Chapter 158
The young servants and Yuwen Jue were all stunned. They pulled at Lu Hanzhi, unwilling to let him leave, eager to understand the process.
Lu Hanzhi chuckled. “The principle? It’s actually very simple.” He picked up an egg, peeled it, and pointed at the white crystalline patterns on its surface. “See this pattern? Doesn’t it look like pine branches?”
Everyone casually broke off a branch from a nearby pine tree outside the window and nodded in agreement.
Lu Hanzhi nodded in satisfaction, speaking as if revealing a secret: “Because of this pattern, it’s called a ‘pine flower egg.’ Also, because it’s chewy and soft, like the texture of meat skin, it’s also called a ‘century egg.’”
“As for why it turns out this way—everyone knows that lime generates heat, right? When raw eggs are wrapped in lime, they cook after a short while. The alkaline substances in the lime react with certain minerals in the egg white to form a kind of salt, which then crystallizes. These crystals resemble frost and form the beautiful pine-branch patterns you see.”
“That’s roughly the principle. I don’t know all the specifics. But does it matter? As long as it tastes good, who cares about the details? Still, I should warn everyone: these traditionally-made century eggs shouldn’t be eaten excessively, especially by pregnant women and children. Too much can be harmful. Even ordinary people should eat them sparingly—just once in a while, to accompany drinks or satisfy a craving. Enjoy in moderation.”
Everyone was fascinated and eagerly wanted to taste the century eggs.
Lu Hanzhi reserved a few of each type of egg to take back to Lu Xuzhi and Yuwen Min for tasting. The rest were peeled, then dressed with ginger juice and minced garlic, seasoned with soy sauce and vinegar, and sprinkled with chopped cilantro and scallions—a truly unique flavor.
When the workers heard that Wang Fei was providing an extra meal at noon, they were full of energy and completed another floor of the building.
Lu Hanzhi repeatedly reminded everyone to prioritize safety. He even had a red banner hung up: Safety is the foremost productivity.
The workers were deeply moved. What impressed them the most, however, was that wages were paid daily.
This construction site employed over a hundred workers. Every day before leaving, Zhou Cong ensured that everyone received their full pay.
Local villagers began asking whether Lu Hanzhi’s site was hiring. Though it was hard work, it provided a reliable income.
To their surprise, Han Ji Fragrance House regularly hired workers, offering excellent treatment, and even providing meals and lodging.
In the capital, word spread, and indeed, Han Ji had the resources to support such workers.
However, wages were tiered. Ordinary laborers earned just enough to live.
If they wanted higher pay, they could work overtime or train as skilled workers.
During the first two months as a trainee, pay was slightly lower, but after learning the trade, they could earn a higher wage.
This model was inspired by modern factory management, copied by Lu Hanzhi.
It ensured workers had ambition and could create greater value through their labor.
At Han Ji, anyone working four to six hours diligently would be well compensated.
It was enough to support a family comfortably. Even adding one or two children would be manageable.
Lu Hanzhi now owned five factories, over a hundred shops, and had even expanded to other provinces.
He had accumulated considerable wealth, providing capital for future ventures.
This, presumably, was the system’s intention: to let him build economic foundations first, before tackling other matters.
Now, investing in education and public welfare would be feasible without straining resources.
At noon, Lu Hanzhi, Yuwen Jue, and the workers gathered for a meal. Plain coarse-grain rice with white porridge accompanied a large pot of mixed dishes.
There were chunks of meat, blood sausages, and a massive basin of century eggs in sauce.
The workers stared at the black jade-like eggs in awe, muttering among themselves—they had never seen or heard of anything like it.
The first worker to taste the food couldn’t help but exclaim, “Delicious! Absolutely delicious!”
Everyone eagerly served themselves, significantly increasing the pace.
Lu Hanzhi took a bowl and, eating, asked, “Is it good? Isn’t it tasty? If it’s good, eat more! You need to be full to have energy for work this afternoon.”
Everyone cheerfully thanked Lu Hanzhi. They found this Wang Fei, with no airs or temper, incredibly approachable and novel.
Yuwen Jue admired Lu Hanzhi for this. He hadn’t expected him to interact so easily and naturally with ordinary people.
Yuwen Jue wasn’t someone who acted superior, but even so, he couldn’t match Lu Hanzhi’s ability to casually warm up to ordinary people.
It was probably a kind of innate charm, one that made people instinctively want to be near him.
In the afternoon, Lu Hanzhi checked the construction progress again. The ten-story building had reached its fifth floor, thanks to the ingenuity of the ancient-style scaffolding.
Lu Hanzhi stared at the slowly progressing “bar,” finally allowing himself a spark of hope.
This building would become Great Zhao’s first charitable school, and if possible, it could even be upgraded into a public school.
Initially, though, it would have to operate under the name of a charitable school.
Before the school could be completed, Lu Hanzhi still had plenty of preparation work to handle.
For example, recruiting students and arranging teachers—everything had to be ready before classes began.
On the way back, he sketched and made notes while discussing these matters with Yuwen Jue.
Yuwen Jue said, “Leave the teachers to me. I know a highly respected Mr. Song. He passed the imperial examinations but never pursued an official career, instead dedicating himself to literature. If he knew we were opening a charitable school, he’d probably agree to help. His students consistently perform well in the annual imperial exams, so he’s quite the mentor.”
Lu Hanzhi clapped his hands. “That’s fantastic! Then I’ll trouble you with this matter, Second Sister-in-law.”
Yuwen Jue replied, “It’s no trouble. Hanzhi, your work benefits the country and the people. I truly admire that.”
Lu Hanzhi felt a little guilty. Work for the country and the people? He was barely doing a mission, after all.
But the more he worked, the less he could tell whether he was acting for the mission or for the people of Great Zhao.
Back at the prince’s residence, Yuwen Min and Lu Xuzhi had not yet returned.
Lu Hanzhi handed the century eggs to Luan Feng and went to the backyard to find Ah Chan.
Usually, when Xiao Liuzi wasn’t around, Ah Chan would play in the backyard garden.
Summer had arrived, and the weather was warm. Lu Hanzhi shed his outer robe, wearing only his inner garment, tying his hair up, looking unrestrained and far from a proper Xiao Langjun.
When he reached the backyard, he found Ah Chan even more carefree.
Ah Chan wore only a small blue cloth vest, his chubby little buttocks exposed, leaning on a stone by the stream, trying to reach the lotus flowers in the pond.
Lu Hanzhi tiptoed around, sneaked behind the rockery, and then suddenly leapt out to startle him.
Ah Chan furrowed his brows and stepped back, but his reaction wasn’t as strong as Lu Hanzhi had expected.
He gave Lu Hanzhi a casual glance and said flatly, “Boring…”
Lu Hanzhi, surprised, stepped forward and pressed Ah Chan’s shoulder. “Sweetheart, who taught you to say that?”
Ah Chan didn’t fully understand what Lu Hanzhi was saying but still pouted and muttered, “Daddy! So annoying!”
The expression, the little gestures—they were identical to Lu Hanzhi’s.
He realized that Ah Chan’s face was basically a copy of Yuwen Min’s.
But his personality… why did it carry Lu Hanzhi’s mischievous streak?
Without another thought, Lu Hanzhi kicked off his shoes and sat with Ah Chan on a large stone. “Ah Chan, what are you doing?”
Ah Chan pointed at the lotus flowers a short distance away. “Mm-mmm.”
Lu Hanzhi nodded. “Ah, picking lotus flowers? Why are you picking them?”
Ah Chan answered, “Brother.”
“To give to your brother?” Lu Hanzhi asked.
Ah Chan nodded, frowning in concentration.
Lu Hanzhi laughed. “Is it too far? Can’t reach?”
Ah Chan nodded again.
Lu Hanzhi rolled up his pant legs, stepped carefully on the cobblestones, and picked the budding lotus flower.
Ah Chan’s chubby little limbs flailed excitedly, and he clapped his hands. “Daddy is amazing!”
Lu Hanzhi, overly proud, slipped and fell into the water with a splash.
Ah Chan: …
His little pudgy hands immediately covered his face, peeking through his fingers.
He saw Lu Hanzhi struggling to stand, drenched in muddy water.
Clearing his throat, Lu Hanzhi said, “Ah… a little accident. Don’t tell your daddy about this, okay?”
Daddy himself: “Don’t tell who?”
Lu Hanzhi shivered as Yuwen Min suddenly appeared using light-step technique and lifted him out of the water.
Once on the ground, Yuwen Min scowled. “You’re pregnant! Pregnant! Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?”
Lu Hanzhi covered his face, listening to the scolding, while Ah Chan mimicked him, shaking his head.
Lu Hanzhi said, “I know, I know. I was… being careful!”
Yuwen Min was speechless. “Being careful? And yet you wade in the water barefoot in only a thin inner garment to pick lotus flowers?”
Lu Hanzhi replied, “But didn’t Ah Chan want it?”
Yuwen Min glared at Ah Chan. Ah Chan immediately shook his tiny hands: “No, no, no!”
Lu Hanzhi: …This little rascal!
The little rascal looked completely innocent, eyes fixed on the lotus flower Lu Hanzhi had picked.
The large and small pair stood in the sun, enduring Yuwen Min’s lecture.
Eventually, Yuwen Min sighed and let them go change clothes.
He carried Ah Chan. “Why did you want to pick the lotus flowers?”
Ah Chan replied, “Brother.”
Yuwen Min asked, “Oh? To give to your brother?”
Ah Chan nodded happily.
Yuwen Min’s face darkened.
Lu Hanzhi tried to suppress his laughter. This little rascal was still too naive!
Ah Chan glanced at his father in horror, and sure enough, Yuwen Min sighed. “Ah Chan, lying isn’t good. Later, you’ll practice horse stances with Daddy.”
Lu Hanzhi: “…Hahahahahahaha!”
Ah Chan’s little face puckered into a bitter expression. Lu Hanzhi thought, One object tames another—this dad is ruthless too.
Ah Chan was taken by Luan Feng to change clothes, and Lu Hanzhi went to change as well.
Yuwen Min pushed the door open and just happened to see Lu Hanzhi removing his wet clothes.
Being hugged from behind, Lu Hanzhi asked, “In broad daylight… what are you trying to do?”
The tone of the last two words sounded a little unusual.
Yuwen Min sighed helplessly and planted a gentle kiss on his ear. “I came looking for you. Regarding Xinglin Slope and the carrier pigeons, as you suspected, the Eldest Young Lady of the Su family did indeed have a personal maid from childhood named Chou Niang.”
Note: Chou Niang, the Niang means woman while Chou Nu, the Nu means servant so bacially both names refer to same person just Chinese way of calling people differently like Han’er, Hanzhi.
Lu Hanzhi paused in his movements while dressing. “Oh? And what happened to this Chou Niang later?”
Yuwen Jue replied, “According to the records, Chou Niang perished in the fire along with dozens of Su family members.”
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