novelhk Chapter 98 I'm Just a Cleaner
Chapter 98 I'm Just a Cleaner
Construction in Beining City continues at a rapid pace, with changes happening every day.
Meanwhile, as news spread that the Confucian sage was about to arrive in Beining City, the entire city entered a special state of celebration.
As more and more people came to visit, Qin Xuan had to remind Qiu Xingzhi to arrange for more soldiers to patrol the city.
During this period, the Tiangong Workshop successfully created a concave lens. Qin Xuan immediately ordered people to make a simple bamboo tube, and after installing convex and concave lenses on the front and back, a primitive telescope was formed.
"Luo Ying, why don't you give it a try?"
On the city wall, Qin Xuan handed the binoculars in his hand to Zhao Luoying.
The latter happily accepted it, and then exclaimed in surprise the next second.
Looking at the caravan that was thousands of meters away, yet so close at hand, the feeling was simply too wonderful.
"General Zhao, let me take a look too."
Normally, Ning Yuanfeng always addressed Zhao Luoying as General Zhao, which was the greatest respect he could show.
After all, women did not serve in the army in ancient times, making Zhao Luoying a unique case in the world.
"Give it back to me right away after you've finished reading it."
Zhao Luoying reluctantly handed the binoculars to Ning Yuanfeng, who nodded excitedly and then began to shout excitedly.
Qin Xuan looked at his deputy general with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, marveling at the entirely new experiences that technology brought to people.
"I will have the craftsmen build a telescope that can see further, which will be much more advantageous for our military campaigns."
Qin Xuan casually suggested, and Zhao Luoying immediately laughed and said, "Then I want the most special one, one that belongs only to me."
"Okay, whatever you like."
Qin Xuan's gaze was gentle, and his smile was as warm as the sun. During this period, Beining City had a rare opportunity to recuperate and rejuvenate. These were also the most peaceful and tranquil days Zhao Luoying had experienced since following him.
"Oh, Your Highness, a large procession of carriages and horses is approaching from afar, numbering no less than two hundred people."
Ning Yuanfeng, who was fiddling with the binoculars, suddenly exclaimed in surprise, then his expression involuntarily turned serious:
"Judging from their clothing and hairstyles, they should be a caravan from Goryeo, but I've never seen such a large caravan before!"
Goryeo?
Qin Xuan was taken aback, reached out and took the binoculars to examine them carefully, and then a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.
Under the lens, a beautiful face looked travel-worn, but her black pearl-like eyes were still full of spirit. The person who came was none other than Yelü Huanxi of the Yelü Daye Chamber of Commerce, whom she had dealt with before at Shanhaiguan.
"It's Yelü Daye's people. It seems they took my words to heart last time, sending an envoy so quickly."
Yelü Daye was a member of the Goryeo royal family, a fact that Qin Xuan had investigated and confirmed with Chu Feng after returning to Beining City.
At the same time, Yelü Huanxi was not simply the head of a chamber of commerce, but the eldest daughter of King Yelü Hongdu of Goryeo, and thus the queen of Goryeo.
Unlike the Great Qi, foreign countries do not uphold the tradition that women should support their husbands and raise their children.
In Goryeo, anyone with outstanding abilities, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to wield great power, which is why Yelü Huanxi was able to take charge of the Loulan Merchant Guild.
However, throughout history, women have never been able to occupy a dominant position due to their inherent disadvantages.
"Your Highness, let me see who it is!"
Zhao Luoying smiled brightly, but Qin Xuan still cautiously reminded her, "You probably don't want to see this person, so I suggest you don't."
"What? I don't have anyone I dislike. Besides, if it really is a caravan, they're here to trade in my Beining City. I'd welcome them more than ever!"
Zhao Luoying glanced at Qin Xuan suspiciously a few times, then took the binoculars and was instantly stunned.
Immediately afterward, a shadow crossed her face, and she said bitterly, "I take back what I just said. I don't welcome this woman."
"Judging from the scale we just saw, this Korean merchant group must have come on the emperor's orders. This could be the largest trade transaction in the history of Beining City."
Qin Xuan smiled and reminded her, as he enjoyed seeing Zhao Luoying jealous.
"So what? My Beining City is vast and rich in resources, it doesn't need another Goryeo Kingdom."
Zhao Luoying snorted and then descended the city wall with a wan expression.
Qin Xuan followed with a smile, but before he could speak, Zhao Luoying said sarcastically, "Why didn't Your Highness go to the city gate to greet you? Why did you come here instead?"
See? He was jealous after all!
"Now that Beining City is a country within a city, little Goryeo is not worth my going to greet."
Qin Xuan carefully chose his words to reply: "Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I've visited the crossbow workshop. Why don't you come with me? The craftsmen told me the day before yesterday that the repeating crossbow is almost finished."
"Really? Let's go quickly! I haven't practiced archery in ages, I'm definitely going to practice a lot this time."
Although Zhao Luoying is a woman, she has a very outgoing personality. She not only can't hide her thoughts, but she also easily forgets her troubles.
Qin Xuan nodded with a smile, and then the two of them rode a fast horse together, heading straight for the Heavenly Craft Workshop.
But before leaving, he still sent someone to inform Qiu Xingzhi.
Goryeo was rich in ginseng, warhorses, furs, and copper, especially copper, which was produced in astonishing quantities. However, Goryeo's copper smelting technology was relatively backward.
These are all things that Beining City is in dire need of, especially copper. Although silver has always been the mainstream currency between countries, copper coins are the currency used by ordinary people.
After all, the common people were not that wealthy, and most people's lives were measured in copper coins.
A quarter of an hour later, a large contingent of two hundred Goryeo merchants passed through the north gate of Bukning City.
Yelü Huanxi was like a nimble butterfly; although she was sitting in a luxurious carriage, her head was always sticking out, curiously observing everything in Beining City.
"Everyone says that the Central Plains is prosperous, but after seeing Beining City today, I realize that wherever Han people gather, there is prosperity."
A tall man, riding a warhorse, was talking and laughing.
"Uncle, the King of Chu is a man of extraordinary talent, and the cities under his rule are naturally incredibly prosperous."
Yelü Huanxi said smugly.
Yelü Dongze nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping casually across the room, but then suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong, Imperial Uncle?"
Yelü Huanxi asked in surprise.
"This ground doesn't seem to be made of bluestone slabs. How can it be a single, solid piece that's so hard?"
At this moment, Yelü Dongze had already dismounted and was touching the gray cement road on the ground when he couldn't help but ask a question.
Yelü Huanxi realized what was happening, looked down, and exclaimed in surprise as if she had discovered a new continent: "It's true! This kind of road seems to be impervious to carriages and heavy objects. What is it made of?"
Not long ago, Qin Xuan had already ordered people to renovate the two main roads in the south and north of the city with cement.
Its purpose, of course, is precisely for the scene before them.
Qin Xuan wanted everyone who stepped into Beining City for the first time to feel the uniqueness of Beining City from the very first moment.
"Are you foreigners visiting my Beining City for the first time?"
Suddenly, a street sweeper in a blue uniform, holding a broom, couldn't help but laugh.
"how do you know?"
Yelü Dongze frowned, his tall figure towering over the other man by a head and a half.
But the other party showed no fear, and said naturally and proudly, "This is a cement road invented by our King of Chu. It is hard and can not be damaged even by swords or arrows, let alone horse carriages."
Hearing the sweeper's proud tone, Yelü Dongze couldn't help but ask, "Are you in charge here?"
The janitor laughed heartily, tugged at his blue uniform, and said:
"You're asking because of what I'm dressed like, aren't you? I can't be in charge; I'm just a cleaner who sweeps and takes out the trash."
"Look, do you see those bamboo boxes on both sides of the street? Those are trash cans."
"Our King of Chu said that in addition to showing outsiders the prosperity of our Beining City, sanitation is also extremely important. That's why he sent people to sweep the streets here every day and put the garbage into the trash cans to ensure that the streets are clean and tidy."