Do You Know?: Rule the World

"They mostly eat their meat and milk, and their fur is only made into coarse felt blankets."

"Occasionally I'd find some soft fur, but I'd save it as a treasure and trade it for salt and iron when the caravan arrived."

Zhao Han stood with his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his face.

The Central Plains has been a country based on agriculture and sericulture since ancient times. Silk is the authentic Chinese culture and an item that shows status.

Therefore, wool products were not popular in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Moreover, for wealthy businessmen in the south, wool was hot, thick, rough, irritating to the skin, and easily infested by insects.

Even the noble officials in the north often wore silk cotton lining and long robes on the outside in winter, emphasizing lightness, warmth and comfort.

The wool products currently available on the market are mostly felt for floor coverings or used by the military to make tents.

But cashmere is different.

Light, warm, comfortable, expensive, and most importantly, rare.

Doesn't this suit the desires of those nobles and wealthy merchants? They want rare and precious things that others can't get.

"You know, sheep eat grass and only cut off the blades with their lips, leaving the roots intact so they can grow again in the spring breeze."

"When goats gnaw, they gnaw close to the ground. Their sharp teeth can uproot the grass. Wherever they pass, it's like a locust plague that lasts three years."

"Our dynasty can follow the example of Qi and lead the nobles and wealthy merchants to use cashmere!"

"Let the people of Xixia believe that cashmere is a rare commodity in the Great Zhou, more valuable than gold, and can be exchanged for countless grains. They will surely rush to raise goats."

Han Zhang stared at Zhao Han. After a moment's silence, he took a deep breath and exclaimed, "Your Highness! This is... a plan to wipe out the entire family!"

The merchants in Jiangnan were all extremely wealthy, and the nobles were also very wealthy, with mountains of silver and money in their homes.

Buying some cashmere will not harm the foundation of the Great Zhou. It can not only allow wealthy businessmen and nobles to contribute to the country, but also take the opportunity to enrich the treasury.

When the Xixia grasslands become barren, food supplies plummet, and people's livelihoods decline, we can take the opportunity to ban the blue and white salt and appease the people in the northwest of our dynasty.

By then, we will be able to defeat Xixia without much effort!

"The herders are pursuing profit. Even if the Xixia officials see through this conspiracy and Xingqing Prefecture issues a ban."

"Those border guards were probably the first to let them go secretly, and even took the initiative to trade with our dynasty." After Zhao Han said this, he raised his eyes and looked at Zhao Zhen on the throne.

Hai Ning, who was standing on the side, couldn't help but change his eyes when looking at Zhao Han. This Crown Prince really is...well versed in human nature and ruthless in strategy!

Zhao Zhen's eyes were calm and he thought for a long time.

He stood up, clenched his fist and said, "As expected of my son Qilin! This is a brilliant plan!"

"But if I want the people to accept this thing, I'm afraid I'll have to spend some effort."

Zhao Han knew what he was worried about. The literati had always emphasized the distinction between Chinese and barbarians.

Cashmere, as a product of the grassland, is likely to be criticized as a barbaric and luxurious item.

He bowed respectfully and said, "Father, this is not difficult."

"Invite famous scholars and writers to write poems and essays praising it, and then let all the ladies in the palace wear clothes made of this material."

"Within six months, cashmere will surely become the hottest item in Bianjing and even the Jiangnan region!"

This official, who advocated frugality the most, narrowed his eyes, smiled and said, "I'll do as you say!"

"I hope that I can see our army reclaim lost territory in my lifetime!"

Han Zhang and the others also clasped their fists and looked at Zhao Han with admiration, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is wise!"

After returning home under the moonlight, Zhao Han sat alone in the study.

I just feel that this method is enough to deal with Western Xia, but it is just scratching the surface for the Liao Kingdom.

The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun cover thousands of miles of fertile land. Since Shi Jingtang ceded it to them, they have become the most solid granary of the Liao Kingdom.

Emperor Shengzong of Liao, Yelü Longxu, also opened up large-scale military farms in the Liaodong Plain. At that time, the Liao Kingdom had an abundance of grain and fodder that was far beyond what the Western Xia could match.

At this moment, the four words "Liao Yi Shi Fei" suddenly flashed through his mind!

Liao Xingzong Yelü Zongzhen was particularly fond of Buddhism and built Buddhist temples everywhere. The same was true after Yelü Hongji ascended the throne.

If he remembered correctly, in the late Liao Dynasty, the status of monks was particularly high and Buddhist temples were spread everywhere.

They even spent huge sums of money to hold various Buddhist activities and cast gold and bronze Buddha statues.

Monks did not have to bear taxes, labor service, or military service, so people chose to become monks.

If we can start to add fuel to the fire from now on, send monks to the north to spread the Dharma, encourage them to renovate temples, recruit monks and nuns, and transform Buddhist temples into a paradise where people will have no worries about food and clothing.

Then spread all the bad things like alchemy and seeking immortality, and the style of idle talk.

Without the sight of war, it will slowly decay in a life of decadence and luxury.

After recovering Xixia and recuperating for a period of time, we will be able to free up our hands to deal with the Liao Kingdom.

By now, Xiao Guanyin, the most talented woman in Liao, should have been crowned as the queen...

Just when Zhao Han secretly decided to wait for some time and then report this plan to Zhao Zhen.

Shulan came slowly, holding a mahogany tray. After bowing gracefully, she said softly, "I see the candles in the study are still burning. I think Your Highness must be worried about state affairs."

After saying that, she stepped forward and gently placed the porcelain bowl on the table, with a faint fragrance floating between her sleeves.

"This soup uses Poria cocos and Polygala tenuifolia, which are perfect for calming the mind and nourishing the heart."

Zhao Han took the spoon and looked up at Shulan. He saw that her face was rosy and there was a hint of joy between her eyebrows.

So, he put away his thoughts and smiled slightly, "Shu'er, what good news has happened to you? Why are you so happy?"

"Your Highness truly has a keen eye. Today, I received a letter from my mother."

"Father and Fourth Sister are already on their way to Beijing. They will arrive around the beginning of next month."

Zhao Han raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard this.

Judging from the time, Sheng Wei has come to Beijing now, most likely to be the Sheng family's money-giving boy.

Shu Lan smiled and continued, "Fourth sister will stay in Beijing for a while longer this time. Mother also said that she plans to find a marriage for her in Beijing in the future."

As for Pinlan's marriage, Sheng Wei and Li originally had their eyes on the eldest son of their sister Sheng Yun, who was Pinlan's cousin.

In Yuyang, they are considered a good match and know each other well.

But the situation is very different now.

In their view, if Shulan could live up to her expectations and give birth to a child as soon as possible, she would be promoted to the position of concubine when Zhao Han ascended the throne.

By that time, the eldest and second branches of the Sheng family would both be royal relatives, and their status would naturally rise.

If Concubine Rong’s biological sister can enjoy great success in the capital, why can’t Pinlan do the same in the future?

At least she could find a good marriage in the capital, and Shulan's background was more respectable than Rong Fei's.

Zhao Han glanced at her and saw a gentle curve on the corner of Shulan's lips. He said softly, "That's good too. When they find a suitable family, I can make the decision for them myself."

"Let me first thank Your Highness for your grace on behalf of Pinlan."

-

After arriving in the capital and settling down, Sheng Wei was not in a hurry to go to the Sheng Mansion to spend his money.

The first thing he did was to come to visit Zhao Han with a particularly generous list of gifts, and of course Pinlan also came with him.

In the main hall, Zhao Han sat in the main seat, Hua Lan sat on his right, and Shu Lan sat on the chair below.

After the father and daughter respectfully performed the ceremony, Pinlan stood timidly beside Sheng Wei, looking particularly reserved, which was very different from usual.

Hualan couldn't help but smile, covering her lips with her hands. "What's wrong with Sister Pinlan? Where's that lively energy you used to have, chasing butterflies and playing with grass?"

Pinlan lowered her head and spoke carefully, "It's different now."

"Brother Zhao is the crown prince, and Sister Hualan is the crown princess."

"Before I came here, my mother warned me over and over again that if I continued to behave unruly like before, I would be guilty of a capital crime."

Hualan motioned her to come forward and held her hand with a smile.

"Silly girl, this is at home, not outside. Auntie is really something, how can it be so serious?"

Sheng Wei shook his head and smiled helplessly.

"This girl is used to being wild. If we don't scare her, she won't know how to write the word "rules."

Zhao Han put down the teacup and said at the right time: "Miss Pinlan is lively by nature. She can learn the rules slowly. It would be counterproductive to suppress her blindly."

"Your Highness is right. I just hope this girl can be a little more sensible before the marriage." Sheng Wei responded respectfully.

After a brief greeting with Sheng Wei, Hua Lan found an excuse to leave with Zhao Han.

Her intention was simple. Sheng Wei and Shu Lan, father and daughter, had not seen each other for many days, so they had some personal matters to discuss.

Sheng Wei looked at his eldest daughter, who was gentle and lovely, and whose every move showed more confidence and composure than before.

I couldn't help but feel a lump in my throat and a lot of emotion in my heart.

He sent people to secretly watch Sun Zhigao for many days. On the surface, this guy looked determined to improve himself. He talked a lot in teahouses and taverns all day long, saying that he would definitely pass the autumn examination and avenge his previous shame, which attracted cheers from many ignorant people.

In fact, when I returned home, I never even touched the Four Books and Five Classics.

As expected, I failed the imperial examination again this autumn.

As for his mother, without the help of the Sheng family, she had to go back to working as a laundry and mender in order to make a living.

I don't get sick so often now.

"Daddy, why are you looking at your daughter like this?" Shulan raised the corners of her mouth slightly and waved her slender hands in front of his eyes.

Sheng Wei came back to his senses and said softly, "Looking at you like this now, your father is very happy!"

"If your grandmother wasn't so old and couldn't stand the fatigue of the journey, I would definitely bring her to the capital to see you."

Pinlan stepped forward and took Shulan's hand. "Second sister, is the Crown Prince treating you well?"

Shulan's eyes moved, she pursed her lips, and nodded shyly.

Chapter 106 Qi Heng's Thoughts, Huirou's Marriage

In the study room of the Duke of Qi's Mansion.

Qi Heng sat upright at the desk, wearing a bamboo green brocade robe. Although he held a book in his hand, his thoughts had already drifted to Jiying Lane.