stingy landlady

Chapter 258 Guizhi Requests an Audience with the Prince (3)

The Prince of Zhenbei pondered for a moment before asking Guizhi:

"How many days does Guizhi plan to stay in the prefectural city? Where does she plan to stay?"

Guizhi replied respectfully:

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness! I didn't plan to stay any longer, but since we've come all this way to the prefectural city, we should at least visit my fifth uncle. We can stay at Uncle Lin Qian's workshop tonight!"

Despite Du Huaichuan's frantic efforts, Zhenbei Wang and Guizhi pretended not to notice.

The Prince of Zhenbei addressed Guizhi and Xu Hongdao:

"Alright! It's fine for you to stay over there. Is this Guizhi's first time here? Have the housekeeper arrange for someone to take you to our Beisheng Wood Workshop. And take back your dividends from this period."

And sofas, I heard your sales are pretty good. I'd also like to talk to the manager of Beisheng Workshop and see if we can also expand and strengthen our sofa market in Fucheng!

Guizhi beamed with joy upon hearing about the potential profit sharing.

"Yes, Your Highness! I will obey Your Highness's golden words!"

The Prince of Zhenbei pointed to the cassia branch with his finger:

"Look at Guizhi! Her face changes like a magic book! As soon as she hears about the dividends and money, her smile becomes radiant!"

"Your Highness! Hehe! You know me well, you know that what I love most is money. I've only just arrived at the palace, and you've already said you'd give me a share of the profits, of course I'm overjoyed!"

Thank you, Your Highness! Long live Your Highness!

"Alright, alright! When you're happy, you just blurt things out! You guys go ahead and get busy! Let me know when you leave!"

Prince Zhenbei waved his hand, signaling Guizhi and Xu Hongxian to leave.

Du Huaichuan called out anxiously from behind:

"Uncle! Guizhi!"

Guizhi bowed to the Prince of Zhenbei, then said to Young Master Du:

"Young Master Du, please don't be anxious! His Highness will consider your arrangements! You should trust His Highness! I'll take my leave now!"

After Guizhi left, the Prince of Zhenbei said to Du Huaichuan:

"Why are you getting more and more impatient? Guizhi and the others aren't leaving for the time being. Even if you give them to her now, she'll still have to wait a few days until she goes home to figure out what to do."

You! You're not even as composed as a teenage girl!

Du Huaichuan was not as reserved in front of the Prince of Zhenbei as he was in front of Gui Hong; he just chuckled.

"I'm relieved that my uncle cares about us! Huanghua Village in Guizhi is really nice. There are pig farms, cattle farms, and timber processing workshops. There are even handicraft workshops where men are not allowed!"

That village looked so vibrant, both the people and the crops seemed to be thriving! Uncle! You really should go and see it sometime.

The Prince of Zhenbei asked in a serious tone:

"You went to see for yourself, didn't you learn anything? I'll give you a piece of land too, you can learn from it, okay?"

Du Huaichuan considered for a long time before saying:

"Uncle! I! I still don't have confidence! I think it's better to stay with Guizhi!"

Alright! Du Huaichuan suddenly thought of Gui Hong, his heart softening, and he felt a real pang of reluctance. Besides, he didn't understand the ins and outs of business; doing business was indeed not as simple as it seemed.

The Prince of Zhenbei stared intently at Du Huaichuan:

"Sigh! You kid! Are you really set on following Guizhi and those guys with you?"

Du Huaichuan nodded.

"Have you thought about how to explain this to your family? You know you're not alone!"

Du Huaichuan said firmly:

“I know! Uncle! I will explain it to my family. Now that I have chosen to be with my brothers, I can no longer rely on my family to support me.”

Now that I've brought these people out with me, I naturally can't continue to be a burden to the family! Besides, I also hope to achieve something through my own abilities!

Xu Hong also felt puzzled:

"Miss! Wasn't our main purpose in coming here to apply for a larger plot of land in the county town to build a farmers' market? Why didn't you mention that?"

Guizhi smiled mysteriously:

"Don't worry! Uncle Xu Hong! I certainly won't forget something this important! We'll see the Prince again, it won't make a difference if we wait a couple more days."

The two, accompanied by servants, drove a carriage to the workshop that Lin Qian was in charge of.

The workshop's signboard bore the large characters "Hope Workshop." Manager Kobayashi of the Hope Workshop explained to Guizhi:

"Miss Dong! Mr. Lin said that we disabled people are not disabled in spirit, and we should strive to be self-reliant! Miss Dong has rekindled the flame of hope for Mr. Lin, and made him see hope!"

This "Hope Workshop" can also bring light to the lives of more disabled people. That's why it was specifically named "Hope Workshop"!

There were several carpenters and blacksmiths in the workshop who had come from Huanghua Village and knew Guizhi and Xu Hong. They all greeted Guizhi and Xu Hong warmly.

"Miss Dong!"

"Master!"

"Manager Xu!"

Kobayashi, the manager of the workshop, led Xu Hong and Guizhi on a walk, looking at the wheelchairs, prosthetics, and other items ordered by customers.

After carefully examining the document, Guizhi earnestly explained:

"Manager Kobayashi! Don't be afraid of high costs in the workshop! Make sure your customers feel comfortable and at ease! The craftsmen should strive for excellence and do their best to satisfy our customers!"

I know our artisans work very hard; we shouldn't be so stingy with their wages! Earning money isn't easy for anyone, especially when it comes to supporting their families. If we deduct their wages, their families might go hungry.

Manager Xiao Lin nodded repeatedly, then walked through the workshop and looked it over. Xu Hong then asked the manager of the Hope Workshop:

"Manager Kobayashi! Miss and I will be staying for a few days. Are there any places to stay near our workshop?"

Manager Kobayashi immediately said:

"Yes, yes! When the workshop was built, rooms were prepared for our owner! I'll take Miss Xu and Manager Xu to see them now. If there's anything you're not satisfied with, just let me know, and I'll replace it immediately!"

Guizhi said nonchalantly:

"It's just a place to stay, why would I be so picky! Besides, we're only staying for a few days!"

"It's important to be comfortable even if you're staying for a few days! It's not easy for our Miss Dong to come to our Hope Workshop. Everyone hopes she'll come more often to give us guidance!"

"Miss, Manager Xu! This way, please!" Manager Lin said earnestly as he led the way.

Guizhi inquired about Wang Yiyun from Steward Xiaolin:

"Manager Lin! My fifth uncle is still studying at the academy, isn't he? Has he come over recently?"

Manager Kobayashi looked somewhat strange and said:

“Miss Dong! Fifth Young Master comes here often! He’s quite familiar with us. Young Master Lin used to come to see him frequently. But recently, it seems Fifth Young Master has run into some trouble.”

Guizhi was curious; were there things that even Lin Xiaoyun, the young master, couldn't solve? So she asked Steward Lin curiously:

"Manager Lin! My fifth uncle has suffered a lot in order to be able to study in the prefectural city! Manager Lin, please tell me the truth!"

What trouble has my fifth uncle run into? Even that young master Lin Xiaoyun can't solve it?