Picking Up a General to Plow the Fields

Chapter 370: Xiuyuan

Lian Fang Zhou and Fang Qing chose the small courtyard to the east.
The courtyard was six or seven meters high on the flat ground and when they opened the windows, the view was wide and refreshing.
It was very beautiful.

Because she was too excited and shocked, Lian Fang Zhou couldn’t find the adjectives to describe what she was seeing.
She just smiled at Fang Qing and said: “It is really good here, really good! Cousin, you are so awesome! You’ve completely changed this place in just a few months!”

“It’s not just that we are great but you as well, you are the one who came up with the original idea! Now Xiuyuan is the most talked about place in Shuangliu county! Especially since not everyone is qualified to come.
On the Double Ninth, there will be a horse race on the opening day.
The top wealthy and noble families in Shuangliu county will send their teams to participate.
If you have the time, remember to come over too! Also, also, other than the place were we will stay, the other eight courtyards have been completely booked beyond the Double Ninth! The guest rooms at the Grand Mansion are 60% booked! That is a total of 40,000 to 50,000 taels! In the future, we will make even more!”

In fact, the construction of this garden was focused on unique, exquisite, and novel.
Everything from the building materials to the plants were expensive and made from top famous products.
After all, where people wanted to go, they would go!

The total cost of the park was less than 300,000 taels.
Because the idea came from Lian Fang Zhou and many good suggestions had been offered during the design process, the amount she would receive was 50,000.

Lian Fang Zhou smiled widely: “That’s very good! I’m afraid I won’t be able to visit again this year.” She sighed regretfully, “The Double Ninth, I also won’t be able to come.
I will tell you if I have the chance in the future!”

“You must be thinking about your cotton!” Fang Qing guessed with a smile.

“Well, this is natural.” Lian Fang Zhou agreed.

Fang Qing couldn’t help but be a little curious.
“What kind of cotton is yours, is it really that good?”

Feeling moved in her heart, Lian Fang Zhou suddenly smiled: Cousin I will make something good by then and I promise I will sell it through the channels of your Su family! We can cooperate! But you don’t need to promise me now, wait for me to have it ready.
It’s never too late to agree!”

Fang Qing couldn’t help but laugh.
What she liked most was the temperament of Lian Fang Zhou.
Talking with her always saved her trouble and worry.
She nodded, smiling happily: “Alright, as long as you say it is a good thing, there is no problem at all!”

“Then it’s settled!” The two looked at each other and smiled.

After a short rest, the small group of people went out and wandered around, one by one.

Xiuyuan was roughly divided into a living area and a play area.
The living area was on a flat piece of land slightly east of the center.

The high-end mansion was essentially the equivalent of an expensive hotel and was actually modeled after one.
It had the most comfortable suites, the best restaurants and kitchens, and entertainment such as an indoor swimming pool, gyms, game rooms, and more.
Not far away, there was even a stage.

There were also twelve elegant and uniquely decorated courtyards where friends could gather and discuss matters.
It couldn’t be more convenient.

Lian Fang Zhou and the others first looked at the mansion.
The building was five stories at it’s tallest point and was made of staggered buildings with complex and majestic arches, beaded curtains, and jade decorations.
Like the high pavilions of the Han dynasty, there were even sky bridges connecting each other, which gave it both a convenient and unique feeling.

When Lian Fang Zhou walked inside, she was completely dazzled.
She couldn’t find any words to describe the luxurious building.

As it was close to lunch, everyone decided to eat in the mansion.
Several specially hired chefs had already moved in and were quick to show off their skills.

Although the delicacies were good, it was a pity that Lian Fang Zhou had no time to enjoy them if they wanted to visit the other places.
They only ate a few mouthfuls and then went out again after a short rest.

Although there were flowers and trees planted everywhere in Xiuyuan, there were also a total of twelve places that connected together to form a large garden.
Each one had it’s own different set of plants, including plum trees, peonies, and a bamboo forest.

It was not easy to plant so many flowers and trees everywhere.
In addition to finding the best places for them to grow, they also had to consider the topography and overall picture of the plants in between the water features and decorations.
It was important to also factor in the reflection of the water and how the plants complimented each other to create an interesting contrast.

The bamboo forests were equipped with pavilions, rest houses, and theaters, which were convenient for banquets and flower viewing.
Each place was surrounded by a high, wire-mesh covered with various climbing roses and vines to form courtyard walls.
When guests wanted to rent a garden for an event, it would be easy to isolate the area from outsides by closing the gates.
This way, they would not be disturbed, and it was very convenient for female guests who didn’t want to bump into strangers.

That was not all.
There were even huge cacti, succulents, and celestial pillars which had been specially obtained from the northwestern desert to form unique, distinct gardens among the flowers.

Next to the Twelve Gardens, there was also a 3D maze, an archery field, a horse riding tracks, a Cuju field, polo field, and a curved flowing water pavilion, which was popular with scholars.
There were even cruise ships in the lake for lotus picking and fishing.
In the mountain, there were also many walking paths to explore.

Close to the southwest, there was a mountain range was completely wild and had not been artificially moved.
The mountains were lush with trees and bushes, as well as white waterfall and completely wild mountain stream, which was exclusively for guests who loved the quiet wildness of nature.

On the tallest mountain, there was a tall and majestic viewing platform carved out of white marble.

The platform had the broadest horizon and when you stood on it, you could see almost half of Xiuyuan.
Many fruit trees had been planted all over the mountain for guests to enjoy.

At the foot of the mountain, there was a racecourse and in the distance you could see the emerald shaped lake, the white pagoda beside the mountain lake, and an imitation of the Twenty-four Bridge across the water.

The more Lian Fang Zhou saw, the more excited and surprised she was.
She didn’t feel tired but became more and more interested.

“It’s a pity that the flowers and trees haven’t had time to grow well.
Next spring, it will be different!” Fang Qing said with a smile.

Lian Fang Zhou smiled back: “That’s true but it should still be possible to enjoy the plum blossoms in winter!”

When there were plum blossoms to enjoy, there would be business.
Fang Qing understood Lian Fang Zhou’s meaning at once and became amused.

Cui Shao Xi glanced at Lian Fang Zhou faintly, wanting to go over and talk to her, but was blocked either intentionally or unintentionally by Ah Jian, who was always at her side.

His eyes dimmed and he hummed softly.
If he had the ability, it would be him guarding her every step of the way!

There were many wealthy businessmen in Shuangliu county and most of them were merchants.
Even if they bought houses in the local area, they would not be too spacious as they were only temporary residences.
Many people did not like to buy houses but preferred to rent from big inns in the city or a small yard.

As a result, it was extremely inconvenient to treat guests.

With such a good place as Xiuyuan, there was no need to think about it, Fang Qing and the others knew that Xiuyuan would definitely become the first choice for those people.

TN: Thanks for your patience, guys, I know it took me a long time to get these chapters out! Hopefully the next batch will be better.