She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 333 - 332 Still Practicing

Chapter 333: Chapter 332 Still Practicing

Ye Xinyan nodded involuntarily when Jinrong said this.

Considering the low productivity of ancient times, the State Treasury’s silver primarily came from taxation, but how much tax revenue could be generated with such productivity? Most of the treasury silver was used for tasks like river management, responding to emergencies, and warfare. Using the treasury silver to build a large infrastructure project like railway transportation would be immensely difficult to get approved.

When Emperor Yang of Sui built a canal that lasted for a thousand years, it not only directly led to the downfall of the Sui Dynasty, but he was also scorned for a thousand years, becoming a classic negative example for emperors for generations. The widespread promotion of railway transportation would mobilize huge amounts of manpower and financial resources, and it was very likely that even emptying the State Treasury would not complete the project.

Jinrong continued, "I’ve been thinking that after Dong Bolin’s memorial is submitted, it will certainly face scrutiny. At that time, someone could suggest implementing the part about trying out the Railway Carriage in cities and towns. It’s what you mentioned before, letting the Railway Carriage operators fund the track construction themselves, give them the deeds to the land, the business revenue goes to the merchants, and the court receives the tax immediately. In this way, without touching the treasury silver, an engineering project could be implemented, and I presume Imperial Father would be willing to accept that."

Jinrong paused slightly, with a hint of regret, "It’s just, by my estimation, this track might not have the opportunity to be built on the busiest streets of the capital, which is somewhat less than ideal."

Ye Xinyan laughed on hearing this, "What does that matter? If the Railway Carriage is put into use, the lives of the residents along the carriage path will be convenient, and the trade of the shops will prosper greatly. It won’t take long for the road to become busy. As long as the proposal is approved, Sixth Master just wait and see another bustling circular street arise in the capital."

Feeling very pleased, Jinrong laughed, "If the Railway Carriage can be put to use, it is indeed very likely that the prosperity you speak of will occur. Thus, I have already made arrangements. If it’s decided in the court to build the Railway Carriage in the capital, those left behind in the capital will, at different times and in an inconspicuous manner, purchase as many shops as possible along the track."

At this point, Jinrong thought of the road to be built in Qingyuan County, "As for Yuanfan’s road construction, if he wants to accumulate political achievements, he needs to start early and see results quickly. In a few days, Yuanfan will probably need to find you to see if you have time to help him plan a bit. There’s a lot to do at the end of the year, so it doesn’t need to be too troublesome, just a simple set of regulations will do. I will have my two clerks carry the regulations to help supervise the road construction."

Jinrong’s tone was very tactful. With Zhao Gang visiting, Ye Xinyan always had to spend some time entertaining the guest, and with the myriad end-of-the-year affairs, Ye Xinyan might not have much time to help.

Yet, Ye Xinyan readily agreed. "It’s nothing, I’m currently planning the road for the cattle farm and Dairy Products Workshop, as well as the road from Clear Water Village to the main road. If Sixth Master’s two clerks can spare the time, they could work with me. They handle the paperwork for the county city road construction, and I continue with my part. Not only can we learn from each other, but I also won’t need to start from scratch."

Overjoyed, Jinrong said, "Good, I’ll make the arrangements now. You have been busy these past few days, receiving guests and taking care of business. In a few days, once the people from the capital have left, I’ll have them go to Clear Water Village to find you."

......

Zhao Gang stayed in Clear Water Village for twelve days, inspected the industries managed by Ye Xinyan, led people to help Cheung Wusi with lots of work, and also tasted the snacks and soups in a small food shop in the county twice. He mentioned that he would go back and try the snacks at the Great Aunt’s Pastry House again, to see if there were any differences in taste.

As the twelfth lunar month approached, Zhao Gang began to pack his belongings, preparing to return to the capital.

Inheriting the memories of the original owner, Ye Xinyan became more familiar with Madam Yin and Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion after hearing Zhao Gang talk about them for over ten days. She also inexplicably developed a sense of closeness to them.

No matter whether she returns to the capital in the future or not, Madam Yin’s future days should not be neglected. In any era, the best way to prevent boredom and trouble is to keep people busy, as they naturally won’t have the time or inclination to bother with trivial matters. It’s often after being busy that a person realizes that many things that seemed important are actually insignificant.

Before Zhao Gang’s departure, Ye Xinyan still sent a letter to Madam Yin. This time the letter included more concern and advice, advising Madam Yin to take good care of her health and not to be upset or worried by people and things not worth it. What followed was an extensive set of suggestions about managing the snack shop.

Zhao Gang once mentioned to Ye Xinyan that Madam Yin, for the convenience of using cow’s milk in the Pastry House, had purchased several dairy cows in their milking period. Ye Xinyan suggested Madam Yin find a few people skilled at raising livestock such as cattle and horses and enlist an experienced veterinarian to set aside a special area on the estate to raise more cows.

Now, flavored cheese had taken root in the capital, and the status of both curd residue and butter cheese made from butter was about to be surpassed. Duke An would no longer restrict Madam Yin from using cheese in her pastries. If cheese was used in pastries, it would be better to raise more dairy cows, at least to ensure a sufficient supply of ingredients, and selling the surplus was also beneficial.

Zhao Gang’s group of eight traveled light, only bringing some simple New Year’s gifts that Ye Xinyan had prepared for Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion and Madam Yin, along with two large blocks of fermented cheese, clearly stating that one was for Zhao Gang and the other for Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, neither to be used by Madam Yin’s Pastry House.

Zhao Gang also took the gift prepared for Miss Cousin from Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, carefully remembering the important message Miss Cousin had asked him to convey to Madam Yin before hitting the road on horseback.

Ye Xinyan had Zhao Gang tell Madam Yin that our family’s silver was to be spent on proper endeavors and enriching our own good days, and we mustn’t continue to suffer the loss of gifting expensive dishes to others. Remember this!

......

No sooner had Zhao Gang left than a clerk from the Jinrong Residence arrived, bringing not just the two clerks who had previously worked for the Qi family but also two additional ones.

It turned out that Jinrong was always keen to seize opportunities, sending two more who were clearly there to practice. Ye Xinyan had no choice but to welcome the few men and had Song Ping arrange accommodation for the two extra clerks.

After that, everyone was busy. Ye Xinyan not only had to work with the clerks on the paperwork for road repair but also had to maintain the normal operations of the cattle farm and dairy workshop during the lengthy New Year holiday preparations.

It turned out that the people sent over by Jinrong were experienced in construction. Even the two additional clerks sent to practice had gone through many projects. They had experience in road building, lacking only layout and development, so they adapted quickly and could even correct some of Ye Xinyan’s deficiencies in many areas.

With two additional people, Ye Xinyan was able to escape from the paperwork involved in road repair and devote more time to arranging New Year shift schedules for the cattle farm and workshop.

This was the first time the cattle farm and Dairy Products Store faced the New Year. Unlike a thousand years later, at that time, with the rise of new culture and modern industry, celebrating the New Year would not be an unshakable event. However, in this era, things were different. The ancients placed immense importance on celebrating the New Year, seeking to gather for a long time to rest and complete various traditional customs during the holiday.

Yet, dairy cows would not stop producing milk because of the New Year, and milk would not remain the same if left unattended for long during the holidays.

More than half a month, oh, in this era, ordinary families took their time to rest from the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month until the fifteenth day of the first month. Therefore, it was essential to arrange New Year’s matters properly for the cattle farm, which simply could not cease operation.

By late December, when Qi Younian and Nanny Jin and others returned, Ye Xinyan and the mansion’s clerks had almost completed the array of tasks.

With Wong Qiao’s return, Ye Xinyan was even more relieved. After just one day of rest, Wong Qiao took over the affairs of the engineering department, allowing Ye Xinyan to go directly to arranging the human affairs for the New Year at the cattle farm and workshop.