Chapter 109: Tian Dabiao Comes to the Capital

After leaving the city, Tian Mi found a secluded spot and released a horse, riding toward the land she had a deed for.

She followed the official road northwest for about half an hour, then took a smaller path for a while until she reached the foot of the mountain. The mountain wasn’t very high, but it was vast. According to the deed, it spanned several counties, all of which now belonged to her.

Tian Mi rode along the mountain, following the range for several hours before finishing. Along the way, she encountered quite a few wild animals. The mountain range was expansive, rolling endlessly, with trees growing thickly. The trees around the edges had been felled by locals, but they avoided the deeper parts of the mountain.

This wasteland would be ideal for those who had no work to do in the capital; they could come here and work as big landowners.

She still had a large number of cows, horses, and sheep in her space, and she needed to find an opportunity to put them to work.

She went to her farm, where she soaked large cabbages in spiritual spring water. Afterward, she released the cows—about two hundred in total. They were a dark mass, creating a powerful impression. As soon as they were released, they ate the cabbage and followed Tian Mi to her farm. Anyone they passed on the way was so scared that they scrambled up the nearest trees.

The winter wheat on the farm had been planted already, and the Feng family was managing the place. When they saw a handsome young man on horseback approaching, they were curious.

Tian Mi explained, “The county magistrate asked me to bring some cows here.”

Feng Bao, looking at the herd, was startled. The sight of so many cows was a bit intimidating.

He nervously said, “Young master, we don’t need this many cows at the farm!”

Tian Mi reassured him, “Don’t worry, someone will come to take them in a few days.”

Reluctantly, Feng Bao instructed the workers to find ropes and tie up the cows.

This land had once been an imperial estate, and the workers here had a relatively good life. Tian Mi encouraged them to raise pigs, chickens, and ducks next year to increase their income.

Back at the Wang residence, Tian Mi assigned Autumn One and a few others to start clearing the wasteland, emphasizing that the faster, the better.

“Don’t worry about the money. This princess is so poor, I only have money left,” she joked.

They began to build houses and dig caves to give the workers somewhere to live. The mountain had enough trees, so there was no need to worry about warmth.

“The cows are ready. Arrange for people to bring them to the farm,” she added.

As long as someone was willing to work hard and honestly to earn money, the mountain was open for them to cultivate, and the pay was quite good.

Autumn One had known that the county magistrate was going to clear the land and had made preparations. He immediately set out with his men.

The medicine prepared for Zhenxi Hou was ready, so Bai Mucheng personally went to Zhenxi Hou’s residence to deliver it. He explained the situation and asked if they had any letters or items to send with him.

Old Houye and his wife were very excited and grateful. They packed a few boxes of goods and thanked Bai Mucheng repeatedly.

Meanwhile, Jia Yuntang was overwhelmed with worries, no longer having the energy to scheme. Yet, he couldn’t quite let go of his grudge, so he sent Xu Yunzhao—who knew Tian Mi’s secrets—to Jin Wenwen.

Xu Yunzhao had long forgotten his original name. Once a slave, he had been given the name Chen Xiaoniu and later changed to Jia Niuniu. Now, Jin Wenwen looked at him and said, “From now on, you’ll be called Jin Chutian!”

Jin Wenwen had also found Nanny Ran, whom she treated with filial respect.

Nanny Ran enjoyed this care and said, “Wenwen, you should consider marriage now. Let me use my old face to ask Her Majesty the Empress for a marriage match!”

Nanny Ran had served the Empress since she was young and had no children of her own. All her energy had gone into assisting the Empress, so she truly had the standing to make such a request.

Without parents, Jin Wenwen knew that only Nanny Ran could help her with this matter.

Nanny Ran could tell what was on her mind, but there had been little opportunity until now.

Jin Wenwen lowered her head and said, “Mama, I don’t want to marry anyone else.”

Mama advised, “Child, listen to Mama, give up on this idea!”

Jin Wenwen’s eyes were misty as she spoke, “Mama, I don’t seek position or fame. I just want to be able to see him.”

Sigh! Nanny Ran, who had always hoped for Jin Wenwen’s success, realized that even though the Prince and Princess seemed to have a good relationship and the Empress favored her, it would be hard for Wenwen to rise above being a concubine in the Prince’s household.

Nanny Ran hesitated and said, “This is difficult. The Princess of the Ding Wang has the Emperor and Empress’s favor.”

Jin Wenwen replied, “Mama, you don’t know yet! The Princess of Ding Wang used to have a complicated relationship with a childhood sweetheart.”

Soon after, Tian Mi’s early rice harvest was delivered to the capital, and she immediately taught everyone how to make river noodles. The dish, a variation of noodles, was soft, smooth, and flavorful, quickly winning the favor of many people.

The business of Bawei expanded exponentially, and there was a severe shortage of workers. The men had been recruited by Autumn One to clear the land, and even Autumn Eight had started recruiting women.

This gave many people an opportunity to work and earn money, and many were moved to tears when they put on their uniforms.

The name of the Princess of Ding Wang spread throughout the capital.

Winter quickly arrived, and Tian Dabiao’s two large ships reached the capital. Along with him came Uncle Xu, Aunt Bai, Uncle Cui, and the Feng family.

Tian Mi was overjoyed and went to the county magistrate’s residence to greet them.

Tian Dabiao, beaming, said, “Daughter, I’ve brought all the harvest from your land here.”

Then he glanced behind her, noticing that Bai Mucheng was not with her, and asked, “Daughter, the Prince of Ding Wang won’t pursue that matter anymore, right?”

Aunt Feng also anxiously stared at her.

Tian Mi laughed and said, “He stopped pursuing it a long time ago. Without you all, where would he have gotten his sons and daughters?”

They both breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, my! You scared us!”

Tian Mi immediately had someone prepare some fried sunflower seeds and peanuts for everyone to taste.

The rapeseed was used to extract oil, while the sunflower seeds and peanuts were boiled and then fried to make snacks. The sugarcane was sold as is, and the excess was made into sugar.

In half a month, they would launch a new seasonal product and sell it at Bawei to ensure it would be a big hit.

The winter hunt was a traditional festival for the Tianyuan Dynasty, where nobles went hunting at the royal hot springs palace. Due to special circumstances, the hunt had been suspended for the previous few years, but this time, The Emperor  had announced that it would be a grand three-day event.

This was the hottest news in the capital, and everyone, especially the military families, was preparing to present themselves before the Emperor.

Uncle Xu said, “Mi’er, our Yi Pin Xian business is about to take off. A southern boss wants to open a branch there. I need to discuss this with you!”

Tian Mi was excited and replied, “Sure! Uncle, we don’t need to rush. Tomorrow, I’ll invite a friend over. Aunt, we’ll prepare all our best dishes and have a feast to discuss the business.”

Tian Mi planned to invite the family of the Marquis of Cheng’en, Prince Xian’s parents and himself. Last time, they had helped her, and she hadn’t been able to repay them. At that time, as a widow, if she had gone to express her gratitude, it might have stirred up all kinds of gossip in the capital, but now things had settled down.

To be honest, she wouldn’t mind the rumors about her and the handsome young man, but if Prince Xian was too shy, she didn’t want to embarrass him.

In the end, with so many matters to attend to, she hadn’t gone, but she had already decided that when Uncle Xu arrived, they would discuss the business.

With the unique flavors of Yi Pin Xian, once they opened, it would likely pose a significant challenge to their competitors’ restaurants.

Given Tian Mi’s current position and fame, even the Marquis of Cheng’en would have to step aside.

But she didn’t want things to unfold that way.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the county magistrate’s residence was lively, with people cracking sunflower seeds, gnawing on sugarcane, and peeling peanuts while chatting casually.

Tian Dabiao said, “Daughter, I heard from Yuan Ying that you have over a thousand workers now? Oh, my! You’re really the daughter of Tian Dabiao! Our Lianhua Association’s team is growing!”

Tian Mi smiled and replied, “Father, that’s for clearing the land. I haven’t recruited anyone to join the Lianhua Association yet!”

“It’s fine, daughter, I’ve thought of another way to make money. You don’t know, but the southerners are rich. I’ll take your goods to the south and sell them, then bring back goods to sell in the capital. Our Lianhua Association will make a fortune! All our members will have work to do, and the members in Qinghe County will even have enough money to eat at Yi Pin Xian!”

Hehe! The dishes at Yi Pin Xian were not affordable for ordinary people.