The two of them gossiped for a while, Zhang Xi saw that it was not early, got up and reluctantly said goodbye: "Sister-in-law told me to sort out the gift list before the fifteenth, I can't delay outside." In case the matter is messed up, or even left behind Sister Xuan'er, it is not necessary for my sister-in-law to say, I can die of suffocation! ”

Huang Yi'an nodded with a smile, with a tolerant face.

Who would have thought that Zhang Xi, who looks dignified and calm on weekdays, would be so competitive in private, and a pair of Shang Mingxuan would show his claws like a little tiger, and his fighting spirit was high.

"Oh, yes." At the time of parting, Zhang Xi patted his head and said with a smile, "Look at how busy I am, I almost forgot about my business!" What you asked me to inquire about before is now a little more eyebrow-raising. ”

Huang Yi'an suddenly stopped his steps and asked eagerly, "Really?" How so? ”

Zhang Xi nodded and said: "My second sister-in-law's cousin is the wife of the current Shaanxi political envoy Lord Zhang, a few days ago she came to visit Brother Heng in the house, so I took the opportunity to ask her a few words.

Mrs. Zhang said that there is indeed cotton planting in the northwest region, but there are not many, after all, everyone has to fill their stomachs first. As for the specific yield of cotton, and whether it is the kind of long-staple cotton produced in Gaochangguo, Mrs. Zhang is not clear.

However, Mrs. Zhang wrote a letter to Master Zhang, and asked someone to send it to Lord Zhang, asking Lord Zhang to help inquire about the matter. Master Zhang is a member of the party and is in charge of civil affairs, so he thinks he knows this much better than his father.

"You wait patiently, and when Lord Zhang and his father reply, I will tell you immediately!"

"Thank you, Sister Zhang!" Huang Yi'an was very grateful, took Zhang Xi's hand and thanked him again and again.

Zhang Xi smiled coolly: "It's a trivial matter, how can it be worth your thanks!" ”

He asked curiously: "By the way, this matter was originally inquired about by your second uncle, why do I look like you are going to the northwest to plant cotton?" ”

So eager.

Huang Yi'an didn't hide it from Zhang Xi, and said with a smile: "If the northwest is really suitable for planting long-staple cotton, I really plan to participate in it!" ”

When Zhang Xi heard this, he was very surprised, and he was not busy leaving, he sat down again and asked, "Why?" Didn't you plan to open a fat powder shop before? ”

The girl's family is quite normal to adjust some fat powder, but what is the matter with going to the northwest to grow cotton?

Seeing this, Lan Xin immediately stepped forward to look at the tea again.

Huang Yi'an thanked Lan Xin, sat down again, and said with a smile: "If you can grow cotton, I don't want to open a fat powder shop for the time being?" ”

"Why?" Zhang Xi was puzzled.

Huang Yi'an said with a smile: "I have seen Gaochangguo's long-staple cotton, which is larger, white, and longer than the cotton we have here.

"Besides, life is in the world, food and clothing. In recent years, the winter has been getting longer, the temperature has been lower, the weather is cold and the snow is heavy, and every year there are disasters such as houses being crushed by heavy snow. More cotton, more and less freezing. ”

And this severe cold will only get worse in the future.

In the previous life, even the civilians who lived under the roots of the imperial city often froze to death in winter, not to mention those poor people living in remote areas, or even beggars living on the streets.

For this reason, the imperial court has to allocate funds for disaster relief almost every winter, not to mention, and there are many times when there is no silver to spend.

Among them, there are profiteers who hoard and settle strangers, or corrupt officials who withhold disaster relief funds.

However, in the end, it is still the lack of cotton savings in the treasury.

Otherwise, wouldn't it be more convenient to allocate things directly than to allocate money?

Zhang Xi looked at Huang Yi'an with a look of surprise and admiration: "I didn't expect that Sister An is not only ingenious, but also cares about the people, and has such righteousness!" Admire! Admire! ”

Huang Yi'an smiled: "Sister Zhang, don't make fun of me, I just want to reach out to help others while having enough food and clothing." ”

"It's already rare!" Zhang Xi Zhengse said, "There are many people in this world who only seek personal interests and don't care about the lives of others. ”

After that, his expression was solemn, and he said, "Besides, what Sister An said, why don't I know it?" Since our ancestors went out with the holy car and died in the civil fort for the escort, our family has been stationed in the northwest for generations, vowing not to let Wara step into the Great Qi!

"The northwest is not as good as the capital, the climate is bitter and cold, the winter wind is cold, the cold air invades the armor, and the battalion has to ask for military quarters every year, but it is always difficult to be full.

"My father and several brothers once said that when the snow was knee-high, many soldiers were wrapped in rags, and as soon as they were covered with heavy and cold iron armor, they took up their spears and went to the snow to patrol the border. Every year, there are people who freeze to death in the army, and those who suffer from frostbite cannot bear to count.

"If the northwest region can really promote the planting of long-staple cotton, the army will use local materials, and the soldiers will not be able to freeze in winter! That's a great merit! ”

Speaking of this, Zhang Xi's expression became solemn.

Originally, she just thought she was doing Sister An a favor, although she was enthusiastic and tried her best, she didn't value it much. Now I feel that this matter is very important, and I must do it quickly.

"Sister An, you wait patiently, I will inquire with the families of those northwest officials in the past few days and implement this matter as soon as possible!" Zhang Xi said solemnly.

Huang Yi'an nodded heavily, smiling brightly.

At the beginning, she decided to take a break from the rouge shop, and she was bent on inquiring about cotton planting in the northwest, which was already in consideration.

Although there were no major disasters on the border in the previous life, there were also small wars. She also donated money and materials many times for this reason, not to mention that some silver coins and jewels could not be exchanged for grain, grass, cotton clothes and other materials needed by the frontier soldiers in time.

If the northwest can plant long-staple cotton, it can also solve military needs nearby.

……

After Zhang Xi returned home, he explained the matter to the British duchess.

When the British duchess heard this, she praised it very much and said, "It's rare that you two girls have such a far-sighted mind!" I'll personally help you inquire about this matter! ”

"Thank you, Mother!" Zhang Xi was very surprised, and hugged the arm of the British duchess and said coquettishly.

The British duchess smiled and sighed: "You all know that my father and brother feel sorry for the soldiers under him, don't I understand this?" ”

Thinking of the injuries on her husband and son, and the hardships she had endured, the British duchess also felt more and more pity for those border soldiers who charged into battle and sacrificed themselves for the country.

"When your father comes back, I will be very happy to know that our sister Xi is so righteous and cares about the soldiers!" The British duchess touched Zhang Xi's snail and smiled with satisfaction.

The British government, which started with martial arts, has cherished the soldiers very much, and has worked hard and wholeheartedly, and those soldiers are not only subordinates for them, but also brothers who share life and death.

Zhang Xi nodded, his eyes were slightly red, and he muttered: "I don't know if my father and second brother can go back to Beijing for the New Year this time......

The British duchess also sighed, took Zhang Xi in her arms, and touched her black hair lovingly.

Learn the art of literature and martial arts, and sell it to the emperor's family.

Whether the husband and son can return to Beijing for the New Year depends on whether the border is stable and the meaning of the imperial court.

……