Chapter 524 - 522
"Next is the matter of manpower," Jiang Yifan’s expression finally became normal, and he spoke without the previous abnormality, "Who will take charge of the construction in Guanyuan Prefecture? Do we wait for Old Master Cheung to finish and come back? Guanyuan Prefecture is so far away, continuously rushing work like this, wouldn’t it be too exhausting for the old gentleman?"
Ye Xinyan shook her head, "Grandfather Cheung, after all, is of advanced age, and we can’t let the old man travel too far from home. Let him stay to work on the Peach Grove project. Sixth Master has sent over Zhang Chang and Zhao Qiusheng this time, both of whom have worked with Wong Qiao, and they were formerly court officials in charge of construction, so with Zhang Chang, Fan Zhengyuan, and Xie Chun going together, and with cattle farming and workshops not being a novel trade, just take the charts and construction documents from Clear Water Village and recruit from the local Construction Industry."
Zhang Chang and Zhao Qiusheng were the two minor officials sent by Jinrong to the Qi family in the earliest days, where they learned the ropes with Ye Xinyan and Wong Qiao. Later, after returning to the capital, they demonstrated formidable capabilities in the capital’s Railway Carriage project. They became the most celebrated contractors who used the least labor and finished earliest among numerous construction teams, not just one of them.
Jiang Yifan thought for a moment, that this was for the best. With Jinrong not being here, involving people from Prince Yu’s Mansion in the construction and preparations for both industries was the best plan.
"Blood brothers should settle accounts clearly," this saying is never wrong no matter when used. Even if Jinrong doesn’t care about this, surrounded by many people, one shouldn’t let others harbor doubts, overly trusting His Highness Prince Yu for believing he and Ah Yan aren’t really husband and wife, causing rifts within Jinrong’s faction fighting for succession.
Jiang Yifan said, "Right, arrange it like that. This way you can lead the team and concentrate on inventing machinery. The court is now urgently discussing the railway transportation plan, and construction can start as early as next year. The sooner your machinery is ready, the sooner it can be used in the railway project. The court could save a significant amount of manpower and resources. Compared to the business in Guanyuan Prefecture, the Mechanical Workshop is indeed more urgent."
Ye Xinyan, surprised, lowered her voice slightly and asked, "Isn’t the railway transportation supposed to be handed over to Prince Fu? Even with highly efficient machinery, it might not necessarily save the court any silver. Why are you rushing this?"
Jiang Yifan smiled smugly, "This is called opportunity knocking. It’s His Highness Prince Fu’s good fortune. He just happens to have the contract for the railway transport project, and you just happen to have your handy inventions ready. It will allow Prince Fu to make a fortune."