Golden Branch

"cotton?"

Wang Heng was stunned for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, I remember the cotton we grow on our farm was originally purchased by you from the Hu merchants from the Western Regions!"

As early as ten years ago, when they were still in Yizhou, Wang Mian was dedicated to collecting and purchasing various rare seeds.

If there are Hu merchants selling them, buy them from them.

If there are no Hu merchants, we will organize a fleet, sail across the ocean to those foreign countries, and try every possible means to find them.

cotton.

sunflower.

chili.

tomato.

Wang Heng counted silently in her heart, and she suddenly realized that Amian had brought in quite a few new and exotic crops.

These have already penetrated deeply into her world and improved her quality of life to the greatest extent.

For example, cotton can be used to make cloth.

However, due to technical limitations, the cloth woven in the workshop is slightly rough. Although it absorbs water, it is far less soft and skin-friendly than silk.

Wang Heng mostly used it to make cotton towels for twisting hair.

In addition to being used for weaving cloth, cotton has more, better and almost irreplaceable uses.

First, cotton can be used instead of silk to make warmer quilts.

Second, you can make a menstrual belt out of cotton.

When Wang Heng had her first period, she used a menstrual belt made of cotton, which was soft, light, convenient, and had strong adsorption capacity.

Wang Heng has been using it over the years and also gave it to her mother, sisters and other close relatives.

Even someone as noble as Concubine Jiang said it was useful after using it.

Therefore, Wang Heng has always set aside a special farm for growing cotton.

This is the case in Yizhou, and it is also the case in the capital.

"Yes! It's cotton!"

Wang Mian nodded excitedly, "The origin of cotton is Gaochang."

"The climate there is dry, there's plenty of sunlight, and the soil and temperature conditions are all suitable for large-scale cotton cultivation!"

The Western Regions is a great place.

The land is vast, the resources are abundant, and there are also excellent innate climatic conditions.

Just as netizens in later generations joked, our ancestors conquered the Western Regions not just for a few raisins, but because they had more needs.

For Yu Wangmian, Gaochang is her best cotton plantation.

As Wang Mian's beloved husband, Xiao Wuji knew Wang Mian's thoughts very well. He actively sought the opportunity to go on this expedition and even volunteered to attack Gaochang.

Now, Xiao Wuzhi led his army to successfully capture Gaochang. While controlling the local situation and rectifying the army, he did not forget to seize large amounts of land and recruit old farmers who were good at growing cotton.

The cotton plantation that Wang Mian had been dreaming of took shape in Xiao Wuji's hands. Xiao Wuji immediately wrote a letter to Wang Mian to "take credit".

Thousands of hectares of land and hundreds of farmers are suitable for planting cotton in March.

Half a year later, Wang Mian will be able to harvest a huge amount of cotton.

With a bumper cotton harvest, quilts and cotton clothes can be produced in large quantities, and costs can be reduced as much as possible.

By then, in addition to civilian use, it can also be supplied to the military.

The sage wanted to conquer Goguryeo, but that place was the coldest in winter.

If we can add cotton clothes that are warm enough and light enough, it will definitely contribute to the success of the expedition!

Perhaps, Wang Mian can make military achievements with this military supply.

Oh, yes, and cotton.

Over the years, Wang Mian, together with the craftsmen she recruited, has reproduced the artifact of cotton spinning - the three-spindle spinning wheel.

The three-spindle spinning wheel is an invention worthy of being recorded in history, and Huang Dao Po, who invented it, has also been immortalized in history because of it.

When they arrived at the fictional dynasty, there was destined to be no Huang Dao Po in this time and space, so Wang Mian "invented" her hundreds of years in advance.

There are also looms, and Wang Mian has been guiding and urging craftsmen to make improvements.

Today, the cotton cloth woven in Wang Mian's workshop is no longer as rough as it was at the beginning and has become softer. Cotton's unique skin-friendly and sweat-absorbent properties make it more advantageous than linen.

The cotton cloth made after repeated improvements by Wangmian is far superior to linen.

However, the promotion of new things always takes time and quantity.

Wang Mian had been in Beijing for less than three years, and the limited output of the farm under her name had, to a certain extent, restricted her cotton textile business.

Now, Wang Mian has accumulated three years of experience and has acquired such a large natural cotton plantation. Wang Mian believes that it won’t be long before she can create a wave in the textile industry!

With passion surging in his heart, Wang Mian was particularly confident and enthusiastic when he spoke.

Her whole body seemed to be glowing.

When Wang Heng saw the eldest daughter in the family like this, she couldn't help but feel relieved and happy: That's right, this is what Amian should look like, bright and energetic.

"Ajiu, there are still large tracts of land in Gaochang. Do you want to build a plantation there?"

As close friends, if I become rich, I will never drag the other down.

Wang Mian excitedly told her plan, but she did not forget Wang Heng.

Wang Heng shook her head. "No need! I already have enough businesses. From now on, my focus will be on running the academy!"

Wang Heng's private treasury was so rich that it had made her numb.

In addition to her private property, she also had the princess's fief, the imperial farm awarded by the saint, and many properties given by Concubine Jiang.

Without the assets of the Duke of Qi's Mansion, Wang Heng's wealth would take several lifetimes to squander.

If you add Lou Yu’s private vault...it’s not enough to describe how rich he is to rival a country.

Although Wang Heng had too much money and too many properties, he had no ambition to dominate the world, so there was no need for unlimited expansion.

In addition, Wang Heng has always wanted Wangmian to be "independent", so she will not get involved in the cotton industry this time.

Wang Heng had a premonition that perhaps Amian’s “fame” would be determined by the word “cotton”!

……

In Zhaixing Tower, I chatted with my bestie and had some snacks. The happy time of half an hour ended with Lou Yu’s increasingly cold face.

Wang Mian: ...hiss! The little pervert is really showing signs of becoming a big pervert.

There was no need to show off one's power or make sarcastic remarks, just sitting there quietly, and there was a kind of pressure and fear that was hard to ignore.

Can't afford it!

A pervert who has eaten meat and loves the taste of it is not to be provoked at all.

Silently touching his belly which had not yet bulged, Wang Mian very tactfully ended the topic.

"Ajiu, it's getting late, let's go back!"

"……it is good!"

Wang Heng didn't miss the way Wang Mian gently stroked her belly. She mistakenly thought that Wang Mian shouldn't sit for long periods of time because of her pregnancy, so she nodded quickly, "You really should rest early!"

The two best friends walked downstairs together, came to the door, and got into their own carriages, ready to go home.

Wang Heng and Wang Mian both had properties in Mount Li.

In addition to Tangquan Villa, there are also farms and villas.

The two also selected the best-located land for the "school district house" of Lishan Academy and built an elegant and exquisite courtyard.

The two courtyards were not far apart. The two four-wheeled carriages drove side by side for a while and then stopped in front of a large courtyard.

"A Mian, slow down and take a rest!"

Wang Heng leaned out of the car window and waved to Wang Mian who got out of the car.

"Yeah! Ajiu, you should also rest more--" Don't always be bullied by some little pervert.

Lou Yu: ...Do you really think that if you don’t speak, I won’t know that you are cursing me in your heart?

However, thinking that Ah Heng cared about Wang Mian the most, as well as their years of affection and the relationship with Xiao Wuji, Lou Yu clenched his thumbs and endured it silently.

"Brother, don't always be so cold to Amian!"

After watching Wang Mian enter the gate, Wang Heng's carriage slowly started. She turned her head and said with a hint of resentment, "We grew up together. Amian has helped us so much. Now that Amian is pregnant, she should be more considerate!"

Lou Yu smiled slightly. Ah Heng had said similar words many times.

Unfortunately, he is cold-hearted by nature and finds it difficult to care about someone.

He will naturally be indifferent and distant to those who are not valued by him.

Wang Mian’s treatment was already considered good, after all, he was half one of their own.

If it were someone else who dared to look at him as a pervert, Lou Yu would have gouged out his eyes long ago!

Wait, look at the pervert? Pervert?!

A dark current flashed across Lou Yu's amber eyes, and his voice was a little hoarse: "Aheng, let's not talk about others. You've been busy all day today, you must be exhausted. I remember there's a huge hot spring in the courtyard over here. How about I help you bathe?"

Wang Heng was still trying to persuade her husband to get along well with his best friend, but when she heard the hoarse voice and looked up, she was met with a fiery gaze.

She only felt her throat dry and her heartbeat inexplicably accelerated: "...It's better not to! We have Baizhi and the others!"

"Are they better than my brother?"

"No! My brother is the best! But, these tasks should still be done by me!"

"Then I will be your slave, okay?"

"..." How could she continue with what was said?

While Wang Heng was stunned, the carriage had already arrived at the villa.

Lou Yu jumped off the carriage and picked up Wang Heng.

Wang Heng: ...Brother, wait a minute!

Unfortunately, before his mouth could open, it was blocked by a pair of warm and soft lips.

……

The next day.

The sunlight shines on the transparent glass windows, but is blocked by layers of curtains.

Wang Heng slowly opened her eyes, supported her aching waist, and allowed the servant to wash and change her clothes.

"Where's my brother?" The culprit who almost made her unable to get up!

"...My dear husband is practicing martial arts in the front yard!"

Wang Heng: ...Still practicing? You're already so powerful, yet you're still—

After she calmed down, Wang Heng realized that she had been furious without any reason.

It's a good thing that brother practices martial arts. If she is suppressed, she can only blame herself for not being strong enough.

Looking down at her slender wrists, Wang Heng sighed silently: It's weak, so be it. It's impossible to train them.

However, having suffered a loss last night, Wang Heng will still find a way to get it back!

After everything was cleaned up, Lou Yu also came back from the front yard.

Wang Heng collected her thoughts and, as usual, smiled sweetly, inviting him to have breakfast together in a soft voice.

Lou Yu's eyes flickered.

He knew Ah Heng too well. Although the little girl looked innocent, harmless, soft and well-behaved, she might be thinking of some evil ideas of "revenge" in her little head.

Want to take revenge on him?

Lou Yu was inexplicably excited.

The couple finished their breakfast quietly and then got up to go out.

When they arrived at Mount Li Academy, for both official and private reasons, they would first visit Mr. Shen.

"Brother, I want to ride a horse!"

The villa is about two or three miles away from the academy, and it only takes a quarter of an hour to walk there.

But Wang Heng was spoiled and liked to act up. She insisted on riding a horse, so Lou Yu had no choice but to agree.

He ordered someone to bring the Dayuan horse that Wang Heng kept in the other courtyard, and Lou Yu personally helped her mount the horse.

Wang Heng rolled over and sat steadily on the horse's back. However, she didn't move in a hurry. Instead, she leaned down slightly and hooked her finger at Lou Yu...