Chapter One Hundred Fourteen: Budgeting

Xu Mingli was a man of action.

The day after arriving in Luoyang, he headed straight to the riverbank. He walked the entire length of the levee in need of repair, then took a boat to inspect it carefully from the water, back and forth.

Having spent the entire day on his feet without much rest, Wei Renshi felt quite exhausted by the time he returned to the Yimeng Tower that evening.

"Master Wei, I have personally inspected the site today. This stretch of the levee is quite long, and both sides require reconstruction according to your design. I fear that the Yimeng Tower alone will not be able to cover the costs," Xu Mingli said to Wei Renshi. "Even if other restaurants and eateries contribute, how much could they really provide? They were the ones who conspired against you in the first place. Even if they do offer something, it will surely be a mere gesture for appearances; they are unlikely to part with any significant sum."

Wei Renshi pondered for a moment and said, "Master Xu, you are an expert, well-versed in these matters. Would you be able to help me draft an engineering budget for this renovation?"

Xu Mingli paused, confused. "An engineering budget? What is that? I have never heard of such a thing."

"A so-called engineering budget is a calculation made in advance regarding the consumption of a construction project. It estimates all the resources required to complete a project before work begins. One then arranges the work based on this forecast," Wei Renshi explained with a smile. "To give you a simple analogy, suppose I want to open a restaurant in the South Market. I must first purchase a shop, renovate it, arrange furniture, hire performers... I would calculate the market prices in advance: the cost of the property, the renovation, the furniture, the performers... This must include every single expense, even the cost of meals for those sent to purchase materials or the transport fees for the furniture. By calculating every detail, big and small—direct costs, indirect costs, everything—if I conclude that it requires at least fifty thousand strings of cash to open the restaurant, that is my budget."

Upon hearing this, realization dawned on Xu Mingli. "So, Master Wei, you mean for me to calculate in advance how much work is needed to renovate the levee according to your design, and to account for every single task—from the major procurement of materials down to the cost of a single meal—ensuring nothing is omitted, so we can estimate the total cost beforehand?"

"Exactly! Precisely," Wei Renshi replied. "And when calculating, you must use current market prices. For instance, if I want to build a house, I must prepare the funds beforehand. I would go out and inquire: how much for the craftsmen, how much for the stone, how much for the timber, how much for the land? By tallying these according to market rates, I arrive at a total sum, which is the total cost required to build the house. Based on this, if I can afford it, I proceed. If it exceeds my means, I must adjust the plan until it is within my capacity."

"To have a clear understanding beforehand—to cut one's coat according to one's cloth!" Xu Mingli exclaimed, looking quite stirred.

Wei Renshi nodded. "Exactly, that is the logic."

Xu Mingli rubbed his hands together. "Excellent, truly excellent! This is a brilliant method! If the imperial court required a budget for every project and prepared accordingly, we would never face the accidents of running out of materials or funds mid-project. Furthermore, the court officials would understand the costs and could supervise to prevent anyone from profiting privately. Each department could submit their annual budget to the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry could then allocate funds based on those budgets, weighing the urgency and importance of each project!"

This man truly thought of the imperial court in everything he did. Wei Renshi looked at him; his mind was sharp. Whether it was the machinery or this method of budgeting, he could immediately grasp the broader implications and relate them to the court's practical needs. With such vision and ability, combined with his dedication to the state, he might well rise to great heights in the future!

"Master Wei, do you know when those machines you designed will be ready?" Xu Mingli asked with excitement, eager to begin.

"In a few more days, the workshop will be ready for use. Once it is operational, those machines will be made quickly," Wei Renshi replied.

Xu Mingli nodded. "Very well, I shall spend these next few days drafting the engineering budget."

"Good, and I shall refine my blueprints to be more comprehensive," Wei Renshi said. "What I drew before was merely a concept. Now that you are here, with your guidance, I can create drawings that others will be able to understand."

In the following days, the two stayed inside the Yimeng Tower—one drawing, one budgeting. They worked from dawn until dusk for several days until everything was complete.

Outside, a persistent, drizzling autumn rain had begun, continuing for several days. Fortunately, the workshop had been completed, and the craftsmen were able to manufacture the machines regardless of the damp weather.

With each autumn rain, the air grew colder. Walking on the road under an oiled-paper umbrella, one could barely see a soul in the middle of the day; it was nothing like the bustling Luoyang of old.

The autumn wind was biting, carrying a desolate and melancholic chill. Combined with the relentless drizzle, the city felt even more forlorn. Looking into the distance, the landscape was hazy and vast, a sea of misty greens that seemed to flow slowly, cascading from afar to where they stood.

The faint rain tapped against the fallen leaves, creating a soft, rustling sound that only made the surroundings feel more tranquil.

The air seemed washed clean. Distant places, usually obscured, gradually came into view, making the horizon feel wider and more expansive, like a delicate and elegant ink wash painting.

In this misty autumn atmosphere, the machines were disassembled and transported to the riverbank. A wooden fence was erected around the site, shielding the renovation work from view.

As the machines were reassembled on-site, the repair and renovation of the levee officially began.

During these days, Wei Renshi and Xu Mingli communicated frequently. Xu Mingli now fully understood Wei Renshi's design, and Wei was confident that even if he returned to Fuchang, there would be nothing to worry about with Xu Mingli guarding the project.

The only concern was the fear that Xu Mingli might be recalled to Chang'an halfway through.