provoke one, you’ll surely get entangled with a series of noble families, which would be endlessly troublesome."

"The Imperial College is full of noble wastrels, who have little ability yet love causing trouble. They spend their days living lavishly without any ambition, just idling their time at the Imperial College. When you go, stay away from such people, lest your studies be delayed."

Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu frowned slightly. With so many noble offspring in the Imperial College, whether from noble families or sons of ministers, they constituted a large proportion of the students. Then there were those who donated to get in, who can’t hold official positions and were simply there to build connections.

The number of students recommended by real officials was very few, yet the Doctors at the Imperial College were all exceptionally knowledgeable individuals. Gu Chengyu felt that teaching those who were not diligent was simply a waste.

"I am there to study and will try to avoid those people." Gu Chengyu didn’t want to engage with them, but being in the same academy sometimes meant it wasn’t easy to avoid them.

"Hmm! The sons of officials are generally involved in factional struggles at the court, so be cautious. As the closed-door disciple of a teacher, many people may have their eyes on you."

Since Yin Kun was a third-rank official at the Inspectorate, it wasn’t impossible for those people to try to connect with him by reaching Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu immediately thought of Yin Kun’s position at the Inspectorate. Didn’t he encounter Hu Maoqing from the Inspectorate on the ship? The teacher said Hu Maoqing was the Left Deputy Imperial Censor, which was equivalent to Yin Kun’s position, wasn’t it?

He intended to mention this matter to Yin Kun, but when the words came to his mouth, he swallowed them back. Hu Maoqing received an imperial command to investigate this matter secretly; if he spoke of it, it would be leaking court secrets.

Though he was not yet a court official, this matter was exceedingly complex, and it wouldn’t be good for Yin Kun to know too much.

Yin Kun suddenly remembered something. Lifting his gaze from the tea bowl, he looked at Gu Chengyu sitting opposite him.

This was a handsome young man with an exceptionally attractive appearance. In a few years, he should grow into a man as handsome as Pan An. But being so good-looking wasn’t entirely beneficial, and he worried about it. However, after thinking for a moment, he dismissed the idea as unlikely since Gu Chengyu was already eleven.

The two hesitated for a moment, swallowing their thoughts. Little did they know that this concealment today would lead to much strife later on.

After leaving the Yin Mansion, Gu Chengyu visited the residences of his second and third senior brothers.

Then he went to the suburbs, planning to inspect the hot spring manor.

First, he went to the main estate. The little villa was built around the hot spring and had already been arranged by Yu Tuanzi and the others.

"Young Master! There’s nothing more enjoyable than bathing in a hot spring during winter. I have checked the surrounding land. In places a bit farther from the hot spring, we’ve planted some vegetables to supply our tavern." Gu Wanqian followed behind Gu Chengyu, explaining the situation.

Gu Chengyu nodded at the vegetable plot. Although some wealthy families also had hot spring estates, they mainly produced for their own consumption and didn’t sell to outsiders. Those families of wealth and status, with deep resources, wouldn’t rely on farming vegetables for wealth. They mostly gifted them to close families.

However, there were about ten hot spring estates of various sizes around the Capital, mostly controlled by noble families. So, being able to serve fresh vegetables at Gu Chengyu’s tavern was quite a stroke of fortune.

Consequently, the tavern’s business had become more booming since winter began, with every day being fully booked.

Gu Chengyu took a tour around the villa. The belongings of the previous owner had long been cleared out, with new arrangement taking place. The furniture was practical but not particularly valuable. Gu Chengyu planned to gradually add to it, just like with his other residence.

He intended to frequent this large hot spring estate in the future and host guests there during winter.

As for the land outside, Gu Chengyu planned to build greenhouses in areas near the hot spring. Vegetables grown during winter could be a considerable source of income.

For materials needed to build the greenhouse, Gu Chengyu thought of using tung oil cloth used for making oil paper umbrellas. It might not be as light-permeable as modern plastic film from his past life but should suffice for makeshift use.

Of course, only a small number could be built, as the cost of tung oil cloth alone would be significant.

"I’ll write a list shortly; you should purchase some items so we can expand our vegetable plot by a few more acres, enough to supply the tavern. By the way, plant more fruit trees near the woods. Choose the fruit tree varieties as you see fit. I think peach trees would be good; their flowers are beautiful, and the peaches can be made into preserves, which can be planted in larger numbers."

Looking at the landscape of the estate, Gu Chengyu planned some changes. The estate formerly had many flowers, with a wide variety.

The recipe for essential oils had already been used in making soap. He had bought servants and mastered the essential oil recipe, keeping the profits for himself rather than contributing it to the family.

The numerous flowers each year could be made into essential oils, which have a wide range of uses. In the future, he planned to buy some servants to make skincare products, cosmetics, and the like. Historically, women’s money was the easiest to earn, and he wouldn’t miss this opportunity. There were quite a few books about making cosmetics in his space, which would be a waste not to use.

Perhaps in the future, he could even use these to connect with the wives of officials and extract some information. However, to deal with these women, he needed a few competent young wives, so he still had to buy more people.