Ji Yangkai said, "No outsider could handle this better than family. If you haven't found suitable workers yet, I'll take care of the construction myself. Family matters should stay within the family - it makes everything simpler."
"You know how busy I'm with the autumn harvest preparations. I haven't even had time to ask about their affairs."
Ji Yangzong said, "Having relatives do it is good. I’ll call Huo Shu over and ask him."
As Ji Yangzong stood up to summon Huo Shu, Ji Yangkai quickly grabbed his arm to stop him.
"Wait! Why involve him? You're his father-in-law - just tell him how it will be. It's not like he can refuse you!"
Seeing his eldest brother's anxious expression, Ji Yangzong nearly laughed aloud.
It was amusing how everyone feared dealing directly with Huo Shu. They all expected him, as Huo Shu's father-in-law, to relay their requests instead.
"Big Brother, you’re busy with the You family’s work—can you spare the time to go into town? As I recall, your crew only has six people in total. Did you hire more?"
Ji Yangkai said, "The work in town isn’t finished yet. Once that’s done, and the foundation here is laid, things will ease up. I can pull a few men over there."
Hearing this, Ji Yangzong fell silent.
"Huo Shu and the others are rushing to open after autumn. With too few workers, it might not work out."
Ji Yangkai shook his head. "You don't understand construction - good buildings can't be rushed. Quality work requires time, especially for a business meant to last. How can we afford to be careless with such an important project?"
"That's missing the point," Ji Yangzong countered. "There's a difference between rushing the work and simply not having enough hands to complete it properly."
"Very well," Ji Yangkai sighed, suddenly backing down. "If you're unwilling, I won't press the matter. I know you have your own difficulties managing both household and business affairs."
Ji Yangkai suddenly dropped the subject, much more reasonable than Ji Wanglan.
This left Ji Yangzong slightly stunned.
Ji Yangkai picked up his cup and took a sip of tea, shifting to idle family chatter: "Your second brother’s son-in-law has turned their home upside down. Poor Yuanchun, such a good girl—she’s in for a hard time."
Ji Yangzong nodded. "I went to see them. The marriage is already settled, there’s no turning back now."
"This cursed year's weather has ruined everything - truly a season of misfortunes. The crops are beyond saving. To make matters worse, your third sister dumped that lazybones Yuan Fei on us - managing him alone is enough to wear anyone out. And decent work is scarce everywhere these days."
"Then there's Li ger's marriage prospects still unsettled. When we finally arrange it, the wedding banquet and dowry will cost a fortune—I don’t even dare calculate it all. I’m thinking of taking on more jobs. No matter how hard it gets, we can’t let the children suffer. Unlike Second Brother, who married his child off to such a good-for-nothing for the sake of a little bride price..."
Ji Yangzong listened in silence.
Outside, Ji Taoyu narrowed his eyes slightly. This was his eldest uncle’s skill—far more cunning than his shameless third aunt when it came to asking for favors.
Ji Taoyu turned his head and saw Huo Shu standing not far away, staring motionlessly at him. He stood up from beneath the window and walked over.
"Should we agree?"
Huo Shu deferred to Ji Taoyu’s opinion—after all, they did need a crew to help build the property.
Ji Taoyu said, "Didn’t you hear? Eldest Uncle wants to take on both jobs. Who knows how long it’ll drag out before it’s finished."
"Then I’ll refuse."
Ji Taoyu stopped Huo Shu. "Eldest Uncle and the others are afraid of you. If you refuse, he’ll act even more pitiful and badmouth you behind your back."
"If he showed more consideration for family ties, we could let him take the job. Wait—let me handle him."
With that, Ji Taoyu strode straight into the main hall.
Huo Shu soon heard a bright voice from inside: "Eldest Uncle’s here!"
He knew immediately that the silver tongue was at work.
"Xiao Taozhi came at just the right time. Your eldest uncle here wishes to undertake the horseback archery range construction. Have you secured a work crew yet?"
Ji Taoyu’s eyes lit up. "Great!"
Ji Yangkai hadn’t expected Ji Taoyu to agree so readily and immediately brightened.
Even Ji Yangzong gave Ji Taoyu a surprised glance, signaling him to think it over first.
"Family matters are best handled by family! You and Huo Shu are running a big business now. There’s not much else Eldest Uncle can help with, but leading a crew to build houses and buildings is something I can manage."
Ji Taoyu cheerfully sat down next to Ji Yangkai. "I knew Eldest Uncle doted on me."
Ji Yangkai beamed. "You’ve been sensible since you were little, of course your uncles dote on you. Then it’s settled!"
Ji Taoyu agreed, then said, "But there’s one thing I should mention first, though it’s a bit improper."
Ji Yangkai sipped his tea and waved a hand. "Just say it."
Ji Taoyu hesitated for a moment before saying: "Purchasing this plot of land cost over a thousand taels, which completely drained our business funds. Then there's constructing the buildings and hiring workers—everything requires expenses, and our current funds simply can't cover it all. These past few days, we’ve been worrying about the lack of money, which is why we haven’t hired the merchant house’s work crew yet. A-Shu and I have been discussing borrowing some money from the bank."
As he spoke, Ji Taoyu poured more tea for Ji Yangkai in an ingratiating manner: "Eldest Uncle, my father always says we shouldn’t trouble relatives and friends with our own affairs if we can help it—every family has their own difficulties. We’ve been too embarrassed to ask our uncles for help. But since you’ve brought it up yourself today, I’ll just have to swallow my pride."
Thank you for the update 🎉💝
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