Building a Home

Shen Yuan stood on a small rise, watching as his uncle Shen Qingge led a group of builders to the open plot of land where their new home would soon stand. The builders, a mix of locals and skilled workers from nearby tribes, had been recruited by Qingge after several days of negotiation. They arrived early that morning, bringing with them their tools, materials, and enough energy to get started on the project.

Shen Qingge was in the middle of a discussion with the head builder, a stocky man with a thick beard named Old Wu. Beside him, Shen Qingfang, the gentler and more soft-spoken uncle, listened quietly but occasionally interjected with his thoughts.

Shen Yuan walked over to join them, curious about the progress.

"We've scouted the area," Old Wu said, running a hand over his beard as he studied the ground. "It's a good spot for building, flat and with a natural slope for drainage. But we'll need to decide on the materials. Stone or brick? Cement is sturdy, but stone will last longer."

Shen Qingge glanced at Shen Yuan as he arrived, as if inviting him into the conversation.

Shen Yuan nodded in greeting. "What's the best option for the climate here? The winters can get harsh."

Old Wu scratched his head. "Stone walls, thick ones, would be best for keeping out the cold. We can reinforce them with cement in certain areas to ensure stability. The roof can be thatch for now, though we can upgrade to tiles later if the budget allows."

Shen Qingfang chimed in. "And what about food for the workers? We'll need to make sure they're fed well enough to keep their strength up."

Old Wu nodded thoughtfully. "We'll need rice and vegetables, of course. Meat if you can spare it. My men can work hard, but not on empty stomachs."

Shen Qingge crossed his arms, thinking aloud. "We can hunt some game and mix it with rice and foraged vegetables. That should keep everyone satisfied."

Shen Yuan offered a suggestion. "We can spare some soap as part of the payment. It'll help with hygiene after long days of work. I know the demand for it is high right now, and it could be an added incentive for the workers."

Old Wu's eyes lit up. "Soap, you say? We've heard about your soap. My wife's been asking for some! Throwing in a few bars with our payment might just get us working faster," he said with a chuckle.

Shen Qingge smiled at that. "Consider it done, then. We'll pay you in silver, but soap and food will be provided for your workers."

Old Wu gave a satisfied nod. "Good, good. Let's get started then."

The group dispersed, with the workers quickly moving to begin laying the foundation. The sounds of hammers, saws, and shovels soon filled the air, mingling with the chatter of the builders as they worked. It felt like progress, the start of something solid and lasting.

--

While the house construction was underway, Shen Yuan decided to spend the afternoon teaching Shen Mingyue how to hunt with more precision. They ventured out to the forest, where the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds created a calm backdrop to their lesson.

"Traps are one of the best ways to catch smaller animals," Shen Yuan explained, kneeling near a clearing where rabbit tracks could be seen in the soft earth. "They're quick and quiet. You don't need to rely on arrows or chase the prey. You just need patience."

Shen Mingyue watched closely, her sharp eyes taking in everything. "But how do we know where to set the traps?"

Shen Yuan smiled, appreciating her focus. "Look for signs of animal movement—tracks like these," he pointed to the prints in the dirt, "and droppings. Rabbits tend to stick to the same paths, so if you find one, you can set a trap nearby."

Shen Mingyue knelt beside him, running her fingers over the tracks. "So, the key is to observe first?"

"Exactly," Shen Yuan replied. "Patience is half the battle."

He demonstrated how to set a simple snare, using twine and branches to create a loop that would tighten around the rabbit's leg when triggered. Shen Mingyue watched intently, nodding as she mentally cataloged each step.

"Once the trap is set, we need to camouflage it," Shen Yuan continued, covering the snare lightly with leaves and dirt. "You don't want the animal to suspect anything."

As they finished, Shen Yuan stood and looked around the forest. "And there are natural hideouts too—burrows, thickets, places where rabbits and other small animals like to shelter. Keep an eye out for those, and you'll have a better chance of catching something."

Shen Mingyue looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with interest. "I never knew there was so much detail in hunting. I always thought it was just about shooting arrows."

Shen Yuan chuckled. "There's more to it than that. You'll be a much better hunter if you understand your prey."

Just then, Shen Zhi, who had been quietly observing from a distance, strolled over with a mischievous grin. "Well, well, Brother Yuan, it seems like you've become quite the teacher."

Shen Yuan rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "What do you want, Zhi?"

Shen Zhi laughed. "Oh, nothing. Just noticing how you've matured lately. You're acting like a proper head of the family now."

Shen Yuan smirked, shaking his head. "If that's your way of saying you want me to teach you something, just say so."

Shen Zhi grinned, but his tone softened. "I'm just impressed, is all. You've changed a lot since we started making soap."

Shen Yuan simply smiled and brushed it off.

--

Meanwhile, Shen Jiuyuan, Shen Feng, and Shen Zhen were headed to the trading point with this month's soap order. Their cart was loaded with crates of soap, neatly packed and ready to be delivered to Ji Zhiyu and Li Cang.

When they arrived, Ji Zhiyu was already waiting, his composed face breaking into a smile as he spotted them.

"Shen Jiuyuan, you're right on time," Ji Zhiyu greeted them, stepping forward to inspect the crates.

Jiuyuan nodded. "We've brought the full order—500 bars, as promised."

Ji Zhiyu ran his hand over the crates, satisfied. "Your brother's soap has become quite popular. My household is asking for more, and my father is already talking about making it a regular purchase."

As they unloaded the soap, Li Cang appeared, joining them with a wide grin. "Ah, there you are! I've been looking forward to this all month. My clients can't stop talking about your soap. If we're not careful, we'll have a riot on our hands if we run out!"

Shen Feng laughed. "It's good to hear it's doing so well."

Li Cang nodded, his tone turning serious for a moment. "You should tell Shen Yuan that he's onto something big here. This isn't just a passing trend. If he continues like this, he'll have a business that could rival the biggest merchants in the dynasty."

Ji Zhiyu, always more reserved, spoke next. "I plan to visit Shen Yuan soon to thank him personally. His soap has brought significant business to my family, and I think it's time we discuss the future. I'm interested in seeing how we can help each other expand."

Shen Jiuyuan nodded politely. "I'll let him know. I'm sure he'd be happy to meet with you both."

The business was quickly concluded, and with payment in hand, Jiuyuan, Feng, and Zhen prepared to leave. Li Cang waved them off, his voice ringing out jovially. "Tell Shen Yuan to keep up the good work. I'll be back next month for more!"

As they left, Shen Zhen couldn't help but beam with pride. "Looks like we're doing something right."

Shen Jiuyuan smiled but kept his focus on the road ahead. "We are. But this is only the beginning."