lcionline Chapter 595 Submitting Account Books and Reporting Progress
Chapter 595 Submitting Account Books and Reporting Progress
Having finally gotten past the issue of being "too weak to even kill a chicken," Qiu Cheng took out the account books from the past few months.
"Your Highness, this is a detailed breakdown and summary of the money spent over the past few months, from the purchase of timber to the expenses of the craftsmen, as well as food expenses, miscellaneous expenses, and so on, all of which are recorded in the book."
Chen Lin took the ledger, opened it, and placed it in front of the Second Prince.
I only glanced at a few pages before putting it down.
It's not that I can't understand it, it's just that I can't finish reading it all at once.
The ledgers were as thick as a dictionary, and there was more than one.
"Sir, please teach Lord Qiu the latest accounting methods during the holidays."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The latest accounting method? Could it be a new accounting method introduced by the Ministry of Revenue?
“Lord Qiu, your account book is very detailed, but it looks a bit complicated. The master has a simpler way of keeping accounts that can save a lot of time.”
"Oh? That method is unique to Lord Jiang? I thought it was a new invention of the Ministry of Revenue."
Qiu Cheng looked at Jiang Xiaoqi with a hint of solemnity. This Lord Jiang is truly a man of many talents.
"This bookkeeping method was taught to me and Chen Lin by the master before. It is indeed time-saving and labor-saving. Master Qiu can teach Qiu Feng together."
Qiu Cheng hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Then I will have to trouble Lord Jiang. My son and I will learn this method and be able to use it when the dock starts construction next year."
Jiang Xiaoqi smiled and nodded: "Lord Qiu, you don't need to be so polite. Once I'm on leave after the New Year holidays, I will teach you everything I know."
Qiu Cheng continued to report on the shipbuilding progress, and Chen Lin brought out hot tea and poured it for everyone.
"With the Lunar New Year approaching, everyone can take a break for now. We'll go to Tongzhou Wharf together next spring."
"Your Highness is leaving the city?"
Leaving the palace is just the first step. Your Highness is going to leave the palace and go out into the common people.
"I've discussed this with you before. I should take better care of my own ship. I trust Lord Qiu to do things, but I'd like to see the ship's construction process with my own eyes."
"Your Majesty, I understand. However, the docks are quite chaotic, and the craftsmen have never met any dignitaries from the capital. I am afraid that they might offend Your Majesty."
Qiu Cheng was not afraid of the Second Prince going, after all, he had been working diligently for the past few months. His current attempt to stop him was solely for the Second Prince's safety.
"I know that Lord Qiu is worried about safety, and I have thought about that as well. We certainly can't go in a big way."
"Secret guards are one aspect, but I myself must also try to keep a low profile. Just arrange for me to assume the identity of a distant relative of yours."
The Second Prince originally intended to arrange for Qiu Feng to be his cousin or younger cousin, but worried that Lord Qiu would not agree, so he changed his mind halfway through.
After listening, Qiu Cheng pondered for a moment and said, "Your Highness's consideration is thorough; that is excellent."
The ledger was pushed in front of Jiang Xiaoqi, who also glanced through it briefly. As the real financier who provided the money, he was certainly not indifferent to financial expenditures.
However, he really didn't have the patience to look through the pile of account books that was almost half a foot high. He decided to take them back and have Wenbin organize them into tables before looking at them himself.
Why not slack off when you can? Besides, you're not without subordinates.
Wenbin is now teaching a portion of Liuxiang Pavilion's accounts to his apprentices, specifically the more quick-witted young men he selected from among the staff. Young people learn new accounting methods very quickly.
Liuxiang Pavilion's business is steadily increasing, and several new employees have been hired, with apprentices being selected from among the old employees.
The staff implemented a mentorship system, where new recruits' performance was partly tied to their mentors.
In this way, the older generation was willing to teach, the newcomers learned quickly, and Wenbin himself became much more relaxed.
This method was taught to him by Jiang Xiaoqi, and it proved to be extremely effective.
Jiang Xiaoqi occasionally smuggled goods discreetly, so others couldn't tell.
Because when he's daydreaming, he's not spacing out, but staring intently at something, as if he's thinking.
The Second Prince, Qiu Cheng, Qiu Feng, and Chen Lin, who was standing behind them, were staring at the design drawings of the ship.
This drawing has many markings. The parts marked with red triangles are the completed parts, and the parts marked with red circles are the parts waiting to be assembled.
There are also red five-pointed stars drawn; those represent parts that haven't been completed yet.
After hearing this, the second prince carefully counted the number of red triangles, circles, and five-pointed stars.
Judging from this, it's already almost a third of the way done.
The second prince silently calculated the completion date of the entire ship, excluding the entire winter when the craftsmen would go back to hibernate.
Construction will begin in the spring and should be completed by autumn!
Autumn, though it doesn't come that quickly, doesn't seem to be slow either.
After all, autumn is not yet cold. If I want to organize a crew to go to sea as soon as the ship is built, it is still possible!
Thinking about it this way, my heart suddenly felt warm.
Qiu Cheng also saw through the Second Prince's thoughts and couldn't help but remind him, "Your Highness, the ship cannot be launched immediately after it is built."
Before launching, the vessel undergoes a series of tests. Additionally, it's best to take a short trip before setting sail to test the hull for any issues and make necessary corrections.
These are indeed necessary for safety when going to sea.
Qiu Cheng knew the final destination of the ship after it was built. Although it didn't look far from Shanghai on the map, it would actually take many days to sail there.
If there is any problem with the hull of a ship, all the people on board will perish at sea.
Going to sea is no laughing matter. Does Your Highness intend to go in person?
That won't work!
How long will the hull testing take?
"this……."
Qiu Cheng glanced at Jiang Xiaoqi, who blinked, signaling Qiu Cheng to just say, "Why are you looking at me?"
"Ahem, well, the hull testing will take anywhere from two or three months to half a year."
"That long?! No, no, we need to find a way to shorten it. Otherwise, we should speed up the shipbuilding process and try to finish it in the summer, so that even after the tests are completed, it won't be too cold yet."
Qiu Cheng looked troubled. It wasn't that the construction period couldn't be rushed, but the craftsmen had already voluntarily extended their daily working hours, and he was really embarrassed to bring it up again.
Unless the number of craftsmen is increased, if the manpower is doubled, it is not impossible to finish the project in the summer.
But all the artisans who could come from the vicinity of the capital have probably come. Are we going to have to go to the south to recruit people?
That would cost so much money! Food, lodging, and transportation along the way all cost money!
"Lord Qiu need not worry about the money. The construction period is ahead of schedule and the manpower has increased. The cost will not be much more than expected."
It's really just the extra expense of transferring personnel; Lord Qiu doesn't need to worry too much.
Jiang Xiaoqi, the big spender, explained at the right moment that carrying him on his back or in his arms was just as heavy, and that Lord Qiu wouldn't be unable to understand this; he was simply worried about the extra expenses.