No one was destined to answer Dai Liangchun's questions, and he certainly didn't dare to ask such a rebellious question, so he could only continue walking forward.
A banquet was set up in the palace. When they arrived, everything was ready. The servants stood quietly to the side, only starting to act when they saw them arrive, some pouring tea and others serving snacks.
Yun Qing sat to Xie Rang's left as usual, while Dai Liangchun sat to his right.
The sun wasn't so strong at this time. The banquet venue was flanked by ponds, where lotus flowers were in full bloom, their emerald green and tender pink hues intertwined. A cool breeze blew by, carrying a rustling sound, making it very pleasant.
The key point is that the pastries here are also very unique, shaped like lotus flowers, with a crispy and crumbly outer layer. They are exquisitely made like a work of art. Yun Qing looked at them for a long time before picking them up to taste them. Overall, the taste was quite suitable.
It seems they've gone to quite a bit of trouble to welcome the little tyrant.
However, this is quite normal. Xie Rang now holds real power and is no longer the puppet emperor he was six years ago. Everyone has seen the changes in Da Xi. Regardless of previous opinions, he now has to show his attitude and demeanor.
Yunqing had just finished eating the lotus flower pastry when, in the blink of an eye, Shunfeng brought over a plate of other pastries.
Shunfeng smiled and said, "His Majesty specifically instructed this."
At the banquet, the protocol for a subject is different from that for the emperor. Therefore, Xie Rang's table had some things that Yun Qing didn't have. He was thinking of Yun Qing and had Shunfeng send a portion of everything to her.
“Alright.” Yun Qing nodded, raised her eyes, and met the gaze of the young emperor. She silently raised her wine cup to Xie Rang.
Xie Rang reciprocated.
Officials below stared in surprise, realizing that the relationship between the emperor and his tutor was indeed as good as the legends suggested.
Dai Liangchun was surprised again, but recalling the scene he had seen before, he suddenly felt that this was not what he expected.
This imperial tutor, who came from the Li family, wielded considerable power. Let's hope he doesn't end up like those powerful ministers in history books.
Xie Rang withdrew his gaze. With just one glance, he could tell what the people below were thinking, especially Dai Liangchun.
Do they really think the Grand Tutor is blind, with their gazes constantly falling on him?!
Dai Liangchun didn't understand why the young emperor's gaze suddenly turned much colder when it fell on him. While marveling at the young emperor's imposing presence, he forced himself to introduce some recent developments in Jiangnan.
"...The conditions of the canal have greatly improved, and there are more traveling merchants. They have also brought a magical crop called Bai Die, which is snow-white in color, just like the clouds in the sky. Most importantly, it can be made into clothes to keep warm!"
When Dai Liangchun got to this point, his tone became a little agitated. Yun Qing couldn't help but glance at him and then heard a familiar word.
[White cotton? Isn't that just cotton? How come it's already spread to the Jiangnan region?]
Yun Qing was pleasantly surprised. She discovered that the effects of historical changes were interconnected. Following the normal trajectory, it would have taken several more years for cotton to truly reach the Central Plains, and the process was interrupted by the chaos of war. It wasn't until decades later that people began to pay attention to it.
Things are different now.
No wonder the system suggested she choose the reform of textile technology. Jiangnan has all the right conditions, and all that's missing is the right people!
Yun Qing gently tapped the table, unable to resist asking, "Lord Dai speaks so well, could you perhaps show His Majesty the actual object?"
Dai Liangchun looked at Yun Qing, then at Xie Rang, and said, "Yes, there is..."
"Show it up."
Xie Rang was too lazy to listen to his pleasantries and interrupted him directly. The Grand Tutor must have thought of some kind of reform again. He was the emperor now, how could he not provide some convenience for the Grand Tutor?
No one else could have provided the Grand Tutor with as much convenience as he could.
Dai Liangchun fell silent and quickly gestured to his men to bring the items up.
At this time, cotton had just been introduced to this area and was not planted on a large scale. The people only used some of their land to grow it for their own use. However, it was easy to collect. Some wealthy families who were interested in it would spend money to buy it.
The white pastries that Dai Liangchun presented were all prepared, a snow-white mass placed on a tray, and each was placed in front of Xie Rang and Yun Qing.
Yun Qing reached out and squeezed it. The texture was similar to modern, unprocessed cotton, except that each clump of cotton was smaller, indicating that it was an ancient variety.
Xie Rang asked, "What are the benefits of this white paper?"
Dai Liangchun, having secured his position as Governor-General of Jiangnan, was quite capable and had a thorough understanding of the situation: "Your Majesty may not know this, but most people nowadays wear hemp clothing, which is cool and breathable in the summer, but it is not cold enough in the winter. If this white crepe is used as stuffing in the lining of clothing, it can keep you warm and prevent the cold. It is cheap and easy to obtain for the people, and it is a great thing."
That's right, it seems they've put in the effort.
Yun Qing agreed in her heart.
Now that cotton has already been introduced here, she believes it should definitely be promoted. After all, ancient white disasters and cold waves were not to be underestimated, and cotton could reduce the possibility of people catching a cold in winter.
As she hesitated whether she should say something, Xie Rang looked at her with a smile: "Does the Grand Tutor have any thoughts on this?"
The young emperor spoke gently, but his expression and attitude were completely different when he questioned the imperial tutor. Dai Liangchun's opinion of Yun Qing immediately rose to a higher level.
Yun Qing considered for a moment and said, "Since Lord Dai was able to point out the advantages of Bai Die, he must have known about it beforehand. In terms of governing Jiangnan, I'm afraid no one is more suitable than Lord Dai. If we have the capacity, we can give it a try."
In ancient times, land management was quite strict, so the crops planted could not be easily changed. If the government was willing to promote it, the matter would be almost certain to succeed.
Moreover, it's not just ordinary people; if cotton cultivation is truly promoted, the military can also use it for warmth.
The borderlands are a harsh and cold place, which is exactly what the words mean. They are both bitter and cold. The original owner's family was there, and Yun Qing missed that place very much.
Another reason why the Imperial Tutor was so famous was that she was very open-minded and promoted many things that were beneficial to the people. When Dai Liangchun heard her say this, he breathed a sigh of relief and then carefully shifted his gaze to the Emperor.
Ultimately, the emperor was the one who made the final decision.
Xie Rang clicked his tongue. Wasn't his attitude obvious enough?
"Do as the Grand Tutor says. Lord Dai, I hope you will do your best."
That's what you call a warning.
Dai Liangchun hurriedly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Yun Qing looked at Xie Rang with a puzzled expression.
[Does this little tyrant usually like to scare people this much? Why is he acting like he's been hit by a firecracker today?]
Xie Rang's body stiffened slightly.
What else could it be? He looked at the Grand Tutor and realized she hadn't given it a second thought; the common people were far more important to her.
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