“It’s not hard work. The fact that you’re willing to teach me shows you think highly of me.”
Man Cang gave a simple smile, took the water bowl, and gulped it down.
Since following Jin Feng, no one in the village dared mock him anymore.
Though busy, Man Cang was genuinely happy.
“Sir, my brother found a few more craftsmen. When should we let this batch finish?”
Man Cang asked.
Perhaps because of past losses, Tang Dongdong was particularly keen on secrecy.
Not only in the textile workshop, but upon hearing Jin Feng was building a new iron smelting furnace, she quickly instructed Zhang Liang and Iron Ox to visit several towns to hire different groups of masons to build various parts of the furnace.
In truth, producing good steel required not just the furnace but strict processes and the addition of various mineral powders, which were the real core techniques.
Even if these workers built an identical furnace elsewhere, without these elements, they couldn’t produce good iron.
Jin Feng knew Tang Dongdong meant well, so he didn’t object, though he didn’t dwell on the matter, casually replying, “You handle the arrangements.”
To Man Cang, this was a sign of Jin Feng’s trust, and his recent fatigue seemed to vanish.
Since he was already there, after inspecting the iron smelting workshop, Jin Feng followed Man Cang to the textile workshop.
The new textile workshop was large, requiring many spinning wheels. The carpenters had delivered nearly a hundred sets of spinning wheel parts.
With the day’s tasks mostly arranged, Jin Feng planned to help Man Cang assemble them.
But before entering the courtyard, he heard arguing inside.
Recognising Guan Zhuzi’s voice, Jin Feng frowned slightly and quickened his pace.
As he entered, he saw Tang Dongdong blocking the textile workshop’s entrance, Guan Zhuzi shouting angrily at the door, and Guan Xiaorou trying to mediate.
“Tang Dongdong, I’m telling you, if you block me again, I’ll beat you, believe it or not?”
Guan Zhuzi, with his back to Jin Feng, pointed aggressively at Tang Dongdong.
After speaking, he pushed Guan Xiaorou aside and turned to pick up a stick from the ground.
Seeing Jin Feng and Man Cang approach, Guan Zhuzi showed no guilt. Instead, he ran to Jin Feng, pointing angrily at Tang Dongdong, “Brother-in-law, you’re just in time. Judge this for me!”
Jin Feng said nothing, only glancing coldly at the stick in Guan Zhuzi’s hand.
Guan Zhuzi gave an awkward smile, tossed the stick aside, and continued, “Brother-in-law, you saw my home. Your sister-in-law’s spinning wheel is too old, too slow. I wanted to give her one of your wheels. I discussed it with Xiaorou, and before she could say anything, that girl Tang Dongdong said no. I argued with her, and Xiaorou actually took her side. Brother-in-law, we’re family. What’s Tang Dongdong? Why should she…”
“Tang Dongdong is the manager I appointed. The workshop’s success today is largely due to her!”
Jin Feng cut off Guan Zhuzi, saying coldly, “If you dare speak ill of Dongdong or Xiaorou again, don’t blame me for showing no mercy! And stay away from the workshop from now on!”
Having been tempered on the battlefield for months, Jin Feng had ordered the execution of countless Dangxiang soldiers. Normally, he seemed like a mild-mannered scholar, but when angry, his presence was formidable.
Though his voice was low and his words not harsh, his icy gaze made Guan Zhuzi break out in a cold sweat.
It felt as if Jin Feng might kill him the next second.
Only then did Guan Zhuzi recall that Jin Feng wasn’t just a frail scholar but a battlefield hero who had slain tigers.
Head lowered, he slunk away.
Guan Xiaorou, startled by Jin Feng’s earlier look, shrank back and said softly, “Dear, don’t be angry. I’ll talk to my brother when I get back…”
“No need to talk to him. Just tell him to go back.”
Jin Feng said coldly.
The men from Guanjia Bay had been performing well, working diligently, even skipping rest in the midday heat to continue after eating.
Jin Feng was very satisfied with this.
Guan Zhuzi, thinking himself Jin Feng’s brother-in-law, did no work, loafing around the village all day.
Jin Feng had been too busy to deal with him.
But demanding a spinning wheel was one thing; threatening to hit Tang Dongdong was another. Jin Feng wouldn’t indulge him.
Guan Xiaorou sensed Jin Feng’s genuine anger, nodded gently, and murmured, “Mm.”
After marrying, Jin Feng was her top priority. Though upset about the conflict between her brother and Jin Feng, she still stood by her husband.
“Dongdong, I’m sorry.”
After Guan Xiaorou left, Jin Feng apologised to Tang Dongdong, “I didn’t expect this to happen. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Sister Xiaorou kept blocking Brother Zhuzi for me.”
Tang Dongdong, surprised by Jin Feng’s apology, quickly waved it off.
Jin Feng thought for a moment and said, “Once we move here, you’ll be in charge of the textile workshop. I’ll assign two veterans here. If something like this happens again, just call them to drive the person away.”
A good leader doesn’t need to do everything himself but should know how to delegate wisely.
After observing her, Jin Feng believed Tang Dongdong was the best person to manage the textile workshop.
With her in charge, he could focus on other matters.
“Brother Feng, don’t worry. I won’t let you down.”
Tang Dongdong, overjoyed, nodded vigorously.
She had been waiting for those words from Jin Feng for a long time.
“Let’s go assemble the spinning wheels and aim to move here soon.”
Jin Feng smiled and entered the workshop.
Somehow, word of the incident reached the Guanjia Bay clan head. When Jin Feng and Man Cang came out for lunch, they found the old clan head standing silently in the open space by Jin Feng’s courtyard gate.
“Brother-in-law, you’re finally back.”
Xiao E emerged from behind a tree, grabbing Jin Feng, “Third Grandpa has been waiting for you all morning.”
“Just standing here?”
Jin Feng glanced at the old clan head in surprise.
It was summer, and the sun was scorching. The clan head didn’t seek shade but stood directly under the sun.
“Yes.”
Xiao E nodded, “Third Grandpa wouldn’t let anyone call you. My sister and I offered him water, but he wouldn’t drink. He just stood there. My sister cried several times.”
“This old man’s got some character.”
Jin Feng roughly guessed why the clan head was waiting, chuckling wryly as he walked over, instructing, “Xiao E, get a bowl of water.”
On such a hot day, it would be bad if the old man got heatstroke.
“Son-in-law…”
The clan head began to speak but was interrupted by Jin Feng.
“Third Grandpa, I know what you’re going to say. I’m not so petty as to hold a grudge against the other brothers and uncles because of Guan Zhuzi. Why would you go to such lengths for this?”
Jin Feng helped the clan head inside, “Rest assured, I see everyone’s hard work. They’re doing great, and not a single wen of their wages will be short.”
“Will you still hire the girls from Guanjia Bay to work?”
The clan head asked worriedly.
