Chapter 1020: Chapter 1018: So Angry

Qi Younian listened to the craftsmen’s words and couldn’t close his mouth from smiling. Isn’t that true, having some grand tales to share in his old age is proof that he didn’t live in vain.

He nodded eagerly: “We’ve got it, we’ve got it all. I’ll make sure you all have something to boast about in your old age. This wine was originally a reward from His Majesty for your hard work this year, so everyone can drink, and nobody will be left out.”

Qiu Runsheng couldn’t help but laugh and scold, “Look at your lack of prospects, as if the owner would actually lack anything for you?”

Qiu Runsheng’s words made no mistake, and all the surrounding craftsmen nodded in agreement.

They were the lucky ones, being the earliest batch to secure a place in the Qi Family Mechanical Workshop.

Nowadays, craftsmen in the world are divided into two types. One is the craftsmen employed by the Qi family, and all craftsmen outside the Qi family are of another type.

Working for the Qi family, craftsmen not only learn exquisite skills, but the owner truly does not lack anything for them. They have everything that they need. Things that other families don’t have, we can have.

The preparations for the New Year’s gathering feast began a day in advance, so when it was time to start, the dishes were served one after another without much effort.

Ye Xinyan is already married, and even has a little one to look after. She came today mainly to settle the affairs on the last day before the New Year. As for the occasion where craftsmen gather to eat meat and drink wine, it was unsuitable for her.

Therefore, she had already withdrawn earlier than others, half a day in advance, to take her vacation.

During the winter here, there’s hardly any vegetables, at most winter-stored cabbage, commonly known as cabbage, as well as some soybean sprouts, mung bean sprouts, and rehydrated dried mushrooms as vegetable dishes.

The main focus of the feast is the fish and meat that everyone loves. Steamed meatballs, braised pork, sticky rice lamb chops, yellow braised chicken pieces, steamed fish, pork belly with preserved vegetables, roasted lamb leg, etc., were all big dishes.

There was also a large plate of the Qi family’s exclusive braised beef. This braised beef is precious, as cattle are important auxiliary labor in farming, and ordinary families can’t buy it even with silver.

Additionally, everyone received a portion of cheesy veal, which was considered a luxury for common folk.

Whether or not the craftsmen could get used to cheese was not important. What mattered was that the craftsmen at the Qi Family Mechanical Workshop would enjoy a feast for New Year’s, with dishes that only affluent families could afford.

Are you envious or not?

The two jars of Imperial Osmanthus Wine weren’t tasted as the craftsmen proposed but were instead poured into jugs by the kitchen helpers and placed on the table for everyone to drink freely.

With the rich dishes and the day’s exciting events, the craftsmen were so enthusiastic they felt like they could drink endlessly without getting drunk.

…

They say information exchange was underdeveloped in ancient times, referring to Jiangnan’s news, which couldn’t reach the far north within less than six months.

Within a region, however, the spread of information was even faster and more detailed than in modern society.

Moreover, people in ancient times had their own circles, and the craftsmanship sector in the capital had its own social circle.

On the twenty-seventh day of the New Year, the craftsmen at the Qi Family Mechanical Workshop feasted with an incredibly rich New Year’s banquet and drank wine bestowed by the Imperial palace. During the days surrounding the New Year, as craftsmen visited relatives and friends, they spread this incident far and wide.

Regarding this matter, craftsmen felt both envy and jealousy. They wondered: What were these people growing up on? How could they be so lucky?

These folks not only earned much better wages than craftsmen elsewhere but also learned skills.

The grand craftsmen at the Qi Family Workshop did their work openly and never behind closed doors.

If you have the will and the ability, you can watch and learn. Even if someone doesn’t do well, the grand craftsman might give you a tip or two, which is beneficial for a lifetime.

Furthermore, the Qi family paid high wages to the craftsmen, and after they completed their tasks, there was something called…? Oh yes, the Technology Achievement Award, which meant there was more silver to be gained.

Just ask you craftsmen, don’t you wish the owner’s matters would succeed a bit earlier?

The most astounding thing was that even the Emperor, the high and mighty Son of Heaven, turned his attention to the Qi Family Mechanical Workshop and the craftsmen there.

Craftsmen who relied on their hands for generations could actually drink the Imperial Wine bestowed by the Emperor. What a grand favor this was? Such glory could be recounted for a lifetime, yet descendants and those around wouldn’t tire of listening.

There was also the plaque of “Exquisite Craftsmanship” bestowed by the Emperor. With this title, craftsmen in the mechanical workshop stood higher among peers.

This New Year, the Qi Family Mechanical Workshop and the Construction Industry were once again pushed to the top position by the craftsmen. Getting a job with the Qi family became the ultimate goal for craftsmen.

…

On the fifth day of the New Year, Prince Yu’s Mansion invited Mr. and Mrs. Jiang Yifan to bring their daughter Ah Xiu for a visit to the mansion.

Jiang Yifan held the invitation from Prince Yu’s Mansion, frowning at the two characters “Ah Xiu” specifically written on the card. What was Jinrong up to? Why did it feel like this so-called family feast at the mansion had Ah Xiu as the main guest, and he and his wife were just brought along in utter helplessness?

Jinrong kept thinking about his daughter’s situation. Can’t he distinguish between a biological father and a godfather?

Jiang Yifan was extremely displeased, but since it was a proper invitation from His Highness Prince Yu, and not a large banquet but rather a small gathering of two closely related families, they couldn’t really find an excuse not to go.

So on the fifth day of the New Year, Mr. and Mrs. Jiang Yifan carried Ah Xiu, accompanied by a few maidservants and old women servants, to Prince Yu’s Mansion.

The carriage stopped only after entering the inner gate of Prince Yu’s Mansion. As soon as Mr. and Mrs. Jiang Yifan got off, they saw Uncle Wan personally coming to greet them, prompting them to quickly salute him.

After Uncle Wan returned the courtesy, without delay in the cold weather, he chatted while guiding the couple to the inner hall of Prince Yu’s Mansion.

The maidservant guarding outside lifted the curtain, and as the group stepped inside, the warm atmosphere of the hall greeted them.

Seemingly specially arranged for receiving Ah Xiu, the inner hall, usually used for hosting guests in the inner residence, was arranged casually and relaxed. The tables and chairs were of comfortable types, and the seats were cushioned with armrests and curved back chairs.

On one side, there was a wide low bed arranged with thick soft padding, seemingly prepared for children.

As soon as Jiang Yifan and the others entered the room, Jinrong came over. He waved to Jiang Yifan to exempt him from greeting and turned his gaze toward Ye Xinyan’s arms: “Is Ah Xiu awake? In this freezing weather, wrapped tightly all the way, it’s easy for a child to get sleepy.”

Jiang Yifan looked at Jinrong’s bright eyes and said dryly, “My Ah Xiu is quite lively, only a short trip, how could she not endure it?”

Jinrong seemed oblivious to Jiang Yifan’s attitude, not reacting at all, but rather proudly flaunting: “Of course, I said it, my goddaughter is bound to be better than other people’s daughters. Come, come, quickly unwrap, bundled up on the way, it must be uncomfortable, let Ah Xiu catch her breath.”

The maidservants and old women servants in the inner hall heard Jinrong’s words and quickly invited Ye Xinyan toward the low bed and stepped forward to smooth the padding already laid out on it.

Jiang Yifan was furious. This is his daughter, isn’t it? What is Jinrong flaunting about? He seemed more concerned about Ah Xiu than the biological parents themselves.

Ye Xinyan, of course, also wanted to let Ah Xiu catch her breath, so she followed Jinrong’s words and placed the bundle on the bed, lifting Ah Xiu’s small blanket.

Sure enough, the little one wasn’t sleeping, and as the small blanket was lifted, Ah Xiu’s little face even peeked toward the opening, her eyes bright and looking around.