Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 211, Section 210: Arrival in Minxian County
Just past the Minshan Mountains, the weather suddenly turned cool.

Ahead lies Madam Ba's destination: Minxian County.

It's only the end of August, but the temperature is already so high that the grass and trees are covered in frost. Madam Ba was being served by her maids in the carriage, and she was given an extra fur coat to keep her hands and feet warm.

She lifted the carriage curtain, and saw that the coachman's palms were already red with a hint of blue from the cold, and the air was filled with a frosty atmosphere.

But she couldn't help but laugh: "Such a harsh and cold place is the perfect opportunity for us to promote our coal."

Looking back, there were only three supply wagons that could keep up, but there was no need to worry, as there would be a steady supply coming from behind.

She instructed, "Find the local county government, present them with generous gifts, and send a letter to the Queen. This will make our actions easier."

The driver responded, and the carriage followed the road, quickly finding its destination among the houses that gradually appeared ahead.

Minxian is just a small county, and the local magistrate is not worth mentioning.

However, border troops are stationed here, and the king will definitely come here when he goes on his western tour, so the county has a large population.

The families of the border soldiers were also mostly scattered here.

Although life was difficult, where wasn't it difficult these days? As a result, the population gradually increased, and the salary of the county magistrate was raised accordingly.

According to Mrs. Ba, it was approximately 600 shi (a unit of dry measure).

Given such a salary, even if she wasn't doing it to plead for favors, the gold, jade, and silk she gave away would be equivalent to six hundred bushels of grain.

This place is barren, with extremely low winter temperatures and, although not high summer temperatures, very little rainfall.

Aside from growing millet, it seemed there was no other hope.

The local magistrate was not particularly pleased when he received the report.

But the most important thing is the Queen's handwritten letter! In the letter, she said that it is necessary to promote products that benefit the people locally, and that local officials should cooperate more.

This made him take it seriously.

This place is remote, and he only learned of the new queen after receiving reports from Xianyang City that were being sent to all parts of the country.

After making inquiries from various sources, the other party's identity remained extremely mysterious. Upon seeing a close confidant of the Queen arrive, they naturally rushed to host a banquet in his honor.

Although Madam Ba was adept at using money to pave the way when traveling, her social status was ultimately limited.

People with some wealth or background often don't show much respect.

Now, carrying the Queen's handwritten order, she travels with unimpeded grace and privileges, which fuels her ambition to carry out the Queen's commands diligently, so that this glory can be preserved for a long time.

At this moment, at the county government's banquet.

Not only was the county magistrate present, but the county assistant and county commandant were also scattered around the table.

As they toasted each other, the crowd inquired, "You've come all the way from Xianyang, and you also have a letter from the Queen. I wonder if you've met the Queen, and what kind of imposing presence she is?"

【Jun】!
This single title brought a smile of joy to Madam Ba's face.

She understood why the other party was acting this way, so she smiled and said, "I work for the Queen, and my words and actions are inevitably biased. I shouldn't discuss this with you gentlemen."

"When I met the Queen, I presented her with a crystal tree that was about ten feet tall."

A crystal tree?!
hiss!
Everyone gasped, for the county magistrate came from a prominent family and now possessed a glass wine vessel, which he would never bring out except to entertain important guests.

How magnificent and dazzling must that ten-foot-tall glazed tree be? So luxurious and supreme!
Everyone craned their necks and eagerly asked, "Is the Queen extremely pleased?"

Lady Ba shook her head: "The Queen only glanced at it briefly, praised its beauty, and then paid no more attention to it."

Everyone frowned again.

They honed their achievements in this barren borderland, relying solely on submitting memorials to please the king, and only then could they be promoted.

Furthermore, the annual examinations are a constant companion... and the preferences of those in power naturally require meticulous consideration.

You may never need it in your life, but you can't live without it.

Could it be that the Queen doesn't love Liuli?
Lady Ba sighed again: "It wasn't until I left Xianyang Palace and inquired with the Queen's maids that I learned that the Queen's residence, Ganquan Palace, was to use these glass windows, which were then randomly inlaid."

Upon hearing this, the room fell silent.

Those who can become officials must possess the ability to see the big picture from small details.

The fact that the Queen could use glass windows proves that she has a powerful background and is highly valued by the King. I also heard that she has five private armies and can move freely within Xianyang City...

I wonder what kind of mysterious family this noble lady comes from!
The magistrate's smile then warmed up: "Your Majesty received the Queen's order to promote coal mining here, with the aim of benefiting the people of the land. I, of course, will give it my full support—"

Madam Ba drank the wine and felt a great sense of satisfaction.

……

For the common people of Longxi County, the summons from the nearby post station chief seemed rather inexplicable.

Winter is fast approaching, and they will have to scavenge cow dung, grass roots, broken branches, withered leaves, and anything else that can be heated to take home.

We also need to stockpile a large amount of grain.

I have neither money nor free time.

At this time, though reluctant, every household obeyed the summons and came to the capital. Then they heard something incredibly good—

All you need to do is attend a class at your assigned post station for a day three days later, and you'll receive a bowl of millet before you leave!
A huge bowl, piled high with golden millet!
Add more water, and it will be enough for a family of three to five to drink for two or three days.

Of course, it's just about getting enough water to fill your stomach, but getting enough water is still very important!

As for what classes they should attend, and whether they can understand them—oh well, that's not important!
With this bowl of millet, even if they don't understand, they'll pinch themselves to keep their eyes wide open.

"Are you serious?"

"Surely our benefactor wouldn't just lie to us like that."

"What if he just wants to see us make a joke?"

"Only one person needs to come from each household, so can I send my eldest daughter?"

"I'd rather do this myself."

"The wind is so cold, it's probably going to get even colder tomorrow, I need to wear another layer."

"It's alright, my second son will lie in the straw nest tomorrow and won't come out. I'll just put his clothes on him again."

After a huddled discussion, everyone found out that they could come here after dawn the next day. Overjoyed, they quickly spread the news far and wide.

The only two or three potters in the area have all received large orders today. All they need to do is imitate a small, oddly shaped, three-legged earthenware stove; the wealthy family is willing to buy as many as they can make!
They even gave a large deposit.

only……

"This vertical kiln is quite thick. If it is to be fired, it will take one or two days just to be fired in the kiln."

Although it doesn't need to be colored, and unlike those earthenwares that emphasize a smooth finish...

The three potters, who had learned the same craft and were all apprenticed to the same master, gathered together and, after a brief discussion, immediately decided to work together to start their kiln!
With the three of them bringing along their family members to work on an assembly line, they'll have no trouble producing finished products!

With such a large order, we must ensure that our family can have a full meal every day this winter.

Although they were only outer disciples of the Mohist school, their pottery skills had been tested for over a decade or two and they were not afraid of anything!
　This chapter is a bit short...

　　In Minxian County, Gansu Province, the eighth month of the lunar calendar is roughly equivalent to the tenth month. At this time, the temperature is already quite low, potentially reaching as low as -1°C and as high as 15°C. In winter, the low temperature can approach -20 or -30°C. While not as low as in Northeast China, the lack of rainfall and sufficient forest resources makes heating much more difficult than in the Northeast. (Source: Internet search)

　　(End of this chapter)