I have been farming since I crossed over.

Sunlight shone on the winding road. Lu Jintang sat in front of the mule cart, gently swaying the reins in his hand, guiding the two sturdy mules slowly forward. The mule cart made a creaking sound, as if telling the story of this journey.

Behind them followed eight more mule carts. The first four held twelve women, carefully selected and purchased by Yang Mingxi. They had already learned their trades in workshops or commercial streets, and Yang Mingxi would take them to the four remaining commercial streets in Xinyun Prefecture to showcase their skills. They chatted quietly, or gazed curiously at the surrounding scenery. These women would become Yang Mingxi's trusted assistants, each shouldering a different role. The four mule carts at the back were each loaded with goods from the workshops.

As the journey progressed, nearing Qingshui County, a cloud of dust rose in the distance, and a figure gradually became clearer. It was Lu Da, hurrying over. He greeted Ming Xi and Lu Jintang with a smile, then expertly took the reins from Lu Jintang and steadily took the driver's seat.

Lu Da shouted softly, and the mules seemed to sense the arrival of the new driver, their pace becoming more brisk and powerful. The mule team continued to move forward, the wheels rolling, kicking up a cloud of dust, like a long dragon winding across the road.

The carriage was filled with a faint scholarly air. Sunlight streamed through the window onto the thick account book in Yang Mingxi's hands. She intently flipped through the profit data for the Qingshui County Commercial Street over the past three months, her brow furrowed slightly, her expression of surprise now and then, a flood of emotion filling her heart.

Back in the day, Changshan Village's villagers worked odd jobs, earning a meager 15 to 20 wen per person per day. However, now, since Yang Mingxi opened his own workshop and adopted a piecework system combined with scientific management, skilled workers can earn around 40 to 50 wen a day—a considerable income.

While Yang Mingxi was lost in thought, Lu Jintang entered the car with brisk steps. He saw Yang Mingxi sitting there, her eyes fixed on the account book, and asked with concern, "Why don't you lie down and read it? Look down there, I've specially padded a thick layer of cotton for you. It must be incredibly soft and comfortable."

Yang Mingxi raised her head when she heard the voice, and her eyes met Lu Jintang for a moment. She smiled slightly and explained, "It's certainly comfortable to lie down, but the road is bumpy and it's hard to concentrate on reading. Besides, the weather is hot, and sitting for a long time will be more refreshing and pleasant. In this case, sitting is also very good." As she spoke, she gently moved to the side, motioning Lu Jintang to sit down and watch with her.

Lu Jintang slowly sat down as instructed, then turned his gaze to the commercial street account book spread out in front of the two of them. He asked curiously, "Why? Did you find any problems in it?"

"No, I have carefully checked the profit situation in the past three months, and the results are really ecstatic! I didn't expect that a small and ordinary county like Qingshui County could have such lucrative profits! What if it is a place with a larger scale and a larger population like Xinyun Mansion? It is simply unimaginable!" Yang Mingxi said excitedly, flipping through the account book in his hand quickly, his eyes fixed on the densely packed data.

Hearing this, Lu Jintang smiled slightly. He picked up a carefully drawn map from the table, gently spread it out, and stretched out his slender jade fingers to accurately point to the locations of Xinyun Prefecture and Meihe County on the map. He slowly said, "What's the matter? Could it be that you can't wait to open the commercial street in Xinyun Prefecture first? Actually, it's not a bad idea. After all, the prosperous commercial street in Xinyun Prefecture happens to be not far from Meihe County. If you can open it at the same time, it will surely attract many customers and business will surely be very prosperous!"

Yang Mingxi shook her head, frowned slightly, and said seriously: "No, the time we have left is too tight. According to the plan, on August 12th, we have to grandly open the stores in four places at the same time! And we need to closely observe the market reaction for two days, and then we must rush back to Qianhuang Mountain to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. So there is no room for delay!" As she spoke, she picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote down several key figures in the account book. Then she put down the brush, took a deep breath and continued.

"How about this? We'll go to Qingshui County first, pick up a few people I've selected on the commercial street, and then go to Kaoshan County. After arranging the specific matters, we'll rush to Xinyun Mansion tonight. What do you think of this route?"

"We don't need to go there in person! The brothers who were in charge of related matters have already rushed over two days ago, and the transportation team has also gone over to prepare things. We just need to send these people over and tell them that the opening date is August 8th, right?"

"I'm still worried if I don't go over and take a look myself. My previous arrangements for these four places are that my eldest cousin and his wife stay in Xinyun Prefecture, my eldest brother and his wife stay in Meihe County, my He cousin and his wife stay in Zhuli County, and my Hai cousin goes to Kaoshan County. However, he's busy getting married now, so I'll transfer Lu Dashan over to keep an eye on it first. What do you think?"

"Sure, there will be no problem with your arrangement. Anyway, Xinyun Mansion and even many commercial streets that will be opened in the future will need your people to manage them. The people in our family are mainly responsible for cargo transportation and information collection. You just need to make the arrangements. How about Third Uncle being the general manager of Xinyun Mansion?" Lu Jintang said.

"Let's try it first. Do you have suitable candidates? Find two capable people to lead the team first. We are still too short of manpower. We need backup. I think Sixth Uncle and Seventh Uncle can also do it. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, let them come out and get familiar with Third Uncle first." Yang Mingxi sighed.

"It's okay, take your time. You still have people in the training team. Train them up slowly, and you will still have enough numbers. It's just that the ability is not enough now." Lu Jintang comforted.

Yang Mingxi frowned slightly, shook her head and said, "This won't do. We are too weak. And there are still many people who can't even read. How can we go on like this? So, after the Mid-Autumn Festival, we have to open the school quickly. We should start teaching those in the training team first, so that they can get rid of illiteracy as soon as possible. Only in this way, we will have people available in the future." As she spoke, she counted on her fingers, carefully counting one by one and explaining her plan.

General Lu parked his mule cart steadily in front of the Qingshui County snack street. He jumped off the carriage and walked outside to ask, "Master, we've arrived at the Qingshui County snack street! Should I go in and call for help? Or should you and the others come over to take a look?"

Lu Jintang, who was sitting in the carriage, thought for a moment and then replied, "You go! I've already arranged the personnel. There are 12 people in total. Just tell them to squeeze into the mule cart at the back."

Lu Da quickly nodded and said, "Okay, I'll do it right away and be back soon." After that, he turned around and walked quickly into the snack street.

Not long after, Lu Da and twelve others hurried out. They boarded the mule cart at the back. Although it was a bit crowded, no one complained. Once everyone was seated, the driver whipped the mule cart, and it slowly started moving, heading towards Kaoshan County.