Where Zhu Jingyuan was going to build the castle, there was already a road being built up the mountain.
Zhu Jingyuan took Charles, designers and craftsmen up the newly built mountain road.
The craftsmen recorded and photographed the scene, and Zhu Jingyuan also spoke his thoughts intermittently:
“This time the design and construction must be as fast as possible, preferably within three to five years.
“The scale doesn’t need to be too big, just enough for normal daily life and play.
"After this project is completed, I will separately look for a suitable place to build a larger one."
Pierre Fontaine immediately asked:
"So, His Royal Highness's palace and castle are equivalent to an experimental project?"
Zhu Jingyuan shook his head slightly and said:
"It can't be considered experimental. This manor and the built palace will be used for a long time in the future.
"The main reason is that my grandfather hopes to use it, so he doesn't pursue extreme luxury and hugeness now."
The designers knew that Zhu Jingyuan’s grandfather was Zhu Zhongliang, the Ming Dynasty’s supreme emperor, and they also knew his age.
He immediately understood what Zhu Jingyuan meant, which was to give the elderly Zhu Zhongliang a chance to use it.
The construction period of traditional Thai and Western castles and palaces, which are mainly made of stone structures, is relatively long.
If the scale of design and construction is too large, the construction period may be extended to more than ten years.
This is still the speed after the advent of steam machinery. Before the industrial revolution, the construction period would have doubled again.
The Palace of Versailles took twenty-eight years to build.
It would have been much faster if traditional oriental wooden buildings were used. The construction of the Forbidden City in the old capital of the Ming Dynasty only took fifteen years.
If a purely traditional Thai and Western style palace were built now, the Emperor would probably not have the opportunity to come in and experience life.
Feng Dan immediately nodded and said:
"We understand that if we want to go faster, we can go much faster by replacing stone with concrete as much as possible."
Zhu Jingyuan agreed directly:
"Use concrete if you can, but you can't just pursue speed. Safety must also be guaranteed..."
Feng Dan immediately agreed very seriously again:
"We understand."
Zhu Jingyuan took the designers around and expressed his ideas as clearly as possible.
Then they were left in the local area, allowing them to slowly observe and conceive of design ideas and plans on site.
Now around the entire lake, there are construction sites for tidying up the woods, ground, and lake shores.
The construction team has prepared supporting temporary dormitories for the workers, and there are also specially reserved accommodations for designers and craftsmen.
These designers and master craftsmen from France will stay here for a while.
Prepare to complete the general overall design on site, and then return to Xintianfu to complete the detailed design.
Zhu Jingyuan took Charles to say goodbye to the designers and continued along the road along the lakeshore.
Construction teams have now built a temporary road around the lake.
Around the entire lake, a garden wetland park will be built, similar to the former Shuntian Fu Nanhaizi.
In addition to the Thai and Western-style palaces and castles designed by French craftsmen, some other styles of manor buildings will also be built in other surrounding areas.
These overseas-style buildings from all over the world will be concentrated on the east bank of the lagoon.
On the west bank of the lagoon, there is space left for China’s traditional Ming-style gardens.
A large number of residential facilities have actually been planned in the southern part of the lake.
But there are amusement parks, water parks, stadiums, and zoos around it, which is the "noisy area" in the entire garden.
These gardens on the west bank of the lagoon are not affected by those facilities and belong to the "quiet zone" in the garden.
Only when you want to have fun, you will live in the southern area. Normal life and even retirement are still in the inner area.
Zhu Jingyuan took Charles around the lake, said hello to the manager of Huangzhuang, and visited the designers and craftsmen responsible for traditional architecture.
After a circle, return to the south of the lake again and the stadium area to the west of the intended residential area.
The indoor stadium here only has a foundation, but parts of the outdoor stadium have been built one after another.
Including basketball courts, tennis courts, table tennis tables, and other outdoor physical exercise equipment.
These facilities could have waited until construction was completed, but are now being installed in advance.
The purpose is to give the busy craftsmen and workers around them something to play with during their breaks.
When the car passed by the tennis court, there were several craftsmen from Ming Dynasty playing ball.
Seeing those people having a good time, Charles suddenly felt a little ready to make a move, so he looked at Zhu Jingyuan beside him:
"My dear friend, you have prepared these facilities here, why don't you invite me to play with you?"
Zhu Jingyuan looked at Charles's clothes, which were still popular Thai and Western men's clothes:
"You're dressed like this...what kind of sports can you participate in? Even playing table tennis might give you sprained ankles."
Charles also subconsciously looked at his clothes, especially the shoes on his feet, and suddenly felt a little resentful:
"Why didn't you tell me that there are already built facilities here? Otherwise I would have brought a set of clothes suitable for sports."
Zhu Jingyuan smiled and said:
"You don't have to regret it. Xintianfu also has the same facilities. I tested them there before building them here."
As a result, Ciel became even more resentful:
"Then why don't you take me to experience it?"
Zhu Jingyuan said a little innocently:
"Those things are right opposite the big yard where you live. I thought you were just strolling over there by yourself."
Charles was stunned for a moment:
"Opposite the courtyard where I live? That's a courtyard for female guests! How could I go there!"
Zhu Jingyuan was a little speechless:
"The gardens of the Ming Dynasty are all composed of large courtyards within small courtyards, and all the facilities are in the big courtyard.
"The female guests live in separate small courtyards just like you. You going to the big courtyard won't affect them at all.
“Besides, that courtyard was not specially prepared for female guests.
“When I was testing equipment before, I often took people there for activities or even stayed overnight.
“So before you guests come, the houses and facilities in that yard are ready.
"When Charlotte and the others came over, I didn't do any other gardening, so I arranged them there by the way.
"So you don't have to mind at all. If not, I'll take you there tomorrow after we go back."
Ciel didn't know how to express his feelings, or even what mood he should use.
My best friend has always been so calm, but I am always awkward for no reason.
After struggling for a few seconds, Ciel said rather embarrassedly:
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be so sensitive..."
Zhu Jingyuan didn't do anything, he just patted Charles on the shoulder:
"It's okay. I'll take you to play there when I get back."
Zhu Jingyuan took Charles around the entire construction site and boarded the ship again in the evening to leave the port.
We returned to Xintianfu again at noon the next day.
Zhu Jingyuan changed clothes with Charles and went to visit the amusement park opposite.
In the afternoon, I walked around the yard, played ball together, and experienced the main recreational facilities.
In the evening, I went to play games in the hall where the game consoles were kept, and met Charlotte and Amelia who were sitting in front of the machine playing marbles.
The next day, Zhu Jingyuan went to do his own business. After hesitating for a while, Charles went to the opposite side to play games.
Two days later, on November 15th of the third year of Ankang, the last day of the Western calendar year 1808, Charles and Charlotte's new clothes were ready.
Lolita's clothes are very complicated, and it took ten days for the two of them to make the entire outfit.
This is because the craftsmen knew that the customers were two Thais, so they made a little effort to finish it before the Western New Year.
Zhu Jingyuan went to deliver clothes to Charles.
Ask the servant to place the box containing clothes on the table in the living room of Ciel's room.
Ciel was very curious and opened them one by one. Looking at the gorgeous and complicated dresses, shoes, and accessories, he couldn't help but admire and said:
"It's really gorgeous, completely different from our men's clothing..."
Zhu Jingyuan stood next to him and said with a wicked smile:
"Why don't you try it on first?"
Charles, who was being born, subconsciously wanted to nod, but immediately changed his action to shaking his head vigorously:
"How is that possible? This is women's clothing..."
Zhu Jingyuan encouraged and said:
"I designed this myself. Several craftsmen worked on it for many days. Can you at least try it to see if it fits?"
Charles immediately shook his head and said:
"I said I'm just collecting. You don't need to worry about whether it fits..."
Zhu Jingyuan spread his hands and said:
"What if you want to wear it one day and find that the size doesn't fit you?"
Charles shook his head firmly again:
"Impossible, absolutely impossible, how could I wear women's clothing..."
Seeing that Charles was particularly determined, Zhu Jingyuan shook his head with a little regret:
"It's really disappointing, I'm leaving first..."
Zhu Jingyuan raised his feet and walked out.
Charles was a little surprised:
"You're just leaving?"
Zhu Jingyuan turned around and said:
"Anyway, if you don't want to show me women's clothing, what's the point of staying here..."
Charles blushed:
"You...no matter what you say, it's impossible to pull me away. My dear friend, don't force me..."
Zhu Jingyuan smiled and shook his head:
"Okay, I won't force you anymore, and don't take it to heart. I'm going to deliver clothes to Charlotte."
Zhu Jingyuan said goodbye to Charles, who seemed a little confused, and went to the opposite yard to find Charlotte, the little queen of America.
The little girl was much more obedient than the stinky man and was very happy after getting the clothes.
Excitedly, he hugged his clothes and thanked Zhu Jingyuan:
"Thank you, Your Highness, I am really honored..."
Zhu Jingyuan smiled and said:
"Can you put it on for me to see and let me take some photos?"
Charlotte was a little shy, but didn't hesitate:
"Well, I am very happy and honored to do so. Please wait a moment, Your Highness."
Charlotte immediately went back to the room, changed her clothes with the help of the maid, and came to Zhu Jingyuan again.
This outfit is very similar to Erin's outfit, in fact it's the same basics.
But a lot of adjustments were made to the decorative details, forming another new set of clothes.
Charlotte stood in front of Zhu Jingyuan, turned around carefully and raised her hand to show Zhu Jingyuan the effect of her upper body.
Zhu Jingyuan asked the accompanying photographer to take photos of Charlotte for future publicity materials.
Charlotte looked at the gorgeous decorations on her clothes, especially the round pearls on her shoes, and slowly began to feel guilty.
Pearls are a very traditional and precious jewelry material.
In the Thai-Western tradition, only the highest-ranking nobles, even members of the royal family, can use pearl jewelry.
In the original history, after the 17th century, natural pearls became less and less common, and the status of diamonds gradually increased.
By the mid-nineteenth century, natural pearls had all but disappeared and diamonds became the main material for high-end jewelry.
The pearl cultivation technology inherited from the Song Dynasty in China was lost at the end of the 19th century.
The Japanese invented modern pearl farming technology during the same period and spread it to Europe.
The status of pearls only rapidly recovered in the early twentieth century.
It should be said that the status of pearls has not been restored. It has not lost its status in the first place, but the supply of pearls has been cut off.
In this world, China's artificial pearl cultivation technology has not only not been lost, but has also developed greatly.
The craft that originally required worshiping a master has now become a key industry managed by the Royal Consortium in a factory-like manner.
Traditional breeding techniques have also been continuously renovated, and seedless pearls have now been successfully cultivated.
Cultured pearls are not fake pearls.
The difference between cultured pearls and natural pearls, and the difference between later cultured diamonds and natural diamonds, is just the difference between fruits grown in orchards and wild fruits.
However, pearls themselves are a mixed material, and perfect pearls are still expensive.
Good pearls are usually used to make necklaces, earrings, or set in crowns.
Now Zhu Jingyuan has them embedded in shoes.
Charlotte couldn't help but marvel in her heart:
"The royal family of the Ming Dynasty is really too rich. The key is how much does this suit of clothing cost? What should I do if I can't afford it..."
While waiting for the photo to be taken, Charlotte finally couldn't hold back her curiosity and asked rather uneasily:
"Your Highness...how much should I pay for this suit?"
Zhu Jingyuan smiled and said:
"This is little Charlotte's New Year's gift, so there is no need to pay."
Charlotte was obviously taken aback.
Charlotte never thought that this dress was given to her for free.
She was originally prepared to pay, but all she asked from Zhu Jingyuan was the qualification to purchase in advance.
Now the other party directly gave it away?
You can't be dreaming!
Charlotte was surprised and uneasy at the same time, and couldn't help but confirm again:
"Your Highness...what did you say? Is this a gift for me? Are you kidding me?"
Zhu Jingyuan nodded naturally:
"Of course I'm not kidding."
Charlotte said immediately:
"This is too expensive. I dare not accept such a gift from you. It will make me uneasy..."
Zhu Jingyuan followed the trend and said:
"These clothes are nothing. I gave Charles all his clothes as gifts, and I never asked him for money.
"If you feel uneasy, just do the same as Charles and help Dashi Clothing Company promote it.
"When you wear this kind of clothes to a banquet, just tell other guests that you got it from Dashi Clothing Company."
After all, Charlotte is just a child, with a simpler mind than Ciel, who is in his twenties:
"Just...is this all right?"
Zhu Jingyuan responded with a smile:
"Yes, that's all."
If it were a girl from an ordinary family, she would definitely still feel uneasy about such a transaction.
She feels that the value of what she can do is far from what she gets.
But after all, Charlotte is the granddaughter of the British Crown Prince, the Queen of the United States, and a member of a traditional royal family.
I didn’t pay too much attention to such conditions, and I quickly accepted them very happily.
(End of chapter)
