Chapter 361: The Literary Heart and the Literary Palace (Part 3) [Two-in-One]

Shen Tang noticed his actions and chuckled dryly.

She said, "It was my fault. I didn't know Wenzhu would be back today. If I had known you would come, I wouldn't have come to the workshop."

Xu Jie: "...No, it's me who's bothering Lord Shen..."

No matter how many times he heard it, Xu Jie still found Shen Jun's words very strange. Wasn't this something only his lord Wu Xian could say? But when he thought of the deep bond between his lord Wu Xian and Shen Jun and Shen Tang, Xu Jie could only force himself to ignore his irrepressible complaints.

And then quickly changed the subject.

"What was Mr. Shen doing just now?"

"Huh? Didn't you see the annotation? I'm pounding bamboo... It's really not easy to soften this thing. Luckily, I'm using young bamboo instead of mature bamboo, otherwise it would be even more difficult..." Shen Tang couldn't help but complain. There are 360 ​​professions, and none of them are easy.

The bamboo, already soaked in lime water to remove its green color, is repeatedly pounded. Once it's almost done, it needs to be carefully washed clean. And this is just the first few steps; the pulping process isn't even finished yet. After that, it has to be soaked and washed again and again… Sigh, why is it so hard to find a side hustle?

The difficulty is equivalent to starting to grow wheat to make bread, or starting to grow cotton and raise sheep to knit a sweater...

Xu Jie: "..."

He naturally knew that Shen Jun was pounding bamboo.

But he was curious about what Shen Jun was doing with this.

Shen Tang didn't hide anything and readily said, "Naturally, it's for papermaking. Not just bamboo, I've also prepared different types of wood, reeds, and even wheat straw... I want to see which material makes the best paper for painting..."

This era had the technology of papermaking.

However, due to some objective reasons, this technology did not receive much attention, or rather, the cost was too high and the quality too low, making it difficult to preserve. Bamboo slips remained the mainstream method for recording documents. Xu Jie was not surprised that Shen Tang wanted to develop paper.

In fact, the Xu family also owned a paper mill.

They specialize in targeting the high-end market.

Low output and barely profitable.

Hearing Shen Tang immersing himself in the workshop, working as hard as a laborer just to produce paper suitable for painting, I smiled and said, "If you want paper, why go to such lengths? The Xie family has a paper mill. If you need some, you can spare some."

Shen Tang said, "I need too much, so I've decided to become a self-reliant 'craftsman'."

Xu Jie strongly disagreed with this statement.

As the lord of this place, how could Shen Jun do such menial work?

Shen Jun acted recklessly, and Qi Yuanliang and the others just let him act recklessly too?

Xu Jie asked with great enthusiasm, "How much does Mr. Shen want?"

He has great confidence in his family's financial resources.

Shen Tang silently calculated in her mind that if each booklet contained 50 pages, then her minimum print run would be 10,000 copies, which would amount to 500,000 copies? Xu Jie was slightly dumbfounded when he heard this number. At first, he thought he had misheard and asked again.

"How many?"

"Five hundred thousand! And for half a year only!"

She's going to publish two books a year! A total of one million copies!

Shen Tang looked at him expectantly: "Is there a written annotation?"

Xu Jie answered decisively: "No!"

How could a paper mill with such high output still be "barely profitable"? However, Shen Jun's idea of ​​using bamboo, reeds, and wheat straw as raw materials is quite novel. Bamboo has a very short growth cycle, and reeds and wheat straw are inexpensive materials.

If it succeeds, even if the paper quality is low and there are scraps everywhere, it's still paper, and it's a sure-fire way to make money.

But all of this depends on the ability to manufacture it.

As for paper suitable for drawing on...

Hehe, Xu Jie didn't have any hope at all.

Shen Tang dispersed the stench outside the workshop, took off the "work clothes" he used to protect his clothes from getting dirty, and changed into a decent and clean outer garment. He followed Xu Jie to the government office, not forgetting the business on the way, treating him completely like family.

"Wenzhu, is there any news about the high-quality wheat seeds you were asked to find earlier?" This was something that Shen Tang had been worrying about for the past few days, and had been so troubled that she couldn't sleep well.

Although this year's millet harvest can be considered a small bumper crop, ensuring that the common people will not go hungry next year and that the government granaries finally have stored grain, the common people are prone to "falling back into poverty due to illness" if they encounter any headaches or fevers, and they have to sell their precious grain to pay for medical treatment.

if--

If only there were more grain.

While working hard on her side business, Shen Tang didn't forget to count on her fingers, wondering when Xu Jie would arrive. Xu Jie didn't disappoint her. He said with a relaxed smile, "Fortunately, I managed to receive a batch of wheat seeds of decent quality, as entrusted by Mr. Shen. However, there's one thing I don't understand: the wheat grains are difficult to husk, resulting in a poor taste, and the seedlings need a lot of water in the spring..."

Irrigation is extremely difficult.

It is not suitable for planting from any perspective.

Admittedly, wheat yields far more than millet—Xu Jie had guessed that Shen Tang was aiming for higher yields—but weighing the advantages and disadvantages of wheat and millet, Xu Jie believed that millet was better, as it was easier to husk and had a softer, more glutinous texture. He earnestly advised, "If Lord Shen cannot solve these problems and orders the common people under his rule to stop planting millet and switch to wheat, I fear next year's harvest will be worrisome..."

He had seen Shen Tang's efforts over the past year.

I don't want all my efforts to be in vain because of this.

This area doesn't get much rain in the spring.

Shen Tang said, "The problem Wen Zhu mentioned, Wu Hui and I have also discussed it carefully. We plan to choose a site to build a small reservoir, then draw water from the Miao River, dredge the river channel, and build irrigation and drainage facilities to prevent problems such as drought and flood..."

From the moment Shen Tang mentioned "building a small reservoir," Xu Jie's expression was numb and blank. He couldn't understand how Shen Jun could do it—casually mentioning such a large project so casually? Where were the people? Where was the money?

This kind of project can't be completed in just one or two years.

How many people are there in Heyin County at all?

If we bring all these people over to build reservoirs and dig waterways to draw water from the Miaojiang River… that would take more than ten years. Who will farm the land during those ten years? Don't ordinary people need to eat, drink, and relieve themselves?

Xu Jie barely managed to control his expression and asked, "Shen Jun, this matter is of great importance, it cannot be accomplished in a day, and it will cost a lot... Have you... have you discussed this with any of your subordinates?"

Haha, I probably didn't tell Kangshi and the others about it.

If you were to speak up, even the most idiots would object.

In this world, the key to survival is to recruit more people and strengthen oneself. Undertaking large-scale projects involving tens of thousands of people is not only thankless and exhausting, but it also weakens one's own strength.

Who knew—

"I already said it, we all sat down together for a meeting and discussed it." Shen Tang indicated that she was not the kind of person who would make decisions arbitrarily, and that she fully understood and respected the different opinions of her subordinates.

If you have any opinions, just lay them out and discuss them. Listen to whoever makes the most sense.

Clearly, Shen Tang has a better point.

So Gu Chi and the others all listened to her.

Xu Jie: "..."

He couldn't understand it at all and was deeply shocked.

A rough estimate of the manpower and resources required for this project reveals that the Heyin County, which has barely managed to secure a decent meal, could not possibly afford it. He swallowed hard: "But the expenses..."

Shen Tang: "You mean this? Actually, I was just thinking of writing a letter to Brother Zhaode. Our two families live so close to each other. The completion of the small reservoir will not only benefit the people of Heyin, but also the people of Tianhai. Why don't we work together to get this done!"

Xu Jie: "..."

No, Tianjin Tianhai will not accept this proposal.

The lord and Qin Li are not stupid. Why would they use this money to recruit soldiers and build water conservancy projects?

It's not that these projects benefiting the people are bad; they are good, but they are also very expensive. No one can guarantee that their power will last forever. Perhaps the power will be destroyed before the water conservancy project is even finished. It's a thankless task.

Xu Jie didn't even need to ask his lord.

He knew the final outcome.

"This...this...I'm afraid it's very difficult..."

Shen Tang blinked: "Difficult?"

Xu Jie said decisively, "Yes, it's very difficult!"

The pressure is now on Shen Jun's side. Shen Tang remained silent for a long time. Just when Xu Jie thought that Shen Jun would back down, he heard the following concerns, which left Xu Jie completely confused.

Shen Jun sighed heavily: "Alas—it seems that Brother Zhaode is still keeping the matter of the epidemic from me. He said that Tianhai was not greatly affected and that it had not damaged the foundation, but now he can't even come up with this little bit of money and food. It can be said that he has really encountered difficulties... Or is it that Tianhai's harvest is very bad this year? Our two families are as close as brothers. I will definitely help you if you have any difficulties!"

Xu Jie: "???"

Xu Jie asked, "How much is this amount of money and grain?"

Shen Tang stated a number—

This was a number that Xu Jie could never have imagined, a number completely disproportionate to the two projects of building a reservoir and dredging a river.

"About ten thousand shi of millet."

This is still a generous budget.

Xu Jie asked in surprise, "Ten thousand shi? Not several hundred thousand shi?"

Shen Tang: "Why so many?"

The two looked at each other blankly for a moment, then realized that they had been talking at cross purposes and had misunderstood each other.

Xu Jie seemed to have thought of something.

Question: "How much corvée labor will be required for Shen Jun to build these?"

Shen Tang said, "No."

Xu Jie's expression went numb once again.

Good heavens, he guessed who Shen Tang was going to send to repair the reservoir. Who else could it be but the valiant warriors led by Zhao Dayi? Speaking of which, General Zhao Feng was quite pitiful. Since he came to Heyin County to repay his debt of gratitude, he had hardly done any serious bandit suppression or fighting. Instead, he had been doing all sorts of work, from building houses and farming to repairing roads...

Xu Jie once let it slip.

When his lord Wu Xian learned of the work Zhao Feng was doing at the River Governor's Office, he immediately burst into tears, clutching Xu Jie's sleeve with a pained expression, sobbing as he lamented that Zhao Feng had been wronged. He was clearly a brave and skilled general, yet he was doing manual labor all day.

Even if it's to repay a debt of gratitude, you shouldn't be treated so unfairly.

Xu Jie strongly suspected that his lord was imagining Zhao Feng and his more than a thousand retainers living a miserable life, getting up earlier than chickens, sleeping later than dogs, working more than donkeys, and eating worse than pigs.

Otherwise, why would she be crying like this?

[Then—will the lord recall General Zhao?]

Wu Xian wiped away his tears: [Recalling him now might damage the relationship between our two families. Alas, how could my brother Shen not cherish such a brave and valiant general as Da Yi! Building houses, farming, repairing roads... how could he dare? I couldn't bear to treat Da Yi so unfairly, sob sob sob...]

Wu Xian was in tears.

Xu Jie felt inexplicably familiar with this scene, which resembled the heartache of an elderly mother for her daughter who was being mistreated by her husband's scumbag husband after marriage.

[I haven't heard General Zhao complain... and it's not just General Zhao, the tenth-rank Left Vice-Chancellor under Lord Shen is also doing the same work, my lord is overthinking it.]

[I know his righteous nature. He is most loyal and righteous; Brother Shen is his benefactor, and he would swallow any hardship to repay that kindness... Waaah, my righteousness!]

Xu Jie: [...]

Just then, Lady Mi came to deliver some things. Her lord changed his expression immediately, wiping away his tears as if nothing had happened.

Xu Jie: [...]

Before leaving, Wu Xian specifically instructed Xu Jie to find out Zhao Feng's opinion. If Zhao Feng really felt mistreated or wronged, he would immediately send a thousand troops to replace Zhao Feng.

Xu Jie muttered to himself.

If his lord knew that Zhao Feng had been thrown into repairing reservoirs and digging waterways again, he would probably cry again.

As expected, Shen Jun said, "With a few half-step warriors here, there's no need to worry about manpower. Powerful martial artists can split mountains and open seas; isn't that much faster than ordinary people digging bit by bit with hoes? I've calculated it; it should be finished in at most six months. After the autumn harvest, they'll be free and can take over these tasks. Maybe next year we can use the fresh water from the Miao River. Wheat yields more than millet, and the growing season is shorter. If the soil fertility is good, we can plant it twice a year..."

Shen Jun's expression carried a hint of longing for the future.

It felt as if we were actually eating two kinds of wheat a year.

Xu Jie, however, began to hallucinate.

It was as if I could hear my lord's sobbing.

Even though Xu Jie and Zhao Feng weren't particularly close, and occasionally clashed over factional positions, he couldn't help but feel a subtle sympathy for this poor general. Tragic, truly tragic! For a warrior of such courage to be reduced to this state is utterly pathetic!

Out of a little bit of colleagueship, Xu Jie couldn't help but say a few words on Zhao Feng's behalf in a subtle way.

You can't just fleece one sheep at a time.

He said, "...Although General Zhao and Commandant Gongshu are both highly skilled in martial arts, they are, after all, only flesh and blood. Their internal energy reserves are limited, and they are quickly depleted and slowly restored. Even with several thousand men under their command,..."

The project was rushed.

Shen Tang said that this was not a problem.

"Don't worry, Wen Zhu. Yuan Liang and the other literary scholars will also help." She has no shortage of literary scholars!

Xu Jie: "..."

Xu Jie: "???"

Xu Jie: "!!!"

The carriage swayed and came to a stop in front of the government office.

Xu Jie remained expressionless.

When he came to his senses, he was already in the government office's council hall.

He took a deep breath.

Xu Jie's trip to Fugu City wasn't just to mail wheat seeds for Shen Tang; he also had another matter to attend to—something he'd overheard while traveling as a merchant, and the source was reliable. He'd already sent a letter to Tianhai and was taking this opportunity to remind Shen Tang.

Seeing his serious expression, Shen Tang asked, "What is it?"

"Shen Jun, have you ever heard the lyrics of this song: 'A feigned woman acts as an accomplice to chaos in the North Star, and twenty streams of smoke and dust rush into the Purple Palace'?"

Shen Tang nodded: "I've heard of it."

Xu Jie: "Life is hard for the common people in other areas, and rebellions are increasing. The royal court led by Zheng Qiao is just suppressing and driving them away. The generals who led the troops to quell the rebellions have it even easier. They drive those common people who rebelled because of their livelihood out of Gan and Yan prefectures, and even intend to drive them to Kun prefecture under the jurisdiction of the King of Zhi... Given the temperament of the King of Zhi and his men, I'm afraid they won't hold back..."

Shen Tang's expression gradually became serious.

She asked, "How many people?"

Xu Jie said, "Roughly estimated at over two hundred thousand!"

Shen Tang gradually clenched his fist.

Two hundred thousand starving commoners, their destructive power in the path of their swarms, is far more terrifying than two hundred thousand locusts. And these commoners are innocent; locusts can kill without mercy, but these are over two hundred thousand living beings!

bump!

Shen Tang slammed his hand on the table and shattered it.

"How dare they!"

()

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(End of this chapter)