Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 619: Light Speed ​​Slide

"so high!"

In the textile workshop of He Dafu, a wealthy man in Bianzhou, Fang Chongyong saw the textile machine mentioned by Da Zhenhui.

He was like a young man who had never seen the world, making all kinds of exclamations.

A child as light as a swallow was sitting on the top, lifting the heddles one by one according to the jacquard pattern, while his mother sat below, stepping on the heddles and throwing the shuttle to beat the weft.

The two of them work together in perfect harmony.

Convey information through singing.

As for the men in this family, they must be working in the fields. In fact, the reason why the textile industry has achieved the fastest development is that it is in line with the traditional "men farm and women weave", making use of idle labor.

In a word, technology is developed based on social needs, and there is no technological innovation out of thin air.

Even if the rulers do nothing, the people at the bottom will find a way out on their own. Unless they are in such a desperate situation that they can no longer survive, they can definitely survive.

Fang Chongyong sighed for a while, but did not criticize He Dafu for recruiting child labor. If he had opened his mouth, it would have been the same joke as "Why don't you eat meat?"

This loom is also called a weaving machine, which is the machine required to perform the "weaving" process. Its scientific name is also called a jacquard loom. It can be used to weave silk with various patterns, and even blend threads of different textures.

The cloth woven from this thing is beautiful, but Fang Zhongyong knows from looking at the finished product that it cannot be cheap and is purely for the nobility.

Ordinary people can only look at it, as they may not have the opportunity to wear clothes made of such silk even once in their lifetime.

In fact, Fang Zhongyong himself rarely wears this kind of expensive fabric.

Thinking of this, an expression of disappointment suddenly appeared on his face.

"Marshal, are you dissatisfied with this flower-pulling machine?" He Dafu rubbed his hands and asked with a bit of flattery.

The government has already "invested" in his workshop, and now he is considered an "official" without any official title.

Whether the flower-winding machine is easy to use or not is related to his status in the eyes of the people in power. He Dafu dares to guarantee that this flower-winding machine is the most advanced in Datang, but at least it is the best in Henan Province.

"Alas, although the things are good, it's a pity that ordinary people can't use them."

Fang Zhongyong sighed. Of course he knew the stuff was good, but the silk he produced was all treasures in the treasuries of the rich and powerful. What was the point?

He Dafu has been dealing with money all his life, so how could he not know what Fang Chongyong was thinking.

He also sighed helplessly, and then echoed:

"General, even if our workshop doesn't make any money and we sell it at cost, the price of this cloth can't be low. Silk is produced by silkworms, which grow up eating mulberry leaves, and mulberry trees are planted in the soil.

There is only so much in a year. Silk is not cheap, so fabric cannot be cheap either. With such a small output, how can ordinary people afford to wear it?

Even if the efficiency of the flower-pulling machine is doubled, it can’t be much cheaper, right? "

He didn't know what Fang Chongyong's ultimate intention was in saying this, so he could only complain to him.

The silk industry is like this, and the products are limited by the raw materials. It is not that unscrupulous merchants are maliciously raising the price, but the productivity is at this level. The planting of mulberry trees restricts the development of the entire silk industry.

It cannot be reversed by human power.

Today's visit to He Dafu's workshop was not in vain. It made Fang Chongyong more convinced that he should increase the promotion of cotton.

The development of productivity must benefit more and wider groups of people before society can progress.

Promoting cotton planting is the first step. Although this will encounter resistance, it is worth promoting.

"Alang is a little unhappy?"

Da Zhenhui pulled Fang Zhongyong aside and asked in a low voice. She originally thought that her man would be very happy to see the busy scene in the textile workshop.

At the very least, you should be very reserved, which is what the other party often says is "cautiously optimistic."

I didn't expect Fang Chongyong to be a little depressed.

"I have never known the fragrance of silk and satin, and I feel even more sad when I try to find a good matchmaker.

Who loves the elegant and refined style? We all pity the frugal dressing style of the times.

I dare to use my ten fingers to praise the skill of the needle, and don't draw my eyebrows into elongation.

I hate the gold thread every year and make wedding clothes for others.

A weaver who cannot afford clothes is like a farmer who works in the fields all year round and cannot afford food.

What is there to be happy about in this situation? "

Fang Zhongyong sighed, turned around and left He Dafu's mansion.

Things like extortion, corruption, and price gouging can all be solved in part with a knife.

Even if the rich are living a life of luxury, we can also tear them down and make everyone return to poverty, thus achieving an alternative "world peace".

The only thing that cannot be easily solved is the ceiling of productivity. The only way to solve the bottleneck of development is to use development. This is what makes Fang Chongyong most helpless.

……

It is said that there are only a few things that make us happy, but there are many things that make us sad.

On the night of his trip to He Dafu's textile workshop, Fang Chongyong met Zheng Shuqing, who had a worried look on his face, in the study room of the government office.

And he brought a very "heavy" gift list.

"Do some people have to be beaten before they know that being hit with a stick really hurts?"

Fang Chongyong casually put the gift list aside, looked at Zheng Shuqing, and asked helplessly.

He really didn't think of killing Zheng Clan of Xingyang right now, but wanted to set them up as a target. However, Fang Zhongyong didn't expect the other party to jump out so quickly and slide to his knees so quickly.

The two have known each other for many years and there is nothing to hide, which is why Zheng of Xingyang asked Zheng Shuqing to intercede for them.

Fang Chongyong's move to establish a crown prince instantly destroyed all the results of Zheng's hard work in Xingyang.

No matter who is the crown prince, they are all adults, and their biological mothers are Houmochen.

Fang Chongyong did not deceive Houmochen, but the method he used was not what Li Lin expected.

If Houmo Chen's son became the crown prince, she would automatically be promoted to queen. Although Li Lin could theoretically make Zheng the queen and let the crown prince recognize Zheng as his mother.

But Zheng was only in her teens! Except for Li Zhen, the other two princes were older than her.

When his biological mother, Houmochen, was still alive, letting the prince be adopted by the Zheng family was a huge pressure, which was definitely not something a puppet emperor could do.

Even if Fang Zhongyong did not cause trouble and oppose, there would be many neutral bystanders who would not be able to stand it.

It's such a shameless way of eating. He called a woman younger than himself "mother", and her a mother in the patriarchal sense. How can he call her that?

Therefore, Fang Zhongyong's move of cutting off the firewood from under the cauldron actually destroyed the foundation of Zheng's power scheme in Xingyang. If Zheng could not become the queen, then the child in her belly would not be able to succeed the throne in the future, or it would be extremely difficult.

Without even this foundation, how can they counter Fang Zhongyong's influence?

As expected, after facing the reality, Zheng family of Xingyang chose to slide down at the speed of light.

"Originally they wanted to send a girl to warm the Marshal's bed, but I said that was not necessary. Do you mind?"

Zheng Shuqing chuckled.

"That's not necessary. If I really want to monopolize Zheng's daughter, I can just stay at their house. I don't even have to support her."

Fang Zhongyong waved his hand gently, indicating that he didn't mind it at all. I believe Zheng Shuqing will also bring this sentence to some people.

"This is Zheng's confession. After you read it, I will send it directly to Chenliu.

This trip is also full of troubles. "

Zheng Shuqing took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Fang Chongyong.

The latter opened the book and read it ten lines at a glance, his eyes almost popping out of his head.

The content of this confession letter is extremely explosive.

Zheng's daughter, now the favored Consort Zheng by Li Lin's side, said in the letter: She was young and ignorant, and had an affair with someone but concealed the matter. She was loved by the emperor, but she served him with an unclean body, which was a great disrespect. Zheng felt extremely anxious and remorseful.

I was so embarrassed that I couldn't sleep at night and had no face to see the emperor again.

Therefore, she decided to become a nun and live in Daxiangguo Temple, accompanying the Buddha by the green lamp.

Was this written by the Zheng family daughter? Of course not. The Zheng family of Xingyang hired someone to write it for them. It may not even have anything to do with the Zheng family daughter's family, but rather the family's will.

After delivering this letter to Chenliu, Zheng Shuqing would take Zheng's daughter to Daxiangguo Temple, watch her shave her head and become a nun with his own eyes, and arrange everything.

This was also a compromise reached with Zheng Shuqing as the middleman, using his political character as a guarantee.

By the way, Houmo Chen can witness all this, and then leave Daxiangguo Temple and return to Chenliu. As for how she and Li Lin will get along at that time, that is not something Zheng Shuqing needs to consider.

What would Li Lin think after losing his concubine... It doesn't matter. No one cares about the loser's thoughts.

He lost in this round of fighting, which proved his incompetence and also confirmed Fang Zhongyong's unparalleled control.

Then, the losers will not be able to keep the fruits of victory, naturally including women.

Zheng of Xingyang was trying to surrender to Fang Chongyong by saying: Master, I don’t want to play anymore and I beg you to let me go!

Should I let it go?

Of course they had to be let go. After all, they still had to use the Zheng family of Xingyang to deal with other big families in Henan.

But spanking is still necessary.

"Poor young lady Zheng, she entered the game as a virgin, but she has already had an affair with someone else."

Fang Zhongyong sighed with admiration, it was truly astonishing how shameless and soft-kneed these aristocratic families were.

A woman who has never even touched a man's hand can be slandered as a slut whenever necessary, not to mention a woman from the same tribe.

This method is really cruel and leaves no way out for oneself.

“There’s nothing we can do, this is the rule of the aristocratic family, and one’s personal future is insignificant.

Normally, you can just let things go and ignore them, but once the critical moment comes, all of these can be abandoned.

The Zheng family's descendants enjoyed a life of luxury, as well as the benefits of reputation, the convenience of promotion, and support in official circles.

When it’s time for them to act, they have to act.”

Zheng Shuqing sighed. After all, he was also one of them. He spent money lavishly in Chang'an in the past, all thanks to his family. This time, with such a big incident, he had to step up and clean up the situation.

Rights and obligations have always gone hand in hand.

"The official residence is still in need of some instructors. The Zheng family is a family of scholars, so send some people here to serve as instructors. I have accepted this gift list, and it will not happen again."

Fang Chongyong handed Zheng's wife's "confession" to Zheng Shuqing, his face calm and his expression unremarkable.

Even Zheng Shuqing couldn't help but sigh that Fang Zhongyong now has fully demonstrated everything a heroic figure should have.

He has ability, mind, shrewdness, skill, and bearing.

Compared to the embarrassing Li Lin, Fang Chongyong is more like an emperor full of ambition!
"In that case, I will take my leave now."

Zheng Shuqing bowed to Fang Zhongyong, took the letter, put it into his sleeve, and left.

Soon, he would see a completely different scene in Chenliu.

……

After returning to Chenliu County after the last court meeting, Li Lin was frowning, and his whole spirit and energy were much worse than before.

The originally jet-black hair turned a lot whiter overnight!

If you say that he is in his forties now, some people may believe it.

Tomorrow, Li Lin will go to Kaifeng to attend the imperial court meeting again. He doesn't want to go, but he has to go. He paces alone in the courtyard, thinking again and again, and the more he thinks, the angrier he gets!
Li Lin once asked Gao Shang what would happen if he didn't go.

Gao Shang's answer was also simple and clear: If you don't seize the right to be a councilor, someone else will. In the end, Fang Qing will send someone to inform you that the prince has been selected, and you can just issue the imperial edict.

As for the fact that the process of appointing a crown prince would be stopped if Li Lin did not attend the meeting, this probably only happened in dreams!
This made Li Lin feel extremely depressed.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened. Li Wei has returned to Bianzhou from Qizhou and is heading towards Kaifeng."

Gao Shang hurriedly walked in from the courtyard gate and whispered in Li Lin's ear.

"What is he here for?"

Li Lin frowned slightly and asked in confusion.

"Probably, it's for... the position of Crown Prince."

Gao Shang said with a sigh.

Even Li Lin's staff were divided into factions, and their relationships with the princes varied in degree of closeness and distance.

Among them were naturally Li Wei’s confidants.

Two or three days had passed. We rode fast horses to Qizhou and back again, and we would eventually reach Bianzhou.

What Li Wei wanted to do in Kaifeng was very simple: to find a big boss to stand up for him.

Maybe the second son Li Huan also wanted to go, but on the one hand, he was in the palace in Chenliu, under the nose of Li Lin; on the other hand, he had a personal grudge with Fang Chongyong. His ex-wife, Yuwen, was abducted by Fang Chongyong's subordinates and forced to divorce.

Only he and Fang Chongyong had no room for peace.

"How dare he!"

Li Lin was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat.

Li Wei's purpose of going to Kaifeng was obvious. Fang Zhongyong's proposal to establish a crown prince was more powerful than one could imagine.

Li Wei was the eldest son, and he was the eldest legitimate son before Li Lin ascended the throne.

Shouldn't he be the crown prince? Or does Li Wei think he is not qualified?
Everything happened so naturally.

"Fang Qing, what a vicious method."

Li Lin sighed deeply and really wanted to kill Fang Chongyong with a single blow.

At this moment, a young eunuch hurriedly stepped forward, bowed to Li Lin and said, "Your Majesty, Zheng Shuqing, the Minister of Justice, wants to see you. He said he has something important to discuss with Your Majesty."

"Let him in."

Li Lin waved his hands impatiently.

(End of this chapter)