The Slender Waist-Chapter 581 - 417 Do Something Serious

This coal ball business was introduced by Ren Rude, and the quantity was so large that it nearly emptied the entire stock of the workshop.

It was also the largest single order that the Coal Ball Workshop in Huaxi Village had ever undertaken to date.

The mighty procession of ox-carts passed through the village road, drawing many villagers to watch.

Puyang Yi, out of curiosity, fetched two veiled hats, one for the Grand Princess and one for herself, and then led her attendants out to take a look.

The Grand Princess found everything in Huaxi Village novel.

She asked, "Are the coal balls really that useful?"

Puyang Yi gave her a glance.

"The meals and bathwater that mother uses in Yi Garden are all heated with coal balls. Clean, without any wood ash, fast, and convenient, naturally everyone likes them."

As she spoke, she also sang Feng Yun’s praises.

"You have no idea; the coal ball orders for their estate are scheduled all the way to next year. In the village, you see merchants coming from all directions every day, too busy to handle it all..."

The Grand Princess seemed contemplative.

"Winter is almost upon us. If that’s the case, why not prioritize our own use?"

Puyang Yi chuckled.

"Every day, graphite is transported down from Little Jieqiu, and Yunchuan also has a continuous supply, so mother need not worry. No matter what, we won’t run short..."

Puyang Yi was an innocent woman, her thoughts were naturally different from those of the Grand Princess.

She was wholeheartedly impressed by Feng Yun, as if she also shone with reflected glory, constantly introducing to the Grand Princess the various workshops that he had set up in the village.

The Grand Princess, however, was lost in thought, her brows gently furrowing...

Iron, graphite, salt, tea, and the like were originally procured by the Imperial Court, never falling into private hands...

Initially, upon learning that Feng Yun was mining graphite in Little Jieqiu, although she had some ideas, she thought that such a small place would be exhausted soon, merely allowing her to gain some benefits.

But she had not expected that the mineral reserves of Little Jieqiu were so rich that it was said, even if mined for twenty years, they wouldn’t be exhausted...

Especially since Feng Yun’s sales not only included graphite but also processed it into the so-called coal balls, which were sold far and wide, north and south...

-

The Coal Ball Workshop was bustling, a hive of activity.

Boxes of coal balls and coal stoves were loaded onto flatbed carts and then covered with a layer of straw mats, tightly bound.

Feng Yun appeared with a few beauties, and those shirtless, loudly shouting men immediately restrained themselves, their work becoming more serious...

Hou Zhun had just ridden out of the workshop’s main gate when he spotted the colorful figures in the crowd. With a "yup," he leaped down from his horse and walked over to Feng Yun.

"I’ve seen the mistress," he greeted with a fist and palm salute.

Feng Yun nodded in return, her eyes crinkling with amusement.

"I am indebted to General Hou for this occasion."

Hou Zhun laughed heartily, "We’ve been serving mistress for so long, aside from digging some wells and canals for the estate, we haven’t done much proper work, just feasting without labor. Having this opportunity to serve mistress, we should give our utmost effort."

Feng Yun smiled faintly, "Why be so formal? We’re all family here."

Upon hearing her mention ’family,’ Guan Wei’s expression subtly deepened in thought, while Awan was different, focusing intently on following Feng Yun, curious about how those coal balls were made, rather than paying much attention to Hou Zhun...

Hou Zhun glanced at the coal transport army and turned back to ask Feng Yun.

"Taking away so many people, will it delay the farm work, mistress?"

Feng Yun replied, "The farm work is not a concern; there’s enough manpower in the estate. As winter is approaching, we can’t delay the coal balls; they must be delivered quickly to those who need them."

Upon hearing this, Hou Zhun felt a great responsibility weigh upon his shoulders.

"Hou will not fail the mistress’s trust."

An attendant brought over a horse, and just as Hou Zhun was about to mount, Ren Rude arrived, panting with exertion.

Dressed in a scholar’s robe, he looked every bit the teacher, but the Jin Ge and two other attendants following him had stern faces that showed they were not to be trifled with.

Hou Zhun paused his stride, sweeping past Ren Rude’s face to glance at Jin Ge.

Jin Ge was looking at him as well.

Both had served in the Qi Army and shared an aura peculiar to their kind; just a brief exchange of looks was enough for them to understand each other.

Hou Zhun, not fully aware of Ren Rude’s circumstances, subconsciously felt that Jin Ge had come from the Qi Army.

He looked back at Feng Yun.

But he saw her chatting with Ren Rude, seemingly unworried, her demeanor light and easy, so he swallowed his words...

In Huaxi Village’s territory, what could ever happen that mistress wasn’t in control of?

Even if people from Nanqi had infiltrated, Feng Yun must already have calculated her moves...

This was the first meeting between Ren Rude and Hou Zhun.

Feng Yun called to Hou Zhun, "This is Mr. Ren. He will be accompanying you on your journey, discuss with him on the way, and act as you see fit."

Hou Zhun gave a bow, "Mr. Ren’s reputation precedes him like thunder..."

Ren Rude also returned the courtesy with formal politeness.

"General, you are too kind, too kind. It is I who should be saying such words..."

The two were very modest, complimenting each other for a while.

With concern, Ren Rude said, "I heard the other day that General Hou’s family will be coming over from Jiangxia?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Hou Zhun smiled and replied, "That’s right. I’m grateful to my wife for her assistance. With the help of the Feng Family, I could finally fulfill this wish. However, the journey is long, and as my elderly mother is not in good health and cannot travel by boat, I’m afraid it may not be until the end of next month that they will arrive at Huaxi Village..."

Ren Rude also smiled, "I don’t have much, but I have many friends. If there are any issues along the way, General Hou, just let me know..."

Hou Zhun expressed his gratitude with repeated bows.

"Certainly, certainly. I will surely need to impose on Mr. Ren."

The two exchanged pleasantries, cordial in speech, each as shrewd as the other in mind.

Feng Yun watched them talk with a slight smile. As the conversation drifted to the customs, scenery, and cuisine of Tai City...

A complex emotion flickered in her eyes.

Tai City.

She too wished to return for a visit...

But it wasn’t time yet.

"I hope this business venture goes smoothly..."

With that, she was a step closer to her return to Tai City.

-

The coal delivery team didn’t set out until an hour later.

Feng Yun watched their figures disappear down the village road before withdrawing her gaze.

"Let’s go back."

The attendants voiced their assent.

Feng Yun took a few steps, then suddenly turned around as if she had remembered something, looking at them.

"What are your thoughts on following and witnessing all this?"

Wen Hui laughed and said, "Truth be told, if I were not following my lady, I would not believe what I am seeing is real... The transformation of Huaxi Village is truly immense."

It hadn’t been that long since she last visited, but the village was changing every day. The Coal Ball Workshop, in particular, had completely changed into something she no longer recognized, as if it were her first visit.

The row of residences looked like barracks in the army, one row after another. Here along with the mines, they housed a population of over a thousand people...

"My lady is truly remarkable."

Wen Hui was both moved and proud.

"Now when I am outside, claiming to be from Changmen, who dares to look down on me even a little bit? All of us, we truly rely on my lady’s influence."

She was able to hold her head high in her husband’s family because of the prestige of Changmen.

Wen Hui understood this clearly.

Guan Wei and Awan also understood this very clearly.

Feng Yun, seeing the admiration on their faces, smiled faintly.

"Why the sullen faces? When you get married one day, I will make sure it is done splendidly..."

Awan shyly said, "My lady, don’t make fun of me. Who would want to marry someone like me..."

Feng Yun raised an eyebrow, "Why not? There’s a long line of suitors. Plenty indeed. But we need to choose carefully, no need to rush..."

Awan’s face turned red with embarrassment at her words.

Guan Wei, however, looked somewhat disheartened.

"I don’t want to get married; I am content to stay with my lady."

Feng Yun looked into her face, clearly discontent, yet claiming to be content.

"My lady," Guan Wei suddenly said earnestly, "next time we travel far for a delivery, may I also... help lighten my lady’s worries?"

She knew some archery, something Feng Yun had always known.

But no one on the estate had ever seen her practice, and her usual attire and demeanor were that of a proper, virtuous woman, never engaging in any talk of combat.

Guan Wei’s request came as quite a surprise to Feng Yun.

Could it be because of Hou Zhun?

Feng Yun said, "Traveling far for deliveries is not easy. Sleeping under the stars is one thing, but there’s also the risk of encountering bandits..."

Guan Wei bit her lip slightly and shook her head, "I’m not afraid. I want to do some real work, just like my lady and Wen Hui..."

Feng Yun smiled, "Alright. If there’s an opportunity next time, I will let you join us."

Guan Wei bowed in thanks and followed Feng Yun toward the estate, though her eyes kept glancing back, gazing down the distant official road...