Compared to the bloodshed and turmoil in the capital, the atmosphere at the estate was remarkably pleasant.
Hua Zhi emerged from the room, which was noticeably warmer than the outside, in high spirits. The situation had turned out better than she had anticipated. The first attempt had gone smoothly without any mishaps—the spores had sprouted well, and the nutrient beds were properly prepared.
Several elderly men with deeply tanned, wrinkled faces followed behind her. Though somewhat timid, their expressions revealed their delight. Although they had merely followed the young lady's instructions and had been assured from the start that they wouldn't be blamed regardless of the outcome, they breathed a collective sigh of relief now that success was achieved. They had finally lived up to the young lady's trust and the generous wages she had provided.
Hua Zhi took a seat in the main hall, and the farmers, following her instructions, gingerly perched on the edges of their stools. When a maid served tea, they hastily stood up to receive it respectfully, barely daring to take a sip before setting the cups down and resuming their precarious seating.
These deeply ingrained hierarchical notions, cultivated over decades, were not something Hua Zhi could change with a few words. She chose to ignore such behavior and got straight to business. "When watering, be careful not to overdo it. Also, maintain the indoor temperature carefully. The weather is still cold, so keep the stoves burning to maintain the heat level I specified. You've all done excellently so far—continue just as you have been."
One of the farmers replied stiffly, "Yes, we will do our utmost."
"If you encounter any problems, inform the steward—he will take them seriously. Of course, you may also tell me now."
The men exchanged glances, and the same farmer stammered, "If I may, young lady, in my experience, such things tend to attract insects. Although we have some methods we've devised, we worry they might not be sufficient…"
"You've reminded me of something important. I will find a solution when I return."
Pleased that his suggestion had been noted and valued by his mistress, the farmer grinned broadly and rubbed the back of his head. The others also voiced their concerns, and Hua Zhi listened attentively to each one, whether practical or not, promising to address them all. This made the lifelong low-ranking farmers both happy and more determined to diligently guard these mysterious things they still didn't fully understand.
The maids exchanged discreet glances, silently amused. Their young lady played her part well—some issues had already been resolved, and Shaoyao had even prepared the insect repellent beforehand, which the young lady had brought along this time.
But judging by the farmers' reactions, this approach was clearly the most effective. Hadn't those elders practically been ready to lay down their lives for the young lady? They still had much to learn!
After the farmers withdrew, Liu Xiang, who had been waiting by the door, entered and reported, "Young lady, Wu Da and the others have arrived."
"Bring them in." Hua Zhi finished her cup of tea and observed the men as they entered. Having remained at the estate to guard it, away from the Hua family's sheltered environment, they now carried a somewhat fiercer demeanor befitting their role as guards.
"We pay our respects to the young lady."
"No need for formalities." Hua Zhi gestured for them to rise. "I called you here to have you dig several underground cellars on this estate."When Hua Zhi summoned them to another estate, Wu Da had already formed a suspicion in his mind. Now that he heard it confirmed, he wondered what purpose the young lady had in mind this time.
"I heard you specifically sought out a master craftsman to study under for two months before the new year?"
This matter had received official approval, so Wu Da saw no need to conceal it. "Yes. Although I had some basic knowledge before, it was only superficial. Without proper training, I feared I might not be able to address any issues that could arise in the underground cellar."
With so many canned goods stored in that cellar, any problem would not only cause significant losses but also make it inappropriate to bring in outsiders for repairs.
Hua Zhi appreciated people who weren't rigid in their thinking. She nodded approvingly. "Indeed. You've been very conscientious."
"I don't deserve such praise, young lady. This is merely my duty." Whether it was the financial subsidies they received or the matter concerning Chen Liang, they all held deep respect for the young lady.
"The purpose of this cellar is different from the previous one. By the way, has the soil thawed yet?"
Wu Da recalled what his teacher had said and nodded. "It should be about time."
"Good. I'll entrust this task to you then."
Wu Da responded clearly in affirmation, then asked, "How many does the young lady require? Are there any specific requirements?"
"Make as many as possible. As for requirements..." Mushrooms preferred damp and dark environments. "The requirements aren't as strict as the previous ones. When summer comes, we'll just need to place a few ice basins. Pay extra attention to safety matters. You may also consult the experienced hands on the estate."
"Yes, I understand." It seemed this was a different venture from the previous workshop. Wu Da felt full of energy. He was part of the Hua family, and only when the family prospered could he prosper. The young lady had never let them down.
"Tang Yong."
"At your service." The exceptionally tall and quite handsome Tang Yong stepped across the threshold and responded respectfully.
Originally from the second branch of the family, Tang Yong wasn't talkative but was reliable in his work. Though he hadn't been particularly valued by the second master before, after thorough investigation by several maids, he was chosen to manage the new workshop. He proved worthy, handling all of Hua Zhi's assignments flawlessly. Naturally, he now followed Hua Zhi's lead unquestioningly.
"Arrange accommodation for Wu Da and his team. Their work is physically demanding, so ensure they have meat with every meal."
"Yes."
"Return here later. I have further instructions for you."
"Yes."
As Wu Da and the others followed Tang Yong out, they silently resolved to work with even greater dedication.
Tang Yong soon returned. Hua Zhi handed him a list. "The first thirty people are transferred from the Hua family branches, the last ten are from our main family. They should arrive here in about ten days and will all be under your supervision. Don't distinguish between them - treat everyone fairly. Even if you can't maintain perfect balance, don't show obvious favoritism. Your skill will be measured by how well you make those thirty forget their origins and work wholeheartedly for me."
"Yes, I understand what must be done."
Hua Zhi gave a slight nod. "Keep your eyes open for any disloyal individuals."
"Yes."
"Additionally, show respect to the experienced elders I've invited. What you know, they might not, and what they know, you may not understand either. We need to rely on their expertise. You must find the right balance in this - we shouldn't create entitlement where kindness becomes expected."Tang Yong solemnly affirmed, thinking of the mixed soil in several rooms—how could so many people be needed to tend to it?
"If you have questions, ask."
"Yes." Tang Yong knew the eldest young lady was a generous mistress and promptly inquired, "The estate already has nearly twenty people. Adding forty more would make sixty in total. I was wondering if so many are truly necessary."
"They are needed." This was a business she intended to expand greatly. Once they all mastered the skills, she would scale up the operation even further—though there was no need to explain this to Tang Yong.
Satisfied with the definite reply, Tang Yong took his leave when he saw the eldest young lady had no further instructions.
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