She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 338 - 337: The Graded Officials of the Ministry of Works

Chapter 338: Chapter 337: The Graded Officials of the Ministry of Works

Jinrong and his party stepped into Qi Family Courtyard, Qi Younian, Cheung Wusi, and Wong Qiao, who had been waiting, came out to greet them.

Dressed in a deep gray cotton robe and without a hat, Qi Younian’s hair was neatly tied up, already bearing the appearance of a head of the family. He stepped forward to pay respects to Jinrong and Jiang Yifan, "This humble old man has seen the Sixth Master, has seen Lord Jiang."

Jiang Yifan quickly stepped forward to support Qi Younian, saying, "The elder is still so courteous, we are young and don’t deserve such respect from the elder."

Jinrong followed with a smile, "We will be staying at the elder’s place for a few days, if we keep up with such courtesies, it won’t be comfortable."

Qi Younian said with a smile, "Although we are familiar with the Sixth Master and Lord Jiang, still, since you have just entered the house, the necessary courtesy must be observed. After staying here more frequently, we can consider it otherwise."

Jiang Yifan said with a smile, "The elder speaks sensibly, we can be more casual after we settle in."

After Cheung Wusi and Wong Qiao paid their respects to Jinrong and Jiang Yifan, Qi Younian said, "Nanny Liu has arranged accommodations for the Sixth Master and Lord Jiang. You two go to your rooms first to change out of your travel clothes, wash up a bit, and then we can talk in the drawing room, does that sound good?"

Seeing Jinrong nod in agreement, Qi Younian ordered the two young servants, "You two, lead the two gentlemen to their rooms and attend to their washing up."

Hongzhi quickly stepped forward with a smile, "It would trouble the two young men to show the way, just tell us where to fetch water, we will serve the Sixth Master and Lord Jiang with their washing and daily affairs ourselves."

Qi Younian said with a smile, "This old fool was also muddled, forgetting that there were a few young men following. Please, gentlemen, go attend to the two masters’ changing, and let Chengping and Chengan bring water over."

After pausing for a moment, Qi Younian explained, "Chengping and Chengan have been working with Nanny Jin in the snack shop; they were originally servants from a well-off family. After Nanny Jin’s instruction, they understand the rules. If the young men need anything, just order them."

After Jinrong and the others changed their clothes, they came to the drawing room, where Qi Younian and the other three were already waiting. Seeing them come in, they stood up and took two steps forward to welcome them to the higher seats.

An old woman servant on the side served tea to the two of them.

Peering into the teacup, Jinrong asked with a smile, "This is indeed the finest tea, why isn’t it the milk tea from your house?"

Qi Younian was taken aback for a moment before he remembered the scene when Hongzhi and Shi Yu had come over last time, then laughed, "Last time Hongzhi and the others were in a hurry on the winter road, so they drank milk tea to warm up. Since the Sixth Master is resting here, it will soon be dinner time; it’s better for the Sixth Master to drink tea to preserve an appetite for the meal. We have tea and cow’s milk ready at any time; if the Sixth Master is still interested after the meal, he can have a small cup. Tomorrow at breakfast, however it pleases the Sixth Master to drink is fine."

Amused, Jinrong turned to Jiang Yifan and said, "I didn’t expect that there’s so much care for a cup of tea. Seems like we can only try it tomorrow." After speaking to Jiang Yifan, Jinrong turned back with a smile to explain to Qi Younian, "Hongzhi brought back both tea and cow’s milk, claiming to have followed Nanny Liu’s method exactly, both Yuanfan and I enjoyed it, but Hongzhi said it didn’t taste like the one brewed at the elder’s home."

How could there be such magic? With a laugh, Qi Younian glanced at Hongzhi and said, "It’s the same method, how could there be any difference? Nanny Liu and the others started preparing dinner early; we would have brewed milk tea right now for a good taste test to see if it’s the same, if it weren’t for fearing they’d be disappointed from the wasted effort."

Jinrong looked at the sky, indeed it wasn’t early, and dinner time was probably in about an hour. He picked up the tea, took a sip, and laughed, "If that’s the case as Lord Qi says, then we really should drink tea first. Since your kitchen has already started preparing dinner, it’s certain to be a selection of delicious and unusual dishes; we’d better save our appetites to taste the food at the Lord’s house—it seems a more worthwhile choice."

Qi Younian, upon hearing this, was alarmed. In their rural area, and coming from a background of impoverished citizens of the era, where could they find all those novel and exquisite delicacies?

The old master hurriedly waved his hands, explaining repeatedly, "Sixth Master, please don’t mind my careless words. We only have the meals of a common household here. Sixth Master, don’t be led to expect more by my words, only to be disappointed with the meals."

Jiang Yifan looked at Jinrong with amusement and broke the tension, saying, "Old master, don’t worry about it. Sixth Master is just being casual, he often likes to joke around. Didn’t Hongzhi tell Father-in-law Qi here a few days ago that we’re just here for a simple meal? During the New Year, what’s important is that everyone comes together. If Sixth Master wanted delicious food, he would’ve rushed back to the capital to celebrate the New Year long ago."

Jinrong laughed and added, "Yuanfan is right, Father-in-law Qi need not take it to heart. We’re here for the lively atmosphere of being with family. Even with meals, we don’t compare with the grand families; what we seek is an unmatchable rustic charm."

After finishing his words, Jinrong changed the subject and inquired, "I heard from people in the mansion that Father-in-law Qi’s project at the other mansion is progressing well. I wonder if the craftsmen going home for New Year have been settled properly, so it won’t affect the start of work in spring, right?"

"To answer Sixth Master, everything has been arranged properly," Qi Younian replied. "These people are drawing their daily wages here, and they also receive a decent quarterly bonus, as well as a year-end reward. For the five rewards throughout the year, craftsmen will come back to continue their work."

Upon hearing this, Jinrong asked in surprise, "You’re actually able to offer so many additional items under the name of wages; how did Father-in-law Qi come up with all these measures?"

"Ah," Qi Younian first chuckled and sighed before continuing, "It’s embarrassing to say that although Wusi and I have been in the construction industry for many years, and have led projects ourselves, we still lacked organization in our affairs—far less capable than Ye Zi, a young girl."

"Our construction business had just started, and we couldn’t recruit many skilled craftsmen in a short period. Haphazardly raising wages would not only incur resentment from our peers but could also disrupt the long-standing rules of the industry. Later, it was Ye Zi who suggested that we promise the craftsmen and laborers that their wages would be distributed as per the industry’s standards, but those who worked well and had good skills would receive a discretionary quarterly bonus from us."

"It started off ordinary, everyone working as usual. After the first quarterly bonus at the end of autumn, the activities of the craftsmen and laborers clearly intensified. It wasn’t long before other craftsmen came knocking, asking if we were still hiring. Before the year’s end, without needing my reminders, the craftsmen themselves made sure to tell each other that they must return in spring for work, and not to promise their positions to anyone else."

Jinrong nodded. The rapid rise of the Qi Family Construction Business was certainly due to the talents of Qi Younian, Cheung Wusi, and Wong Qiao, but Ye Xinyan’s role in it was also substantial. He had previously known that she and Wong Qiao had discussed using some ingenious devices in the construction business. Now it seems that in managing craftsmen and hiring, Ye Xinyan also had a very good grasp of people’s hearts.

Jinrong recalled the evaluations some subordinates had given Wong Qiao, then said to Qi Younian, "The clerks who worked with Ye Zi and Wong Qiao had once said that Wong Qiao was exceptionally talented in construction. With the commencement of the courtyard work in the other mansion, a few subordinates left behind praised Wong Qiao endlessly. Father-in-law Qi is not only skilled himself, but even your brothers and juniors are all formidable."

Qi Younian and Cheung Wusi quickly expressed their humble gratitude, while Wong Qiao was extremely embarrassed, repeatedly giving thanks.

Jinrong said, "Working in the civilian construction industry is just to accumulate experience and earn a craftsman’s silver. With Wong Qiao’s skills, it’s a pity to bury them in the civilian industry. I wonder if Father-in-law Qi has any intentions of having him work for the government office? Perhaps after a couple of years, he could become an official with rank in the Ministry of Works."

Cheung Wusi’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and even his seated posture seemed to rise a bit. Qi Younian pondered, as if considering something. Wong Qiao, after hearing Jinrong’s words, didn’t show great excitement but appeared somewhat conflicted.

Jinrong thought to himself, first, to send Wong Qiao into the Ministry of Works, then find several big projects for him to cut his teeth on for a couple of years. With Wong Qiao’s talent and diligence, he should easily catch people’s attention. With someone deliberately working on his behalf, he could quickly become a leader in charge of work. In two or three years, when the railway transport project was likely to start, Wong Qiao could be put to proper use.

But seeing the expressions of these people, especially Qi Younian and Wong Qiao, they didn’t seem very enthusiastic about his proposal.

"If you have other thoughts, please feel free to share," Jinrong said.