The Qian family arrived two days later. There weren't many of them, just six. They were all dressed in fine clothes, and Qi Zhenzhen was a bit puzzled. Were they plasterers? They were dressed better than the wealthy families in town. Could they be reliable?
The leader, although he spoke respectfully enough, seemed to have his eyes fixed on the sky.
Qi Zhenzhen had a bad feeling about them, but Shopkeeper Lin said these were the most capable men Qian family kept. The leader had even participated in the construction of the imperial palace back then. Two others were his apprentices, and all of them were skilled.
At any time, capable people had a bit of temper. Qi Zhenzhen endured it.
"Miss Qi, are you planning to have these amateur builders assist us?"
The leader frowned, pointing at Chang Shan and the others, his tone full of disdain.
Qi Zhenzhen had specifically called Chang Shan and the others. They couldn't build a two-story building, but they were skilled at laying foundations and building courtyard walls. In the eyes of the Qian family's men, they seemed like apprentices, not even qualified to assist.
In the surrounding villages and even in town, Chang Shan and his group's craftsmanship could rank among the best. After they finished building, who didn't praise them? Now, being looked down upon like this, Chang Shan's face turned red, but he knew these people were from the capital and dared not retort.
"So, you mean they are not needed?" Qi Zhenzhen asked calmly.
"Yes, they are not worthy," the Qian family's craftsman said proudly.
Qi Zhenzhen sneered, "Fine, if they are not needed, that's also fine. I need to build twelve small manors in total. I'll give you three months to build them for me."
The Qian family's craftsmen were usually responsible for overall planning, drawing blueprints, and then directing others. They never did the manual labor. Upon hearing Qi Zhenzhen's words, they were all furious. "Miss Qi, are you looking down on us?"
Qi Zhenzhen shook her head. "As a country girl, how could I dare to look down on you? Can't you tell? I'm giving you important tasks, entrusting everything to you!"
The Qian family men's expressions changed. They secretly thought it was bad. They had intended to put this girl in her place, but they didn't expect her to not take them seriously at all. Three months, with just the six of them, let alone twelve, building one would be good. Moreover, they never did manual labor, and building houses was quite tiring.
"Miss Qi, are you not putting our Qian family in your eyes?" the leading craftsman said sinisterly.
How sought-after were they in the capital? They were always well-treated wherever they went. Now, in the countryside, they were expected to work hard.
"Your Qian family? Is the Qian family yours? Did Qian Yuanbao mention it? How come you all have the surname Qian?" Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile.
They were merely kept by the Qian family, not members of it. However, because the Qian family lived prosperously, they considered themselves part of the Qian family.
"Miss Qi probably doesn't want to build the houses sincerely. If not, we brothers can go back and inform the young master. We won't mind the wasted trip."
The leading craftsman intended to use Qian Yuanbao to pressure Qi Zhenzhen, but that would only work if Qian Yuanbao had any influence over Qi Zhenzhen.
"You are welcome to leave," Qi Zhenzhen snorted coldly.
Could skilled craftsmen not have any temper? Qi Zhenzhen showed them no respect at all. How could they shamelessly stay? They quickly got into the carriage they arrived in and left in a hurry.
Chang Shan was a little anxious. "Miss Qi, did we brothers get in the way? They are from the capital, and it's understandable that they have a temper. Now that they've left, what about your manor?"
"I can build it. My name is Gu Chengyang. I used to work in the Ministry of Works but left due to too much infighting. I am from the same school as the leader of those who just left," Gu Chengyang introduced himself.
Qi Zhenzhen was not pleased but looked at Gu Chengyang warily. "Your surname is Gu. What is your relationship with Gu Sinian?"
Gu Chengyang scratched his head and thought seriously. "Who is Gu Sinian? If there's any relationship, it's probably that we both have the surname Gu? There are many families with the surname Gu in the capital. I'm just a craftsman who worked in the Ministry of Works and knows how to build houses."
He had a simple and honest appearance, dressed in gray cloth, with a bundle on his back. Compared to the other craftsmen from the capital, he truly looked like a craftsman.
"Then how did you know I needed to build manors?"
Gu Chengyang said slowly, "He showed off to me, saying he was well-fed and housed by the Qian family, and that he was invited by some wealthy family again. He said people like me disgraced craftsmen and couldn't get by anywhere. I was annoyed and followed him. However, this wealthy family made me a bit... surprised!"
Qi Zhenzhen handed Gu Chengyang a roll of blueprints. "Build according to the blueprints, can you do it?"
Gu Chengyang unfolded the blueprints, his face showing a look of solemnity, and his eyes glinted with surprise. He carefully examined the eight blueprints.
"Miss Qi, if my senior brother saw these blueprints, he probably wouldn't have left. Now that he's gone, I've benefited. Did you draw these?" Gu Chengyang's tone was somewhat eager and enthusiastic.
Qi Zhenzhen nodded. "I drew them, based on my own ideas."
"Although there are many places that need modification, the overall effect is very good. At least, they are the most unique blueprints I have seen in recent years. If completed, they should become manors that last for a hundred years."
Being praised like this, Qi Zhenzhen felt a little embarrassed. These basically condensed the essence of manors from various dynasties. She had drawn them by learning from the best of many, the wisdom of the ancients. Was she just a transporter?
"Give me two days. I need to refine these blueprints. By the way, I like to drink a little wine. I don't care about the living quarters, but I'm a bit picky about the food. If I don't eat well, I can't do my work well," Gu Chengyang stated his conditions.
There was space to live at home, and food was not a major problem. In this regard, this very skilled craftsman was much easier to please than the previous group.
"Are you also craftsmen? Who usually leads the work?" Gu Chengyang asked again.
Chang Shan stepped forward. "I am."
"Follow me when I'm drawing, get familiar with it, and then you can direct the construction with ease," Gu Chengyang said.
Chang Shan looked excited. The previous people called them amateur builders, which was true. They hadn't apprenticed or done anything specific; they had learned by being laborers. With more practice, they became skilled. They had never even had the chance to look at blueprints, let alone draw them. Now, a craftsman from the capital who had worked in the Ministry of Works was letting him watch while he drew. This was a great opportunity for him. If he could learn even ten or twenty percent, he would benefit greatly.