The cactus and aloe vera plantation had already taken on a considerable scale.
Bai Sheng visited the park. After a heavy rain, the cacti and aloe vera looked plump as if they had absorbed plenty of water.
Cochineal insects, pale gray, crawled all over the cacti. Some women were carefully collecting the mature cochineal.
After collection and drying, these cochineal insects would be the main raw material for making lipstick.
Bai Sheng had already instructed Zhao Da Zhuang to have people build workshops, which would officially commence operation after her return from the capital.
The workshops were divided into two areas. One was for producing cosmetics and skincare products such as lipstick, rouge, facial masks, and moisturizing creams. The other was for manufacturing sanitary napkins and modern bras.
Bai Sheng planned to sell all these products in a comprehensive shop, along with the tightening and aphrodisiac drugs developed by her eccentric master.
Her trip to the capital this time was not only to find a suitable shop but also to purchase a considerable amount of raw materials.
She also intended to discreetly investigate the backgrounds of Tian Ya and her mother, so there were indeed many things to attend to.
Bai Sheng and Lu Ye were already considering who would be appropriate to bring along to the capital.
First and foremost, the four little darlings had to be brought along. Bai Sheng did not want to be separated from them. Therefore, the four wet nurses and the four maids, Lu Yin, Huo, Qiu, and Dong, also had to be included.
Next were Lu Yun, Lu Yu, and Tian Ya. Bai Sheng also wanted them to go out and broaden their horizons. If these three were to be brought along, Tian Dou and Tie Zhu could not be left behind, as they were Lu Yun's close friends and followers, and Bai Sheng couldn't bear to separate them.
Moreover, once they arrived in the capital, she wanted to find better private tutors for these five mischievous monkeys. Although she wouldn't force them to pursue imperial examinations, reading and learning were essential.
They had to lay a good foundation in their studies first, and then they could slowly consider what they liked and wanted to do in the future. Regardless of what they did, good studies were a prerequisite.
Finally, they needed to bring some guards with combat skills and laborers for carrying and driving carts, as there were many children, and in case of any trouble, there needed to be people to look after them and do the work. After discussion, they decided to bring Yang Ming, Tong, and Tie.
Someone also needed to be left behind in sufficient numbers at Hongshu Slope. The Empress and the Crown Prince, having failed twice consecutively, would certainly not give up easily, and it was unknown what their next move would be. Furthermore, wandering refugees posed a significant threat to Hongshu Village.
Lu Ye summoned Feng Ping Yuan, Ma San, Zhao Da Zhuang, Hu Da Niu, and all members of the guard team for a meeting. While he was away, morning exercises and martial arts practice had to continue as usual, and daily patrols must not be slackened.
Lu Ye took out a considerable amount of weapons and horse feed and placed them in the warehouse, then handed a key to Feng Ping Yuan and Ma San respectively. If there were any emergencies, they could respond flexibly.
Bai Sheng also left them a plentiful supply of knockout drugs, which could be used freely if they encountered insurmountable dangers. Moreover, her master was also an expert in making poisons, so poison could also be used when necessary.
With permission to use knockout drugs and poisons when necessary, along with numerous standard weapons, everyone confidently guaranteed that they would protect Hongshu Village well and not allow anyone to cause trouble.
Before departing, Bai Sheng also called Du Min and Madam Yang aside to give specific instructions regarding household matters. Bai Sheng left Du Min five thousand taels of silver to cover household expenses and pay the workers.
Bai Sheng asked Madam Yang to assist Du Min, as Madam Yang was steady, intelligent, rational, and vigilant, making her adept at managing household affairs.
Furthermore, Du Min was close to giving birth, so her energy might be insufficient.
Madam Yang was deeply moved, never expecting the eldest mistress to trust and rely on her so much.
Finally, Bai Sheng also asked her to keep an eye on Qian Zhao Di, as a decision would be made about how long to keep her after her return from the capital.
During this period, Madam Yang was to closely monitor her, preventing her from causing trouble.
Madam Yang was startled. It turned out that the eldest mistress had long seen that the girl was not someone who was content to stay put. She had thought that only she, working with Qian Zhao Di daily, understood her better.
Madam Yang reassured Bai Sheng, promising to be vigilant about everything and to assist Sister Du in managing the household well.
"If you encounter any matters that you cannot decide on, then go to my master," Bai Sheng said with a smile to the two women. Although her master appeared to be solely immersed in making and refining medicines and was quite eccentric, in reality, his mind was clear and he was very capable.
Du Min looked at Bai Sheng with gentle eyes, "Eldest Mistress, you can go to the capital with peace of mind. Sister Yang and I will take good care of everything at home."
Bai Sheng stood up and took their hands, "Thank you both for your hard work."
There was one more matter that Bai Sheng needed to resolve, which was the management of the septic tanks.
Speaking of which, Bai Sheng was reluctant to let her elder brother-in-law move away from this job. This young man had made a great contribution to the septic tanks, and his dedication to his work far surpassed that of many adults.
Through his persistent and diligent efforts, there had never been a deficit in the septic tank's manure, and the concept of not wasting a single drop of excrement or urine had been deeply ingrained in the minds of everyone in Hongshu Village.
It could be confidently said that you could walk freely anywhere in Hongshu Village, and you would never have to worry about stepping into a pile of feces, no matter what kind of feces it was, you would never have the chance to step on it.
This was all thanks to the General of Feces, and Bai Sheng was very proud of her elder brother-in-law.
It was indeed difficult to find a successor to the General of Feces who was no less capable than him. Having adults take on this job seemed like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, and it was always difficult for adults to ask others for their excrement and urine.
As Bai Sheng pondered in her mind, she suddenly thought of a child, Xiao Chi Bao.
Chi Bao should be around nine years old this year. He was a very honest child and also very diligent in his work.
Xiao Chi Bao was extremely excited when he heard that the eldest mistress was going to entrust him with the management of the septic tanks.
"Eldest Mistress, please rest assured, I will definitely work as hard as General Lu Fen."
Bai Sheng patted his head and said gently, "Chi Bao, managing the septic tanks is just your current task. When you grow up, I will have more important tasks for you, so you must study diligently and learn more."
Xiao Chi Bao nodded seriously, "I understand, Eldest Mistress. As long as I have time every day, I will study with my little brother Ma, Brother Cheng Tuo, and Brother Zhu Gan."
Bai Sheng nodded with satisfaction.
Since Ji Cheng He became busy and could no longer teach at the village school, he hired two old scholars from town to be specifically responsible for teaching the village children to read and write, as well as adult literacy.
After settling all matters at home and in the village, Bai Sheng and her husband began to prepare for their departure.
Lu Huo and Lu Yin were to accompany them to the capital, and both were very happy. Lu Huo had gained quite a bit of weight and was becoming increasingly tall and sturdy. The four little masters couldn't stop laughing whenever they saw her.
Lu Yin's alopecia areata had completely recovered, and her hair had already grown to several inches long. She was nimble-handed and quick-witted in handling matters.
Although Qiu and Dong were a bit rigid, they were meticulous and considerate in their work, and Bai Sheng found herself increasingly reliant on them.
Lu Yun and the other four mischievous monkeys were so excited about being taken to the capital that they couldn't sleep for several nights. All five boys squeezed onto Lu Yun's bed, having a blast, and holding hands while eating and sleeping.
Tian Gui Hua instructed Tian Dou to obey his uncle and aunt at all times in the capital and not to be mischievous, otherwise, upon their return, she would definitely spank him soundly.
Tian Dou glanced at his mother and said, "Mom, I'm a grown man now. Can you stop treating me like a child?"
"Nonsense! I've never seen a seven-year-old man in my life!" Tian Gui Hua put her hands on her hips, spitting a stream of saliva onto Tian Dou's face.