Shen Tang noticed his actions and chuckled.
She said, "I am sorry for being rude. I didn't know Wen Zhu would come back today. If I had known you would come, I would not have come to the workshop."
Xu Jie: "... No, it's Jie who disturbed Mr. Shen..."
No matter how many times he heard it, Xu Jie still felt that what Shen Jun said was very strange. Isn't this something that only his master Wu Xian could say? But when he thought of the deep love between his master Wu Xian and Shen Jun and Shen Tang, Xu Jie could only force himself to ignore the complaints that he couldn't help but hold back.
And quickly changed the subject.
"What did Mr. Shen do just now?"
"Ah? Didn't you see the notes? I'm pounding bamboo... It's not easy to soften this thing. Fortunately, I used young bamboo instead of mature bamboo, otherwise it would be even more difficult..." Shen Tang couldn't help complaining. There are 360 professions in the world, and each one is difficult.
The bamboo that has been soaked in lime water is beaten again and again, and when it is ready, it needs to be washed carefully. These are just the first few steps, and the pulping process is not even completed. After that, it needs to be soaked again, washed again, and soaked again... Oh, why is it so difficult to have a side job
The difficulty is equivalent to making bread from growing wheat, knitting sweaters from growing cotton and raising sheep...
Xu Jie: “…”
He naturally knew that Shen Jun was beating bamboo.
But he was curious about why Shen Jun hit him like this.
Shen Tang did not hide it and said frankly: "Of course it's for papermaking. Not only bamboo, I also prepared different woods, reeds and even wheat straw... I want to see which material makes paper more suitable for painting..."
Papermaking was invented in this era.
However, due to some objective reasons, this technology has not received much attention, or the cost is too high and the quality is too low, making it difficult to preserve. The mainstream is still to use bamboo slips to record documents. Xu Jie was not surprised that Shen Tang wanted to make paper.
In fact, the Xu family also owned a paper mill.
Specializing in high-end routes.
The output is low and the efficiency is marginal.
Hearing Shen Tang hanging out in the workshop, hammering away like a laborer just to make paper for painting, he smiled and said, "Mr. Shen wants paper, why bother with so much trouble? Xie's family has a paper mill, if Mr. Shen needs it, he can give some away."
Shen Tang said: "I need too much, so I decided to become a self-reliant 'craftsman'."
Xu Jie strongly disapproved of what he said.
As the lord of a place, how could Mr. Shen do such rough work
Mr. Shen acted recklessly, so Qi Yuanliang and the others also let him do what he wants
Xu Jie asked very proudly: "How much does Mr. Shen want?"
He is very confident in his family's financial resources.
Shen Tang did some calculations in her mind. According to the calculation of 50 copies per booklet, she would have to issue at least 10,000 copies, which would be 500,000 copies? Xu Jie was a little dumbfounded when he heard this number. He thought he had heard it wrong at first, so he asked again.
"How many?"
"Five hundred thousand! For half a year!"
She's going to publish two copies a year! A total of one million copies!
Shen Tang looked at him expectantly: "Wenzhu, are there any?"
Xu Jie said simply: "No!"
How can a paper mill with such a high output be considered "barely profitable"? However, Shen Jun's idea of using bamboo, reeds and wheat straw as raw materials is quite novel. Bamboo has a short growth cycle, and reeds and wheat straw are not worth much.
If it succeeds, even if the paper quality is very low and there are scraps of paper everywhere, it is still paper, and it is a sure-fire profitable business.
But this must be built on a foundation that can be created.
As for the paper that can be used for drawing...
Haha, Xu Jie didn’t have any hope at all.
Shen Tang dispersed the stench outside the workshop, took off the "work clothes" he used to prevent his clothes from getting dirty, and changed into a decent and clean outer garment. He followed Xu Jie to the government office, and did not forget his business on the way, treating him completely as his own family member.
"Wenzhu, is there any news about the high-quality wheat seeds that I troubled you to find before?" This was something Shen Tang had been worried about for the past few days. He was so worried that he tossed and turned and couldn't sleep well.
Although this year's corn harvest can be considered a small bumper harvest and the common people will not go hungry next year, and the government granaries finally have grain stored, once the common people have any headache or fever, it is easy for them to "fall back into poverty due to illness" and have to sell their precious grain to treat the illness.
if-
It would be nice if there was more food.
While Shen Tang was working hard for her side job, she kept counting the days, wondering when Xu Jie would come over. Xu Jie did not disappoint her. With a relaxed smile, she said, "Fortunately, I have lived up to Mr. Shen's trust and have barely received a batch of good quality wheat seeds. However, there is one thing I don't understand. The wheat kernels are not easy to hull, and the taste is not good. In spring, the seedlings need a lot of water..."
Watering is very difficult.
It is not suitable for planting from any perspective.
It is true that wheat has a much higher yield than millet—Xu Jie also guessed that Shen Tang was going for the yield—but weighing the pros and cons of wheat and millet, Xu Jie thought millet was better, as it was easy to shell and had a soft and sticky texture. He advised earnestly: "If Lord Shen cannot solve these problems, he should order the common people under his rule to stop planting millet and plant wheat instead. I am afraid that the harvest next year will be worrying..."
He also saw Shen Tang's efforts over the past year.
I don't want to fail because of this.
This area doesn't get much rain in spring.
Shen Tang said: "As for the problem mentioned in the text, Wu Hui and I have also discussed it carefully. We are going to choose a location to build a small reservoir, then divert water from the Miao River, dredge the river, build irrigation and drainage facilities, and prevent droughts, floods and other troubles..."
From the moment Shen Tang said "build a small reservoir", Xu Jie's expression was numb and dull. He couldn't understand how Shen Jun did it - he just casually said that he wanted to do such a big project? Where are the people? Where is the money
This kind of project cannot be completed in one or two years.
How many people are there in Heyin County at most
So many people were pulled over to build reservoirs, dig canals, and divert water from the Miao River... It would take more than ten years. Who would farm during these ten years? Don't the common people need to eat, drink, defecate, and urinate? ?
Xu Jie barely controlled his expression and asked, "Mr. Shen, this matter is of great importance. It will not be accomplished in a day and will cost a lot... Have you discussed this with your subordinates?"
Haha, probably I haven’t told Kang Shi and the others.
If I tell them, they will oppose it without any doubt.
In this world, working hard to recruit soldiers and strengthen oneself is the basis for survival. To undertake such a large project involving tens of thousands of people is not only thankless, but also will weaken one's own strength.
Who knows—
"I told you, we all sat down in a meeting and discussed it." Shen Tang said that she was not the kind of person who was arbitrary and domineering. She fully understood and respected the different opinions of her subordinates.
If you have any opinions, just speak them out and listen to whoever has a point.
Obviously, Shen Tang makes more sense.
So Gu Chi and the others all listened to her.
Xu Jie: “…”
He couldn't understand it at all and was deeply shocked.
A rough estimate of the manpower and material resources required for this project is that it is completely beyond the ability of He Yinjun, who just had a full meal, to bear it. He swallowed his saliva: "But this expenditure..."
Shen Tang: "You are talking about this. Actually, I was just about to write a letter to Brother Zhaode. Our two families are so close. If the small reservoir is repaired, it will not only benefit the people of Heyin, but also benefit the people of Tianhai. Why don't we get this done together!"
Xu Jie: “…”
No, this proposal will not be accepted by Tianhai.
The lord and Qin Li are not stupid. With this money, why don't they recruit soldiers and build water conservancy projects
It’s not that these public welfare projects are bad, they are good, but they are also really expensive, and no one can guarantee that their power will last long, and perhaps the power will be destroyed before the water conservancy project is completed. This is totally a thankless task.
Xu Jie didn't even need to ask his own master.
He knew the final outcome.
"This... this may be difficult..."
Shen Tang blinked: "Is it difficult?"
Xu Jie said firmly: "Yes, it's very difficult!"
Now the pressure was on Shen Jun. Shen Tang was silent for a long time. Just when Xu Jie thought that he would give up, he heard the following concerns, which made Xu Jie confused.
Shen Jun sighed heavily: "Alas - it seems that Brother Zhaode still kept the epidemic a secret from me. He said that Tianhai was not greatly affected and that the foundation was not damaged, but now he can't even take out this little money and food, which shows that he really encountered difficulties... Or is it that Tianhai's harvest is very poor this year? Our two families are as close as brothers, and I will definitely help you if you have any difficulties!"
Xu Jie: “???”
Xu Jie asked: "How much is this money and grain?"
Shen Tang said a number—
It was a number that Xu Jie could never have imagined in his dreams, and it was completely inconsistent with the two projects of building a reservoir and digging a river.
"About 10,000 shi of corn."
This is still a generous budget.
Xu Jie was surprised and asked, "Ten thousand shi? Isn't it several hundred thousand shi?"
Shen Tang: "Why so many?"
The two looked at each other in confusion for a moment, then they realized that they were talking at cross purposes and had misunderstood each other.
Xu Jie seemed to have thought of something.
Question: "How much corvée labor will it take for Shen Jun to build these?"
Shen Tang said: "No."
Xu Jie's expression became numb again.
Good guy, he guessed who Shen Tang was going to ask to repair the reservoir. Who else could it be except the brave warriors led by Zhao Dayi? Speaking of which, General Zhao Feng was also miserable. Since he came to Heyin County to repay his gratitude, he had only fought twice to suppress bandits. He had to do a lot of work such as building houses, farming, and repairing roads...
Xu Jie once let the cat out of the bag.
When his master Wu Xian found out about Zhao Feng's work in He Yin, he burst into tears, clutched Xu Jie's sleeve with a distressed expression, and sobbed that Zhao Feng was wronged. He was obviously a brave and skilled general, but he had to do hard labor all day.
Even if it is to repay a favor, you can't be so wronged.
Xu Jie was very suspicious whether his lord was imagining that Zhao Feng and his thousands of followers were living a hard life, getting up earlier than chickens, sleeping later than dogs, working harder than donkeys, and eating worse than pigs.
Otherwise, why would she cry like this
Then - My lord, will you recall General Zhao
Wu Xian wiped away tears: recalling him now may hurt the friendship between the two families. Alas, how could Brother Shen not cherish a brave warrior like Dayi! Building houses, farming, repairing roads... How dare he? I can't bear to treat Dayi badly like this, wuwuwu...
Wu Xian burst into tears.
Xu Jie inexplicably felt that this scene looked familiar. It was very much like an old mother feeling sorry for her daughter who was treated harshly by the scumbag husband after she got married.
I haven't heard General Zhao complaining... And it's not just General Zhao. Gong Shubanbu, the tenth-rank left general under Lord Shen's command, is also doing the same job. My lord, you are worrying too much.
I understand Dayi's temperament. He is the most loyal and righteous. Brother Shen is his benefactor. In order to repay his kindness, he will swallow any hardship... Woo woo woo, my Dayi.
Xu Jie: …
It happened that Madam Mi came to deliver something at this time, and her master's expression changed as if nothing had happened. She wiped her tears and acted as if nothing had happened.
Xu Jie: …
Before leaving, Wu Xian specifically instructed Xu Jie to find out what Zhao Feng was thinking. If Zhao Feng really felt that he was being treated harshly or wronged, he would immediately send a thousand troops to replace Zhao Feng.
Xu Jie murmured inwardly.
If his lord knew that Zhao Feng was sent to build a reservoir and dig a river, he would probably cry again.
As expected, Shen Jun said, "With a few Banbu here, there is no need to worry about manpower. A strong Wudan warrior can split mountains and open seas, isn't it faster than ordinary people digging with a hoe? I calculated that it will take at most half a year. After the autumn harvest, they will be free and can take on these jobs. Maybe next year we can use the running water of Miaojiang River. The yield of wheat is higher than that of millet, and the cycle is shorter. If the soil fertility can keep up, we can plant it twice a year..."
Shen Jun's expression showed a bit of yearning for the future.
It’s as if I really eat two kinds of wheat in a year.
However, Xu Jie had auditory hallucinations.
It seemed as if I could hear the lord's whimpering.
Even though Xu Jie and Zhao Feng were not very close and sometimes had conflicts due to their factional positions, he could not help but feel subtle sympathy for this poor general. Miserable, really miserable! It was too pathetic for a brave warrior to be like this!
Out of a little bit of friendship as a colleague, Xu Jie couldn't help but say a few words on Zhao Feng's behalf in a tactful way.
You can't just grab a sheep and fleece it.
He said: "... Although General Zhao and Commander Gongshu are both skilled in martial arts, they are flesh and blood after all. The Danfu martial energy is limited, consumed quickly and recovered slowly. Even if there are thousands of subordinates following them, but..."
The project was too rushed.
But Shen Tang said that this was not a problem.
"Don't worry about Wenzhu. Yuanliang and other scholars of letters will also be here to help." She has no shortage of scholars of letters!
Xu Jie: “…”
Xu Jie: “???”
Xu Jie: “!!!”
The carriage slowly stopped in front of the government office.
Xu Jie still had a blank expression.
When he came to his senses, he was already in the government meeting hall.
He took a deep breath.
Xu Jie came to Fugu City this time not only to mail wheat seeds for Shen Tang, but also for another matter - this matter was also heard by him when he was a business traveler, and the source of the information was reliable. He had already sent a letter to Tianhai and came to remind Shen Tang.
Shen Tang saw that he looked serious and asked, "What's the matter?"
"Mr. Shen, have you ever heard the lyrics of a song - a false woman acts as an accomplice to disturb the North Star, and twenty roads of smoke and dust rush into the Purple Palace?"
Shen Tang nodded: "I've heard of it."
Xu Jie: "The common people in other territories have a hard time, and rebellions are increasing. The royal court headed by Zheng Qiao just suppresses and drives them away. The generals who lead the troops to suppress the rebellion have an easier time. They drive those common people who rebel for their livelihood out of Qian and Yan states, and even intend to drive them to Kun state on the side of the King of Pig... With the temper of those people of the King of Pig, I'm afraid they will not hold back..."
Shen Tang's expression gradually became solemn.
She asked, “How many people?”
Xu Jie said: "Roughly estimated to be more than 200,000!"
Shen Tang gradually clenched his fists.
Two hundred thousand common people without food could cause more destruction wherever they went than two hundred thousand locusts. These common people were innocent, and the locusts could kill them mercilessly, but these were the lives of more than two hundred thousand people!
bump!
Shen Tang smashed the table with one slap.
"How dare they!"
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