After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

Three days later, at the Wuqing County Kiln Factory.

The brick kiln has begun to show results, and blue bricks have started to be mass-produced.

The original simple houses are gradually being replaced by houses made of blue bricks.

Zhu Houzhao stared at the newly built factory building and asked, "Yang Ban Du, what are you planning to do with such a big building?"

Yang Shen said, "Your Highness, weren't you asking why I'm purchasing wool from the Mongols?"

Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "That's right, you haven't told me about purchasing wool yet!"

Yang Shen smiled and said unhurriedly, "Your Highness, rest assured, the first batch of wool has arrived, totaling three thousand catties, and it's in the warehouse up ahead."

Zhu Houzhao was still puzzled: "Yang, what exactly is the use of wool?"

Yang Shen called out to those ahead, "Laifu!"

Lai Fu jogged over and said, "Young Master, as you instructed, the person has been found."

Yang Shen nodded and said to Zhu Houzhao, "Your Highness, please!"

Zhu Houzhao had not yet received the answer he wanted, but this mysterious feeling was quite novel.

He followed Yang Shen into the factory and saw that it was full of people.

Moreover, they were all women!

These people had spinning wheels in front of them and were busy at work.

At this moment, a woman of about thirty years old stepped forward, bowed, and said, "This humble woman, the embroiderer, greets Your Highness and benefactor!"

Zhu Houzhao pointed at her and said, "You are that one, that one..."

Upon hearing this, the embroiderer's eyes reddened slightly, and she curtsied, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness and benefactor, for the meal. Otherwise, my daughter and I would have starved to death on the streets long ago."

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand, looking around curiously: "So your name is Xiu Niang. Where's your daughter?"

The embroiderer smiled gently: "Thanks to your kindness, my daughter is studying at the school."

Zhu Houzhao turned to Yang Shen: "Yang, what's going on?"

Yang Shen smiled and explained, "These past few days, I had Laifu search for women skilled in weaving, and he found an embroiderer right away. Your Highness knew from her name that her craftsmanship must be excellent. I told the embroiderer my requirements, and to my surprise, she made it for me on the spot."

Zhu Houzhao pressed further: "What are your needs?"

Yang Shen looked at the embroiderer, indicating that she should handle the rest.

The embroiderer understood and said softly, "My benefactor instructed that the wool be spun into yarn. I had only spun hemp and cotton before, but never wool. After trying it, I found that it was similar to spinning hemp, except that wool is much lighter than hemp, and the yarn spun from it is fluffy, soft, and extremely warm."

"Later, I tried spinning cashmere. The fine cashmere spun into threads that were similar to cotton threads, but when woven into fabric, it was light, breathable, and warm, far superior to cotton."

Zhu Houzhao listened intently, then suddenly slapped his thigh: "So you bought those Mongolians' wool to make clothes?"

Yang Shen nodded: "The people on the grasslands make a living by herding, and wool is everywhere. Apart from making felt, they don't know what else to do with it, and most of it is just thrown away. I bought it for five coins a pound, spun it into yarn, and then knitted it into sweaters. The cost is extremely low. Even ordinary people can afford it. In winter, they won't have to worry about getting through the winter."

Zhu Houzhao's eyes darted around, then he suddenly lowered his voice: "Then... how much money can we make?"

"Your Highness is mistaken."

At this moment, Wang Shouren, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up.

Zhu Houzhao turned around: "Hmm?"

Wang Shouren said solemnly, "This deal cannot be measured in silver."

Zhu Houzhao blinked: "If not money, then what?"

Wang Shouren stepped forward and said slowly, "The people can't afford cotton-padded clothes. When winter comes, they can only tough it out, and if they can't, they'll freeze to death on the streets. If they had cheap and warm clothing, they could survive. This is a benevolent act that saves countless lives; it's fundamental to people's livelihood, and it can't be compared to a few taels of silver."

Zhu Houzhao paused, nodded as if he understood, then puffed out his chest: "Anyway, what Yang's companion did is definitely right! Whether it makes money or not, I support it!"

Yang Shen chuckled and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Your Highness, please don't worry, we still have cashmere!"

"How do you say cashmere?"

"Cashmere is fine and lightweight, making the garments it produces soft and luxurious. If we sell it to wealthy families at a higher price, wouldn't we make a profit?"

Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up, and he immediately perked up: "Great! This is a good deal! Where are the clothes? Can I take a look?"

The embroiderer stepped aside to lead the way: "Your Highness, please follow me."

The group walked through the factory and arrived at another spacious building.

A dozen or so women sat by the window, each holding two slender bamboo needles, busy at work. The needles flew up and down, the yarn weaving through them, gradually forming a tapestry.

Zhu Houzhao found it fascinating and leaned closer to take a closer look.

The embroiderer picked up a ball of yarn from the table beside her and handed it over: "Your Highness, please look, this is yarn spun from wool."

Zhu Houzhao took it, weighed it in his palm, and then brought it closer to his eyes for a closer look: "It is indeed thin and light. Can this thing really keep you warm?"

The embroiderer then took out a finished scarf and presented it with both hands: "The cashmere is still too little, and the craftsmanship is still being refined. This is a scarf knitted with wool; Your Highness may wish to try it."

Zhu Houzhao took it and wrapped it around his neck.

A moment later, his eyes lit up: "Hey! It's really warm!"

He spun around twice, looked down at the scarf, and liked it more and more. He looked up and said, "Give me this scarf!"

The embroiderer smiled and said, "Your Highness, please feel free to take it if you like it. Once the cashmere coat is finished, I will send it to you first."

Yang Shen glanced at the embroiderer, then cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I dare to make the decision: this textile business shall be entrusted to the embroiderer. All the workers here are women; she is most suitable to manage it. What does Your Majesty think?"

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand: "No problem!"

After saying this, he tightened the scarf around his neck, lifted his foot, and walked out, calling out as he went, "Li Chun! Li Chun! Prepare the horses, we're returning to the capital!"

Li Chun agreed and chased after them.

Yang Shen and Wang Shouren followed him out of the room and watched as Zhu Houzhao mounted his horse and galloped away in a flash.

Wang Shouren said softly, "Did Yang, the study companion, figure it out?"

Yang Shen nodded and smiled, "Your Highness is going to deliver a gift to His Majesty."

Wang Shouren smiled and said, "Although Your Highness is unruly, this filial piety is truly rare."

As the two were talking, a carriage suddenly came from the end of the official road and passed by Zhu Houzhao's horse.

The carriage approached and slowly came to a stop.

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Xiao Jing, the Grand Master of Ceremonial.

Yang Shen and Wang Shouren exchanged a glance and went to meet them.

Xiao Jing stopped, took out a roll of yellow silk from his sleeve, and unfolded it.

"The imperial edict has been issued, and Wang Shouren, the Right Director of the Left Spring Palace, has received it."

Wang Shouren knelt down, lifting his robe: "Your subject receives the imperial decree."

Xiao Jing announced in a loud voice: "Wang Shouren, the Right Director of the Left Spring Palace, is hereby promoted to concurrently serve as the Magistrate of Wuqing County, Shuntian Prefecture, while retaining his original rank of sixth grade. He shall take up his post immediately. This is the imperial decree."

Wang Shouren kowtowed: "Your subject receives the decree and expresses his gratitude for Your Majesty's grace."

Xiao Jing handed over the imperial edict and said with a smile, "His Majesty said that Wang Sizhi does not need to go to the palace to express his gratitude. He can take office immediately without any delay."

Wang Shouren accepted the imperial edict with both hands and stood up.

Xiao Jing then looked at Yang Shen, his smile deepening: "His Majesty also said that it's a good thing for Yang Shen to partner with His Highness in business. However, His Highness is too young to manage money, so His Highness's share of the profits can be handed over to His Majesty for safekeeping."

Yang Shen was taken aback for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Xiao Jing nodded, turned and got into the carriage, which rumbled away.

The two stood there, watching the carriage disappear at the end of the official road.

Wang Shouren glanced down at the imperial edict in his hand, then looked up at Yang Shen: "Yang Shen, I'm about to take up my post. Do you have any instructions for me?"

Yang Shen thought for a moment and then smiled and said, "Your Majesty appreciates Wang Sizhi's talent. Wang Sizhi will surely be able to govern this region well. I dare not accept the word 'entrustment'."

Wang Shouren shook his head and said seriously, "Yang Ban Du, I still want to hear your opinion."

Yang Shen was silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "Wuqing County has just experienced natural disasters and man-made calamities, and the people are suffering terribly. As a new official, the most urgent task is to return the land that has been seized by trickery and force to the people, give them a way to survive, and let them catch their breath."

Wang Shouren nodded.

Yang Shen continued, "But—"

He paused, looking at the setting sun in the distance, and continued, "Although a group of people were arrested, as long as there is land, new wealthy families will emerge. It's just that Zhao, Qian, Sun, and Li will be replaced by Zhou, Wu, Zheng, and Wang; it's the same old wine in new bottles. They will try every means to win you over, fawn over you, and give you money, women, and fame. If you don't accept them, they will impeach you and threaten you with your family, making you look bad in and out of officialdom."

"I wonder if Wang Sizhi can hold out?"

Wang Shouren remained silent for a long time, then suddenly smiled.

"able!"

Yang Shen didn't reply, he just looked at him.

Wang Shouren then said, "Since I know what is right, then I will do it. That's what you taught me."

Yang Shen was taken aback for a moment, then clasped his hands in a fist and bow: "I respectfully see Director Wang off to his new post."

Wang Shouren clasped his hands in greeting, found a horse, and rode away.

Yang Shen stood there, suddenly feeling a little tired.

Since I'm tired, I'll just... go home and sleep!