Chapter 124

Chapter 124

From Meng Die's quarters, Lu Wei observed the sky and promptly summoned Xing Huang to prepare the midday meal. The Emperor was known for his frugality, so they planned a modest six dishes with one soup, along with a few delicate desserts for after.

In no time, Lu Wei and Xing Huang presented identical-looking dishes, though appearances could be deceiving; they were not all cooked in the same pot. As people aged, their taste buds often dulled, leading them to prefer stronger flavors and softer textures due to dental issues. Xing Huang might not understand the intricacies of taste, but as an experienced chef, she was well-versed in catering to diverse preferences.

The Prince and Second Lady shared a similar cooking pot, as their tastes aligned. Fu Yanxiu, around forty and a military man, had his own separate preparation. The elder statesmen, with the youngest being the Minister of Rites in his early fifties, and Qiao Wanming, approaching seventy, each had their unique dietary needs as well.

The prince was highly satisfied with the meal, believing that this chef was no less skilled than the imperial cooks in the palace.

All the elders were equally content, and even Fu Yanxiu had indulged in several sweet desserts. His family had purchased sweets from Meng Die's shop before, and he found them overly sweet, thus never trying them again. Today, he had intended to merely taste them out of politeness, but to his surprise, the sweetness matched his preference perfectly.

Miao Yuandao couldn't resist asking, "County Master Meng, where did you find this chef?" He too wished to have such a talent in his household.

Seeing everyone, except for his grandfather, looking expectantly at her, Meng Die beamed with delight. "These delicacies were prepared by my personal maid."

Miao Yuandao responded, "I recall you mentioning that when extracting sugar from sweet vegetables, a maid in your service reminded you that the sweetness was distinct from fruit sugar. Was it she?"

Meng Die: "It's her. Since she was young, her taste buds have been more sensitive than others. Because of this, she has an exceptional talent for cooking."

Miao Yuan nodded in agreement, "Peng Fei is right; County Princess indeed knows how to handle people skillfully." Admiringly, he added, "Truly impressive."

Ren Qinghua inquired, "Princess Meng, I just heard you refer to this place as a 'factory.' Is there any particular significance behind that term?"

Meng Die paused for a moment. Could she say that she had casually spoken using the naming method from the world in her dream? Obviously not: "The term 'factory' comes from the fact that everyone here is a worker, and the character 'gong' originally meant a house without walls or with only one wall, which was later extended to mean a simple and crude dwelling. The place I have built here is rough and simple. Therefore, I put these two characters together to use the term 'factory'."

Ren Qinghua nodded repeatedly, fixing his gaze on Meng Tingyi. "Tingyi, you truly know how to raise a child."

After a few light-hearted exchanges to aid digestion, everyone rose and returned to the workshop, ascending to the second floor to observe the weavers crafting silk rugs.

The rooms on the second floor were significantly smaller than those downstairs. Each space typically held eight looms, with the weavers arranged in two rows, leaving a central aisle for easy passage. The entire room was spotlessly clean and orderly.

Ran Pengfei had once served as the governor of Suzhou, where there were countless embroidery workshops. He had visited them before and found that they were not nearly as bright and airy as this place. The embroideresses there were solely focused on their work, their faces devoid of expression.

Here, however, as they climbed the stairs, they could hear the weavers' laughter and chatter. Upon their entrance, the women likely fell silent due to the strangers. Unlike the numbness seen elsewhere, their faces displayed a range of emotions—some fear, some curiosity, and some...this was how ordinary people should look, full of life.

Ran Pengfei let out a long sigh. "This place is truly excellent."

Ren Qinghua: "You mentioned that these dwellings are called factories, but upon being inside, I find them to be better than some humble homes of the impoverished."

"Aren't they?" A woman whispered in response.

Her voice was barely audible, but with the room's silence, Ren Qinghua, despite his age, had keen ears and easily caught her words. He approached the woman with a jovial smile, observing her as he strolled.

The woman appeared to be in her late twenties, with a healthy rosy complexion. Her black hair was wrapped in a blue cotton cloth, adorned with a shimmering silver hairpin. She wore a clean, dark blue, narrow-sleeved jacket and a matching silk skirt. Like the room itself, she was neat and orderly.

Ren Qinghua: "You also think so?"

The woman paused, her fear subsiding as she observed the old gentleman's amiable demeanor, reminiscent of a kind elder. Her courage returned, and she continued, "Yes, it is good. Back then, my family's situation was difficult. I couldn't afford much firewood in winter, so my hands froze and became inflamed with chilblains, causing unbearable pain and itchiness. But last year, when I worked here, it was warm, and my chilblains didn't recur at all."

Ren Qinghua grew even more affable, "That's truly excellent. How much do you earn in a month working here?"

Speaking of this, the woman's remaining anxiety vanished, and her face lit up with joy, "I'm not the fastest worker, but I can earn roughly two strings of copper coins a month. The quickest among us, Madam Xia, once made two taels and five hundred coins in a single month!"

Ren Qinghua remarked, "That's a decent wage. Has your family's life improved with this income?"

"Immensely, immensely," the woman said, beaming with happiness, "We no longer have to count each grain of rice we cook during winter."

"Certainly not," another bold woman chimed in. "Not only do we no longer count every grain of rice before cooking, but back then, we'd just dip our chopsticks into the oil jar for a dash. Now, we use spoons to ladle it out."

Ren Qinghua nodded repeatedly. "It's good that life has improved. It truly is. Even during festivals, you can now afford to buy meat?"

The women looked at one another and burst into laughter, leaving Ren Qinghua utterly confused. What was going on here?

The first woman to speak explained, "Sir, our Second Lady is most generous. During festivals, she ensures each of us gets at least one pound of fatty meat and one pound of lean meat. We don't have to purchase them ourselves. Nowadays, if we get cravings, we can buy some meat to satisfy our appetite."

Ren Qingping laughed heartily. "So that's how it is."

The conversation between Ren Qingping and the ladies not only pleased him but also satisfied the other elders. The initial concerns they had about the factory began to wane.

After observing the textile production, they all hopped into carriages to head for Meng Die's manor.

The moment they left, the women erupted in chatter.

"Oh my, I've never seen such a kind and amiable old husband in my life! Oh, but it's not just kindness, it's... how do I put this!"

"You're not the only one, I'm at a loss for words too. Our neighbor, Elder Shen, is a very kind man, but he's still not like that. These elders must be learned scholars."

"A scholar? Hardly. In our alley, we have a scholar who barely stands three feet tall, yet his neck seems to rise three and a half feet off the ground. He looks down his nose at everyone all day. When I come out to work, he accuses me of disgracing public morals. Phooey! Does he provide me with money if I don't work?"

The crowd burst into laughter.

"I recently learned a term from Miss Tao'er. At first, I had no idea what it meant, but after meeting a few elderly gentlemen, I found it quite fitting."

"What term is that?"

"Tell us, what's the word?"

"Gentle and refined."

The women seemed to savor the word in their mouths, soon nodding in agreement. Yes, that was the term for these elderly gentlemen; they were indeed refined. As for the young man, the women didn't dare to casually discuss him. Most of them were barely in their thirties, with many in their twenties, so it wouldn't be proper to talk about another young man.

Unaware of the ladies' conversation, the elders sat in their carriages, pondering over their answers, a smile involuntarily curving their lips. This silk carpet business was looking promising.

Meng Die's estate was located on the outskirts, relatively close to the capital, and the entire convoy arrived at its gate without much delay. They proceeded straight through until they reached a small hill before stopping.

One by one, they alighted from their carriages. Wang Zhuangtou approached Meng Die. "Second Lady, the terrain on the small hill is lower, making it easier to ascend."

Meng Die nodded and instructed Wang Zhuangtou to lead the way.

The weather was still not particularly warm; the oak trees had yet to sprout new leaves, leaving the small hill barren without any charm. The prince's sharp eyes caught sight of something. "There's a house over there?"

Meng Die explained, "Most of my oak forests have houses built nearby, providing a place for the women who tend to the silkworms to rest at night."

Ye Sihe inquired, "Resting on the mountain at night?"

Meng Die nodded. "To keep watch over birds and to harvest the silk as soon as the worms start spinning, the silkworm tenders reside by these oak forests."

The prince walked up to the house, seeing such a structure for the first time in his life. "Is this what they mean in books by houses built with mud and straw? A thatched cottage?"

Su Yuquan replied, "Yes, it's a thatched cottage. Most rural folk live in these kinds of homes. Occasionally, wealthier families might have a main dwelling made of brick and tile, but the rest remain thatched."

The prince nodded and stepped inside.

The house wasn't spacious, about fifteen or sixteen square meters. There was a kang, a traditional Chinese heated bed, with a neat pile of bedding and pillows in one corner, covered with a large cloth to keep dust away.

Su Yuquan remarked, "Why is there still a kang here?"

Meng Die was unsure, but Wang Zhuangtou promptly replied, "During early spring and rainy days, it can get rather chilly here. With a kang, one can easily warm the house by burning some dried leaves or branches on those days without worrying about catching a cold. It's also useful for boiling water to warm one's feet."

Su Yuquan nodded repeatedly.

The prince looked around and asked, "Are all clay houses this dim?" The entire room had only one window, naturally making it quite dark.

Su Yuquan responded, "Young Master, common folk's dwellings aren't usually this gloomy."

Meng Die added, "Young Master, this place isn't inhabited permanently. Besides, there are plenty of snakes, insects, rats, and ants in the mountains. Having more windows might compromise safety, hence there's only one. If you look over there, you'll see some sticks and iron hooks in the corner. These are for the silk farmers to defend themselves."

Meng Die's silence brought the prince's attention to it. Indeed, he hadn't noticed before, mainly because they were on muddy ground, and the room was very dim. The iron hook's color blended into the corner of the earth when thrown there, making it barely noticeable without careful observation.

Prince: "Security measures should indeed be reinforced."

Meng Die: "Yes. This is a small hill, quite close to the manor's houses. Normally, four people stay here for guard duty. On the mid-slope and peak, there are at least two dwellings each, requiring a total of eight guards during each rotation."

The prince nodded, expressing his approval.

Exiting the mud hut, they all stood once more on the hill's crest. A gentle breeze brushed against their faces, carrying with it an almost imperceptible fragrance.

Tan Zhengze: "There seems to be the fragrance of plum blossoms."

Qiao Wanming: "You must have forgotten that this was originally Qiningze's manor."

Tan Zhengze suddenly recalled that this was indeed the former manor of Qi Ningze, the former Minister of Rites, who would annually open its doors to invite friends and relatives to admire the mountain's plum blossoms: "The plum blossoms are already in bloom?"

Meng Die: "A few have bloomed in sunny and sheltered spots, but most are still closed." Noticing the longing expressions on the adults' faces, Meng Die suggested straightforwardly, "Why don't we descend from that side instead of returning the way we came?"

The crown prince nodded in agreement.

Village Chief Wang led them towards the plum blossom grove. Just as they were halfway there, they noticed a patch of white descending down the mountain in the distance.

The Crown Prince inquired, "What is that over there?"

Village Chief Wang's voice trembled slightly, "Those are the sheep we raise in the village. The shepherd is herding them down now. By the time it gets dark, they can be safely enclosed in their pens."

The Crown Prince asked, "Why are they let out in winter? Has the grass begun to sprout?"

Village Chief Wang replied, "Sheep also enjoy dried grass and grass seeds. Besides, these are mountain goats; they prefer to roam around. Keeping them confined all the time would only make them more restless."

The prince was enlightened, for no one had ever mentioned such matters to him, nor could he find any records of them in books.

A leisurely group drew nearer to Merlin's domain, and the scent of the plum blossoms grew more distinct. Suddenly, the resonant crowing of a rooster pierced the air. All eyes followed the sound, and in the distance, they saw a vibrant red rooster standing triumphantly on top of a plump worm, its crow serving as a call to a hen not far away.

Two young girls, around eight or nine years old, emerged from behind a tree. One of them held a bundle of straw in her hand, expertly weaving it without even looking, and soon a sturdy chicken nest took shape. "Oh dear, here they've wandered again today. They lost their eggs yesterday."

The young maid beside her, grinning with her gap-toothed smile, said, "Hehe, I stumbled upon an egg for free yesterday."

Qiao Wanming inquired, "Are these two young maidens observing the chickens?"

Meng Die: "Yes, each of my tenant farmers' daughters is allotted five mu of land. I permit them to raise chickens on it. The eggs they collect are bought by my soup stall at two copper coins apiece. The girls give one coin to their parents in respect and save the other for their dowries."

Qiao Wanming's voice was filled with emotion. "I used to think mountainous land was less productive than flat fields for crops. Now I see how useful it can be."

Pei Ji Huan commented, "This is an excellent idea. No wonder the girls are well-clothed and wear red ribbons and silk flowers in their hair."

The prince was momentarily puzzled. Qiao Wanming explained discreetly, "Women generally lack the strength of men and are thus not as capable in farming or heavy labor. Many poor families treat their daughters with neglect, and some even abandon baby girls."

The prince understood now. Meng Die had found a way for the girls to earn money, which naturally made their parents more attentive to them. "Even tigers don't eat their cubs, and cows groom their calves. Some parents, alas, are less humane than beasts!"

All fell silent, instantly losing interest in admiring the plum blossoms. They continued down the mountain. After a while, Tan Zhengze hesitantly commented, "Doesn't it seem like there are more ponds here?"

From their vantage point on the slope, they could see a vast expanse of water below, shimmering under the sunlight as if golden foil had been scattered across its surface.

Meng Die replied, "Yes, to cultivate fish. Gradually, all the flatlands within this estate will be excavated into ponds."

Fu Yanxiu, uncommonly joining the conversation, asked, "The fresh fish we had for lunch today must have been caught from these ponds, right?"

Meng Die confirmed, "Yes, they were caught right here."

Fu Yanxiu: "Lady Meng, you have raised these fish marvelously. I see the water shimmering, suggesting there must be numerous large fish in there. Last year, it seemed you even harvested a substantial number of fry. What fortunate luck."

Meng Die pondered for a moment. "Luck has its limits. Those fry were actually hatched on our own estate."

Even the esteemed elders, known for their composure, lost their usual grace, staring wide-eyed at Meng Die.

The crown prince was the first to voice his curiosity: "According to records, fish refuse to spawn in ponds. Without eggs, how could they possibly hatch?"

Meng Die replied, "My lord, after acquiring this estate, I instructed my people to recreate the natural spawning environment of fish within the pond. We studied this for several years, and in the year before last, we observed an increase in fry. However, we were not yet certain. But last year, with a significant surge in fry, we finally confirmed that our method had indeed succeeded."

Fu Yanxiu: "So that's how it is. No wonder your manor sent fish fry to ours last year. I thought you were just fortunate."

Meng Die was genuinely surprised. She wasn't too concerned about her neighbors and didn't know that one of them was the Marquis of Guardian's manor.

Knowing Fu Yanxiu's fondness for fish, he directly asked, "Are you planning to sell these fish fry?"

Meng Die regained her composure. "I intend to sell this fish spawning technique to some major merchants. This way, they can build ponds anywhere in our Great Yi Dynasty to breed fish. In a few years, I believe fresh fish will be affordable for every citizen."

Tan Zhengze expressed his skepticism. "Affordable for everyone? Merchants are greedy and cunning. It would be better if you hand this method over to the imperial court, so they can spread it throughout the land." He quickly added, "I'm not coveting your technique. Fish are nutritious, and it would benefit the inland citizens to have access to them regularly. If you present this to the emperor, he will certainly reward you generously, and the people of the empire will remember your kindness." The sugar beet sugar production was a perfect example.

Meng Die smiled. "His Majesty has shown great kindness to me and my family. Naturally, I am willing to alleviate his worries. I have considered presenting this method to the imperial court, but upon reflection, it seems unwise."

Pointing at a pond, Meng Die continued, "Simulating a natural environment would require enormous amounts of labor and resources, and the conditions differ in each region. Success might not come even in the first or second year. How could ordinary citizens hatch fish fry and raise them into mature fish? Even if the court were to undertake this, do they have the resources to spare?"

The group fell silent. If the state treasury were abundant, they wouldn't be standing here discussing ways to weave silk carpets for trade against the wind.

Meng Die said, "Mr. Tan was right earlier. Merchants are driven by profit. If I sell this method to many traders, they will surely invest heavily to make more money, ensuring its success."

Tan Zhengze countered, "If merchants do this for profit, they'll sell the fish fry or fully grown fish at high prices. How can common folk afford them?"

Meng Die chuckled like a cunning little fox. "That's why we can't sell it exclusively to one party. First, we need to spark competition among them. Second, the price should be moderate—too low and they won't take it seriously, too high and the costs will be unbearable; when it comes time to sell fish fry, they'll surely increase the price. Most importantly, once this method succeeds, the fish fry will be in endless supply. At first, they can fetch a high price, but within three to five years, they'll have more fry than they know what to do with. Then, as long as they can sell for any amount, they won't hesitate to lower their prices."

The crown prince blurted out, "This is a brilliant plan. It seems that merchants' greed for profit can have its advantages after all."

Qiao Wanming replied, "Young Master, everything in this world has yin and yang, and every matter has two sides to it."

The crown prince nodded repeatedly.

Everyone, including the crown prince and the officials, was highly satisfied with the trip. As they left Meng Die's estate, they were rather reluctant to part ways. With the emperor awaiting them in the palace, they could only board their carriages and return to the imperial residence.

The Emperor was engrossed in state affairs when he heard of the group's return, and he was delighted. He promptly summoned everyone to the Diligent Governance Hall. After they paid their respects, the Emperor granted them seats. Today's meeting would likely be lengthy, and it wouldn't do to have the elderly officials standing for too long. Meng Die managed to secure a seat, one situated quite close to the front.

The Emperor passed a few pages to the Crown Prince, saying, "Esteemed ministers, what are your thoughts on visiting Meng Die?"

Qiao Wanming responded on behalf of the group, "In County Master Meng's domain, tasks are clearly assigned and matters well taken care of. This servant believes that the plan can proceed. However, there are still some issues that require careful deliberation."

The Emperor nodded in approval.

The Minister of Works, Su Yuquan, promptly raised a concern, "Your Majesty, selling silk rugs to fill the treasury is indeed a good idea. But silk rugs are expensive, and if common folk find that cultivating mulberry trees for silk is more profitable than farming grains, what will happen if everyone starts planting them? Although we could purchase grain during the rug trade, not having control over our food supply might prove problematic."

Ran Pengfei nodded fervently. "Indeed, if the price of foreign grain increases, we would be at their mercy."

With grain in one's possession, there is no need to panic; without it in the granaries, disaster looms. If the people earn silver but go hungry, can you tell them to bite into a piece of silver for sustenance?

The emperor replied, "I have considered this as well. Once mulberry trees are promoted for cultivation, they should only be allowed to grow on mountainous lands. Severe punishment will be enforced for any appearance of them on fertile plains."

Ran Pengfei responded, "This method might yield some results, but under the allure of substantial profits, some may still risk it all. It might be difficult to completely eradicate such behavior. After all, mulberry trees consume much soil. Once planted, fertile fields could soon turn barren in no time."

The emperor fell silent, acknowledging that this was an undeniable truth. Smuggling salt was virtually a death sentence upon capture, yet every year, people still dared to take that risk.

Meng Die: "Your Majesty, this subject has also pondered over this issue and came up with a strategy to address it."

The emperor's eyes sparkled with interest. "Oh? What method?"

A hint of a smile played on Meng Die's lips as she spoke with sharp wit. "Set an annual quota for the silk carpets sold outside. By making them scarce, we can maintain the fascination of foreign nobles for these carpets. Domestically, it will stimulate a sense of competition among villages and prefectures. If the supply exceeds the quota, they won't be able to sell to the imperial court. Should anyone dare to abruptly expand production, the northern citizens would undoubtedly be the first to object."

A collective gasp echoed.

Everyone turned their gazes to Meng Die, then swiftly shifted to Meng Tingyi. In their minds, how could such an upright man have raised a granddaughter with such cunning!

Such a method is overly malicious and unethical. At that time, all the common folk would naturally keep a watchful eye on every inch of land, and no one would dare to plant a tree without permission.

The emperor's face lit up with pleasure, and he nodded repeatedly. "Excellent, this is a very good idea. I have a preliminary plan in mind for how this would work. Let me share it with you, ministers."

The crown prince briefly outlined the procedure based on the emperor's draft.