The residence of a sixth-rank official was more spacious than that of a commoner.
But it is far inferior to the ornate carvings and painted rafters of a duke's mansion.
Even doors and windows are not allowed to be painted vermilion, nor are hipped roofs, double eaves, or painted coffered ceilings.
The atrium is quite spacious.
A stone table and benches were placed in the courtyard, and pomegranate and crabapple trees were planted there.
A lively group of people sat around the table.
King Zhao Changyi of Qi enthusiastically introduced his recent achievements.
“Youyou, as you said, I’ve had all the best craftsmen within hundreds of kilometers of the capital found and they’re on standby.”
He Youyou said with satisfaction, "Well done. I'll go there tomorrow and see with Steward Xin how to group these people."
The first project they wanted to incubate was agricultural tool improvement.
This is a key area that the imperial court has been vigorously supporting recently.
If there are successful cases of improvement implemented by the people, they will be rewarded by the government.
We must receive this award.
It's not for the prize money, but for the reputation.
The goal is to build brand influence.
Agricultural tools come in all shapes and sizes. Grouping them by type and assigning specific tasks to each type can improve efficiency.
For example, some people specialize in studying tillage tools, some specialize in studying sowing tools, some specialize in studying weeding and hoeing tools, as well as drainage and irrigation tools, harvesting tools, transportation tools, drying yard tools, storage tools, and so on.
If we break it down like this, the number of people needed is quite substantial.
Cheng Tingrui chimed in, "I'll go too. We've almost finished checking the workshop's accounts these past few days. Tomorrow I'll meet with Manager Xin to work out the cost budgets for all parts of the workshop. From now on, costs and inventory must be strictly controlled within the budget."
“Auntie, I want to go too!” Zhao Wenqi knelt on the stone bench, raising her little hand high.
He Youyou couldn't help but laugh: "You child, why do you love going to the workshop so much? You don't mind the heat, the fatigue, or the smell. You're even more enthusiastic than me."
Zhao Wenqi rubbed his little hands together: "Hehe, it's fun inside, I'm not afraid of getting tired."
He Youyou was suddenly stunned.
This kid's talent... could it be in engineering?
In ancient times, government was always a civil service government, a politics of scholars.
Social status was also dominated by literati and Confucian scholars.
Therefore, in education, from top to bottom, there is a bias towards liberal arts education.
The technologies related to agriculture and handicrafts could only be accessed by those scholars who stepped out of their studies and were willing to engage with society.
I had the most contact with folk artisans.
However, craftsmen were not as well-regarded as scholars, so people did not consider becoming a craftsman as the best career choice.
However, a child's interest is the best teacher.
This kid is probably going to become a tech guru in the future, right?
He Youyou would never allow any genius to be buried under her nose.
Thinking of this, a brilliant idea flashed into her mind.
"Wenqi, I'll have Manager Xin make you a small workbench in the workshop, and also order some smaller-sized tools that are suitable for your use. I'll have Sanfengzi teach you the craft from the basics, how about that?"
This is both labor education and an interest and special skill class.
Moreover, it's one-on-one tutoring, small group classes, and expert guidance.
Zhao Wenqi jumped directly onto the stone table and began to bounce around.
"Oh—I have my own tools now—I can make things myself!"
Several adults hurriedly salvaged the teacups and saucers from the table.
As a direct descendant, Zhao Changyi quickly took the lead, saying, "You kid, be careful not to fall! You're just like your fourth brother when you were little!"
Because his birth mother was of low status, Zhao Changyi was cautious in his words and deeds from a young age, keeping a low profile as a prince and never daring to do anything out of line.
He's as honest as a mouse in broad daylight, rarely daring to stand out.
Zhao Changqing was different.
He's the Empress's own child, so even if he does something wrong, someone will cover for him, protect him, and cover for him.
Seeing how excited the Second Prince was, He Youyou thought, "Fine, let's not wait until tomorrow."
He immediately sent a servant to deliver a message to Steward Xin, instructing him to begin preparing tools for Zhao Wenqi.
Zhao Wenqi tugged at He Youyou's sleeve with joy: "Auntie, I like you the most."
He Youyou reached out and pinched his little face: "Yes, Auntie likes you too."
Near the southeast gate of the capital, in a secluded alley, there is a noodle stall.
The stall owner is a man from Shanxi who came to Beijing many years ago and sells knife-cut noodles here.
The stall was small and located in a remote area.
If you're not a regular customer, very few people would find this place.
There weren't many guests today either.
There is only one.
He was engrossed in the bowl of noodles, slurping them down, seemingly lost in thought.
At that moment, another person appeared at the entrance of the alley.
The man's clothes were embroidered with gold thread, and his satin boots trod on the bluestone slabs of the alley as he walked step by step toward the signboard.
The stall owner, who was dozing off with his eyes half-closed, seemed to sense something, opened his eyes, saw a new customer, and quickly put on a smile, stood up and greeted him.
"What would you like to eat, sir? Noodles or wontons?"
"Give me a bowl of wontons, with lots of sesame oil and little vinegar."
"Okay, please have a seat. It will be ready in a moment."
There were four tables set up at the stall.
Besides the person eating noodles, there are three empty tables available.
The man slowly walked over and sat down opposite the person who was eating noodles.
The man had no choice but to lift his head from the bowl of noodles and sigh.
"Your Highness, how did you manage to find such a remote place?"
Zhao Changqing stared at him blankly, saying, "Old Qian, after all these years, your taste hasn't changed."
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