The action-oriented Zhao Jiaqi, the day after finalizing the plan, went to buy land. She discovered that Lingnan Cheng was too prosperous, and the wasteland in various villages was not being sold by the estates.
Since high-yield grains were planted in the fields, there had been bountiful harvests every year, motivating the farmers to plant the grains introduced by the emperor.
As for the estates, it goes without saying that the estates of wealthy families produced enough grain each year to feed the entire prefecture, with plenty left over to sell, which was a considerable income for them.
"Madam, we absolutely cannot find any land to build workshops. Why don't we convert that three-courtyard residence into a workshop? What do you think, Madam?" Song Fei asked, frowning.
"Absolutely not. That residence is for the master. Even if the entire residence were demolished, it wouldn't be enough to build a workshop!"
Without a second thought, Zhao Jiaqi directly refused.
Inside the room, the silence was so profound that even the sound of breathing could be heard. In contrast, Fan Zehao smiled and said, "Isn't the bandit's lair on Phoenix Mountain lying idle? It also occupies a considerable area, and it's surrounded by woods. If we were to build a pig farm there, it would be convenient for gathering pig feed and everything else. Why not build the workshop there?"
His remark gave Zhao Jiaqi an excellent idea, like waking someone from a dream.
She gave her husband a thumbs-up. "My husband is still the best!"
In the forest, raising some free-ranging chickens and ducks would require no daily management. They could find their own food and be full. All that was needed was to build the surrounding walls high enough to prevent them from flying out. If that didn't work, their wings could be clipped so they couldn't fly high, saving a lot of trouble.
The idea was good, but implementation was difficult, though not an insurmountable task.
The next day, the Fan Zehao couple went to Phoenix Mountain. Song Fei went to find a broker to introduce some construction workers, while Fang Mingjiang went to the prefect to purchase Phoenix Mountain for the purpose of aquaculture.
Prefect Xiao Bingzheng's head immediately felt a bit overwhelmed. He stammered, "Phoenix Mountain consists of two peaks, Feng Shan and Huang Shan, which are adjacent. However, a small path in between leads to Lingnan Cheng. This path ends after passing Lingnan Cheng, so the mountains within the Phoenix Mountain range are still connected and vast. I wonder which mountain Your Excellency intends to buy?"
Fang Mingjiang frowned. He only knew of Phoenix Mountain but was truly unaware that Phoenix Mountain was a combined entity.
When they came, his wife hadn't instructed him on which mountain to buy!
No matter what, he would buy both mountains. That way, there would be no mistake!
"Phoenix Mountain, Phoenix Mountain, so it's two mountains. Since they share a name..."
Xiao Bingzheng raised an eyebrow, looking at Fang Mingjiang who hadn't finished speaking. He immediately understood and picked up the conversation, "Since they share a name, naturally, you only need to pay for one mountain. It's not expensive, five hundred taels should suffice. What do you think of this price, Master Fang?"
"Excellent. Of course, the land deed should still be registered under Zhao Jiaqi's name. Remember, do not make any mistakes. I need it now. I wonder if it's convenient for you now, Governor Xiao?"
Xiao Bingzheng nodded repeatedly. "It's very convenient. However, the name Zhao Jiaqi sounds very familiar. I thought about it last night, and it seems to be the Empress's given name..."
"What should be said and what should not be asked, Governor Xiao should have some sense of propriety. Besides, we are not shortchanging you for the mountain; you quoted the price yourself. If you feel it's too low, don't hesitate to say so. My wife is a businesswoman and has plenty of money. She doesn't care about your paltry sum!"
Fang Mingjiang angrily flicked his sleeves.
Let alone money, the entire country belonged to the Fan family. How could they possibly care about a mere mountain?
They were paying money to buy it because his wife was kind. If they had decided to make it a royal estate, five hundred taels? They wouldn't even show you one tael!
The newly appointed prefect could only lower his head and repeatedly apologize. Why did this Master Fang's mood change so quickly, like the weather in March?
He had only asked a question, why did it elicit so much complaint?
At this moment, he dared not ask anything else. Knowing too much could lead to a swift demise. He would pretend to be mute, blind, and preferably deaf. That way, his life might last longer.
Without another word, he led Fang Mingjiang to process the paperwork. However, Fang Mingjiang felt that five hundred taels for such a large expanse of mountain was indeed too little. He stamped his foot, gritted his teeth, and gave another two hundred taels.
The couple within Phoenix Mountain had no idea what was happening below. They stood on the mountain and looked down at the lush greenery, which was very pleasing to the eye.
However, building the workshop in the mountains meant they had to be prepared for wild animals, rainy days, and snowy days. It seemed like creating a road would be a long-term project. Even the accommodation for those working on the mountain would have to be converted into houses with heated walls, as the temperature on the mountain was several degrees lower than below in winter.
If they didn't make money and instead froze some people to death, it would truly be a case of losing the wife and also the soldiers, a heinous act that trampled on innocent lives. She could not do such a thing.
They wandered through the abandoned bandit lair for a long time. She shook the newly built wooden houses, which were unmoving. Indeed, the houses were built quite sturdily.
"What was Wang Xiaoliu's final fate?"
Hearing his wife inquire about another man, and a bandit at that, Fan Zehao felt a pang of discomfort. He said in a muffled voice, "Given his meritorious service and the fact that he never killed anyone before, he was sentenced to five years."
Among all the bandits, he was the only one who survived, and that was because he had deceived the third-in-command, otherwise... hmph.
Sentenced to five years! That was acceptable!
She didn't ask any further questions. The eradication of the bandit lair was a service to the people.
The couple lingered in the mountains for a long time. At noon, Fan Zehao caught two wild pheasants, a wild rabbit, and a fish. He personally roasted them for his wife to eat.
Watching his wife eat with relish, he felt a sweet sensation in his heart. He didn't envy divine beings; he only wished for a future where he could accompany his wife.
They descended the mountain and returned home in the late afternoon. By then, Song Fei and Fang Mingjiang had already arrived. One was leading a construction foreman, and the other was holding the land deed, waiting for them.
Song Fei introduced the master builder to Zhao Jiaqi. "Madam, this is a renowned master builder in Lingnan Cheng named Ran Zhe. Wealthy families always hire him to build their houses. His craftsmanship is excellent; he doesn't cut corners and completes tasks on time!"
Upon hearing Master Song introduce him to Madam, Ran Zhe understood that this couple was the employer, and Master Song was like their steward.
Without hesitation, he said to the man beside Zhao Jiaqi, "As long as the money is right, my men will work their hardest. I guarantee the houses will stand for a hundred years without collapsing."
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled. That was quite a bold claim!
The man glanced at Ran Zhe, puzzled.
Did this master builder have poor eyesight? Song Fei had already introduced his wife, yet he didn't seem to realize that the woman was the one in charge in this household.
How was he supposed to respond to this remark?
He glanced at the smiling woman beside him, then tilted his chin towards her and said, with a pretense of authority, "Wife, I'll leave this matter to you. You decide."
"Okay, husband. I guarantee the task will be completed!" Zhao Jiaqi replied with a smile, playing along with her husband's slight awkwardness.