While Zhao Weiji and Chai Yu were thinking about cotton growers, a man next to them interrupted: "Can the cotton you are talking about make money? If so, I can provide a place for you to plant it. The land area is definitely not small."

"Excuse me, what's your name?" Although he didn't know why the man interrupted, out of politeness, Zhao Weiji was still ready to chat with him.

"Sorry, I haven't introduced myself yet. My surname is Kou, Kou Zhun, and my courtesy name is Pingzhong. I am the magistrate of Cheng'an County, Daming Prefecture."

"Kou Zhun?" Zhao Weiji couldn't help but be shocked when he heard the name. "It can't be such a coincidence, right? That Kou Zhun from the Chanyuan Alliance? It would be terrible if it is really that person. You have to listen to what he has to say.

"

"It turns out that we are the magistrate of Kou County. My surname is Zhao, Zhao Weiji, and my courtesy name is Guoxiang. I am the Duke of Anding County. And this is the Princess of Chai County." Zhao Weiji introduced to Kou Zhun.

"It turns out it's the Duke and Princess, I'm so rude." Kou Zhun was a little surprised when he heard that it was the Duke and Princess.

"I wonder why County Magistrate Kou is interested in this cotton?" Zhao Weiji asked.

"To be honest with you, your Majesty, Cheng'an County, which I govern, was severely damaged by wars, natural disasters and other disasters in the past few years. It had just begun to recover when Xiaguan took office. The population of the county is now depleted, and a lot of fields are deserted. Xiaguan has been

Thinking of ways to attract foreigners

The population is coming in to restore production, but there is no good way. After hearing the cotton mentioned by the two of you just now, the official thought that if this thing can really make money, promoting its planting in Cheng'an County should attract people to settle in and restore Cheng'an County.

of riches.”

"You just said it was Cheng'an County, Daming Prefecture?" Zhao Weiji thought that the place he just mentioned seemed familiar, so he asked again to make sure.

"Yes, Cheng'an County, Daming Prefecture." Kou Zhun replied.

"That will be easy." Zhao Weiji thought to himself.

This famous Cheng'an County was later Cheng'an County under Handan City, Hebei Province. Zhao Weiji had a classmate in college who was from here. This Cheng'an County is known as the "Cotton Sea", and it is perfect for growing cotton. Really

Unexpectedly, someone brought a pillow to him just as he was about to take a nap. In addition, the person who sent the pillow was the later famous Kou Zhun Kou Laoxi, so God may not be too kind to him.

"Kou Zhixian, we can give you the cotton seeds and return them later. And we will buy all the first batch of cotton produced in your county at twice the cost price. But you have to agree to one condition."

"What conditions?"

"That is, if there is a lot of potential for cotton in the future, we will have the first right to purchase it if we bid the same."

"This should be no problem." Kou Zhun thought for a moment and replied, "I will discuss it with the villagers. If there is a lot of potential for cotton in the future, I will sell it to you first at the same price."

"Okay, let's settle this first. Now, Chai Yu, when you go back, send someone to my house to bring back all the cotton cloth I produced during this period. You can use these cotton cloths to do experiments. Whether it is dyeing or dyeing, you can

, it’s also good to make ready-made clothes.

Anyway, make preparations first. The cotton I bought there has almost been used. Next, we have to look at Kou Zhi County." After saying that, Zhao Weiji turned to Kou Zhun and said: "Kou Zhi County, you go back with me. I'll take the

Cotton seeds for you."

After saying that, Zhao Weiji and the other three stood up to pay the bill. After saying goodbye to Chai Yu, Zhao Weiji and Kou Zhun walked towards the county government's mansion.

While walking on the road, Zhao Weiji began to ask: "Why is the county magistrate in a tavern in Bianjing?"

"This is not because I returned to Beijing to report on my work one year after taking office, but because Cheng'an County was severely injured before and my recovery was slow. My performance this year was a bit ugly, and the officials from the Ministry of Revenue gave it a low rating. I felt good after returning to the post station.

Depressed, I changed my clothes and went out for a stroll. Unknowingly, it was noon, and I went into the tavern to get some food. It happened that I met the two of you by chance."

"Oh, that's it. It seems that it's not easy for Kou Zhixian." As they said that, they returned to the Anding County Mansion. "Please come here." Zhao Weiji introduced Kou Zhun into the mansion.

It was the first time he visited the mansion of an official noble. Kou Zhun was also a little curious, so he observed the mansion. The mansion of Anding County was not too big, and the atmosphere of the entire court in the Song Dynasty was very routine and frugal. It was only Anding County.

Decoration of the public house

It was really too bad. This was originally the residence of the nobles of the Later Zhou Dynasty. Later, Zhao Weiji moved here after he was granted the title of Duke and moved out of the East Palace. However, Zhao Weiji was not frugal in his life before, so he did not save any money to renovate the house.

.

"It seems that the Duke is also very frugal." Kou Zhun, who didn't know the truth, admired.

"What did Kou Zhixian say? I didn't know how to be frugal before and spent my money on other places. As a result, the house was a little dilapidated, which made Kou Zhixian laugh. It's much better now. The Zhixian didn't know what he was doing. I still have a teahouse in the city.

, the business is quite prosperous. I just don’t have time recently. I plan to tidy up the house another day, at least to make it accessible to people."

"Is the tea house mentioned by the Duke the Lapsang Tea House?" Kou Zhun guessed.

"It turns out that the county magistrate also knows my own small industry. This is really an honor."

"Whatever the Duke said, I must have heard about the name of Zhengshan Tea since I came to the capital. Even the officials began to drink the fried tea you invented. I must be lucky enough to have tasted it in Hubu. The taste is really similar to traditional tea.

There is a big difference, I will benefit from it a lot.”

"The county magistrate is so complimentary." From Kou Zhun's words, Zhao Weiji got information that even Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty had begun to enjoy the tea he made. This was not good news for Zhao Weiji.

Because of his current identity, Zhao Weiji's greatest identity is that he is the grandson of Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin. His father, Zhao Dezhao, was supposed to inherit the throne. But now sitting on the dragon throne is indeed Taizu's younger brother Zhao Guangyi. The sound of Zhu Ying's ax will not be heard until later generations.

No one can explain clearly, the Alliance of the Golden Chamber

This makes people even more suspicious. The legal surname of Taizong Zhao Guangyi's succession is already doubtful. In addition, although Zhao Dezhao died by suicide, the reason was indispensable because of Taizong's persecution. Now he realized that he had attracted Zhao Guangyi's attention.

, Zhao Weiji also felt a little chill on his back.

"It seems that this tea-frying method should no longer be hidden. When the cotton cloth industry reaches a large scale, this cotton-padded coat will have to be donated. Historically, Zhao Guangyi will organize the Northern Expedition three years later. Use the cotton-padded coat to let him put his thoughts

Go to the Northern Expedition. Don't stare at me all day long." Zhao Weiji mentally began to think about how to get Zhao Guangyi to divert his attention.

Soon, Zhao Weiji introduced Kou Zhun into the living room and started cooking. He also asked people to get cotton seeds and find Hu people who knew how to grow cotton.

After showing Kou Zhun the cotton seeds and the people who could grow cotton, it was getting late, so Zhao Weiji kept Kou Zhun for dinner.

After drinking for three rounds, Kou Zhun said to Zhao Weiji: "Thank you for everything you have done today. I will never forget your great kindness to Cheng'an County. I just have a few heartfelt words to say to you."

"

"The magistrate, please speak."

"I heard the Duke say before that this cotton and cotton cloth have great potential. It may even change the entire society. This is a great benefit to the people. But the identity of the Duke is really sensitive. Although I don't know these things.

How did the Duke know about it, but no matter what, it is the best idea for the Duke to present these things to the officials."

Hearing this, Zhao Weiji also understood that Kou Zhun's remarks were entirely out of concern for himself. After all, it was not a secret among officials that Taizong's succession was unclear. In addition, a series of events occurred after Taizong's succession.

The policy is full of connotations of de-Taizuization, and anyone in the officialdom who is not a fool can see it. Kou Zhun is not a fool, but a famous person in the future, so he naturally understands the embarrassment of his identity. All of them have this

Say something to remind yourself.

"Thank you to the magistrate for your concern, but I also have a few words to say to the magistrate."

"The Duke invites the general."

"Although the official's last Northern Expedition to Yanyun failed, I think he must be unwilling to do so. He will definitely have plans for Yanyun again. Although I don't know the year, but for the sake of the people of Hebei, I would like to ask the county magistrate to make an early decision.

Prepare to prevent the people from being displaced again."

After hearing this, Kou Zhun felt that what Zhao Weiji said was reasonable, so he kept it in mind and prepared to make plans when he returned to Cheng'an County.

After dinner, Zhao Weiji sent someone to take Kou Zhun back to the inn. Before Kou Zhun left, Zhao Weiji said that on the day Kou Zhun left Beijing, he would send someone to send seeds and people who could plant them to Cheng'an County. After Kou Zhun thanked him,

Then he returned to the inn.

…

Four months after the transfer, it was late August. The cotton in Cheng'an County also ushered in its first harvest. And Zhao Weiji and Chai Yu's cotton business was about to get back on track. Zhao Weiji found Chai Yu.

"I'm going to donate cotton, cotton cloth, and even the cotton clothes I just made to the officials." Zhao Weiji said to Chai Yu seriously.

Upon hearing what Zhao Weiji said, Chai Yu suddenly felt betrayed: "Why? Why is this? None of you named Zhao can be trusted. It turns out that you did so many things because you were planning to take advantage of my property."

?”

"Can you please listen to what I have to say? I am doing this for the sake of our safety."

"Really?" Chai Yu was still doubtful.

"Then let me ask you a few questions. What do you think this cotton cloth and cotton clothes will cause?"

"Of course it will have a huge impact, and it will even change society."

"Then what are your and my identities?"

"The princess and the princess?"

"Think about it again, who are our grandfathers?"

"My grandfather is Zhou Shizong, and your grandfather is Song Taizu. What's the point?"

"So who are the officials today?"

"Today's official family is..., you mean?"

"Isn't this nonsense? Our status is like this, and we come up with something that changes society. Do you think the officials will turn a blind eye to us?"

"But I am not willing to hand over the entire cotton industry." Although Chai Yu agreed with Zhao Weiji's words, he was still unwilling to do so.

"I'll find a way to do this. Anyway, I won't let you suffer."

At this moment, Zhao Xin came to report that an official came to the palace to issue an order, asking Zhao Weiji to go to the palace for a banquet tonight. He said that he was inviting the descendants of the Zhao family to have a dinner to enhance family friendship.

Zhao Weiji also knew that what was supposed to come had finally arrived, so he asked Xin Zhao to wrap up the newly made cotton coat and prepare to go to the banquet in the evening.
Chapter completed!