After the banquet at Yilu Tower ended, Tan Min wrote a memorial that very night and delivered it to King Zhou the next day.
In fact, both the king and his ministers knew that everyone in the building was King Zhou's men, and everything that happened was under King Zhou's control. The information those people handed in was much more detailed than what Tan Min wrote.
However, the purpose of this memorial was not to describe the event itself, but to reveal loyalty.
One knows that he is being watched, and the other knows that the other knows that he is being watched.
In this tacit understanding, the monarch and his subjects lived in harmony, and matters related to the Zhong family's trade routes and Bankui's business were passed at the fastest speed.
However, for the people of Langyun School, they don't care about these hidden tricks.
The main goal now has become to go to the capital of Qi State and participate in the other-dimensional version of the "Spring Festival Gala".
After nearly a month of preparation, the Zhou Kingdom formed a caravan and sent its most elite guards to protect the envoys and immortals.
Kong Lingyun came early to see him off.
Perhaps because the little princess of Zhou State was the first gold card customer of the "Miracle Yiyi" clothing store, He Yiyi has always had a good relationship with her.
When she saw him, she did not get into the carriage immediately, but went to greet him with a smile.
Kong Lingyun waved her hand, asking the attendants to step back. She then walked over, bowed with a smile, and leaned forward to say, "Why didn't you tell me you were leaving? If I hadn't pestered my father to ask, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to see you off in time."
Her voice was soft and tender, with a hint of coquettishness, making her complaints sound soft.
It's quite different from his usual straightforward and frank appearance.
He Yiyi glanced at him curiously and said with a smile, "I guess it's still early, and I didn't want to disturb your rest, so I didn't mention it. But Your Highness must have something to ask me, right?"
Kong Lingyun's eyes widened slightly. "That's a strange thing to say. Given our relationship, it's only natural for me to come and see you off."
When He Yiyi saw her like this, she knew that this person must have something to ask for.
But he didn't point it out now, just smiled and nodded and said, "Thank you very much, Your Highness."
"In this Zhou capital, it seems fitting that I have known the fairy the longest, and our relationship is the best lately."
"certainly."
"Can I get a discount on clothes?"
"cannot."
Kong Lingyun choked a little, but she didn't force it. She took out the gold card from her sleeve and said, "Then use this. I want to ask the fairy shop to order a batch of new styles of dresses and pearl hairpins, preferably matching them."
He Yiyi said gently, "Then just go to the store and choose."
Kong Lingyun shook her head: "No, I want something unique. Not only must it be customized, but it must also be absolutely fresh and beautiful. I don't care how much it costs."
He Yiyi thought about it and suggested: "Your Highness, why don't you go to the store now and spend money to draw cards? Do a few ten-draws, and you will definitely be able to put together a nice set."
Unexpectedly, Kong Lingyun rejected it outright: "That's still not possible."
"Why?"
“There’s a difference between spending more money and going broke.”
He Yiyi coughed lightly and didn't insist any more. She just asked someone to pass on the message to the store: "Just follow Lingyun's request just now."
Kong Lingyun added: "As soon as possible."
He Yiyi asked with a smile: "You are anxious."
Originally, it was just a sigh, and I didn't think I would get any response, but unexpectedly, Kong Lingyun took the initiative to say: "Women dress up to please themselves. Now is the time for me to dress up."
This made He Yiyi stunned for a moment, but she quickly came to her senses. Then, the mentality of the spectators quickly took over, and her eyes began to shine: "Do you have a lover?"
Kong Lingyun's ears turned red, but her face was generous: "Yes, there is one, but it's not settled yet, so I can't say who it is."
Although He Yiyi was itching to do so, she didn't ask any more questions. She just smiled and said, "I hope Lingyun gets what she wants."
Unexpectedly, Kong Lingyun shook her head, her dimples showing as she smiled softly, "He doesn't know I'm pleased with him yet, and besides, my father doesn't really agree with it either."
He Yiyi was curious: "Why?"
Kong Lingyun pointed to the corner of her eye and said, "My father said he doesn't like prince consorts with green eyes. He thinks they are not good-looking. The royal family has no precedent of recruiting prince consorts with green eyes."
He Yiyi: ...
The clues are so obvious, you know who this is without even thinking about it, right?
It's just hiding loneliness.
Then Kong Lingyun continued, "Actually, I was attracted to him in the first place because he was different. After all, there are so many people in the world, and if you want to be involved, you have to have something memorable, whether it's long-term companionship, unforgettable at first sight, or extraordinary temperament, and so on. However, I don't just like his looks. If that were all, I'd be tired of seeing Mr. Tan every day. What really makes me fall in love with him is his attitude towards me."
He Yiyi also slowed down her voice and asked gently, "What's your attitude?"
Kong Lingyun smiled again. "He didn't discuss music, chess, calligraphy, or painting with me like other men. Instead, he praised my polo and archery skills, talked about business, and told me a lot about Queen Banqui. It made me feel that women like my aunt who led troops into battle were not the exception. I could become one of them, too. I felt at ease with him."
As he spoke, his ears turned red.
There are all kinds of women in the world with different temperaments. Kong Lingyun also likes gentle and lovely girls, but although she herself has a beautiful face, she has been wild since she was a child.
The so-called gentleness and dignity are simply pretended, but you can pretend for a while, not forever.
Now that Colliver has come and can help her live without having to pretend, she naturally has to seize the opportunity.
The dignified Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty was not one to be indecisive.
Now, facing the fairy, she was more like making a wish to the Bodhisattva, and her voice was particularly pious: "I only hope that your heart is like mine."
Although He Yiyi had always been single and didn't know what love was, she could still hear the joy in the other person's words. Naturally, she could also tell that the other person was truly moved. She smiled and wished him well: "It's best that you like it. I hope Lingyun can get what she wants soon." She paused, "But why did you ask me to order clothes?"
Speaking of this, Kong Lingyun couldn't help sighing: "Because of that person's face."
"……What?"
"No matter what others think, I think he's just good-looking. I thought it was good at first, but now I feel a lot of trouble. At least I have to clean myself up," Kong Lingyun said, poking her dimples. "If we stand together, I can't let a man outshine me, and a foreigner at that. I have to earn face for my Great Zhou."
He Yiyi: ...
The indigenous people's desire to win is always so strange.
While the two girls were talking, Zhong Yao stood not far away, looking up at them from time to time, not hiding his concern.
This made Zhong Zuo, who was standing by, anxious. He poked him with his hand and said, "Control yourself, kid!"
Zhong Yao didn't move, didn't even look at him, just opened and closed his mouth slightly: "If you have something to say, just say it. My legs and feet are not good. If you really poke me down, you will have to support me for the rest of my life."
Zhong Zuo: ...This guy didn’t learn any good things, but instead learned how to scam people!
Zhong Yao was only concerned about his own shopkeeper. Seeing that nothing was happening over there, he withdrew his gaze and said, "You and Colliver should stay in the capital for the time being. He will take care of his Banque business, and you can be your official in the Ministry of Revenue."
Logically speaking, it is a good thing for a businessman to suddenly get an official rank.
But Zhong Zuo rolled his eyes and muttered softly: "Yuanwailang is only a seventh-rank official, it's really too young."
This made Zhong Yao so angry that he laughed out loud: "You are neither good at literature nor martial arts. You have filled the vacancy without studying or taking the imperial examination. What are you dissatisfied with? Otherwise, while there is still time, I will send you to be stabbed twice, and enter the palace directly as the fifth-rank eunuch Zhong."
...Pooh, pooh, pooh!
Zhong Zuo got angry when he heard this and wanted to hit him, but he was afraid that this man would really blackmail him.
I'm so angry!
But before he could express his condemnation of this man's inhumanity, Zhong Yao said in a steady tone, "Although your rank is not high, there are no petty officials in the capital. Moreover, you are different from other officials. You can directly submit a letter to Tan Min. No one dares to look down on you."
Zhong Zuo sighed: "After all, it's still about telling tales."
Zhong Yao laughed and patted him with his cane: "Let me ask you, as a commoner, what do you think of an upright official?"
Zhong Zuo thought for a moment and said, "Of course I respect them, and I trust them extraordinarily. Parents are the best."
"What if you were a businessman?"
"Just...business as usual?"
"Yes, business is business. When businessmen's affairs are involved with the government, it is usually not a good thing. If you encounter a good official, I can't say it is 100%, but at least many of them will try to take advantage of the situation. On the contrary, those with strong backers are feared." Zhong Yao paused and lowered his voice. "To deal with the evil spirits, you have to use some tricks."
As soon as these words were spoken, Zhong Zuo's eyes lit up.
But he soon realized that this man could plan so many things for him, it was probably not just a sudden whim.
So, Zhong Zuo asked with a complicated expression: "I say, A Yao, why are you planning so much?"
Zhong Yao said calmly, "Tan Min's mind is unfathomable. Although I trust you now, you must establish yourself as soon as possible to secure your wealth. Besides, if I am punished by God, my wealth will not fall into the hands of others."
Just one sentence made Zhong Zuo deeply moved.
Because of feelings, of course, and also because of money.
He even wanted to blurt out "Big Brother", a name he hadn't called for a long time.
Unexpectedly, Zhong Yao hadn't finished his words yet: "Of course, if you die, yours will be mine, which is also good."
Zhong Zuo: ...
Pooh!
After everyone set off, Zhong Yao did not ride with He Yiyi.
Even if he wanted to, he knew that the immortals must have important matters to discuss, so he consciously went to other carriages.
This made He Yiyi, who was used to being taken care of by Zhong Yao, feel a little uncomfortable.
When she picked up the teacup and found it empty, there was no apricot curd she loved in the bowl, and no one helped her adjust the cushion she was leaning on to her preferred height, she was stunned.
Bian Yuhang, who was in the same car, saw this and couldn't help but ask, "Senior, what's wrong with you?"
He Yiyi was silent for a moment, then picked up the teapot and poured water, muttering, "Nothing, I just found that I seem to have been spoiled. Alas, feudalism really harms people."
Bian Yuhang: ???
Fortunately, after a few days of travel, He Yiyi quickly adjusted her mentality.
Everything along the way was very ordinary, nothing out of the ordinary.
When the convoy set off again that day, she adjusted the pearl hairpin on her head and asked with a smile, "Haven't you been busy with railway affairs? Why are you in the capital of Zhou?"
Bian Yuhang pushed his glasses and spoke in a serious tone, "I originally came here to discuss railway construction with the King of Zhou, but after hearing about several major events, I feel that mechanical reform is imperative, and that oil refining in Banqui needs to be accelerated. That's why I want to go to Qi and take advantage of the New Year to meet more indigenous people and see what's going on there."
He Yiyi knew nothing about things like the mechanical industry, so she didn't ask much.
She was just curious: "Why do you want to change? I think your current development is pretty good."
As she spoke, she lifted the curtain of the carriage.
Just outside we passed by a new county town of Zhou State.
Compared with the capital, this place seems more "modern". The county magistrate here has obviously inherited the true teachings of the fairyland. Whether it is the architectural style or the urban layout, they are all arranged in accordance with the design of the Langyun people.
Perhaps because cotton clothes have been widely promoted, many common people who cannot afford silk and satin have already changed into cotton clothes. Although the tailoring and style are not as close-fitting as those commonly seen before Langyun traveled through time, they are already extremely convenient. At the same time, they retain the style of the Zhou Kingdom, and the small embroidery and small designs all demonstrate the exquisite thought.
As for bicycles, although they are still considered a "high-end luxury" product at present, you can still see one every once in a while.
The water wheels by the river, the scaffolding used to build houses, and the factories emitting white smoke all show the changes brought about by industrial development.
He Yiyi enviously said, "Look, isn't this all good? Your professional tasks are going really smoothly."
Unexpectedly, Bian Yuhang sighed and said softly, "Senior, it's been almost five years since we traveled through time. Do you know what this means?"
He Yiyi thought for a moment and said, "Does this mean that Ji Liang really won't grow any taller?"
Bian Yuhang: "...I mean, this means that the indigenous people have actually learned a lot. Most of the time, they still follow our designs and plans. But the number of indigenous people is not small, and there are even some smart people. Even if they have been studying liberal arts for many years, there are still big names in science and engineering, as well as inventors."
As he spoke, he also leaned forward and looked out of the window.
With a quick glance, she saw a clue from the design of the waterwheel not far away: "We just happened to be in this county town. I guess you haven't been here before and don't know how strange it is."
He Yiyi was puzzled: "I don't understand these, please explain in detail."
Bian Yuhang patiently explained, "Take the steam engine, for example. We've brought it here for a while now. The principle behind it isn't complicated. As long as we have the materials, we can always make it. As for design, Prince Zhang of Zhou only studied it for half a year before he dared to design a waterwheel. Other indigenous people who are good at learning will naturally do the same."
He Yiyi blinked, quite puzzled. "Do you think this is bad? I don't know about your major, but in mine, we encourage people to apply what they learn and express themselves freely. Many clothing designs are created this way."
Bian Yuhang: "I don't want to restrict their thinking or force them to recite from a textbook. Some of their creative ideas are even praised by the professors at school, but there are always some that seem strange, especially when the era of steam engines lingers for too long, which leads them to try every possible way to tinker with it."
He Yiyi didn't quite understand, but fortunately Bian Yuhang had no intention of teaching her, so he just pushed open the "skylight" of the carriage.
This design made He Yiyi a little confused: "Why did you put a hole in the roof? This is a wooden carriage, isn't it afraid of leaks?"
Bian Yuhang said seriously, "This is what the indigenous people think. They say this kind of carriage is expensive."
He Yiyi: ...
Well, a sunroof costs extra.
After opening the window, you can see a clear blue sky.
Looking at the blue sky and white clouds, it’s so pleasant.
Just when He Yiyi was wondering what she was supposed to see, suddenly, she found a strange thing floating towards her.
It's round and I can't tell what color it is.
But it’s estimated to be very high.
So He Yiyi narrowed her eyes slightly, stood up in the carriage, looked at it and asked, "Is that... a kite?"
Bian Yuhang said calmly: "No, it's a hot air balloon."
"……What?"
"To be precise, it was a new invention used to chase the sun and the moon. It relied on the thermal power principles they had learned. It consumed a huge amount of manpower, material resources, financial resources, and labor. This trade-off slowed down the normal process of industrial development."
He Yiyi was curious about something else: "How did this thing get down?"
Bian Yuhang said expressionlessly, "They probably haven't figured out how to get down yet."
He Yiyi: ...Are you sure this is an invention? Isn't this courting death?
At this moment, a loud noise was heard suddenly.
"Bang!"
The otherworldly version of the hot air balloon suddenly burned and turned into a fireball!
He Yiyi was so scared that she almost screamed, but soon she found someone jumping down from above.
And soon opened the parachute...
Um?
Then Bian Yuhang said, "I urgently need oil and other new energy sources to accelerate industrial development and make them realize that there are other ways to achieve their goals. Otherwise, similar incidents will continue. These natives will really light up all kinds of strange technology trees, and then we will be in trouble."
He Yiyi stared at the falling umbrella, then looked at the county town which still had the characteristics of the Zhou Kingdom, and suddenly felt a little confused.
Is this cyberpunk from another world?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
