Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 181, Section 180: Newlyweds
Qin Shi was very satisfied.

Although using water power to drive the bellows may seem slow, the bellows actually underwent a modification during this period, including a modification involving sealing with Eucommia ulmoides glue and a modification involving manual pulling.

It no longer requires as much effort as before to squeeze the ball; it's sufficient now.

Mo has such a brilliant mind, and it would be a waste not to make good use of it.

And this wheelbarrow, paired with coal, couldn't be more perfect.

In addition, when she was looking through the files on her reader a couple of days ago, she discovered a detail she had forgotten—

“There’s a type of rubber grass that I’ll describe later; please draw it.”

This plant looks quite like a dandelion and is distributed in Xinjiang, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, hence its other name, Kazakh dandelion.

Rubber can be extracted from its roots, and it can also grow in saline-alkali soil, improving soil quality. The residue after rubber extraction can be used to make alcohol, etc.

In short, this plant, with a rubber content as high as 20%, is known as one of the world's three major rubber-producing plants, along with rubber trees and silver lacquer chrysanthemums, and can even be used to make inulin.

Its historical origin is unknown, but since it is a native species, it should still exist in the area today.

In an era when even rubber trees had not yet been introduced from South America, rubber grass was a great source of inspiration for her.

Tires, shoe soles, sealed cans, IV tubing, syringes...

Countless possibilities flashed through her mind, greatly alleviating her anxiety about insufficient gum production from Eucommia ulmoides.

At this moment, Qin Shi had already made a decision:
"Once your catalog is finished, I will take it to the King and ask him to send people to search for it in the Yuezhi and the Western Regions."

Xin tensed up immediately: "I will do my utmost."

As for Black Eyes...

His world map was of great importance, and since no one had been sent to report back, it meant that he had not yet succeeded. Qin Shi was quite patient.

She walked along the orchid pond for more than half an hour, organizing all the ideas in her mind, before returning to the palace and writing them down on paper.

He also frowned and considered: "Should I go to the Ironworks tomorrow?"

Now that the coal has been delivered to the ironworks, it should be possible to make coke using the method she described, as it doesn't require much technical skill.

The thought of a six-hour commute every time made her hesitate.

Qin Shi sighed again: If I had known this would happen, I should have made more trips when I was still living in the Southern Palace.

……

Meanwhile, at Zhangtai Palace.

As night fell, Ji Heng listened once again to the servants' report on the Queen's schedule for the day, and was quite satisfied.

Although the Queen valued matters of the heart, she was also willing to do her best for the Qin state. She truly deserves to be someone I trust and respect.

only……

He pondered for a moment: "Zhou Ju, you said today that the Queen wants 30,000 shi of coal to travel the world with the artisans and spread my benevolence?"

"Qin Qing has already shown such benevolence since she first became Queen. Why should I take credit for it?"

"Go and report to the Queen that this matter will be entirely handled by her. Also, if 30,000 is not enough, allocate another 100,000 shi of coal for the tour. The Queen will have someone coordinate the allocation of the remaining coal and report back to me."

Ji Heng was naturally gifted in politics. Qin Shi had only just begun to mention it, but he had already figured out how to promote it.

It must first be promoted in small quantities at the post station, and then sold in fixed quantities by the post station.

The initial 100,000 shi of coal were free, but later, if they were to be sold, money would have to be spent from all sides.

With the national treasury currently low, if the Queen's move can be widely adopted, although the investment will be substantial, it will not be without profit.

Very good!

On the very first day of her coronation as queen, the important right to allocate resources that he granted her was already the strongest support he could give her.

After he finished giving these trivial instructions, he saw Zhou Ju bow his head and say, "Your Majesty, it's late at night. Aren't you going to settle down?"

Ji Heng: ...

As expected, the matter of bestowing the title of Queen has its advantages and disadvantages. Although it brings joy and peace of mind, the Lanchi Palace is now quite far away, and the Queen must be appeased, which takes up time every day. The back and forth between them is quite time-consuming... Oh well!

Newlyweds!

He stood up: "Bring all the memorials that I haven't finished reading."

……

Qin Shi was already sitting in front of the bronze mirror.

Fu Cai took out a pearl hairpin: "This one is newly made, and it's a little smaller than yesterday's..."

But they searched the entire palace this morning and found it in the carpet. They don't know how the Queen removed her hairpins yesterday.

Fu Cai whispered, "This servant asked the sisters who serve at Ganquan Palace in detail, and they said that if you wear too many hairpins at night, it will be difficult to remove them during sexual intercourse, so I deliberately only wore them simply..."

Judging from the current situation, it seems the effect isn't very good, today...

She gestured with a golden crown, looking quite solemn.

Qin Shi smiled and waved his hand, "We're about to rest, why are you wearing your hairpin like that?"

When she was away from home, she had many formal occasions to spend with the king, but the romance between husband and wife was naturally not on that front.

Qin Shi chose only one gold hairpin: "Just like yesterday, a simple updo will suffice."

Fu Cai responded.

When the Queen was with the King, she shared his habits and did not like servants to get too close, so they would wait in a side hall.

Now, whatever the Queen says goes.

However, Qin Jun's hair was thick and dense, and with only one gold hairpin to hold it up, only the front half could be tied up, leaving the back loose and looking particularly unattractive.

Holding the same red ribbon, she hesitated and asked, "Should I wear it again today?"

When they found the ribbon yesterday, it was all crumpled up.

I don't know how it was gripped so tightly, soaked with sweat, and then tossed aside. I don't know if the king liked it or not.

Qin Shi glanced at him, recalling how eagerly the other person had pulled off the hair ribbon, and sighed as well:
"Tie it tighter."

Fu Cai was quick and efficient, and soon finished dressing her up simply.

Meanwhile, Qin Shi was once again organizing his notes and manuscripts, and then silently deliberating over his language:

How will she dissuade the king from discussing the pearl tonight?

And then there's the Epang Palace...

Since the king had this idea, and he was a well-known infrastructure enthusiast, there are now replicas of the palaces of the six kingdoms in Xianyang City.

Could her few words really dispel his idea?
Anyway, let's test the waters tonight first.

A eunuch announced from outside the palace, "Your Majesty, we have arrived."

Qin Shi glanced at the bronze mirror and smiled slightly.
The person in the mirror seemed to have eyes that held a thousand tender feelings.

She walked out of the bedchamber and saw Ji Heng getting off the carriage. She took two steps forward and, as if on cue, silently took his hand from under his sleeve.

Ji Heng's forearm was tense.

But thankfully, after yesterday's encounter, he was able to control himself quite well today.

So he remained silent and led the queen through the palace gates.

During this time, he silently glanced down at the back of her hair ribbon—

Perhaps the Queen was too nervous yesterday?
It's much neater today.

Very good.

　Here it comes!
　　(End of this chapter)