Lu Ye considered this important and nodded, saying, "Brother Ma San is absolutely right. We not only need to form a guard team but also have a citizen army, with every resident of Hongshupo participating in training. Moreover," Lu Ye glanced at Bai Sheng and smiled, "I plan to buy a batch of weapons from the city so that every member of the guard team will have a suitable weapon."
Bai Sheng smiled knowingly and said, "This is a truly excellent idea. Safety is the foundation for stable development. Let's do it this way. From now on, Brother Ma San will be the captain of the guard team."
Receiving the affirmation from the lord and lady of the manor, Ma San's heart surged with emotion. He couldn't help but look at Liu Shi, only to find Liu Shi staring at him intently, her gaze seeming as if she could swallow him whole.
Hiss, women were too terrifying. Ma San flinched, lowered his head.
Lu Hua fiddled with the hem of her clothes, her palms growing cold and sweaty. Finally, she stood up and asked with a slight tremor in her voice, "Sister-in-law, could we... build a school? As Hongshupo grows and more people come to live here, there will surely be many children who want to study. Having a school would make things more formal, and we could also collect some tuition fees."
Currently, teaching their own people was free, but in the future, with more people, those who were less closely related would naturally have to pay some tuition.
Bai Sheng looked at Lu Hua approvingly. "Hua Hua, your suggestion is excellent. I had the same thought. Brother Feng, could you see where a good location for the school would be, and perhaps provide me with a school layout plan?"
Feng Pingyuan nodded. "Yes, Madam. I also have experience in building schools, and I will complete the design plan as soon as possible."
Lu Hua let out a sigh of relief, her hands trembling slightly with excitement. This was the first time she had voiced her opinion in front of everyone, and she found the feeling quite good.
Yang Shi stood up and said in a calm voice, "Our clothing and shoemaking team wants to recruit two more people. As more people come to live or work in Hongshupo, we can sell ready-made clothes and shoes. We don't need to sell them at high prices; small profits, quick turnover. This will also be a source of income."
Bai Sheng smiled. "Sister Yang, proceed according to your idea. If you need money, you can get it from Sister Du, but make sure to keep proper account records. You will also be responsible for recruiting those two workers."
Yang Shi couldn't hide her joy. "Yes, Madam, rest assured, I will manage the clothing department well."
Bai Sheng felt that Yang Shi was a steady and intelligent woman, so she was at ease placing Qian Zhaodi under her supervision.
Grandma Zhong stood up with a smile, rubbing her hands and saying, "Lord, Madam, if our weaving department has stock, we can also sell it. This will be another source of income."
"Of course, Grandma Zhong can also proceed boldly," Bai Sheng smiled. "Wang Da Ma from Caomiaocun will move his entire family here before long. He has experience in running a small business. By then, the clothes and shoes made by Sister Yang and the woven items by Grandma Zhong can be handed over to him to sell. I've already spoken to him about this."
"Ah, good, good, good," Grandma Zhong nodded repeatedly. Now she felt she was no longer useless and could help the lady of the manor earn money, her whole body filled with energy.
Tian Guihua and Liu Shi exchanged glances. Both felt that the kitchen was running smoothly and had no opinions to offer. However, Lu Yu suddenly piped up and said with great earnestness, "Sister-in-law, I want to learn cooking from Aunt Tian and Aunt Liu. I want to become a great chef in the future and make many, many delicious dishes."
Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this. The profession of a chef was indeed quite suitable for Lu Yu, the little foodie.
Bai Sheng and Lu Ye exchanged amused glances and said to Tian Guihua and Sister Liu, "Then we'll trouble Aunt Guihua and Sister Liu. You can let Little Yu watch you cook from time to time."
"That's no problem at all. He's always hovering by the kitchen stove at mealtimes," Tian Guihua laughed heartily, wanting to tease Little Yu. "Little Yu, come here quickly and pay your respects."
Little Yu toddled over on his short legs and knelt before Tian Guihua and Liu Shi, calling them master.
The crowd erupted in laughter again.
Seeing that Lu Yu had his own aspirations, Lu Yun also stood up. "Sister-in-law, I will lead my little soldiers to continue managing the septic tanks. I think we should build more septic tanks. Sister-in-law also plans to grow crops, and there will surely be a lot of manure needed."
Bai Sheng stroked Lu Yun's head and praised, "Yes, Little Yun, you have a far-reaching vision. You've thought of this. The septic tanks will definitely be expanded."
Lu Yun sat down, his chest puffed out with pride.
Tianya, sitting beside him, quietly moved closer to Bai Sheng, tugged at her sleeve, and whispered, "Shiniang, I will practice diligently and protect you specifically in the future."
Bai Sheng pinched his little cheek and smiled, her eyes narrowing. "Alright, I believe with your protection, I will be very safe."
Tianya smiled shyly.
Seeing her old friend Grandma Zhong pursuing her own career, Grandma Wu felt greatly inspired. After thinking for a moment, she also stood up. "Little Ye, Sheng'er, I think Hongshupo should also build a clinic. As more people come in the future, there will definitely be those who need medical attention. We must open a clinic, and Qingfeng and I will be the chief physicians."
Qingfeng said, "I have the same idea."
Everyone felt that building a clinic was a good idea. They wouldn't have to travel to the town for medical treatment anymore, which was incredibly convenient.
Bai Sheng naturally gave her full support. What made her even happier was that her master was integrating more and more into Hongshupo.
The tasks of building the clinic and the school were assigned to Feng Pingyuan, while the matter of road construction would be entirely the responsibility of Zhao Dazhuang.
Zhao Dazhuang instantly straightened his back. He was not eloquent and didn't know what suggestions to make, but as long as there was work for him, he would diligently and earnestly complete it.
Finally, Hu Daniu stood up and said with a simple smile, "Madam has entrusted the farming to me. I will definitely work hard to learn farming, and everyone can teach me more in the future. Also, I'd like to ask Lord to buy me some books on farming when he goes to the county town next time. I'll learn while exploring on my own."
Lu Ye smiled. "I'll buy them for you when I go to the county town in a few days."
Almost every department had spoken, and Ji Chenghao's ledgers were nearly full.
For him, the most important thing was to master the techniques of digging wells and planting in the desert and then promoting them to other areas. This was the fundamental way to transform the desert.
However, what he recorded daily were fragmented materials. He planned to take some time to organize these materials and write several instructional books on agriculture.
Once the task was completed, he would present the books to Prince Yu and ask him to submit them to the court. The deserts of the Great Xia Kingdom would surely become oases.
Hongshupo would be the starting point of his grand ambition.
As a scholar, he hadn't done much farm work, but from today onwards, he would personally follow Hu Daniu and Yang Ming to work, gaining firsthand information through practical experience.