The soft light of dawn filtered through the sheer curtains, illuminating the bedroom in the general's mansion. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er slowly awoke, exchanged a smile, and a new day quietly began in each other's company.
"Wan'er, there are many things to do in the manor today. Let's go and see how the servants are being arranged." Xiao Yichen stood up and put on his outer robe.
Lin Wan'er nodded, stood up and straightened her clothes: "General, I think we can first conduct a comprehensive training for the servants to improve their professional skills and service awareness."
The two left the room and went into the courtyard. Butler Li was already waiting there with a group of servants.
"General, Miss Lin, good morning." Li Bo bowed respectfully.
Xiao Yichen nodded slightly: "Uncle Li, I appreciate your hard work in managing everything in the manor. Today, Miss Lin and I discussed the possibility of training the servants. Do you have any thoughts on that?"
After pondering for a moment, Li Bo said, "General, this old servant believes that we can provide training in areas such as etiquette, cooking, gardening, and housekeeping. For example, etiquette training can make the servants more dignified when receiving guests; cooking training can make the meals in the manor more exquisite and diverse."
Lin Wan'er smiled and said, "Uncle Li is absolutely right. In terms of etiquette training, we can invite etiquette officials from the palace to provide guidance. We should not only learn the traditional etiquette of Rong Kingdom, but also understand the etiquette and customs of neighboring countries, in case of need. As for culinary training, we can invite famous chefs from various places to teach unique cooking techniques and methods of making dishes."
Xiao Yichen continued, "In terms of gardening, we need to carefully manage the gardens and courtyards in the mansion, plant more rare flowers and greenery, and create a beautiful and pleasant environment. Household management training will focus on details such as room organization, clothing washing and maintenance, so that every part of the General's Mansion is clean and orderly."
Afterwards, they began to tour the general's residence. Upon arriving at the garden, they saw that although the flowers and plants were lush, the layout was somewhat cluttered.
“This garden needs to be redesigned and re-planned,” Xiao Yichen said. “It can be divided into different areas, such as a peony garden, a rose garden, and a chrysanthemum garden. Planting each type of flower together will make it more beautiful and grand.”
Lin Wan'er squatted down and gently stroked a blooming flower: "We can also set up some pavilions, towers, bridges and streams in the garden to enhance the garden's artistic conception. In addition, we should arrange for someone to be in charge of the flower maintenance to ensure that there are flowers blooming in all four seasons."
When Xiao Yichen inspected the stables, he found that the feeding and management of the horses were still inadequate.
"The cleanliness of the stables needs to be improved, and the horses' feed needs to be carefully prepared," Xiao Yichen said with a frown. "Ensuring the horses are healthy and strong is crucial for the army's mobility."
Lin Wan'er said, "We can recruit some skilled horse grooms who can better take care of the horses' diet and daily life. At the same time, we can establish horse files to record information such as the health status and training status of each horse."
In the warehouse, they inspected the mansion's supplies.
"The warehouse's material classification is not clear enough, and the inventory is not timely enough," Lin Wan'er pointed out. "The materials need to be reorganized, classified in detail according to category and purpose, and inventoried regularly to ensure that the quantity and quality of the materials are accurate."
Xiao Yichen nodded: "For some easily perishable materials, such as food and medicine, we need to establish an early warning mechanism so that when the reserves fall below a certain standard, we can promptly purchase and replenish them."
Back in the main hall, Xiao Yichen said to Uncle Li, "Uncle Li, the security of the General's Mansion also needs to be strengthened. Increase the number of patrols, especially at night, to ensure that every corner of the mansion is under surveillance."
Li Boying said, "General, rest assured, this old servant will make the arrangements immediately. We can set up some hidden sentries in the mansion to cooperate with the patrol teams and improve security."
Lin Wan'er added, "The access control system in the mansion must also be strictly enforced. People entering and leaving must be registered in detail, and strangers are not allowed to enter without permission."
When discussing the renovation of the General's Mansion, Xiao Yichen said, "Some of the buildings in the General's Mansion are quite old, with some roof tiles damaged and walls cracked. We need to invite craftsmen to come and repair them. During the renovation process, we must pay attention to preserving the historical features and cultural heritage of the General's Mansion."
Lin Wan'er looked at the beams and pillars in the hall: "We can add some exquisite carvings and decorations during the renovation, such as carving patterns of Rong Kingdom legends and historical events on the beams and pillars, which will not only be beautiful but also help to pass on the culture."
As time passed, under the meticulous planning of Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er, the General's Mansion gradually underwent new changes. Servants actively participated in training, continuously improving their skills; the garden's flowers and plants were rearranged, becoming even more beautiful and charming; the horses in the stables were carefully cared for, growing strong and healthy; the warehouse's supplies were managed in an orderly manner, and security was strengthened. The General's Mansion radiated new vitality, becoming a model residence in the capital of Rong Kingdom, not only showcasing Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er's taste and style but also providing a solid rear guarantee for the prosperity and stability of Rong Kingdom.
"Wan'er, seeing the General's Mansion gradually improve fills me with great joy," Xiao Yichen said, standing in the courtyard and gazing at the newly transformed scene.
Lin Wan'er gently took his arm: "General, this is the result of our joint efforts. The General's Mansion is our home, and also a part of Rong Kingdom. It should set an example for everyone."
The gentle sunlight streamed into the study of the general's mansion. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er sat facing each other, several slightly worn scrolls of Rong Kingdom classics laid out before them. Lin Wan'er gently turned the pages of one of the scrolls, her eyes filled with reverence.
“General, Rong Kingdom has a long and rich culture. These classic texts contain the wisdom and hard work of our ancestors. We must not let them be tarnished by the passage of time.” Lin Wan’er’s voice was soft but firm.
Xiao Yichen nodded slightly: "Wan'er, you are right. Cultural heritage is the soul of a nation. Our most urgent task is to organize a group of scholars to systematically organize and compile these classics."
After pondering for a moment, Lin Wan'er said, "We can set up a special cultural research institute in the capital and gather learned scholars from all over Rong Kingdom who are proficient in literature and history. They will not only collate and annotate existing classics, but also collect a wide range of scattered documents from the people to ensure the integrity of cultural inheritance."
Xiao Yichen continued, “In the process of organizing the classics, we can arrange the various documents in an orderly manner according to the classification of classics, history, philosophy, and literature. For some rare and precious rare books, we should adopt special protection measures, such as making replicas for scholars to study, while the originals should be properly preserved in a special library, with access restricted to prevent damage.”
Lin Wan'er added, "Besides compiling classical texts, the collection and transmission of folk tales should not be neglected. There are many unique legends and stories in various parts of Rong Kingdom, which reflect the people's customs and beliefs. We can send specialists to visit various places, record these stories, and compile them into a book."
Xiao Yichen's eyes lit up: "That's a good idea. These folk tales can be divided into categories such as myths and legends, historical stories, and folk customs. For example, the myths and legends about the founding of Rong Kingdom can inspire people's patriotism and national pride; while the folk customs stories from different regions can help future generations understand the local customs and traditions of different areas of Rong Kingdom."
Regarding the preservation of traditional crafts, Lin Wan'er proposed: "General, Rong Kingdom's traditional crafts such as embroidery, pottery, and wood carving are all treasures. We can set up traditional craft workshops in the capital and major towns, invite folk craft masters to settle in, and take on apprentices to pass on their skills."
Xiao Yichen said, "In the workshop, we should not only teach the production methods of the craft, but also focus on cultivating the apprentices' love and respect for traditional crafts. We can hold traditional craft exhibitions and competitions regularly to showcase the apprentices' works, reward the outstanding ones, and improve their enthusiasm."
Lin Wan'er added, "Special support should be given to some skills that are on the verge of being lost. For example, special funds should be provided to purchase raw materials and improve working conditions. At the same time, artisans should be encouraged to innovate and combine traditional techniques with modern aesthetics to make them more in line with the needs of the contemporary market."
Speaking about cultural inheritance in education, Lin Wan'er said, "General, the proportion of cultural inheritance courses should be increased in the school curriculum. In addition to reciting classics, specialized courses on Rong Kingdom history, culture, and art can also be offered."
After thinking it over, Xiao Yichen responded: "We can compile special teaching materials. The content of the teaching materials should be vivid and interesting, combining pictures, stories and other forms to make it easier for students to accept. For example, in the Rong Kingdom history class, we can talk about the major historical events and deeds of Rong Kingdom, and show the development process of Rong Kingdom through stories."
Lin Wan'er continued, "We can also organize students to visit cultural sites, museums, and traditional craft workshops, allowing them to experience the charm of Rongguo culture firsthand. We can also hold cultural festivals in schools, encouraging students to participate in cultural performances, traditional craft making, and other activities to cultivate their cultural practice abilities."
Regarding cultural exchange and inheritance, Xiao Yichen said, "When we conduct cultural exchanges with neighboring countries, we should promote Rongguo's excellent culture to the world. For example, we can showcase Rongguo's calligraphy, painting, music, dance and other art forms at cultural festivals in various countries."
Lin Wan'er nodded: "We can select outstanding artists from Rong Kingdom to form a delegation to visit various countries. While showcasing their culture and art, they can also learn from and absorb the excellent cultural achievements of other countries, promoting the diverse integration and development of cultures."
Over time, Rongguo has gradually developed a comprehensive system for cultural inheritance. In the Cultural Research Institute, scholars study ancient texts day and night, constantly producing new research findings; collections of folk tales are compiled and published, becoming a source of intellectual nourishment for the people; in traditional craft workshops, apprentices learn diligently, and traditional skills are revitalized through innovation; students in schools have gained a deeper understanding and love for Rongguo culture, actively participating in cultural inheritance activities; and on the international stage of cultural exchange, Rongguo culture has also begun to shine, winning praise and respect from various countries.
"Wan'er, I am deeply gratified to see that Rong Kingdom's culture has been passed down and carried forward through our efforts. This flame of culture will burn forever on the land of Rong Kingdom." Xiao Yichen looked out the window, his eyes full of longing.
Lin Wan'er walked to his side and took his hand: "General, the road to cultural inheritance is long, but as long as we persevere, the culture of Rong Kingdom will surely shine brightly in the long river of time."
In a quiet side room of the general's mansion, sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, casting a soft glow on the neatly arranged embroidery frames, potter's wheels, and wood carving tools. Lin Wan'er stood in the room, her eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation for these traditional crafts.
“General, I would like to start by learning embroidery. There seems to be endless charm in every stitch.” Lin Wan’er turned to Xiao Yichen beside her and said.
Xiao Yichen smiled and nodded: "Wan'er, embroidery is indeed an exquisite skill that requires patience and meticulousness. I have found you a renowned embroidery master from Rong Kingdom, Granny Zhao. Her embroidery skills are unparalleled, and she will surely be able to give you careful instruction."
Before long, Granny Zhao was invited into the room. Although she was old, her eyes were bright and she was in good spirits, holding a beautiful embroidery sample in her hand.
“Miss Lin, this embroidery requires a variety of stitches. Flat stitch can be used for laying down colors over a large area, making it delicate and smooth; while overlock stitch can outline a clear contour, making the pattern more three-dimensional.” As she spoke, Granny Zhao demonstrated on the frame.
Lin Wan'er watched intently, then gently picked up the needle and thread and began to try, imitating Zhao Mama's technique. She started with simple flower patterns, but as a beginner, her stitches were a little clumsy, and the thread was sometimes tight and sometimes loose.
"Miss Lin, don't rush. Embroidery requires a calm mind and steady hands," Granny Zhao patiently instructed from the side.
Lin Wan'er took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and began embroidering stitch by stitch, following Zhao Mama's instructions. Gradually, the outline of the flower began to appear, and the petals began to take shape.
"Wan'er, you learn very quickly. It would be even better if the color transition of the petals could be more natural," Xiao Yichen said, offering a reminder from the side.
Lin Wan'er nodded slightly, carefully adjusting the needlework and thread colors to make the flower more lifelike. After several hours of effort, a delicate flower finally bloomed on the embroidery cloth under her hands.
"Miss Lin is truly exceptionally intelligent. To achieve such results on her first attempt at embroidery is truly remarkable," praised Granny Zhao.
Then, Lin Wan'er turned her attention to pottery. Inside the pottery workshop, an experienced potter had been waiting for a long time.
"Miss Lin, the first step in pottery making is to choose good clay. The texture and viscosity of the clay determine the quality of the pottery." The potter said as he handed a piece of clay to Lin Wan'er.
Lin Wan'er took the clay and, following her master's instructions, placed it on the potter's wheel. She gently held it in both hands, trying to make the clay rotate with the wheel. However, the clay was unruly in her hands, bulging on one side and denting on the other.
"Young lady, apply even pressure, feel the clay rotating, and slowly shape it with your fingers," the potter instructed, guiding her step by step.
Lin Wan'er carefully observed and gradually mastered some techniques. She began to try making a simple ceramic bowl. As the potter's wheel turned, she carefully lifted the clay upwards to form the bowl's walls. Although she encountered some minor setbacks during the process, such as uneven thickness of the bowl's walls, with the help of her master, a slightly rough ceramic bowl was eventually formed.
"This ceramic bowl may not be perfect, but it's a good start. Next comes the firing process; different temperatures and firing times will give the pottery different colors and textures," the potter said.
Looking at the clay bowl she had made herself, Lin Wan'er felt a great sense of accomplishment, and her interest in pottery grew stronger.
Lin Wan'er was equally enthusiastic about learning wood carving. The wood carving master brought various tools and a piece of fine-textured wood.
"Miss Lin, when carving wood, you need to first design the pattern. The grain and texture of the wood will affect the carving method. For example, carving with the grain is easier, while carving against the grain requires more care to avoid the wood cracking," the woodcarver explained.
Lin Wan'er carefully observed the wood grain, sketching a simple butterfly pattern in her mind. She picked up a carving knife and gently carved along the lines she had envisioned, wood shavings falling one by one. However, being a first-time carver, her technique was not yet skilled, and the lines appeared slightly stiff.
"Young lady, you need to control the angle of the carving knife well, and your wrist needs to be flexible," the woodcarver corrected her movements.
Lin Wan'er continuously adjusted her technique, focusing intently on carving. Gradually, the butterfly's wings began to take shape, and its body became clearer. After a long period of meticulous carving, a lifelike wooden butterfly appeared in her hands.
"Wan'er, you are so dedicated to studying this traditional craft. Not only can you appreciate the joy and meaning of it yourself, but you can also inspire the women of the General's Mansion to learn it together and pass it on." Xiao Yichen said with satisfaction as he looked at the work in Lin Wan'er's hands.
Lin Wan'er smiled and replied, "General, these skills contain the wisdom and emotions of the ancestors of Rong Kingdom. I hope to do my part to help them continue to flourish in Rong Kingdom."
As Lin Wan'er delved deeper into traditional crafts such as embroidery, pottery, and wood carving, a wave of enthusiasm for learning these skills swept through the General's Mansion. The women eagerly sought her guidance, and under her influence, they began embroidering in the courtyard and creating pottery and wood carvings in the workshops, filling the mansion with a rich cultural and artistic atmosphere. Lin Wan'er herself continuously refined her skills; her embroidery became increasingly exquisite, and her pottery and wood carvings reached a higher level. These works not only became beautiful decorations within the General's Mansion but were also showcased at various cultural exchange activities in Rong Kingdom, allowing more people to appreciate the charm of Rong Kingdom's traditional crafts.
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