Chapter 185: Establishing the Workshop

“The specific approach, you’ll need to figure it out yourself. I just hope your family matters won’t affect our business,” Ye Xin Ran reminded.

“Of course not!”

Li Mo was confident in this regard.
He had been away for such a long time, and if Zhou Yue Ting had wanted to disrupt his business, she would have already found many ways to do so.
But she hadn’t done anything, which meant she respected his choice and supported his decision to open the clinic.
Thankfully, the business was growing steadily now.
By the next time they met, he wouldn’t have to feel embarrassed by a single remark from her.

…

After Ye Xin Ran and Xiao Huai’an finished their work at the store, Xiao Huai’an hurriedly took the carriage to Leng’s Fabric Shop to pick up Leng Qing Yu.
Leng Qing Yu had already gone over the shop’s accounts again with Xu Yan.
Xu Yan was smart and had been working at the Leng family business for many years, so he caught on quickly.
In fact, he even discovered some gaps that Leng Qing Yu had previously overlooked.

When Ye Xin Ran and Xiao Huai’an arrived, Leng Qing Yu was very pleased.
She introduced Ye Xin Ran to Xu Yan, saying, “This is the eldest miss. From now on, treat her as you would treat me. Whatever she asks for, do it.”

Xu Yan immediately bowed respectfully to Ye Xin Ran:
“Xu Yan greets the eldest miss!”

Ye Xin Ran quickly raised a hand to gently support him, saying, “Master Xu, don’t be so formal. If there’s anything I need in the future, I’ll be counting on you to help.”

Xu Yan immediately replied, “If the eldest miss has any needs, just give your orders.”

As they spoke, Ye Xin Ran was observing Xu Yan, and Xu Yan was also secretly sizing up Ye Xin Ran.
Before, he had only heard that the eldest miss of Yun Tong County was the real deal, but now, seeing her in person, he understood fully.
No wonder the madam could find this daughter, this young lady resembled her mother so much, both in appearance and temperament.
If they weren’t mother and daughter, then what would qualify as a mother-daughter resemblance?

In comparison, the young lady in the capital was nowhere near as impressive.
The owner would soon be returning to the capital, and the funds allocated by that young lady from the shop, no one knew how they would be handled.
But that was the owner’s private business.
As long as the owner didn’t mention it, Xu Yan felt it was not his place to inquire.

Once Leng Qing Yu got into the carriage, she and Ye Xin Ran began heading back.
On the way, Leng Qing Yu brought up Ye Xin Ran’s plans for opening a workshop again.

“Last time you told me you were planning to set up a workshop to expand the production of your Xue Yan Ointment. How are things progressing with that?”

Ye Xin Ran replied, “It’s basically settled. I’m definitely going to do it. But first, I need to get the workshop built.”

“Most of the businesses I’ve handled have been focused on silk and fabric, so I’ve never seen anything like skincare products.
Is the production process complicated?
Is there a lot to prepare?
Have you calculated how many workers you’ll need?
Where will the medicinal herbs come from?
What’s the potential profit margin?”

Leng Qing Yu was, after all, a businesswoman.
When it came to business, she thought long term.

Ye Xin Ran wasn’t too worried about the profit side of things.
Just based on the cost of the medicinal herbs, her Xue Yan Ointment was already a highly profitable business.
The problem was that the production process couldn’t be made public.
Hiring people to produce it would also cause trouble.
But if she wanted to expand the business, she couldn’t keep producing it secretly in the space forever.
Sooner or later, people would start noticing the issue.

Previously, Zhang Da Shan had secretly followed her, and she suspected that he was trying to figure out how her Xue Yan Ointment was made.
After Zhang Da Shan ran into trouble, the matter was left unresolved, but Ye Xin Ran remained uneasy about it.

That’s why, before the new store opened, the workshop needed to be set up first.

She said to Leng Qing Yu, “I’ll find workers from the village. People from my village are familiar with each other, so the work will be easier. But we don’t have anyone skilled in management, so I’ll need to find two people from outside.
The medicinal herbs will come from Li Mo’s store.
By next spring, the mountains will also grow some herbs, so we can use them directly to cut down costs further.”

Leng Qing Yu was very pleased.
As expected of her daughter, she had already thought of everything ahead of time.

“Have you decided on a location?”

“My house has an empty plot of land on the left side, about an acre in size. It’s enough for the workshop.”

Ye Xin Ran said.

“I discussed it with Uncle Li Zheng before. The land is closest to my house, and it’s not used for farming, so it’s perfect for building the workshop.”

“That’s great!”

Leng Qing Yu nodded.

“The green bricks and floor tiles we bought last time still have some leftover. I’ll contact the stone supplier in the city to order more.
Now that the weather is cooler, everyone has more time.
We’ll invite more people, and I estimate that in about ten to fifteen days, we’ll be able to finish building the workshop.”

When it came to building the house, Leng Qing Yu felt that her money would come in handy again. “Do you have enough silver? Didn’t you just build a house? Do you want me to help you cover the cost?”

Ye Xin Ran still declined.

“The land was sold to me at a discounted price by Uncle Li Zheng.
Also, the dividends from the Misty Deer Mountain haven’t been given to me yet, but he said this plot of land can be counted as a payment, so I don’t need to spend any money.”

“And,” Ye Xin Ran shifted the topic and continued, “I do have money on hand.”

When Leng Qing Yu saw her expression, it reminded her of when she had spoken to her daughter in a similar tone about having money. She couldn’t help but laugh.

“Good, I’m relieved now! You’re doing much better than your brother. He’s still spending my money, but you’ve earned enough to support your whole family!”

At the academy, Lu Chang Qing suddenly felt his nose itch and couldn’t stop himself from sneezing loudly.

“Has the weather changed again?”

He rubbed his nose and glanced around.

…

After Ye Xin Ran returned home, she went to find Uncle Li Zheng again.

Uncle Li Zheng was surprised when he heard her plans.

“What? You’re going to build another house so soon?”

In their village, there had never been a case where someone built two houses in one year.
And for such a large house, it would take several acres of land!

“Yes!”

Ye Xin Ran reminded him, “Uncle Li Zheng, didn’t I mention it to you before? The land next to my house!”

“You did mention it, but I thought you were talking about a long-term plan, not something for right now. At least I thought it would be after the New Year,” Uncle Li Zheng replied.

Ye Xin Ran said, “After the New Year would be too late!
It’s just the right time now because it’s the off-season for farming, and everyone has time. I want to speed up the process and get all the preparations done before winter sets in.
So, Uncle Li Zheng, please let everyone know that we’ll need to work an extra hour every day for this building project, but we’ll pay an extra 10 wen each day. Whoever is willing to help can come!”

“An extra 10 wen a day?”

Uncle Li Zheng was a bit surprised. “That means one person will get 30 wen a day, right?”

“Yes!” Ye Xin Ran replied. “The carpenter and the tiler will each get 60 wen, while the women and children will get 20 wen per day.”