Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The residence wasn't large, but its decorations were quite refined.

Although it was already late autumn, one could still discern traces of the lushness of summer.

Several koi carp swam in the pond.

In the pavilion, Chu Qinghan was frowning, burying her head in what she was writing on the table.

Chu Youyi chattered beside her, her face showing a hint of resentment.

It wasn't until the maid came to announce his arrival that Chu Qinghan finally looked up.

By this time, Fang Zheng had already walked up to her. A trace of panic flashed across Chu Qinghan's face, and she hurriedly stood up and said, "Greetings, Lord Fang."

Tifa, ah, the more I look, the more she resembles her.

Fang Zheng secretly swallowed a mouthful of saliva and said calmly, "Ah, no need to be so polite. Gou'er is back. The reason I've asked you here today is to invite you to take a stroll around Taoyuan County. You've been here for so long and haven't been yet. I don't know if you'd like to go?"

Chu Qinghan pondered for a moment and nodded, "Then thank you, Lord Fang. It just so happens that we have time today. Shall we go now?"

"Yes, pack up a bit and let's set off."

"Lord Fang!" Chu Youyi suddenly called out, grabbing the hem of her clothes and appearing somewhat awkward and nervous.

Fang Zheng looked at her in confusion and asked, "What's wrong?"

"My sister, she..."

"Youyi! This is a family matter. What are you telling Lord Fang?" Chu Qinghan's clear, cold voice came, and she immediately pulled her sister away.

Fang Zheng was utterly bewildered.

Lai Gou'er leaned over and said, "Big Brother, family matters! Family matters need to be taken care of."

"Shut up!"

Before long, the two sisters had changed their clothes.

Chu Youyi was dressed in light green, looking pure and lively, but her expression was somewhat heavy, as if she was in a bad mood.

Chu Qinghan, on the other hand, had changed into a new outfit, a pink and white dress, paired with a pair of pure white satin embroidered shoes, her hair styled into a 'drifting cloud' bun.

Her face was lightly made up, making her look exceptionally refined.

Fang Zheng couldn't help but brighten up and took a few more glances.

"Lord Fang, we're ready. Shall we go now?" Chu Qinghan asked.

"Okay, let's go."

....

The carriage Fang Zheng found was very large, and the four of them sitting inside still felt quite spacious.

The four of them were silent in the carriage. Fang Zheng sat side by side with Chu Qinghan.

A faint fragrance wafted to his nose.

However, Chu Youyi across from them was constantly resting her cheek on her hand, gazing out the window, looking preoccupied.

Fang Zheng couldn't help but ask, "Youyi, what were you going to tell me just now? You can tell me directly, and I'll help you brainstorm."

Chu Youyi turned her head, glanced at Chu Qinghan, and shook her head.

Fang Zheng also looked at Chu Qinghan in confusion, "What exactly is it that you're hiding?"

"Speak frankly. I still own half the shares in the Chu family. What are you planning to do?"

Chu Qinghan shook her head, smiled wryly, and said, "Lord, thank you for your concern. Qinghan only wants to do some business, and Youyi just has a different opinion."

"What business?"

"Um... some small business. I haven't thought it through yet." Chu Qinghan looked nonchalant.

Small business? Small business shouldn't cause conflict, right? Chu Youyi is an indecisive girl, how could she possibly have disagreements with her on business matters?

Fang Zheng turned his gaze back to Chu Youyi.

"She wants to go to Bei Rong!" Chu Youyi, finally unable to bear it, interjected, "Sister has taken a fancy to the fur trade there and is preparing to go there herself."

"Youyi!" Chu Qinghan scolded angrily.

Fang Zheng frowned and said, "What are you going to the border town for? It's a long and dangerous journey. There are so many businesses you can do, why do you have to sell fur?"

"The Chu family doesn't seem to have any experience in the fur trade, does it? If you need any help, please ask."

"Are you short of silver?"

Chu Qinghan shook her head and smiled bitterly, "Lord, business is not easy to do in the capital. Competition is fierce in all walks of life."

"We have enough silver for now, but if we want to gain a foothold in the capital in the future, we can only take risks and do business that others are unwilling to do."

"I've already inquired about the market. Transactions in the border towns are very popular now. In a few years, I'm afraid there won't be a place for us."

Fang Zheng was just about to say something when Chu Qinghan's beautiful eyes looked straight at him.

"Lord Fang, we know you mean well. Although we sisters are weak women, we can still gain a foothold in the capital by our own abilities."

Chu Youyi nodded in agreement.

"Then you can go back to Yuding City, why do you have to buy property in the capital?"

As soon as these words came out, three pairs of eyes looked at him at the same time.

Fang Zheng regretted it instantly, scolding himself for being an idiot in his heart.

Wasn't this like pouring salt on the wound!

The carriage fell silent again. Fang Zheng hesitated several times but ultimately did not speak.

Chu Qinghan has a strong personality and doesn't want to rely on him, but he can't let her, a woman, run to the border town.

This road is full of bandits. He used to moonlight as one himself. With the looks of these two sisters, can they expect anything good? He absolutely can't let them go.

...

Nearing Taoyuan County.

Large billboards began to appear along the roadside!

Unlike before, this time paintings began to appear on the billboards! All hand-painted, obviously expensive.

The paintings were extremely beautiful, all about the planned beautiful scenes of the future Taoyuan outskirts.

Below were also written advertising slogans.

【Prosperity rejects extravagance. Why bother living downtown when convenience is within reach?】

【An interesting hillside valley residence, the way to advance and retreat in life.】

【One building, one mansion; one residence, one wealthy family. My neighbors are all rich and noble!!】

Liu Zhongshun had already planted a row of lush trees along both sides of the road.

Passing through the woods along the road, the view suddenly opened up!

On the left side of the road, the wasteland was still under construction, but on the right side, rows of newly built three-story buildings had sprung up, complete with flying eaves and brackets, which were extremely beautiful.

One could vaguely see many flower beds and stone tables and benches under the buildings.

At the moment, many people were strolling around nearby with their hands behind their backs.

Everything seemed orderly and harmonious.

Chu Youyi leaned against the window and exclaimed, "How beautiful! But why are the houses built outside the city?"

Fang Zheng replied with a smile, "That's just the wasteland on the outskirts, which is still under development. These are all houses built for some poor people."

He hadn't been back for a while. He didn't expect the first phase of houses to be built already? Judging by the number of people, some must have been sold. He wondered how much silver Liu Zhongshun had earned.

However, the shape of these three-story buildings was still very much to Fang Zheng's liking. It seemed that he had carefully found someone to design them.

He likes traditional architecture.

But in his previous life, Chinese architecture was almost finished. The shape of high-rise buildings was not suitable for the design of flying eaves and brackets at all.

If everyone could live in a small villa, perhaps they could retain their own characteristics.

Unfortunately, they can only live in small boxes in high-rise buildings.

It seems that it is necessary to guide architectural aesthetics in the future. A architectural design department should be opened in the university.

Chu Qinghan was also carefully looking at the outside. This unique landscape was in her eyes, and her heart was quite shocked.

This is the legendary number one county in the world. Even the outskirts are so exquisite. I wonder what the scenery is like in the city.

Compared with this, Yuding City... is really too far behind.

As expected of him, he is willing to spend so much effort even to build houses for poor people. No wonder the people of the capital are spreading that he is a good official for the country and the people.

And he is also approachable...

Chu Qinghan couldn't help but look sideways at Fang Zheng, with a bit more admiration in her eyes.

"The spacing between the buildings is too large, what a waste!" Fang Zheng muttered in a low voice, slandering in his heart.

Three-story buildings, a few meters apart is almost enough. At first glance, it must be twenty meters. What's the point of building so many gardens?

It's warmer when the people are squeezed together!

This must be selling a lot fewer houses! Isn't this a waste!

"Lord Fang, what did you just say?"

"Ah, cough cough, it's nothing. After entering the city, let's eat first."

.....