Who understands? He traveled through time with a high-spec spatial ability.

Zhao Wu accepted the order and left. Soon after, hurried footsteps and shouts echoed throughout the workshop.

Qiao Jingjing sat at her desk, flipping through recent account books, occasionally picking up her pen to make some notes.

In less than half an hour, the heads of various departments had gathered in the council hall.

Wang Meihua from the textile workshop, Ji Yongchang from the papermaking workshop, Wang Musheng from the printing workshop, Manager Zhang from the brewing workshop, and Zhao the blacksmith from the farm implement workshop, among others, took their seats in turn, all with a hint of nervousness in their expressions.

Qiao Jingjing looked around at everyone and got straight to the point: "The main reason I've gathered you all here today is to find out how the workshop has progressed while I was away. If you have any difficulties in your work that require my intervention, you can bring them up today. Who wants to go first?"

Aunt Wang from the textile department spoke first, her face showing some worry: "Your Highness, the cotton harvest hasn't been very good lately, and the spinning progress has been a bit slow. Also, I'd like to ask if we should still focus on cotton cloth?"

Qiao Jingjing frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "I have plenty of cotton. I'll arrange for someone to deliver it soon. The weather is about to warm up, so starting in mid-April, we'll set aside some manpower to make Xiangyun yarn." Aunt Wang's eyes lit up, and she quickly nodded in agreement.

Next up was Manager Zhang from the brewing department, who was all smiles: "Your Highness, our new wine is selling well, but some customers have complained that the alcohol content is too high."

Qiao Jingjing smiled and said, "Uncle Zhang, you can try lowering the alcohol content and introducing some fruit wines and medicinal wines to enrich the product range."

Uncle Zhang suddenly realized and exclaimed that it was a brilliant idea.

Soon, everyone took turns reporting their department's progress to Qiao Jingjing, who then offered reasonable suggestions to each of them.

Qiao Jingjing was finally relieved to see that everyone's reports were not much different from Zhao Wu's summary.

“I’ve been away from Nanling for the past few months, and the workshop has benefited a lot from you all. Zhao Wu, please make a list, and you will each receive an extra 5 taels as your year-end bonus.”

Upon hearing this, everyone was so excited they almost stood up. They had definitely followed the right person; not only were the job benefits plentiful, but they also received bonuses frequently. They were overjoyed.

"In addition, I will be getting married to Prince Chen in three months, and I will have even fewer opportunities to work in Daba Village after that, so I'll leave the workshop to you."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked surprised. Aunt Wang was the first to stand up and congratulate them: "Congratulations, Master! This is truly a joyous occasion!"

Qiao Jingjing smiled slightly: "Thank you. That's why the workshop's management needs some adjustments. Starting today, each department will implement a 'responsibility system,' setting production targets at the beginning of each month and assessing completion at the end of the month. Those who exceed the targets will be rewarded, and those who fail to meet the targets must explain the reasons."

Master Zhang stroked his beard and asked, "Boss, what exactly are the rules for this responsibility system?"

Qiao Jingjing took out a stack of documents and had Zhao Wu distribute them: "The details are all written here. Simply put, each department will have greater autonomy, but their responsibilities will also be more clearly defined. For example, the paper mill needs to guarantee a certain monthly paper production quantity and what quality standards it must meet."

Manager Zhang carefully examined the documents, then suddenly his eyes lit up: "Boss, this says that if we exceed our targets for three consecutive months, we can apply to expand the scale?"

“Exactly.” Qiao Jingjing nodded. “Not only that, I also plan to set up an ‘Innovation Award’. Anyone who can improve the process and increase efficiency will receive an extra reward.”

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately began to discuss it, their eyes sparkling with excitement.

Blacksmith Zhao patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, boss, our farm tool workshop will definitely make you proud! We've just figured out a new plowshare that's 30% easier to work with than the old one!"

Qiao Jingjing nodded approvingly: "That's the second thing I wanted to talk about—innovation. Next, I'll be introducing some new crops, which will require cooperation from all the workshops. For example, this crop called flax..." She took out a small cloth bag and poured out a few seeds, "The textile department needs to conduct research on textile technology in advance. For example, blending cotton and flax..."

Aunt Wang carefully took the seeds and asked curiously, "How does the cloth woven from this flax compare to linen?"

“It’s softer and more comfortable, and the yield is higher,” Qiao Jingjing explained. “After the autumn harvest, I will set aside fifty acres for a trial planting.”

Then, she took out several glass bottles: "These are the improved recipes for soy sauce and vinegar; the brewery can try producing them. And this new accounting method..." She showed several forms, "Every department needs to learn how to use it."

The crowd was overwhelmed by the sights, and Master Li exclaimed, "The boss has brought back quite a few novelties this time!"

Qiao Jingjing smiled and said, "The last and third thing is talent cultivation. Starting next month, the workshop will open night schools, and all craftsmen must be literate and able to do basic arithmetic. Those who excel can be promoted to supervisors."

This decision caused a stir. Manager Zhang hesitated, "Master,...won't making all the craftsmen study interfere with their work?"

“We’ll only study for one hour each night,” Qiao Jingjing said firmly. “Just think about it, if every craftsman could understand blueprints and calculate material usage, how much would production efficiency increase?”

Zhao the blacksmith suddenly realized, "No wonder the boss made us draw up blueprints before! Now I understand!"

The meeting lasted for nearly two hours, ending at noon. As everyone left, they were all eager to get back to work, their faces beaming with enthusiasm.

In the afternoon, Qiao Jingjing was checking the newly arrived account books when she suddenly heard a commotion outside. Xiao He rushed in to report, "Miss, something bad has happened! Some outsiders have arrived at the village entrance, saying they want to buy our papermaking formula, and the village head is stopping them!"

Qiao Jingjing frowned and immediately stood up: "Let's go take a look."

At the village entrance, three richly dressed men were arguing with the village head.

The man leading the group was a middle-aged man with a mustache. Upon seeing Qiao Jingjing, he immediately put on a smiling face: "This must be the County Princess, right? I am the steward of the Lin family in Jiangnan, here to purchase their papermaking secret formula. The price is negotiable..."

Qiao Jingjing coldly interrupted: "No need. The skills of Daba Village are never passed on to outsiders."

She was curious. She was a second-rank county princess personally appointed by the emperor, with a title and a fief. These people obviously knew her identity, yet they still dared to be so arrogant in front of her. They were either stupid and fearless, or they were used to bullying others because of their powerful family background.

The steward's expression changed, and he lowered his voice, saying, "Why is the county princess so stubborn? Our Lin family is offering five thousand taels, enough for your entire village to live on for ten years!"

"Five thousand taels?" Qiao Jingjing chuckled. "You probably don't know, but last month alone, our workshop's profits exceeded that."

Upon hearing this, the manager's face immediately darkened. A young man behind him couldn't help but shout, "Don't push your luck! Do you know who's behind the Lin family? That's..."

"Shut up!" the steward hurriedly stopped them, then turned to Qiao Jingjing, his tone softening slightly, "Princess, we business people believe in making money through harmony. How about this, you name your price?"

Qiao Jingjing remained unmoved: "Please leave. Before I lose my temper, Xiao He, see the guests out."