Ch. 161..165: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 161-165

Chapter 161: Chapter 161: Showcasing Skills (4)_1

To tell or not to tell? Lin Ziyin knew that voicing her conditions would make Chu Suifeng even more curious about her. But in fact, she wanted to use her expertise to serve her land even more.

"I can tell the prince a method to prevent iron from rusting," Lin Ziyin responded, "and I also propose to improve the sharpness and hardness of weapons."

"Can you really?" Not Chu Suifeng, but the sinister Si Jinhan was the most excited. "You know what happens if you deceive the prince and Lord."

"Third Master," Lin Ziyin was also angry, "I am not so scheming. As a woman, I don’t have much interest in war. If I hadn’t been born in Feng City, my family wasn’t in Feng City, I would never tell you this secret."

"What do you want?" Chu Suifeng, who had dealt with Lin Ziyin a few times, was used to discussing terms with her first, "I hope the prince can provide me with some parts when I need them."

"Okay." Chu Suifeng agreed very simply. This deal was very cost-effective, as long as this girl wants it, his Tianji Building can get the blueprints, and he will benefit from it.

"I trust the prince’s promise." Lin Ziyin breathed a sigh of relief. Chu Suifeng knew what to do without her reminder. Such as keeping a secret for her and ensuring her family’s safety.

There are people who, by virtue of their own weight, deserve others’ attention. Currently, she, Lin Ziyin, counted as such, at least in Chu Suifeng’s eyes.

"Find a charcoal pencil for her," Chu Suifeng instructed the guard standing outside.

After a short while, both the charcoal pencil and paper were found.

Lin Ziyin picked up the pencil and began to write, "Coating the surface of weapons with chromate or dichromate can prevent rusting..."

Si Jinhan stood by her side watching intently, while Chu Suifeng seemed much more composed. But his right hand was lightly tapping on the palm of his left hand, revealing his true feelings at the moment.

"Prince, please," Lin Ziyin wrote quite a lot of content and then handed it to Chu Suifeng.

"Pollution?" Chu Suifeng read it through and then asked her staring blankly.

"Yes, chromate is a substance. If the Prince improperly discharges it during the smelting process, it will cause pollution, meaning the place where it is discharged can’t grow crops. If people accidentally drink polluted water, it will cause death in the long run," Lin Ziyin gave him a brief lesson on the subject. "Other metals are even worse."

"Does it require a higher temperature than iron smelting?"

"Yes."

After hearing this Chu Suifeng was silent for a while, "List the things you need."

"Thank you, Prince," Lin Ziyin breathed a sigh of relief and quickly drew some rough sketches on the blueprints, then marked the measurements.

"What are these for?" Si Jinhan looked at the sketches for a while but couldn’t make out what they were.

Of course, Lin Ziyin wouldn’t tell him what the parts she requested were for. She pretended to be indifferent and looked at Chu Suifeng, "Prince, may I return home now?"

"Take her away. The things you want will be sent to you in a few days," Chu Suifeng said.

"Thank you, Prince," Lin Ziyin was very pleased.

She returned just as she had come.

Lin Changshu was all keyed up in the Si residence, even though Si Demeng was very friendly, he was still worried sick.

Until he saw Lin Ziyin returned safe and sound, his eyes moistened. The loving brother, who cared for his sister, was so moved that he nearly shed tears in public.

"As the Lord said, I have brought her back unharmed," said Si Jinhan with a smug smile.

Chapter 162: Chapter 162: Showcasing Skills (5)_1

"Miss, are you planning to open a private restaurant?" the Madam asked in delight, "The dishes you prepared today were unique; our matron had quite a bit."

"Delicious." Tingwei commended.

"If a Vegetarian Feast will be opened, we could frequent that." the Lady said with a smile.

"Thank you, Madams. The masters of Ding’an Temple have been generous, allowing me to create the menu while the Prince and the temple provide the ingredients and the premises. We plan to jointly open a private Vegetarian restaurant. If the Madams are interested, you could taste when you make a pilgrimage to the temple." Lin Ziyin replied respectfully.

She was careful not to blow her own trumpet, neither did she belittle herself.

"The Vegetarian Feast sounds great, today’s vegetarian courses were particularly delectable," the matron chuckled heartily.

"Since it’s so good, the matron should not eat for free," the Lady chuckled, attempting to earn merit for Lin Ziyin.

"Even without you saying, matron definitely will not be stingy," the Second Wife joked.

"To give or not, it would actually seem petty of this old woman," the matron agreed with laughter, "Go, bring out the box."

"Yes, matron," a servant agreed before entering the room.

"Since matron is rewarding, we should not be left out either," the Madam began again.

"Of course, it was already our fault that we let the guest into the kitchen. If we let the guests leave empty-handed, it would show us to be stingy," the Third Wife chimed in, amused, "Go to my room and fetch that set of red gold headgear."

She then murmured something in the servant’s ear, and the servant giggled before leaving.

The other women quickly sent their reliable maids to fetch gifts as well.

Just within a while, Lin Ziyin’s hands were full with boxes, all of which she thanked for one by one.

She did not refuse any of the gifts, she understood that one should not refuse the elders’ bestowing, moreover, the Si Family was quite affluent, they said she was a guest, essentially an effort to save face. Frankly, in their eyes, she was just a low-class country girl.

"It’s getting late, let Si Si see you siblings off," Si Jinhan commanded.

"This old woman likes you, girl. If you ever come to town, you must visit this old woman at the Residence," the matron told Lin Ziyin remorsefully.

"Pretty sister must visit often," Tingwei earnestly reminded her, "When the matron was hosting, you hadn’t had dinner before you left."

"Look, even the boy is embarrassed," the matron said, looking guilty.

"We siblings are infinitely grateful for the kindness the matron and all the wives have shown to us. The matron prepared a sumptuous meal for us in the kitchen, I believe, when my brother gets back home, he will be showing off." Lin Ziyin replied politely, she cleverly diverted the topic.

The Si family was hosting, and as the head of their family, Lin Changshu was satisfied with the meal, naturally their negligence towards the siblings could not be accounted for.

"Alright, you may go," after sitting for little more, Lin Ziyin and Lin Changshu left the courtyard under the matron’s reluctant gaze.

"You sure know how to win hearts," comment Si Jinhan, who was seeing them off, had started being picky.

"The matron is kind and benevolent, as the matron’s grandson, Third Prince, what possible dissatisfaction could you have?" Lin Ziyin evaded the question smartly.

"You naughty girl, trying to trick me into an argument again," Si Jinhan gave her a stare. Look, there were so many servants on the road, if word of his dissatisfaction went around and reached the matron’s ears, he might not have good days in the time to come.

Lin Ziyin didn’t want to bother with his incessant chatter. Lin Changshu was more dissatisfied with him. In the eyes of Lin Changshu, Si Jinhan was basically persona non grata and a person who’d want to stay away from forever.

Chapter 163: Chapter 163: Showcasing Skills (6)_1

It was only when the siblings settled themselves into the horse carriage and began to depart that they both heaved a sigh of relief.

"In the future, try to stay home as much as possible, and don’t venture out." Lin Changshu admonished her.

"Of course, even if they bound us with ropes next time, I wouldn’t come." Lin Ziyin replied with a chuckle, aware of the terror they had experienced that day.

The fright wasn’t confined to Lin Changshu, the family members left at home were likewise filled with anxiety and worry.

"The sun is about to set, why aren’t they back yet?" Lin Zige and Guo Huiniang stood at the entrance of their home, stretching their necks to scan the distance.

"They are adults, they know what they’re doing, so you don’t need to overthink." The patriarch assured them with a glance.

Nevertheless, his heart was in turmoil throughout the entire day too.

Just what kind of a family the Si family was, and how the two youngsters who had grown up in a rural setting would fare spending a day amidst them, were worries that plagued him. Would they offend anyone significant?

"Could big sister and big brother be staying in the city overnight?" Changting asked naively while staring at the path leading to the village entrance.

"They won’t. They will definitely come back. " Wu Dayou replied assuredly.

"They are back!" At the mention of this, Zige leaped with joy.

Everyone looked into the distance and indeed, noted the Si Family’s carriage approaching. The Lin family was familiar with the distinctive symbol on their carriage, owing to their frequent trade trips to the village.

"There’s another horse carriage following." Changting noted with surprise.

Indeed, there was another carriage following the one belonging to the Si family.

"Changting, Yanzhi." As soon as the carriage halted, Lin Changshu and Lin Ziyin alighted. Spotting two familiar faces rushing towards her, Ziyin happily reached out to them one hand each.

"Miss Lin, where should we arrange these items in the carriage? The household heads wanted us to bring these back for you." Si Si asked for instructions.

Lin Ziyin had noticed the extra carriage and guessed it was likely gifts from the Si family to their family. Therefore, she was not surprised, but Lin Changshu was utterly astonished, "The old lady and others have already given their gifts, how come there are still more?"

"The items we brought are gifts from the master and mistress to Miss Lin for her hospitality and the excellent food she prepared today. These items in the carriage are gratitude offerings from members of the Si family to Master Lin and Miss Lin for saving the young master." Si Si answered respectfully.

"Just bring them inside." Lin Ziyin, who didn’t want to be treated like a showpiece, instructed, noticing villagers who had heard of the commotion and started to gather around and look.

Ziyin had no liking for this sort of attention.

"Cui Da, Li Family, hurry up and help move the items from the carriage into the courtyard."she added.

The gifts sent by the Si family were very extravagant, coming in a large variety. Everything sent was the best of its kind - whether to be eaten or used.

The villagers were awestruck upon seeing the gifts; the older generation had been right - provide assistance to a wealthy friend in need and prosperity would come quickly.

Given how highly the Si family regarded the Lin family, the Lin family would prosper even if they didn’t wish to.

"Miss Lin, we’ll take our leave now." Once the carriage was empty, Si Si left with the two carriages.

"What happened in the city?" Zige finally had the opportunity to pull Lin Ziyin aside and ask.

"Everything went well. The lady and mistress of the Si family are quite kind. I even had the chance to discuss secret recipes with the Prince." Lin Ziyin replied.

"Discussing recipes with the Prince?" Zige was taken aback. How could the noble Prince be discussing matters with Ziyin?

"Because of the Ding’an Temple, we need some rare ingredients for the secret recipes, so the Prince asked me a few extra questions." Lin Ziyin explained.

Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Showcasing Skills (7)_1

"So that’s how it is." Zige suddenly understood.

"How is that little rascal so lucky." In the Ma Family house, Mrs. Yan knew about Lin Ziyin’s trip to the city. She watched the gifts being sent to the Lin Family from afar and was so envious that her eyes practically turned red. "Zhicai, you must try harder. Lin Zige is now useful to you. If you are discontented with her, endure it. Once you become an official in the future, you can marry as many women as you please."

"Enough, if someone hears these words, it will ruin the good fortunes of our son," Mr. Ma admonished immediately after hearing Mrs. Yan’s words.

"Mother, disaster comes from the mouth,please speak less and refrain from gossiping with the women in the village," Ma Zhicai was even more displeased. Ever since he suffered a loss at Lin Zige’s place, his heart had been in turmoil.

Perhaps Lin Zige had indeed changed her mind.

It wouldn’t be easy to win back a woman who had changed her heart, so what could he do? He was unwilling to give up the meat that was at his lips. Many scholars in the world want to take a shortcut to becoming officials, but those shortcuts are few and far between. Now, an opportunity was right in front of him, and he wouldn’t be foolish enough to let it go.

"Mother, in a few days, go to my uncle’s house and bring their cousin here," Ma Zhicai suddenly suggested.

"Why should we bring them here?" Mrs. Yan asked displeasedly. Although they were her nieces, having them visit would surely require her to provide for their meals and drinks, which she could not afford.

"Isn’t Lin Zige engaged to Wu Dayou? If Wu Dayou has a change of heart, do you think the Lin Family would still want this marriage?" Ma Zhicai asked with a ferocious smile.

"What are you planning?" Mrs. Yan asked, surprised.

"Just do as Zhicai says. Why are you prying?" Mr. Ma thought Ma Zhicai’s idea was good. A real man doesn’t sweat the small stuff, and with such quick thinking, he wouldn’t lose out even if he became an official in the future.

"We will go in a few days," Mrs. Yan agreed.

Though the Lin Family had become wealthy, and the village was undoubtedly envious, the villagers were contented with their current lives, assisting the Lin Family in developing uncultivated land. The Lin family announced that the wages would be settled every ten days. Thinking about the daily income of a family, many villagers were all smiles even in their dreams.

Everyone genuinely wished the Lin Family could reclaim more uncultivated land so that they wouldn’t have to leave the village to earn money.

However, the Lin family’s decision soon instilled a sense of crisis.

"The cows are easy to handle." The old man said happily.

The cows were rotated to work in the uncultivated land while the children in the family cut grass for them in the evening, which was very convenient.

The Lin Family were not harsh landlords who worked their laborers to death. For children under ten, the old man didn’t ask them to do anything. Only the children who were eleven or twelve helped with tasks that were within their abilities.

The people from Cui Da’s family were grateful to their new master, so they worked even harder. However, they sometimes felt a little guilty.

The seven cows bought by the Lin Family finally provided an opportunity for the children to be useful.

There were five children under ten in the family. With the exception of the youngest who was only three years old, most of them were eight or nine, and they fought to go out with the older children every day to cut fresh grass to feed the cows.

"Grandpa, what do you think about hiring workers from the market?" Lin Ziyin asked at a good time, noting that if they had more people, they could reclaim more uncultivated land. After the harsh summer sun, it can be used next spring. As for the uncultivated land along the Heihe River, Lin Ziyin planned to use them in some days.

"Sure, let your brother and Dayou go to the market to hire workers tomorrow," replied the old man.

"What if they ask to be paid according to the acreage?" Lin Changshu asked uncertainly. He didn’t blame him for his doubts. The villagers were closer to the wasteland, so it was understandable for a family to go there to dig a hole. But would it be inconvenient for people from other villages to come?

"If they are willing, it is possible," Lin Ziyin responded.

After discussing, the next early morning, Lin Changshu and Wu Dayou got up early and took their own carts to the market.

Since it was summer and the crops in the field hadn’t matured, there were many strong young men looking for work at the market.

Lin Changshu used to be one of these men.

Many of the workers had greeted him as he arrived.

"You young man, why are you only coming now, we haven’t seen you for a long time." A man came up and friendly slapped Lin Changshu’s shoulder.

When Lin Changshu turned his head, he found that the man was from Guo Huiniang’s village, a former working colleague with whom he had a relatively good relationship. He had not expected this man to still remember him, and felt touched, "The weather is too hot, and it’s not easy to find work or to do it."

Before Lin Changshu could answer, another dark-skinned man interjected.

"Today, I am not here to find work. I am here to recruit workers for my home," Lin Changshu awkwardly replied.

"Really? You’re wealthy now?" the dark-skinned man shouted in surprise, his eyes wide. They all used to work together, so they knew very well about the previous conditions of the Lin Family. They didn’t expect that in such a short time, the Lin Family had come to recruit workers.

"What kind of work? Changshu, do you think we brothers are capable?" The first man who spoke was smart and self-nominated as soon as Lin Changshu finished speaking, "You’ve been with us brothers for a while, you should know that we earn our money from hard work. We definitely won’t be lazy or cheat."

"Actually, I’m here to recruit workers for my sister." Faced with the familiar people, Lin Changshu didn’t make an impulsive promise but chose to say it straight out, "It’s for clearing the wastelands. Daily wages are twenty-five copper coins, meals are not included, and if calculated by acre, it is fifty-two copper coins per acre."

The wages were not low! As soon as Lin Changshu finished speaking, all the surrounding men who heard his words were moved.

 

Chapter 165: Chapter 165: Instant Fame (1)_1

"Is it that no matter how many of us are there, as long as we meet the acreage requirement?" Someone asked.

"That’s right, you can have as many people as you want as long as you meet the requirement." Wu Dayou answered.

Good deal! Many people were secretly delighted. If this were the case, those idle at home could also join in to earn some silver. After all, it was the summer, there wasn’t much to do at home anyway.

"Count me in."

"I’m signing up too."

...

"Stand still, everyone. Let me count how many we have." Lin Changshu ordered.

Upon hearing, everyone fell silent and stood still, waiting for him to tally the numbers.

They were all people who had worked together before. Everyone knew each other’s character well. In the end, Lin Changshu picked about twenty people.

"Why won’t you take us?" A muscular man asked discontentedly.

"Sorry, Brother Geda, we’re fully staffed." Lin Changshu replied with an apologetic smile, being especially careful. The man before him was an unspoken leader among the laborers in the market. He had consistently been domineering, always scooping up the easiest tasks, and had a lazy work ethic. People privately complained about him all the time.

He was exceptionally well-built. His muscles were firm like iron nodules. His surname was Zhou, but everyone just called him ’Old Nodule’. Even his real name seemed to have been long forgotten.

With such a tricky figure, Lin Changshu naturally didn’t dare to invite him to his home. Not to mention that those surrounding Old Nodule weren’t exactly trustworthy either. They had always been his underlings, often bullying others.

A bunch of scoundrels. Lin Changshu didn’t want any of them.

"Full? Just a few of us make the difference?" Old Nodule sneered at Lin Changshu.

Although Lin Changshu felt a bit nervous inside, Wu Dayou was undeterred. In terms of physique, he hunted in the mountains all year round and was no weaker than Old Nodule. In terms of reason, they were in the right. If things really got out of hand, they could always resort to the nearby government offices.

"What, you want to force us to take you all in? We only have so much labor cost. If you want to work for free, feel free." Wu Dayou retorted without holding anything back.

"Old Nodule, haven’t you folks already found work? Why are you still here trying to snatch ours?" A tall, dark man questioned in dissatisfaction.

"None of your business." Old Nodule glared disdainfully at him. Speaking of the job they had secured, it was actually a back-breaking chore. With so few available heavy-duty assignments, the pay was measly. It was nowhere near as good as what Lin Dayou was offering. "The young master has managed to employ so many people, even a few more like us shouldn’t be a problem."

Lin Changshu looked at him anxiously, caught between a rock and a hard place. He wanted to avoid further complications, but he also didn’t want to offend Old Nodule and his gang.

"Young Master." Yu Shaohui silently approached Lin Changshu.

As a martial artist, his body was robust. Even though he appeared somewhat thin, his forehead tattoo was not fake.

The sudden appearance of an ex-convict from Lin’s family, in broad daylight in front of everybody, made people from Old Nodule’s side somewhat nervous.

"Young Master, the process of hiring has been long, I’m afraid you’re tired. Shall I find a large stone for you to sit and rest?" He said, then walked to the side, picked up a large rock and moved it over. He then gently placed it in front of Lin Changshu, "Young Master, shall I get you another one?"

"No need, we have all the people we need. We can leave now." Wu Dayou said straight to the point.

"Young Master, do you still need this stone?" Yu Shaohui asked Lin Changshu again.

"No."

"It seems to be in the way here, I will move it away." After saying this, Yu Shaohui lightly kicked it. The large stone returned to its original position. After the kick, he didn’t even look at Old Nodule on the other side but respectfully asked Lin Changshu, "Young Master, now that we are leaving, may I go and hitch up the ox-cart?"