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Chu Qingzhi cautioned, “Be careful. There have been frequent movements in the eastern border; I’m worried they might try to harm you in secret.”

“I’m aware and have always been cautious.”

“There’s nothing much on my end now, so I’m going to rest. You should rest early too.”

“Alright, good night.”

“Good night.”

Chu Qingzhi retracted the Golden Phoenix to her arm, then sat down to work on the design for the technical school.

The project to establish the technical school was officially underway, with ground surveys being conducted. Once the surveys confirmed there were no issues, construction could begin.

The technical school was designed not to stand out but to fit the architectural style of the era.

There were approximately a thousand children aged ten to seventeen in the fief, who would be the main students of the technical school. Each classroom was designed to accommodate thirty-five students, requiring the construction of about thirty classrooms.

In addition to classrooms, the plan included areas for teachers’ offices, staff workspaces, a cafeteria, and more. There was much to consider.

Chu Qingzhi took out a large piece of paper to draw the design, which she estimated would take two to three days to complete.

After a long contemplation, she began to draw.

The cold wind caused the curtains to flutter lightly, and paper cranes danced in the air. The parrots, having finished their meal, stayed in place preening their feathers, filling the room with rustling sounds.

With many tasks awaiting her the next day, Chu Qingzhi did not sleep but spent the night working on the design.

Chu Qingzhi put down her brush, reviewing the design with a smile. It was halfway done.

After a quick tidy up, she went downstairs to wash and eat, then rode Fu Bao to inspect the completion of the northern road.

…

The harsh cold wind didn’t deter Chu Qingzhi, draped in a rabbit fur cloak, riding the majestic Fu Bao, appearing like a celestial being misplaced in the mortal realm.

The people waiting at the end of the northern road were stunned upon witnessing this scene.

After Chu Qingzhi dismounted, the person in charge handed her a stack of records, “Miss Chu, please review these.”

Chu Qingzhi didn’t check immediately, “Mount up, everyone. Let’s head to the county office; it’s too cold here. We’ll look at them there.”

“Understood.”

The group galloped on the road, stirring up frost from the pine branches along the way, creating a whispering sound.

Arriving at the county office, Chu Qingzhi sat down and immediately began reviewing the records. Nobody dared to falsify information, as Chu Qingzhi was known to be impartial and strict. The risk of deception was too high.

After reviewing, Chu Qingzhi signed her name, marking the successful inspection of the northern road.

“Everyone can head back now. If there’s anything, I’ll send someone to fetch you.”

“Yes, Miss Chu.”

Chu Qingzhi organized the records and personally wrote an announcement.

The announcement detailed the completion of the road project, with various documents available for public viewing. Additionally, with a remaining one million taels of silver, Chu Qingzhi suggested renovating the county’s charity hall and sought public opinion.

An opinion box was placed under the announcement for anonymous suggestions. In three days, Chu Qingzhi would open the box to decide on the allocation of the silver.

After completing these tasks, Chu Qingzhi returned to Chu Family Village.

…

At the Chu Family Village general store.

“Qingyu, I’ll buy three packets of the bacon spice mix.”

“I want five packets of the sausage spice mix.”

“I’ll take two packets of the sauce mix.”

Many villagers crowded outside the store, eager to buy the spice mixes for curing bacon and sausage.

The demand for spice mixes had always been high. Chu Qingzhi came up with a solution to pre-package them, selling them in the store, where one packet could cure five pounds of meat.

After tasting the delicious cured meats at Chu Xujin’s wedding feast, everyone wanted to buy the mixes to prepare their own cured meats at home.

This booming business should have delighted Li Qingyu, but the spice mixes had sold out, and she was now faced with a dilemma.

Li Qingyu announced, “The spice mixes have sold out for now. We’re making more, so please come back later.”

“Will there definitely be more later?”

Li Qingyu reassured, “Yes, yes, I promise there will be. Please come back later, or take a look at other items. We received a lot of new goods for the New Year yesterday.”

“Alright, let’s go inside and see what else is available.”

Li Qingyu breathed a sigh of relief as the crowd dispersed. She had thought running a store would be easy, but it came with its own set of challenges.

Ge Lihua approached, her complexion rosy, “Mom.”

After getting married, her hair was all done up, and her features were even more distinguished and delicate under the light red cloak, still stunningly beautiful.

Li Qingyu pulled Ge Lihua to sit down, “Sit, sit. Why aren’t you resting in your room?”

Ge Lihua, treated like a porcelain doll, quickly said, “Mom, I practice martial arts; I’m not that fragile.”

She had felt a bit unwell in the morning but felt much better after practicing a set of sword forms in the courtyard.

Besides, she wasn’t one to stay confined in her room, so she decided to come out for a walk.

“A lady should take care of her health. Sit for a while, then go home and rest.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to you, Mom.”

…

The construction of the technical school was overseen by Chu Rong, with the Wang brothers and others who had performed well in the road construction project recruited to assist.

Zhang Feng asked Chu Qingzhi, “Miss Chu, can other children attend the technical school?”

Chu Qingzhi replied, “Of course, but this technical school mainly focuses on vocational skills. We will teach literacy and mathematics, but not content for the imperial examinations. For that, one must attend a traditional school.”

Zhang Feng nodded in understanding.

Wang Yuanlin approached, “Miss Chu, the construction site is quite large, and the ground survey is still ongoing. It will take some more time.”

Chu Qingzhi assured, “No rush. A thorough preliminary survey ensures no issues arise later.”

“Understood.”

After inspecting the area, Chu Qingzhi returned home to continue working on the technical school’s design.

Time passed steadily, and soon it was the fourteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.

That day, the Li Family Bridge was also completed.

Villagers from both sides of the river gathered at the bridge, their faces alight with excitement.

The bridge, about ten meters long and made of heavy stone, was sturdy. Its arched surface was paved with bluestone for slip resistance, allowing even carriages to cross. Engraved on the bridge were the words “Li Family Bridge,” with a smaller inscription, “Supervised by Chu Qingzhi.”

Such public works, beneficial to the state and its people, being inscribed with one’s name, could become a tale passed down through the ages.

The completion of the road construction and bridge building had already been recorded in the annals of history.

For the inauguration of the Li Family Bridge, red silk banners adorned its sides, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Elder Li, his eyes moist with emotion, approached Chu Qingzhi with a solemn bow, “Miss Chu, I’d like you to do the honors of cutting the ribbon for the Li Family Bridge.”