Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

"I think I have a solution!" Shen Chuning suddenly shouted.

Shen Chengwu looked at his sister in front of him, smiled helplessly, and reached out to pat her head gently: "What's the big deal? What can I do?"

Shen Chuning quickly turned her head to avoid Shen Chengwu's hand, pouted her lips and protested: "You messed up my hair! Fifth brother, look what's over there?" As she spoke, she stretched out a finger and pointed forward.

Shen Chengwu looked in the direction of Shen Chuning's gesture and saw a group of workers transporting brine with shoulder poles.

He smiled and explained, "Those are workers, but they can only do hard labor, not the work of a cook."

Shen Chuning frowned and looked at Shen Chengwu with disdain, her tone slightly dissatisfied: "Don't I know people yet? I want you to see what they have."

Shen Chengwu was a little puzzled. "A shoulder pole is used to carry things. Compared to carrying things by hand, it can save a lot of effort and can also transport more items."

Shen Chuning's eyes almost rolled up to the sky. She put her hands on her hips and said angrily, "Fifth brother, I'm not three years old. I know the carrying pole."

Yun Zian, who was standing by, couldn't help but burst out laughing when he heard the conversation between the brother and sister. He asked curiously, "Chu Ning, don't keep me in suspense. What did you see?"

"You see there's salt in the groove of his shoulder pole. If we enlarge this groove to the size of a door panel, surround it with a wooden frame, and expose it to the sun, wouldn't we need a cook to make salt over a fire? Furthermore, salt made this way won't come into contact with sand, stone, or soil, so it'll barely be mixed with impurities and will meet the standards."

When everyone heard this, they all thought the idea was very novel and started discussing it.

Butler Mo's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "This is a good idea, but I don't know what kind of wood is suitable?"

Shen Chengwu said, "Let's use fir. Fir is light, easy to carry and install, and corrosion-resistant. It can withstand the erosion of seawater and salt."

When Shen Chuning heard Shen Chengwu's words, she looked at him in surprise, "Fifth brother, do you agree with me too?"

Shen Chengwu smiled and nodded. "That sounds good. If it works, it can save a lot of costs. I don't know how much we can earn, but we will definitely not lose money. With this simple method, the Mohist School can also send their own people to take over, and there will be no easy incidents of smuggling salt."

After hearing what Shen Chengwu said, everyone expressed their agreement.

Steward Mo burst into tears. "If this really works, Master Shen and Miss Shen will be so kind to us, the Mo family, and we will never forget them. I'll go and arrange for someone to make the board right away."

"Remember to use putty to seal the seams." Shen Chuning watched Butler Mo leave and shouted. She knew that details determined success or failure, and no detail could be neglected.

……

In the blink of an eye, it was the day before Shen Chuning returned to the capital.

Years ago, Shen Shi, who followed Yun Zian to the south, came specially to pay a visit to Shen Chuning.

Shen Shi knelt respectfully in front of Shen Chuning, lowered his head, and said in a steady voice: "Shen Shi pays his respects to the young lady."

Shen Chuning smiled, motioned Cuiwei to help Shen Shi up, and asked with concern, "Hurry up. Are you used to living in Jinling?"

Shen Shi stood up and replied respectfully, "To answer Miss, I'm used to everything. After arriving in Jinling, Master Yun took great care of me. He asked the head of the Yun family bank to take me in as his apprentice, and Master has also devoted himself to teaching me." His tone was filled with gratitude and respect.

Shen Chuning gently waved her fan, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes, and said softly: "Others teach with their heart, you should also learn with your heart."

Shen Shi nodded firmly and answered with a determined look: "Yes, since the lady has arranged for me to come, I will definitely learn all the skills and serve you in the future."

Shen Chuning paused for a moment, as if pondering something, before she slowly spoke, "Right now, there are some things that need to be taken care of, but this matter is somewhat dangerous and may lead to fatal disaster in the future. However, I will do my best to leave a way out for you. So, please think carefully about whether you want to take this job."

Shen Shi didn't hesitate at all and answered firmly, "My life was saved by you, and my name was given by you. No matter how great the risks I may face in the future, even if you ask me to die for you now, I am willing to do so."

Shen Chuning quickly dissuaded him, "Don't rush to answer. Think about it carefully. After all, once you take this step, there's no turning back."

Shen Shi shook his head and said firmly, "Don't think about it. I don't have any other relatives anymore. My only concern is you, young lady. As long as it is your order, I will carry it out without hesitation."

Seeing his determination, Shen Chuning didn't say anything more and directly gave the order: "Okay, then I need you to open money houses in various places as the head shopkeeper, preferably starting from the border areas. As for the funds needed, you can go to Birui to withdraw them."

"Opening money houses in various places? I wonder how many you want to open, miss? In order to make these money houses operate normally, I'm afraid it will require a considerable amount of money! Otherwise, let's open one or two to try and build up the business first." Shen Shi advised.

Judging from what he had recently learned at the Yun Family Bank, if he implemented the young lady's idea, the sum would be enormous. "Besides, I've only been learning for a short time, and I'm worried that my skills aren't good enough. Not only will I not make any money, but I'll even lose all the young lady's money."

Shen Chuning smiled and comforted him, "All I need now is for you to open as many money houses as possible. You can buy or rent a shop for the money house. You don't need to choose a very busy area, as long as people can see our money house sign. The interest rate for deposits can be slightly lower than other money houses, and the interest rate for loans can be set higher. If there is business, then operate it. If there is no business, then leave it idle."

Shen Shi frowned and asked doubtfully, "If a newly opened bank doesn't attract customers with high interest rates, it will be hard to do business. If you run a bank according to your method, won't you be losing money?"

Shen Chuning nodded slightly, "I know these banks will be of great use to me in the future, so some initial investment is necessary."

When Shen Shi heard the words "very useful", he couldn't help but straighten his back.

He assured Shen Chuning, "Don't worry, Miss. I will do my best to complete the task you assigned me. However, I don't know when I can return to your side again."

Shen Chuning fell into a brief moment of contemplation, then slowly said, "I'm afraid that from now on, you will never be able to appear by my side again. At least on the surface, we can't have any connection."

A trace of struggle flashed across Shen Shi's face, but he soon relaxed. He said firmly, "As long as the young lady still remembers Shen Shi, that's enough."

Shen Chuning smiled and replied, "You are the most crucial chess piece in my plan. How could I forget you? However, from now on, you can no longer use the surname Shen when you go out."

Shen Shi immediately understood the profound meaning and asked without hesitation, "Please grant me a surname, Miss."

Shen Chuning thought for a moment and said softly, "The surname is Cui, as in the death warrant."