Quick Wear: The first person to love the host

After carefully reading through the regulations presented by Su Ziyu, Qi Jinyu tapped the paper lightly with her knuckles. The light in her eyes grew brighter and brighter. Finally, she couldn't help but raise her head, her gaze fixed intently on Su Ziyu's handsome profile.

"Your Highness, how is it?" Su Ziyu asked softly, feeling a little uncomfortable under his gaze.

Qi Jinyu suddenly smiled, the smile spreading from the corners of his lips to the depths of his eyes, gentle yet intense. His voice was deep and resolute: "Only after meeting Ziyu did I realize what a match made in heaven truly is. The brilliance and thoroughness of this strategy far surpasses what I had imagined."

His praise was undisguised, and his body leaned towards Su Ziyu unconsciously as he continued, "Seeing you anticipate and resolve so many tedious details and potential problems, I thought to myself—how could there be such a clever and insightful person like you in this world, and yet I happened to meet you."

Before he could finish speaking, his heart was already overflowing with emotion. He reached out and wrapped his arms around Su Ziyu's neck, kissing her without saying a word.

Caught off guard, Su Zi was kissed squarely. Her hand, which instinctively tried to push him away, pressed against his chest, but like an ant trying to shake a tree, she eventually softened under his undeniable yet slightly urgent tenderness and was "forced" to look up and accept.

They kissed passionately until their breathing became erratic before finally separating.

Qi Jinyu's forehead was still pressed against Su Ziyu's, her breath was slightly rapid, and what was surging in her chest was not only passion, but also an indescribable pride and satisfaction.

He said in a hoarse voice, "I will summon them to discuss this now. If you wish, this plan must be implemented. I will make it a success so that your hard work will not be in vain."

Soon, inside the council hall of the Prince's Palace.

The charcoal crackled and popped, but it couldn't dispel the chilling intent in some people's words.

"Your Highness, this matter requires careful consideration!"

Holding the charter for establishing the wool workshop, Qin Wujiu frowned deeply, his words earnest yet sharp: "Large-scale wool purchases, hiring women and children, and centralized labor sound like a benevolent policy, but this approach has several drawbacks."

"Firstly, once the workshop is built, the weaving techniques will be difficult to keep secret. If the Xiongnu or merchants from within the pass learn them, what advantage will we have? Secondly, hundreds of women and children living together in the workshop is against etiquette and law, and may cause controversy and corrupt social customs! Thirdly, although the war has ended, the Xiongnu's wolfish ambitions have not died. Is it not putting the cart before the horse to divert manpower to such a 'minor industry'?"

His words were forceful and to the point, and the experienced and prudent officials in the hall nodded slightly, their faces showing concern.

Qi Jinyu sat upright in the main seat, her expression calm. She did not speak immediately, but her gaze fell on Su Ziyu beside her.

Today, Su Ziyu wore a moon-white brocade robe with a silver fox fur coat over it, which made his face appear even more handsome and his temperament more refined.

He met Qin Wujiu's scrutinizing gaze, slowly stood up, and spoke in a low but clear voice: "The concerns of Military Advisor Qin are not without merit. However, to throw the baby out with the bathwater is by no means a good strategy."

"I already have a solution for the issue of technology secrecy." Su Ziyu lightly tapped the blueprints on the table with his fingertip. "The core components of the spinning wheel and loom can be manufactured and debugged by reliable retired veterans. The production process is also divided into separate processes—combing, spinning, dyeing, and weaving, each with its own responsibilities, making it difficult for ordinary craftsmen to see the whole picture."

The core technologies must be mastered by us. Even if outsiders manage to learn a thing or two, our northern frontier, with its abundant raw materials and skilled craftsmen, will still have a significant advantage.

He paused slightly, looked at Qin Wujiu, his gaze clear yet sharp: "As for etiquette and customs... does the strategist know that the border is bitterly cold, how many military households' women have their fingers frostbitten and cracked, yet they still have to wash and mend clothes for others in exchange for meager rations? How many children are left without clothes, freezing and starving to death?"

Providing them with shelter from the wind and rain, a place where they can earn their living and even dignity through their own labor, is the greatest gift we can give! If anyone objects, let them come to the northern frontier and experience firsthand the hardships of survival! The Prince's Palace will establish strict rules to ensure the safety of the female workers and assign reliable women to oversee them. How can this be considered corrupting public morals?

Finally, what is the final karma?

Su Ziyu's tone turned somber, "If we can ensure that the families of soldiers can live in peace, that wounded and old soldiers can be cared for, that our army can be provided with warm clothing, and that the royal treasury can be replenished for wartime needs—if this is considered a secondary occupation, then what is our primary occupation? Are we to sit idly by and watch our soldiers shed blood on the front lines while their families freeze and starve to death in the rear?"

His words were as resounding as metal striking the ground, silencing the hall for a moment. Several subordinate officials either looked ashamed or felt a surge of admiration.

Qin Wujiu's face alternated between pale and flushed. He had not expected that Su Ziyu was not only shrewd but also so sharp-tongued, refuting his doubts and seizing the moral and practical high ground.

His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to argue further, but Qi Jinyu interrupted him.

"Enough." Qi Jinyu's voice was as firm as a broken jade, making a final decision. "Mr. Su's plan is meticulous and far-sighted. The benefits of this matter far outweigh the drawbacks, so it is settled here. Military Advisor Qin, since you have doubts, you will assist Yu in handling recruitment and security matters, ensuring that the workshop is built smoothly and without any disturbances."

This arrangement is quite subtle, as it utilizes Qin Wujiu's talent while placing him under Su Ziyu's command. The underlying meaning is worth pondering.

Qin Wujiu clenched his fist in his sleeve, but could only bow and obey: "...Yes, Your Highness."

-

A few days later, a cold wind swept through the desolate street, and people crowded around the government's notice board.

The yamen runners banged gongs and shouted: "By order of the Prince's Palace: Effective immediately, we will purchase large quantities of clean wool, priced according to grade! In addition, we are recruiting spinners and weavers, and will teach them their skills. Military dependents and retired soldiers will be given priority, and wages and food will be paid monthly!"

The news spread like wildfire, reaching the entire city in an instant, and then into the surrounding villages, towns, and military camps. In this harsh and barren northern frontier, it was like a boulder thrown into the ground, stirring up a thousand waves.

It was November, the beginning of winter, and the north wind was howling.

Many families lacked food and money, lived in dilapidated houses and wore meager clothes, and it seemed they would not survive the harsh winter. However, the news that the government was buying wool and recruiting workers gave the poor people a glimmer of hope for survival.

The fact that discarded items could be exchanged for money was like a windfall. However, the requirement to "live in the factory" when recruiting female workers caused an uproar, like cold water poured into boiling oil.

"What?! Letting women go out to work? And live outside? What kind of behavior is this!"

"That's right! My daughter will absolutely not go! If she shows her face in public, how will she find a husband in the future?"

"Food and lodging provided, plus payment? Where in the world can you find such a good deal? Who knows if it's real or fake? It might be a scam. What are the officials planning to do by gathering women together like this... hehe~~"

"I don't care if it's true or not... we're almost out of food..."

...

On the streets and alleys, there was much discussion, with suspicion far outweighing support.

Even though their families were about to run out of food, many people still tightened their belts and refused to let their daughters or daughters-in-law volunteer, for fear of being criticized and accused of "immorality".

Wangjiacun.

At the end of the village, there was a dilapidated thatched hut that was drafty, and sounds of slamming and cursing could be heard coming from inside.

"Your father and I would rather die than let you go! Don't even think about it!" The old woman's thin, dark fingers jabbed her daughter-in-law's forehead, spitting as she spoke. "Do you think I don't know what you're thinking? Trying to take this opportunity to remarry? Bah! No way! You were born a member of the Wang family, and you'll die a member of the Wang family!"

She became increasingly agitated as she cursed, her whole body trembling. Suddenly, she grabbed a chipped, broken bowl from the table and smashed it on the ground, shards flying everywhere.

"Even if you die, you'll guard this place for my son, Wang San! If you dare step out of this door today—" she screamed hoarsely, lunging towards the doorway and collapsing onto the threshold, her hands gripping the doorframe tightly, her eyes bloodshot, "You'll have to step over my corpse! You're not allowed to!"