CHAPTER 175: CHAPTER 173 CONFIDENCE

Tian Chengyou was somewhat surprised, and hurriedly went over with Chen Yongyi to pay their respects.

Chang An smiled and said, "You’ve had a hard journey. Our General has instructed me to prepare food and accommodation for you. Later, I will take you to see the blacksmith shop."

Tian Chengyou knew that this arrangement by General Song was looking at the Chen Family Village, but to be able to bring him along was a huge honor.

Chang An led them to a courtyard. Although the courtyard was simple, the Tian Family Trading Team’s carriages and goods could all be brought in, making it convenient for everyone to rest and guard their goods.

Chang An said, "Master has instructed the government office to find a few places inside and outside the city. In the future, any trading team coming and going can rest here. Food and supplies for the trading teams can be bought here at the same price as in the outside markets."

As he spoke, a shop assistant stepped forward to help the Tian Family Trading Team settle in.

Tian Chengyou took a look around the courtyard and found that it indeed had everything the trading team needed. If their carriages or horses sustained any damage on the road, they could be repaired here.

Chang An pointed to an empty house nearby and said to Chen Yongyi, "The master has said that the place can be used to sell medicinal herbs, and the Official Medicine Bureau will be invited to set up shop there."

Upon hearing this, Tian Chengyou’s heart stirred. This truly was a good opportunity. With a place like this provided by the government, once the finished medicine was recognized, wouldn’t Miss Xie’s medicine be able to be sold here?

The more Tian Chengyou thought about it, the happier he was. But looking at how casually Chang An mentioned the Official Medicine Bureau, it didn’t seem like there was much thought behind it. He wondered if this path could indeed work?

Once he returned from this trade journey and personally tested the finished medicine, Miss Xie would have some evidence. Perhaps General Song would agree to smoothly introduce the medicine here.

Chang An was in no hurry to leave, and they all shared a meal together. Chen Yongyi eagerly said, "I brought several finished wind boxes, and will take them to the blacksmith shop tomorrow. We’ll also stay here for a while, renting a courtyard to leave a few people specifically for making wind boxes. These wind boxes aren’t just for the blacksmith shops, they can also be used in restaurants and homes."

After that, he planned to set off to Xingzhou to transport iron ore back, hoping to earn some silver coins before the spring plowing to exchange for more farming tools.

Chang An continued to converse with Chen Yongyi, "We’ve been out for a while now, how is the Chen Family Village? Last time we celebrated the New Year together in the village, the ’brothers’ often speak of the village, how is everything there?"

The "brothers" Chang An mentioned refer to the Song Family’s Household General.

This remark made Chen Yongyi blush. When he first joined the army, he would envy the sight of the Song Family Army for a long time; they were the most formidable troops in the North.

He never imagined that not only would he celebrate New Year with the Song Family Army, but he would also hear Lord Chang address him so familiarly.

Chen Yongyi said, "Everything’s quite well. Recently, we’ve been busy making medicine, wind boxes, and textiles."

Chang An acknowledged, continuing to accompany Chen Yongyi while drinking water.

Chen Yongyi had heard his second sister-in-law, Mrs. Gao, mention before that Chang An especially liked drinking water, and that night he witnessed it for himself.

As the Tian Family Trading Team gradually settled down to sleep, Chen Yongyi finally said, "It’s getting late, Lord Chang should return!"

After saying this, Chen Yongyi remembered something and hurried into the house to fetch a package, "Zigeng asked me to deliver this to General Song."

Chang An breathed a sigh of relief. He had almost reached his limit that night, and without these items, he wouldn’t know how to go back.

Chen Yongyi said, "These are just some small items, concocted by Zigeng at the Familiar Medicine Institute. Knowing we’d be traveling a long way, he boiled the pear paste into blocks. When General Song is out, he only needs to dissolve them to use, but shouldn’t consume too much in a day. If his stomach feels uncomfortable or if he eats cold food, he shouldn’t take it."

Chang An felt even more grounded; it was surely Mr. Chen helping Miss Xie in making it. Miss Xie was even worried about Mr. Chen eating something bad, specifically instructing Uncle Chen to give some advice.

But Uncle Chen was indeed patient; until now, he’d handed over the package. Chang An held onto the package as if it were a treasure, saying, "Uncle Chen, rest up. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to the blacksmith shop."

When he heard himself being addressed as Uncle Chen, Chen Yongyi’s heart skipped a beat once again. Why was Chang An treating him so familiarly? He was momentarily at a loss for words.

After seeing Chang An off, Chen Yongyi lay on the kang, looking at the snoring teenagers around him. This time, coming out from Zhenzhou truly was an eye-opener for them.

Chang An took the items to the military camp for Song Xian.

Song Xian looked at the blocks of pear paste in the package, neatly wrapped in oil paper, placed in a small woven bamboo basket. It was a pity the basket couldn’t be worn, or he would have hung it at his waist to eat a piece when he wasn’t feeling good.

Chang An wanted to remind the master, noticing that quite some time had passed and several deputy generals were still waiting outside.

Song Xian got up to wash his hands, then took one piece and put it in his mouth.

Chang An internally clicked his tongue again; the master’s meticulous appearance was as if he was about to receive an imperial decree.

With the sweetness in his mouth, Song Xian felt completely at ease, and looked up to instruct Chang An, "Let them in."

Taking advantage of the master’s good mood, Chang An arranged to let in the deputy generals with the most vexing issues first.

On the second day, Chang An took Chen Yongyi to the blacksmith shop. Chen Yongyi fitted the wind box he had and then started pushing and pulling. The flames in the blacksmith’s furnace gradually grew stronger and more intense.

Initially, the blacksmith and the assistants did not have high hopes for this wooden box, but now they were all dumbfounded.

After spending the whole morning visiting three blacksmith shops, Chen Yongyi gradually gained confidence. He looked over at Chen Chuchu and said, "After today, find a courtyard in the city, hire craftsmen to teach how to make wind boxes. We’ll pay them wages, but each must commit to work for at least a year."

Chen Yongyi patted Chen Chuchu as he spoke, "You need to learn well. After some time, when I return to Chen Family Village, this will be handed over to you."

Chen Chuchu was a bit worried, "Uncle, once the wind boxes are made, others might learn the process. Won’t blacksmith shops stop buying from us then?"

Chen Yongyi had already considered this issue and had discussed it with Liangchen before leaving. What had Liangchen told him?

Chen Yongyi said, "We’ve spent an entire winter perfecting these wind boxes. We’re not charging much, and the value is genuine. If someone makes them better or sells them cheaper, it’s our own lack of skill, and we can’t blame others.

Moreover, we can’t make that many. Isn’t it fair for others to make money too? More makers mean better sales, and wind boxes become more useful. It’s the same logic as selling medicinal herbs. Your sister said not to hide a good thing; good objects must be shared.’

Chen Chuchu nodded, "Uncle, I understand."

Chen Yongyi was eager to conclude matters here soon; he still needed to lead a team to Xingzhou to inspect the iron ore, transporting it back to Zhaozhou and Zhenzhou.

...

After five days, Chen Yongyi finally sent word back to Chen Family Village.

Chen Yongsheng breathed a sigh of relief. The first step for Chen Family Village needed to be solid and steady. The craft taken by Chen Yongyi and the skills of Chuchu were the best, and as the village’s oldest youth, he naturally was the best choice to take over these tasks.

Chen Yongyi’s wife and Chuchu’s mother were overjoyed. Chuchu’s mother hadn’t expected her son would quickly start contributing to the village’s work.

Everyone quickly gathered to light a fire for cooking, ready to celebrate together.

Chen Yongsheng instructed Chen Yuyu, "Run over to the village entrance and see why your sister, Mr. Xu, and the others haven’t returned yet?"

Chen Yuyu responded and was about to head out when she saw Hei Dan hurriedly running back.

Hei Dan shouted as he ran, "Dad, Mom, Auntie! We need... two sets of clothes. Sister and Mr. Xu... encountered a sick person outside, it might be an epidemic."