Chapter 73
Three years later, late spring.
The winter wheat had just passed the heading stage and was about to bloom and set seeds. In the fields, the wheat ears were densely packed and neatly arranged.
As the breeze blows, they sway, each one of them full of energy, just like lively and playful children showing off their strong and tall bodies to everyone.
Liu Ju and Liu Che walked along a country road. As far as the eye could see, all they could see was lush green. The unripe ears of wheat were green, as were the trees lining the road. On the ridges of the fields, a few farmers could be seen busy at work.
Liu Ju reached out and picked up the nearest ear of wheat at the edge of the field and took a look. He smiled and said to the farmer beside him, "Did you plant this wheat? It's growing very well. It will be ripe in two months. Every grain will be plump and we will have a good harvest."
"Thank you for your kind words, young master. Looking at the growth, if nothing unexpected happens, we should have a good harvest." The farmer smiled innocently. "Young master, you know something about this?"
Although I didn't know the identities of the group before me, I knew from their finery, the horses they led, and the attendants they had with them that they were not ordinary people, but rather nobles. It was rare for such nobles to understand farming. How could this not be surprising?
Liu Ju nodded. "I know a little bit. My father takes farming very seriously and tries his hand at it every year. We have a lot of property, so he gave me some extra land to tend to in my spare time."
The farmer was surprised. He looked from Liu Ju to Liu Che, and was utterly astonished. This was completely different from the nobles he had imagined and known.
Liu Ju pointed to the many wheat fields within sight and asked, "Are these all from your village?"
"Yes. There weren't so many a few years ago. Back then, our village was considered poor in the entire county. We are where we are today thanks to His Majesty and the Crown Prince."
Speaking of this, the farmer's tone was excited and full of emotion.
Liu Ju raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "What do you mean?"
"Young Master, you may not know that although our village was close to a water source, the water level was too low and the current was too fast, making it difficult to get water. And yet, both farmland and daily life require a lot of water.
"We could only carry water up bucket by bucket, which was time-consuming and laborious, and the amount of water we could get was limited. It was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince who invented the waterwheel, and His Majesty ordered the government to provide funds and manpower to dig a ditch for us to install it. They also installed a stone mill and a water pestle on the shore for grinding and pounding rice.
"Not to mention the curved plow and tripod harrow, which saved us a lot of effort. Later, His Majesty allowed us to open up wasteland. The village chief organized everyone, and each household contributed labor to reclaim the wasteland next door."
The farmer became happier and happier as he spoke, with a smile all over his face.
Liu Ju blinked and said, "Then can you take care of all these extra farmlands?"
"Of course I can take care of it. What's the saying among the nobles? What kind of work is good, what kind of weapon is sharp?"
Liu Ju reminded us: "If you want to do your work well, you must first sharpen your tools."
The farmer clapped his hands. "Yes, that's right. We have all kinds of new farm tools now. Although we have more acres of land, farming is now easier than before."
"Especially since after deducting taxes from these fields, all we produce is our own food. With so many acres of land, we produce so much, so naturally we have more left over. Who wouldn't be happy? We still think it's not enough. Those of you with more labor in your family can also give more."
Liu Ju nodded.
While the two were talking, the farmer's wife came to bring him lunch.
The farmer took it with a grin and opened the basket. Inside was a large bowl of oatmeal porridge—it was porridge, but it was quite thick. There was also a dish of vegetables and a small bowl of chicken soup. There were only two or three chicken nuggets, but for an ordinary farmer, it was a pretty good meal.
The farmer was also a little surprised and looked at his wife: "Are you killing chickens today?"
"The village killed three and each family got some chicken pieces."
Liu Ju raised his eyebrows: "Kill in the village and divide among the families?"
The farmer nodded. "That's also something His Royal Highness came up with. Pig slaughter and chicken farming. These two methods have significantly increased pig and chicken production. The village chief said that if every household keeps pigs, they wouldn't be able to afford them and it would be inconvenient. So why not raise them together and share the profits?"
Liu Che's eyebrows moved slightly: "This is a good idea. Your village chief is a man with ideas and can get things done."
"Yes. Our village chief is a very kind person. He said that if every household raised livestock, everyone would have to take care of the animals and the farmland at the same time, which would be too much work and too energy-consuming. Not every household can produce so much food for the animals.
"Why not raise them together? The village will be organized, and each household can choose someone to take turns caring for them. We can also work together to find the right feed for them."
"We've been raising pigs for almost four years. The first two years were a bit strenuous, but in the last two, we've mastered the techniques and arranged the personnel properly. The pigs and chickens we've raised are growing very well. We make a profit from selling them, and occasionally we can slaughter a few to share with everyone.
"Although we don't have them every day, they are available during festivals and holidays, and we also choose special dates on other days. If the village doesn't kill them, and we want to eat them ourselves, it's cheaper to have our fellow villagers buy them."
The farmer is very satisfied with his current life. Four or five years ago, he would never have dared to have such an idea.
As if thinking of something, the farmer looked at the two men with embarrassment and said, "Would you two gentlemen like to try some? We have some for each household, but the chicken pieces we got are small and the broth is light. I'm not sure if it suits your taste."
Liu Che waved his hand: "You eat."
The farmer only asked casually. After being rejected, he quickly put down the chicken soup and pointed forward: "Actually, our village is in a good location. A few miles ahead is the official road, which is also the only way to Chang'an from the south.
"There were several teahouses there, where merchants and travelers could have a rest and drink tea. They were called teahouses, but selling tea was only one of their services. The main items sold were rice, flour, steamed buns, and home-cooked dishes.
"These didn't exist before. Because Chang'an Liuli Street is so famous, many people have come to see it in the past two years, including many from Beijing, so the government specially authorized the establishment. They also forbid the powerful from interfering, saying it's a business created specifically for us. The operators are all common people like me.
"Because we're close to the teahouse, they buy a lot of their food from us and the neighboring village. Although we didn't win the bid and can't do the teahouse business, we still get a lot of convenience and benefits.
"So, it's all thanks to Your Majesty. Your Majesty is kind, and the court treats us well."
There is no emperor who doesn't like praise. Hearing this, Liu Che was secretly delighted, with a smile on his face.
Liu Ju suggested, "It's noon now. Since the teahouse isn't far away, why don't we have lunch before returning and take a look at the teahouse and see how business is going?"
They came here in disguise and walked along the way, observing many farmlands and farm work in the countryside. Naturally, they also wanted to take a look at the teahouse that was newly established two years ago.
Liu Che nodded and mounted his horse with Liu Ju.
It’s only a few miles away, and you can reach the destination in a moment by riding a horse.
There were about six or seven teahouses in a row, consisting of tents and simple huts. Business was good, and every one was about 80% full.
As soon as Liu Che and Liu Ju appeared, a clever woman came forward and led them to their seats: "What would you like to eat, sir? Our tea is clear tea."
"The method His Royal Highness recommended is to use only tea leaves in water, without any other seasonings. Although the tea is not as good as that of the nobles, it is a little rough, but it is still refreshing.
"The dishes are all on the sign. They are all home-cooked farm meals, but the taste was also praised by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Liu Ju paused. Liu Che glanced at him, then glanced at the woman and said with a smile, "Your Highness the Crown Prince praises you? Has the Crown Prince ever eaten here?"
The woman scratched her head awkwardly, "How could that be possible? Our teahouse is a place for passing guests to rest. Your Highness the Crown Prince is such a noble person, why would he come here?"
"But the recipe for our dish was provided by the imperial court. The official who taught us at the time said it was developed by the Crown Prince. Since the Crown Prince made it, he must have liked it. If he liked it, he would have praised it.
"So...so there's nothing wrong with that, right?"
Liu Che & Liu Ju: ...
Liu Ju burst out laughing: "Yes, there is nothing wrong."
The woman asked again, "What would you like to eat, sir?"
Liu Che glanced at the wooden sign and said, "Give me one portion each and have a taste."
They couldn't finish it, and the guards and attendants also had to try it to see if the food that Ruer usually prepared would taste the same as if it were made by ordinary people.
He is a big household.
The woman's eyes lit up, and her voice rose two notches: "Okay, sir, please wait a moment, I'll let my wife do it right away."
The woman withdrew. Liu Ju propped up his chin and looked at the crowd around him.
The rows of teahouses were nearly full. Judging by their attire, manners, and conversation, most were commoners or those with modest means, with the occasional wealthy businessman, but few were powerful or influential.
After a brief thought, Liu Ju understood. The place was sparsely furnished, the ingredients were simple, and there were only a few menu items. Apart from delicacies, there were no ordinary dishes that required much effort. Most of the dishes were quick and easy.
The nobles, who usually revere the lavish wealth and indulge in exquisite cuisine, probably wouldn't look down on this. Furthermore, powerful nobles travel with ample equipment and supplies. It only takes two hours to travel north from here to Kyoto, so they don't necessarily need to stop for food.
Just as he was thinking about this, someone arrived to serve tea. But it wasn't the woman from before, but a young woman. Her movements were a little strange, and before Liu Ju could notice anything was wrong, she had already put down the tray, said, "Sir, enjoy your drink," and left.
Liu Ju didn't care. He reached out and poured a cup of tea for Liu Che and also poured one for himself.
After tasting it, I found it was, as the woman had said, a coarse tea, but it was clean. These teahouses were run by ordinary people, and they were very efficient. When a customer vacated a table, they cleared it quickly; when a guest arrived, they were also quick to greet him.
A customer nearby met an acquaintance and heard the sound of conversation.
"Brother Wang, are you going to Chang'an too?"
"Yes. Brother Li is going too? I remember you went there last year, so why are you going again? Is it true that Liuli Street is so good that you can't forget it?"
"Whether Liuli Street is good or not, you'll know for yourself if you go and see it for yourself this time. I came here for Liuli Street, but not entirely for Liuli Street. I heard that some foreigners from the Western Regions are visiting Chang'an this year, so I wanted to join in the fun and see what they look like."
"I've heard about it, too. It's said that Marquis Bowang's convoy on his trip to the Western Regions passed through these foreign lands and sold them some of our glass ornaments, mirrors, and white jade paper. They were awed by them and regarded them as divine. They also heard there was a Glazed Street in Chang'an, our great Han dynasty, so they came here to admire it."
"That's what they said. Ordinary glass items are nothing. Marquis Bowang was traveling far, and many things were difficult to carry. He only picked a few small, easy-to-carry glass items. How could they compare to what's sold in the shops on Glass Street? Not to mention the architecture and layout of Glass Street itself is unique enough. Those uninformed Westerners cried out when they saw it, and seemed to be stunned."
The man rubbed his hands together and said, "I came here just to see how they look so surprised and ignorant."
As soon as these words were spoken, the speaker laughed, and his friends also laughed.
Liu Ju and Liu Che looked at each other and noticed the satisfaction in each other's eyes.
Zhang Qian and Eyi were still advancing, but their actions had already given the subjects of the states along the way a basic understanding of the Han Dynasty and aroused their endless curiosity. The first batch of merchants also gradually settled down.
Their plan is beginning to bear fruit.
Nowadays, there are still very few people from the Western Regions coming to Beijing, but there will be more and more in the future.
"Sir, the food is here!"
The people who served the dishes were an old man and the young girl from before.
The old man worked quickly, and the girl helped him put all the dishes on the table. Liu Ju finally understood why he had thought the girl's behavior was strange.
The girl clenched her fists and never stretched them out, using them to assist the old man.
Liu Ju was stunned, not only because of the girl, but also because of the barrage.
—Oh shit, this woman's hands. No way, no way. They can't be what I thought.
—I'm on a tour incognito, passing by a farmer's house. Although this is a teahouse, a teahouse run by farmers still counts as a farmer's house. Plus, my hands are clenched into fists and can't be stretched. Upstairs, be more confident. It's definitely Lady Gouyi.
Liu Ju is now ten years old in actual age, eleven in nominal age. Lady Gouyi has already appeared? Lady Li only appeared three or four years earlier. Lady Gouyi actually appeared twenty years earlier? According to historical records, she shouldn't have been born yet.
—Don't try to match everything in this parallel universe to historical records. This parallel universe already has many discrepancies, and according to the idiot, a good portion of them are missing. But if nothing else, this woman is pretty, quite attractive. She's worthy of being favored by the pig. She fits the pig's aesthetic.
Liu Ju: ...
Lady Gouyi? The comments seemed to mention that this was Liu Fuling's biological mother. Liu Ju had no feelings for Liu Fuling. However, regarding Lady Gouyi, Liu Ju's eyes fell on her hands. Hmm, he was quite curious.
Liu Che also noticed the woman's abnormality and couldn't help but take a few more glances: "This girl's hands..."
The woman immediately retracted her hand and lowered her head slightly, as if she didn't want others to notice her "shortcomings", and her expression was awkward.
The old man answered for her, "This is my daughter. She's been like this since she was born. Her hands are clenched into fists and can't be opened. She's been to the doctor before, but there's nothing she can do."
"Later, a Taoist priest came by to ask for water. He saw my daughter's hand and told me not to worry. My daughter's condition wasn't a physical defect, nor was it an illness."
Everyone in the world has a gossipy spirit. Hearing him say this, eyes turned to him in twos and threes.
Liu Che was also intrigued: "If it's not a disability or a disease, then what is it?"
"He said it's not the right time yet. He'll wait until he meets his destined benefactor and someone touches him, and the problem will naturally be solved."
Everyone was stunned. Liu Che was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud: "Really? That's strange."
The old man glanced at him, then looked at the guards around him, then knelt down and bowed to Liu Che and Liu Ju: "I see that you two are of extraordinary bearing, and I think you are also noble people. I wonder if you could do me a favor and give it a try for my daughter.
"My daughter has been born for over a decade, and she's endured many hardships in life. I ask for nothing more than relief from her difficulties, so she can find a husband in the future."
But it’s okay to give it a try.
Liu Che was about to agree when he heard Liu Ju scoff, "How could such a mysterious thing exist in the world? Are you making it up?"
The old man glanced sideways and said, "Young Master, don't you believe it?"
"I don't believe it." Liu Ju curled his lips, stepped on the stool, took out a dagger from his boot, and with a flick of his wrist, plunged it straight into the table. "Don't you want to give it a try? How about using this?"
Liu Che & Guards: !!!
No, Prince, what are you doing? Even if it's fake, there's no need to be like this. And you... your expression and demeanor really make you look like a lawless dandy bully.
Be careful, you are a prince after all!
The old man's pupils dilated, his legs softened and he knelt down: "Little...young master, this...this is not allowed!"
"Nothing is impossible." Liu Ju shouted, "Yan Sui!"
Yan Sui had been with him for several years and had already formed a tacit understanding with him. He immediately grabbed the woman. The woman was shocked and subconsciously tried to escape. When she turned around, Yan Sui grabbed her shoulders and she couldn't move.
Everyone was stunned. Among the onlookers, there were also some righteous people who stood up and said, "What do you want to do to this girl? You dare to do this near Chang'an, at the feet of the emperor..."
Before he could finish his words, Yan Sui flipped his palm and instantly pinched the woman's pulse, then pressed the acupoint hard. The woman felt pain and her hands spread out uncontrollably, and a hook-shaped jade pendant fell from her palm.
Everyone:!!!
Liu Ju waved his hand and Yan Sui retreated.
Liu Ju twisted the dagger into a flower shape and put it back in place, looking at the other guards: "You don't really think I'm going to use this, do you? Am I that cruel?"
Guards: ...all lowered their heads.
Liu Ju looked at Liu Che again. Liu Che lowered his head and drank his tea, trying to hide his guilt. Liu Ju was certainly not a cruel person, but what happened just now happened so quickly that he was really a little frightened.
The old man and the woman hugged each other, not daring to breathe.
Liu Ju stood up, bent down to pick up the jade pendant, and said calmly: "You said your daughter has been unable to open her fists since she was a child. Then this jade pendant that fell from her palm must have been there at birth. The palm of a child born...hmm..."
He stretched out his hand and compared it: "It's this big? Can you hold a jade pendant of this size?"
He squeezed the jade pendant again and said, "It's not completely impossible, but it's a bit difficult."
The old man and the woman froze at the same time.
When Liu Ju walked over, the two of them subconsciously stepped back, fearing that Liu Ju would make another move. Unexpectedly, Liu Ju threw the jade pendant into the woman's arms.
"You can use your nobleman to advance, but don't treat him like a fool and resort to all this mystical and useless stuff. This jade pendant isn't of great quality, but it's worth some money. Your family isn't well off, so why not use it for this? It's better to sell it and add something to your family."
He rolled his eyes and waved his hand: "Alright, go down after the food is served."
The old man and the woman were both confused.
Go...down?
I thought I had met a tough guy today and it would be difficult to resolve the situation peacefully, but it turned out to be... It's over, should I let them go?
Liu Ju curled his lips slightly, turned around and sat down, no longer paying attention to the father and daughter.
The father and daughter looked at each other, then quickly fled into the kitchen, their chests pounding with lingering fear.
Liu Ju had just picked up his chopsticks when he heard a sweet sneer from the table next to him: "See? People treat you like a fool, and you're still acting foolishly.
"If I hadn't stopped you, you would have become a 'noble'. You're a few years older than that young man, but you're not as smart as him and can't see through things at a glance."
Liu Ju raised his eyebrows. Oh, from what he heard, they weren't the first "nobles" to be chosen.
Glancing sideways, I saw that the person who was speaking was a girl about ten years old, and the person she was "scolding" was a young man, about two or three years older than her, who was accompanied by servants.
Noticing Liu Ju's gaze, the girl smiled apologetically and lowered her voice by two decibels. No one could hear what she said to the boy.
The rest of the spectators were a bit embarrassed, their faces uneasy, and they returned to their seats, trying to cover up their feelings by eating and drinking. This turn of events was so unexpected that they had even tried to stand up for the woman.
Tsk, luckily I was a step slow, otherwise I would have offended people and been very embarrassed.
Mountains and fields several miles away.
There was a carriage parked here. There was no one outside the carriage, and the curtains inside the carriage were tightly closed, so it was unknown what was going on.
A figure walked over quickly and bowed to the car window. "The Zhao family father and daughter failed to succeed. Their plan was exposed by the prince."
If Liu Ju were here, he would probably find that this person was one of the spectators in the teahouse just now.
A voice sounded in the car: "Not surprising."
His voice was childish, like that of a little child. He said he was not surprised, but his tone was three parts regretful and seven parts angry.
Pop.
It seemed like something was dropped.
The subordinates outside lowered their heads, their eyes on their noses, their noses on their hearts: "Master, do you have any other instructions?"
"No. Go back. Keep quiet. If I need you again, I'll give you instructions."
"yes."
The figure left.
A childish voice in the car began to curse angrily, as if he was arguing with someone, but also as if he was venting his anger personally.
After a long while, the cursing stopped, and a whistle sounded inside the carriage.
A coachman came out of the woods, got into the carriage, and drove away.
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