Northern Song Dynasty: Starting from the son of Song Renzong

Chapter 143 I hope so!
May, the sixth year of the Qingli period.

What we need to do this month is reeling silk and weaving cloth.

In Xuchang City, Zhao Xin had already made sufficient preparations.

Five hundred foot-operated looms started at the same time.

If Zhang Kang had not seen it with his own eyes, he would not have believed that there was such a sharp weapon in the world.

Five hundred machines.

On average, each machine weaves at least 2.5 rolls of silk.

At the end of the day, the female workers work during the day, and even have time to take a nap after lunch.

About 1,200 to 1,500 pieces of silk can be woven in a day.

"Your Highness Prince Yu has such a powerful weapon, why didn't you bring it out earlier? If this technology can be promoted throughout the Song Dynasty, why worry about people all over the world not being able to wear silk?"

Zhang Kang asked a general under Zhao Xin.

The general said, "I don't understand. His Royal Highness Prince Yu asked me to tell you not to let this technology leak out."

Listen to what the general said.

Zhang Kang probably understood it too.

How can ordinary people master technology like this?
Whoever is covered in Luo Qi is not a silkworm breeder.

With these 500 machines, Zhang Kang is worried that there will not be enough silk this year.

After all, this year is not the best time for mulberry leaf production, and the mulberry trees are still small.

So the number of silkworms they actually raised this year was not that many.

But he did a rough calculation.

This year, we can probably weave 150,000 rolls of silk.

If you convert it, it will take about three months to use up all the silk.

In addition...

Except for these five hundred machines.

Zhao Xin also asked people to bring various tools for processing cotton to Zhang Kang.

The quality of cotton nowadays is not very good.

Even lower than the output of silk.

But in another year or two, the production should be able to stabilize.

In fact, cotton had been introduced to the Central Plains a long time ago.

only……

In the past, many people only planted it as an ornamental plant.

from now on……

The area from Xuchang to Nanyang is expected to produce one million pieces of silk and cotton annually.

Although it cannot be said that all the profits belong to His Royal Highness the Prince of Yu, because you have to give some to the working people.

but……

This income of nearly one million strings of cash is truly staggering.

……

August.

150,000 pieces of silk and 80,000 kilograms of cotton were reported to Zhao Xin.

However, Zhao Xin had to repay the loan.

For example, the tools used for land reclamation, as well as the manpower and material resources, including oxen, were almost all advanced by the three companies, so this money must be repaid.

In order to settle a family, at least 80 strings of cash would be needed.

In other words, he spent at least 3.2 million strings of cash to resettle the people, assuming that there were 40,000 households.

Then return the 100,000 pieces of silk and 40,000 kilograms of cotton to his father first.

With a bang, a piece of paper was pressed directly on his father's desk.

His father asked, "What is this?"

Zhao Xin also replied: "From now on, all the land from Xuchang to Nanyang will belong to me! This is the output of Xuchang and Nanyang this year, a total of 150,000 pieces of silk and 80,000 kilograms of cotton."

"I will first pay back 100,000 rolls of silk and 40,000 catties of cotton! The total discount is 150,000 strings of cash. I will pay back one twentieth of it first!"

Zhao Zhen also asked: "What did you just say?"

Zhao Xin said, "Pay back one twentieth first!"

Zhao Zhen said: "No, it is the land from Xuchang to Nanyang in the future."

Zhao Xin said, "It's all mine!"

Zhao Zhen: "..."

"It's all yours, what does that mean?"

Zhao Xin said: "I want to secede, I want independence!"

Ok!

After Zhao Xin finished speaking, he was beaten by his father again.

This boy has never stopped having rebellious thoughts since he was four years old.

Now, they are saying in front of him that they want to secede and seek independence.

Will the Song Dynasty be destroyed in the future?

And then change the country name?
But there is one thing to say.

These 100,000 pieces of silk and 40,000 kilograms of cotton really scared Zhao Zhen.

He asked, "How did you collect so much silk and cotton? I remember you said there would be a five-year tax exemption."

Zhao Xin said, "That's why I want to use Zhang Kang and Teng Zongliang. They are smart and can fully mobilize the enthusiasm of the people. They will take the initiative to lead the people to raise silkworms and reel silk. As long as it can make money, there is nothing they dare not do. This is only the first year. Next year, the income should double again."

After that, Zhao Xin suggested: "Daddy, can you please stop spanking me? I'm eight years old. If this gets out, I will be very embarrassed."

Zhao Zhen also replied: "But you just deserve a beating."

Zhao Xin: “…”

never mind!

I don’t bother with ordinary people!

Zhao Xin then said, "Dad, from now on Xuchang and Nanyang will belong to me."

Zhao Zhen: "..."

The look in Zhao Xin's father's eyes seemed to be saying that he really wanted to beat him up again.

But don't talk!
If you don’t say anything, that means you agree!

After that, Zhao Xin started talking nonsense to his father.

Seeing him being carefree and doing nothing, his father said, "Speaking of which... isn't it time for you to learn how to write?"

Zhao Xin's handwriting is readable, but it can definitely be said to be 'not praiseworthy'.

Zhao Xin also said: "Learning to write is so troublesome! Now I can't write well!"

Zhao Zhen: "But your calligraphy is fine if you take it out individually, but if you take it out as a whole, it's simply unbearable to look at. Haven't you ever thought about practicing your calligraphy?"

Zhao Xin said, "I'm not interested! Besides, calligraphy practice is so boring!"

Zhao Zhen: "Huirou's handwriting is better than yours!"

Zhao Xin: "That's because she has too much free time. I'm such a busy person, how can I have time to practice calligraphy?"

Zhao Zhen: "So what are you doing now?"

Zhao Xin: "I'm thinking about what big thing I should do next."

Zhao Zhen: "..."

Zhao Zhen originally wanted to say, your father is good at writing, and then father teaches his son to write, what a warm picture.

can only say……

He thinks too much!

"Go get some pen and ink."

As soon as Zhao Zhen finished speaking, Zhao Xin ran away! He couldn't be stopped even if he was called.

He is at the stage of growing up now, so he should be jumping around outside.

Indoor activities like writing are not suitable for him.

but……

It seems that this character still needs to be practiced, but... not at this time.

Moreover, it is too boring to practice calligraphy alone. It takes a man and a woman to work together to avoid getting tired.

In the future, I will find a Princess Yu who has good handwriting.

only……

Where can I find it?
As he walked, he wondered if Princess Yu was the same age as him, would he have to wait until he was at least eighteen years old before he could go to war?

But if I find someone three years older than me, then I can go to war when I am fifteen.

Time waits for no one!

Being one year late, he can no longer compare to Li Shimin.

Since I want to learn from Li Shimin, I must not be worse than Li Shimin.

and……

There may be another problem in the future!
The son you gave birth to doesn't mean he will live forever. What if he dies in infancy?

What if it’s a daughter?

Wouldn't I have to wait another two or three years?

Then how can I compare with Li Shimin?
By then his father would definitely send someone to hold him down and not let him go out.

Maybe they will ask him to have at least ten or eight children before they will let him go.

Then there's really nothing to do!

The more I think about it...

Zhao Xinyue felt something was not right. It seemed very difficult for him to go to war at the age of fifteen.

……

Next.

These 100,000 pieces of silk and 40,000 kilograms of cotton naturally entered the national treasury in batches.

The officials of the three offices were all dumbfounded.

If you don’t know, you might think that Zhao Xin exploited the people.

However, this once again proved that Zhao Xin had the talent to govern the country.

this year.

Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi still did not return to the court.

Because Zhao Xin felt that if the two were allowed to come back, something bad would definitely happen.

Instead of this, it would be better to let them go to the local area and let them write the Yueyang Tower Inscription.

of course!

Before doing this, he must ask his father to come forward and talk to the two of them.

Tell them, I think it would be easier for you two to achieve some political achievements at the local level.

Nowadays, there are not many problems in the court; the biggest problems are at the local level.

Exactly!

There were earthquakes everywhere at the beginning of the year!
It just so happened that this year, the imperial examination admitted hundreds of people, so they simply let the two of them take these people to learn how to provide disaster relief.

Now it is August.

The disaster relief work has almost been completed.

then……

Zhao Xin asked them to write down their experiences and the disaster relief process.

In fact, Zhao Xin didn’t know how to provide disaster relief.

but……

It can also be considered as learning together.

end of August.

Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi returned to the court.

Immediately afterwards...

Zhao Xin had to think again about what to ask them to do next.

These two people cannot be allowed to enter the court.

after all……

Zhao Xin had a premonition.

If these two people were allowed to stay in the court, something would definitely happen.

simply……

So they were asked to bring along the newly-appointed Jinshi and Mingjing candidates to study together how to carry out farmland water conservancy construction.

Find the poorest place and take the two of them there to study.

It just happened to be such a coincidence.

When a group of people were driven out by Zhao Xin again with a loud bang.

This 26-year-old young man also returned to the capital.

Watching a large group of people leave.

I couldn't help but feel doubtful.

I asked my friend, “What are you doing?”

His good friend Zeng Gong said, "It is said that the newly admitted Jinshi and Mingjing students followed Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi to study in the fields."

The young man was also shocked after hearing Zeng Gong's words.

asked:

"What new policies does the court have recently?"

Zeng Gong said, "It is the latest policy of the court. Maybe they want to let them go out to exercise before using them. They have been to earthquake relief once before, but they have just come back and have to go out again."

Zeng Gong shook his head and said, it’s a good thing that he didn’t pass the exam!

Zeng Gong also continued to ask: "Jiefu, now that you have come back, I think you can submit your essays to apply for a position in the imperial court, right?"

The young man said, "I have no intention of applying for a library position."

Zeng Gong: "What do you mean?"

Young man: "Let's take a look first! Do you know His Royal Highness Prince Yu?"

Zeng Gong said, "Yes, I know Scholar Ouyang. During their vacations, I often hear them mention His Royal Highness the Prince of Yu. What they say most is that you should never argue with His Royal Highness the Prince of Yu, because he is a chatterbox and you can't win against him."

The young man also asked: "Have you seen the sample questions for next year's exam posted by the government?"

Zeng Gong replied: "I saw it!"

The young man said: "With your talent, you will definitely be able to pass the exam next year!"

Zeng Gong, however, had a gloomy look on his face.

His writing style was unrestrained and straightforward, which was contrary to the requirements of the imperial examination at that time.

But he was talented, and this was known to all the young people, including Ouyang Xiu.

But even so, Ouyang Xiu could not give him the green light.

Whether he can pass the exam depends entirely on his own ability.

The young man then said: "This reform may be an opportunity!"

Zeng Gong said: "I hope so!"

The young man asked again: "Who proposed this reform?"

Zeng Gong said: "You are asking even though you already know the answer!"

The young man was stunned.

Zeng Gong said: "Of course it is His Royal Highness Prince Yu!"

The young man frowned, he just couldn't believe it.

Because when he went out to serve as an official, Zhao Xin had not yet made a name for himself.

The young man then said, "His Royal Highness Prince Yu is only eight years old. Are you sure it was his own idea and not someone else's?"

Zeng Gong probably guessed that the other party might not pay much attention to the dynamics of the court, so he said: "You don't know this. At least from what Scholar Ouyang said, His Royal Highness Prince Yu is a person with his own opinions. How about... I ask Scholar Ouyang to introduce you to His Royal Highness Prince Yu?"

The young man replied directly: "Forget it!"

Zeng Gong: "Then why are you asking His Highness Prince Yu? By the way, did you know that Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi dismissed a lot of officials before?"

The young man said, "I heard about it."

Zeng Gong sighed and said, "There are so many problems in the country. It's time to clean them up. But the strange thing is that when I mentioned this to Mr. Ouyang, they all kept silent."

The young man also followed up and asked, "What do you mean?"

Zeng Gong then said, "I asked them the same question. What's the meaning? I always feel that they are mysterious. Oh, right! Now, Scholar Ouyang, Yu Jing, Wang Su, Cai Xiang, and Du Yan are all under the command of His Royal Highness Prince Yu."

Young people have heard of these people.

They are all very upright censors.

The young man asked, "What are they doing under the command of His Royal Highness Prince Yu?"

Zeng Gong said: "I don't know. Anyway, it feels like they are doing odd jobs. They do whatever is needed."

"Maybe they were trying to persuade His Royal Highness Prince Yu? But I've never heard of them persuading His Royal Highness Prince Yu. Let's not talk about that. You just came back, and we have to welcome you back properly!"

The young man didn't say much.

Let’s just eat and drink well first!
only……

During the banquet...

If he failed the exam again next year, Zeng Gong would probably be heartbroken.

Think about when I was young, I was a child prodigy praised by everyone. But when I went to take the exam with others, I found out that I didn’t even make it to the list of successful candidates.

The gap is huge.

His elder brother also took the imperial examination with him, but also failed. Unable to bear such a blow, he eventually fell ill and unfortunately passed away.

The young man comforted her, "It's okay. The test now is about policy essays, which account for 40 points. You are good at this!"

They both raised their glasses.

"I hope so!"

(End of this chapter)