Straight man of steel

Chapter 245 Visiting the Paper Mill

After changing into the court clothes, Zhang Yuan ran downstairs without stopping.

It is not wise to keep such a group of people who can have their own heads waiting at any time.

"His Majesty."

Zhang Yuan bowed his head to Liu Che.

Liu Che nodded in satisfaction.

"It looks much better this way."

It's pleasing to the eye, but the temperature of the body is jumping up because of the two layers of clothes. For the first time, Zhang Yuan didn't sweat because of nervousness in front of Liu Che. This time, the sweat on his forehead was all hot. .

"Your Majesty has come to my modest house, and I am very grateful for your kindness.

The paper-making workshop mentioned earlier has been built, please move to the backyard to have a look, Your Majesty. "

Zhang Yuan took the initiative to speak up, hoping that the leader who jumped down from above would leave immediately after the inspection.

Following the direction Zhang Yuan's arm was pointing at, Liu Che strode away with great interest.

Taking advantage of this gap, Zhang Yuan quickly bowed to Princess Pingyang, Tian Fu, and Wei Qing. Regardless of the relationship, etiquette cannot be ignored.

The paper mill is not in the previous place, but in the newly opened courtyard.

Of the twelve famous generals that Wei Qing helped Zhang Yuan get, ten of them were guarding around the paper mill, and the other two were at the main entrance.

Originally, Zhang Yuan thought that these twelve famous families would be his own, but he did not expect that Liu Che could still enter his home quietly. It seems that everyone in the world has the surname Liu.

Because the charcoal is always burning to heat the large wok that cooks the raw materials, the temperature in the paper mill is a bit higher than other places.

After Liu Che entered, he felt an oncoming heat wave, and unconsciously frowned.

"Doctor Qing, what are these things cooking on the fire?"

Zhang Yuan saw that the people in the original paper mill were kneeling on the ground and did not dare to move, so he stepped forward and lifted the cover himself.

"Look, Your Majesty, there are moso bamboos whose green skins have been peeled off.

Only after cooking can the hard bamboo become soft and the fibers inside will be refined. "

Liu Che obviously didn't understand, but so many people nodded for the sake of face.

"Understood, continue to lead the way."

The paper mill is actually very simple, just a few pools, plus these woks, and a bunch of shelves, and those shelves are full of paper.

In fact, it doesn't look much different from the dyeing workshop in Shuzhong. After Liu Che walked around, he soon got bored.

In fact, the most important thing was that the heat drove Liu Che away. In just such a short time, Zhang Yuan was drenched in sweat, let alone Liu Che and his group.

Those armored soldiers in strong and sharp clothes looked a little crumbling, and Princess Pingyang's usually cold face looked flushed now.

"Have you ever made all the papers I ordered?"

Zhang Yuan smiled and nodded.

"Ten thousand sheets of one-foot-square paper have been sealed, and I will send someone to Chang'an City tomorrow."

Liu Che's need for such a large amount is not mainly for daily needs, but for the purpose of transcribing all the classics stored in the palace on paper.

"Okay, that's it for today.

I moved to Dinghu Yanshou Palace, is there anything else the prime minister and sister want to see? "

Princess Pingyang smiled lightly.

“Your Majesty, I have nothing to see, I just heard that Zhang’s cuisine is the best among the Han Dynasty.

I just took this opportunity to have a dinner at Zhang's mansion. I don't know if Dr. Qing would feel bothered. "

Zhang Yuan quickly shook his head and said.

"His Royal Highness is able to eat in the minister's mansion. It is a supreme glory. Why would Chen Gaoxin find it troublesome before it's too late?"

As an emperor, it was impossible for Liu Che to eat casually at his courtiers' homes, and the pity in his eyes quickly disappeared.

"Since my sister wants the usual delicious food, then I will leave.

Prime Minister, do you follow me or stay in Zhang's house for food? "

Tian Fu looked at Zhang Yuan and said with a smile.

"No need, there will still be a lot of time to come to Doctor Qing's residence.

I hope that by that time, Doctor Qing will treat the old minister as he treats the eldest princess today. "

"nature."

Zhang Yuan said to Tian Fu.

No one asked Wei Qing's opinion, Wei Qing had no choice but to glance at Zhang Yuan, and then left behind Liu Che's ass.

Half of Liu Che's guards were assigned to guard Princess Pingyang.

Although there were still many people around, Zhang Yuan still felt a little nervous at the moment, as if a man and a woman were in the same room together.

"Is it possible that Doctor Qing intends to let me bask in the sun all day today?"

Zhang Yuan woke up suddenly, bowed his head and said to Princess Pingyang.

"Princess, please forgive me, the four sides of the main building are ventilated and very cool.

The princess moved to the hall, and I asked someone to prepare some thirst-quenching soup for you. "

The soup is naturally watermelon juice. Princess Pingyang is no stranger to watermelon, and there are plenty of it in Pingyang Hou's residence.

But what Zhang Yuan served was mashed watermelon pulp, with mashed ice cubes added. In short, it was watermelon sorbet.

There is also a small wooden spoon next to it. When Princess Pingyang saw this kind of fresh food, she became addicted immediately.

After eating a bowl, I asked Zhang Yuan to get another bowl.

"It's a pity that Doctor Qing doesn't want to be a cook."

After eating two bowls, Princess Pingyang might feel a little lost, so she didn't ask for a third bowl.

"The princess is joking. I am not boasting. If I were a cook, I could only satisfy one person's desires.

However, in order to devote myself to the workers and peasants, the minister can make progress for all the farmers in the Han territory.

The tenants who could not afford to eat can now have surplus food, and the humble scholars who could not read books may also be able to afford books because of the emergence of paper. "

This is the first time for Zhang Yuan to emphasize the importance of himself in front of others. This is because Zhuo Wenjun went to Chang'an and did not return for a long time. Since then, Zhang Yuan has felt that he has to work hard to get a sense of security.

As a result, Princess Pingyang's eyes really showed admiration. The Liu family was born strong, and most of the people they appointed were self-recommended people.

"That's right, a big Han literati should have your temperament.

In the future, Wei Qing will fight for the great Han outside, but you, Zhang Yuan, will be able to enrich the country and support the people inside.

I only hope that you can abide by your nature, be loyal to the great man and the emperor, and you will be granted the title of Marquis and Prime Minister just around the corner. "

Zhang Yuan didn't know how much he heard these words of Fenghou, no matter whether it is a literati or a warrior, the highest honor is to be able to be named as a marquis, so as to shade his family.

Zhang Yuan is not so resistant to these things now, maybe only after he is granted the title can he have the strength to wrestle with a big man like Tian Fu.

"I should not forget my original intention, and dedicate myself to His Majesty and the Princess."

"it is good!"

(End of this chapter)