GBP Chapter 598 North-South Cooperation, Initial Conflicts
Chapter 598 North-South Cooperation, Initial Conflicts
Winter goes and spring comes, seemingly in the blink of an eye.
Qiu Feng is already on his way to Beijing with a large number of craftsmen. Of course, they will not enter the city, but will go directly to Tongzhou Wharf to report for duty.
Speaking of his trip south to recruit workers, Qiu Feng was glad that he ran into an acquaintance.
Of course, they weren't that close, but there was a reason why this person went to such lengths to help.
After all, this person was none other than Lin Yueniang, the mother of Jiang Xiuzhuan.
Qiu Feng had met Jiang's mother once when he was a child, and after many years, she hadn't changed much, which is why he was able to recognize her.
When the two met, Lin Yueniang was delivering goods to Liuxiangge's franchise store in the south.
She wasn't originally required to come out in person, but since it involved renewing cooperation agreements with some businesses this spring, she came out with the convoy.
Qiu Feng was unfamiliar with the place and the people in the south, and more importantly, he couldn't speak the language, which made recruiting workers difficult.
After learning that the young man in front of her was her son's childhood classmate, Lin Yueniang readily helped him out.
In the south, Manager Lin's reputation was quite high; he was practically a household name.
With Lin Yueniang's help, Qiu Feng finally managed to gather all the craftsmen. Before leaving, he also visited Lin Yueniang, who had not returned to the capital for many years.
"Auntie, don't you really want to go back to the capital for a visit? Brother Jiang is currently working at the Hanlin Academy, but you haven't seen him in his official robes yet, have you?"
It would be a lie to say that Lin Yueniang wasn't moved at all. She hadn't seen her son for more than two years, how could she not miss him?
However, she had already adapted to life here, and her business was thriving; she didn't want to entrust this business to others.
"It's not that I haven't seen him before. Mingfei sent me a self-portrait. He looks very handsome and imposing in his official robes."
Seeing that Lin Yueniang was unmoved, Qiu Feng didn't try to persuade her any further, since their relationship wasn't close enough for him to interfere in her family affairs.
After presenting the carefully prepared thank-you gift, he immediately took his leave and prepared to return to the capital, not wanting to delay the Second Prince's shipbuilding progress.
In the south, one cannot feel the passage of time. The capital city is probably not fully civilized yet, but time still feels very tight.
Before the willows sprouted, Jiang Wenqing, unusually, came to the dock in person to bring the fish he had caught to supplement the craftsmen's meal.
"Magistrate Jiang? What a rare guest! Are you here to see Clerk Qian and Clerk Xing? They're in their office."
Qiu Cheng and the craftsmen have arrived, but it's still a bit cold, so they're just doing some preparatory work before starting work.
In addition, some more sheds need to be built for the craftsmen from the south to live and use.
After all, they live so far from home that they can't go home as often as local craftsmen, or even every few days. So it's really necessary to increase the number of work sheds and living quarters.
Otherwise, it would be too late to arrange accommodation once you arrive, as even a small communal room in Tongzhou costs several coins per night.
A hundred people means a hundred coins a day, which is really expensive. It's more reliable to build your own accommodation.
Looking at the bustling dock, Jiang Wenqing ordered his men to unload buckets of fat fish.
"I didn't bother with them. It's just that I caught some fish yesterday, and the county office can't finish them all, so I thought I'd bring them over to give the workers an extra meal."
"Oh my, it's really fat! Magistrate Jiang's fishing skills are quite impressive. In that case, I, on behalf of the craftsmen, thank Magistrate Jiang for his kindness!"
"Oh, Lord Qiu, you're too kind. Hehe, well..."
Jiang Wenqing hesitated, then turned his gaze to the dock.
Qiu Cheng was puzzled. Did Magistrate Jiang want to interfere with the shipbuilding project halfway through?
They weren't willing to help at the beginning, but now that things are going well for them, they want a piece of the pie? Humph!
"Magistrate Jiang, please speak frankly."
"Haha, I have a favor to ask, and the matter is as follows..."
Jiang Wenqing poured out his daughter and son-in-law's plans to visit the dock for a spring outing, and after finishing, he let out a soft sigh of relief. Ah, at least they got it out.
At this moment, Qiu Cheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He thought it was something serious. Just this? Was it really necessary to be so hesitant and stammering?
I was so worried that this person was trying to steal my victory! What a false alarm.
After all, this was Jiang Xiuzhuan's biological father, so he had to give him some face.
However, when it comes to merit and benefits, one cannot waver.
It's just such a small matter, why can't it be arranged?
It's just a visit to the shipyard, right? Even if Magistrate Jiang's daughter and son-in-law wanted to stay and eat in the shed for a few days, it wouldn't be a problem at all!
Having received a definite answer, Jiang Wenqing left happily, completely forgetting that he still had two advisors working hard there.
Haha~ I don't have to lose face in front of my daughter and son-in-law anymore. It's all settled now. I'm just waiting for the willow tree to sprout new buds.
When the willows sprouted new buds, Qiu Feng led the southern craftsmen to Tongzhou Wharf.
People have just arrived and need time to adapt; they certainly won't be involved in the project right away. In addition, the work of each part needs to be re-planned and reassigned.
To achieve maximum efficiency, avoid wasting manpower, and prevent some people from being overworked while others are too idle, Qiu Cheng put a lot of thought into the fair division of labor.
After two or three days of adjustment, craftsmen from both the north and south began working together to build the ship, and the shipbuilding progress was significantly accelerated.
Before the Jiang family's daughters and sons-in-law could even come for their spring outing, the Second Prince's carriage had already left the inner city.
The second prince got off the carriage and stood in the best spot at Tongzhou Wharf, looking at the bustling scene, a surge of emotion welled up in his heart.
It will be completed in the summer. After the new ship is launched and tested, I can then prepare for going to sea.
"Your Highness, it's too sunny here. Please go to the office and rest your feet!"
Qiu Cheng had just received a new batch of timber when he received news of the Second Prince's arrival and rushed over to greet him without stopping.
"Okay, so what's going on next? Why is it so noisy?"
Qiu Cheng was sweating profusely. He didn't know either; everything was fine before he left.
"Your Highness, I'll go take a look. You should go and rest first."
Qiu Cheng dared not bring the Second Prince directly to the construction site. If anything happened to him, he would be held responsible for the death of the prince.