Chapter 068: Found corn and made paper
This was truly an unprovoked disaster for the two little maids.
Li Ao was unhappy with the way the brothel incident was handled and he got angry with his family, refusing to eat or drink for the entire day.
The head of the Li family and his aunt loved the child, but Li Ao didn't want to see them, so they asked the maids to use any means to make the young master eat his meal obediently.
On one side are the head of the Li family and his concubine who can decide their life and death, and on the other side is the irritable Li Ao. The little maids are caught in the middle and are in a dilemma.
They picked the prettiest maid to deliver the meal, thinking that Li Ao was lustful and would be more polite when he saw a pretty girl.
But Li Ao didn't buy it at all. Seeing the maid trying to persuade him again and again, he got so angry that he overturned the food and beat the maid.
The maid who was kicked fell to the ground and couldn't get up. Except for a scream at the beginning because she was caught off guard, she would rather bite her lips than make any movement, wishing she could be as quiet as a dead person.
Fortunately, Li Ao's mind was not on her. When he saw that she shut up, he ignored her.
"Where is my brother?" Li Ao suddenly asked in a sharp voice.
The servant at the door said, "It's almost the end of the year, the government is very busy, and the young master hasn't been home for three days."
"No wonder, no wonder..." Li Ao said, "My brother is not at home. I was wondering why he agreed to the Cui family's compensation, which was like giving alms to a beggar. I was harmed so badly, and they couldn't catch the criminal. They wanted to send me away by giving me some money, and my father and mother actually agreed. They don't care about my feelings at all."
Hearing this, the servant actually wanted to say, Young Master, if you were more sensible and could consider the entire Li family and your parents who love you, you should silently endure this result instead of threatening everyone with a hunger strike.
Because the matter has been settled, this is the best result that the head of the family can get. It will be useless for you to make trouble. On the contrary, if the Cui family finds out that you are dissatisfied with the Cui family's compensation, it may cause trouble for the Li family.
But think about it, the servant was afraid of death, so how could he dare to really persuade this little bully.
The little bully was still mumbling: "When my brother comes back, I will go to him to make the decision for me. He is so smart, he will definitely find a way for me. He is definitely not as timid as my father and mother."
The servant sighed, what kind of young master was he following? The head of the family couldn't even handle the problem, so what was the use of the eldest young master coming?
Just as the servant had predicted, the eldest master Li Chu came back a few days later, and Li Ao went to ask him for help, but the eldest master said he could do nothing.
However, one thing was beyond the servant's expectation. Li Chu could not help Li Ao, but Li Ao did not hate or ignore Li Chu as he did to his parents.
Because Li Chu promised to go to his father to help Li Ao and see if he could convince his father to send someone to find out who harmed Li Ao, but Li Chu somehow offended the head of the family and was punished by the head of the family to kneel in the ancestral hall and was also punished by the family law.
Li Ao felt that his brother was punished because of him, so even though his brother did not help him, he did not hate him. Instead, when Li Chu was bedridden, he visited him every day and listened to him by not making a fuss and going on a hunger strike.
"Father and aunt asked you to come over for dinner yesterday, why didn't you go?" Li Chu looked at Li Ao disapprovingly, "I know you are angry, but father is also helpless. You know he loves you the most. If he can seek justice for you, how could he let you suffer any injustice?"
Li Ao was not angry after being nagged by Li Chu. He just said in a weak voice: "Brother, you don't have to persuade me. I just don't want to see Dad... I suddenly realized that Dad doesn't seem to love me as much as I thought."
Li Chu showed a surprised expression: "How can you say that? From childhood to adulthood, your father has always satisfied you with whatever you want. Can this not be called love?"
"Then why did he compromise with the Cui family this time? Why didn't he care about my opinion? I was obviously the victim, and I just wanted to catch the person who hurt me, but my father didn't even bother to investigate and advised me to give up. Did my father also think that it was because I drank too much that this happened, and there was actually no outsider who wanted to harm me?"
Hearing his brother's accusation, Li Chu sneered in his heart, what a fool.
"Didn't I explain this to you? There's a reason why Dad didn't investigate the person who hurt you."
"What's the reason? Isn't it because he's afraid of losing face? Haven't I lost face enough in these years? I'm not afraid, so what is he afraid of? In the final analysis, he still doesn't care about me enough, so he just makes excuses."
"Alas..." Li Ao sighed, with an expression of "helplessness at being unable to persuade", "One day you will understand your father's painstaking efforts."
Li Ao said angrily, "If being afraid of this and that like a coward, and sacrificing one's own son in exchange for temporary peace, is considered to be painstaking, then I would rather never understand it."
"Silly brother..." Li Chu sighed softly, and when he lowered his head, the corners of his lips raised evilly.
In less than half a day, the conversation between the two brothers reached the ears of the head of the Li family. Hearing that his little son, whom he had always doted on, actually looked down on and hated him so much, the head of the Li family was so angry that his face turned red and he smashed a lot of furniture in the house like a madman.
In a sense, Patriarch Li and Li Ao are indeed father and son; even they lose their tempers in the same way.
In a rage, Patriarch Li got really mad at his youngest son for the first time. Not only did he call him to the study and scold him, he also put him under house arrest and told him to stay in his own yard before the New Year to reflect on where he had gone wrong.
This time the house arrest was different from the last minor fight. The head of the Li family really kept Li Ao under surveillance and even invited a teacher to discipline him. He also told the servants that anyone who dared to help the young master escape would be beaten to death if caught.
Li Ao's mother went to plead for mercy, but was turned away by the head of the Li family.
This was the first time in all these years that the mother and son were ignored by the master of the house. People in the mansion were whispering that the master had finally given up on the good-for-nothing young master, and this time he was using the brothel incident to show his attitude, and he no longer wanted to clean up the young master's mess.
These rumors continued to spread. Li Ao's mother was stupid and could not realize that this was someone else's scheme. She thought that the head of the Li family was really going to abandon her and her son.
So she went to cry in front of the head of the Li family every day. After a long time, the head of the Li family, who was originally not annoyed with her, became annoyed and scolded her several times.
Li Ao's mother was sad, so she quietly ran to her son to confide in him. After hearing the rumors his mother told him and his father's attitude towards her, Li Ao felt very sad.
It seems that my guess was right, his father really doesn't love him anymore.
Both Li Ao and the head of the Li family were angry, and neither of them was willing to give in first. In addition, Li Ao was under house arrest, with fewer sources of information and hearing his mother complain every day. Over time, his feelings towards his father changed from resentment to hatred.
He had always wanted to get Rong Yin and had thought of many plans, but he gave up again and again because he was afraid of bringing harm to his father.
But now his father doesn't care about him anymore, why should he consider his father?
He just wants to do whatever he wants, no matter what means he uses.
In the courtyard of the mistress of the Li Mansion, Li Chu and his mother smiled after listening to the servants' report on the recent situation of Li's father, Li Ao and his mother.
The mother said, "It looks like my son's plan will soon succeed."
Li Chu smiled, his expression gloomy: "Everything is ready, only the east wind is missing."
The Li family's sinister plot did not affect the increasingly strong New Year atmosphere outside. New Year's Eve was only half a month away. Because every household was preparing New Year's goods, the bread and biscuits of Yunduo Bakery were also listed as one of the must-have New Year's goods this year, so the business was unusually hot in the past few days.
However, Rong Yin did not force employees to work overtime just for the sake of making money. When it was time for the holiday, even though customers repeatedly asked them to stay, Rong Yin still closed the store, gave employees big red envelopes, and let them go home to celebrate the New Year.
At the end of the year, Rong Yin found that his wallet had become much fatter in the past six months. If he wanted to do something in the future, at least he would have the financial support.
His and Zong Zhengxiao's plan to enrich the people and strengthen the country will cost a lot of money.
Three days before New Year's Eve, Zong Zhengxiao and Rong Yin received two pieces of good news.
One is that after continuous searching, Ji Xie finally found grain seeds that were suspected to be corn.
The reason why it is suspected is that according to the picture given by Rong Yin, it meets the conditions, but the seeds he found are not called corn. They are called golden grain locally because their color is the same as gold when they mature and they can fill the stomach.
Ji Xie handed the seeds over, and after Rong Yin checked them, he confirmed that this was the corn he was looking for.
Da Sheng had new food seeds, Zong Zheng Xiaolong was very happy, and asked Ji Xie what reward he wanted.
Ji Xie said righteously: "What I have done is my duty. I am very lucky that I have not let down your majesty's trust. How can I be greedy and seek rewards? However..."
As he was talking, Ji Xie's expression suddenly changed. He stroked his face which was tanned black outside and said with a silly smile, "But if Your Majesty insists on giving me a reward, I am willing to accept it. I heard that Your Majesty opened a bakery and milk tea shop. The snacks and drinks sold there are the most delicious. I am very by it and want to try them."
Zong Zhengxiao laughed: "Look at you! But the bread and milk tea were made by Rong Yin. If you want to eat them, it's no use telling me. You have to find him."
Ji Xie turned his gaze to Rong Yin, who was sitting next to Zong Zheng Xiao. He looked at him with his big eyes, his desire evident in his words.
"Lord Rong, can you please fulfill this small request of mine?"
Rong Yin smiled and said, "You are the one who helped me find the seeds. It's just bread and milk tea, you can have as much as you want. I will make a new food in a few days that will use the seeds you brought back. You will be the first to taste it then."
Ji Xie smiled happily: "Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you, Lord Rong."
Ji Xie went home happily. Of course, Ji Xie was just being polite when he said no reward. Zong Zheng Xiao would still give what he owed, otherwise it would be a waste of his loyalty and hard work in carrying out his orders.
As for the second good news, Zong Zhengxiao had actually anticipated it before receiving the news, because the time was almost right.
The good news is that they have successfully made paper!
Because different papermaking materials have different production times, the people in the Ministry of Industry who were responsible for papermaking first used bamboo paper.
Zong Zhengxiao compared the paper he had sent with the best paper made by aristocratic families. Their paper was finer, thinner, and did not smudge ink, so it was obviously of higher quality.
The Ministry of Industry said, "Your Majesty, we have sufficient stock. Should we start selling after the New Year?"
Zong Zhengxiao nodded: "Yes."
Although he looked calm, he was actually quite excited.
Back then, the aristocratic families could threaten him as an emperor with just a rumor about a price increase, because the price increase would cause market chaos, thus affecting the poor students he cared about.
But now it is different. He has mastered the papermaking technology. From now on, at least in this aspect, the aristocratic families are no longer a threat to him.
After the people from the Ministry of Works left, Zong Zhengxiao returned to the room, picked up Rong Yin, who was writing at the desk, and gave him a fierce kiss, which made Rong Yin so angry that she clenched her fist and hit him.
"What are you doing? You got ink all over me!"
Zong Zhengxiao bit Rong Yin's lips lightly, his eyes sparkling, and he couldn't suppress the smile on his face.
"Ayin, I'm so happy. This is all thanks to you. I love you."
Rong Yin hummed in embarrassment and returned the kiss, acting like a domineering CEO, saying, "You are my man, if I don't love you, who else should I love?"
Zong Zhengxiao laughed softly: "Our Ayin is still so cute."
Rong Yin glared at him: "I know you love me so much, but can you put me down first? I haven't finished writing my work yet."
Zong Zhengxiao held Rong Yin like a child and sat on the stool, lowering his head to look at what he was writing halfway. "What is this?"
Rong Yin deliberately said, "How to make butt tissue."
"Hmm?" Zong Zhengxiao was stunned for two seconds before he realized what he meant. "You mean paper specially used for toilets?"
"Yes." Rong Yin put her hand on Zong Zhengxiao's shoulder. "After they delivered the paper to me today, I remembered that there is a daily commodity like toilet paper that is needed by all people in the country. Think about it, rich people can afford to use satin toilet paper, but most ordinary people still use toilet paper, which is not only annoying but also troublesome. If there is a toilet paper that is as soft as cloth and the price is cheap, do you think they will buy it?"
Zong Zhengxiao said: "If it were me, I would buy it as long as it is within my ability."
"After all, no one wants to see their body being wronged, especially such a fragile part as the buttocks." Rong Yin analyzed: "Then we can go the route of small profits but quick turnover. For example, toilet paper is a consumable product, accounting for the fixed expenses of every person and every family. This is a long-term business with steady income."
Zong Zhengxiao was also very excited after hearing this and said, "I will send the formula to them tomorrow."
Rong Yin looked at him: "Can you let me go now?"
"No." Zong Zhengxiao said as he pulled the man into his arms again and took the pen from Rong Yin's hand. "You said I should write it. We can't tire out our great hero."
Seeing this, Rong Yin did not argue with him and sat obediently in Zong Zheng Xiaohuai and told him how to make toilet paper.
So the next day, the person in charge of papermaking received a new paper formula with two kinds of handwriting. The handwriting in the first half was playful and lively, while the handwriting in the second half was steady and restrained. It was easy to tell at a glance which two people wrote it.
He could have clearly made a new copy and sent it over, but His Majesty just sent the original. Who would believe him if he said he wasn't trying to show off their good relationship?
The person in charge smiled bitterly and said: Is this also one of the rewards given to us?
There was no snow that day, and Zong Zhengxiao had put down his pen long ago. He held Rong Yin's hand and strolled in the palace, slowly passing each palace wall that he was familiar with.
He had seen the surrounding trees, flowers and plants, and even the floor tiles under his feet countless times after becoming emperor, and he had already memorized them by heart. But because Rong Yin was by his side today, he felt that every scene he saw was brand new.
The two of them didn't talk much along the way, but they held each other's hands tightly.
Rong Yin used to not understand why young couples liked to walk on the street, but now he understands that when two people who like each other are together, even if they are bored and just sit there watching ants moving, it is still a sweet date with a high happiness index.
In order to create a private world for the two of them, the guards followed them from a distance. After all, they were in the palace, and His Majesty's martial arts were better than theirs. Even if they encountered danger, he would be able to support them and get through it.
Finally, Zong Zhengxiao brought Rong Yin up to the city wall.
The winter sky appears very gloomy, but on the contrary, the cities on earth are all decorated with festive red because New Year's Eve is approaching. People walk through the streets in new clothes, and the shouts of hawkers from shops and stalls are endless, which is a scene of prosperity.
Zong Zhengxiao looked at the bustle in the distance, his lips slightly raised, his eyes firm: "I hope that in the future, the people in every corner of Dasheng's territory can live a well-fed, worry-free life."
Rong Yin's eyes also became much softer because he witnessed the prosperity of the world with his own eyes. He turned to look at Zong Zhengxiao and said, "Your Majesty's wish will surely come true one day."
Zong Zhengxiao also looked at him, and the two of them locked eyes. "Ah Yin, are you willing to accompany me to witness this wish come true? Even if this wish may take hundreds or thousands of years to come true, by which time Da Sheng may no longer exist, and we will have long been reincarnated and become strangers."
Zong Zhengxiao was asking Rong Yin for a promise that would last for generations to come.
Rong Yin smiled brightly: "I am willing. I am willing to witness the realization of your wish with Your Majesty, and I am willing to be with you forever. Even if we become strangers, I will definitely find you and make you fall in love with me again."
Zong Zhengxiao held Rong Yin's hand tightly and said, "I will also love you and protect you forever."
When passion reaches its peak, it is hard to restrain oneself.
That night, Rong Yin followed Zong Zheng Xiao for once and became the leader of the joy.
Zong Zheng Xiao's original dream reappeared at this moment. Every rise and fall of Rong Yin, every sound of her voice, was filled with her deep love for Zong Zheng Xiao. Every bump and hum of Zong Zheng Xiao was a response to Rong Yin's love.
Sweat rolled down and piled up, and on that freezing night, the two of them created a spring that belonged only to them.
…
On the eve of New Year's Eve, Zong Zhengxiao held a palace banquet. Not only important officials in the court would attend the banquet, but even Prince Ning's family, who had fallen into silence after the death of Zong Zheng Lianqi and Su Wan'er, also came.
Over the past year, Prince Ning's family has almost become invisible in the capital. Except for some jokes caused by Princess Ning's belief in Buddhism, Prince Ning's mansion as a whole has been so quiet that it seems as if it does not exist, and has almost completely withdrawn from the social circle of the capital's powerful and wealthy.
Even with Zong Zheng Xiao, at least on the surface, they had no interaction.
This time, as soon as the family entered the palace, almost everyone present focused their attention on them.
Prince Ning seemed to be ten years older than before the accident with his eldest son. He had a lot more white hair and a desolate look, like an old tree that was about to wither.
It seems that he has not yet come out of the shadow of losing his eldest son.
Princess Ning's complexion was obviously much better. Even when she attended the palace dinner, she was still dressed in plain clothes, holding Buddhist beads in her hands. Her expression was calm and it was impossible to tell whether she was happy or angry.
One of the couple is desperate, while the other is obsessed with Buddhism, and neither of them looks like they can hold up the place.
Looking at the children accompanying them, Zong Zheng Lianjun and Zong Zheng Lianxing both appeared to be very low-key in their clothing and actions, and occasionally even looked timid. From the moment they entered the venue to the moment they sat down, they were always well-behaved, like puppets.
Everyone was talking about the fact that the two children were frightened by the death of their eldest brother, and now they must be extremely afraid of the man on the throne, fearing that they would stand out too much and attract the emperor's attention.
All we can say is that Zong Zheng Xiao is worthy of being the emperor who ascended the throne by stepping on the corpses of his brothers. Now even his only relative who has a relatively good relationship with him avoids him like a snake or a scorpion. With their relationship so weak, he has become a real loner.
Prince Ning and his family seemed unaware of the gazes and comments of the people around them, and they just focused on eating.
After Zong Zhengxiao arrived, all officials knelt down to salute and shouted "Long live the emperor".
This banquet was actually no different from the company's annual meeting. The boss, Zong Zhengxiao, summarized this year's gains and looked forward to next year's success. He then interacted with a few ministers, showing off the deep affection between the monarch and his subjects. Then they ate, drank, and watched the performances.
Zong Zhengxiao also asked Prince Ning to stand up and spoke to him for a few words, which were nothing more than asking him to take care of his health, and then he rewarded him with some things.
The conversation was bland and the attitudes of both people were bland too, they were just going through the motions.
Now, others began to believe the news that Zong Zheng Xiao and Prince Ning had been estranged for a long time. After all, there were two lives involved and the gap in status was too big, so it was impossible for them to reconcile.
The noble families, who had been suffering from hardship for the past year and were feeling very depressed seeing Zong Zheng Xiao and his men being so smug, could not help but feel secretly delighted after seeing this scene.
You see, you, Zong Zheng Xiao, can't have everything go your way, so what are you so proud of?
The dinner ended with everyone having their own thoughts. After returning to the palace, Zong Zheng Lianxing, who had endured the whole night, let out a long sigh and hung lazily on his brother, sighing, "I'm so tired. I don't want to go to such banquets in the future. I have to be polite all the time. I don't have any freedom at all."
He has a lively personality to begin with, and before he left today, his parents and brother repeatedly told him to be well behaved and not to be too outspoken.
After entering the palace, his parents and brother seemed like different people. They went from being full of energy and smiles at home to being gloomy and depressed, which made him nervous too.
Princess Ning touched his head and said meaningfully: "The lack of freedom now is for the freedom in the future."
Zong Zheng Lianxing didn't understand: "What do you mean?"
"You will understand in the future." Princess Ning used her trick to fool the child again.
Zong Zheng Lian Xing was really unhappy when he heard this. He looked up at his brother, wanting him to explain it to him. But Zong Zheng Lian Jun said, "Mom is right. I will listen to her."
"Hmph, you guys never tell me anything. I'm going to ignore you." Zong Zheng Lianxing shook off his brother's hand, turned around and left angrily.
Princess Ning showed a distressed expression on her face, and Zong Zheng Lianjun hurriedly said, "Mother, you and father should rest first. I will go and explain to Xingxing."
After saying that, Zong Zheng Lianjun chased in the direction his brother left.
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