Liu Tan's question left Gongshu Can and Gongshu Yi somewhat bewildered. They exchanged glances and asked cautiously, "This... I have indeed never heard of it before. Perhaps it's simply because I'm ignorant."
Liu Tan frowned. A plow cart is actually an agricultural tool that has both the functions of plowing and sowing. It has a plow blade underneath and a square bucket on top called a plow bucket.
He remembered that the plow cart appeared in the Western Han Dynasty, during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han. The person who invented it was called Zhao Guo. Zhao Guo was even promoted as an official because of this invention. However, since the plow cart was not easy to promote, it seemed that he was later sent to guide the people in farming.
There are not many records about Zhao Guo in history, and his birth and death years are unknown. He became an official to guide the people's livelihood in the late period of Emperor Wu of Han. So it seems very likely that such a thing as a plow cart did not exist at that time.
Liu Tan paused before saying, "It's okay. I've been so busy lately that I forgot. I thought I'd told you all about it. I meant to add a square bucket on top of the plow to hold the seeds, so you can plow and sow at the same time. But this square bucket might need some special settings to allow the seeds to fall bit by bit."
Gongshu Can looked at the moldboard plow and pondered for a while before saying, "This isn't difficult. Your Highness, please wait for me for a few days. It shouldn't be a problem."
Liu Tan patted him on the shoulder and said, "Okay, you've worked hard these past two days, and there will be a reward for your good work."
Gongshu Can was really surprised: What else?
Because of the rewards he had received before, he wanted to be loyal to Liu Tan. He just felt that the King of the Northern Territory was a very good man. He not only gave them official positions but also money. Where else could he find such a good prince?
However, now Liu Tan told him that the reward was only temporary. Only then did Gongshu Can understand why Gongshu Yi handed over the deeds to several houses after he arrived in Shuofang City.
He originally thought that the houses in Shuofang City were cheap, but now it seems... it's just that the King of the North is generous enough!
Liu Tan returned to the palace very satisfied. Even if Gongshu Can couldn't make the plow in a short time, it didn't matter. Having this moldboard plow was enough to surprise everyone.
What satisfied him most was that the Gongshu family had a better understanding of the lives of ordinary people. For example, Liu Tan had previously thought that a metal plow might be very expensive.
But the solution he thought of at the time was to work hard to develop the economy so that people's living conditions would improve and their income would increase, so that they could afford agricultural tools even if they were a little more expensive.
So he didn't think of using a stone plow. It is true that a stone plow is inefficient, but the problem is that it can plow twice more.
After Liu Tan returned to the palace, he suddenly discovered something—Lu Xuan was particularly silent today.
After dinner, he leaned over to Lu Xuan and asked, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"
Lu Xuan patted his head and said, "I should go now."
He had been away from the Wusun Kingdom for too long, and he had previously delayed it on the pretext of going to Chang'an for a meeting. However, it had been almost half a month since he returned to Shuofang City from Chang'an, and it would not be appropriate to delay any longer.
What's more, the Northern Border Kingdom has begun to prepare for spring plowing, and the Wusun Kingdom is actually almost ready. Although the small Wusun Kingdom has less arable land, it does not mean that it has none. Moreover, the contract signed in Chang'an before also requires him to go back to deal with internal affairs.
After hearing this, Liu Tan paused and remained silent for a while.
In fact, he had long known that Lu Xuan would definitely leave after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Liu Tan had tried not to work overtime during the New Year and had already taken care of some matters. How could Lu Xuan be idle? Moreover, the Wusun people did not celebrate the New Year, and their festivals were different from those of the Han Dynasty.
So when the Han Dynasty was on holiday, Xiao Wusun was actually operating normally. Lu Xuan had solved some problems through letters before, but this was not going to work. He was away for a long time, and he might not even know when someone in Xiao Wusun rebelled.
But he couldn't bear to leave Lu Xuan. Every time they were together, it was like a countdown from the day they met. He hugged Lu Xuan's waist tightly, thinking aggrievedly: When will these days end?
He was reluctant, and how could Lu Xuan be willing to do so? However, he also knew in his heart why Liu Che and Liu Ju did not want him to be with Liu Tan? It was because of his status and position.
If he had nothing, even if he was with Liu Tan every day, those two probably wouldn't even give him a second glance - he was just a male favorite and not worthy of the Supreme Father and son's attention.
Moreover, Lu Xuan had previously promised Liu Tan that he would be his shield, allowing him to develop the Northern Border Kingdom in peace and let him deal with the Xiongnu.
It is difficult to fulfill such a promise. Wu Shilu is not a pushover. He has to go back and let the little Wusun recuperate as soon as possible in case of emergency.
The two of them hugged each other quietly for a while before Liu Tan spoke up, "Send someone over to discuss this and see if there's any area for cooperation."
The relationship between the two of them cannot affect the Northern Border Kingdom and Xiao Wusun. Xiao Wusun needs to develop, and even if Liu Tan wants to help, he must go through formal channels.
The only thing that reassures him now is that his business dealings with the little Wusun will not be suspected of collusion with foreign enemies - the King of Wusun is now one of his own.
Lu Xuan also knew his limits and said directly, "I heard that His Majesty has asked His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to select people to garrison Wusun. I will discuss this with them and try to get them to come."
Those people are both subjects of the Han Dynasty and the Wusun Kingdom, so communication should be easier.
Liu Tan suddenly said, "I said I would help you write the textbook, but I forgot."
Lu Xuan quickly said, "This is just a plan. Currently, there are no conditions for its implementation."
At this point, he sighed: "Even my younger brother doesn't study hard, so you can imagine how others will fare. Perhaps in the end, we'll have to start from childhood."
Liu Tan looked up and said, "If those poor people had such an opportunity, they would work hard."
Lu Xuan shook his head: "But we can't take care of them right now."
Liu Tan said, "You don't have to be perfect. If they don't have paper and pen, let them use sticks and sand. You don't have to insist that they can match your literary accomplishments. You have to know that even the Han people, even those who have read books, may not be better than you."
Lu Xuan smiled upon hearing this. He tried his best to be reserved, but Liu Tan's affirmation of him still made him overjoyed. He couldn't help but kiss Liu Tan and said, "It's because of your Majesty and you that you treat me well and are willing to give me books to read."
Yes, when Lu Xuan first arrived in Chang'an, he was also semi-illiterate. He could speak Chinese and recognize a few words, but that was all. He was eager to learn, so Liu Che simply sent some books to him.
It is not a masterpiece, but for him it is a blessing after a long drought.
These days, Liu Tan was here and there was no restriction on him in Liu Tan's own study. He could read any books he wanted, and even Liu Tan's official documents were not hidden from him.
It was just that Lu Xuan had a line in his mind, knowing what to do and what not to do.
Whether it is him or Liu Tan, at their status, they can be very close, but they also need to leave some space for each other.
Liu Tan said, "Hey, don't worry about this. I'll write you a proposal later. If you think it's useful, use it. If not, we can modify it."
Lu Xuan immediately said, "You're so busy, don't bother with this."
Liu Tan said: "It's okay, you are not as experienced as me."
Lu Xuan remained silent this time. He had originally thought that Liu Tan was referring to his experience in studying.
However, in reality, even Liu Tan himself had to admit that in terms of the amount of books he had read, he was not as good as Lu Xuan.
Well, if we include all those random novels and professional knowledge documents written in later generations, then of course he reads a lot.
But the point is not this. The point is that the literacy system of the Flower Growers is very complete. Even if it cannot be directly transferred here, it can be used directly with slight modifications, which also saves Lu Xuan the time of taking detours.
Lu Xuan kissed Liu Tan's forehead, feeling extremely satisfied. He felt that Liu Tan had fulfilled all his fantasies about his significant other.
The two of them stayed together for a few days. When Liu Tan found out that there was nothing to do, he skipped work. When Huo Guang learned that Lu Xuan was leaving, he turned a blind eye.
But time always passed quickly, and the 20th day of the first lunar month was the day Lu Xuan decided to return to Wusun.
Because Lu Xuan had not followed the formal diplomatic procedures when he came here before, he was very low-key when he left. Liu Tan also went out to see him off in a low-key manner.
The two of them sat in the car, and Liu Tan explained, "I told them not to come. If they all came out, even a fool would know that something must have happened."
He was worried that Lu Xuan would feel wronged for leaving so quietly, so he made a special explanation.
Lu Xuan hugged him and said, "This is great. We can spend more time together."
If others come to see him off, he will at least have to say a few words to them. It would be better to do this.
Liu Tan was silent for a long moment before he pulled out a dagger and handed it to him, saying, "This is made of hundred-fold tempered steel. You carry it with you. I originally wanted to make you a long sword, but so far only my father has a long sword made of hundred-fold tempered steel. If someone finds it, it will be dangerous."
Lu Xuan accepted the dagger and said, "Don't worry, I will keep it with me and won't use it unless absolutely necessary."
Liu Tan touched his face and leaned over to kiss him.
Lu Xuan paused for a moment, then immediately grabbed the back of his head and took control.
They didn't separate until the carriage stopped.
Lu Xuan said, "It's a bit cold this year. Go back and don't send any more gifts."
Liu Tan responded sullenly, and watched Lu Xuan get on another carriage. He watched the carriage gradually drive away, and then returned to the palace in a depressed mood.
He originally thought that he was used to separation, but he didn't expect that after Lu Xuan left, he found his palace so empty for the first time.
When he was in a bad mood, he would pet cats. Liu Tan went all the way to the panda park and sat on the swing that Gun Gun often played on. He sighed and said to Gun Gun, "Gun Gun, your godfather who could hold you is gone. Are you unhappy?"
GunGun's response to him was to pick up a new bamboo shoot and continue crunching it, expressing his displeasure at Liu Tan occupying its swing.
Liu Tan couldn't help but rubbed its big head and said, "You are so heartless! You keep eating, and keep eating. If you keep eating like this, people will ask me if you are a pig dye. How will I answer?"
Just when Liu Tan was unhappy and kept harassing Gun Gun, Gongshu Can rescued Gun Gun.
He came over with a flushed face and was about to say something, but when he saw Liu Tan rubbing the big head of the iron-eating beast, he froze there and couldn't utter a word.
But Liu Tan asked him calmly, "Did you make it?"
Gongshu Can nodded stiffly, and at the same time a sentence flashed through his mind: Don't judge a book by its cover, the legend of Chang'an is true!
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