Blueprints of Time

Renovation Dilemma

The warm glow of sunlight beamed softly against the wooden walls as Wu Meifen meticulously pored over the scrolls and ledgers spread out before her. The scent of sandalwood incense wafted through the air, mingling with the faint aroma of ink and parchment.

With a furrowed brow, Wu Meifen diligently conducted her monthly inventory check, her delicate fingers tracing the entries that detailed the quantity and quality of the wood harvested by Dragon's Edge Woodcutters.

The Wu family's Dragon's Edge Woodcutters (Lóng Biān Fámù Zhě) is renowned throughout Longcheng County, particularly in the northern village of Fenghuang, for its exceptional craftsmanship and high-quality wood products.

As she tallied the numbers and assessed the stockpiles of timber, a voice drifted through the paper-screen window of her study. Wu Meifen recognized the familiar voice of her cousin, Zhang Mingyu, from the front courtyard outside.

“Meifen! Meifen! We have a problem!” Zhang Mingyu exclaimed as she hurriedly entered the study, her voice tinged with urgency.

Wu Meifen was engrossed in her calculations, the ledger open before her. Just as she completed an entry and set the brush aside, she looked up, eyebrows raised, as Zhang Mingyu's urgent report disrupted the tranquility of the room.

The room itself was a modest yet well-organized study, adorned with neatly stacked ledgers and scrolls. Shelves along the walls held various records, a low table for tea in the corner and a large wooden desk occupied the center, cluttered with abacuses, ink pots, and parchment at which Wu Meifen sat. Traditional scrolls with exquisite calligraphy hung on the walls, adding a touch of elegance to the space. A window behind the desk offered a view of the back courtyard, where the gentle swaying of bamboo could be seen.

One of their patrons had suddenly requested a large order. The magistrate wanted to renovate a section of his estate as some important officials were planning to visit their province.

"But the summer rains will start soon. Our stock is good, but it won't be enough. Some of our ready-made materials and wood are suitable only for the common market," Zhang Mingyu said, concerned, her breath still quickening from the hurried entrance.

Wu Meifen listened intently, her fingers tapping on the table as she pondered a solution. The officials from the capital were expected to arrive in two months, and such renovations usually took about a month and a half if rushed, considering the situation.

“I understand, Cousin,” Wu Meifen replied after listening to Zhang Mingyu's other reports. She fell silent, contemplating their situation for a few moments.

Zhang Mingyu, Wu Meifen's cousin, serves as the Sales Manager for the Dragon's Edge Woodcutters Shop. In this role, she oversees sales activities, manages customer relationships, and spearheads market expansion for the company's wood products.

If the customer desired a steady supply, their company needed to provide the first batch of stock promptly, allowing the renovation to start early and avoid delays due to the rains.

Wu Meifen could consider requesting a postponement for non-urgent orders from other patrons.

The challenge lay in the second batch. With the renovation starting earlier than planned, their company would need to source materials sooner than anticipated.

‘I need to discuss this with Uncle,’ Wu Meifen decided.

Noticing her cousin's composure, Zhang Mingyu's eyes widened with a mixture of concern and hope. “So, you have a solution? We are not going to reject this absurd request?”

“How could we, when it is from the Magistrate's household?” Wu Meifen replied, her tone even.

It was common knowledge that large-scale construction during this time of year was rare due to the rains. Their business typically slowed to selling materials at the market with their existing stock, catering to commoners.