Jiucai Rong looked at the old steward with some anticipation, hoping that his proposal would be approved.

"The problem of insufficient forging furnaces is permitted to be resolved with public funds for procurement."

Ning Zheng nodded, approving the proposal seriously, and instructed:

"Let's get five forging furnaces first, and set the average price at five thousand Magic Coins. I believe this price can get us the quality that's originally six thousand Magic Coins. Can you manage that?"

Jiucai Rong was also pleased and immediately responded:

"Reporting, sir, of course I can. I'll negotiate with them, maybe even get a lower price!"

He paused, "But it might take some time since it's the early period of the Red Moon, and they're not desperate yet."

"No worries." Ning Zheng nodded, "The Red Moon has just started, that's expected. They'll lower prices once they can't hold it. Remember to emphasize our manor's fierce reputation!"

"Mission guaranteed!" Jiucai Rong stood at attention.

The blacksmith lurking behind them was also overjoyed; our smithy is about to swap muskets for cannons.

"Old steward, you're amazing!"

"The way you spend money is stunning."

"So captivating."

"I want to bear small stewards for you."

People whispered among themselves.

Look at this.

What's called a conscientious game?

Other games should learn from this!

NPCs and everyone are part of the manor, building it together.

In other online games, it might be unscrupulously simple things like buying a bench from the sect, expecting players to do it themselves.

This old steward, with just one word, spent a whole twenty-five thousand Magic Coins on public funds to upgrade the smithy!

The impact of this is equivalent to a major update.

It seems like this is the hidden reward from the manor defense battle, simply too generous.

Jiucai Rong quickly praised:

"You're truly wise! With five more forging furnaces working together, everyone can forge faster, earning more money for the manor. The increased firepower can also provide more heating while boiling water."

After all, there are only two hundred blacksmiths currently.

In reality, only eight of them work in the smithy.

Plus, a few people gather around one forging furnace to produce.

This forge's production capacity will surely overflow; instead, the Magic Copper mining can't keep up.

The blacksmiths would reach a point of having no iron to forge.

But Magic Copper can't be over-mined.

Magic Copper is a renewable resource.

Like flesh and blood, it slowly recovers while rooted in the Earth Vein.

Over-mining is fishing with a drain, which will exhaust the Magic Copper mines.

That's why Magic Copper mines are so valuable, making many people envious.

This is truly a family heirloom, and a continually generating Treasure Basin.

After reviewing the manor's various construction issues, Jiucai Rong and Ning Zheng left the shady inn and returned to the smithy as it stands today.

Hoo ha!

Hoo ha!

The atmosphere was full of zest, and everyone was DuangDuang forging iron, the large hammer making a series of forging sounds.

They were all making Painting Cards.

The profit of making Painting Cards isn't much lower than that of Dog-tail Weapons.

The forging is quite simple, essentially just a thick copper card.

And at palm size, it requires little material, selling for 25 Magic Coins each.

However, the blind box packaging of the Painting Cards is also a complicated forging task.

It demands exquisite design, with glazed colors, also requiring Enchanters to step in and dye a batch of blind box packaging.

The high-end packaging boosts their prestige.

Even if it lowers their profits and is more troublesome, it's for the future brand effect of the manor.

"Hmm, not bad." Ning Zheng looked around very satisfied, "Compared to just now on the mountain, there's already a form and style, full of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, appearing more determined!"

The blacksmiths, through this period of experience, had gained a more resilient spirit, looking more like traditional blacksmiths.

It seems like the manor is indeed developing vigorously.

Jiucai Rong analyzed, "With more forging furnaces, we can't rely solely on Magic Copper; we should procure various metal ingots."

"That's necessary." Ning Zheng nodded.

Previously it was like children's play.

But now, formally stepping into the forging industry surely requires purchasing a large amount of various metal resources from the city.

After all, they only have one mine and must get other minerals by procurement.

This expense is an investment.

Daojiu quickly appeared, frantically pitching himself: "If we need to procure other metals, here's our procurement list!"

Ning Zheng took it to have a look.

Found there was no cunningness, everything was quite serious and responsible.

After all, from them saving money, they could even create a Meat Field Scarecrow, you know.

They have a severe saving compulsion!

Soon, metal materials cost another five thousand Magic Coins.

Daojiu guaranteed, "We will definitely use five thousand Magic Coins to buy materials worth seven thousand, creating an effect worth twenty thousand Magic Coins."

"Keep up the good work." Ning Zheng nodded approvingly.

Daojiu was encouraged, very happy.

He now resigned, working full-time, not only doing his favorite forging business but earning about twenty thousand per month, as each Magic Coin was worth 50 bucks.

That's a huge amount for him!

He very much appreciated the recognition from the old steward, managing the smithy, and would certainly strive to achieve more and fulfill his dreams.

Of course, he also thanked Su Yuniang, the gullible big spender, who crazily spent money to buy Magic Coins from him.

Ning Zheng ignored Daojiu's sentiments and thought since it was already purchased, an additional buy wouldn't hurt. She assigned them another task:

"The Nine Ancestors' Paper House was damaged in the battle, we need to purchase a new one!

"No problem, I heard there are lots of second-hand Paper Houses recently." Jiucai Rong immediately replied, taking notes, "I guarantee to secure it."

Another public fund expense on a big order.

People must learn to adapt.

Jiucai Rong thought of communicating with the Medical Fairy, letting her scout the families selling Paper Houses at the city wall, saving more money this way.

Ning Zheng paused and added, "If the price is suitable, our manor can take the opportunity to purchase several Paper Houses, as they won't spoil while stored."

Forewarned is forearmed.

This is preparing for the possible emergence of the Fourth or Fifth Ancestor later on.

Whether they would use them, or coax beauties from the neighboring Red House, buying them first is never a loss.

If battle ensues later and the three ancestors' Paper Houses break again, there are reserves to replace them.

As for the Wandering Embers NPCs they've recruited?

They're too weak, not worthy of buying any Paper House, and even if needed, they'd buy it themselves.

The manor wouldn't cover this cost.

Ning Zheng decisively allocated a twenty-thousand Magic Coins budget for the Ancestor's Paper House.

Then, went to the clinic, finding nothing necessary for procurement.

Here, selling River Demons was bustling with activity.

Ning Zheng didn't choose to spend money, because she's exceptionally good at making money.

Various medical beauty services have deeply won the hearts of many young ladies, and many Hairpin Ladies now have no gaming desire.

Treating it as a dress-up and gourmet game.

To make beautiful hairpins, losing weight in reality, but here eating gourmet crazily, fulfilling one's appetite, and using earned money for cosmetic enhancement by the Medical Fairy.

Afraid to undergo cosmetic surgery in real life, now undergoing a full makeover in one go.

This has made the Medical Fairy quite wealthy.

After obtaining the Blood Separation Flower, she was divinely aided; her cosmetic surgery technique is akin to pure natural effects.

Recently, along the streets, Ning Zheng constantly saw various beautiful faces.

The blacksmiths say they're faces of various big celebrities; the manor is now a gathering of stars.

This has stirred the hearts of male blacksmiths, resulting in an increase of people all resembling Daniel Wu, though Ning Zheng doesn't understand why.

"Old steward, old steward, what about our budget?"

But the Medical Fairy still feels dissatisfied; earning money doesn't mean she doesn't want more. The two sisters both stated, "Sir Old Steward, our medical office could use more funding."

Ning Zheng paused, then replied, "I've already invested in the Blood Separation Flower, this Divine Technique can replace most medical machines."

She should make good use of this thing before speaking further, chewing too much. She wanted to say more but refrained, understanding they have a severe compulsion to save money!

Very soon, he spent another five thousand Magic Coins on metal materials.

Daojiu guaranteed, "We'll definitely use five thousand Magic Coins to buy materials worth seven thousand, achieving results worth twenty thousand Magic Coins."

"Keep it up." Ning Zheng nodded contently.

Daojiu was encouraged and very happy.

He had quit his job and was working full-time, not only enjoying his love for crafting, with one Magic Coin equating to 50 bucks, he was estimating an income of twenty thousand bucks monthly now.

To him, that's a fortune!

He greatly appreciated the old steward's recognition, managing the smithy, and pledged to strive higher, fulfilling his dreams.

Of course, he also thanked Su Yuniang, the big spender, who crazily spent on Magic Coins to buy from him.

Ning Zheng paid no heed to Daojiu's gratitude. After some thought, she decided to simply purchase more since they'd already started, and then issued them another task:

"The Nine Ancestors' Paper House got damaged during the combat, we need to purchase a new one!"

"No problem, I've heard there are many second-hand Paper Houses available recently." Jiucai Rong immediately responded, jotting this down, "I assure you we'll get it."

Another hefty spending from public funds.

People should learn to adapt.

Jiucai Rong thought of involving the Medical Fairy, suggesting she scout for second-hand Paper Houses being sold at a bargain price near the Red House, to further save money.

Ning Zheng paused, then added, "If the price is right, we might as well seize the opportunity to buy a few more for our manor too!"

This is a provision for possible future appearances of the Fourth and Fifth Ancestors.

Regardless of whether they materialize or not, if the Red House across the street decides to sell them at a loss, it's good to have spares for replacing our ancestors' Paper Houses if they get damaged again.

And what about those Wandering Embers NPCs we recruited?

They're too weak; a batch of replacements!

The Red Moon has just begun; they'll be just like that, later unable to bear the pressure, they'd lower prices to offload their goods. Remember to emphasize our manor's notorious name!

Medical fairie found the situation frustrating as usual. She made money, but it didn't prevent her from wanting more. The two sisters collectively complained: "Sir Old Steward, we deserve more funds!"

But Ning Zheng understood perfectly that since she acquired the Blood Separation Flower, it was her divine aid, and her cosmetic surgery skills were as good as natural.

In recent times, the streets are buzzing, and many are flocking to the manor, making it a convergence of rising stars.

The male blacksmiths felt invigorated, with a wave of enthusiasm brewing in a group of them, launching themselves into metalwork with renewed passion.

Ning Zheng decided to give the two sisters a 'covert operation' budget of two thousand Magic Coins.

The gracious old steward has recognized her talent, letting her manage the smithy, so she'll certainly strive to achieve more, fulfilling her dreams.

The Medical Fairy, though, still felt unsatisfied; she made money, but that didn't mean she didn't want more. She and her twin sister both expressed to the Old Steward: "We need funding too!"

But Ning Zheng already knew that the quest for blood separation is ample to substitute most medical equipment with divine skills.

Ning Zheng just glanced at them, "You can get your divine techniques perfected first, then let's talk further."

The clerks are finding crafty ways to save money, evident when they set up scarecrow meat fields.

They are endowed with a severe saving compulsion!

Many Hairpin Ladies now aren't worried about losing weight; they are crazy for gourmet, fulfilling their need to eat tasty food, and then they spare no expense to see the Medical Fairy for aesthetic enhancements.

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