Her expression no longer sulked; she smiled and said, "You've handled this matter exceptionally well, commendable indeed. It's also a good opportunity to observe this prince's ability to handle affairs. If he's truly capable, let him ascend the throne. A nation cannot be without a ruler!"
"I've dispatched my trusted aide back to the capital to investigate this person's background and observe his methods of dealing with matters and his character. If he proves to be responsible, I will personally place the imperial throne before him, and I might even set off fireworks to celebrate!"
In short, if he could offload this responsibility, he could then take his wife and travel the world in advance!
The two exchanged knowing smiles, everything understood without words.
Upon returning to the manor in the afternoon, the tutors granted the children the entire afternoon off, telling them to rest well. It seemed Zhao Jiaqi's few poems had indeed taught these three tutors a lesson!
That evening, Fan Zehao summoned Xiao Ce, asking him to arrange for some of the elderly and infirm retired soldiers. Those who were capable of working were sent to the estate, where they received food daily and fifty copper coins. This was Fan Zehao's considerate treatment for the wounded and disabled soldiers.
Normally, long-term laborers, with food provided, would receive only thirty coins. As for cooking, the estate didn't hire chefs; instead, the task of preparing meals was outsourced to people who ran small restaurants.
They were only responsible for providing the money, covering both the cost of ingredients and cooking. Lunch and dinner each meal had to consist of one meat dish and one vegetable dish, with steamed buns as staple. The specific types of meat and vegetables were not specified, as long as the workers could eat their fill.
The next day, shortly after breakfast, Ying Xiong arrived.
Upon seeing Zhao Jiaqi, he was direct, speaking first, "Madam, I've given it some thought last night. Regarding the cultivation of medicinal herbs, I believe it requires professional guidance to be done properly. I have come today specifically to invite you to join, offering half of the profits as a sincere token."
Zhao Jiaqi was quite surprised that he had come to her. She figured he must have seen her and Ling Weifeng successfully complete a business transaction yesterday, and it had sparked his interest.
With that thought, she relaxed.
She had been planning to clear more land for cultivating ginseng and reishi mushrooms. It seemed that would no longer be necessary; he already possessed existing medicinal estates.
It was as if she had been dozing off, and Ying Xiong had provided the pillow. This was excellent.
"I am most honored to cooperate with you. However, when it comes to cultivating medicinal herbs, it must be done according to my specifications. If you agree, we will proceed together; otherwise, it would be a regrettable missed opportunity!"
She was a professional when it came to farming, and she would not tolerate others dictating her methods.
Of course, if it were ordinary crops, it would be different. The critical issue was that this involved cultivating ginseng, one of the most challenging herbs to grow. A single misstep could result in years of delay.
Ying Xiong held great trust in her farming abilities. The high-yield rice strains that were now prevalent in the Yun Dynasty were developed by her. One had to wonder, besides her, who else in this nation possessed such skill.
Ying Xiong readily agreed to her condition, "Professionals handle professional matters. As long as we cooperate, you will have the final say on everything concerning the land."
As for the sale of medicinal herbs, his connections were no less than hers. The key issue was whether these medicinal herbs could be successfully cultivated.
"I most enjoy speaking with straightforward individuals. Then, choose a time, and we will sign the contract. Afterward, I will share my methods for cultivating ginseng and reishi mushrooms with you."
Ying Xiong chuckled, "Why wait for a better day? Let's sign the contract now. The sooner we sign, the sooner we can begin. I'm quite eager."
Zhao Jiaqi stepped aside, gesturing for him to proceed. The two entered the study, one after the other, and soon, the contract was signed.
Zhao Jiaqi retrieved a document from the bookshelf, her meticulously written guide to cultivating medicinal herbs. It detailed everything, down to the specific stage of the herb's growth, accompanied by small illustrations for clarity.
It could be said that such a booklet was worth its weight in gold.
Ying Xiong flipped through a few pages, his expression growing serious, "This... Madam, you are giving this to me so readily. Are you not afraid I will claim it as my own?"
They had only known each other for a short time, yet she trusted him so implicitly. Such a booklet held immense allure for a businessman, containing cultivation methods for many valuable medicinal herbs, along with their properties, appearances, and optimal growing conditions.
This was the same old question again. Zhao Jiaqi didn't know how many times she had answered it.
"Are you that kind of person?" Zhao Jiaqi countered with a question. Seeing his astonished expression, she smiled again, "Since I'm presenting it, I'm not worried you'll have ulterior motives. In human interactions, sincerity is paramount. Of course, you could deceive me, but you would only succeed once, and never a second time."
Her words made Ying Xiong feel ashamed. He shouldn't have even asked that question just now. It seemed his perspective and vision were too narrow.
Seeing him nod repeatedly, Zhao Jiaqi added, "Isn't it said, 'Do not employ those you doubt, and do not doubt those you employ'? Since our shared goal is to earn money, why speak of claiming this as my own? It is inherently mine. At worst, I can write many more copies, even better and more complete than this!"
Ying Xiong was now genuinely impressed by this woman.
"As Madam says, I was too narrow-minded. However, I, Ying Xiong, am not such a petty person. I am merely curious if you are not afraid of suffering a loss by doing this?"
Zhao Jiaqi shook her head, "To suffer a loss is a blessing."
With those four words, she concluded the topic, not wishing to elaborate further.
The concept of 'suffering a loss' varied from person to person.
In Ying Xiong's view, handing over such valuable information for others to profit from seemed like a loss. But in Zhao Jiaqi's eyes, it was a gain.
She was just one person, her mind limited by her own capacity. She couldn't possibly manage so many things alone. Instead of exhausting herself with cultivation efforts, why not collaborate? The initial stages might be challenging, but later on, it would be effortless profit. Where was the loss in that?
Ying Xiong gave a faint smile. This statement also held truth. "Give and take," the saying goes; first, you give, then you receive. This sentiment was not without reason.
Besides, he wasn't foolish. Zhao Jiaqi was also astute. The fact that she presented this booklet so openly indicated her confidence that he wouldn't betray her.
After all, what businessman would dare to antagonize the authorities? It would be a net loss with no benefits in the end.
The things he could think of, Zhao Jiaqi could certainly grasp, perhaps even more thoroughly than himself. She might have already devised a plan for how to deal with him if he were to betray her.
The more Ying Xiong thought this way, the more he felt it was accurate. In reality, he was overthinking it. Zhao Jiaqi hadn't even considered that possibility.
While in the study, during their spare time, she explained the cultivation cycle of ginseng. Such medicinal herbs couldn't mature in just one year; it took at least three years, and often five or more. It wasn't a simple matter of investing money this year and recouping it next.
Ying Xiong acknowledged, "Since Madam trusts me so much, I will not let you down. Regarding the affairs of the medicinal estate, Madam has full authority. I will only be responsible for providing the capital and handling subsequent matters."