After dismissing Mu Gaoyi and Shi Hetong, Runtu returned to the carriage: "Madam, please sit down, we are about to go down the mountain."
His meticulousness and unwavering adherence to rules acted like a class barrier between them. He regarded her as the general's wife, neither flattering nor avoiding her.
She felt she shouldn't force him to do something against his will. Since he wanted to keep his distance, she respected his wishes and maintained basic politeness, avoiding excessive conversation about their relationship.
"Okay, let's go."
As soon as the carriage started moving, the entire carriage began to shake.
The roof and side windows swayed from side to side as the wheels rolled across the ground, just like riding a rocking horse.
Zheng Quchi pressed his arm against the crossbeam, trying to maintain his balance and prevent his body from swaying with the vehicle.
She secretly made up her mind that she must make a horse-drawn carriage as soon as possible.
After I sell it and get the money, I'll get myself a ride. I absolutely can't ride this kind of rocking horse, otherwise I'll suffer terribly if I have to go on a long journey.
To say that she saves a lot of money in car manufacturing compared to others is an understatement. She doesn't spend money on research and development or on design. She handles everything independently, from the structural frame to the parts and components.
Now, the wheels are outsourced to wheelwrights, the copper corner ornaments and wheel rims are outsourced to blacksmiths, and she does the woodwork and painting herself for the remaining parts such as the carriage and shafts. She even makes the carriage driver and axle herself.
She originally thought she would make a lot of money with this car, but later she felt that it was unrealistic to do it all by herself and that it would easily bring trouble upon herself.
Firstly, she doesn't have a production line; her dream of mass-producing vehicles is just wishful thinking.
Secondly, she lacks sales channels and transportation routes. For such expensive items, if she doesn't have enough money and connections to overcome obstacles, the poor can't afford them and the rich can't buy them.
Thirdly...
In short, she didn't want the car she had gone to so much trouble to develop and build to end up only circulating in her hands, so she made a decision—
Since she couldn't succeed by going it alone, she decided to seek sponsorship.
As the saying goes, "Don't let the good stuff go to outsiders." Of course, more importantly, the most powerful person she knew was Yuwen Sheng. He was rich and supported a group of artisans. Wasn't this a perfect combination of timing, location, and people?
As a developer, how many cars could she manufacture in a year using only her own two hands?
But with these five thousand craftsmen, things would be different. Even if Yuwen Sheng lent her a few hundred of them through his own fingers, she could open a car factory in the area and make a fortune.
Therefore, after solving the first and second problems, the third problem immediately followed.
That is fame.
To market a high-quality product, you must first promote its reputation.
Because the reputation of products made in Ye Kingdom is so bad, relying on ordinary methods is not only slow to take effect, but also not necessarily effective.
Although good wine needs no bush, given the current situation—she's poor, and Ye Kingdom isn't doing well either—we shouldn't waste our time. Right now, the Jichun Craftsmen's Guild is attracting nationwide attention; isn't this a perfect opportunity to advertise?
Therefore, she didn't bother to think about her entry for the preliminary round of the Jichun Craftsmen's Guild. She just finished the car and it became a ready-made entry for the competition.
At the Craftsmen's Guild, artisans from seven kingdoms gathered in one place, and all seven kingdoms focused their attention on it. Any slight movement would provide an opportunity to promote her car.
Sitting in the car, Zheng Quchi, to pass the time, went over these matters again and again, thinking them over carefully.
——
The moon was bright and the stars were few. A chilly air enveloped the earth. The carriage left two deep ruts on the country road. The uneven ground was not just a gentle sway; it shook violently.
Zheng Quchi couldn't stand the jolting anymore and called for a stop, intending to get off the bus and walk back himself.
It wasn't that she was being dramatic; it wasn't like she was rushing or fleeing for her life and had to suffer in a carriage. She wasn't afraid of getting tired; she could walk home on her own two legs.
Runtu stopped her, saying, "Madam, if the carriage is not suitable, then let's ride horses instead. Otherwise, by the time we reach Hegou Village, it will be late at night and the dew will be cold."
After some consideration, Zheng Quchi realized that she wasn't alone right now, and she couldn't bother Runtu to go for a walk in the countryside with her, so she agreed.
But there's one thing I need to clarify beforehand: "That Governor Run... I can't ride a horse, so I'll have to trouble you."
"..."
The general's wife can't ride a horse?!
If the general finds out, will he think that he is too close to the general's wife and has not remembered the instruction he gave him: "Although the lady is kind and friendly, you must remember your place and restrain yourself from doing so"?
No, he absolutely cannot betray the general's trust.
"Madam, please mount your horse first. I have a skill: I can lead one horse to your side and ride two horses side by side. Although it is not as fast as galloping on one horse, it is still faster than walking."
"...Commander Runqi is indeed formidable."
She must learn to ride a horse, otherwise, if she encounters a problem in the future, she will be looked down upon by everyone if she says she can't ride a horse.
“Hey, Commander Run, you must be an excellent rider. Why don’t you give me some pointers on the key points of riding? I’ve ridden a few times before, so I’m not a complete novice, but I always feel a bit intimidated riding alone and I don’t dare to put my strength into running.”
Runtu glanced at the darkness before him, but his wife had made such a "diligent and studious" request. He paused for a moment, then said, "Of course. Madam, first, sit on the horse's back, using the strength of your back and waist to sit down, relax your feet, and use your feet to help hold the stirrups in place. Your heels should not lift off the ground..."
After Runtu taught Zheng Quchi the basics of riding, he said, "These horses that pull the carriage are very docile and are most suitable for beginners, but..."
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