After the Dragon Boat Festival, a big event happened in Jiangning's cloth and silk market. That was the bidding for military uniforms of the Zhou army.
The design of the military uniforms of the Great Zhou Dynasty followed the style of the Tang Dynasty. Although there were some changes in details, it still looked like the style of the Tang Dynasty if you look closely. Especially the Mingguang Armor, which has not changed at all.
The Imperial Court of the Zhou Dynasty had a department dedicated to designing military uniforms. However, the raw materials for making clothes had to be supplied from outside.
There were tens of thousands of troops in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the demand was extremely strong. Moreover, the imperial court paid the bill, and to put it bluntly, there was no shortage of money. Such a large deal naturally attracted countless merchants dealing in silk cloth in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and even merchants from vassal states.
They also actively participated in it.
However, the Jiangnan area has been rich in silk since ancient times. And the technology of sewing clothes was also ahead of other places at this time. Therefore, the tenders in previous years were all awarded to Jiangning.
In the past few years, Mr. Wang's house was basically a sure success in bidding due to the large number of disciples and great influence. However, things are a little different this year.
Because Mr. Wang was dismissed from office and he is not too young, he has little hope of returning to serve in the imperial court. In addition, his disciples and former officials have cut ties with the palace. In this bidding, the palace has little chance of winning.
Moreover, the Liu family, which has risen rapidly recently, with the help of people in the court, has become as popular as several established merchants such as Wang Fu. It even seems to be faintly overpowering them. I heard that recently, the Liu family has begun to lay out the bidding for this project.
.
Therefore, this year's bidding for military supplies in the Great Zhou Dynasty will definitely be a battle between dragons and tigers.
However, these things did not attract Lu Heng much. What made him happy was that after worrying for more than ten days, Liu Qingqing's illness finally recovered.
Liu Qingqing, who has recovered from her illness, looks a little haggard and is still a little lack of energy.
Occasionally, I would sit in the yard for a while and look very tired.
These days, Lu Heng, who has no one to care about, has long thrown aside the custom of a gentleman traveling far away from the kitchen. He cooks in person every day, making some various side dishes for Liu Qingqing to taste.
However, because Liu Qingqing has just recovered from a serious illness, the meals she cooks are basically light.
That night, it was still raining outside. The sound of ticking had lasted for more than ten days, but it still had no intention of stopping. Waves of wet and cold wind blew in from outside, causing the candlelight to sway gently. Inside,
The lights flickered on and off. However, the temperature was not very cold.
In order to allow Liu Qingqing to recover as soon as possible, Lu Heng turned on the stove in the middle of summer.
"Uncle!" Liu Qingqing, who was wearing a red cloak, called softly while eating quietly.
"Huh? What's wrong?" Lu Heng put down the bowl and chopsticks, looked at Liu Qingqing who was facing a little red and asked: "Are you not feeling well?"
Liu Qingqing smiled, shook her head and said, "No, it's just a little hot!"
"Oh, then I'll turn down the heat!" Lu Heng stood up, holding the fire stick, and pressed the lid of the stove on, then turned around and returned to the dining table.
"I'll cook tomorrow's meal!" Liu Qingqing smiled and said to Lu Heng.
"Uh! Huh?" Lu Heng didn't react for a moment and looked at Liu Qingqing with a faint smile on his face in confusion.
Liu Qingqing smiled sweetly, lowered her head and took small bites of the rice. She whispered: "I don't know many things. If I can't even cook well, I really don't know what I can do!"
Lu Heng looked at the serious-faced Liu Qingqing across from him and shook his head in confusion.
Liu Qingqing is an independent woman. Although she looks a little weak on the outside, she is very strong on the inside. She rarely makes decisions, but if she makes a decision one day, it is really difficult to change.
Therefore, Lu Heng, who was well aware of this, could only nod his head in agreement after thinking about it.
After that, the two stopped talking. The atmosphere in the room was a bit solemn. Quiet, the only sound was the rustle of raindrops hitting the eaves outside.
In fact, both of them knew in their hearts that the other had something to say to them. However, they didn't know how to say it.
We sat opposite each other in a dull manner until dinner was over and the dishes were cleared away.
The candlelight had burned out and the light in the room became even dimmer. Liu Qingqing stood up and prepared to go back to her bedroom to rest.
"I'll take you back!" Lu Heng also stood up, walked over and stretched out his hand to help her.
But Liu Qingqing smiled and shook her head. She raised her head, glanced at Lu Heng with her beautiful eyes, and said with a hint of anger in her tone: "I'm not old yet!"
Lu Heng smiled and took back his hand, and said with a chuckle: "We'll talk about it when we get older!"
This sentence sounds a bit ambiguous, as if it is a love talk between lovers.
However, Liu Qingqing seemed to be used to Lu Heng's rude jokes. She was not angry at all. She just blushed slightly and glared at him: "A dog can't spit out ivory from its mouth!"
After saying that, Liu Qingqing raised her feet and prepared to leave.
Lu Heng was also ready to go to bed and rest.
When she reached the door, Liu Qingqing stopped but did not look back.
She turned her back to Lu Heng, took a deep breath, and said calmly: "As for the Liu family, my previous thoughts may be wrong. Uncle, if you want to do something, just do it. I, I will support you."
your!"
Although it sounds a bit clueless, these two people understand the meaning of this sentence.
Lu Heng, who was packing his things with his head down, stopped what he was doing after hearing these words. He looked at the woman's somewhat frail back. With a faint smile on his face, he nodded: "Okay!"
That’s it, it’s settled!
In the early morning of the next day, Lu Heng heard the familiar knock on the door again.
"Uncle, the meal is ready!" Liu Qingqing's voice was charming in the yard.
When Lu Heng walked out of the room, Liu Qingqing had already placed the dishes and chopsticks. At this time, she was standing across the table, looking at Lu Heng with a smile.
"Haha, I look much better!" Lu Heng sat down, picked up the bowls and chopsticks, looked at Liu Qingqing and said with a smile.
Liu Qingqing sat calmly and glanced at Lu Heng with a smile. Then she lowered her head and said softly: "These days, with uncle's food to support me, I have almost turned into a pig!"
Lu Heng chuckled and was about to say something to tease Liu Qingqing.
Liu Qingqing didn't give him a chance. She rolled her eyes at him, pointed at the food and said, "Eat quickly. Uncle hasn't been to the palace for a while. If you don't go, you won't be afraid of being expelled!"
It is still raining today, and the sky is always gray. Occasionally, there will be patches of mottled white, but soon it will be covered by clouds again. The rain is pouring down, and the eyes are foggy. Occasionally, a breeze blows, and those hanging
The copper bell under the eaves made a crisp sound, which blended with the sound of the dripping rain.
Lu Heng walked out of the small courtyard holding an oil-paper umbrella.
In the drizzle, I walked on the bright bluestone road towards the palace.
It had been raining for several days, and there was more water on the ground. Lu Heng, who was wearing a long gown, held his front skirt and carefully stepped on the raised bluestones, walking forward. Even so, his
The edge of the gown was still wet.
When I almost reached the palace, my clothes were already wet.
Lu Heng smiled helplessly and shook his head, simply ignoring it and walking into the palace.
After entering the palace, Lu Heng felt that the way the servants looked at him seemed a little strange. He met the servants several times, gathering in small and small groups, pointing at him and whispering. When he saw him looking over,
, they hurriedly dispersed, pretending as if nothing had happened.
Amidst the patter of rain, you can occasionally hear the servants standing under the eaves to take shelter from the rain, whispering: "Hey, did you see it? He is Lu Heng! The talented man who wrote Jinse! I didn't expect it.
He actually works as an errand in our palace. Why didn’t I find out before?"
Of course, half of the people who said these words were men. But the maids showed a different situation. They were unexpectedly bold and walked together in small groups. They rubbed hands with Lu Heng.
When passing by, a little daughter would often pretend not to see the person, and then touch Lu Heng's shoulder hard.
Seeing the oil-paper umbrella in Lu Heng's hand shaking as he couldn't hold it, the girls giggled, like swallows passing through the rain. They left bursts of laughter like silver bells, and then disappeared.
In the rain and fog.
Lu Heng hurriedly grabbed the oil-paper umbrella, then looked down at his shoes that were soaked by the rain, sighed, and shook his head helplessly with a wry smile at the group of maids who disappeared in the rain.
After walking to the West Crossing Courtyard, Lu Heng could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
In the west courtyard, the doors of the small houses of the accountants were closed tightly. The raindrops dripped from the eaves. The small splashes of water hitting the stone slab in front of the door made the bottom of the old wooden doors wet.
A moist piece.
There was no one in the yard, and the fruit trees beside the path were soaked in the rain. Although there were no fruits on the branches, they were still green and pleasant.
After walking on the gravel road and walking under the eaves, Lu Heng took out the key, opened the door and walked in.
At the same time, in the east courtyard, Li Er, who was wearing a raincoat and mist, held a tightly wrapped wooden box in his arms. He looked anxious but extremely excited as he walked up the steps and lightly
He knocked gently on Manager Fang's door.
Bang bang bang, Li Er held the package in one hand, clasped the copper ring on the door with the other, and knocked gently.
The bells on the hooked eaves were being beaten by raindrops, making a tinkling sound. The raindrops dripped from the eaves, forming a line of water, and the raincoat on Li Er's shoulders made a crackling sound.
Li Er's heart surged like a tide, and he swallowed a mouthful of saliva, waiting for Manager Fang's response.
After a while, Manager Fang's confused voice came from the room: "Who is it? It's raining!"
Li Er cleared his throat and responded: "It's the young one, sir!"
The door opened with a creak. Manager Fang stood at the door with a coat on his body. He yawned and looked a little depressed. He looked at Li Er, who was fully armed. He saw the package in Li Er's arms.
Finally, Manager Fang showed an obviously impatient look: "Li Er, you have been coming to the palace for a few years. It should be in accordance with the rules of the palace. You are blatantly giving gifts, haha, you are very courageous!"
Li Er felt calm, so he didn't look panicked. He smiled and said to the other manager: "In this package is a relative of the villain, who wrote about Jiangnan silk cloth, uh..., that market analysis. Xiaoren
People can’t quite understand it. I just want to show it to you to see if it’s useful? Haha!” Li Er wiped the rain off his face and smiled shyly, showing his white teeth.
Manager Fang glanced at Li Er in surprise, and then looked down at the package in Li Er's arms, which he regarded as a treasure.
He originally wanted to refuse, but after seeing Li Er's eager eyes, he finally couldn't bear to refuse this servant who had worked diligently in the palace for more than ten years.
"If that's the case, let's keep it for now!" Manager Fang took the package and nodded with a smile.