Chapter 903: Intense Heart....
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Lan Ruozhu looked reluctant when he heard that Su Binglan intended to return to Su Teng Village. Since she lived in the capital, he could visit her However, he would be far away from her if she returned to the village. Still, he would support his sister in whatever she did. Lan Ruozhu would be happy as long as his sister did whatever she wanted to do.
“I’ll arrange for someone to send you home.”
“There’s no need.” Su Binglan shook her head. “l want to apply for leave on Jin’an’s behalf and bring him with me to the village.”
Lan Ruozhu readily said, “All right, I’ll approve his leave. I’ll feel at ease if he’s with you.”
Lan Ruozhu thought it was fine as long as his sister was safe and happy. Moreover, the country was peaceful now, and he could allow Luo Jin’an to accompany Su Binglan.
Lan Ruozhu asked, “Why do you suddenly want to open an ice cream factory in Su Teng Village?”
“l sent my family a box of popsicles, and they liked them very much,” Su Binglan answered, “Also, it’ll be the wheat-harvesting season, and the weather will be at its hottest.
“When it’s that hot, the popsicles will help everyone relieve the heat from their bodies. I remember so many people suffering from heatstrokes when I was younger. I felt sorry for everyone.
“Producing popsicles isn’t expensive, so everyone can buy one and eat it to cool off.” Memories of the past flashed through Su Binglan’s mind as she spoke.
Everyone was so busy harvesting wheat that they did not even have time to drink water. Back then, everyone had cornbread for lunch and would bring it to the fields to eat. Food was not as nutritious back then, either.
Su Binglan felt bitter when she thought about it. Nonetheless, the Su Teng villagers’ lives had improved, and they could afford things like popsicles and ice cream.
Su Teng Village held a special place in Su Binglan’s heart. Since it was harvesting season, she wanted to return to the village to check on it.
After some thought, she said, “I’ve just built and established an ice cream factory in the capital. They’ll produce enough ice cream in no time. By then, merchants from all over the world will come to wholesale ice cream everywhere. Most commoners can then enjoy those delightful treats.”
Lan Ruozhu pondered for a moment and then said, “It’s good that the merchants will wholesale them elsewhere, but won’t they raise the prices?”
“They’ll have to sign a contract before wholesaling them,” Su Binglan said, “I’ll set a specific price range for the ice cream instead of letting the merchants ask for random prices. We’ll include the details in the newspaper so people can judge for themselves.”
“Having a newspaper company is highly beneficial, isn’t it?” Lan Ruozhu said with emotion, “It makes it convenient for us to issue the Imperial Court’s decrees and makes it easy for the commoners to keep up with the decrees.”
No one had considered running a newspaper company in the past because of how expensive paper was. However, paper had become much cheaper thanks to the paper mill and Su Binglan’s paper-making methods, not to mention the printing factory.
The cost of publishing newspapers each time was cheap, too. There was even a space in the capital that Su Binglan could use to build a newspaper office. Many scholars were desperate to work there.
The commoners felt it was good to work in a newspaper office. Moreover, they could advertise their businesses in the newspapers. Many began investing in advertisements to promote their businesses.
The newspaper office staff also interviewed ordinary folks for their stories. The people of the capital had grown accustomed to reading the newspaper every day. That was because it provided them with the latest information.
Even if the office produced more newspapers, they would still run out.
Everyone would rush to buy the newspaper just to read them together.
Su Binglan smiled as she spoke about the newspaper, “We can expand the office scale later and even print magazines. We can also hire more staff to work at the office.
“Later, we can task the staff with interviewing famous people and write articles about them in the newspaper.”
Lan Ruozhu raised his brows, saying, “Including a story that inspires others in the newspaper is a pretty good idea.”
“Indeed, it is.” Su Binglan felt a burning passion in her heart as she nodded.
“It’ll inspire people to work, study, and live their lives to the fullest.”
Lan Ruozhu thought of something and said, “Sister, can we set up a library here, too?”
He knew how beneficial the Su Teng Village library was and how well everyone responded to it. All the students in the capital knew about the library that collected many books and allowed everyone to read for free.
Students from all over the world would go there to read just because of how famous the library was.
Lan Ruozhu continued, “l heard that so many people want to settle down in Su Teng Village now.”
Su Binglan said, “Since the Imperial Palace is here, 1 want to develop the surrounding areas more. I’d like for everyone to move here, too.”
She had thought of these things for her brother’s sake. Since he was the emperor, Su Binglan had to consider his position in many things.
“That’s okay,” Lan Ruozhu said, “I’m happy that Su Teng Village is developing perfectly.”
“Brother, this place will be even more prosperous once we finish developing it.
Even merchants from other countries will want to visit. I’ll make this place even more prosperous than Su Teng Village.”
Su Binglan could envision her plans for the capital.
Lan Ruozhu knew his sister did these things for him. “You’ve worked hard, Sister. Actually—
Su Binglan interjected, “There’s no need for siblings to be so formal. Besides, Jin’an’s home is here, remember? We’ll be living here most of the time. I hope that the capital will have plenty of good food and entertainment.
“Also, 1 can always invite my family to the capital so they can look around. Xuexuan and Xuehai might even come here to work when they grow up. We still need to create more job opportunities here to attract talented people.” Lan Ruozhu became increasingly excited as he listened.
“We’ll nurture many talents when the time comes, Brother. We can then arrange for them to visit various parts of the country to do construction and contribute.
“By then, agriculture, economy, and military will develop well. Our country’s strength will improve exponentially.”
Lan Ruozhu nodded. “We’ll need some time to develop all of Chu Country.”
Of course, it would be perfect if the entire country could prosper. Even so, Lan Ruozhu wanted to take a look around..