During the days that Maledez stayed in the Desinia territory, he conducted a careful and precise examination of what Xiazoe said—“the storybook of the gods was written to sell clothes and improve people’s cultural literacy”.
He often took Paul in and out of the two cities of Wissas and Fort Comoy, and his thoughts were so complicated that they changed almost every day.
But it is undeniable that the long dresses and other clothes sold in the Rose Clothing Store are indeed very beautiful and novel. Even in the Saint Air Empire, he has never seen such a style at all.
In addition to long skirts, the store also sells hats, scarves, shawls, stockings, shoes... A complete range of women's clothing and accessories.
But it doesn't sell men's clothing.
Malediz asked Paul to go in and ask the guys in the store, and the answer was that he didn't consider mass-producing men's clothing at the moment.
But if there is demand, you can accept customization.
Paul understood after careful inquiries.
This kind of customization is like a tailor who makes clothes for nobles. According to the different fabrics used, sewing patterns, etc., the price is also divided into different grades.
The low price can even be enjoyed by some civilians.
The store has also specially produced a style picture book for people who want to customize it, which is very convenient.
Paul: "Sir, how many more days do we need to stay in Desinia territory?"
Maledez looked at him: "What?"
Paul coughed dryly: "Sir, I, I want to order a whole set of men's clothing, if I stay here long enough..."
Maledez was silent, and there was no expression on his old-fashioned face.
Just when Paul couldn't help but feel uneasy, he heard the cardinal next to him speak, and his voice was a little dull.
"Okay, by the way, help me customize a set too."
Paul was pleasantly surprised: "Yes, my lord."
He then turned to Malediz for the style of men's clothing.
But in the end, it was not as comprehensive as it seemed in person. In the end, the two walked into the rose clothing store together.
After deciding on the style of clothing, Malediz and Paul went to the school near Wisas.
There are currently only two schools in the Territory of Desinia. They are built in the cities of Wissas and Fort Comoy. The schools are specially responsible for teaching children to learn to read.
But there are not many teachers there, and sometimes pastors come to teach part-time.
They walked on the clean streets, with their feet stepping on the asphalt concrete pavement. There was no mixed odor in the nose at all. The clean and fresh air could not help but take a deep breath, and the body and mind could not help but completely relax.
Paul didn't dare to say it.
He feels that the environment of Weissus is better than the royal city of the Saint Air Empire, and every corner of the city can allow him to have new discoveries and surprises...
If Lord Maledez allows, he must take a public carriage to the foot of Mount Parr when he returns.
The school, where the children are taught, is called Wesas First Elementary School. The gate of the school is guarded by soldiers, and strangers are prohibited from entering.
As a matter of course, they were stopped by soldiers and asked to show proof.
Malediz took out the certificate issued by Xia Zoe - a word of approval written on the pale red water-marked paper and the emblem of the rose and thorn family clearly printed.
After checking the certificate, the soldier said respectfully, "Please come in, do you need someone to accompany you?"
"No, I just want to take a walk." Malediz shook his head.
The soldier stopped talking nonsense and made a gesture of inviting in.
Coinciding with the school recess, many children ran out.
They gathered together in twos and threes in the open space, and some of them turned their heads curiously to look at Maledez and Paul, who were obviously strangers.
"Excuse me, sir... Are you new teachers?" a little boy suddenly ran over and asked shyly.
The boy's name is Dover.
He was dressed in cheap burlap, obviously commoner.
The other boy who walked slowly behind him was wearing a fine linen coat and boots, a child of a nobleman.
"No, it's not." Maledez said with a serious face.
Dover took a small step back, his face flushed: "Hold, sorry sir, Bishop Grove said there will be a new teacher coming today... I thought..."
"I'm really sorry, sir, for disturbing you."
Dover is polite.
At the request of Xia Zuoyi and the training before entering the school, the teachers of the school not only teach the students to study and literacy, but also teach them etiquette and behavior.
Dover is a commoner, and he cherishes the opportunity to come to the school to study.
Due to being naturally thin, Dover's strength is not very strong, and it is very difficult to even lift a bucket full of water. As an older brother, he is not as strong as his younger brother.
Apart from doing some housework, the rest, including farming, can't help my parents much.
Later, the school in Weissus was established, the lord personally recruited students, and the children of nobles and commoner slaves could register within the specified time.
However, there is an age limit, and the number of enrollments is also controlled within a certain range. After enrollment, tuition is free, but you still need to pay for books and meals in the cafeteria.
And civilians or slaves with family difficulties can apply for subsidies, that is, half the cost of books and meals.
But unfortunately, even if the school was established, the lord's decision to enroll students himself and vigorously implement preferential policies did not bring a large number of personnel to the school's registration.
This is quite different from what happens when you sign up for the draft.
The first is the age gap. Signing up for the conscription is an adult at the age of fourteen. The benefits of conscription can be seen immediately, and the school is enrolled at the age of six. What kind of knowledge should a group of children learn
In the eyes of most people, it is better to spend money to send their children to class to learn literacy than to leave them at home to help with the work.
You can also earn some more money this way.
Those who think like this are mostly civilians and slaves.
With their current thinking, they don't think about long-term plans, and it is the most important thing to live the current life well.
In this day and age, six-year-olds can already help with many things, and paying a child to study is completely unnecessary in their view.
The aristocrats have the money to invite private teachers to teach their children individually. Since they can do this, why go to school...
Therefore, the initial effect of creating a school was even more tragic than expected, and not many people would bring their children to the school to sign up.
Schools are the first steps in culture.
However, it is this first step that is the most difficult to cross. The change in thinking will be more difficult than the change in behavior.
Dover wanted to go to a school. He thought that it would be useful for the future if he became a learned person, otherwise why would the Lord build a school.
This must have the Lord's consideration.
He goes to study, and when he grows up, he goes to take the exams for mayors and officials...
But when Dover finally plucked up the courage to explain his thoughts to his family, he was first met with strong opposition from them.
His father thought that how could commoners and nobles get along in a school, he would be bullied and looked down upon by others.
His mother worries about this too.
What's more, even if they only need to pay half of the book fee and the canteen fee, it is a big burden for a family like them after a month or half a year. The younger brothers are still young and need his care...
Dover was initially persuaded by his family.
The registration time for the first year of the school was missed, and he did not go to school. Compared with the number of recruits at the time, the number of students enrolled in the school was pitiful.
The next year, Dover couldn't help but muster up the courage to bring it up again.
He said in a weak voice at the time: "I'm not afraid of being bullied or looked down upon... I, I went out and asked. The school only has five days of classes, two days off, and the class time is very short."
"I can come back very early to help you and your mother, as long as... as long as I can learn to read and write, I will definitely be able to earn a lot of money when I go out to find a job in the future... "
The most important thing is that a friend he knew before has changed a lot because of school... He is very envious.
Dover didn't want to miss this opportunity to sign up again.
He fought hard for himself.
In the second year, the original intention of the school was gradually recognized by people, and Dover's parents finally agreed with him to go to school.
Considering the age of the children, there are not many courses in the school, such as literacy, basic numeracy, etiquette, territorial laws and regulations, etc.
Because of Dover admitting the wrong person, Malediz took advantage of the situation to talk to him, and learned a lot about the school.
Just before class, Maledez saw the little boy dressed as a noble behind Dover, grabbing his hand and running away. your ass."
Dover gave a smirk, and the two gradually disappeared around the corner, hand in hand.
Grove had been watching for a long time. At this time, he came over and put his right hand on his chest and gave a salute: "Sir Cardinal, Archbishop..."
He had heard of people coming from the Holy Church.
Today I came to the school to teach a routine. I didn't expect a pastor to come to him and say that the two adults first went to the church and the temple to pray to the God of Creation, and then came to the direction of the school, probably wanting to visit.
Grove: "If you two adults want to know more about this school, I can explain to you..."
…
When Xia Zoe saw Malediz and Paul who came back in the castle, he suddenly found that the cardinal's attitude towards him seemed to soften a lot.
After dinner, Xia Zuoyi went back to the room to rest, but suddenly heard the flapping of wings from outside the window, accompanied by the sound of the window being knocked one after another.
He quickly got out of bed and opened the window.
Qingtuan's huge body squeezed in instantly, and after two tweets, he kissed Xia Zuoyi's cheek affectionately.
Not to mention that Boris was far away in the Anas Empire, in the middle of the night he was taken aback by the Qingtuan who suddenly came to him, and then he saw the letter tied to the claws of the Qingtuan.
It's too eye-catching during the day, so come here at night.
The letter was written by Xia Zoe in advance, explaining the cooperation and asking Boris if he knew Cardinal Malediz Howard of the Holy Church.
Boris just happened to know.
But it would take two more days to investigate the details of the cardinal.
After that, Boris wrote all the information from the investigation into the envelope, and then handed it back to the Youth League.
The Youth League flew back immediately after getting the letter, without any delay.
Xia Zuoyi followed Qingtuan's feathers: "It's hard work."
"Chirp."
Qingtuan spread its wings to cover Xia Zuoyi, and the blue-gold eyes were full of love. After jumping twice, they stretched out their claws and let Xia Zuoyi take down the letter.
The letter records the news of Malediz, his origin, hobbies...
Xia Zuoyi couldn't help raising his eyebrows after reading it: "This Mr. Cardinal turned out to be a commoner... No wonder, my preference is... "
To be able to sit in the position of the Holy See cardinal as a civilian... Malediz's means are really good.
Maledez's father accidentally rescued a nobleman who, in return, deliberately allowed Maledez's father to make a request.
And this requirement is - he hopes that his son Maledez can follow the sons of nobles to learn knowledge.
It is precisely because of this that Maledez had the opportunity to enrich his knowledge, become a priest, and later came into contact with different classes, and finally served as a cardinal in the Holy See.
Xia Zoe couldn't help but think that Grove sent someone to report today's events to him—Malediz and Paul first went to the church and the shrine, then stayed in the rose clothing store for a while, and finally went to the school.
Malediz had a long conversation with Grove at school.
Xia Zuoyi held his chin and thought, it seems that today's trip to Weissus must have made Malediz feel a lot, otherwise the eyes after returning to the castle would not be so complicated.
Qingtuan gathered its wings and stood on the window sill.
Xia Zuoyi also sat up with his arms up, leaning on Qingtuan's warm body at this time, raised the letter with one hand and said with a smile, "You know, Qingtuan, sometimes it's enough to grasp a person's preferences. Yu grasped this person's weakness."
"And attacking this person's weakness is the easiest thing to do."
"Chirp."
Qingtuan tilted its head.
Its blue-gold eyes stared at the constantly dangling paper, and when it finally swayed closer, it pecked, and a hole was broken in the paper.
Xia Zuoyi couldn't help laughing, patted it and said, "Don't be naughty, it's time to rest, let's sleep, Qingtuan."
When he finished, he jumped off the edge of the window.
Qingtuan made a chirp and flew to a huge scaffolding in the house, combing its white and beautiful feathers.
Xia Zuoyi covered the quilt and gradually fell asleep.
The room was quiet.
The next morning.
Xia Zoe called his servants to pick all the beets he had grown in the vegetable garden.
Beetroot is a winter vegetable that only matures in winter, but the requirements for planting are very broad, and you don’t need to pay attention to it. Planted in a greenhouse, it can survive all year round.
What's more, beetroot is usually harvested around May, and it's no problem picking it now.
In the afternoon, all the beets were picked and piled up in the open space next to the vegetable garden. There were some tools prepared in advance not far away.
Xia Zoe ordered the servants to wash the beets, and then put them all into filaments in a basin.
He wanted to get out the craft of sugar beet making as soon as possible, but was delayed by writing a story book and opening up the clothing market, so he had to let Renault research and make the utensils needed for sugar beet making.
Now everything is ready, just waiting for the final result.
It took a lot of time just to wash and shred the beets, and it was not completed until noon the next day. After that, the juice extraction, cleaning, evaporation, crystallization, drying and other processes were carried out.
Among them, the most important step is to heat the clarified sugar liquid in a large pot at high temperature, so that the sugar liquid boils, evaporates the excess water in it, and finally forms crystals.
After drying, the excess water is discharged, and after screening, white sugar granules will be obtained.
The process of making sugar from beets lasted eight or nine days, and even the nearby air began to smell sweet.
This taste was blown all the way around by the wind, and finally caught Maledez's attention one day.
In fact, from the first day, Malediz was curious about what the little lord was tossing in the vegetable garden.
However, Xia Zuoyi had issued an order before that irrelevant people were not allowed to enter or leave the vegetable garden without permission. The meals they usually eat are picked and delivered by special servants.
Everyone up and down the castle abides by the rules.
As guests, Maledez and Paul naturally had to respect the orders of the castle owner. Even if they were curious, they did not step into the vegetable garden, and even the vicinity of the vegetable garden seldom went there.
But today, he inadvertently approached, and he smelled a sweet smell.
Although it was only a little, Malediz couldn't help but follow the smell, and after walking for a while, he realized that he was approaching the vegetable garden unknowingly.
At this time, the sweet taste is very obvious.
Maledez stopped, embarrassed.
So much so that after Xia Zuoyi came out of the vegetable garden, he saw the old-fashioned Lord Cardinal walking around in circles with hesitant and troubled expressions.
Xia Zuoyi concealed the meaning of the corner of his mouth and coughed dryly.
Malediz stopped for a moment, and his face became more serious. People who didn't know thought he was dissatisfied with something: "Lord, what are you busy with?"
Xia Zuoyi: "It's hard to reveal it for now, I can give you a gift the day after tomorrow, about the inside..."
He left half of what he said, leaving Maledez to think.
Early the next morning, Malediz received at the door a wooden box tied with a bow.
He thought that this should be the gift the little lord said, so he picked it up and turned around and entered the house.
Maledez sat on the sofa, removed the bow, and opened the wooden box—a round, flat, irregular, somewhat pale yellow thing.
A piece of paper lay on it.
Maledez picked it up and read it out: "Lemon, lemon, sugar."
Maledez's brows twitched involuntarily, his eyes widened slightly, he was silent for a while, then he gently picked up a lemon candy and put it in his mouth—
-"Well."
The sour and sweet taste of lemon candy made Malediz couldn't help squinting his eyes, but the eyebrows gradually stretched out, and the whole person exuded a feeling of relaxation.
Three days later Malediz and Paul boarded the carriage with a custom-made men's clothing set and a box of gifts at the Rose clothing store.
They are about to set off to return to the Empire of Saint Air.
Before leaving, Malediz said to Xia Zoe with a complicated expression: "If "Story of the Gods 3" is written, please send someone to the Holy Church to deliver a copy..."
"Finally, thank you for your generosity."
Paul remembered the box of valuable candies, and couldn't help but also took off his hat and bowed his head, and euphemistically expressed that he also wanted a storybook.
Xia Zuoyi smiled and said, "Sure, I wish you and the archbishop a smooth journey."