"Yes, Qinan recently learned that the outstanding craftsman of this year's Jichun Craftsmen's Guild is a very young craftsman from Ye Kingdom, who comes from Changxunpo Camp in Fu County. I am very impressed and excited. This person not only brings glory to the craftsmen of Ye Kingdom, but also to Ye Kingdom. I have heard that his Panlong Chariot is unique in the world and is second to none among all countries. I admire and yearn for it, and I have always thought that if one day I could get to know him and have a good talk with him, it would be a wonderful thing in my life."
Seeing how animatedly and movingly he spoke, with his unstoppable praise, it didn't seem like he was faking it.
Zheng Quchi asked him, "How do you know that this person is me?"
Her words immediately dragged Zhang Qinan back from that beautiful design to the harsh reality.
He had always thought of the aloof craftswoman "A Qing" as not being a tall and strong man, but a delicate woman who dared to marry Yuwen Sheng, a terrifying "living Yama," which completely overturned all his knowledge and assumptions.
“This…” He unconsciously looked at Mei Ruoling.
At this moment, Mei Ruoling interjected, "It was me who said it..." She glanced at Zheng Quchi, seemingly worried that she would blame her for revealing the secret, and then quickly explained, "I have known Qi Nan for several years, and I know him well. I think he might be able to help you."
Seeing that Mei Ruoling, who was usually aloof and disdainful of the powerful and wealthy, was trembling with fear in front of this general's wife, Zhang Qinan became even more convinced that this general's wife must have some extraordinary qualities.
Not only is she exceptionally talented in woodworking, but she is also formidable in managing people and wielding power. In short, Zheng Quchi is definitely not a naive and innocent girl; she must be well-versed in the art of manipulation and cunning.
"Madam General, please listen to what Qinan has to say."
He immediately stepped forward, his attitude even more humble and earnest than when he first entered the tent.
Zheng Quchi didn't really care that his identity as "Aqing" had been exposed, since the "Jichun Craftsmen's Guild" hadn't said anything about women not being allowed to participate, nor had it said anything about "the General's wife" not being allowed to participate.
Furthermore, Gongshu Jiruo, the organizer, already knew her identity. She was highly skilled and had a lot of responsibilities, so she was not afraid of public opinion or confronting anyone.
Look how frightened she was! She was just following Aunt Mei's advice, afraid that someone as simple-minded as herself wouldn't be able to suppress the cunning schemes of the unscrupulous merchant. That's why she wanted to appear "dignified and profound." But she wasn't skilled enough, and her facial expressions were slightly out of control, turning into a "fierce look."
But it's good to admit your mistake and correct it. It's not good to offend a god of wealth. She immediately showed her eight white teeth and said in a kind manner, "Young master, please feel free to speak. I am not a monster, so you don't need to be so nervous."
Zhang Qinan's smile made her wary again.
See? He changes his mind faster than turning the pages of a book. One second he's glaring angrily, the next he's all smiles. Such a split personality... Could it be that he's been greatly upset by General Yuwen's situation lately, which is why his personality has become so unpredictable?
Zhang Qinan cautiously took a half step back, lowered his eyes, and asked, "Madam, I heard that you are planning to open a carriage workshop recently. Do you intend to manufacture and sell a large number of dragon carriages?"
Zheng Quchi didn't hide anything about it: "Of course there are, but at this stage I think it's more suitable to produce another type of car."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Qinan seemed somewhat surprised, but then he frowned and gently advised, "Other vehicles? Madam, please listen to my heartfelt words. We all know that in the north there are the war chariots of Beiyuan, in the south there are the carriages of Nanchen, and in the west there are the cargo wagons of Xize... As for which country's vehicles are better, it's hard to say, after all, the vehicles they produce are for different purposes and have different focuses. In this way, they can avoid conflict."
Zheng Quchi nodded repeatedly as she listened. Only after he finished speaking did she ask, "So, what are you trying to say?"
Zhang Qinan felt a chill run down her spine. She saw that although the general's wife was small, her smiling demeanor was exactly like Yuwen Sheng's, a smile that concealed a knife.
But after weighing the options, he still chose to speak frankly: "Madam, in the past few decades, only one Panlong chariot in our Ye Kingdom has stood out from all other chariots with its unique appearance and design, and has been recognized by the leader of Beiyuan Kingdom. If you only want to manufacture vehicles in Ye Kingdom that are the same as those in other countries, I'm afraid Qinan will be forgotten by everyone else."
He made it very clear: now everyone only recognizes the "Panlong" carriage. If she abandons such a good gimmick and insists on making ordinary vehicles, it's a waste of time and energy and won't please anyone.
But after he finished speaking, he still looked at Zheng Quchi with some unease, worried that she would be embarrassed and angry because of his blunt words.
However, Zheng Quchi simply continued to smile.
There was a deep spring in her eyes, seemingly clear and bright, yet it was a dark green that was unfathomable.
"You say the Panlong carriage is unique, but all its special features were created by me. How do you know that I only have this one type of vehicle?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Qinan was stunned.
Not just this kind... For them, a double-decker, four-shafted carriage like the "Panlong" was already beyond their comprehension and vision, yet in her hands, wasn't it the most special one?
Mei Ruoling also looked at her with surprise.
Although she was not a craftsman and did not understand how difficult it was to design and create a "coiled dragon" carriage, she knew from hearing about it that it would not be an easy task.
Otherwise, her husband, Lao Mu, would rack his brains every day, dreaming of creating a groundbreaking and novel object, but it just wouldn't work, no matter how hard he tried.
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