Daqin: A buff of incredible comprehension

"They went to buy curtains and other household items. With the arrival of a new person, some changes need to be made at home." Mrs. Han replied softly.

"My sister-in-law is not adapting?" He lowered his voice, "Are you worried that her status will affect the family?"

Madam Han looked troubled, but she finally said, "That's all right. Xianglian knows the instability of human nature and won't cross the line. It's better to keep her by my side as a maid than to let her wander around."

He nodded in agreement and was then pulled aside to hear Madam Han whisper, "Uncle, someone mentioned in the letter that you said something wrong and offended His Majesty. Is this true? He hasn't been with you these past few days, and we're all worried about you."

His eyes wandered, and he said hesitantly, "It's not that serious actually. The emperor almost granted me the title of Marquis, but because of a moment of carelessness, the opportunity slipped away."

Madam Han was astonished. "Marquis? That's not an easy feat. It's an opportunity that many generals would only dream of on the battlefield!"

"It's a pity, but it's just a small matter. I am loyal to my king. If I really implicate you, I will bear the consequences myself." He said righteously.

Mrs. Han nodded, feeling slightly relieved. Xianglian had already prepared the meal. Everyone sat down, sharing the plum blossom fish, and their moods gradually relaxed.

Xianglian looked at everything in front of her, thinking silently that the man in front of her was the hope of the family. Even if the future was full of variables, she firmly believed that the day when all the hardships would be rewarded would eventually come.

 "What a pity." Mrs. Li was still brooding over the title.

What if the emperor holds a grudge and refuses to reward me again? This may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

"I don't want to be a marquis, I just want the country to have long-term peace and stability."

Zhao stood with his hands behind his back, reciting the poem aloud. "Alas, if not now, when will this timeless verse be produced?" It was Marshal Qi's peerless verse.

---

 "Uncle has great ambitions."

Han Lin, carrying his newly purchased items on his shoulders and a hand full of things, had just returned with his younger brother when he heard Zhao reciting poetry in the courtyard. He opened the door and said excitedly, "I will follow my uncle's example and rebuild the Han family."

"Haha."

"You are back."

Zhao heard faint footsteps outside the wall and nodded with satisfaction. "I don't mean to oppose Your Majesty, but the dynasty is now in jeopardy. Piece-and-dice solutions will not solve the problem. We must overturn the Legalist hegemony and implement thoroughgoing reforms."

"Sir, let me get it."

Xianglian hurried out of the kitchen and snatched the item from Han Lin's hand. "Uncle caught a big fish, and I've already started stewing it in the pot."

"You should rest for a while first."

Han Lin nodded awkwardly, feeling uncomfortable around strangers. "Uncle, please sit down first. I'll go get the dishes ready."

Mrs. Li got up and went to the kitchen. Soon, a large pot of fragrant fish stew was served, steaming hot. Everyone sat down and Xianglian served rice to everyone.

Zhao ate with great satisfaction, finishing two bowls with a little wine, and finally patting his stomach, he sighed in satisfaction. Xianglian then took the initiative to go to the kitchen to wash the dishes, while Han Lin took his brother to the room to hang the curtains.

"Madam, please stay."

When Zhao saw Mrs. Li was about to leave, he called out to her.

"Uncle, is there something wrong?" Mrs. Li was embarrassed to talk to him alone to avoid suspicion.

"Haha, I do have a small request." Zhao smiled and asked her to sit down again.

"Uncle, please tell me what you want. I will do my best to help you." Mrs. Li said softly.

"I want to ask, has Madam ever been a matchmaker?"

"I always feel uneasy because this matter has been delayed for too long." Zhao shook his head.

"What kind of matchmaking does my uncle want me to do?"

"I didn't think too much about it... Well, let's start from the beginning."

Zhao recalled, "Back then, when the craftsmen were transferred from the Ministry of Works to my department, I promised them that as long as they worked diligently, they would be paid and provided with food, and even have their marriages arranged."

"So far, the first two points have been achieved, but the last one has not made any progress."

Madam Li couldn't help laughing and said, "Marriage is a matter of parents' orders and matchmaker's words. Uncle, don't worry about it."

Zhao said seriously, "Without trust, there is no foundation. Without integrity, it is difficult for a person to gain a foothold, and it is difficult for a business to prosper in the long run. If I break my promise to them, who will be willing to work sincerely for me?"

In fact, I had made arrangements before: one hundred Hu women presented by wealthy merchants from the north were placed in the workshop, responsible for light work such as washing clothes and cooking.

However, unexpectedly...

Madam Li couldn't help but ask, "What happened next?"

"The Qin Mo craftsmen now hold official positions, and all of them are self-righteous and want to marry the daughters of officials or nobles. Where can I find so many suitable girls?"

Madam Li nodded in agreement. The craftsman's background was too low and his foundation was shallow.

Even small local officials have been officials for generations and have deep and stable relationships, so they will not easily marry their daughters to them.

Strangely enough, those Hu women looked down on ordinary workers and were only thinking about getting rich.

What other advantages do they have besides their graceful dancing and enchanting posture?

Madam Li soothed her, "People naturally love wealth. Besides, they're only good at flattering others, so I'm afraid they're not up to the task of managing a household."

Zhao smiled and tapped his fingers on the table. "The current predicament is a typical case of resource mismatch. The solution is not complicated."

"Madam, do you know Kitasaka Palace?" Zhao asked.

Madam Li's expression changed slightly, and she nodded, saying, "Of course I know."

"Your Majesty ordered the repatriation of the concubines of the six kingdoms. Many of them remain in the palace temporarily because no one claims them. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has already stopped their salaries and supplies. I felt sorry for them and asked them to do some work as maids. At least they can have something to eat." At this point, his expression became slightly amused. "I've noticed that when my subordinates report on their work, some of them always glance at them. If they have good conditions, they can even be favored."

"Most of these women have experienced a life of luxury, but they are well maintained and still have some charm. Moreover, many of them have given birth and are in good health, so they are definitely worth the money," he said jokingly.

"Madam is beautiful and charming, and she is also a virtuous housekeeper." Madam Li heard this.

 Section

Li Tao breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Is sister-in-law willing to agree to this?"

Madam Lin hesitated, feeling deeply conflicted. Although she too came from an ancient family, she had never interacted with those people. If she took over rashly, what would she do if it failed?

"My aunt was once a member of the Kitasaka Palace," she said, "but she is still young and has always been introverted and taciturn. I'm afraid this thing won't be accomplished."

"If sister-in-law has any difficulties, I can find another way." Li Tao comforted her gently.

"Then... I'll give it a try." Madam Lin finally mustered up the courage to say, "Whether it succeeds or not depends on God's will. If it doesn't work, I hope you won't blame me."

"Of course not." Li Tao replied, "Sister-in-law, go to Kitasaka Palace to meet them tomorrow. You will definitely not be shortchanged in the thank-you gift money for the matchmaker."

After saying that, Li Tao looked up at the dark night sky. "It's late, I should say goodbye." Li Tao said.

"I'll see you off." Mrs. Lin quickly stood up to see him off. She didn't return to her room until he got into the carriage and left. Gazing at the distant figure in the darkness, her thoughts drifted.

Fate was strange. When I was most desperate, I met Li Tao. Unfortunately, he was not a hero, but the powerful Imperial Household Department.

"Mother, has uncle returned?" asked her son Ashin softly.

"Yes, I'm going back." Madam Lin nodded. "My uncle asked me to go to Beiban Palace to act as a matchmaker and introduce the helpless concubine to Mr. Qin Mo's disciple. I have already accepted it."

"That's a good idea." Ah Xin said with a smile, "These students will definitely become great people in the future. It will also benefit the Han family if we can establish a good relationship with them today."

"I think so too." Mrs. Lin hid her worries deep in her heart and turned back to the house. The night was already deep and everything was quiet.

The next morning, a new machine, over three meters long, was erected near the river in the ironworks. Tian Zhou**, with his fellow apprentices and brothers busy at work, finally managed to lift a large log, as thick as a man's arms.

"Remove the bolt." Tian Zhou called out, "Start the waterwheel!"

Once the wooden plug is removed, the huge waterwheel begins to turn, and then, driven by the conveyor belt, the thick steel saw begins to move up and down, over and over again, which is amazing.

"It's done!" the disciples shouted excitedly.

"As expected, Senior Brother Tian lived up to Master's teachings." Everyone praised.

"I knew you could do it." Tian Zhou responded with a smile as his fellow apprentices praised him.

The lights in the Xianyang Palace's study were still bright. The First Emperor paced back and forth, pondering. "Fame, fortune, and wealth are not my concerns. I only wish for eternal peace for the country." Zhao Chong stood by, his hands hanging low.

The First Emperor stopped and asked, "Zhao Chong, how is the work of the Ministry of Internal Affairs progressing recently?"

Zhao Chong gathered his thoughts and quickly reported, "The gears manufactured last winter have been shipped in large quantities to various locations. In particular, over fifty new mills are already in use in the lower reaches of the Wei River. Based on the results of the on-site survey conducted during the Black Ice Platform project, it's clear that having only one waterwheel per county is insufficient, and the people are still unable to enjoy the benefits. Each county must be equipped with at least three waterwheels to meet demand."

"The plowshares manufactured this spring were shipped in batches to various locations and have been widely praised. They're said to be more practical, sturdy, and much less labor-intensive than previous ones. Even the more expensive ones, like the 'Prince's Plow,' are being bought." Zhao Chong explained, "Most buyers are officials who use them for show, not for actual farming."

"Furthermore, the artillery has been successfully tested by the Northern Army, unstoppable wherever it goes." General Meng Tian tested it with cattle and sheep, and even from half a mile away, it still created a bloody trail dozens of meters wide. As a result, the Northern Frontier became more peaceful.

Regarding the papermaking problem, Zhao Chong added: "The Imperial Household Department's increasing paper consumption has led to supply difficulties." "Chen Ling's speculation about the ** phenomenon is not groundless."

"Today, Chen Ling went out to see a craftsman repairing an ox hoof and gave him ten copper coins as a reward. To verify the authenticity of the item, the craftsman took it to the market, where the inn owner offered him a hundred coins in exchange."