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  The North Canal originates from the northwest of the city, where there is the largest dock in the north. Then it goes southeast through the city and after leaving the city, it goes straight south to the capital. It is the largest and only waterway passage in the north, its importance and significance are self-evident.

  Sitting on the painting boat, Li Xia told Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei Yu about the origin of the North Canal. This canal was able to be built because both the Li and Tian families made great efforts in terms of manpower and material resources. Among them, the Tian family contributed the most financially. In those years, the ancestors of the Tian family had great vision and courage, almost bankrupting themselves for this canal, but ultimately establishing the foundation of the Tian family's career.

  At present, at least 70% of the large and small ships running on this canal are from Tianjia. Tianjia is the undisputed overlord of the North Canal, and naturally, it is also a source of wealth.

  Li Xia strongly stated the contributions of Tian's family on the North Canal, but spoke lightly about his own. However, Li knew that among those 70% (of the contribution), it was unlikely that Li's family would be left out. The Li family had a long tradition of valuing education and literature, and although they still needed to make money, it wasn't something they liked to boast about openly.

  Sitting in a painting boat, cruising on the North Canal, enjoying the scenery of both banks. Xiao Hei Yu'er had a great time, and when he got off the boat, his little mouth was still smiling so wide that it couldn't be closed. The little melancholy and homesickness had long been thrown away to the ends of the earth.

  Of course, his friendship with Li Xia also became more and more solid. Li Xia occupied the position of his best friend, and it's likely that no one will be able to replace him in the future.

  Li Xia sent Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei Yu back to Xishi Street when the sky was already dusk. Li Xia didn't enter the courtyard either, after seeing Chang Sheng receive Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei Yu, he got in the car and left.

  Changsheng told Xia Zhi that he had taken care of the ordering, and glutinous rice and firewood would be delivered in batches. Additionally, Ya Ren had brought people to try out the work.

  "Has he arrived?" Xia Zhi was both startled and delighted.

  "Just arrived." Changsheng said. This time, the tooth man found someone for Xia Zhi more smoothly. Because those female workers had been working in Xia Zhi's workshop for a day and had already spread the benefits of the workshop out.

  At this time, it's not easy to find a job like this.

  Xia Zhi knew that the person who came to try out had arrived, so she didn't go see Xia Da Gu but instead came to the back first. She also said to Chang Sheng: "Chang Sheng Ge, why didn't you let someone come find me?"

  "It's rare for you and your uncle to go out and have fun, is it? Besides, I thought you should be back by now, so I didn't bother looking for you." Changsheng said with a smile.

  It's probably the same with Xia Zhi. Then I thought, Chang Sheng's temper is really good. In the future, whoever marries Chang Sheng will definitely be very happy as long as they don't cause too much trouble.

  This time, the matchmaker brought over twenty girls and daughters-in-law. Since Xia Zhi had already selected a female worker once before, the matchmaker pre-screened them this time, and didn't bring any who were underage, visibly unclean or unhealthy.

  Twenty or so people, Xia Zhi finally chose fifteen of them and said they would start work tomorrow. Although she had prepared more masks and aprons, there were not enough for the extra female workers. So Xia Zhi picked a few female workers, gave each person some white cloth, and asked them to go back and work overnight to make the things.

  As for the wages, Xia Zhi didn't give them any this time. She deliberately measured out more fabric than needed for the female workers. The leftover fabric after they finished making hats, masks and aprons was their reward.

  The female workers were all very willing to accept such remuneration.

  In this era, silk fabrics and salt were all hard currencies that could be used as currency, and were even more popular than currency.

  After everything was arranged, Xia Zhi returned to Xia Dagu's courtyard, and Xia Dagu immediately ordered dinner. At the dinner table, Guo Shu and Pearl also knew about Li Xia taking Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei out to play.

  Guo's uncle said to Zhang Sheng: "In the future, if there is such a thing again, you will tell me. No matter what errand I arrange for you, it doesn't matter. You just accompany Sixteen and your uncle. Firstly, with you by their side, I and your mother can also worry less. Secondly, you can also follow Li Xia to broaden your horizons."

  So saying, Uncle Guo chuckled twice.

  His words were very down-to-earth, and Xia Zhi didn't feel disgusted at all.

  Xia Dagu asked Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei Yu'er what they ate and played, and Xiao Hei Yu'er excitedly told Xia Dagu about the meal at Ju Xian and the boat ride on the North Canal.

  Xia Dagu was delighted for Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei Yu'er. "I'm just afraid that the hospitality is not good, and Li Xia Gongzi doesn't want to eat at our house." What Xia Dagu meant was that she wanted to invite Li Xia to come home for a meal one day.

  Xia Zhi thought Li Xia was still very down-to-earth, and he shouldn't refuse such a thing. So she said to Xia's aunt: "Li Xia has an exam in June, so for now, he needs to ask his father before going out. It should be fine after that. I'll tell him what you said, Auntie, and he'll definitely agree, but I'm afraid it will trouble you."

  "What's the trouble?" Xia Dagu chuckled, "When we invite Mr. Li Xia to our home for dinner, then we...". She got stuck here and turned to ask her son, "Changsheng, how did that sentence go? I suddenly can't remember."

  "Mother, that's called 'a humble abode bringing glory'."

  "Yes, it's a blessing to have such a noble guest." Guo uncle smiled so wide his eyes were narrowed, "If we can invite Mr. Li Xia to our home for a visit and another meal, then our whole family will be able to bask in the glory of his good fortune, blessings abound, blessings abound."

  Zhenzhu didn't say anything, she slowly and calmly ate her tofu skin baozi, but there was also a hint of envy on her face.

  Xia Dagu then instructed Xia Zhi, saying that whenever Li Xia came, she should be informed in advance so that she could make preparations. Then, she smiled and said: "Li Xia is really a good person, humble and courteous, and even addresses me as 'Dagu'. If Li Xia becomes an official in the future, he will definitely be a good one."

  Li Xia had just passed the imperial examination for xiucai, and his aunt was already thinking about him becoming a high-ranking official in the future.

  After dinner, because of the busy day, and with even more things to do tomorrow, everyone went to bed early. Xia Zhi lay down on the kang, and before she could even close her eyes, she heard Xiao Hei start snoring softly.

  This kid fell asleep as soon as he lay down, today he also played wildly.

  Xia Zhi closed her eyes, wanting to sleep, but Pearl was beside her, rustling softly, doing who-knows-what. Xia Zhi endured for a while, but Pearl showed no signs of stopping. She had no choice but to turn her head and take a look.

  The big eyes of the pearl shone brightly in the dark.

  "Fourth sister..." Zhenzhu called out affectionately.

  "Zhenzhu, aren't you sleeping yet?" Xia Zhi asked. She had noticed it since she came back from outside today, that Zhenzhu's attitude towards her was different again from before.

  "Fourth sister, is drawing...drawing a pleasure boat fun?"

  (。)