"Since the workshops are already operational, why not open them alongside the trade city? A double celebration!"
Wang Lifeng was delighted. He liked the idea. The two of them reached an agreement immediately. "That's precisely what I was thinking. I'll head back then."
Choosing the same opening day wasn't about chasing trends or competing, but rather to allow everyone to tour the workshops after the grand opening.
If people decided to place orders at her workshops in the future, it would open up another avenue for wealth. This was truly killing multiple birds with one stone.
December fifteenth arrived, the day of the grand opening.
After half a year of construction from commencement to opening, the time felt neither short nor long, and the hardships involved were something only they could truly understand.
In front of the Trade City yamen, Zong Han and Fan Zehao personally unveiled the plaque and performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony. This was a program arranged for them by Zhao Jiaqi.
The so-called yamen was a place where both parties would jointly handle cases, with one person from each side to supervise each other.
With both sides opening for business, it further enhanced bilateral economic development. Zong Han remarked, "I never imagined a situation of mutual benefit like this. Our two nations could coexist so peacefully!"
Fan Zehao, gazing at the bustling merchants, smiled. "Just because it's hard to imagine doesn't mean it's impossible to do. If our two nations put aside our grievances, wouldn't that be a form of relief? Stable and prosperous development is the only way for both our nations to win!"
Zong Han truly couldn't believe that such words could come from this rough fellow. It was indeed like seeing a new person after a few days. He gave Fan Zehao a thumbs-up, silently praising him.
The two men exchanged smiles, understanding passing between them without a word.
Fan Zehao sincerely invited him to attend his wife's workshop opening. "My wife's workshop is opening today. Come along and take a look."
"The Princess Consort's creativity is astonishing. Even her thoughts are unconventional. Her vision, her magnanimity, her ambition are beyond our comprehension. Your Highness has married a truly excellent wife," Zong Han said loyally.
Fan Zehao chuckled. A proud smile spread across his tanned face. "It's also because my wife has good taste, choosing me, a man of great potential. We are indeed a perfect match."
If no one else praised him, he'd praise himself.
Zong Han glanced at him askance. "I never realized your skin was so thick."
If it weren't, how would he have found such a good wife!
Fan Zehao rolled his eyes at him and led him to find his wife. He wondered how the heavily pregnant woman was doing, hoping she wasn't overly tired.
After today, she absolutely had to rest in bed. Life was getting better and better, yet she was becoming busier and busier. He really couldn't understand the benefits of earning so much money.
Miracle Workshops.
Four gilded characters adorned the plaque, hung high on the archway.
The calligraphy was strong and vigorous, clearly the work of a man. Fan Zehao pointed to the characters and said, "My godfather, General Fang, wrote this. What do you think of the calligraphy!"
Fang Jingchen?
Zong Han had only two words to describe the calligraphy: "Mediocre!"
He uttered his critique and walked inside. After going some distance, he discovered that the place held many wonders.
There were directional signs along the path, indicating the direction of each workshop, even stating the remaining distance with clarity, leaving no room for confusion.
He toured each workshop as if visiting a grand garden. In the food production workshop, the workers were clean and tidy. They wore hats on their heads and... strips of cloth on their mouths? And on their hands, they wore... five-fingered cloth coverings?
It wasn't just Zong Han who was bewildered; Wu Yi, who accompanied him, was also filled with curiosity.
Zong Han pointed to the strangely dressed people and asked Wu Yi, "You've been stationed at the border for years. Do you know what they are wearing?"
Wu Yi shook his head in confusion, answering honestly, "Your subject does not know. I have never seen them. Perhaps... perhaps it is a form of attire from this region!"
If he didn't know, he'd just guess an answer.
Fan Zehao behind them sneered, finding the astonished individuals rather amusing. He stepped forward to explain the concept of hygienic food production to them.
"What they wear on their heads are called hats, to prevent hair from falling into the food. What they wear on their mouths are called masks, to prevent saliva, snot, and spit from falling into the food. What they wear on their hands are called gloves, to prevent dirt from their hands from contaminating the food. This effectively prevents bacteria, so people won't get sick from eating," he explained.
Fan Zehao then scoffed, "Country bumpkins, not even knowing this!"
Wu Yi's eyes widened, his temper flaring up again. He pointed at Fan Zehao, his face flushed. "Who are you calling a country bumpkin!"
Although he didn't know what a country bumpkin was, he understood the last sentence. Coupled with the first three words, he knew it wasn't something good!
Zhao Jiaqi, walking over from nearby, saw the furious Wu Yi. Her impression of him dropped by another two levels, and she wished she could stomp him under her feet.
She scoffed, "A country bumpkin is a type of food produced in this workshop, a delicacy cooked with over ten kinds of seasonings. You'll know what it is when we eat later!"
Wu Yi was skeptical. He looked at the Emperor of Zong, unsure of how much credence to give her words.
"Lord of Zong, this is the food production area. Adjacent to it is the brewing area. We have a new apple wine that is suitable for women to drink. Shall I take you to see it?"
Zong Han was intrigued by the mention of fruit wine and followed Fan Zehao to the brewing area. Qiufen supported Zhao Jiaqi as they walked behind.
She whispered, "Mistress, your servant doesn't recall this workshop making 'country bumpkins' food."
Forgive her lack of knowledge; after following her mistress for so long, she didn't even know about this dish.
Zhao Jiaqi's lips twitched a few times. She said indifferently, "It's the tea eggs we often eat, boiled in soy sauce until they're completely dark."
Qiufen couldn't believe it. "It's that simple?"
"Guess!"
How could she possibly guess? Seeing her mistress walk away, she hurried to follow, her mind constantly thinking about experimenting when she got back. Then she'd know if it was true or not!
The workshops were connected in sections. After winding through the workshops, a large residential area appeared. A mere five-story building housed over ten households, and each family's space was quite large.
Zong Han learned another trick and praised the housing design. "It occupies little land, houses many residents, and makes commuting to work convenient. It's brilliant!"
"Naturally. Don't you see who designed it?" Fan Zehao said proudly.
Looking at the blueprints hadn't revealed much, but seeing it built, he realized how truly ingenious it was.
Zong Han's trip for this opening was not in vain. He had learned about many blind spots in his knowledge. He intended to build workshops like these back home as well.
Time passed like a white colt galloping past a crack. A little over a month had gone by, and both Zhao Jiaqi and Pingting, being pregnant women, were in their advanced stages.
Especially Zhao Jiaqi, with her belly over eight months along, could neither lie down nor sit still comfortably. Walking made her breathless. Annoyance and frustration followed, making her irritable, finding fault with everything. She ate only a few bites before feeling full, only to be hungry again shortly after.
Furthermore, her need to relieve herself occurred five or six times a day. Touching her belly, she recalled that these symptoms hadn't occurred during her pregnancy with Yu Meng. Now, she was somewhat worried about this pregnancy.
"Qiufen, go find a midwife, an experienced one, especially one with experience delivering twins. Also find wet nurses. Remember, when looking for wet nurses, they must be clean and tidy, and stable in their demeanor. Don't be like those people you found last time. I am truly afraid the children will be led astray," she instructed.
"Your servant will send people out to search immediately!"