Chapter 1680: Exploration
In the contemporary era, firewood remained a vital resource for boiling water and cooking. The wasteland reclamation project produced a substantial amount of firewood, sufficient for their families to use for two to three months. Deciding to distribute it equally at the end of the project seemed like a practical approach.
City workers accustomed to short-term jobs might not be adept at reclamation work. Songshi, well-versed in the process, took the time to explain to Lu Qian, Liu Fu, and others the importance of overseeing the hired workers, cautioning them against injuries. Additionally, they needed to ensure that workers dug out all underground roots during reclamation, preventing potential issues with wild grass and bushes growing in the future.
Motivated and in high spirits, Liu Fu, with Lu Qian acpanying him, took charge of controlling the 40 hired workers. Taking advantage of favorable weather, they swiftly initiated the project.
Initially, they focused on cutting down trees, shrubs, and grass, piling them together for later use. After preparing the firewood, they segregated it. The remaining unwanted materials, such as grass, leaves, and miscellaneous items, were set ablaze. With the ground cleared, they proceeded to dig and clean up roots and grass.
Given the workers’ lack of farming experience, the initial days were marked by chaos and numerous issues. Fortunately, the employees, enticed by the generous salary, were willing to learn and adapt.
Collaborating with Songshi and Liu Fu, Qiao Xuan drew a map, designating an area for building a courtyard. The envisioned courtyard would include spaces for a farming room, warehouse, fruit-drying area, fruit-processing workshop, duty dormitory, and a small kitchen. Each space was to enpass around three mu of empty land.
Furthermore, since the two locations were approximately seven to eight miles apart, Qiao Xuan instructed Songshi to assess the terrain. After the cultivation was plete, she planned to construct a better road to connect the two areas. Songshi and Liu Fu duly took note of the directive.
On another front, Qiao Xuan tasked Sun Bai and Sun Qian with inquiring about peppers and star anise trees. She aimed to procure according to the demand for 10,000 mu each, acknowledging that obtaining such quantities might prove challenging. Since Yuzhang lacked these crops, she had to search for them in Anze Province. While cultivating them initially might pose a challenge, Qiao Xuan speculated that once she found the saplings, she could potentially propagate them using branches in her space, allowing for an expansion in numbers.
In the span of seven to eight days, Qiao Xuan’s recovery period concluded. In her idle moments, she strolled through the garden, observing it nonchalantly. Since the last incident involving the young master, Mrs. Guan seemed to have learned her lesson, as Qiao Xuan no longer encountered him in the garden.
After a brief reflection, Qiao Xuan asked Lixia and Liqiu, “I’ve been recuperating for the past few days, so it seems appropriate for each family to pay a visit, right?”
Understanding the significance of basic social interactions as the wife of the Prefect, Qiao Xuan, being cautious about her health, intended to visit the affluent families. Even if she couldn’t personally attend, she planned to send high-ranking maids and servants to extend her regards with invitations.
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