Neon Clothes and Iron Clothes

Chapter 824 Banquet
"Sir, this soda ash is a good thing!" The boatman laughed and said, "Take this wool for example. It is thick and hard and can only be spun into coarse felt. Except for those Tartars with rough skin and thick flesh, who would wear that wool?" What the hell? But after soaking in soda ash, the wool becomes soft and can be spun into fine fabrics!"

"Is there such a thing?" Sutuo was surprised. When he followed Wang Wenzuo on the eastern expedition, there were many Khitan Mohe cavalry on both sides of the enemy and us. In addition to animal skins, the most they wore was felt, especially the marching tents, which were quite large. Parts are made of felt. The advantage is that it is very effective in blocking wind and rain, but the disadvantage is, as the boatman said, it is thick and hard, and it also has a bad smell, which cannot be washed clean. Even the Tatars themselves don't like it.

Therefore, one of the most popular rewards among the Tatar cavalry was various textiles from the Tang Dynasty. Needless to say silk, Gebu, linen, and even white cotton, which was not produced much recently, were all very popular. If, as the boatman said, wool can be turned into high-quality fabric, it would be a good deal. After all, everyone knows that the shepherds on the grassland have nothing else. There are many kinds of wool and cashmere, and they can be turned into High-quality fabrics, doesn’t that turn stone into gold?

"You will know this as soon as you get off the boat and ask. How dare I lie?" The boatman laughed and said, "Actually, it is not uncommon for wool to become soft after being washed with alkaline water. Everyone knows it. But this alkaline is not cheap even on the beach. , not many people were willing to use it to wash wool in the past, but I don’t know why it has suddenly become cheap recently, so I started this business!”

Sutuo nodded and said nothing. Although he did not know the exact reason why soda ash suddenly became cheap as mentioned by the boatman, he vaguely felt that it was related to the many windmills his father built on the Cangzhou coast.

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Cangzhou Canal Terminal.

Yuanbao never likes to wait for others.

He has been like this since he was a child. It seems that he has lost his patience since he was born. He always keeps to himself. It was the stick of the teacher on the island that taught him to get along with other brothers again, but deep down, he He is still like that, feeling that he is better than others and hating waiting for others, which makes him feel inferior.

But today, Yuan Bao came to the dock early, dressed neatly, ready to welcome his brothers. On the surface, he looked calm and happy, even a little expectant, but deep down in his heart, there was always a beast roaring and rolling.

When Sutuo heard this, he couldn't help but think of what Cui Yunying said to him at the beginning, and his heart moved: "Don't worry, our brothers will naturally not let these people fulfill their wishes!"

"Really?" Sutuo asked doubtfully, "Why don't I feel that they despise me?"

"Not too much, not too much!" Yuanbao said with a smile: "Today is different from the past. I am now the governor of a state and the salt supervisor, and can be regarded as a high official. You are now the person who replaces my father when he goes out to patrol the sea. Because our status is valuable, we should have rules and regulations, otherwise people below us will think we are young and look down on us, which would be bad!"

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"Provincial Governor, Master Xutuo's ship has arrived!"

"The higher the position, the greater the responsibility! Have you forgotten the teachings of the teachers on the island?" Sutuo whispered: "My father asked you to be the governor of Cangzhou, and he also asked you to do things in this position!"

"Sutuo, do you feel it?" Yuanbao's face turned red and he lowered his voice: "Everyone here knows that I control their destiny and I can deal with them at will! They are all afraid of me!"

"I'm not drunk, I'm very sober!" Yuan Bao patted his thigh and said with a smile: "You will understand soon. You, like me, are destined to be above ten thousand people."

"That's right!" Yuan Bao said with a smile: "Let's go to my governor's house first. I have prepared Jiefeng wine for you. Let us two brothers have a good drink!"

The guard's voice woke Yuan Bao out of his thoughts. He nodded and forced himself to smile: "Give the order, play the music!"

"Forget it, you don't understand what I'm telling you now!" Yuanbao waved his hand: "You'll understand after a while!" At this point, he stretched out his hand and waved to a middle-aged man sitting on the right side of the seat. , the man quickly stood up and walked over quickly, bowed to Yuan Bao and said, "Mr. Governor, what are your orders?"

"You haven't seen the captain or sailor now, how do you know whether they despise you or not?" Yuanbao sneered: "Sutuo, there are many people who are jealous of our position. They wish that our brothers would fall down in a somersault, forever. If you can’t get up so that their people can take over, don’t let these people get their wish!”

"Yuanbao, have you gone too far?" Seeing the temporary wind reception pavilion at the pier and the honor guards and bands on both sides of the road, Sutuo lowered his voice: "I was just passing by!"

It was not the first time for Soda to participate in this kind of banquet, but it was the first time for him to be the guest of honor. Sitting on the right side of the table was a wonderful experience. The enchanting singer, sumptuous food and wine, and wonderful music were all very good. , but what left the deepest impression on him was the curious glances cast from all directions. This special feeling was something he had never felt before.

On the other hand, although the Cangzhou area chosen by Wang Wenzuo is farther by sea, it is more densely populated and rich in products than the neighboring Hebei Plain. It can also be connected to the main economic areas of the Tang Dynasty through canals, and it will soon become the input of the vast Haidong region. A trading center that exports various raw materials and handicrafts of the Tang Dynasty. And Yuan Bao, who had been appointed by Wang Wenzuo to the imperial court as the governor of Cangzhou and the salt supervisor, was undoubtedly the only candidate to control this economic center.

Ever since he was ordered by his father to leave the study that day, Yuan Bao had been repeating this question in his mind. After he came to Cangzhou, he gradually discovered that it contained huge wealth and power. Before that, Wang Wenzuo had invested a lot of resources in roads, canals, and salt industries, turning this place into the most convenient passage from the Haidong region to the Tang Dynasty. Yes, historically Dengzhou, located at the end of the Shandong Peninsula, was the main port leading to the Korean Peninsula, the Japanese Islands, and the Liaodong region because it was the closest. However, in ancient times, the Denglai area had many mountains and few plains, and the road to the interior was rugged. , the logistics cost is high. If it is used as a port for diplomatic missions and military operations, it will be fine, but as a port for commercial activities, it will be a little cramped.

"Yuanbao, you've drunk too much!" Sutuo said in a low voice.

"Why him and not me?"

The huge power falling from the sky did not relieve Yuan Bao's inner anxiety. On the contrary, it only added fuel to the fire. The reason is very simple. Wang Wenzuo obviously paid more attention to Sotuo who chose another job at that time, which shows that he made the wrong choice at the beginning. Although he has gained a lot now, Sutuo will get more in the future. The beast of jealousy is biting Yuanbao's heart, making him miserable.

"This is the brother of my compatriot!" Yuan Bao pointed at Sutuo: "It's our first time meeting today, didn't you prepare a meeting gift?"

"Of course I'm ready!" the man said with a smile, "They're all here! I just don't know which one the young master likes!"

"That's right! Xiaoshi!" Yuanbao said with a smile: "Then bring them all and let my brother choose!" The man responded and hurriedly retreated. Suta asked in confusion: "What does this man do? Why did he give me a gift?"

"Brother, don't worry about it. Just choose carefully later!" Yuan Bao said with a smile: "Don't worry, no one is forcing him. If you don't accept him, you will feel uncomfortable!"

Sutuo was confused when he saw that the man had come up again, followed by five gracefully dressed women, who bowed to Sutuo and Yuanbao brothers.

"You two gentlemen, these are the best of the lot, please choose!"

"Select?" Sutuo was stunned: "Are you talking about these women as gifts?"

"Yes!" Yuanbao said with a smile: "Sutuo, you have also heard of the Silla maid, right? This is the one who does this business. Any one here sent to Chang'an is worth at least five or six hundred coins! You are good pick!"

"Yuanbao, you know that I am going to sea, why are you here?" Sutuo complained in a low voice.

"You're not going to sea tomorrow!" Yuan Bao said with a smile: "Besides, even if you are going to sea, you won't have the same food and accommodation as those sailors, right? Wouldn't it be nice to have a maid by your side?"

"Forget it, I won't argue with you about this!" Sutuo turned to the man and said, "Thank you for your kindness, but I won't be able to use it for the time being, so let your people retreat!"

The man glanced at Yuan Bao, and after confirming, he bowed to the two of them and left with the women. Yuan Bao seemed to have lost interest. After taking a few sips of wine, he excused himself to change his clothes and left. Only Sotuo was left, and the atmosphere of the banquet became cold. Sota was sitting in the guest of honour's seat, alone, neither leaving nor staying, as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

"Son!"

Sutuo raised his head, but it was Chongjing: "Taoist Master!"

"It's getting late!" Chongjing whispered: "If there is nothing else, let's leave!"

"But Yuanbao is not here. I have to say goodbye to him if I want to leave, right?" Sutuo said, "How about I wait a little longer and wait for him to come back and say goodbye before I leave!"

"Sir, as the host of the banquet, the governor has been away for half an hour. Do you want to keep waiting like this?" Chongjing whispered: "It is already past Haishi, and the normal banquet has ended long ago. You This time I came to Cangzhou to shoulder the great responsibility of the general, but when I arrived at the place, I did not prepare for official business, but instead had a banquet until late at night. What do you think the general would think if the news reached the ears of General Fan Yang? "

"That's true!" Sutuo nodded: "Let's do this, I'll tell the person on duty and leave immediately!" After that, he reached out to call the person on duty, said it was late, and left first. Asked him to tell Yuan Bao for him, then got up and left.

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bedroom.

Yuan Bao was lying on his back, his whole body sunk in a soft bearskin mattress. A black-haired girl was massaging his shoulders. At this time, a servant came in from outside and bowed deeply to Yuan Bao: "Your brother is leaving. Well, he asked the villain to say goodbye to you for him!"

"Well!" Yuan Bao stretched out his right hand, and the girl stopped massaging and poured him a glass of wine: "My brother is not stupid enough. I thought he would at least wait until midnight!"

"Master Sutuo has indeed been waiting for you. He didn't get up to say goodbye until an old Taoist priest had a conversation with him!"

"Old Taoist?" Yuan Bao sat up: "What old Taoist?"

"It seems that he was an attaché of Mr. Sutuo, and he was arranged in the side hall at that time!"

Yuan Bao didn't speak. He got out of bed and paced back and forth. After a while, he suddenly stopped: "Choose a few capable people to find out the details of this old Taoist priest and report them to me!"

Early the next morning, Sutuo followed his usual habit and got up to do breathing exercises with Chongjing. Then he had breakfast and went to the shipyard as planned. As the future center of Datang's offshore shipbuilding industry, Wang Wenzuo put a lot of thought into selecting the site. He knew that in the age of sailing ships, apart from storm reefs, the greatest harm to sea ships was shipworms (shell clams, wood snakes, shipworms). This bivalve animal looks like a worm, but in fact, They are a type of clam, a close relative of the various shellfish we regularly eat.

Shipworms can secrete enzymes that corrode wooden boards and use them as food. Once they penetrate the ship's planks, they are difficult to see from the outside world. Once they encounter large winds and waves, ships severely damaged by shipworms will disintegrate and sink. In order to deal with this kind of shipworm, humans have come up with many ways in history, such as wrapping the hull below the waterline with metal, applying toxic paint to seagoing ships, regularly sending ships to dry docks for cleaning and maintenance, etc. However, there is one of the simplest ways, which is to regularly sail ships into fresh water. Because the shipworm is a sea creature and cannot survive in fresh water for a long time, its infestation can be prevented naturally. Therefore, Wang Wenzuo placed the shipbuilding and ship repairing yards in a bay near the sea. In this way, as long as the sea-going ships that need maintenance are regularly anchored there, most of the ships can be protected.

"Where are the ships of the expedition fleet?" Sutuo asked.

"It's over there, yes, it's right next to the rock trestle. There are four of them, all black!" Liu Pingji proudly puffed up his chest: "The largest one has 1,200 stones, and the smaller one has 800 stones. You Being able to take the helm yourself, I bet you will fall in love with these four boats right away! ”

Sutuo stood on the shore. The other party was right. The longboat anchored on the water was brand new and smelled of asphalt and resin. The size of these four ships is not comparable to those cargo ships carrying food and whale meat, but even lying in the wooden dock on the shore can already make people fully feel their dexterity and agility: a black streamlined ship more than thirty meters long The hull, an independent large mast, the bowmast pointing diagonally toward the sky, a clean and tidy oak deck, and a sea dragon statue on the bow.

(End of this chapter)