latelenovela Chapter 592: 1 Heart for the People
Chapter 592: 1 Heart for the People
Chapter 592: Serving the People
"Well, I know that. Speaking of Xiaoyuan, do you know what this brat has been doing recently?" Old Marquis Pei was so angry that he laughed. Without waiting for Madam Pei to ask back, he asked and answered himself.
"He is looking for a midwife to deliver Lei'er's baby. It's fine if he wants to. It's a good thing that he cares about Lei'er. But do you know the conditions he set for the midwife? He said he wanted a midwife with good skills, who would only save the baby if something went wrong.
This brat is worried that we will mistreat Lei'er. Alas! How could we mistreat Lei'er? "Old Marquis Pei shook his head, somewhat helplessly.
"They grew up together and have a special bond. Xiaoyuan is a person who thinks a lot, so we should just go along with him.
When you send the midwife over, just bring the one he found with you." Old Madam Pei sighed softly.
"Well, it doesn't matter. More midwives are better. It would be better to find a few more wet nurses and let Lei'er choose by herself." Old Marquis Pei agreed.
The next day, Lord Pei entered the imperial study with two and a half barrels of tung oil, oilcloth and an oilcloth raincoat.
Emperor Shengwu frowned as he smelled the slightly pungent smell of tung oil. He asked, "Old Marquis, it's almost New Year's Day, and you brought tung oil into the palace. What's the important matter?"
Also, what is this? Is it cloth?" Emperor Shengwu asked, looking at the oilcloth that Marquis Pei had placed on the ground.
"Your Majesty, this is the oilcloth made by my humble grandson's wife, Doctor Hua, using tung oil. This is a raincoat made of oilcloth. Your Majesty, look." Old Marquis Pei said, pointing at the oilcloth and raincoat.
"Oilcloth? Is this another new thing Doctor Hua came up with?" Upon hearing this, Emperor Shengwu walked around the desk with interest, squatted down, pulled up a corner of the oilcloth to take a closer look, and asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty, this is made by Doctor Hua, referring to the principle of making oil paper. She used linen instead of paper to make this oil cloth, but it is more complicated and time-consuming than making oil paper.
However, once it is made, it has many uses. This oilcloth can be used to make raincoats, tents, and oilcloth umbrellas, which is very practical.
Your Majesty, look, this is an oilcloth raincoat that has been used for a year, and the quality is still very good. "Old Marquis Pei unfolded the oilcloth raincoat and said.
"This... Doctor Hua is really clever. Not bad, not bad." Emperor Shengwu shook his oilcloth raincoat and said in a joyful tone.
"Your Majesty, this is a letter from my humble grandson, Doctor Hua, sent from Mobei. It describes in detail how to make this oilcloth. Your Majesty, please take a look. If the Ministry of Industry can make it, it would be very good."
Old Marquis Pei took out the letter written by Hua Lei from his arms and handed it to Eunuch Fu. Eunuch Fu took it carefully and handed it to Emperor Shengwu.
"Your Majesty, this oilcloth has a wide range of uses, especially in military camps. The weather in Mobei is extremely cold. You see, this oilcloth is windproof, rainproof, and snowproof, and is perfect for making tents.
And this oilcloth raincoat is also very useful if the soldiers go out on patrol and encounter rainy and snowy weather. It is much better than an ordinary raincoat. "Mr. Pei said again.
"Okay, okay, Doctor Hwa is really diligent and dedicated to serving the people! By the way, I also heard that Doctor Hwa is doing a very good job in Mobei.
The people who were reclaiming wasteland were given processed food and wood stoves, which won them great praise. "Emperor Shengwu said as he read the letter.
"It seems so. My humble grandson Rongjin also mentioned this in his family letter. My humble grandson's wife said that the business of wood stoves and replacement processing is only to bring convenience to the people.
I don’t seek to make money, I just hope to achieve a balance between income and expenditure, and to be able to persevere, just like the steamed bun exchange business here in Shangjing City.”
Old Marquis Pei thought of the letters sent by Rong Jin and Hua Lei, and said with a smile.
"Doctor Hwa is truly kind-hearted, very good. It would be a blessing for the court if there were more wise and capable people like Doctor Hwa." Emperor Shengwu was very satisfied.
"Your Majesty, thank you for your praise! I, your granddaughter-in-law, still have many shortcomings. After all, I am a girl. In many cases, whether in terms of physical strength or other aspects, I may not be as good as other adults.
Besides, women have to go through the hurdle of childbirth, which sometimes delays some things." Lord Pei said carefully.
"Well, this is indeed true, but it doesn't matter. Last time, I promised the old marquis that if Doctor Hua is pregnant in Mobei, she doesn't have to go on duty like other officials.
Just do what she can according to her own body. I think Hwarangjoong's brain is more useful." Emperor Shengwu said generously.
"I would like to thank Your Majesty on behalf of my granddaughter-in-law, Doctor Hua, for your consideration. I will write a letter when I get back to convey Your Majesty's grace to them."
Old Marquis Pei was delighted. Since Emperor Shengwu mentioned it again, it meant that Lei'er would not have to go on duty on time in the future. This would be much easier.
Moreover, Emperor Shengwu did not say that Lei'er should resign and go home, so her official position would be retained. The grace that he originally wanted to ask for had already been obtained before he even opened his mouth. So Lord Pei also hurried to thank him.
"Looking at the old marquis's appearance, is he about to become a great-grandfather?" Emperor Shengwu asked with a smile.
"I dare not deceive Your Majesty. In the last letter home, my foolish grandson Rong Jin did mention that his grandson's wife is pregnant. According to the time calculation, she should be more than two and a half months pregnant, but not yet three months." Old Marquis Pei also replied with a smile.
"Okay, then I also congratulate the old Marquis! The Marquis's Mansion will have another addition next year. Eunuch Fu, go to the warehouse and pick out some medicinal herbs suitable for pregnant women, and have the old Marquis Pei take them back and give them to Doctor Hua.
By the way, pick some thicker fabrics and let Old Marquis Pei take them back with him." Emperor Shengwu said generously, waving his hand.
"I thank your Majesty." Old Marquis Pei happily returned to his mansion with a cart full of rewards.
Emperor Shengwu also had someone copy a method for making oilcloth, and sent two and a half barrels of tung oil, as well as oilcloth and oilcloth raincoats to the Ministry of Works, asking them to quickly try to make one.
Therefore, as the year was coming to an end, the Ministry of Works had to work overtime and made the first piece of oilcloth using the method of making oilcloth from flower buds.
Fortunately, the weather in the capital city was very good, so when the New Year came, at the grand court meeting on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Emperor Shengwu saw a piece of oilcloth made by the Ministry of Works.
The quality of the oilcloth was almost the same as that of the one handed over by Old Marquis Pei. After pouring water on it, it was confirmed that the oilcloth was indeed windproof and rainproof.
Emperor Shengwu was delighted and immediately ordered the Ministry of Works to start making the oilcloth. When enough was made, it would be distributed to military camps on the border.