Forced to farm for the princess

Wei Ruojin squatted down to pick the young shoots of cotton vegetables, and said, "I am full of people's livelihood all day long, and I also need to rest. It happens that picking herbs is a release. Come quickly, pick some young shoots, and make something for you when I go back." food."

Cotton vegetable, also known as sage grass.In fact, the place where he stayed when he was a child called it 'Ruanqiu'. When he was a child, he always thought that it was only picked in autumn, and put in flour noodles, made into cakes, fried on low heat until golden on both sides, very delicious.

It was a good memory in childhood, and I seldom ate it later.In fact, this kind of flowering period is very long, and it can also be used as medicine.

"The rice cake baked with this kind of wild vegetables is very delicious, but the taste of this kind of dish is hard to describe whether it is fried or boiled." Wei Ruojin said.

Listening to Wei Ruojin's words, Tang Mo walked over to help pick the sprouts in silence. After he came to the palace, the food he ate was indeed much more delicate, with many varieties and unique taste.

But he also firmly believes that the master may really come to relax. In his impression, most of the children of the aristocratic family go to Goulan wine shop to relax. Master is really the first one to come to this deep mountain and wild forest.

"Master, let's find a place to stay first." Tang Mo took a look at the sky. Although it looked early, it was almost dark when he found a good place and tidied up.

The leader of the family listened to this, left a few people behind, and took the others to find a place not far from the water source that was sheltered from the wind, so as not to be attacked by the beasts that came to drink water.

Sure enough, after finding a place to stay, it was almost dark, so Wei Ruojin threw sweet potatoes into the fire, went into the tent, spread out the herbs, picked some herbs that could be eaten as wild vegetables, and washed them by the water.

As soon as he reached the shore, he found a large piece of wild garlic, "I'm lucky today."

Wei Ruojin plucked a lot of wild garlic, remembering that he planted some in the palace, he forgot about it in his busy schedule, if he didn't remember these wild garlics today.

The smell of this wild garlic is very strong, and Wei Ruojin has some nostalgia for it.I just cleaned it, and when I was about to leave, I saw something familiar again.

Wei Ruojin once again lamented that she was lucky today, unexpectedly found ginger, and shouted for others to come, and when Tom and others ran over, they saw Wei Ruojin digging something smiling.

"Master."

"This is a good thing. If you are exposed to the cold in the rain, you can cut the ginger and boil it in a bowl. It is very effective. It also has a more useful effect, which is to remove the fishy smell." Wei Ruojin is in a good mood when she has ginger.

"In the future, when we cook soup and stew meat, cut two slices and put them in, it will be delicious." Wei Ruojin smiled, "It would be great if I could find peppercorns again."

Ginger, chili, if there is pepper, you can cook a delicious hot pot meal. Just thinking about Wei Ruojin's tongue makes him salivate, and his hands move much faster.

Back at the camp, Wei Ruojin asked someone to bring out a clay pot, filled it with clean water, chopped two slices of washed ginger and threw it in, and then poured the chopped rabbit meat into it.

"It's cold and humid here, so it's a good time to drink some ginger soup to get rid of the cold." Wei Ruojin squinted. Last time I used up all the ginger in Pinghe Town, I didn't find any ginger. I can bring some back to plant when I go back tomorrow. I won't worry about it in the future.

After the water boils, skim off the froth, and the fragrance floats all over the camp.

The next day was still bright, and was woken up by the sound of birds chirping. Wei Ruojin only felt sore all over. She touched her forehead and found that the temperature was normal.

He thought, it should be because he had not exercised for a long time, and he suddenly came to climb the mountain to find medicine yesterday, causing his whole body to be sore.Somewhat slowly out of the tent, Tom Mo and Chen Hang have already prepared breakfast.

"Master, did you wake up?"

Wei Ruojin shook his head, sat by the fire, his body began to feel warm, he didn't want to move, took a sip of the breakfast that Tom Mo handed over, and frowned.

"I thought, I might be sick, and I wanted to stay for two more days."

"Master, are you feeling unwell? Let's go down the mountain immediately after breakfast." Tang Mo's movements became quicker. Who can heal Wei Ruojin when he is sick?

As soon as the group reached the foot of the mountain, Wei Ruojin's head and feet went limp, and she almost fell down. Fortunately, she was supported by Tang Mo and Chen Hang on the left and right.

"Master, are you alright?"

Wei Ruojin waved her hand, "It's just that my legs are weak, I'm fine, let's go back quickly."

I took my own pulse, but luckily it was just a cold, maybe he hadn't had a good rest since he was drugged and carried into the palace, and then went to the northwest. He was probably tired and went into the mountains to catch the cold.

Wei Ruojin felt a little cold, and didn't feel better until she walked under the sun, her spirits were still not good, and her breathing was not smooth.

Tang Mo knew Wei Ruojin's ability, but the great wizard he studied in the past also saved many people, and finally died of the disease he cured, "Master, why don't you prepare some medicine now, just in case When it gets serious..."

Wei Ruojin shook her head, and said in a low voice, "It's okay, just wait until you get back to the palace and rest."

Tang Mo didn't say anything, turned over and sat behind Wei Ruojin, and rode back to the palace.The mountain they went to this time was a little far away from Xinglin City, and it took a long time to walk on horseback, but now Wei Ruojin was not feeling well, and she walked more slowly than when she came here.

Wei Ruojin's body was weak, her eyes couldn't be opened, she wanted to sleep very much, trying to keep herself awake, when she turned her head, she saw many ragged people sitting on the side of the road, most of them were young men with children, women At least with girls, and some old people.

Everyone looked exhausted, looking at them with guarded and malicious eyes, Wei Ruojin's heart skipped a beat for no reason.

"Master, we are going to speed up, please be patient." Tang Mo glanced casually, put his horse under his belly, and ran quickly towards Xinglin City.

At this peak, Wei Ruojin felt even more uncomfortable.

After returning to the palace, enduring the discomfort, he prescribed a prescription for himself, and fell asleep.

"Are you awake? Are you feeling better? Anything else wrong?"

As soon as Wei Ruojin opened his eyes, Lin Heng asked him one sentence after another. Seeing that he was about to sit up, he gave him a hand and put his clothes on him.

"I'm fine, I'm just a little tired. When did you come back?" Wei Ruojin took the water in his hand, took two sips and didn't want to drink anymore, her mouth felt bitter.

"I'll be back when you go back to the palace. If you still feel uncomfortable, please check for yourself." Lin Heng worriedly urged.

Wei Ruojin smiled, "I know my body, it's fine. By the way, the people I saw outside the city are a little strange."

After Lin Heng finished speaking, he said, "I heard from Tom Mo that he is a refugee. But I haven't received any news of natural or man-made disasters."

"Refugees?" Wei Ruojin coughed twice, "Why are there refugees? This is the northwest."

Lin Heng's face straightened, "Indeed, this is the northwest." Then he smiled and said, "Don't think about it, take a good rest. Are you hungry? I'll get you something to eat."

"Just ask the kitchen to cook a noodle soup." Wei Ruojin had no appetite, she was lazy and didn't want to move.However, accompanied by Lin Heng, he still ate half a bowl of noodle soup.

For several days in a row, Wei Ruojin seemed to have no energy, and Lin Heng watched over him every day, teasing him from time to time.Pushing Lin Heng away impatiently again, said: "Don't cling to me, is Northwest okay?"

"You are the biggest thing in the Northwest. Besides, there is still Yin Taishou in the Northwest. Come, drink some soup." Lin Heng blew on the soup in the spoon again, and sent it to Wei Ruojin's mouth.

Wei Ruojin hid, but couldn't dodge, so she had to drink, "It's not like I broke my arm, I'll do it myself."

Lin Heng withdrew, "I just want to feed you, tell me, we have been separated for so long, we finally got together, and you still don't let me stay by your side."

Wei Ruojin had no choice but to continue drinking the soup he fed him; he regretted it very much now, regretted it very much; why did he think Lin Heng was a straight man back then.

Thinking about it now, from the first time he met Lin Heng, Lin Heng always said "I" in front of him, neither "my king" nor "my general".

This is enough to explain the problem, but he didn't notice it at all.If I had known this earlier, would I still need to tease him secretly?

But this brought the person back, I didn't expect it to be such a person.

"I'm full, feed me!" Wei Ruojin slapped the table, and Lin Heng drank the soup in the bowl, but luckily he fed it slowly, it would have been cold, otherwise it would be like Lin Heng's way of drinking , Be sure to scald his mouth.

"How are those refugees?" Wei Ruojin was very concerned about the refugees he saw before.

Speaking of the refugees, Lin Heng's expression was not very good, "The number of refugees is increasing. After Tomer said this the other day, I asked someone to check. There were floods in the spring floods in the Jiangbei area, and droughts in summer. , but as soon as the drought was over, many locusts were born."

"Then the people in the Jiangbei area..." Wei Ruojin's complexion also became very bad. There are so many natural disasters in a year, I'm afraid that many people will die, and what's more terrible is that it may be accompanied by epidemics.

Lin Heng nodded, "I also got news that Jiangbei County has blocked the road to Kyoto, and there is only one way they can go."

"Northwest!" Wei Ruojin was astonished, the Northwest Road was far away, and driving people to the northwest here in other places was no different from killing people!

"Yes, so more refugees will come to the northwest, and more people will die on the way." Lin Heng's face was also very ugly.

Your Majesty still doesn't know what happened in Jiangbei. The eldest prince has kept everything a secret. What exactly does he want to do?

Once the refugees entered the city, they were often accompanied by chaos and order.They haven't fully controlled the Northwest, and the food is about to be harvested. If there are a large number of refugees at this time, I'm afraid they will waste all their previous efforts.

"I didn't let the refugees enter Xinglin City. My grandfather was guarding the city gate with heavy soldiers, and I gave porridge once a day. However, there are more and more people, and the weather is getting colder. I'm afraid things won't work out."

Wei Ruojin remained silent. Not only is it difficult to deal with refugees, but what's more difficult is that there is not enough food in the northwest, and there are more and more refugees, and I'm afraid it will become more chaotic.

"Don't worry, I'm here." Lin Heng patted Wei Ruojin, "Staying in the room is boring, shall I take you out for a walk?"

"It's not boring, it's just that I don't want to move." Wei Ruojin walked to the desk, took the bamboo slips she had recorded, and asked, "How is the workshop now?"

"It's okay. The papermaking workshop has already started preparations, and the foundry has also started. I heard from the craftsmen in the workshop that the coal used is indeed better than other fuels. We only have to wait a few days to see the finished product. Don't worry."

Wei Ruojin is quite satisfied with the progress. If the papermaking is almost done, selling these to Jiangnan will definitely bring a lot of income. If it is a year or two at night, let alone these refugees, he will have no problem accepting the entire Jiangbei.

Now that these refugees are under control, they are still good people, but they are afraid that if they get out of control, what will happen to the food that has not been confiscated?

After hearing Wei Ruojin's knowledge, Lin Heng also fell into deep thought. If it was anything else, it would be fine, but Wei Ruojin took these grains seriously, and he couldn't let people do this.

"It's unrealistic to give porridge all the time. The mine needs people, and Pinghe Town also needs people." Wei Ruojin said, "From now on, we can earn some food and money in winter. If we keep giving, I'm afraid the Northwest will be more sad."

"I see. You need a good rest now. I'll tell you what's going on." Lin Heng was actually in a dilemma. He didn't have many people who could use him, and all the people who could read and write in Northwest China were from aristocratic families. The only one he dared not use yet.

"Yes!" Wei Ruojin put down the bamboo slips and said pleasantly, "Ah Heng, we don't have food in the northwest, but the aristocratic family must have a lot in their hands. Why don't we ask them to donate a little?"

Lin Heng smiled, "You asked the aristocratic family to donate food? How about this, you tell the two brothers of the Chen family and see what they think."

Lin Heng didn't expect Wei Ruojin to have such an idea, it was simply a whimsical idea, asking the aristocratic family to donate food to the refugees, this is simply impossible, but Wei Ruojin would not believe what he said.

They went to the study, and after a while, the two brothers of the Chen family came. Wei Ruojin made a note of his thoughts, but in exchange for the silence of the three of them.

"You don't think it's okay?" Wei Ruojin smiled, the so-called aristocratic family, no matter how noble they are, they are still human beings, what they want is nothing more than two kinds, one is fame and the other is profit.

Otherwise, why would they try so hard to find someone in the court; if they were really noble, why bother to look down on the person on the throne and say that they only serve the country.

"If I set up a stele at the gate of the city, if any house loses something, I'll have someone chisel it on the stele, and it will last forever. Will you donate it?" Wei Ruojin asked with a smile.

"Good idea! Ah Jin, I'm afraid the Wei family doesn't know what they lost. I really don't know how you came up with these methods." Lin Heng's face was full of joy. This method is indeed very good. In short, apart from businessmen, not many people would be willing to give out much food.

"Chen Wei, I will entrust this matter to you!"

Chen Wei felt his heart beating faster, he finally had a role to play, he came to the Northwest Palace for so long, and he was punished by the family when he returned, but he has been doing nothing, the Chen family still don't know how to laugh at him.

"Yes, Chen Wei takes orders." With high ambition, Chen Wei bowed to the two people seated above him, and took three steps back before turning and leaving.

Only a small gate was opened in Xinglin City. There were soldiers guarding the small gate so that no refugees could rush in. Anyone who wanted to enter and leave the city would be checked by someone.

It's not that no one thought about it, but before rushing over, they were beaten back by the soldiers, and now they gave porridge, and the refugees stopped, but those who wanted to enter the city were secretly looking for opportunities.

The refugees were eating porridge when they saw several horses pulling a boulder over. After a while, someone dug a big hole at the gate of the city and buried the boulder in it.

I don't know what this boulder is for, and it attracts many people to watch, and they gather around the boulder for a long time.

Suddenly a gong sounded, butler Shang stood up and said in a loud voice: "The people of Wang Nian in the Northwest are displaced and have no way to survive. There is little food in the Northwest. If anyone is willing, he can go to work in the coal mine or open up wasteland in Pinghe Town. All can be exchanged for rations, and those who do not steal, rape and play tricks can even save some money to survive the winter."

As soon as Steward Shang finished shouting, the refugees began to discuss for a while. Some people were moved, some people were not sure, and some people asked loudly: "But go to serve in corvee?"

"No, it's a job, with five days off and one day off, two meals a day, and the bill is paid at the end of the month."

As soon as Butler Shang came back, many crowded in, stretched out their hands and said they were going to the mine, and some women and children were going.He didn't want women, children who were too young, or the elderly.

"Women are not strong enough, and they are too tired. So are the children and the elderly. In this way, there will be medicine boys from the pharmacy coming out to teach you the medicine. You go to the mountains to collect herbs and sell them to the pharmacy, or pick some tea. Seeds, the medicine hall collects them all."

"Whether it's the coal mine or the medicine hall, they all belong to the Northwest Palace and are managed by the princess. You don't have to worry about not being paid for what you do."

For a time, many refugees were scrambling to support the work.

There was also a small group of people who looked at the bustling place where they signed up, looked at each other, and spat hard.

[The host gets 1000 points, and the Northwest reputation increases by 1000. 】

Wei Ruojin felt much more comfortable these two days. In her free time, she practiced calligraphy, read books, and at most went to see how the carpenters were doing with their movable type printing.

From there on, Lin Heng didn't let him touch the affairs of the Northwest, he just rested; it was comfortable, but after a while he felt uncomfortable and too idle...

Suddenly receiving a system message, Wei Ruojin was a little excited, it seemed that things were developing for the better.He now feels that if the system has been like this, there is nothing wrong with it.If you do some things that are part of your job, you can still get points, although the things in the system store are exchanged for the common people.

Open the system store, the foundry furnace has been built, and the papermaking workshop is almost ready, so let’s exchange it for the iron smelting method; after a while, the food should be harvested, and the newly made weapons can be exchanged for new weapons. But what about people?

After exchanging the method of smelting iron, he called Xin Yi and said, "Have someone send these to the casting furnace."

Xin Yi was about to pick it up, when Wei Ruojin suddenly withdrew his hand. He was not afraid of people spreading the method of smelting iron, but it can't work now. In any case, the entire army in the Northwest has to be replaced with weapons and armor made by this method. OK.

"Forget it, you ask Butler Shang to come over."

Xin Yi gave Wei Ruojin a puzzled look, and hurried down to find Steward Shang.

"My lord, are you looking for me?" Shang Butler saluted.

"Yes, those craftsmen who bought them, did they sign the deed of sale?" Wei Ruojin asked.

"Yes, these craftsmen have to sign a contract of sale, and they cannot redeem themselves." Butler Shang didn't understand why Wei Ruojin asked such a question.But considering that he is the son of a family and has never been a family before, it is not surprising that he does not know these things.

No wonder, when he went to see some craftsmen on the first day, those craftsmen didn't respond to what he said. It turned out that he signed a death contract; who would believe his words?

"My son allows them to redeem themselves, and I can give them wealth that they never dared to dream of. As long as they serve the Northwest Palace wholeheartedly, these are the detailed terms. Show them to them and sign if they are willing." Wei Ruojin handed the cloth to Shang housekeeper.

Steward Shang read the content on the cloth, and was startled, this young master is too generous, "Young master, it is absolutely impossible, these craftsmen's contracts of sale are in the hands of the palace, so it is absolutely impossible to betray the master, these conditions are too generous .”

"Shang Butler, you and these generals have no contract of sale, but you have been working for the palace. Have you ever thought of selling the palace?" Wei Ruojin said.

It doesn't matter if he is naive, as long as he gives different conditions to others, no one will think about giving up the good and free living environment; Not a craftsman who can only do manual work.

"Young Master is right, I hope those craftsmen will not let you down with your sincerity." Steward Shang went down holding the bamboo slips.

Only then did Wei Ruojin copy down all the recorded methods of iron smelting, and carefully put the original cloth into a box, which also contained a copy of the method of making paper.

"Didn't I tell you to take a good rest? Why are you worrying about these things again?" Lin Heng heard what Wei Ruojin had done as soon as he returned home.

"Anyway, if I'm idle, I'm idle. Besides, I've almost recovered after so long. Let's go to the casting furnace sometime." Wei Ruojin took the sword from Lin Heng's hand.

"No problem, wait until you get better." Lin Heng has been very busy recently, but since Wei Ruojin fell ill, he will definitely return to the palace.

"The imperial decree will arrive in these two days. Those who came with me and the people I wanted before should all be sent to Pinghe Town." Lin Heng took off his clothes, and Wei Ruojin quickly handed over another robe. It's getting colder.

"Imperial decree? The imperial decree of the governor?"

Lin Heng nodded.

"There is still a missing governor imprisoned in the dungeon in our mansion." Wei Ruojin suddenly remembered that Wei Yuan was still in the dungeon.

"Well, I'll talk about him after I get the imperial decree."

"It's a pity that I can't get any useful information from him. I'm still a little curious about my mother's affairs." Wei Ruojin sighed.

That's why he used the pattern on the piece of jade that fell out of the box during the auction, including the medicine hall and the newly opened grocery store.He just wanted to see if anyone could recognize him.

"By the way, the method you mentioned is very good. Except for the Chen family, the three families of Wang, Xie, and Li have spent a lot of money; although the northwest seems to be poor, there are still some people in this caravan except for those raised by a few aristocratic families." A few larger caravans; those who have food will give food, and those who have no food will also pay money, which is beyond my expectation."

"This is not just a solution to the urgent need, at least we can get through the winter." Wei Ruojin smacked his lips twice, "However, it was Chen Wei who went to ask for donations. It's fine if the Chen family doesn't want this name. Now even the children and grandchildren Don't care about your future?"

Lin Heng laughed, "The Chen family wanted to force Chen Wei to bow his head. He and Chen Hang are now living in the Northwest Palace. It is a good time to bring a girl from the Chen family. However, the two brothers of the Chen family refused. I'm angry."

Wei Ruojin also had to praise, Chen Wei is really a person who understands current affairs.

"We'll talk about those things when you're in good health. You can rest for a few more days, and the things in the northwest are waiting for Mr. Shuangyu." Lin Heng stopped him from thinking about it. "Hurry up and let Xin Yi cook."

Wei Ruojin chuckled.

At night, Lin Heng blew out the lamp, and his hands were dishonest again, so Wei Ruojin patted him down, "I need a good rest."

"Didn't you say that if you are talking about the wind and cold, you can just sweat? I'll help you..."

Wei Ruojin struggled a few times, but Lin Heng took advantage of it. After a while, his body weakened and he let him do whatever he wanted.

When I woke up the next day, the sky was already bright, and my whole body was much more relaxed, and the feeling of laziness was almost gone, which made Wei Ruojin mutter: "Is this really possible?"

After saying this, even he himself almost laughed out loud.

After eating breakfast, I went to the study to look at Tomer's homework during this time. Chen Hang followed him, and even got to know several kinds of medicinal materials, but he was not interested in medical skills. Tomer was always in front of him every day. back.

"By the way, where did you put the wild ginseng and ginger you brought from the mountains?"

"The small ones have been planted. As for the big ones, I have harvested them according to what you said, Master. The gingers have not been touched, and they are all placed in a dry place."

Wei Ruojin and Tang Mo went to the medicine collection room of the palace together, took out the ginger, and planted the tender ones in the flower bed of the main courtyard, and he broke off the buds of the old ones.

He doesn't know how to grow ginger seedlings, but he has picked up the sprouts thrown away by others and planted them in flower pots. After two days, the fracture of the sprouts is dried, and then buried in the soil, it will germinate.