Glory

She added a bit more water to another dish, turning the soil into mud, then added baking soda. Upon hearing a faint "hissing" sound, she determined it was acidic soil—slightly acidic.

Looking at the test results she had obtained, Ye Yaming was quite satisfied.

She said to Lu Guanyi, "I think this area is quite suitable for establishing a tea garden. Let's head down the mountain now and go to the government office to find someone to purchase this entire area."

"Aren't we going to check further up?" Lu Guanyi asked. "I'm not tired from climbing and can continue upward if needed. If necessary, I can take Uncle Huang and the manor guards to explore higher up while you all head down first."

Ye Yaming shook her head. "I don't think it's necessary. We're not buying just a small plot of land but half the mountain. As long as the soil is suitable, the terrain being somewhat complex doesn't matter much. Climbing further would only allow you to see a small area along the way, which isn't very meaningful."

Lu Guanyi didn't insist further, and the group descended the mountain.

The round trip had taken most of the day. Everyone hastily ate some dry rations upon returning to the carriage.

With the slower pace of life in ancient times, after such exertion, both Qi Ji and Ye Hongrong felt they should rest and postpone purchasing the mountain until the next day.

However, Ye Yaming was someone who acted decisively. She said, "It won't take much time. Why put off until tomorrow what can be done today?"

"If we go to inspect the mountain today, Mr. Wu will surely get wind of it. Even if they don't compete with us for the mountain, just causing some trouble would be problematic. It's better to buy it immediately."

This reasoning was sound, so the group had no choice but to go to the government office.

With the housekeeper sent by Lü Xuanlin present, there was no need to invoke the status of Lu Guanyi or Qi Ji. The housekeeper simply showed his credentials, and the county magistrate personally opened the land registry.

The tea industry in the Xin'an area hadn't yet developed, and the region was full of mountainous land. Moreover, those buying mountain land for tea cultivation preferred convenient transportation and were only willing to purchase gently sloping foothills.

The area Ye Yaming had her eye on was still wilderness, naturally unpurchased, and the price was extremely low—only five qian of silver per mu. With a wave of her hand, Ye Yaming directly bought all the land in the Chongtouyuan and Tangkou areas.

By the time they returned to the inn, they were holding freshly issued land deeds.

"Rest tomorrow, and the day after we'll go to other places," Ye Yaming said before entering. "But for now, let's discuss the follow-up management so we can assign tasks to the subordinates tomorrow."

Qi Ji was fine—he had worked hard making tea utensils in Xinping before the New Year. But Ye Hongrong, who had always lived a life of comfort, had never experienced such hardship. His face immediately showed an expression of utter despair.

However, the decision-makers were Ye Yaming and Lu Guanyi. As soon as Ye Yaming spoke, Lu Guanyi changed direction and headed toward the courtyard where Ye Yaming and the others were staying.

Once seated in the hall, Ye Yaming first asked Lu Guanyi, "When we initially collaborated, did you and my grandfather discuss who would manage the tea mountain after purchase?"

Lu Guanyi nodded. "Each side will send one housekeeper. Our housekeeper will manage the personnel, and your housekeeper will decide on specific tea garden matters. Between the two, your housekeeper will have the final say."

"Have you brought your housekeeper?"

"Lu Zheng," Lu Guanyi called out.

A man in his early thirties stepped forward and bowed to everyone.After traveling together for so many days, Ye Yaming had naturally met Lu Zheng. He shared a similar temperament with his master—usually quiet and focused on practical matters. The guide Huang Hansheng they had today was found by him last night.

"Next, you'll stay here and hire people to clear all the trees and weeds from that plot of land. Then plant thorny bushes around the perimeter to enclose the area."

Qi Ji, having grown up as an official's son in the city, couldn't help but ask, "Why plant thorny bushes? Wouldn't it be better to build a wall? Or put up a fence?" He recalled that Master Wu's tea garden was enclosed with a fence.

"Both walls and fences require labor to construct and need annual maintenance and repairs. Once thorny bushes are planted, they'll grow dense within two or three years, making it difficult for people and wild animals to enter. They'll thrive and spread without needing further care."

Qi Ji suddenly understood. He had gained new knowledge.

Lu Guanyi, seeing how Ye Yaming, despite her young age, excelled not only in brewing and making tea but also in tea garden cultivation and management, felt his eyes brighten. His gaze toward her held an unconscious affection he hadn't even noticed.

"Yes, Miss Ye," Lu Zheng replied respectfully.

Ye Yaming turned to Lu Guanyi and asked, "As for whether a manor should be built in the tea garden and how many Manor serfs to purchase, that will be up to Young Master Lu and Qi Gongzi to handle. There's no rush—just complete the clearing and preparation by April. I'll return in May or June to direct the Manor serfs in planting the tea trees."

Lu Guanyi asked in confusion, "Why not plant in spring? Are you worried they won't clear the land in time? If necessary, we could clear half first, plant that portion, and finish the rest after clearing."

"No," Ye Yaming shook her head. "When the tea trees here sprout, I'll need time to select the best ones for cuttings and use a new planting method to produce tea trees with better flavor and higher yield. But I won't have time in the warm early spring—I must stay in Lin'an to make tea."

"Tea trees can be planted in spring, summer, or autumn. Summer has high temperatures, abundant cuttings, and sturdy branches; roots develop within half a month after planting, yielding the best results. It also doesn't conflict with spring tea production, and Lu Zheng and his team will have ample time to clear and cultivate the wild hills. That's why I've chosen summer."

"Additionally, tea trees only yield harvests in their third year after planting, so a two-month delay in planting won't affect output. This year, I'll be making a new type of Loose tea, which is as valuable as Osmanthus Tea, so I must prioritize that first."

Confident and earnest individuals, regardless of gender, are always the most captivating.

As she spoke, Ye Yaming radiated self-assurance, her delicate face seeming to glow with a soft light, her eyes sparkling so brightly it was hard to look away.

Qi Ji suddenly understood why Lu Guanyi had fallen for Ye Yaming. Turning his head, he saw Lu Guanyi's eyes filled with infatuation.

Yet Lu Guanyi ultimately remained rational, suppressing the surging emotions in his heart and quickly regaining clarity in his gaze.

He nodded and said, "Alright, we'll follow your lead in everything."

He took a deep breath. "I'll arrange the personnel and handle all the trivial matters. You just focus on your work. What you're doing is the most important."

Ye Yaming nodded. "Good. We'll head to Qimen the day after tomorrow."As she spoke, she unfolded the map Qi Ji had obtained from Lü Xuanlin and pointed at Qimen, saying, "When I was in Xin'an, I inquired about it. Qimen's tea is also excellent, and the tea varieties are different. I want to go take a look. If there's suitable land, I'd like to buy it."