Chapter 512: A great country must have great affairs
Chapter 512: A great country must have great affairs
In the early morning of summer, when the sky was just beginning to turn pale,
Yingtian City slowly woke up from its slumber in the dim morning light.
The soft sunlight, like wisps of gauze, shines through the gaps in the clouds.
Inside the Lu Mansion, the lush and green trees swayed gently in the breeze.
Occasionally, the clear and melodious sound of birds can be heard from the gaps between the leaves.
The morning dew hangs on the tips of the leaves, sparkling with crystal light under the faint light.
In the courtyard, Lu Yunyi had already stood up, wearing only shorts, with his upper body naked.
Standing upright on a bluestone slab in the middle of the courtyard.
The faint light delicately outlined his tall and muscular body, and his skin glowed a healthy wheat color in the weak sunlight.
Before the fine beads of sweat had time to slide off, they had already formed on his tight and knotty muscles.
Condensed into crystal beads of sweat, sparkling with little bits of light.
He took a deep breath, and his broad chest rose and fell powerfully.
After a short rest, Lu Yunyi started his morning exercise!
Every punch and every kick was accompanied by the sound of whistling wind and carried the power of wind and thunder.
Muscles stretch and contract as you move.
Between tension and relaxation, it is like a dragon winding and coiling on an ancient tree, full of power.
Sweat dripped down his angular face like rain.
It dripped onto the bluestone slabs and was instantly swallowed up by the rising heat.
Lu Yunyi's eyes were firm and focused, and he was concentrating on feeling the soreness in his muscles.
For him, this was a long-lost comfortable experience.
As time passed quietly, it soon arrived at Chenshi!
The palace gradually became lively, with people coming and going around the courtyard.
Many beautiful maids passing by could not help but cast their eyes over here.
His eyes were fixed on Lu Yunyi's strong and toned muscles, and did not move away for a long time.
The many guards transferred from the military camp also began to get busy.
They launched a new round of detailed inspections of the mansion from top to bottom to guard against any possible assassins.
Mu Chuting was wearing a long dress as white as snow and walked towards her slowly and gracefully.
Behind her followed Xiaohong, who was wearing pink clothes.
Seeing Lu Yunyi exercising in the middle of the courtyard, Mu Chuting asked softly:
"Xiao Hong, when did the master get up?"
Xiaohong pursed her lips gently:
"The master got up at the beginning of the morning. He was sweating all over. I think... I think he was suffering from hysteria."
At this point, Xiao Hong's voice began to tear up.
"Master, you have worked so hard. I finally went to bed early yesterday.
I thought I could have a good sleep, but I didn't expect..."
Mu Chuting sighed faintly, looked towards the front of the courtyard, eyes full of heartache, and shouted:
"Husband, come and have dinner."
Lu Yunyi, who was doing push-ups, heard the shout, supported his body with both hands, and answered with a slightly hurried breath:
"You eat first, I'll wait a while."
As he spoke, he began to move his body up and down rapidly again.
The muscles in the upper body are tense, rising and falling with the arms, like a nimble dragon.
Lu Yunyi was not worried about hysteria, as it was just a dream.
But he was still a little worried about his physical condition.
After some training, he truly felt the long-lost fatigue.
The feeling of his muscles heating up and his blood rushing made him secretly excited, and he practiced even harder!
At this moment, there seemed to be a flame in his heart that had long been extinguished.
It is slowly rekindling and regaining its vitality.
As he thought about it, he started doing one-handed push-ups.
As the oxygen content in the blood increased, my mind, which had been a little confused, gradually became clear.
It’s still better to be in the army!
Lu Yunyi couldn't help but sigh in his heart. The soldiers were full of vigor and vitality. They were full of energy.
Even older people can feel much younger when they are in it.
Time passed slowly, and it was not until two quarters of the morning, which was around eight o'clock, that Lu Yunyi stopped practicing.
He took the towel handed to him by the servant, washed himself quickly, and put on clean clothes.
When I arrived at the main hall, I saw Mu Chuting who had been waiting there.
"Why don't you eat?"
Mu Chuting was slightly angry, glanced at him and said:
"You are the head of the family. How can I eat if you don't come?"
Lu Yunyi shook his head, sat down and said:
"You can eat now."
Breakfast is still simple, with millet porridge, soy milk, pie, and two side dishes, namely sprouts and radish and peanuts.
Lu Yunyi picked up the pie, took a big bite, and a fragrant aroma spread in his mouth.
He was a little surprised, looked at the filling in the pie, and asked:
"Beef?"
Mu Chuting smiled and nodded, explaining:
"The imperial physician said that my husband should eat more beef. Pork is a cold food, so eat as little as possible."
"Where did you get it?"
"From the market, of course."
“Isn’t it forbidden to kill cattle?”
Lu Yunyi was even more surprised, took another big bite and continued to ask.
“In principle, it is forbidden to kill cows, but the capital is full of dignitaries, so what does it matter if a few cows are killed?
Moreover, many cattle were bought from the north, but those cattle could not be used to plow the land.
If we don’t kill them for meat, then we should just keep raising them.”
Mu Chuting said this while smiling gently.
Sometimes she felt that her husband,
He is always too rigid in his adherence to rules and does not act like a powerful and influential person.
“Is beef expensive?”
Lu Yunyi suddenly realized and continued to ask questions.
"It's OK. The beef bought in the mansion is the best. The price is naturally higher. One pound costs three coins."
Mu Chuting explained patiently, and then gave him a reassuring look.
"My dear husband, please don't worry about eating. I have money."
Lu Yunyi couldn't help laughing, picked up another pie and asked:
"How are the shops and farmlands selling?"
Mu Chuting's eyes moved, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, and she smiled:
“Don’t worry, husband.
Now a merchant in the east of the city has offered 13,000 taels of silver.
According to the estimation of Xinchen Trading Company, the final transaction price may reach 15,000 taels of silver."
"So many? It's almost as big as our yard." Lu Yunyi was surprised.
Mu Chuting was somewhat helpless, and shook her head and sighed:
“My dear husband, land has always been in short supply.
Once there is land for sale, it will be snatched up by everyone.
The land we are selling this time is the fertile land near Yingtian City, so the price is still low."
"It doesn't matter. The lower the better. My husband's reputation has spread all over Yingtian recently.
The clerks in the yamen looked at my husband with eyes full of pity, which made me feel quite strange.
By then, when your reputation as a clean and honest man spreads, I will give you credit for it!"
Seeing him like this, Mu Chuting couldn't help but burst out laughing:
"My dear husband, I have never seen an official like you.
Other officials are afraid of becoming famous, but you don’t seem to be afraid at all.”
"My husband has military merits, comes from a poor family, is not greedy, and does not steal. What is there to be afraid of?"
Lu Yunyi curled his lips slightly, but there was still some worry in his eyes.
"It's just that I stand out too much from the crowd. Some ministers in the capital want to kill me."
Mu Chuting's shoulders trembled slightly and her smile became more cheerful.
"My husband, please do what you want. I and my sister are at home.
I heard that my sister's family is also very wealthy."
"Well, I didn't know it at first. I only found out after we got married.
Some iron mines in Liaodong are still owned by them.
There is not much else in the house, only money is left.”
Lu Yunyi quickly finished a bowl of millet porridge and continued:
"You don't have to worry. Wanyi grew up with me.
When I was in school, I always liked to play tricks on her.
But she has a very good temper and won't bully you, and you shouldn't bully her either.
The three of us living a good life is better than anything else."
Mu Chuting rolled her eyes at him again:
"My dear, I am also a lady from a rich family, so I naturally know the rules of my family.
A sister is a sister, and the rules cannot be broken."
"We'll talk about it when the time comes." Lu Yunyi looked thoughtful.
"Why hasn't the imperial court's reward come yet?
If the court still allows me to go to Daning,
There is no need to pick up Wanyi, and now we are in a dilemma." "My husband can ask father and the general, they should know the specific date."
"I have been running back and forth between the military camp and the Ministry of Works these days. I wanted to visit the general's home, but I haven't found the time.
Oh, and I didn’t visit my ancestor either.”
Lu Yunyi suddenly remembered the ancestor Liu Sanwu who had been neglected by him for a long time.
What’s strange is that even though it’s been such a long time since I returned to Beijing, he still hasn’t come to see me.
Lu Yunyi thought for a moment and said:
"Let's prepare some gifts and visit them at their homes."
At this point, a hint of embarrassment appeared on his face.
Mu Chuting, however, looked calm, gently grasped Lu Yunyi's hand, and said softly:
"My dear husband, my money is yours, you can spend it as you wish."
"Thank you ma'am."
"Don't worry, my dear husband. I will prepare the gifts and other things.
My husband should go to the yamen as soon as possible. If people know that my husband has not arrived at the yamen after noon, it is inevitable that people will criticize him again."
"Wait a minute."
Half an hour later, Lu Yunyi arrived at the Ministry of Works with a rosy face, but he still failed to arrive at the office on time at noon.
When he arrived, as always,
Many officials in the government office looked over here with surprise in their eyes.
However, this time their eyes were different from before, with more wonder and admiration.
Lu Yunyi knew in his heart that the news of building the reservoir and dam might have spread.
At this time, a clerk saw him coming and hurried to the Du Shuisi Yamen.
Soon, Wang Chen was led out.
"My lord, my lord!!"
Lu Yunyi looked back with a gentle smile on his face: "It's Lord Wang."
"Sir, the materials you asked us to prepare are all ready. Would you like to take a look?"
Wang Chen was looking forward to this matter.
"Go and have a look."
Lu Yunyi nodded and followed Wang Chen to the Du Shuisi Yamen.
As soon as he entered here, Lu Yunyi keenly sensed an invisible atmosphere permeating the air.
Dull, depressing and tiring, just like being in school.
All the officials looked listless and walked weakly, as if all their energy had been drained away.
When he arrived at the Du Shuisi treasury, Lu Yunyi saw mountains of materials!
In one corner of the warehouse, there was a pile of limestone, in another corner there was clay, and scattered iron slag in iron boxes.
If these things were among the people, it would be difficult to find them all.
Iron smelting slag, in particular, is an important material controlled by the imperial court.
But in the Ministry of Industry, you can get as much as you want, it is inexhaustible.
"Well done, find some more millstones and other tools.
Grind the limestone and clay into powder,
You guys can decide the exact proportions, and make one for each mix."
After hearing this, Wang Chen's eyes flashed with surprise.
But his first reaction to Shangguan's instructions was to agree.
"Yes!"
Then, he couldn't help but ask: "Mr. Minister, why do you do this?"
"Study it carefully. I have seen some miscellaneous materials in a book on building fortifications.
By mixing various things, the constructed fortifications can become extremely solid.
Anyway, the budget has been submitted.
The Ministry of Industry should carefully study ways to reduce costs and give it a try. "
Wang Chen's face looked a little strange. He looked at the pile of materials in front of him and gritted his teeth:
"Okay, let's try it!"
Wang Chen summoned ten clerks and more than a hundred laborers from the workshop, and they began to work enthusiastically.
The place to dispose of these materials cannot be in the imperial city.
Finally, they chose a workshop outside the city, which was a place specializing in firing bricks and stones.
From the transportation of limestone and clay to the grinding process, Lu Yunyi paid attention to the entire process.
He soon discovered a problem.
The efficiency of grinding is too slow and requires a lot of manpower and time.
Lu Yunyi instructed the clerk beside him:
"Write this down, and tell workshops everywhere to research an object that can grind flour quickly, to save time and effort.
Once the research and development is successful, the Ministry of Industry will reward you handsomely.”
"Yes!"
The clerk hurriedly wrote down these words and planned to pass on the instructions after returning to the city.
Time passed quietly, and the summer heat began to spread in the workshop.
Lu Yunyi sat in the corner, holding a book on agronomy and reading silently.
Even so, he was already soaked with sweat, and his clothes were sticking tightly to his body.
He raised his head and looked at the many craftsmen in front of him.
Most of them were naked from the waist up, pushing the millstones with all their might.
Sweat kept dripping from their foreheads, backs, etc.
In addition, the workshop was extremely noisy, with the clanging sounds and the shouts of the craftsmen interweaving together.
It is hard to imagine how they could stay in such an environment for so long.
Lu Yunyi waved his hand, and Wang Chen, who was taking the documents and doing calculations, ran over quickly.
"Sir, you are looking for me."
"How much do these craftsmen earn per month? They do such hard work." Lu Yunyi asked.
Wang Chen thought for a moment and said softly:
"Sir, there are many craftsmen who can make bricks and stones in the world.
So their wages were not much, only five cents a month.”
Seeing Lu Yunyi's serious expression, Wang Chen explained again, probably because he was afraid that he would be angry:
"But I have nearly ten days off every month, which is a very good job."
Lu Yunyi was naturally clear about this.
The wages of the waiters at Zuixianlou were only two cents a month, and they had to work night shifts, which was very tiring.
In comparison, five cents a craftsman could earn was not a small amount.
However, looking at this harsh environment filled with smoke and dust,
He knew in his heart that these craftsmen would hardly live past the age of fifty, and their situation was similar to that of the craftsmen in the weapons workshop.
However, Lu Yunyi has not yet thought of any good way to improve this situation.
Even a mask made of the finest silk and linen and worn on the face cannot completely block these tiny particles, and it is also hot.
"Does the dust in the workshop need to be cleaned when we get off work at night?" Lu Yunyi continued to ask.
Wang Chen was stunned: "Sir, the workshop is running day and night, and there are also craftsmen working at night."
Lu Yunyi looked dazed and nodded slightly:
"Will the wages be higher at night?"
"My Lord, it's all the same."
"The court has no money, the people in the city have no money, and the people in the countryside have no money either. Where did all the money go?"
Lu Yunyi's voice was so gentle that it startled Wang Chen.
Wang Chen said quickly:
"Sir, if you live in Yingtian City and eat only rice, flour and meat,
A family of three only needs ten coins for two meals a day.
Working in a workshop, one person can support the whole family and still have a lot left over."
Lu Yunyi knew this.
In addition to the extremely expensive items shipped from the grasslands and Jiangnan,
Ordinary pork costs only seven or eight cents per pound, and the price of rice and flour is even cheaper.
However, there are not many jobs like that of craftsmen in the world.
The more Lu Yunyi thought about it, the more he felt the importance of the business.
Without sufficiently developed business, it is impossible to provide enough jobs.
It’s too difficult to rely on luck for a living.
Just as Lu Yunyi was deep in thought, the person in charge of the workshop came running over in a hurry.
"My Lords, we have prepared enough lime powder and clay powder. Can we start firing now?"
"Oh? So fast?"
Lu Yunyi stood up, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Turn on the fever quickly. We must see preliminary results in the next two days."
"Yes!"
Lu Yunyi looked at Wang Chen:
"Let's go and see together."
(End of this chapter)