Fortune Across the World

Chapter 112: Opportunities and Consequences

After spending quite some time appeasing the children and saying their goodbyes, the three of them boarded the carriage. Ding Qiyu, having been granted permission, climbed inside and presented the ribbon she had retrieved to Fu Ruqing, saying, "Young lady, your ribbon."

Fu Ruqing was somewhat surprised. "You brought it back?"

"Yes, I brought it back. Your hair is long, and it might be uncomfortable to leave it loose." This was one reason, but there was another that Ding Qiyu didn't mention: she didn't want Fu Ruqing's personal belongings to be left elsewhere, so she went to great lengths to retrieve the ribbon. However, realizing Fu Ruqing might mind if the ribbon was dirty or wrinkled, she added, "Uh, it might be a bit wrinkled..."

Fu Ruqing took the ribbon, "It's fine." She handed it to Yinsuo, "Could you help me tie it up?" The fact that someone valued and cared for her belongings so much made the state of the ribbon irrelevant.

"Yes, Miss," Yinsuo replied, carefully tying Fu Ruqing's smooth hair into a simple style.

Ding Qiyu watched the scene quietly, a smile playing on her lips.

...

It was now September, and Ding Qiyu had been in Jiangnan for two months. After taking on several large orders from Fu Ruqing and her father and selling practical and novel gadgets to the townspeople, Jiyuan Pavilion had established a solid reputation. Its team was growing, allowing Ding Qiyu to focus on designing and prototyping while others handled mass production.

Jiyuan Pavilion purchased a large courtyard on the outskirts of Yinzou City, which they renovated and decorated. The "major shareholder," Fu Ruqing, personally inscribed the plaque with the word "Jiyuan," separating work and living areas for the artisans and apprentices who lived and worked there.

Previously, people only knew about the innovative "Feiyu" gadgets becoming popular in the market, without knowing who made them or where they were from. Now, with Jiyuan Pavilion set up on the outskirts of Yinzou City, they began accepting various orders from citizens and merchants alike.

With a stable "base," Jiyuan Pavilion embarked on rapid development, establishing four departments: Liu Jin, Hou Tu, Xi Mu, and Qu Shui. Liu Jin handled mechanical needs for shops, such as rice sifters, looms, and spinning wheels. Hou Tu produced agricultural tools like curved plows and irrigation wheels. Xi Mu focused on home and garden decorations and mechanisms, such as water systems. Qu Shui specialized in producing novel gadgets, even opening a large shop in Yinzou City to sell these unique items, which became very popular.

The initial team, including He Ankang and three carpenters, became heads of the four departments. With Jiyuan Pavilion growing, it was impossible for Ding Qiyu to manage everything alone. He Ankang and the carpenters had no management experience, so Fu Ruqing selected several capable individuals from her team to assist with management at Jiyuan Pavilion.

The fame of Jiyuan Pavilion and its "Feiyu" gadgets spread, becoming sought-after goods in Jiangnan, appearing in shops, affluent homes, farmers' fields, and children's hands. A popular folk poem circulated: "Waterwheels irrigate, plows till the land, clever looms weave brocades. Wooden kites and mysterious birds frolic on branches, Jiyuan's Feiyu reaches every home." Its popularity spoke volumes.

However, due to Fu Ruqing's wishes for Jiyuan Pavilion to grow independently and without public knowledge of its connection to the Jiangnan Fu family, only a few core personnel knew of its ownership and the supporting forces behind it.