Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Zhu Dan really wants to see her succeed
“Bang, bang, bang!”
As soon as Zhu Dan opened her eyes, there was a knock on the door. She went to open the door and saw that it was the same as yesterday, with Su holding a lunch box.
She couldn't help but ask, "What's for breakfast?"
Su was already used to Zhu calling morning meal breakfast. She opened the lunch box and said, "It's pancakes."
Zhu Dan took a bite. Hmm, although it was a dough pancake and the taste was inevitably weird, it was still not bad.
The wheat cake was very thin and baked very crispy, with a natural wheat aroma, which reminded Zhu Dan of Guokui. She really liked eating brown sugar Guokui, so she immediately asked, "Is there sugar? Sweet sugar, that is."
Su was about to pass the meat sauce over when he heard this and said, "Mr. Zhu, you're talking about malt malt?"
"That's right."
"Yes, I'll get it right away." Su left in a hurry and came back soon, holding a small jar.
When you open the lid, a sweet fragrance hits your nose.
Zhu Dan took a look and found that it was different from the malt sugar that was sold on the streets when he was a child. It was more like syrup, so he simply picked up chopsticks and tasted it.
Not very sweet, but has a bit of astringency and bitterness.
Zhu Dan covered the mouth of the jar with his hand, and spiritual power surged out, removing the impurities inside.
After tasting it again, she was pleasantly surprised. It was very sweet and not greasy at all. She simply made two cups of sugar water.
"Su, try it quickly and see if it tastes good." Zhu Dan picked up a cup and recommended it with a bit of complacency.
Su hesitated, but looking at Zhu Sheng's expectant eyes, she finally picked up the other cup and took a sip.
"How about it?"
"Very sweet, very good." Su nodded vigorously. She had eaten candy when she was very young, and her memory was a little vague, but it was definitely not as delicious as this. It was indeed different after being influenced by divine power.
Zhu Dan took some syrup and spread it on the scones. Well, the taste was even better, but the scones didn't seem to be worthy of such good sugar. The two were completely on a different level.
The sugar had no off-flavor at all, and instead made the strange taste of the scones stand out even more.
Zhu Dan was helpless, but he was reluctant to use his spiritual power to purify it again.
It took two strands of spiritual power to purify that small jar of sugar just now. At least it can be considered as seasoning, and it can be used for a long time if saved. But this is not the case with baked cakes.
As she thought about it, she looked towards the alchemy cauldron. The landlord's house didn't have one either...
Zhu Dan's eyes widened. How could there still be so much spiritual energy stored in the alchemy furnace?
Let me count. Zhu Dan counted three times before he was sure that there were still eleven strands!
Could it be that the epiphany I had last night was really powerful?
Zhu Dan looked at the lucky little dragon, and a picture jumped into his mind. It turned out that Xiang Lichun made the foot pestle.
This simple rice pounding tool, which is not an invention but an improvement, actually contributed ten strands of spiritual energy, which is ten times more than the first piece of paper. This further verified Zhu Dan's judgment that what most people need is what luck likes.
She really had to go deep into the masses.
Zhu Dan ate a pancake while asking, "Su, do you know what's happening in Qianshou? Which counties are closest to Xianyang? If I want to live there for a while and make something like a foot pestle, which village—no, which township or village—would be best?"
Su looked at her in surprise, but still replied, "Mr. Zhu, I don't know. My home is not near Xianyang."
She paused before saying, "I was a captive sent here when the six kingdoms surrendered to Qin."
This time it was Zhu Dan who was surprised. She thought Su was sold into slavery because her family was poor.
"No wonder, I told you that you are very capable." Zhu Dan smiled awkwardly, feeling that he had touched Su's sore spot.
She thought: Why not ask someone else?
Su has already taken the initiative to say: "Please give me some time, Mr. Zhu."
Su's efficiency was as high as ever, and soon he brought over a few palace servants.
They were all native Xianyang people. Some were sold as slaves by their families, while others sold themselves.
Note that servants were different from slaves. They enjoyed a certain degree of autonomy, were allowed to own private property, and could regain their freedom through redemption or meritorious service.
Slaves were not considered individuals at all; they were defined as talking tools and were equivalent to livestock.
Zhu Dan didn't know the difference, he just felt that the aura of these palace maids was different from the cautious Su. Could it be because of the pride of the locals?
She felt more comfortable with them, Su was too humble.
Although slaves could not go home, they had holidays and could see their families on specific days. They also had a better understanding of what was happening outside the palace.
As soon as Zhu Dan asked, they started talking in twos and threes.
The counties closest to Xianyang are Lantian County, Sanyuan County, and Fuping County, which are either their hometowns or neighboring counties.
Zhu Dan felt that they were all similar and vague.
If you want to know more, you'll have to go there in person.
Zhu Dan then asked a crucial question: "Who is the most important noble person in these three counties? Besides the county magistrate, who is the one we cannot afford to offend?"
Several people looked confused.
Su, who had been listening silently, added, "Master Zhu, is asking if any of the nobles in the court have granted land in these three places? If you want to go, do you need to pay a visit in advance?"
This time they understood. A palace servant from Lantian County quickly said, "Yes, our family has land granted by General Meng Yi, just five miles away. When I was a child, I even saw General Meng Yi's procession from afar."
Meng Yi? Zhu Dan almost instantly decided to go to Lantian County.
The Meng family has been loyal for generations, and he is also a stubborn military general. Since he has been favored by Brother Zheng, he thinks he will be very friendly to him. If he goes to his territory to cause trouble, he will have someone to back him up.
After the palace maids left, Su packed up the food boxes. Zhu Dan pushed the jar of sugar to her and said, "Su, this is for you."
"Mr. Zhu, this is not possible!" Su refused in panic. This was candy refined by divine power. It was already Mr. Zhu's generosity that she could have a taste of it. How could he be so greedy and take it all away?
Zhu Dan held her hand and said, "Don't be so quick to refuse. I have something to ask of you."
Su immediately said, "Master Zhu, if you have anything to tell me, just tell me."
Zhu Dan: “…”
She smiled helplessly. "Forget it. Just consider this a reward for your work for me. I have something very, very important to entrust to you. Don't say no. As a qualified boss, you must be clear about rewards and punishments. Otherwise, if you're so aggressive and still don't get good treatment, what will my other colleagues think?"
Zhu Dan did not deliberately conceal her word usage habits, which instead proved that she was gifted with the method.
I couldn’t understand some of the morphemes, but I understood their meaning, and I knew it would be bad if I didn’t accept them.
Su returned to her residence with the jar in her arms. When a palace maid saw it and asked her about it, she said it was a gift from Zhu Sheng.
There is no need to hide it. It is just a good opportunity to let everyone know that Mr. Zhu is a good master who clearly rewards and punishes.
After putting the jar away, Su went out again and came back with a large basket on her back. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she heard several palace servants muttering to themselves:
"Look at how proud Su is. She was bribed by a jar of candy."
"I heard that Su was exiled here because he offended a noble. Otherwise, he had somehow climbed to the position of chief emissary and paid a large bribe. How could he not have to serve a dying alchemist?"
"No wonder she's so attentive. That fawning look is really unbearable to watch."
"I am following the orders of the king. You are so contemptuous of me. Aren't you disrespecting the king?" A cold voice interrupted their conversation, and it was Su who pushed the door and walked in.
These words were a deadly blow. Everyone fell silent. After a long while, someone forced a smile and said, "Envoy Su Chang has misunderstood. I dare not be disrespectful to Your Majesty. It's all her fault. She is jealous of you." She sold that person out in a flash.
"It's not a slave, it's her who said that you got the candy given by Mr. Zhu, and she's trying to stir up trouble..."
Su was too lazy to listen to their argument and went straight into the inner room to pack her things.
Mr. Zhu said that he had an important task to entrust to her, and I guess he was going to take her to Lantian County.
The conditions in the county were not as good as those in the Xianyang Palace. She was afraid that many things would not be available for purchase and life would be very difficult. However, she was never afraid of hardship. She was only afraid that one day she would suffer the same fate as the palace maid in Prince Hu Hai's palace - being bitten by a vicious dog and dying of a fever.
Too many slaves in the Xianyang Palace died for trivial reasons.
Since she had met Mr. Zhu, there was no reason for her to let go.
No matter where Zhu Sheng goes or how difficult it is, she is not afraid.
Soon, Su's backpack was full.
Although there are still some things, I gave up rationally.
She didn't feel she was qualified to ride in the car, and if she did, her burden couldn't be too heavy.
Su came over with a backpack and expressed her feelings to Zhu Dan.
Zhu Dan was not surprised that Su could see it, but she refused, not knowing whether to laugh or cry: "The important task I want to give you is to make paper. Su, you have to stay in Xianyang Palace and help me make it."
Su panicked all of a sudden. She didn't expect Zhu Sheng to abandon her: "Zhu Sheng, I'm not a burden. I can work..."
Zhu Dan held her hand and said seriously, "Su, I never thought you were a burden. It is precisely because you are smart and capable that I handed over papermaking to you. I only trust you."
Su's eyes suddenly turned red.
Zhu Dan took out the paper he had made. "Look, if this paper were a little thinner and whiter, wouldn't it be like cloth? But Su, you've made paper with me before, so you know how cheap it is. It only requires leaves, bamboo, and labor. Yes, bark and straw will also work. You can slowly experiment with other materials that might work."
"If paper as good as cloth could be made, it could replace bamboo slips."
Su's pupils suddenly dilated.
Zhu Dan smiled and said, "Su, you are different from them. You know the importance of knowledge. In the past, knowledge could only be passed down through bamboo slips. But with convenient and thin paper like this, the threshold for reading and literacy will be greatly lowered. It will change the fate of many people. Su, you have made this contribution, and this contribution is enough to free you from slavery."
Before Su could get excited about this, Zhu Sheng let her go and looked into the distance. His voice was soft but powerful:
"Su, you know what? Brother Zheng is a very good emperor. The Qin Dynasty recruited talented people without asking about their backgrounds, but this was not enough, because knowledge itself has a certain threshold."
"If the people of Qian could read, they would acquire knowledge and become useful people... What a wonderful future this would be."
After persuading Su to stay in Xianyang Palace to manage the papermaking, Zhu Dan breathed a sigh of relief. She did not lie. She really had no one else to use except Su.
The two Qin Mo must be taken to Lantian County. No matter how many ideas she has, she lacks the ability to do it. As for Gongsun Liu, he is too young.
Of course, Zhu Dan could have asked Zheng Ge for another person, or simply handed over the papermaking business to Zheng Ge, but why not use Su? She is so capable, it would be a pity if she was just a slave.
As a woman herself, Zhu Dan really wanted to see her succeed, to be granted a title and even to leave her name in history.
Zhu Dan counted the results he had achieved, then went back into the kitchen and purified a jar of salt.
"Come and try this salt." She walked into the yard holding the salt and greeted Qin Mo and Su who was staring at the papermaking.
"What's so new about salt? It's just..." Xiang Lichun didn't care, but still walked over. When he saw the snow-white salt in the jar, he was stunned.
Xiang Liyuan saw how surprised he was and looked over, gasping, "Is this salt?"
But Su was much calmer. As soon as she saw the salt, she knew that Zhu Sheng had used his supernatural power.
"Try it." Zhu Dan ordered some with chopsticks, feeling a little proud.
You know, even the salt used during the Republic of China was not very good. The rough salt contained various impurities, and many times the salt was to blame for the unpalatable dishes.
Salt is the king of all flavors. You can do without sugar, but you must have salt.
As soon as the two Qin Mo tasted it, they were conquered by the salt. They looked at the jar in Zhu Dan's hand with fiery eyes and were eager to try it.
Zhu Dan asked expectantly, "If I give His Majesty this refined salt, will he allow me to go to Lantian County?"
Two Qin Mo: "..."
Of course, when asking someone to do something for you, you can't just rely on your mouth.
Zhu Dan is very thoughtful in choosing salt. First of all, the fine salt has good quality and is as white as snow.
Although the Qin Dynasty favored black, people have an instinctive pursuit of beauty. The black mud salt is not as beautiful as this snow-white salt.
Secondly, the chair leg pestle is fine, and any Qin Mo can copy it by looking at the real thing. But salt is different. Zhu Dan dares to say that even if they master a series of filtering and boiling salt techniques, it is impossible to copy such high-purity salt.
The existence of spiritual power is so buggy.
With Lu Sheng running away first, Zhu Dan didn't dare let Zheng Ge misunderstand that she was going to run away. She wanted to use salt to prove that she had mastered extremely high alchemy skills and was definitely not a liar.
"Is the chair finished?" Zhu Dan knocked down the chopsticks Xiang Lichun offered him. "I plan to see His Majesty. It's time to show him what we've accomplished."
When it came to business, the two men suddenly became serious and took Zhu Dan to see the best chair they had made so far.
When Zhu Dan saw the carvings, the corners of her mouth twitched, but when she sat over to try it, she found that the chair back had indeed been adjusted, and it was extremely comfortable to lean back on. Moreover, when she gently ran her hand over the chair, she felt it was extremely smooth, which showed how much care had been put into it.
It seems they took their words of practicality to heart.
Not bad, very promising, it was worth her decision to bring them along.
After looking at the foot pestle and the mask Su brought over, Zhu Dan waved his hand with high spirits: "Let's go and see Brother Zheng."
She seemed to see herself working hard in Lantian County and building it into the richest county in Xianyang.
The pilot project in Lantian County is just the beginning.
"Your Majesty." This time Zhu Dan finally remembered to salute. In fact, she had been taught that although the laws of the Qin Dynasty were strict and ministers would be punished for inappropriate behavior in the court, they did not need to kneel when meeting the king. They could just bow.
Ying Zheng saw that she performed the salute crookedly, but didn't say anything.
Su Du knew that Zhu Dan could use divine power, so he naturally knew it. Knowing that Zhu Dan did not lie to him, Ying Zheng's impression of her improved a lot.
"What are you here for this time?"
"Your Majesty, I have made some things that benefit the country and the people." Zhu Dan immediately boasted about the benefits of the chair mask and the foot pestle.
In fact, it is not really exaggeration. Chairs can prevent you from kneeling and blocking blood circulation. Masks can prevent dust and certain viruses and bacteria, preventing others from getting sick and infecting you.
As for the foot-operated pestle, the reform of the tool was a great progress.
Ying Zheng was indeed very satisfied and praised Zhu Dan for his promising young age, unparalleled wisdom and clever mind.
Zhu Dan took the opportunity to say that he planned to stay in Lantian County for a few days to look for materials for alchemy.
The smile on Ying Zheng's face faded: "Do you still remember the seven-day deadline?"
"Of course, I will return to Xianyang Palace with the golden elixir in five days." Zhu Dan said affirmatively, "Lantian County is only half a day away from Xianyang, it will be quick."
Ying Zheng shook his head and said, "Zhu Dan, please report anything you need to the Shaofu."
"But they can't find what I want!" Zhu Dan was anxious.
Ying Zheng just remained silent, and Zhu Dan immediately had a bad feeling.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
