Xie Yuan nodded, "Okay, I'll do whatever Ah Xi says!"
Although her delivery went relatively smoothly this time, giving birth to four children in one go was still a huge challenge for her body.
Granny Zhao kept nagging, "It really took a toll on her health. She must have a full two-month postpartum period this time."
These days, women who have given birth to twins, or those with poor health, will typically undergo a two-month postpartum confinement period.
That is, double confinement.
Xie Yuan has given birth to four children, so she should take good care of herself.
Helian Jue also strongly agreed.
Xie Yuan wasn't one to ignore advice; in an era of scarce medical resources, he knew he had to take good care of his health.
Two postpartum periods are fine, thankfully we made it through the hottest days of summer.
Otherwise, the fact that Xie Yuan couldn't take a bath or wash his hair during his postpartum period would be enough to drive him crazy.
Even so, being locked in a room for two whole months was becoming unbearable for Xie Yuan.
To distract himself and pass the time, Xie Yuan took out paper and pen and began to copy some maternity and baby products from later generations.
First, there's the restraint belt Xie Yuan himself needs.
After giving birth, Xie Yuan's belly was still swollen, so she had her maid bring a sturdy white cloth and wrapped it around her belly in circles.
While doing these things, Xie Yuan couldn't help but sigh:
"Linen is too rough, silk is too thin and slippery, pure cotton is the best, it's sturdy and breathable."
Unfortunately, cotton had not yet been introduced to the Great Zhou Dynasty at that time.
"Hmm! Let me think, cotton seems to have originated in Gaochang."
Gaochang was located to the northwest of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Helian Jue had a good relationship with Dugu Xiong, the Grand General of the Northwest, and the two had several secret deals.
The initial offer of trading recipes for horses was merely a smokescreen created by the two.
In fact, in the past two years, Helian Jue has used the horseshoes and sea salt that Xie Yuan provided to exchange for a lot of warhorses and fine iron from Dugu Xiong.
Some time ago, Dugu Xiong even generously gifted Helian Jue a ranch.
Thousands of acres of grassland, hundreds of cattle and sheep, and warhorses.
Subsequently, the official gazette from the capital arrived, and Helian Jue and Xie Yuan learned of the situation—
Dugu Xiong received a reward from the emperor and was granted the title of Marquis of Jingxi.
This marquisate was not only a reward for his decades of service in guarding the northwest, but also because he presented a "miracle device" that could greatly reduce the loss of warhorses, saving the court, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War a large number of warhorses and silver!
"Dugu Xiong was lucky to be granted a title of nobility based on the horseshoe."
Upon hearing the news, Helian Jue instinctively looked at Xie Yuan.
After all, Xie Yuan was the true inventor of horseshoes.
Not only did he fail to make Xie Yuan famous, but he also gave the greatest benefit to Dugu Xiong.
Helian Jue felt that, given A Yuan's temperament, she wouldn't hold it against him.
But deep down, he felt uneasy.
Xie Yuan laughed, not caring at all, and even said that Dugu Xiong was lucky.
Seeing Xie Yuan like this, Helian Jue finally felt completely relieved.
However, Helian Jue silently made a note in his heart—I owe A Yuan a marquisate.
Whether or not he becomes a marquis is a matter for the future. For now, Dugu Xiong, who was ennobled as a marquis because of the horseshoe, has become increasingly close to Helian Jue.
"cotton?"
Helian Jue looked at Xie Yuan with a puzzled expression.
Actually, he wanted to stay with his wife during her postpartum period, but she disagreed.
Xie Yuan: ...I haven't showered or washed my hair, I'm practically pickled to perfection. If I let you watch over me, won't you complain?
Even the most loving couples should maintain a certain distance and a sense of mystery.
Otherwise, you never know when you might develop a dislike for something because of some minor, unpleasant detail.
Xie Yuan did not allow Helian Jue to accompany her during childbirth.
Now that she's in postpartum confinement, she won't let Helian Jue stay with her all the time.
It's nice to just say a few words through the window.
We can stay in touch every day without seeing anything bad that could lead to a negative impression.
"Yes! It's something white and soft!"
Xie Yuan took out the sketch paper he had drawn and slipped it through the crack in the window.
Helian Jue opened it, looked at it carefully, and nodded, saying, "Alright! I understand. I will ask General Dugu for help."
Helian Jue didn't even ask what the uses of cotton were.
All he knew was that his son, A-Yuan, never did anything in vain.
She's looking for cotton, so this cotton must be an extremely valuable treasure.
"Cotton can be spun into thread and then woven into cloth."
Helian Jue didn't ask, but Xie Yuan really wanted to tell him, "Cotton cloth, although not as soft and smooth as silk, is very strong."
"It's also very breathable and absorbent!"
Xie Yuan especially liked this advantage.
Silk is great in every way, except it doesn't absorb sweat.
If you sweat, the fabric feels cool and slippery, which is not comfortable to wear next to the skin.
Cotton is still the best. Even if you don't wear it as outerwear, it's excellent for making underwear.
"Alright! Since A-Yuan wants it, I'll find a way to get it for him!"
Helian Jue spoke in the tone of a deeply affectionate and domineering CEO.
Xie Yuan: ...It's only because he's handsome enough, otherwise, these words would easily make him sound greasy!
"I really want it, because cotton can not only be used to spin cloth, but also to keep warm!"
Although Xie Yuan now lives in Lingnan, where winters are not cold, she is still a northerner at heart.
Therefore, she clearly remembers the winter days in the North, with heavy snow and freezing temperatures.
Especially in ancient times, there was no greenhouse effect, and winters were exceptionally cold.
In ancient times, conditions were very basic. Wealthy families were better off, as they had furs, silk, and plenty of charcoal to keep warm.
Ordinary people are not so lucky.
Even in the capital, in winter, there are beggars and old people who freeze to death on the streets.
Upon hearing the words "keeping warm," Helian Jue also became serious.
If it's just weaving cloth, that's not the rarest thing.
But if it can effectively keep out the cold, then it would be an excellent product.
Xie Yuan nodded vigorously, indicating that the cotton was indeed of excellent quality.
Helian Jue pondered for a moment, then a smile began to spread across his face. "This time, I can make another good deal with Dugu Xiong!"
Lingnan is warm and humid, while the northwest is arid and cold.
Whether it's the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed) that Xie Yuan mentioned earlier, or cotton now, both are much-needed resources for the Northwest.
Helian Jue has been making deals with Dugu Xiong all along. In the last two years, Helian Jue has been lying low and can't keep a low profile.
There are some things, such as weapons and warhorses, that Dugu Xiong can still help provide.
Dugu Xiong is a cunning old fox; he won't act without a reason.
Helian Jue was prepared to take some things that Dugu Xiong urgently needed and make a proper deal with him!
"Ah Yuan, you really are my good helper!"
Helian Jue couldn't see Xie Yuan's face through the window, and Xie Yuan couldn't see his expression either.
But his eyes were still full of joy, and his heart was filled with immense comfort.
Without A Yuan, his Yue Wang Mansion would have faced unimaginable difficulties.
Little did Helian Jue know, Xie Yuan had an even bigger surprise for him...
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