Big Fat Orange had no idea that his brothers were currently reminiscing about their father, who had passed away several years ago.
Seeing Su Peisheng enter, they knew Sun Miaoqing had returned. They didn't bother with pleasantries now; these defeated roosters of the Tenth Prince were no match for the things brought back from the Yuanmingyuan.
After dismissing the group with a few words, Fatty Orange immediately had someone summon Sun Miaoqing.
She hadn't waited outside for long when she saw several princes emerge from inside. Because of her status as a Noble Consort, they all nodded and greeted each other.
The only person she was familiar with among them was Prince Zhuang, because of Hongzhou's matter, Chuxiu Palace and Prince Zhuang's residence often had some exchanges.
Seeing Prince Zhuang walking at the back, Sun Miaoqing said, "Greetings, Your Highness. It's been a long time since I've seen the Princess Consort. I wonder how she's been lately? Hongzhou often thinks of the care you two have given him and wants to go out of the palace to visit her."
"If it weren't for the prince and his wife's meticulous care, the Fifth Prince wouldn't have grown up to be so adorable."
Prince Zhuang was terrified and dared not let that rascal return! What would happen if he corrupted his little princess!
"Your Highness is too kind. The Princess Consort has always thought of you. She loves the perfume that you and Consort Jing gave her the other day."
"I was thinking of paying my respects to you after you return to the palace. The Fifth Prince is favored by the Emperor because he has a mother like you. My wife and I don't have that ability."
After only a couple of sentences, Su Peisheng came out and reminded her, "Your Highness, the Emperor invites you in."
Sun Miaoqing said, "I understand. Your Highness, please take care. If you have time, please come to Chuxiu Palace more often. Hongzhou looks forward to it every day."
Prince Zhuang kept agreeing verbally, but in his heart he had made up his mind to talk to his wife when he got back, telling her to go to the palace less often.
The atmosphere has been tense lately. If it weren't for the fact that he was in charge of the affairs of the Imperial Clan Court and had to ask a few more questions, he wouldn't have come to the Hall of Mental Cultivation!
*
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
Big Fat Orange helped Sun Miaoqing up, looked her over carefully, and then stared at her waist and said...
"In just over a month, Consort Cheng seems to have become more plump than before she left the palace, which shows that the Yuanmingyuan Garden is good for people."
Sun Miaoqing: ?!
[Do you know what I've been told? I've worked tirelessly for you, only to be told I'm rounder than before I left the palace. This is like a CPU attack on me!]
Sun Miaoqing said angrily, "Isn't being round good? When will my figure be the same as Your Majesty's? That would make us look more like a married couple."
Despite being teased, Big Fat Orange didn't mind. People and things of value always received the most leniency from him.
"I've said it before, I like you to be a little rounder, it's more comfortable to hold you."
"These are the things I have to see."
Big Fatty Orange pulled Sun Miaoqing's hand and took a few steps forward, squinting at the dozen or so wool products the eunuch was holding.
Sun Miaoqing rolled her eyes and followed behind the chubby orange cat, watching him stare at these things with great interest, and occasionally touch them.
I don't know what he was thinking, but he would sometimes be happy and sometimes frown. His brows would relax and tighten, and the constant tension and relaxation made him even more irritating to look at.
The chubby orange asked, "Are these things difficult to make? I heard that they can't be washed directly with water, so there aren't many that can be afforded."
Sun Miaoqing said, "They are made into comforters and blankets, and originally they don't need to be washed. They are just wrapped in a cover."
"As for woolen garments like capes, they are indeed more delicate and cannot withstand washing. They should be made in a luxurious style and made exclusively for wealthy families."
"As for ordinary families, they can knit woolen inner garments to wear underneath. If they really want to wash them, they can just use water, and there won't be any problems."
"Making a blanket or a cloak is much easier than weaving a piece of cloth. Cotton plants need to be tended to in the ground, and if they encounter pests, then a year's work will be in vain."
"But wool grows on sheep, so it can be sheared at least twice a year, and there's no fear of diseases or pests. Those herders can earn extra money without much effort."
"People are naturally inclined to seek profit and avoid harm. Raising sheep is more profitable than raising cattle and horses, so there will be more and more flocks of sheep running on the grasslands in the future."
"The emperor trades with them for grain, tea, and silk, and they can easily live a good life. Who would always be thinking about other things?"
Big Fatty Ju looked at the wool blanket in his hand. There were countless women in the world who were skilled at weaving, and Sun Miaoqing had managed to make these in such a short time with so few people.
If the female workers had been given more time to study these woolen garments, they would surely be even more exquisite than they are now. Then, like the Honey Delight Pavilion, they would be used by the powerful and wealthy.
It was then gradually rolled out to the general public, making it available to ordinary people. However, the shipping cost from Mongolia was quite high...
Big Fat Orange said, "Does Consort Cheng have any ideas on how to further reduce the cost of these woolen fabrics?"
"The journey to Mongolia is long, and the travel time alone is considerable. If we were to go to Guangdong or Guangxi, the price would probably be more than three times higher."
Sun Miaoqing frowned; how could she have forgotten? Long-distance transportation at this time was anything but easy.
Relying entirely on human labor, each caravan walked back step by step, pulled by mule carts. How much could a caravan transport in a year?
The cost of transportation alone accounts for the bulk of the expenses, not to mention the potential losses that may occur during the journey.
If this problem cannot be solved, these things will truly remain the exclusive domain of the upper class, having almost no impact on the lives of ordinary people.
[That chubby orange cat reminded me of the transportation...]
With my skills, the most I can manage is to build a bicycle that I can ride like a horse. As for train tracks, that's probably just something I can dream about.
If all goes well, I might live to be eighty or ninety, and perhaps I'll see it when I kick the bucket.
How about we build a hot air balloon first? Sigh, how did I, a liberal arts student, end up in the world of invention...?
Sun Miaoqing said, "There are ways to transport it. However, I can't be completely sure right now; we'll have to try it to know."
"As for how to reduce the cost of these materials, those skilled female textile workers will naturally come up with ideas."
"Your Majesty might as well issue an imperial decree, offering substantial rewards, and let all the skilled weavers in the Imperial Textile Bureau give it a try. With so many people working together, they will surely come up with a suitable solution."
Big Fatty Orange had similar ideas to Sun Miaoqing about how to reduce wool costs, but the transportation aspect...
What is a bicycle that can replace a horse? The Qing Dynasty conquered the country on horseback, and although its territory was vast after entering the Central Plains, it never had a shortage of warhorses.
And what about those hot air balloons? How can a single balloon carry anything? Does it mean people have to roll all the way back?
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