Chapter 22

"What did you say? Cashmere?" Zhou Du stood up from the chair and rushed to Lin Shuge.

"Yes, I remember your family is in the silk business, so you should be able to do the cashmere business as well."

His family traveled all over the country selling silk cloth, and even traded with countries in the Western Regions, and cashmere was naturally loved by them.

In modern times, Western aristocrats were particularly fond of cashmere products, which led to the rapid development of the wool textile industry. Due to the huge profits, it also led to the enclosure movement, which left countless civilians without a place to live and forced them to become urban refugees, thus contributing to the subsequent Industrial Revolution.

Therefore, we still have to consider the problem of industry squeezing out arable land. We cannot allow the situation like that in the West to happen again. Otherwise, in the absence of an industrial base, it would be a disaster for civilians.

It’s a pity that I am a liberal arts student. If I were a science or engineering student, I could have invented something.

Seeing that he was in a trance, Zhou Du called out to Lin Shuge, "Come back to your senses. Come with me to my house after your shift today. I can't make the decision on this matter."

"Okay, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for? We are friends and you won't hurt me." Zhou Du winked at him.

"I'll go talk to the county magistrate about this." Lin Shuge said to him and left in a hurry.

County Magistrate Li has been living a very leisurely life recently. After returning from the county magistrate's office, apart from meeting a merchant once, all matters related to papermaking were handled by County Magistrate Lin. As the year was coming to an end, nothing major happened in the county, so he had been living a very comfortable life these days.

It turned out that it was easy to be a leader when the people under you were capable. With County Magistrate Lin around, his life as a county magistrate was easy and enjoyable.

He hummed a tune while looking at the progress chart reported to him by Lin Shuge. It seemed that these merchants were really serious about it. In just a few days, several batches of paper had been produced and a new workshop was already under construction.

Mr. Lin, the county magistrate, is truly a great helper to our county.

The Good Helper himself immediately appeared before him.

"Hey, County Magistrate Lin, why are you here today?"

The corner of Lin Shuge's mouth twitched. He still remembered that when he first met County Magistrate Li, he was very serious and unsmiling. He even glared at Zhou Du when he saw him slacking off at work, like a dean of studies. Why is he so... jumpy now?

"Sir, I have something to report." Lin Shuge said seriously.

"Huh? What's the matter?" Seeing Lin Shuge's serious expression, could there be something wrong with the papermaking?

"Sir, I suddenly thought of this recently. The sheep produced in the northwest can not only sell mutton, but also cashmere. This place is connected to the Western Regions, so we don't have to worry about the supply or the sale of the goods."

"You mean cashmere?" Magistrate Li was shocked. He immediately thought of the huge profits of the cashmere industry. "But will the people stop farming and come to compete for the profits?"

"Yes." Lin Shuge said bluntly. Magistrate Li is indeed a county magistrate. He can get to the heart of the matter right away.

"Why are you still mentioning this to me?" County Magistrate Li suddenly raised his voice.

“So it needs to be coordinated by the government. Excessive enclosure for sheep farming and occupation of land are not allowed.” Lin Shuge replied.

Magistrate Li stroked his beard and asked, "Will the cashmere produced be insufficient and limited to Ganzhou?"

"We can buy from foreign tribes. Foreign tribes are very good at raising sheep. As long as we spread the news, they will definitely take action."

"It seems that you have thought it through before coming to me. Tell me your plan." County Magistrate Li fell silent.

"Sir, I would like to ask a merchant to take the lead. It would be best if this merchant is engaged in this kind of business. He will start selling first, and then he can attract small merchants to join."

"I went to a papermaking workshop today and heard some women say that many of their fellow villagers were unable to work because they had to work at home. These women happened to be good at weaving, so they wanted to let the merchants sell their products in two ways."

County Magistrate Li was shocked for no number of times today. "You also went to the paper mill?" He asked all this. County Magistrate Li looked at him suspiciously. What else do you know that I don't know?

Lin Shuge pretended not to see Magistrate Li's look and continued, "One can be used to make a loom to weave cashmere into silk thread and make cashmere. The other can be spun into thread for women to weave into clothes. I have already taught them how to weave and asked them to pass it on."

County Magistrate Li: “…”

County Magistrate Li was convinced. Even if Lin Shuge told him that he was actually a god from heaven who came to the mortal world to experience disasters, he would still believe it.

You actually know this? Why do you do this? Magistrate Li fell into deep self-doubt.

Lin Shuge closed his eyes, letting it be a misunderstanding, "Sir, what do you think?"

County Magistrate Li said, "Yes, let's do it this way. However, who are you looking for to be the leading merchant?"

"Zhou family."

"Zhou Du's family?" Yes, the Zhou family started out in the silk business, so there is really no family more suitable than his.

"Okay, go and do it." County Magistrate Li patted him on the shoulder and said, "But, Shu Ge, what do you want?" There are so many people who study and become officials in Ganzhou County, but none of them are as busy as you are every day. Most of them just mind their own business and just want to make achievements without making mistakes. It is enough for them to get an average or above grade in the evaluation at the end of the year.

Lin Shuge turned around, a smile still on his face, "Maybe I should ask for a clear conscience."

In ancient times, common people worked hard all year round, but unfortunately their families could not even get enough food. He saw it all and since he was an official, he had to do something for the people.

Looking at Lin Shuge's back, Magistrate Li sighed heavily, "I hope you can always keep this innocent heart."

It was past the hour of You, and Lin Shuge followed Zhou Du to Zhou's house. He had been here last time, but because he was just passing by, it would be very rude to come to see the elders in a hurry, so he did not enter.

Today is the first time he has come to visit. "I told you not to buy anything, why are you being so polite to my family?" Zhou Du stood at the door sulking.

“I’m the younger generation, and this is my first time visiting you, so I have to bring something with me,” Lin Shuge explained.

"younger generation?"

“Yes, you and I are friends, so when I meet your parents, I am just a junior, right?” Lin Shuge said with a smile.

"Okay then, but the person you're meeting today is my brother." Zhou Du was immediately happy when he heard him say that.

"Your brother?"

"Yes, have you forgotten that the son of a businessman cannot be an official?" Zhou Du said with disgust.

"What about you?" Then how did you become an official? Could it be...

"Yes, my family business was actually built by my brother from scratch. He is much older than me and he is in charge of the family business."

I see.

The two men entered Zhou's house, and Zhou Du took him through several corridors and finally arrived at the inner hall. When the Zhou family heard that County Magistrate Lin had arrived, they were collectively shocked. Although County Magistrate Lin was close to Erlang, after all, the people should not fight against the officials, not to mention that this man was already the second in command of Ganzhou County.

As soon as Lin Shuge stepped into the inner hall, he saw the Zhou family standing in a state of alert. They all bowed to him and said, "Your Highness, the County Magistrate."

Lin Shuge quickly helped Zhou Du's parents up, "Uncle, aunt, this is not allowed," and winked at Zhou Du.

Zhou Du smiled and said, "I told you that Brother Huai Ting doesn't care about such red tape, but you still don't believe me."

Mother Zhou glared at Zhou Du fiercely. What nonsense are you talking about, you little brat?

"I was in a hurry last time and didn't pay my respects to my uncle and aunt. I was really rude. Today, I will follow Erlang to pay my respects when I have time."

Father Zhou laughed and said, "Mr. Lin, you are too polite. It is a great honor for us to have you here."

After some greetings, Lin Shuge stated his purpose. Zhou's father and mother felt it was inappropriate to keep him, so they got up and left, leaving only the eldest and second sons to accompany Lin Shuge.

He talked about cashmere production, market prospects, and supply and sales channels.

Zhou Yuan, the eldest son of the Zhou family, looked intimidating without even getting angry. He asked, "County Magistrate Lin wants my family to start the cashmere business first?"

"Yes, the Zhou family already has experience in silk and satin fabrics, so it's natural for them to do it with ease."

"Okay, I agree." Zhou Yuan said readily.

Lin Shuge was stunned for a moment. He thought it would take some time to persuade him, but he didn't expect that he would agree so easily.

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "Since County Magistrate Lin said that this business is full of benefits, why should I hesitate? I have to thank County Magistrate Lin for thinking of my home first."

"Thank you, Boss Zhou, for your trust."

"Don't be polite, just make sure you reach an agreement." Zhou Du couldn't stand the politeness they exchanged with each other.

Lin Huaiting is a good person in every way except that he likes to be polite to others. Brother, you have done a lot of business, so he always speaks politely.

"Then I'll take my leave." Lin Shuge said goodbye to the two of them.

"What's the hurry? Let's eat together." Zhou Du said, pulling Lin Shuge.

Lin Shuge declined, "I've been leaving early and coming back late these past few days. I think my brothers and sisters at home will be dissatisfied. I have to go back early today."

"Okay, okay, I knew you were going back to accompany Ayuan and Axuan, oh and Zhongxuan."

I wonder how Lin Shuge, at such a young age, can be so family-oriented. Shouldn’t he like to go out and play every day like him? Maybe it's because the eldest brother is like a father.

"I'll be off in a few days. Didn't you say we should go hunting together? Then we can have fun together and relax."

"I actually forgot about this. Let's talk about it." Zhou Du childishly wanted to high-five him.

Lin Shuge had no choice but to play the high-five game with him.

"Boss Zhou, Erlang, goodbye, I'm going home."

"Goodbye."

Thinking of his younger brothers and sisters at home, Lin Shuge bought some cakes and roast chicken on the street so that they could have a good meal together tonight. Since he came back, he has been busy with papermaking, and now cashmere.

Lin Shuge has been coming home late almost every day recently, and at first the three of them were waiting for him to come back. When Lin Shuge saw that everyone was bleary-eyed, he told them not to wait for him and to go to bed early.

But today we can go home early so that we can have a good gathering. Lin Shuge swept away the fatigue of the past few days and happily carried his things back home.

It was just getting dark when Lin Shuge entered the house, but he didn't hear any sound. He felt strange and said, "Zhongxuan, Ayuan, Axuan, I'm back."

Still no sound. Could they have all gone out?

He pushed open the doors one by one, but didn't see anyone. The kitchen was open and the fire in the stove was still on. Could something have happened?

Lin Shuge dropped his things and ran out in a hurry.