The autumn wind blew through, and the lonely back disappeared into the depths of the mountains. Her hands trembled slightly, and mottled blood stained her white dress. The one on his back cannot die. If she died, there would be no point in her life. The girl leaned over and walked forward crookedly. The red blood stains on the hem of the skirt gradually spread.

One leg lost sensation and no longer felt pain. Every step I took seemed to be afraid of stepping on the air, and I was cautious, and my steps became extremely firm. A short sword was held tightly in the girl's hand, and the blade of the sword swayed, resting against the ground to support the crumbling body and the dying man on his back.

She... Killed. Although he was forced to do so, he killed five people in the first shot. The Jin people who plundered the mountain people were even so frightened that they abandoned the corpses of their companions and fled.

Madame said that the sword of a warrior cannot be easily drawn, and if you can endure it, you will endure it. There have been enough unjust wars in this world. If you kill more, you will be punished by heaven. She believed Madame's words, because there were almost no strange women like Madame in the world who could be alone in troubled times. Barely taking a few more steps, his slightly trembling hand trying to grasp the hilt of the sword so that it would not tremble too much.

At this moment, she was extremely remorseful, why should she be afraid? Death is death. If it weren't for his wife's rescue, I am afraid he would not have lived for another six years. If you could be brave and draw your sword early to save the young master, you wouldn't be like now, your heart would be full of guilt. It's really too cowardly. Thinking of this, the girl's tears couldn't help but welled up.

She is not afraid of death, but she is afraid that she will not be able to repay her wife's life-saving grace. If the lady's dying request cannot be fulfilled, then what kind of face will there be to face her after death?

I thought so in my heart, but my body betrayed her honestly. The trembling body was trembling as if it had accidentally fallen into the water in winter. It's not because the person on the back is too heavy and makes the girl tired. It's the scene of the murder that keeps coming to mind and lingering. She thrust her dagger into the dirt, trying to calm her inner throbbing. But the hand holding the sword was still trembling slightly.

Back in the cave, he carefully took care of the young master every day, hoping that he would wake up early. Gradually, the girl's hair was messy and her clothes were worn out. For countless nights, she prayed to God to exchange her life for the young master.

After waiting for a year, the young master finally woke up.

Listen to Li Zhong tell what happened that day. Wang Xu only felt a sour nose. Regardless of his leg injury, Aji shouted heartbreakingly at everyone.

"Go away! Go away! The young master will not die. ”

It's as if you're there, and everything is seen clearly. The sad and lonely figure touched Wang Xu even more, and he couldn't help but be covered with a layer of mist in front of his eyes. The girl's shout echoed in her ears, repeating it for a long time.

Aji is so stubborn and silly and cute. Wang Xu looked up at the sky, trying not to let the tears fall. After a long time, he forced a smile and touched Li Zhong's little head.

"Why do you like Age?"

Li Zhong was obviously dissatisfied with Wang Xu's reaction. Thinking that this bad man must be ashamed of himself, he sobbed out in shame. Unexpectedly, such a reaction blinded his emotional storyline.

"What a guy with no conscience. Still laughing? ”

One foot kicked the fence to vent the dissatisfaction in his heart. He continued to preach Wang Xu.

"That's how I saw her when she saved you, that's why I like it."

Wang Xu was shocked by the emotional intelligence of this ancient child. Quipped:

"Do you like to kill people too?"

"I like it."

Li Zhong stomped his foot resolutely. looked at Wang Xu with a sarcastic face. The pouting mouth is about to touch the tip of the nose.

"Aren't you moved that she killed for you?"

Wang Xu did not answer. Li Zhong shook his face, and the speed at which he turned his head seemed to be slapping the other party. Let the child be extraordinarily happy.

"Humph! Loser. ”

Then, turn around and trot back home. Just when the door was pushed.

"Thank you."

He was stunned for a moment, and when he looked back, he saw Wang Xu waving his hand.

He looked at Wang Xu's back suspiciously.

It's weird. Is it still the same person you once knew? He turned his head disdainfully and pushed the door in.

Even if Wang Xu's temper has become better, it is difficult to change his reckless temperament. Sooner or later, Sister Aji will be involved. He pursed his lips. I thought that if I grew up, I must practice martial arts well, so that I could protect my relatives around me.

Li Zhong thought in his heart that he would be eight years old next month, and he was considered a big child, so he could help his father and mother do something. Daddy will definitely support his idea. In this way, you can worship Sister Aji as a teacher and follow her all day long. Thinking of this, the child smiled happily.

Lao Wang, the next-door neighbor, was sitting at the door of his house at this time. Holding a twig and scribbling on the ground. In my mind, Aji's back always lingered. Suddenly, a woman's voice was heard.

"What's wrong? It's cold! Let's go back to the house. ”

Wang Xu was taken aback. Scrambled to erase the graffiti on the ground. He got up with a smile and clapped his hands.

"Hmm."

For many days that followed, Li Zhong could always hear the silver bell-like laughter of Sister Aji next door. The child is jealous and more curious. Occasionally, I lie on the fence of my house and look at the situation of my neighbor's house.

Aji has a soft spot for the brushes made by his brother. In his spare time, he made cotton yarn from the small half bag of kapok that was sent by the villagers before. After seeing the magic of the brush, I will always be delighted when using it. Occasionally, she was teased by her brother for a few words, which caused the girl to laugh out loud. And Wang Xu stayed behind closed doors all day long, making inventions at home.

The pedal is connected to a wooden shaft that transmits the force to a large wooden wheel. Then the wooden wheel drives the hollowed-out barrel to rotate rapidly. As long as the thread is tied to the barrel, it will rotate with it, winding in one direction. The long cotton wool is pulled by the thread and miraculously twists into a thread in no time. The spun cotton thread is strong and soft.

This convenient spinning method is several times more efficient than a spindle in terms of speed and operation.

Aji followed the method taught by his brother and pedaled lightly regularly. The wooden wheel then spun rapidly, and the girl who watched it was a little flustered, so that the speed of passing the cotton yarn in her hand became sluggish. The stiff fit of the hands and feet makes the wrapped cotton threads immediately become of different thicknesses. Aji pursed his lips, a little aggrieved. Reproachful said:

"Aji is so stupid! I'm sorry. ”

Wang Xu had already spun a long cotton thread, and it was about to be completed. Aji felt new and wanted to try it too. I didn't want the last paragraph to be ruined by her curiosity. If you use such cotton rope to weave the cloth, I am afraid that the surface of the cloth will become uneven. Now it's a big disaster.

"It's fine. It can also be remedied. ”

Wang Xu smiled and withdrew the rope and rubbed it in the opposite direction, and the thicker end of the rope suddenly became fluffy. He pulled hard, and the cotton wool tightened. Then he pedaled and continued spinning. The cotton threads, which had previously been of varying thicknesses, immediately became extremely homogeneous. Aji asked excitedly as if watching a trick:

"How did you do that? Elder brother! You teach me. ”

In just half a day, the girl learned how to spin thread with a spinning wheel. Aji famously named this wooden pedal spinning cart a foot car. The girl believed that the waterwheel was moved by the flow of water, so it was called a waterwheel. If you turn by pedaling, you should call it a bicycle ride.

Wang Xu laughed heartily when he heard this. Fortunately, Aji did not say that the spinning wheel is rotated by manpower, and it should be called a human car. Otherwise, there is an illusion of entering the second-hand car market in an instant.

In his plan, there were 50 spinners, 30 spinners, and 10 weavers. In this way, the labor of the whole village can make a fortune without having to go to the field to cultivate. The construction of textile workshops can drive a series of industrial developments and form a huge industrial chain, just like the linen textile industry in Qi now. If it can really be done, it is estimated that the second Jiang Taigong will be born in Weiguo. Thinking of this, Wang Xu smiled like a flower.

In order to ensure the supply of raw materials, Wang Xu decided to purchase and transplant kapok trees immediately after the beginning of spring. There are large areas of forest in the mountains, which can be cut down to store timber, and then a piece of economic forest can be planted. Lacquer trees, kapok trees, fruit trees, etc., as long as they can create value, are all transplanted to Yunmeng. In this way, it is not only convenient for picking and collecting, but also not afraid of the supply chain being cut off.

Immediately communicated this idea with Li Cang. In Wang Xu's plan, he first bought kapok trees in the territory of Weiguo to control the raw material market. Through one to two years, the ultimate goal of monopolizing the cotton sales market is achieved. I've seen the power of a pedal spinning wheel, and I've heard about such a grand plan. Li Cang was so excited that he couldn't sleep for several nights. He also kept urging Wang Xu to seize the time to develop the loom before the beginning of spring.

Wang Xu is not in a hurry, and the structure of the foot loom has long been familiar with it. He was still hesitant to make the shuttle together. Later, I wondered if this would develop too fast, affecting the income of ordinary people or being targeted by the powerful? So, I decided to keep a hand. In case in the later market competition, the manufacture of looms is plagiarized or imitated, at least there is room for improvement.

The two could already predict that after this reform, the business pattern of the entire Great Zhou Dynasty would change drastically. Not surprisingly, the unemployment rate in Qi will skyrocket. Thinking of this level of business, Wang Xu couldn't help but hesitate a little and didn't dare to be too aggressive.

The current situation in the country is very delicate. The previous generation of lords was frightened by the Jin people, and chose to accept the pro-Jin diplomacy to protect themselves. However, the lord of this generation is a complete pro-Qi faction. If a large number of products are put on the market, it will inevitably cause diplomatic trouble. Maybe the Marquis of Wei will use their inventions to curry favor with the Qi State.

In the end, the two decided to develop lewdly. First hide the weaving workshop in the mountains and do a good job of secrecy. Then a small batch of cotton cloth is put into the domestic market to meet domestic demand. Try not to get involved in the business of foreign trade. Wool textiles are positioned as high-end products, mainly for profiteering.

Wang Xu never thought of selling sweaters in Da Zhou. After all, in history, Zhao Wuling, King Hufu, rode and shot all kinds of resistance. If he is in the defense of the country, he will cause a storm of clothing reform. I am afraid that the leaders of the countries will characterize him as a disrespectful Gentile and refuse to obtain a visa in the future. So if you want to engage in foreign trade and export in the future, it is estimated that it is impossible. Therefore, all kinds of carpets have become luxury goods in the high-end market. One of the main reasons is that they are afraid of revealing the secret of the brush.

The business empire he will build in the future is something he never imagined. After an unpretentious kapok blooms, it will affect the pattern of the countries in the Spring and Autumn Period.

Many years later, when Wang Xu recalled this past. I am glad that the decision was made at that time, how wise it was. And the girl who inspired her just had a simple idea to let the people of the country be fed and clothed. The most simple original intention, but let generations of people struggle and work hard for it, but the result turned out to be nothing. In the end, the numerous annexation wars that broke out prompted the Warring States period to form a grand occasion of a hundred schools of thought. The sages searched up and down, thus changing the living conditions of the poor people.

A few days later, the warp stick, the warp wooden knife, and the heald rod, three things that did not belong to this era, came out in advance. A bronze and wooden loom was born in advance in Yunmeng Mountain in the southern border of the country. There was a creaking sound from a thatched hut. The snow-white kapok cloth is interwoven with warp and weft threads to weave the first seamlessly connected cotton cloth in the Spring and Autumn Period.

Think of the weaver girls who make a living by weaving. During the flowering period of the kapok tree, chasing the cotton wool that has been blown away by the wind. Even a small amount of kapok is regarded as a treasure, carefully held in the palm of their hand, and collected.

Dexterous fingers tear apart the clumps of tight kapok, forming short sections of cotton wool. In order to be able to spin longer cotton threads, they take the trouble to rub them on their legs. used time and years to smooth the fault between the cotton wool, until there was no trace of disobedience.

The palms and legs were calloused, and just one piece of cotton cloth was enough to make them tear up with joy all year round. The humble kapok was finally made into clothes and worn on people's bodies, and it suddenly bloomed. At the cost of the passing of time, the weaver girls weave a beautiful yearning for the future.

As a woman, her husband and children are already busy with housework. At the end of the year, it can also add 180 yuan to the family's income, which can be regarded as the dedication retained in the genes of women after continuing the inheritance of the ancient matrilineal clan. In this chaotic world of constant strife, it is this selfless dedication to the family that women can be valued without being oppressed by status.

Winter has turned to spring, and the construction of this small mountain village has never stopped. In the cistern-like moat, you can clearly see fish struggling to feed on the shore. The towering city walls add a touch of solemnity to this remote mountain village. Travelers who have left their homeland may think that this is a pass through which they can return to their distant homeland. On the other side of the city wall, there are many vacant houses on the main street, which look like unfinished buildings. If you don't pay attention, you will think that this is an abandoned village.

The woman who went out early in the morning to fetch water stretched lazily. When you come to the crystal clear river, you can't feel a single ripple on the water. They cherish this hard-won source of water. No one wants to dump food scraps and feces into it. I'd rather take a few extra steps, exercise by the way, and dispose of the garbage in the moat. In this way, they can not only raise fish, but also enrich their own land when they release water to irrigate their fields. At this moment, at the foot of Yunmeng Mountain, there is a thriving scene.

A few farmers who are traveling in groups, ready to go out of the village to work. As soon as he reached the gate of the city, he suddenly heard an impatient shout.

"Open the gates. Lord Yi is fortunate to be in Yunmeng! ”

The gates were pounding. Nervous and overwhelmed, they picked up the farming tools in their hands and ran away. When two clever peasants heard the arrival of the lord of the city, they immediately rushed to Wang Xu's residence to tell him.

After Yunmeng controlled the contempt, he only heard of Lord Yin, but he never heard of the lord of the city. In such a small mountain village, there are only more than 100 people, and the land is only one mile. How could the king of the country of the country give such a small land to his subordinates? They are even more confused in the run.

Outside the city gates, the thunderous soldiers shouted. From time to time, he burst into a foul language to vent the anger in his heart. They came with 500 soldiers, and as long as the lord of the city gave an order, they could break through the city without a cup of tea. I have never heard of a feudal lord who was rejected by the people under his rule. The soldier who shouted to no avail asked the white-clothed man sitting in the middle of the carriage for instructions:

"Childe! Can you order your subordinates to attack the city? ”

"Not bad. It's really good. ”

The soldier scratched his head. Don't understand what kind of military order this is? I saw the man in white suddenly get up, looking at the three-zhang high city wall, with an approving smile on his face.

"Inform the people of the contempt that the Shao Sima Mansion of Qicheng came to supervise the matter of controlling the contempt."

"No!"

The soldier clenched his fists in agreement, and continued to shout according to the child's explanation. With a single sound, the gates opened. He frowned. I don't know what this is?

After a while, I saw that the person who went out to greet him was wearing a bloated and strange cotton robe, and his chest was unusually wide. So the soldier lowered his head and looked at his chest muscles. looked at the thin young man in front of him suspiciously. I saw the other party put his legs together, and leaned over very respectfully and saluted:

"Master Lan! There is a long way to go. ”

The person who came was none other than Ji Lan.

"Mr. Laborious leads the way."

Ji Lan is also not pretentious, and there is no superfluous greeting between scholars. After returning the salute, the sleeve robe waved. Immediately, the army swarmed in. As soon as he reached the entrance of the village, he frowned. Asked:

"Why is this house deserted?"

"Go back to Childe! Yunmeng is widowed, and it is used here for the purpose of opening and building a city in the future. ”

Ji Lan nodded, as if she was quite satisfied with Wang Xu's answer. With a wave of her hand, the entourage rushed to Wang Xu's residence. Walking outside the courtyard gate, Ji Lan patted the low fence. Asked:

"Why is it so ugly?"

"The people are not rich, and the officials... Why luxury? ”

Receiving superior leaders, Wang Xu will naturally say what he said on the scene. I thought to myself, when I went to the village in a while, I found that there was no wall behind the village, and I guess I would be trained. At this point, of course, you have to pretend to be poor to the end. Unexpectedly, his caution had already been seen through by Ji Lan.

"Mr. Gao Yi, famous and self-proclaimed, can be described as great wisdom."

"Childe praises."

The two looked at each other and knew each other well.

Then, Ji Lan whispered a few words to the officer beside her. The soldiers immediately marched towards the valley behind the village. Wang Xu was a little flustered. Could it be that these people heard about the waterwheel and came to visit in a group? I was drumming in my heart, worried that the soybean oil I had squeezed out with great difficulty would be confiscated and taken away by this group of soldiers.

Ji Lan retreated left and right and walked into Wang Xu's residence. The two sat down on their knees at a table.

"Your Majesty has given me the cloud dream. Five hundred households will be relocated in the near future. ”

The news was unexpected. Wang Xu's eyelids jumped. I only heard Ji Lan say again:

"Mr. has made a meritorious contempt, and I have asked the king to reward Mr. as a wild slaughter."

Followed by.

"Someone! Present the official uniform seal letter to Mr. Yu. ”

A dark official uniform that was almost identical to Cao Yizai was placed on several cases by the soldiers. Wang Xu touched it, it felt silky, presumably made of silk. He was in the position of village head, and before he had been in the position for half a year, he was unexpectedly promoted to the mayor of the town. It is estimated that it was with the people who moved in from Ji Lan that Yunmeng Village could be upgraded to Yunmeng Town immediately.

He arched his hand at Ji Lan.

"Thank you, Childe!"

Conversations between smart people are exceptionally effective. The other party immediately explained his intentions. After hearing this, Wang Xu put away the official mansion and the seal letter, and then accompanied Ji Lan to continue to visit the construction of the new village. Unexpectedly, one of the other party's actions was particularly strange. Ji Lan's hand pressed against Ye Zai's seal, and the corners of her mouth rose shallowly.

"I am willing to build a house for my husband."

Wang Xu thought that he hadn't seen him for a long time, and Ji Lan was joking with him and deliberately teasing him. I want to see the urgency of the new official taking office. So he tentatively pulled the wooden tray on which Lasheng had placed the letter. I saw that Ji Lan's smile became eerie, and there was a slight chill in her words.

"The whole field is profitable, and it belongs to Mr."

This is clearly a naked bribe. But for what? His official position is completely a matter of Ji Lan's words. Thinking of this, Wang Xu was a little frightened.

Earn more than 200,000 yuan a year, and only take 30%? Then he's going to lose a lot of money. Haven't you heard that the village chief wants to hand over the income to the state or the feudal lord when he starts his own business? The small movement of tapping your fingers while contemplating is inadvertently revealed.

Ji Lan snorted coldly. I thought the other party was insatiable.

"Humph! Plus fifty gold. ”

Wang Xu was stunned. What kind of medicine is the other party selling in the gourd?

The brain is frantically piecing together the perception of this era. After a moment, it dawned on me.

Whether he is a contemptuous Yin or a wild jae, they are all loyal to the royal family. As the lord of the feudal domain, Ji Lan wanted to put the power of farming, levy and labor, punishment, and town construction in his hands. Obviously, the other party bribed him because he didn't want to hand over his authority. Thinking about it, Cao Yizai was already a puppet of Shao Sima Mansion.

"Exempt Yunmeng homeless people from paying taxes for three years."

At this moment, the person in front of him is no longer the young man who once served the country and the people. Wang Xu was a little disappointed. He has always had a good impression of Ji Lan. I don't want to tear off the mask of disguise today, it's so unbearable. He laughed.

"Hahaha."

The laughter was full of sadness. Ji Lan put her finger under her nose and gave an intriguing expression. It's like helplessness, more like nostalgia and sighing.

"Don't bother. Hey, I'm used to being idle, so let's be the son of the wild slaughter. ”

Wang Xu waved the sleeves of his robe and walked away. Just listen to Ji Lan change her words:

"Sir!"

He turned around and saw the other party bending down to him with great sincerity, and he couldn't help but remember the past. Lan Gongzi has always taken good care of him. Although it is not a person who is not a person along the way, there is always the grace of knowing each other. Wang Xu also respectfully exchanged courtesy.

"Thank you."

"Thank you."

The two of them seemed to have a heart, and thanked each other at the same time. Then, Wang Xu left in a dashing manner, comforting himself.

It's actually good not to be an official, at least you don't have to worry about it. Be an idle rich man and be admired like Fan Li. As long as he takes care of Yunmeng's more than 100 people, what does it have to do with him as for whether others are doing well or not?

Wang Xuyou thought as he walked. I decided to discuss it with everyone and hear what they thought. If everyone agreed, he would transfer all the original property in the village to his own name within a few days. Including the vacant houses in front of the village. After all, the little tax paid in the autumn now seems to be no more than a fraction of the money earned.

After walking 100 meters, Wang Xu went home again. Ji Lan seemed a little happy to see him change his mind.

"Sir!"

Wang Xu laughed dryly. muttered in a low voice:

"Uh... Sorry, this is my home. ”

Then he made a gesture to see off the guest. At this time, the corners of Ji Lan's mouth twitched. Without waiting for Wang Xu to rush, he consciously discharged from the hospital. As he walked, he snickered. Five or six feet away from the courtyard, Ji Lan stopped, and finally couldn't hold back and laughed out loud.

Thinking of the man's departure in a very dashing manner. When he found that he had nowhere to go, he returned home with an embarrassed face. It's ridiculous. Ji Lan is a girl after all, and she is also the queen of the clan. No matter how much you hide your identity, when you laugh, you can't help but lift your sleeve robe to cover your lips without leaking your teeth. She took a few slow steps and turned around. The young man sitting at the door in the distance looked extremely lonely, and the smile at this time suddenly dissipated.

Oh, yes! She did this, it hurt too much. The boy named Wei Xu and she could have become close friends. But I can't help it. In less than three years, the country has been turned upside down. In case the matter is revealed and Wei Xu is implicated, perhaps she is even more unwilling to see it. It's good for both of us to end these emotional bonds sooner. Ji Lan thought about it and sighed. Before you know it, you have traveled to the depths of the valley.

Yunmeng's five-mile grassland is full of tents. Five hundred soldiers were busy leveling the ground and cutting down trees to set up a village.

Soon, it will be a new place of smelting and a place of great soldiers. At this time, an officer was hurrying in from the rear.

"Childe! I don't know what to do with the house in disdain? ”

"Leave it all to Wei Xu, don't be embarrassed. The new field is placed in the valley, and the place of grazing horses and smelting is placed behind the valley. ”

"No!"

The officer received the order and was about to turn and leave. I only heard Ji Lan tell again:

"Command men to build a house in the valley."