Chapter 252: Year-End Statistics and Family Atmosphere

In the main hall of the Lu Family Mansion.

Lu Changsheng sat in the main seat, with Lu Miaoge and Ling Zixiao on ither side.

His wives and concubines, Lu Miaoyun, Lu Miaohuan, and Q Zhenzhen, along with his children Lu Ping’an, Lu Xian’er, and Lu Ruyi, sat on both sides.

They nearly filled the entire hall.

“Husband, our family has 1,430 mu of ordinary Spirit Fields. We grow spirit mulberry trees, red flower grass, green seed fruit, azure moon flowers, and white corn.”

“These spirit crops yield once a year. Currently, we have 9,200 jin of spirit mulberry leaves, 12,200 jin of red flower grass, 20,050 jin of green seed fruit, 11,300 jin of azure moon flowers, and 23,600 jin of white corn.”

“We have 1,000 mu of first-Tier Spirit Fields growing top-quality ‘Jade Essence Rice’. It yields every year and a half. We’ve harvested and processed it all, getting 24,630 jin of Jade Essence Rice and 10,150 jin of rice bran.”

“The remaining 150 mu of Second-Tier Spirit Fields are planted with Biwater Rice, which yields every two and a half years. It’s not yet mature.”

“Since these crops were originally planted by the Yu Family, our takeover and unfamiliarity led to a 30-40% decrease in yield. But with more hands and experience, we expect production to gradually increase next year.”

Lu Miaoyun spoke slowly, holdig an account book, reporting on the family’s spirit field crops.

“Will the insufficient yield of spirit mulberry leaves, red flower grass, green seed fruit, and azure moon flowers affect our fish production?” Lu Changsheng asked upon hearing this.

These crops were used to make fish feed for spirit fish.

If the yield was insufficient, it would affect the situation in Bishui Lake and the fish farms.

“I’ve confirmed this with Zhong Yu and others. Currently, it won’t have a big impact. We have pre-made fish feed in storage. But if this continues next year, it will cause some problems,” Lu Miaoyun explained.

“Alright,” Lu Changsheng nodded, gesturing for her to continue.

“Regarding spirit fish, we produced 11,300 jin this year. This includes 219 Red Blood Carp, totaling 2,890 jin, and 86 Azure Blood Carp, totaling 1,210 jin.”

“As for spirit herbs, none have matured yet.”

Lu Miaoyun continued, “The expcted income from Spirit Fields is 19,000 Spirit Stones, and from fish production, 6,700 Spirit Stones.”

“Is the fish production income that low? Shouldn’t it be higher than the Spirit Fields?” Lu Changsheng frowned, somewhat surprised.

He knew that Bihu Mountain’s fish production was supposed to be the main income.

“Husband, the spirit field income is just an estimate. The spirit mulberry leaves, red flower grass, green seed fruit, and azure moon flowers are mostly used internally to feed spirit fish, so they don’t count as profit.”

“Moreover, the Yu Family recently sold a batch of spirit fish, and the fish farms lack carp kings, affecting the farm’s ecology. Sales channels have also been affected. These factors have greatly reduced fish production income.”

“Under normal circumstances, the fish farms should generate around 20,000 Spirit Stones.”

Lu Miaoyun explained.

“I see,” Lu Changsheng immediately understood. The spirit field area’s income seemed high, but after deducting the four spirit crops, labor, seeds, and other costs, it was actually average.

The fish production was severely reduced due to multiple factors.

“In the future, just calculate the total income, expenses, and net profit for this area.”

“Then compare the year-on-year growth or decline, and explain what caused it.”

Lu Changsheng said, feeling these matters didn’t need to be so complicated.

“Understood, husband,” Lu Miaoyun nodded.

She then looked at Lu Miaohuan, signaling her to report.

Currently, she was in charge of the family’s three main areas: Spirit Fields, spirit herbs, and fish production.

Lu Miaohuan managed the income from outside shops and business partnerships.

The remaining puppet workshop, talisman workshop, and brewing workshop were respectively managed by Lu Xian’er, Lu Ruyi, and Lu Quanzhen.

“Currently, the family has eleven shops: three talisman shops, two rice shops, two fish shops, one spirit herb shop, one pill shop, one Artifact shop, and one restaurant.”

“The main profits come from the talisman shops and fish shops. Other shops operate under partnerships, generating a total income of 30,593 Spirit Stones.”

“We also have three ore veins, currently mined in cooperation with the Bai family of Hundred Bird Lake, the Ji Family of Little Jing Mountain, and the Zhao Family of Panniu Mountain, with an expected income of 1,100 Spirit Stones.”

“The Hongye Valley Marketplace share is 5,961 Spirit Stones.”

Lu Miaohuan reported, holding a Jade Scroll account book.

“What’s the proportion and net profit of the talisman shops?” Lu Changsheng asked, looking at Lu Miaohuan.

“Talismans account for over 40% of the income, at 13,566 Spirit Stones. Due to your Second-Tier Spirit Talisman, husband, the profit margin is as high as 40%, at 5,400 Spirit Stones,” Lu Miaohuan replied.

“Huanhuan, in the future, just calculate the expenses and profits directly for this area too,” Lu Changsheng said gently.

He then turned to his children and said, “You may continue.”

“Father, the puppet workshop currently has thirteen apprentices and sixty-one workers. We’ve made thirteen Beast Type One puppets, eleven Eagle Type One puppets, and two humanoid puppets. The total material cost was 2,832 Spirit Stones,” Lu Xian’er stood up and reported.

“Mm, let me know when you can skillfully craft humanoid puppets.”

“Also, regarding talent cultivation, don’t hesitate to spend more if someone shows potential in this area.”

Lu Changsheng nodded and said.

Beast Type One, Bird Type One, and Humanoid Type One were the three blueprints he had given Lu Xian’er to practice and become proficient with.

These three types of puppets would be continuously upgraded to create advanced puppets in the future.

“Yes, Father,” Lu Xian’er bowed and sat down.

Beside him, his daughter Lu Ruyi stood up and said in a clear a clear voice, “Father, the talisman workshop mainly does contract work, producing ordinary talisman paper and spiritual ink for Qingzhu Mountain. This year, we produced 962 sheets of ordinary talisman paper and 115 boxes of spiritual ink, generating an income of 63 Spirit Stones.”

“Haha, not bad. Making a profit in the first year,” Lu Changsheng chuckled upon hearing this.

However, if labor costs were deducted, there was actually no profit, and it might even be operating at a loss.

“Father, the brewing workshop produced 950 jin of White Jade wine and 460 jin of Spirit Mulberry wine this year.”

“These wines consumed 4,920 jin of white corn, 2,100 jin of spirit mulberry leaves, and other ingredients costing 863 Spirit Stones.”

“If all the wine is sold, the expected income is 1,400 Spirit Stones.”

At this point, Lu Quanzhen reported.

“Mm, not bad. Next year, you should be able to break even and start making a profit,” Lu Changsheng nodded as he listened to Lu Quanzhen’s report.

“Husband, the family now has 241 members: three Foundation Establishment cultivators, three Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivators, nineteen mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators, and twelve early-stage Qi Refining cultivators.”

“According to family rules, we encourage the birth of new family members. This year, we welcomed thirty-three newborns.”

Xiao Yueru spoke up.

Her responsibilities were relatively simple: keeping track of family members and distributing rewards to family concubines and children.

Currently, her main task was distributing newborn rewards.

“Mm, good,” Lu Changsheng nodded slightly.

Of these thirty-three newborns, eight were his own, and the remaining twenty-five were the Lu Family’s third generation.

Through his system, he knew that none of these twenty-five had spirit roots.

He wasn’t too concerned about this.

After all, none of his children except Lu Xian’er had spirit roots.

The probability of giving birth to children with spirit roots was very small.

However, even with twenty descendants, the system didn’t provide any “gift money,” which slightly disappointed Lu Changsheng.

He had hoped to rack up a significant amount of gift money through his children.

“This year, the family’s profit income is 54,688 Spirit Stones,” Ling Zixiao said, holding a Jade Scroll, her face elegant and dignified, as she began to speak.

Her first words surprised everyone present. They hadn’t expected their family’s profit to be so high this year.

“Besides talismans, fish production, ore veins, shop rentals, and the Market, the main income came from selling off assets, bringing in 31,500 Spirit Stones.”

Ling Zixiao continued, “This year, our family’s expenses totaled 80,649 Spirit Stones.”

“We spent 16,000 Spirit Stones to buy the Ji Family’s territory, 12,000 for tributes to the Azure Cloud Sect, and 12,760 for family member salaries and rewards.”

“We paid 1,200 Spirit Stones for family guest cultivators, and spent 1,839 Spirit Stones to recruit 123 apprentices, spirit farmers, and fishermen.”

“For family construction, we spent 24,891 Spirit Stones on the family’s grand formation, 1,561 on fishing, 2,300 on spirit herbs, 3,692 on workshops, 1,251 on external purchases, and 3,152 on social interactions.”

Ling Zixiao spoke with a graceful demeanor and clear, melodious voice.

“Hiss!”

“We spent so much this year!”

“We lost over 10,000 Spirit Stones!”

“If we hadn’t sold off assets, wouldn’t we have lost over 50,000?”

“This… this…”

In the meeting hall, all the concubines and children were stunned upon hearing this.

They hadn’t expected such high expenses after establishing Bihu Mountain.

Not just them, even Lu Miaoyun, Lu Miaohuan, and L Miaoge were shocked by these Spirit Stone expenses.

The expenses were simply outrageous.

“Well, well, I didn’t expect we’d spend so much this year.”

“But it’s mainly because of the Ji Family’s Spirit Land and our family’s grand formation. Starting next year, as our family stabilizes, labor and construction costs will decrease, while fishing and workshops will start making profits. Things will gradually improve.”

Lu Changsheng chuckled as he spoke.

He was used to spending lavishly and had no concept of money management. He never calculated expenses carefully.

Moreover, he had the Ji Family and Xiao Xiyue buy materials for him personally, with much money coming from his private funds, not the family account.

Otherwise, the expenses would be even more staggering.

Of course, he had earned quite a bit this year by selling Second-Tier talismans, but that income also went to his private funds.

“You all need to work harder. I’ve nearly spent all the family savings I’ve accumulated over the years.”

“If we keep losing money and can’t make ends meet, the family will struggle to function.”

Lu Changsheng looked at Lu Ping’an, Lu Xian’er, Lu Ruyi, and his other children as he continued.

“Father, our family is currently in its early development stage, with many areas needing funds.”

“We siblings can’t yet create stable income. You could adjust and reduce family expenses. Once the family situation stabilizes and starts profiting, we can readjust.”

At this point, Lu Quanzhen stood up, looking serious. He bowed slightly to Lu Changsheng and said solemnly.

In his view, while the grand formation and Ji Family Spirit Land were expensive, the salaries for the siblings and concubines were clearly too high.

“Father, I agree with this view.”

Seeing this, Lu Ping’an quickly stood up and spoke.

He knew such matters could easily upset his other siblings or the concubines, so as the eldest brother, he spoke up to share the pressure with Lu Quanzhen.

Seeing this, several other children stood up and said the same.

“We’ll maintain this year’s approach. If the family still suffers severe losses next year, I’ll consider adjusting.”

Lu Changsheng raised his hand, gesturing everyone to sit down, and spoke.

“Miaoyun, next year’s main expenses should focus on talent cultivation, especially in puppetry and brewing. We can increase efforts in recruiting and training talents in these areas.”

“As for pill refining, Talisman Making, and formation techniques, quality matters more than quantity. Nurture those with talent in the family, but don’t force it if there’s no aptitude.”

Lu Changsheng said to Lu Miaoyun.

In his view, relying solely on Spirit Fields, fishing, and herb gardens wouldn’t be enough.

These three could only be considered primary industries, forming Bihu Mountain’s basic foundation.

To make money, they needed to rely on secondary industries – manufacturing.

In Lu Changsheng’s plan, once puppetry and brewing, as secondary industries, stabilized and became profitable, it would be about time to let the children venture out.

Through the Hongye Valley Marketplace and the family’s current shops, they could start expanding into tertiary industries.

“Yes, husband.”

Lu Miaoyun nodded in response.

This family meeting was mainly to give the concubines and children a general understanding of the family’s current situation.

Otherwise, she was already clear about Lu Changsheng’s general plans for the family.

“Alright, do any of you have anything to say? Any suggestions or thoughts about the family are welcome.”

Lu Changsheng looked at the concubines and children as he spoke.

“Father, I have something to say.”

Lu Quanzhen stood up and bowed.

He pointed out that the family’s current situation was somewhat lax and casual, with all the children learning and working as they pleased.

While this was normal to some extent, he suggested that family rules should stipulate that once children break through to the fourth layer of Qi Refining or reach a certain age, they should start contributing to the family.

Especially since the family was newly established and operating at a loss, they should have the children work and contribute to the family.

Moreover, with Spirit Fields, fishing, and herb production internally, and shops and mineral resources externally, there were many tasks to assign.

Lu Changsheng looked at his son.

His words made sense.

However, he hadn’t fully considered the harmony among siblings.

After all, many children in the family were like Lu Quanzhen described – with average spirit roots and talents, not very dedicated to cultivation or work.

“Quanzhen, you have a point.”

“However, it’s only been a year since the Xiahou Demon incident. Other Xiahou remnants might still be watching our family, so we’ll put aside the matter of venturing out for now.”

“As for internal family affairs…”

Lu Changsheng looked at Lu Miaoyun and said, “Miaoyun,arrange tasks for family children who are sixteen and haven’t broken through to the fourth layer of Qi Refining. Calculate their contributions to the family and conduct yearly assessments to determine next year’s family allowances.”

Since Lu Quanzhen had brought it up, he felt it was indeed time to change the family atmosphere.

After all, if there were too many lazy children, it would not only affect the family’s overall spirit but also upset those who worked hard.

Although he could afford to support them all, with the family newly established, it was crucial to maintain the right atmosphere and avoid problems.

“Yes, husband.”

Lu Miaoyun nodded in agreement