I rely on infrastructure systems to build a prosperous village

"Lady Lan, we are not afraid of wasting time and energy. If we can earn money, we are not afraid of spending money either. Otherwise, please tell us."

Village chief Wang spoke confidently, his eyes full of anticipation.

Seeing several people looking at her eagerly, Li Lan smiled and said, "Okay, then I'll tell you.

First, let's build shops on the two plots of wasteland at the village entrance. Of course, the village is short of money right now, but I have another idea. First, divide the area for shops. Just like we did with the tents, use oil-paper sheets to build the shops. Build some wooden carts and place them in front. Villagers who want to do business there can just pay rent. This way, not only will the villagers have a source of income, but the village will also have some income.

Secondly, don't both Chenjia Village and Wangjia Village have streams running through them? We could build embankments on both sides of the streams and plant trees. This would not only prevent flooding but also beautify the area.

Third, when building the workshop, we need to make the road leading to the workshop smoother and wider, and make the surrounding environment more beautiful, such as building a garden or a pavilion.

Fourth, let the villagers who are willing to build an inn in the village come out to run for election. Of course, it is also possible for several companies to form a partnership, but the benefits must be distributed well.

Fifth, each village must reserve spare land for investment promotion three months later. The more land the better. Besides attracting investment, I also hope to attract people to our villages to buy land and build houses. Population is a crucial factor in the future development of our villages.

Sixth, and most importantly, the village’s unique characteristics.”

Li Lan glanced at Village Chief Wang and continued, "Then I'll talk about Wangjia Village first. I've been wandering around the mountains near your villages these days, and as luck would have it, there are tallow trees on the sacred mountain behind Wangjia Village. Tallow seeds can be used to make candles. The workshop I built in Wangjia Village will be used to make candles in the future. In the next few days, I'll have one person from each household go to the mountains to collect tallow seeds. The workshop will charge 10 wen per jin. Just like Lijia Village, I will give 30% of the profits to Wangjia Village."

When Village Chief Wang heard this, his hands were shaking with excitement. He looked at Li Lan with trembling lips, not knowing what to say.

"Grandpa Wang, I know what you're going to say. Let's not say anything sentimental. As long as everyone can live a good life and be happy, that's more important than anything else."

"Good good."

Seeing Village Chief Wang calm down, Li Lan breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to speak to Village Chief Chen, he felt a burning gaze fixed on him. Glancing sideways, he saw Zhou Yuntian standing nearby, his hands behind his back. His gaze was blazing, filled with admiration and wonder. Their eyes met, and they smiled in tacit understanding.

"Girl Lan, please tell us about the characteristics of our Chenjia Village."

Li Lan turned around naturally and said with a smile, "Okay, Grandpa Chen. I plan to use the Chenjia Village workshop for food. So the first food we'll buy is potatoes and sweet potato flour. Aren't all our villages growing potatoes and sweet potatoes these days? Similarly, tomorrow the Chenjia Village workshop will collect potatoes and sweet potatoes at 5 wen per pound. 30% of the profits will also go to Chenjia Village. How about that?"

"Okay, Lan girl. I..."

Village Chief Chen choked up at the end of his speech. He knew that he was the most useless among the other village chiefs, but he really wanted to make the village a better place so that everyone could have enough food and clothing.

Village Chief Wang and Village Chief Liu, who were standing next to him, sighed and walked up to pat Village Chief Chen on the shoulder.

"Why are you crying, old man? It's all good."

"Yes, what Old Man Wang said is right. This is all good news. Thanks to Miss Lan, everything will get better and better."

Li Lan looked at the elderly men, who were about 100 years old in total, and sighed softly: "To them, the life they have now was once unattainable. Suddenly, one day, they are living that kind of life. The emotions they express must be just like this: tears of joy and disbelief."

"Grandpa Chen, Grandpa Liu, and Grandpa Wang are right. This is a good thing."

Village Chief Chen pursed his lips, nodded heavily, and uttered a single "hmmmm" sound with a strong nasal tone.

"Grandpa Liu, our Liujiawan is of paramount importance. We have a large population, and we also have a dock. So when the time comes, not only must we keep the people under control, but we must also make the village more beautiful. We are the gateway to several villages."

"Okay, okay. I calculated that if we work harder, all the houses in our village should be completed in two months."

"We must ensure that everyone has enough to eat. Only when they are well fed can they have the strength to work. If you don't have money, come to me and ask for it. Don't feel embarrassed to save everyone's rations."

"Don't worry, Lan girl."

Several people made assurances one after another.

"Liujiawan, I'm planning to build a cloth dyeing and garment workshop. The dyeing workshop should be completed next month, and I'll be here to teach you how to dye the cloth. As for the garment workshop, I'll have the cloth shipped to the workshop tomorrow. What we need to do is to quickly recruit people who can make clothes, and they must be good at sewing. I'll let Grandma Wu from Youtian's family manage the garment workshop. She was born into a wealthy family and is very good at embroidery and sewing."

"Okay, okay. I'll go back and let everyone know in a moment."

"Yes, Grandpa Wang and Grandpa Chen, too. Inform everyone about what I said earlier about recruiting people and harvesting sweet potatoes, potatoes, and Chinese tallow seeds. Also, every village committee member must play their role. If they fail to do so, they will be dismissed immediately. This is especially important for accounting, which is of utmost importance."

After hearing this, several people nodded in agreement.

The group looked at the progress of construction in Liujiawan and then returned to their villages.

On the carriage.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

When Li Lan saw Zhou Yuntian staring at her, her heart skipped a beat and her scalp went numb. She exclaimed in surprise.

Zhou Yuntian was amused by her appearance. Suddenly, his eyes became deep. He looked at her and said in a deep voice, "Fortunately, you saw me first. I'm so lucky."

After hearing his words, Li Lan's eyes trembled slightly. After a moment, he smiled mischievously and said, "Why? You just discovered my good side. But, Zhou Yuntian, did you really twist your ankle accidentally last time?"

After hearing this, Zhou Yuntian touched his nose and said unnaturally: "My elder brother and younger brother have been studying with Li Xiucai for two months. When they come back, I will have to test and teach them."

Li Lan: I silently light a candle for my younger brothers in my heart.

Fengyi Palace in Bianjing.

"Madam, this is a letter from Nanny Song."

Chu Ci, who was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, quickly stood up with joy and said, "Give it to me quickly."

Taking the letter and unfolding it, Chu Ci's face showed the brightest smile in many years. He said softly, "Good, the child has gone to Bozhou Prefecture and will soon take the examination for the scholar. Nanny Song said that he is talented and well-read, and he will definitely pass this time."

"That's great news, Madam. This child must look like your Majesty in his youth, when your Majesty..."

At this moment, a cold voice interrupted her.

"Madame Li, don't mention him."

Seeing Chu Ci's smile fade away and his face expressionless, Li Ma Ma quickly lowered her head and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Chu Ci waved her off and walked to the courtyard's crabapple tree, gazing at the blossoms in full bloom. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, the tree's shadows swaying, and pink petals drifted down. She couldn't help but be dazzled, her thoughts drifting away. They had been young, playing the zither and dancing with swords under the crabapple tree, chatting and reciting poems over wine... Such scenes would probably never be seen again in this lifetime.

With a sigh, he murmured, "Qin Di, Qin Zhao, how wonderful it would have been if we had never met in the first place."