My sister became the empress, but I'm still growing vegetables and raising chickens

Chapter 334 The Changes in Songji Village

Zhu Lao Er took out the down jackets he had brought, a total of ten different styles, with different styles for adults, children, men and women.

He scratched his head: "My wife says that down jackets are not easy to make in Lingnan, but they should be easier to make in the north. The women in the village prefer to make them."

Si Muyan touched the down jackets, utterly shocked.

She did make a thin down jacket before, and it was suitable to wear. However, the drawbacks of feather leakage and the high price were something she couldn't solve.

But the ones Zhu Lao Er brought now have even down filling and fine fabric that doesn't easily leak down.

"How did you do it?"

Zhu Lao Er explained, "Man Ya from the village improved the loom, making it able to weave finer cloth. Everyone worked together to figure out this kind of material."

"It's not bulky and doesn't shed fibers, which is great."

Zhu Lao Er added, "Moreover, everyone discovered that blowing the down into a bamboo tube can also make the down even. They also made finer needles to separate the fibers, so that even if there are needle holes, the down will not easily escape."

Si Muyan clapped her hands and laughed, "You guys are really amazing."

Zhu Lao Er chuckled: "This is all thanks to everyone. We just wanted to see the Marquis and the young master and young lady, so we brought them over to show you and see if you can give us any feedback."

Si Muyan thought for a moment and asked, "Is the current output of duck products from the workshop large?"

"Not very big, the duck products shop's business is so-so. That's what's troubling us too. If we transport them to such a far place to sell, it's not worth it if the quantity is small, but if the quantity is large... what do we do with the duck and goose meat?"

Si Muyan said, "Let's just split up. You can specialize in making this kind of fabric. I'll choose a location to solve the problem of duck and goose down. The filling and sewing techniques are yours. You can either give them up or leave Songji Village to open a factory in the location I choose. That's fine with me."

Zhu Lao Er needs to consider this and has not yet given an answer.

Si Muyan continued, "This fabric can be used not only for down jackets, but also for other purposes. For example, current rain gear is basically raincoats or similar items, which are too bulky. You can use an umbrella in light rain, but that only keeps your head and face dry. What if this fabric were used as raincoat material?"

Zhu Lao Er's eyes lit up: "Miss is so smart."

“I need to think about this carefully,” Si Muyan said, then asked, “Converting the village shops into weaving workshops would be a good idea. You don’t plan to develop tourist attractions, right?”

Zhu Lao Er nodded shyly: "That's what the village head meant, he asked me... to ask you as well."

Si Muyan said, "I have no objection to you running the business. But what about the condiment workshop and the Si family shop? Are you also planning to close them down?"

"Actually... I'm reluctant to close down." Zhu Lao Er sighed. "We started out with a porridge shop and a food stall, and we really don't want to close down. But... we're not cut out for business, and we just can't compete with others."

Si Muyan smiled and said, "There's nothing that can't be compared to it. The market is huge. One person can't finish one piece of cake. If you want to do it, you can continue. If you don't do it well, I'll help you find a solution."

Zhu Lao Er was stunned: "Can...we still do it?"

“Of course we can.” Si Muyan said decisively, “It’s just that the current method won’t work. We can reopen the restaurant, and I’ll plan it out for you.”

Zhu Lao Er was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly: "Good, good... thank you so much, Miss."

They had a long and arduous journey, so Si Muyan had guests prepared in the outer courtyard for them to stay in.

She picked up the down jackets and began to think seriously.

It's definitely not suitable to open a down jacket workshop in Lingnan. If Zhu Lao Er and his group are willing to go to the north, that would be easier to solve.

But since it was Songji Village that came up with this idea, we can't abandon them in the down jacket business.

In addition, the phrase "see where the money comes from" means that the people of Songji Village also have ideas about opening a food stall.

As for the village head and villagers' unwillingness to rebuild Songji Village, Si Muyan didn't have much of an opinion.

After all, they had never seen a modern rural tourist market before, and without a systematic arrangement, it would be impossible to succeed based solely on the planning scheme she provided.

So let's put this plan on hold for now. When she has time, she can go to the outskirts of Beijing to investigate and see if it can be implemented.

While he was writing down the business arrangements for the shop, there was a knock on the door. Yu Meng, also known as He Lai Di, entered, followed by her mother.

Lai Qianniang used to be a straightforward person, but things are different now. When she saw Si Muyan, she was inevitably a little scared and followed behind her daughter like a quail.

Si Muyan said gently, "Yu Meng, let your mother sit down and talk."

Over the past six months, Yumeng has become increasingly capable of taking care of Xia'er. She is Xia'er's head maid, and she can handle many things on her own without Aunt Jin having to tell her.

In addition, since she was still young, the three Si Muyan sisters all treated her like a younger sister and did not restrain her.

She was poised and graceful. She moved a bench for her mother to sit on, then sat down herself and spoke up, "Young lady, my parents don't want to go back now that we've come."

Si Muyan was taken aback: "You're not planning to go back?"

Laiqian's mother nodded shyly: "Laiqian's father said that we were not originally from Songji Village, so it's the same wherever we are. Firstly, we miss Laidi... oh, we miss Miss Yumeng. Secondly... we also want you to find Laiqian some work."

Si Muyan understood.

He Laiqian was a quick-witted person who had always been looking for opportunities to do things and wanted to follow Si Muyan to make the business bigger and stronger.

Now that Si Muyan is gone, the people of Songji Village are all conservative in nature. Zhu Lao Er is capable, but he's not one to make decisions. Manager Yang is even more content with the status quo, and there's little possibility of change.

So He Laiqian thought it over and decided to come to Kyoto to give it a try.

Si Muyan smiled and said, "After Yu Meng came with me, she became a slave."

Lai Qianniang hurriedly said, "As long as you, Miss, are willing to take us in, we don't care about anything else."

Seeing their sincerity, Si Muyan didn't say much more: "How about this, you stay at the Marquis's residence for a few days, so you can get closer to Yumeng. I need to think about it carefully to see if there is a more suitable place for you."

The woman thanked him profusely, nodded, and left.

Yu Meng blinked at her and said, "Young lady, I won't go anywhere. I'll stay here and watch over you."

Si Muyan smiled and said, "Alright, we're all relieved to have you with Xia'er. But you don't need to serve Xia'er these next two days; spend time with your parents instead."

"Yes."

Si Muyan propped her face up with her hand and thought, "Since He Laiqian is here to help, that's pretty good."

She wanted to tend to a manor, but she didn't have the time, so it was perfect to let He Laiqian do it according to her wishes.