What is this for?
Jiang Shaohua’s eyebrows twitched slightly as she unfolded the paper, revealing a charcoal drawing. Upon closer inspection, she couldn’t help but let out a slight sound of surprise.
The spring plowing ceremony in Nanyang County used to be presided over by her grandfather, Prince Nanyang. Since the age of four, she had attended the ceremony and instantly recognized the plow depicted on the paper, though it was different from the common long straight-shafted plows.
The long shaft beca short, the straight shaft beca curved. It appeared much more compact and lightweight.
Agriculture is the foundation of the nation, and farming tools are crucial to the common people, much like weapons to soldiers. If improvents can be made, it would be a great rit benefiting the country and its people.
Cui Du saw Jiang Shaohua staring intently at the drawing without speaking, thinking she didn’t understand. He quickly took out another sheet of paper, unfolded it swiftly, and presented it to Jiang Shaohua.
This sheet featured two simple drawings. One showed a farr laboring with a long straight-shafted plow, depicted in a few strokes that conveyed his exhaustion. The artistry was remarkable. Next, there was another farr using the new curved-shafted plow, looking relaxed and cheerful.
Jiang Shaohua looked at Cui Du with the utmost gentleness in her eyes, her voice also soft: "Is this new type of plow really that easy to use?"
Cui Du nodded firmly, gesturing with his hands.
This is indeed a powerful tool of the farming era, a crystallization of the wisdom of the working people.
Jiang Shaohua couldn’t understand his gestures, but it didn’t matter. The confidence on his face was plain to see.
Without any delay, Jiang Shaohua imdiately called soone in: "Go and invite Shen Gongzheng."
Tu Bai acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Jiang Shaohua was in a great mood and patiently explained to Cui Du: "This Shen Gongzheng, full na Shen Mu, excels in construction. He works at the Prince Mansion, overseeing workshop affairs. There are over a dozen craftsn in the workshop, with more than half specializing in making farming tools."
"I will have him take a look at the drawing and have the craftsn create this new type of plow according to the plans. If it’s truly as good as you’ve sketched, I will ensure you are duly credited."
There’s no need to ponder on the rewards of great rit. Just a glance at the Commandery Princess’s gentle and smiling eyes would make it all worth it.
Cui Du couldn’t help but grin.
Jiang Shaohua gave a charming smile, had Cui Du sit, and instructed Yin Zhu to serve tea and snacks.
It was nearing evening, and having not eaten all day, there was indeed so hunger. Cui Du, not bothering with pleasantries, picked up a delicate snack, and after tasting it, his eyes lit up.
The texture was fragrant, sweet, and soft, extrely tasty.
These days, he had been eating the sa als as the guards. Everyday there was no lack of at, the food was greasy enough, but the taste was hardly comndable. It rely filled the stomach.
Today was the first ti he truly tasted sothing delicious.
Cui Du took one bite after another, finishing a plate of snacks, followed by a cup of clear and aromatic tea. He felt utterly comfortable.
Jiang Shaohua found this amusing to watch.
From a young age, she had a noble status; those around her were either maids or trusted aides, always treating her with utmost respect. After entering the palace in a previous life, she had companions of similar status, but she had to maintain her deanor at all tis, prioritizing elegance and composure... To put it bluntly, she always had to put on an act.
This Cui Du was straightforward and open, knowing full well that her words could determine his future, and even his life, yet he showed no trace of apprehension or fear.
"Are you full? Would you like another serving?" Jiang Shaohua had plenty of patience and tolerance for capable people.
Cui Du gestured with his hands.
Jiang Shaohua understood: "You’re saying you want to take so back as a late-night snack? What, you can’t get used to the als at the Prince Mansion?"
Cui Du nodded without a hint of reservation.
He truly was a picky eater.
Jiang Shaohua chuckled and turned to instruct Yin Zhu: "Go pack so snacks in a box for him to take later. Also, convey my order that from today onward, als for Cui Du should be prepared separately in the kitchen, matching Shen Gongzheng’s al standards."
Yin Zhu responded, unable to resist glancing at Cui Du.
What remarkable thing had this little mute done, that the Commandery Princess treated him with such respect and courtesy?
Just then, Tu Bai entered: "To inform the Commandery Princess, Shen Gongzheng is here, waiting outside."
"Please invite Shen Gongzheng in."
As Shen Mu entered the inner hall, he was even more respectful than usual.
This was the Commandery Princess’s living quarters, the inner residence. By rights, a grown man like him shouldn’t enter the inner residence. However, since the Commandery Princess summoned him, he had to co with so apprehension.
"Your servant greets the Commandery Princess." Shen Mu bowed, his peripheral vision catching sight of the young boy sitting leisurely aside, and he couldn’t help but be secretly amazed.
Who was this person, daring to sit so boldly in the presence of the Commandery Princess?
"Shen Gongzheng, here is a drawing of a new type of plow. Please take a careful look." Jiang Shaohua personally handed the drawing to Shen Mu.
Shen Mu suppressed his curiosity and focused on the drawing.
A layperson sees the spectacle, but an expert sees the intricacies. Upon seeing the drawing, Shen Mu’s stern face brightened. Unable to consider whether it was appropriate to et the Commandery Princess’s gaze directly, he eagerly asked, "Commandery Princess, where did this drawing co from?"
Jiang Shaohua answered with a question: "Can the workshop make this new type of plow according to the drawing?"
Shen Mu hesitated slightly: "I will take my people to try."
Constructing all parts for assembly and testing based on just one drawing isn’t an easy task. It would take at least a month or two.
Cui Du was prepared and pulled another piece of paper from his sleeve, handing it to the Commandery Princess.
Jiang Shaohua opened the paper to find that the new type of plow was divided into many components, each drawn in great detail, with strange annotations indicating accurate dinsions.
Even a layperson could see the value of this drawing at a glance.
Jiang Shaohua handed the drawing to Shen Mu. Upon clearly seeing the drawing, Shen Mu imdiately declared decisively, "Your servant will go to the workshop now. At the spring plowing ceremony in two days, the Commandery Princess can use either the long straight-shafted plow or the new plow."
A diligent governnt official is truly comndable.
Jiang Shaohua smilingly instructed, "Yin Zhu, serve tea to Shen Gongzheng."
Shen Mu, unable to bother with the tea, started to scrutinize Cui Du, almost with eyes aglow: "Commandery Princess, where did you find such a talent?"
Jiang Shaohua smiled leisurely: "He fell from the sky."
The Commandery Princess really knows how to joke; why not say he was dug out of the ground?
Shen Mu internally grumbled, but outwardly he said, "It would be a real sha if such a talent didn’t join the workshop."
The workshop’s craftsn were skilled at making farm tools and weapons, though few were literate. Even fewer could draw such blueprints.
Jiang Shaohua said with a smile, "Cui Du has great potential; I have other plans for him."
Disappointnt flashed through Shen Mu’s eyes as he took the two drawings and left. When leaving, he walked briskly, as though determined to produce the new plow even if it ant staying up all night.
Cui Du saw the satisfaction in Jiang Shaohua’s expression and sensed a subtle aning.
Carrying charcoal and paper with him, he bowed his head and sketched a few strokes, then eagerly presented it before Jiang Shaohua.
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