Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 21 21. Iron Pot Weeds
The carpenters were really nervous, so Qin Shi continued to raise his requirements for the desk and dining table, and finally confirmed: "No need for carving, just polish it smooth and send it over as soon as possible."

"There's no need to hollow out the whole thing." It would be a shame to hollow out a thousand-year-old tree that could be used as a beam or pillar just to make a chair. "Morticoat and mortise and tenon joints are fine."

The entire palace in Xianyang City is made of mortise and tenon joints, so the tables, chairs and benches are not worth mentioning.

She asked, "Can it be done today?"

Carpenter Cheng glanced at her, then quickly lowered his head: "My dear, I can finish it today. However, I didn't polish it and didn't have time to paint it, so I'm afraid it's too crude..."

Qin Shi then remembered that he didn't even have the tools to polish things. So he asked curiously, "How do you polish things?"

The carpenter replied, "We use horsetail grass. This grass is often found in the riverside forests. Because it grows so quickly, it often steals the soil under the trees in the farmland. That's why the peasants call it horsetail grass."

Qin Shi understood: this grass grows vigorously, like bamboo, and easily plunders nutrients.

"Can grass polish wood?" she asked curiously.

The expression of Chi Nu Wu Zi beside her changed slightly.

At this time, the sage said: "Don't be ashamed to ask questions from those of lower status," but those "lower status" also meant status. Now, if the King of Qin directly questioned such a craftsman, if it were to get out, he would probably be looked down upon by many nobles.

But, Qin Jun is the master.

They must cooperate with their master in whatever he wants. If someone really looks down on them, the master will be humiliated and the servant will die.

What's more, the king has arranged for the King of Qin to live in the Lanchi Palace, which clearly shows his extreme tolerance and love for him.

In this case, naturally, whatever Qin Jun says is what it is.

The class hierarchy between the lower and the higher classes that was integrated into these times was completely unfeasible in the Qin Dynasty.

She just recovered from her illness and was full of energy, so she regained her curiosity about the world.

It’s hard not to be curious!

In such a backward era, with such extreme human resources, the things that were finally produced cannot be replicated even after thousands or even millions of years.

At this moment, her eyes were full of curiosity.

The carpenters quietly raised their heads, then finally became bolder, even raising their hands to gesture: "Yes, it can. Horsetail grass is very hard and can be used to polish wood very smoothly."

"But when the wood is just taking shape, it needs to be polished with blue bricks. Once it's smoother, then horsetail grass can be used."

"When the horsetail grass grows old, pick it and dry it in the sun. Then soak it slightly before use. You can grind it finely one by one, or tie it into a bunch..."

Although it sounds common, it is obvious that this is actually very labor-intensive.

Qin Shi finally nodded: "Thank you for clearing up my confusion."

"Just do what I say."

She looked at the still somewhat anxious craftsmen below and added, "After this is finished, use your remaining skills to make something more exquisite as a tribute."

The craftsmen finally relaxed a little.

But it’s not much, because the noble person said “thank you”!

Qin Shi thought for a moment and said, "Use the money the king gave me to reward each of them with 30 coins."

Almost one hu of millet per person.

The craftsmen instantly showed joy on their faces, but then tried to restrain themselves and retreated cautiously.

……

After everyone left, Qin Shi relaxed his demeanor again.

Chi Nu prepared some tea for her, while Wu Zi said carefully, "What the king has given belongs to the Lord of Qin. The craftsmen were supposed to work for the Lord of Qin, so there's no need to give them any extra rewards."

"It's ok."

Qin Shi smiled and said something they didn't quite understand: "Money can improve people's subjective initiative."

I wonder how many more strange demands she will have in the future.

She then added, "My reward is entirely due to the king's kindness, it's too simple. In contrast, the craftsmen have to really work hard. My small efforts will make them happy for a long time, and they will be more motivated to work for me and meet my needs..." When she said this, she remembered something and turned to look at Wu Zi: "Oh! I forgot that you follow me and take care of me, it's also hard work!"

She said generously, "Wu Zi, from now on, you will be in charge of my property—and by the way, each of us will receive one or two taels of gold!"

"The rest of the servants and servants will be rewarded as well, as you discuss this matter."

Without waiting for anyone to thank her for the reward, she added, "Call a few more blacksmiths."

She is going to use an iron pan and spatula to cook tonight!

"By the way, ask the kitchen to slaughter an old duck and cut it into pieces for later use. Then go to the imperial physician to ask for some wolfberries, and prepare some winter melon and red dates. I will make some old duck soup later."

Chi Nu agreed, and then seeing that many of the servants in the hall were all faintly excited, she couldn't help but smile.

……

Communication with the blacksmith is even faster.

All Qin Shi needed for the time being was a wok, and they took turns pounding it, and it would take half a day.

Just polishing it until it is smooth is still time-consuming and laborious - nowadays, a special whetstone is used to polish iron, bricks and stones.

This kind of stone is very hard, but today's iron is soft, so it can be used.

She was afraid that if she asked too hastily, the craftsmen would risk their lives, so she specifically instructed them: "Don't rush, take your time."

After these two key tools related to life and dining were brought up, Qin Shi finally stood up and stretched:
"Let's go to the kitchen—the palace kitchen."

Fortunately, the palace kitchen wasn't too far away; it was inside the Lanchi Palace. A leisurely ride in a carriage would take just a cup of tea.

Qin Shi waved his hand: "Let me walk around for a while."

Sweating when it's hot is also good for your health.

What's more, walking along the corridor with the water rippling gently on both sides is not so unbearable at all. There are also small green shades in the middle, and the scenery is actually very beautiful.

It was about two o'clock in the afternoon, the heat was rising, and servants were still in the garden clearing the endless weeds growing by the lake.

Qin Shi took a look as he passed by, and suddenly saw a pulled-out wild grass with a long red spike.

"Wait." She stopped and waved.

The attendant hurriedly prepared to kneel down, but then he heard Qin Shi order: "Bring over that red grass—is this Polygonum multiflorum?"

The servant quickly found it from the haystack, then bowed and trotted over, presenting it with both hands.

"Back to my lord, yes."

Chi Nu passed it over and said curiously, "It is indeed the hot pepper grass. The palace chefs occasionally use it to make sauce, but it is not used much."

She recalled Qin Shi's shocking statement about "cinnabar and lead being extremely poisonous" and became nervous: "This thing..."

"Don't worry." Qin Shi waved her hand: She just remembered that although there is now a fermentation process for making sauce and vinegar, it is obviously not enough.

And having Polygonum multiflorum is like the West having Jerusalem.

She looked forward to the meal again, and then excitedly said to Chi Nu, "Take this and continue to the palace kitchen. By the way, ask someone to ask Zhou Fuling to make old duck soup tonight. If it is successful, I wonder if you would like to offer it to the king?"

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The original text of "The Analects of Confucius: Gongye Chang" reads "Be quick to learn and do not be ashamed to ask questions from those who are inferior to you." This is what Confucius said to his student Zigong.

Qin Dynasty Craftsmanship References: The unrecoverable purple color, the sharp and intimidating unearthed bronze swords, and the drainage and waterproofing technology of Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum.

[Ducks were already domesticated and raised during the Qin Dynasty. People would also use dogwood and ginger to make duck soup, as well as winter melon and gourd.]

[Polygonum hydropiper can be used as yeast]

[I will post the Easter egg chapter for you guys later]

Here we are! We are on time again today.

When writing about farming, I can easily come up with ideas. When writing about ancient times, I research everywhere...

(End of this chapter)