Yan Qingqing wandered aimlessly around the mountain, picking any medicinal herbs she could find that she could use.
While picking the herbs, he explained their uses to Mu Xi and Ru Yi, and the two of them were quite impressed.
Mu Xi said admiringly, "I didn't expect that Madam would even understand pharmacology. She is indeed very knowledgeable."
Yan Qingqing laughed and said, "It's not that exaggerated. I only know a little bit about this."
The three of them were chatting and laughing on the mountain when Yan Qingqing glanced into the distance and her pupils contracted. Could it be that she had found another treasure? Without thinking, she quickly headed in that direction.
Seeing how anxious she was, Ruyi and Muxi quickly followed.
Yan Qingqing walked up to the dense plant and recognized it as cotton.
With these things, people wouldn't have to worry about getting cold in winter, and ordinary people could wear cotton-padded clothes instead of just linen.
In those days, ordinary people couldn't afford silk or brocade. They could only wear fabrics like linen and hemp.
Although kudzu is breathable, it is too stiff to be worn next to the skin, and it does not absorb sweat well.
Seeing Yan Qingqing's excited expression, Ruyi asked, "Madam, this is white paper, is it used for anything?"
Yan Qingqing frowned. "Bai Die? It seems that cotton was called Bai Die in ancient times."
Did cotton exist in ancient times, but people simply didn't know how to use it?
Yan Qingqing suddenly felt like she was wasting a precious resource.
So he looked at Ruyi and asked, "You said this thing is called 'white dregs,' is it very common? Doesn't anyone know what it's used for?"
Ruyi shook her head and replied, "This thing is indeed called White Fold, and it first blooms with white or pink flowers."
Later, it will produce soft, white fruits. The petals look like they are stacked on top of each other, which is especially beautiful.
I only saw it once when I was a child, playing on the mountain. I was hungry then and secretly took a bite, but I couldn't chew it at all.
Yan Qingqing: ……
That's exactly why it's so tough to chew. And besides, it's not even edible.
Yan Qingqing then tentatively asked, "Doesn't anyone use it to make clothes?"
Ruyi asked, puzzled, "Madam, are you joking? How can you make clothes out of this?"
The textile industry isn't very developed right now, so it's understandable that Yan Qingqing can't turn the cotton into fabric, but couldn't they stuff the cotton into clothes as a lining?
However, Yan Qingqing quickly realized that social progress always takes time, after all, the objects of later generations are the crystallization of the wisdom of working people over thousands of years.
With this cotton, their embroidery workshop could undergo a qualitative change, and perhaps she could use it to advance further.
Thinking of this, Yan Qingqing said, "Mu Xi, gather all the people from our family who are training on the mountain and have them transport these things home for me."
Upon hearing this, Mu Xi quickly nodded and picked up the bone whistle to blow it.
Soon a group of teenagers poured in from all directions.
Upon seeing Yan Qingqing, they quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Madam. May you live a long and healthy life."
Although they were training on the mountain, it did not prevent them from receiving news from the outside world, and they all knew that Yan Qingqing had been granted an imperial title.
They used to be beggars, then guards of the Li family, but now they are guards of Mingzhao. There's a sense of pride in sharing in their service.
Yan Qingqing looked at the group of children and almost didn't recognize them.
When they first came to seek refuge with Yan Qingqing, they were all pale and thin, practically skin and bones.
But now they all look radiant, probably because they've been training on the mountain for a long time; their eyes reveal a resolute and ruthless spirit.
Yan Qingqing said with a smile, "Alright, get up, all of you. Help me with some work."
I need to dig these white shavings back; they're very useful. Could you help me carry them home?
Yan Qingqing had gone to great lengths to ask them to do something, so they were naturally willing to do so.
Mu Xi stopped her, saying, "Does Madam intend to dig these things up and replant them?"
Yan Qingqing nodded and said, "This is a good thing. I plan to save some seeds for large-scale planting next year."
Although Mu Xi didn't know how Yan Qingqing planned to turn this into clothing, she knew that if Yan Qingqing said it was possible, then it definitely was. She had no doubt about Yan Qingqing's words.
However, she did not agree with doing these things now, so she stopped her, saying, "It's not that Madam can't keep the lineage, but I don't think it's necessary for Madam."
Firstly, these plants have already grown so big that they are unlikely to survive transplantation.
Secondly, the people on this mountain are all ours, so we can keep an eye on it at any time.
Therefore, I feel it's much better than moving it back.
Yan Qingqing thought what he said made sense, and she also had her own plans.
So he smiled and said, "In that case, let's not move it for now. You guys keep an eye on this thing for me these next two days, and make sure there's nothing that goes wrong."
After saying that, he waved his hand and made them hide.
Yan Qingqing was delighted to have found cotton in the mountains, and even her steps became lighter.
When some villagers from Canghe Village saw Yan Qingqing coming down from the mountain, they greeted her warmly, and Yan Qingqing responded to them one by one.
After returning home, Yan Qingqing asked Ruyi to put away the medicinal herbs she had picked from the mountain, as she would process some of them when she had time.
Wealthy families all have their own private treasuries, containing a considerable amount of rare items and medicinal herbs.
Compared to other aristocratic families, Yan Qingqing's family is more like nouveau riche, lacking in cultural heritage.
In other words, they had nothing but silver.
However, Yan Qingqing knew that this was not something that could be accomplished overnight, and that she could only take it slowly.
Yan Qingqing called A-Da over again to ask him about the recent situation at the shop.
Ah Da scratched his head and replied, "I've looked at many shops, but none of them are quite suitable. However, I've already told the broker about Madam's requirements."
We'll ask them to let us know as soon as a suitable opportunity arises.
"When I have some free time, I'll go to the county town for a visit."
Yan Qingqing nodded upon hearing this. She knew that buying a suitable shop was not easy, and besides, she wasn't in a hurry.
Then he instructed, "Go and invite the village chief over. Tell him I have something to discuss with him."
Upon hearing this, Ah Da quickly agreed.
In the past, Yan Qingqing would always go to the village chief for help, but now that she has a certain status, everyone wonders if something big is about to happen whenever she goes to the village chief's house.
So gradually, whenever she needed something, she would invite Li Kaishan to her home.
Li Kaishan also visited Yan Qingqing's house very frequently. Whenever he couldn't make up his mind about village matters, he would come to Yan Qingqing for advice.
Li Kaishan was chatting with some old men in the village when he heard Yan Qingqing was looking for him and immediately wanted to come back with A-Da.
It just so happened that Grandpa Li was also there. Hearing that A-Da had invited Li Kaishan, he was also eager to join in, so he came to Yan Qingqing's house with Li Kaishan.
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