Since Zhou Jicheng said there was no need to further test the performance of the solar and wind power generators, Chen Lan did not insist.
So, Chen Lan invited Zhou Jicheng and the others back to the living room to discuss matters concerning Jilin. Chen Lan offered two plans.
The first plan was for Chen Lan to invite Zhou Jicheng to Jilin for half a year to first assist with the installation of five sets of solar and wind dual-use generator units, followed by the installation of solar streetlights, household lighting, electric water heaters, and other home appliances. If these projects were not completed within half a year, the period would be extended until completion. His salary would be five times his current salary as a university professor.
The second plan was for Chen Lan to invite Zhou Jicheng's entire family to Jilin, covering all their food, accommodation, and expenses. They would also receive a monthly salary based on their individual workload, effort, and capabilities.
Of course, if Zhou Jicheng had free time and wished to conduct scientific experiments or research, Chen Lan would provide financial and technical support.
As soon as Chen Lan finished speaking, Zhou Jicheng eagerly asked Chen Lan if financial and technical support could indeed be provided.
Chen Lan replied, "That depends on whether the experimental projects you propose are practical."
"For example, the support of this generator unit is made of high molecular compound material, which is a chemical compound. You teach chemistry, so you should be well aware that with the current level of scientific technology, neither our country nor many other countries can synthesize it. This also involves molds. Without precision machinery, precise machine tools cannot be produced, let alone qualified molds. Do you agree with what I'm saying?"
Zhou Jicheng nodded and said, "I will conduct research that is grounded in reality."
Hearing Zhou Jicheng say this, Chen Lan happily asked, "So you agree with the second plan?"
Zhou Jicheng nodded, then thought for a moment and said, "There's just one matter, otherwise, there are no other problems."
Chen Lan quickly asked, "Please tell me, what problem?"
"It's the issue of the children's schooling. My eldest son is currently in the first year of high school, my eldest daughter is in the third year of junior high school, and my second son is in the first year of primary school."
Chen Lan replied, "I have also considered this issue. We also have several children who need to go to school. At present, this cannot be resolved."
Chen Lan continued, "Here is our arrangement. It is currently mid-March, and Jilin has not yet begun to thaw. We plan to depart in late April, arriving in Jilin before the land completely thaws in May, to start building houses and installing the solar and wind power generator units. Therefore, you will need to arrive in Jilin with us in May."
"If everything goes smoothly, we must complete all the housing construction before October. Once the houses are built, we can bring all our family members to live in the new houses before the heavy snow of winter arrives."
"We plan to build at least five houses this time. We will also use new building materials for this construction, which will speed up the process and shorten the construction period."
"The main structure of the houses will be made of light steel plates. The greatest advantage of this building material is its stability and strength, with a long lifespan. The walls will be filled with heat-insulating materials."
"The exterior walls will be painted with stone-like paint, characterized by strong adhesion, excellent frost resistance, long service life, and simple and time-saving construction."
"Inside the houses, we will build large heated brick beds in the Korean ethnic style, so we won't be afraid of the severe cold of Jilin winters."
"Solar panels will be installed on the roofs. Our plan is to build the houses first, then the school."
Chen Lan continued, "Mr. Zhou, if you know anyone willing to teach or work in Jilin, that would be even better! You could also persuade your students to come to Jilin for research, work, or teaching."
"Of course, the most important thing is that they must be trustworthy individuals."
Zhou Jicheng replied, "Alright, it's settled. There's still a month left. I'll go home and arrange my family affairs, take leave from school, and then talk to some students and teachers from impoverished families."
"Oh! Right! Will the salary and benefits for others be the same as mine?" Zhou Jicheng asked Chen Lan.
Chen Lan answered affirmatively, "Everyone going to Jilin will have their food, accommodation, and expenses covered, and will receive a monthly salary based on their work capability, intensity, and workload."
Chen Lan shared some of her basic ideas with Zhou Jicheng. They agreed to make timely adjustments to any issues encountered during construction. After settling the basic plan for their trip to Jilin, Zhou Jicheng stood up to leave.
After Chen Lan, Uncle Fu, Xiang Dong, and Xiang Xi saw Zhou Jicheng off together, they returned to the living room to continue discussing the work arrangements for everyone before going to Jilin. This was essentially the work arrangements for the three of them, as Chen Lan's main job was now taking care of the two infants.
Chen Lan keenly felt the shortage of manpower and said to Uncle Fu,
"Uncle Fu, could you please find someone to send a message to my in-laws? Ask Er Hu and Xiao Shuan to come to the capital first. They can learn things here. It's not good for them to just wait around at home. Also, if they have obtained their family background certificates, they should bring the whole family."
Uncle Fu nodded and said, "That makes sense! There are too many things to do now, we can't delay. I'll go personally tomorrow. Xiang Dong and Xiang Xi are busy with their studies, and I'm the most free at home. If I ask someone else to go, I'm afraid they won't be able to explain things clearly. It's best for me to go."
Chen Lan said with concern, "Can you manage alone?"
Uncle Fu said nonchalantly, "It's fine, I've traveled this road many times. Besides, the road isn't far, and there's a carriage driver!"
Chen Lan was still worried. The road wasn't far, but it was still a six or seven-hour drive. So she suggested, "Uncle Fu, why don't you take Lin Mao with you? He can help out if anything comes up. We can pay him for this favor, and it can be considered mutual help."
Uncle Fu thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright, I'll go find him later. If we can finalize it this afternoon, we can leave tomorrow morning and return early."
Time passed amidst everyone's busyness. Chen Lan was also overwhelmed, spending most of her energy caring for the two infants and tutoring the two brothers. In her spare time, she had to browse the system's purchasing platform for building materials suitable for the harsh cold regions of Jilin and compare the performance indicators of the materials.
Time flew by quickly. It was another day for Shopkeeper Tong to deliver goods.
Chen Lan welcomed Shopkeeper Tong into the living room. After a few pleasantries as usual, they got down to business. This time, Shopkeeper Tong brought a greater variety and quantity of items.
Of course, this was in comparison to the previous two times.
Shopkeeper Tong brought bronze tripods, Qianlong imperial kiln blue and white porcelain, snuff bottles with famille rose decoration, and several scroll paintings.
The Qianlong imperial kiln blue and white porcelain with overglaze enamel figure story garlic bottle was exquisitely painted and had a tall and graceful shape. The combination of blue and white with overglaze enamel made it an exquisite collection.
The Qianlong famille rose enameled openwork scene of playing children with beast-ear porcelain snuff bottle had a regular shape, delicate porcelain, clear patterns, and rich colors.
Chen Lan picked up a scroll painting and gently opened it to reveal Mr. Zhang Daqian's "Evening Scenery on the Riverbank." Chen Lan used her mind to open the system scan. The system displayed:
"'Evening Scenery on the Riverbank' was painted in 1946. This painting is a work that bridges the past and the future in Mr. Zhang Daqian's personal art history, inheriting the orthodox Southern School and pioneering the splash-and-ink technique."
Chen Lan picked up another scroll painting and opened it. To her delight, it was a painting by Mr. Zheng Banqiao.