The prince is more stable

Chapter 274: Another Source of Income
Some seemingly ordinary and insignificant inventions can solve a person's lifelong discomfort and discomfort.

Sanitary pads are not a technologically advanced product, but in an era when women in the Song Dynasty generally use menstrual belts or even wood ash, Zhao Xiaoqian's invention is enough for his female compatriots to build a shrine for him and offer him a longevity tablet.

Whether women all over the world feel miserable or not has nothing to do with Zhao Xiaoqian, but he cannot bear to see his own wife feel miserable.

Since I have the technology and can create something that makes their lives easier, why not do it?
When it comes to women, it is undeniable that Zhao Xiaoqian is not that devoted, but when it comes to his women, Zhao Xiaoqian will definitely pamper them when it is time.

The technical content of sanitary napkins is indeed not high, but what is important is that they are clean and hygienic.

The one given to Jiang Miaoxian to try was a prototype, which still needed to be processed.

After it is made, first wash it clean, then steam it in a pot, sterilize it at high temperature, and finally expose it to the sun.

In the courtyard at the back of the palace, the three women sat by the bed, carefully examining the disinfected sanitary napkins, their faces turning redder the more they looked.

After a long pause, Di Ying blushed and said, "It's immoral!"

Jiang Miaoxian covered her mouth and chuckled softly: "It is indeed immoral, but it is still very convenient after using it. It is much more convenient than the ones we use... well, what kind of belts are there? The master said it is 'disposable'. Just throw it away after use and get a new one."

Di Ying twisted her body uncomfortably, as it was being used on her body at the moment.

"It's convenient, and it fits snugly. The cotton is soft and comfortable, but..."

Zhao Xiaoqian came over and said, "But what? Is there anything that needs improvement?"

Di Ying rolled her eyes at him and said, "Sir, you should be assisting the emperor in governing the country and bringing peace to the world. How can you waste your time and energy on women's affairs? If this continues for too long, it will only dampen your heroic spirit, and my sisters and I will become the eternal sinners of the Song Dynasty."

Jiang Miaoxian and Yuan'er nodded in agreement.

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned. "What kind of nonsense is this? I'm just making sanitary pads, and how can this be linked to heroic sentiments?"

Di Ying took his hand and said softly, "Sir, your kindness is appreciated by us sisters. We are very grateful in our hearts. But you must not always dwell on these strange and cunning tricks in the future. It would be a waste of your great talent in governing the country."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked up to the sky and sighed.

Marrying a wife who is actually more righteous than her husband, she is indeed a product of the loyal and famous Di family...

"Don't worry, madam. I will go to the study and study hard. I will try my best to become the top scorer in the imperial examination next year and serve my country!" Zhao Xiaoqian said seriously.

He pulled the confused Yuan'er behind him and walked out.

"Yuan'er, come and study with me. I plan to train hundreds of millions of elite soldiers for the Song Dynasty. I'd like to borrow Yuan'er's belly for you!"

…………

Sanitary napkins were manufactured, but Zhao Xiaoqian did not intend to use them commercially.

After all, in this conservative era, it is not easy to sell this thing openly. Besides, Zhao Xiaoqian does not care about such a small profit.

He gathered more than a dozen maids in the palace, taught them the production process, and then Zhao Xiaoqian left it alone.

If they work at full capacity, the dozen or so maids can produce a considerable amount every month, which is not only enough to meet the needs of the female members of the palace, but also has some left over.

The powerful ladies in Bianjing City gathered privately, and Di Ying and Jiang Miaoxian could just give sanitary napkins as gifts.

Imagine the powerful women in the entire city of Bianjing, who were so ashamed that they cursed Zhao Xiaoqian as a hooligan, while at the same time using the sanitary napkins invented by Zhao Xiaoqian with a hypocritical attitude. Just thinking about that scene makes me feel happy.

At the same time, another big business in the palace was quietly unfolding.

At Zhouqiao, the most prosperous street in Bianjing City, a shop covering a large area was bought by the Chu Palace. After careful renovation, a golden plaque was finally hung with four large characters "Mingyu Tea House" inscribed on it.

The name was chosen by Zhao Xiaoqian himself. The tea leaves used for tea frying are usually the best before Qingming Festival and after Grain Rain, so it was named "Mingyu".

Teahouses were a mature industry in the Song Dynasty. As early as after the founding of the Song Dynasty, there were many shops selling tea and snacks in the city of Bianjing, generally called such-and-such teahouse or such-and-such branch teahouse.

The tea in the Song Dynasty was basically point tea, which tasted similar to the matcha of later generations. It was green in color and tasted sticky.

The teahouse opened by the Prince of Chu's Mansion was obviously very different from other teahouses in Bianjing City.

On the day of the opening, a curious person went in to take a look and found that there was a beautiful woman in white sitting in the middle of the teahouse, and on the table in front of her was a pile of incomprehensible cups, bowls, and plates.

As more and more people gathered around, the woman calmly cleaned the cups and put in a handful of oddly shaped dark leaves. Then there was a dazzling and fancy series of actions, such as heating the cups, adding tea, shaking incense, going out to sea, and even the phoenix nodding and Guan Gong patrolling the city.

The bewildered crowd watched in amazement as the woman performed a series of skillful and beautiful movements. Finally, golden tea was poured into a row of small teacups on the table. The woman smiled and gestured to the onlookers.

The people understood what the woman meant and thought that they could taste it for free, so a brave man picked up the teacup and drank it in one gulp.

Then the man's eyes lit up and he exclaimed, "Great! It tastes refreshing and invigorating!"

Seeing this, the crowd also took the teacup, drank it all in one gulp, imitating the man, and then exclaimed in admiration.

"What a novel smell, could this be... tea?"

"It's completely different from tea, and the flavors are different. This one seems more light and elegant."

"Excuse me, young lady, what is this?"

A cup of tea ignited the enthusiasm and curiosity of the people.

Zhao Xiaoqian, who was sitting alone in a corner of the teahouse, stood up, smiled and walked out of the teahouse silently.

The response has been good, and it seems this business can be expanded.

As long as a product creates buzz and is considered fashionable, it will never lack consumers, especially consumables, which can last longer.

What's more, Zhao Xiaoqian also taught a set of tea-making techniques, which must be called culture.

Tea with cultural heritage and a history will see its profits soar.

Not only in Bian Jing, but also in all prefectures and cities of the Song Dynasty in the future, the Western Regions Hu merchants who came from thousands of miles away along the Silk Road must not be let off.

It's all about money and benefits.

Zhao Xiaoqian silently counted on his fingers and calculated that if this business became bigger, he would use the profits he would get in the future to buy a large mansion, which would be about the same size as the Prince of Chu's Palace.

The children have grown up and become independent, and it is time for them to move out with their wives and concubines.

As I walked out of the teahouse, I saw an acquaintance standing outside the door.

Acquaintances habitually half-bowed with a flattering smile on their faces.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled. "It's rare to see Liu Duzhi willingly stepping out of Bingjingwu. Is the sun rising from the west?"

This person was none other than Liu Shan, the eunuch in charge of Bingjingwu.

Liu Dan smiled even more flatteringly: "Your Excellency is right. I am dedicated to my duties and usually don't want to go out. However, today I have important matters to report to you, Your Excellency, and I must report them in person."

Zhao Xiaoqian raised his eyebrows: "Is there something important?"

"Yes."

The two of them walked to the entrance of a secluded, dark alley on the side of the street. Zhao Xiaoqian said, "Go ahead."

Liu Shan bowed and said, "This is the case of the Imperial Censor Zhou Zhi. I have fulfilled my duty and served Zhou Zhi obediently. I have recorded and signed all the necessary confessions. Now Zhou Zhi's value is not much, and he is only half alive. I would like to ask the county lord whether Zhou Zhi should..."

As he spoke, Liu Dan transformed his palm into a knife and lightly scratched his neck. His meaning was very clear.

Zhao Xiaoqian thought for a moment and said, "Where are Zhou Zhi's accomplices? How many of them have been apprehended?"

"There are eleven accomplices in total. The Imperial City Bureau has captured them all and locked them up in Bingjingwu. I am carefully serving them every day." Liu Dan grinned, and his smile was very perverted.

Zhao Xiaoqian turned his head away, and his smile made people feel creepy.

"In addition to the eleven people arrested, there are two accomplices in Zhou Zhi's case who are local officials. After interrogating Zhou Zhi, Bingjing Wu discovered that these two accomplices were involved in illegal activities with Zhou Zhi, but their crimes could be minor or serious."

"If we want to arrest them, the Imperial City Division must leave the capital and go all the way to Hebei, so I'd like to ask the County Lord whether we should arrest these two people or not."

Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly fell into deep thought. After a long moment, he slowly said, "Let Zhou Zhi spare his life. As for the two accomplices in Hebei...don't arrest them for now. I'll make some arrangements first."

Liu Shan looked at him strangely, not understanding why the Duke would make such a simple matter as questioning his two accomplices complicated.

Zhao Xiaoqian patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Just do your own thing, I'll make the arrangements."

(End of this chapter)