CHAPTER 216: CHAPTER 214 INITIATIVE

When Chen Family Village was mentioned, a mocking glint flashed in Cai Rong’s eyes.

Lishu, seeing that Cai Rong was unwilling to speak, sat silently, slowly waving the round fan in her hand.

"What is it?" Cai Rong said, "Are you angry?"

Lishu replied faintly, "I dare not, I’m simply not interested in those matters as long as you are unharmed."

"It’s not that I am unwilling to tell you," Cai Rong reached out and pulled Lishu over with such strength that a red mark was left on her wrist, "Those things really aren’t of much interest, but since you’ve asked, I might as well tell you."

Cai Rong said, "Chen Family Village is able to sell medicine because there is someone skilled in medicine, that person is named Xu Tingzhen, who apprenticed under the miracle doctor Xu Yi and used to run a pharmacy in Xinzhou."

Lishu seemed not to understand: "He’s just a doctor, what’s the big deal?"

"That’s where you don’t get it," Cai Rong said, "Why is Xu Tingzhen serving Song Xian so diligently?"

Lishu touched the fan to her nose, her gaze somewhat bewildered.

Cai Rong reminded her again, "Chen Family Village recently took in a brother and sister from Prince Guangyang’s territory."

Lishu lifted her eyes, "Could it be that Xu Tingzhen believes Song Xian can reclaim those territories for Daqi? Wipe out the remnants of the previous dynasty?"

Cai Rong nodded, "Exactly, Song Xian covets those states under Prince Guangyang. By having Xu Tingzhen lead Chen Family Village to earn silver coins, he can firstly increase the treasury of Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou, and secondly, smoothly pay court taxes, earning the Emperor’s favor. When the court someday dispatches troops to attack the remnants of the previous dynasty, Song Xian can recommend himself."

Now everything made sense.

Lishu furrowed her brows, "After Song Xian takes those states, wouldn’t the North essentially become his domain? Who could compete with him then? Master..."

"Don’t worry," Cai Rong said, "He’s just a young upstart. How could I let him get the upper hand? Now he has only obtained Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou, his foundation is unstable. As long as I strike first, not giving him the chance to bide his time, all his schemes will be useless."

Lishu said, "Does Master intend to take those states first? But how? We still have to cross Dingzhou and Zhenzhou."

Cai Rong said, "That’s why we need others to help. Don’t forget there are still descendants of Prince Guangyang alive. I’ve sent someone to find Commandery Princess Jiahui and reveal to her the identity of Xu Tingzhen from Chen Family Village. Commandery Princess Jiahui won’t stand idly by while her territories fall into Song Xian’s hands. When they clash, I can benefit as a bystander."

Lishu’s face remained expressionless, but inside she mocked coldly. Indeed, Miss Lin was someone dispatched by Cai Rong.

Lishu asked, "Is Xu Tingzhen’s identity reliable?"

"Reliable," Cai Rong laughed, "It’s absolutely correct. This matter was handled personally by Shi Wei, and the information was indeed accurate. The person who provided the information has been executed by the court, so no one else will know."

Lishu’s mind raced. The timing of when Cai Rong learned of this information, combined with the fact that the informant was executed by the court? Could it be the Liao spies captured by Song Xian?

Could Shi Wei be the one Cai Rong sent to secretly communicate with the Liao people?

If she handed over Cai Rong’s handle to the Commandery Princess, having her order an investigation into Shi Wei, she could definitely find evidence of Cai Rong’s dealings with the Liao. Then Cai Rong wouldn’t dare oppose the Commandery Princess.

While Lishu was pondering this, the steward outside announced, "Master, the people sent out to gather information have returned."

Cai Rong had the steward come inside the house.

The steward reported, "The informants say that Chen Family Village is busy with woolen productions. When they went, they encountered the mother of the National Guardian General, Old Mrs. Song."

Cai Rong nodded, everything was as he predicted: "Have people continue to monitor."

Not earning silver coins from Zhenzhou, it would be best if Song Xian ended up furious.

The steward withdrew, and Cai Rong reached out, pulling Lishu over: "Alright, after saying so much, I’m tired. You should give me a massage." Now there was nothing more for him to do; he only needed to watch the drama unfold on the side and see how Commandery Princess Jiahui would deal with Song Xian.

With such thoughts, Cai Rong became even more interested. Everyone else was in the dark about this, only he saw the truth clearly, how could that not bring him joy?

...

Zhaozhou.

The second hall of the Ministry of Construction was in complete silence.

Song Xian sat in a chair, looking at the spinning wheel diagram in his hand, where the elegant handwriting marked each part of the dismantled spinning wheel in detail, more meticulous than when creating the wind box.

Song Xian looked closely; if it weren’t for the numerous state affairs that required his attention, he wouldn’t need the two military craftsmen in the room. He could have come up with a way to help her improve this spinning wheel himself.

"Master," Chang An said softly, "News from Xiazhou has arrived."

The wool used by Miss Lin originated from the Northwest. Chang Tong traced the Shi Family Trading Team all the way to the source, and Chang Tong was waiting for his reply.

Song Xian had no choice but to set aside the spinning wheel diagram, looking up at the two military craftsmen in the room: "I want the results tonight."

The two craftsmen wiped the sweat off their foreheads and responded.

Song Xian had Chang An fetch paper and pen, staying at the Ministry of Construction to handle the state affairs at hand.

The two military craftsmen exchanged looks and began to discuss in low voices.

Song Xian, not lifting his head, said, "Go ahead and speak, don’t worry about disturbing me. Perhaps I can even offer some advice."

The craftsmen replied.

Song Xian heard terms like ingot and wheel rope while writing, occasionally glancing at the spinning wheel diagram. It seemed Miss Xie’s improvements to the spinning wheel were mostly correct; enlisting the craftsmen’s help was just for minor details.

Chang An stood by the side, grinding ink, eyes fixed on the paperwork, fearing that the multi-tasking master might inadvertently write a wrong character, which would indeed be a blow to his stature. Fortunately, his master was quite capable; though the handwriting wasn’t as neat and beautiful as usual, there were no mistakes.

The oil lamp remained lit, and the two craftsmen continued to discuss and draw. It wasn’t until the sky was about to brighten that they finally had a breakthrough.

When the craftsmen had organized the paperwork and were ready to report, Song Xian set down his pen.

One of the craftsmen said, "This large spinning wheel, with big wheels, cannot be operated with foot pedals; it requires manpower to turn. Here, using joints and cranks connected to bamboo wheels can add sixteen ingots."

Song Xian listened and asked, "When can it be made?"

The craftsman bowed and said, "Buying a spinning wheel to modify will take two days."

Song Xian said, "Don’t modify it here, take it directly to Chen Family Village."

The craftsmen responded.

Song Xian stood up, instructed the craftsmen to rest, and then ordered someone to prepare an appropriate spinning wheel to send with them to Chen Family Village tomorrow.

What a pity that he couldn’t go along to see it finished himself, to see what she was like when it was completed.

After tidying up the paperwork, Chang An watched Song Xian head back to his residence in Zhaozhou, lay down on the bed, but found himself unable to sleep. Getting up, he lit the lamp and looked at the spinning wheel diagram drawn by Xie Liangchen in his hand.

This diagram was far more intriguing than paintings by those famous artists.

He wasn’t sure how long he stared at it before the young General Song finally put the drawing away, closed his eyes, and fell asleep, dreaming as if he saw the completed large spinning wheel and Xie Liangchen, her eyes shining in front of it.

Two hours later, Song Xian had just woken up and was about to get dressed when Chang An entered the room and said, "Master, Miss Xie has arrived, she’s come to Zhaozhou."

Chang An was delighted along with him; Miss Xie had come looking for Master of her own accord.