After everyone had lunch in Wudu, Xu Shu hurried back to Chengdu. He Sian and his party originally planned to rest in Wudu for one night and then return to Hanzhong. However, due to the appearance of the loom drawings, He Sian had to change the itinerary.
The Salesian Division was the destination for the group. Unlike other places, there were many girls in the Salesian Division, which was suitable for large-scale assembly of looms there and putting them into production.
The group rested for one night in Wudu, and rushed to the Salesian Division at noon the next day. However, they all came to nothing. Lu Bu, Hua Xiong, and even Cai Yong were not here. After some questioning, I learned that Lu Bu and others were in Min County to take care of business today.
Normally, Lu Bu and Hua Xiong wished they could not go back to Min County for ten and a half months. But now, something was unusual. Something must have happened. They didn't have time to eat, so they rushed to Min County in a hurry.
He Sian also had to complain that it was really inconvenient in ancient times. Not to mention having to ride a horse everywhere, even in a carriage, you couldn't stand the bumps along the road, and unlike later generations, you couldn't call in advance to go anywhere.
'Hey, if you talk about railways, steam cars, etc., you might be able to invent it yourself, the telephone...' Only then did He Sian deeply realize how important learning is.
Fortunately, there was no miss this time. When He Sian and others rushed to Lu Mansion, they happened to meet Lu Lingqi playing at the door.
Seeing He Sian, Lu Lingqi's eyes lit up, she jogged a few steps to come closer, and bowed her 10,000 blessings in a decent manner.
"The civilian girl Lu Lingqi has met His Highness!"
Looking at the other person's pink and jade-like little face, He Sian resisted the urge to pinch her twice, pulled Niu Niu aside, and said with a smile: "This is my wife Zhang Yulan, please call me...sister."
Hearing this, the corner of Niu Niu's mouth twitched, and Lu Lingqi's little face suddenly turned red to the roots of her ears, but she still obeyed and whispered, "Sister, sister Lu Lingqi, you are polite now!"
Apart from anything else, this little girl is really cute, and she still has some shadow of Niu Niu when she was a child. Niu Niu rolled her eyes at He Sian and helped Lu Lingqi up. Then her children ran to the side and talked quietly.
'What's going on? If you don't call her sister, why don't you call her aunt? He Sian was confused, and then he saw the two women looking at him from time to time, and giggling.
'Women...are really the same no matter what age they are. '
He Sian sighed inwardly and walked into the courtyard alone.
Because the house in Min County was Lu Bu's temporary residence, it was not very big. As soon as he took a few steps out, He Sian heard a woman's conversation coming from inside the house. Before He Sian could lament the poor sound insulation in this world, he was attracted by the content of the conversation.
"Sister, there is no need to be polite. I have long heard that my sister is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. She is a leader among us women. It really makes my sister happy to be called sister by someone like me!" Listening to the voice, the speaker should be A woman in her thirties or forties, presumably Lu Bu's wife, Yan. Then the other person...
He Si'an's head moved, and the fire of gossip burned in his heart. At this time, another woman's voice came from inside the house.
"My sister is so complimentary. In my opinion, my sister is a role model for all women. She is gentle and virtuous and manages the housework in an orderly manner."
"...Ahem!"
There were two clear coughs not far away from him. He looked back and saw Lu Bu looking at him through the window not far away with a speechless expression. He Sian couldn't help but feel his face heat up.
"That Marquis Wen... Si'an came to see you for something, and found that you were not in the Salesian Department, so he came to Min County to look for you..."
As He Sian finished speaking, the room suddenly became silent...
A quarter of an hour later, everyone gathered together. Niu Niu heard that the world-famous Cai Wenji was also there, so she took Lu Lingqi to the back house to have a close encounter with her idol.
"Is this the installation drawing of the loom? Your Highness is saying that this was created by Brother Chengyan's only daughter?"
'As the outside world said, this King Hongnong is really...'. After receiving He Sian's affirmative reply, Cai Yong thought with strange eyes.
"Daughter Cai Wenji, please see His Highness!"
At this time, Cai Wenji's voice sounded outside the door.
Before He Sian could answer, he saw Cai Yong and Lu Bu looking at each other with unkind looks. He Sian was speechless.
After inviting Cai Wenji in, He Si'an clasped his fists and said, "I wonder what Madam wants to do with Si'an?"
Cai Wenji did not mince words, and after giving a deep bow, she said directly: "I just heard from the princess that Your Highness and Sister Yueying invented a mechanism called a loom together? Is this possible?"
"Indeed, with this kind of machine... mechanism, I believe that the efficiency of women's spinning and weaving will be increased by 3-4 times. Si'an came here with the intention of finding some local skilled craftsmen to assemble the loom. Find some women in the Salesian Department to take charge of the operations. Of course, they will be given corresponding wages, so this can be considered a way out for these women!" He Sian answered truthfully.
"First of all, Wenji is here to thank Your Highness for your consideration for all women. Wenji is not talented, but she is willing to handle this matter for Your Highness. I wonder if Your Highness can trust Wenji?"
Hearing this, He Sian was stunned at first, and then he was happy. Originally, he was worried about who should entrust this matter to him. After all, Lu Bu and Hua Xiong were both rough men. It was considered reluctant to let them accompany the old people and children. What the hell? The loom is indeed not suitable.
Xu Shu was busy with affairs and needed to focus on the military, while Jia Ji was suitable and was good at investigating things. However, it was a bit inappropriate to manage a workshop composed entirely of women.
After much deliberation, Mr. Cai in front of me is really the most suitable person.
The matter was settled, and when he heard that He Sian and his party had not yet finished their meal, Lu Bu ordered his servants to go to the restaurant to buy some side dishes. Everyone drank and drank, and inevitably got drunk!
Early the next morning, He Sian and others said goodbye and left. Lu Bu looked at Lu Lingqi, who was staring at He Sian's back, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Everyone ran all the way and finally arrived at the last stop on their way north—Hanzhong!
Early the next morning, He Sian was sitting in the city guard's mansion and he breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Yan Pu's report.
However, this was also expected by He Sian. After all, Zhang Lu had more than ten years of experience in Hanzhong, and a series of measures such as recuperating, reclaiming wasteland, and truce with foreign races, etc., made his foundation quite solid!
It can be said that if no major disaster occurs, the food tax revenue from Hanzhong alone can support the year-round food supply of Jincheng County and Wudu. Of course, this does not include the Salesian Department.
"There should be 40% of the food left this year. I wonder what your Highness has planned? Do you need your subordinates to send it to Wudu?"
"It's not necessary for the time being. There are many grain depots in Hanzhong City. Just store them here for now. By the way, did my uncle say when he will return to Hanzhong?"
"To be specific, Leader Zhang only said it would be as short as two months or as long as half a year before he left. Now half a month has passed, and I don't think he will be back for a while!" Yan Pu nodded and said.
"Master Zhang..."
He Sian was speechless and really wanted to say something else: 'But that leader Zhang who possesses both the Nine Yang Divine Art and the Great Shift of the Universe? '
"Your Highness, Leader Zhang and Zhao Yun have asked to see you. They are waiting outside the door!" At this time, the officer on duty ran in and reported.
He Sian and Yan Pu looked at each other, what kind of rhythm is this? If you say Cao Cao, Cao Cao will arrive? It was He Sian who reacted first and said immediately: "Oh? Maybe I haven't seen my uncle and Zilong for a long time, please come in quickly!"
Soon, the two of them entered the hall. He Sian stood up in a hurry and came to the two of them. They saw that they were quite embarrassed at this time. Their thick clothes were covered with dust. It was obvious that they had just traveled a long distance!
He Sian made an unreasonable move and asked: "Quickly look at your seat! Is everything going well with my uncle's missionary trip to the west? Why is he so embarrassed?" He stood up and walked, approaching the two of them.
"We were just about to go back to our rich families, but when we heard that His Highness was coming, we hurriedly came to see you. If I have been rude in any way, please forgive me!
The countries in the Western Regions believe in quite a variety of religions, including Shamanism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, etc. Ruben wanted to take this opportunity to promote our Five Pecks of Rice religion, but who knows... Hey, let's talk about it Zilong! "Zhang Lu shook his head and said helplessly.
"Your Majesty, Yun was ordered to escort Master Zhang along the way to preach in the Western Regions. As soon as our group left the Loulan Kingdom at the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, we were attacked by sand and dust. We had to stay where we were. After waiting for about three days, the sandstorm finally stopped. Even if it is completely stopped, because the ground is covered by wind and sand, we cannot continue westward according to the area, so we have to return the same way."
Zhao Yun said helplessly, but saw that He Sian didn't seem to hear him and just looked at his chest steadily.
"Lord?"
Seeing that no one spoke for a long time, Zhao Yun slowly raised his head, only to see that He Sian was already close to him.
When Zhao Yun was stunned, he grabbed Zhao Yun's chest.
"Master...Gong, this, this..." He Sian's move frightened Zhao Yun, but he couldn't avoid it!
'My lord is lustful and everyone knows it. I haven't seen you for nearly a year. Isn't it possible that my lord likes men again? '
However, He Sian ignored Zhao Yun's heartache and made a quiet gesture. Then he grabbed two handfuls from the hole in the chest of Zhao Yun's clothes, and there were some white things in his hands.
Seeing that He Sian's focus was on the thing in his hand, Zhao Yun couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, and then said: "My lord, this is a crop produced locally when we passed through Loulan, called 'Baidiezi'. It is specially used to fill clothing and can be used to withstand cold weather."
'Isn't this... just cotton? 'He Si'an's head was pounding! It's like giving him a pillow when he's dozing off. He just had the idea of setting up a loom workshop, so Zhao Yun brought cotton! Is this God's will?
Seemingly sensing He Sian's curiosity about this object, Zhao Yun shook his head and said, "My lord, since this object sticks to fire, if it is used on the battlefield, once it encounters a fire attack, the consequences will be disastrous!"
He Sian shook his head, smiled mysteriously and said, "Can Zilong give this coat to Sian?"
