The storm raged for a few days. When the weather finally cleared up at Lu Zhou's place, the locals heaved sighs of relief. The strong wind did not destroy their houses, and the heavy rain did not cause a flood. The water flowed into the two rivers and some smaller tributaries that they dug and flowed into the sea.
There was still a long time before the construction of the wooden houses on the mountain was completed. Li Xun left some of his men to continue working in the mountain and paid them more. The others began to pack up and prepare to return. They wanted to see which areas had their seedlings washed away so that they could replant them as soon as possible. Also, they had to continue with their fishing.
The people knew that even if they did not hide in the mountain, they would not be in any danger. However, no one complained that the kind official should not have done this. After all, seeing the results and taking precautions were two different matters. Moreover, they had done some work in the mountain, and they did not lack wages.
News from Qin Province had not arrived yet. Perhaps, the people who were in a hurry had just arrived, or perhaps, they had not. Qin Province was far away, and the main problem was the road. If they had cooperated with Lu Zhou to build the road, it would not have taken them much time to travel there on horseback.
For the past few days, Li Xun had been writing letters every day. After he finished writing them, he would leave them aside and wait for news from Qin Province. He would choose a letter and send it to the capital depending on the situation. He also urged Zhang Xiaobao to come up with a few plans with his family members. Just like this letter, they would adopt the appropriate measures according to the situation.
Zhang Xiaobao did not have the time to think about this. He casually thought of a few countermeasures, but they did not add up to more than 1,000 words. He sent them to Li Xun as a plan.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan had other matters to attend to. Although they had profited from their trip to Lu Zhou, they had to make a comparison. If Zhang Xiaobao did not restrain himself, the money he invested in Lu Zhou would have been several times more than what he had now. Since he did not do that, he should at least make up for it in other ways.
The two men who had been busy with Lu Zhou's affairs finally had time to spare. They were preparing to trade with Lei Province Peninsula and Hainan Island. Both of them felt that since there was a disaster here, there should be a disaster there as well. Hence, they wanted to send some food over to take a look. At the same time, they also brought some specialties from the capital.
The Leizhou Peninsula was not a place to be anxious about. All the ships had to pass through there and go through the Qiongzhou Strait. The fleet did not stop at these two places. Instead, they went to Hainan Island first. That was a really good place to grow some tropical plants.
"We need to find a reliable translator first. What if it's difficult to communicate with the ethnic minorities over there? What are their customs? Do I have to wear earrings? What gift should I give her? "
Zhang Xiaobao was worried. He was afraid that the people he sent would accidentally anger the other party. He thought about how he would have to transplant a large number of species from other places on the island in the future and build a dock. He had to build a good relationship with the other party.
Wang Juan, on the other hand, was not worried about the matter of a translator. She said, "There are already people living there. We just need to find a translator among them. The languages there are more diverse. It's just like the people living in the mountains here. There's no need to give them gold or silver. We can't afford earrings, but they don't lack pearls."
"Then, we should give them some gifts. What else can we give them? Hawksbill? I think there are more of them than here, right? Give them a few sets of sofas and other furniture? I wonder if they're willing to use them and give them some handicrafts? I have a feeling that their craftsmanship is better than ours. It's said that Huang Dao Granny learned how to weave from there. "
Zhang Xiaobao rested his chin on his hand and thought hard. When Wang Juan heard Zhang Xiaobao mention weaving, her eyes lit up. She suggested, "Since they like to weave and use cotton wool, we should give them more bouncy cotton. I look forward to seeing them make more beautiful things with cotton. I believe they'll like it."
"Then we'll give them cotton. If they think it's good, we'll teach them how to grow cotton and watermelons." Zhang Xiaobao couldn't think of anything else. Only giving them something that they didn't have could make them happy. Since they were skilled and could weave good things, they should be able to accept things like cotton.
Wang Juan had a different idea when she heard Zhang Xiaobao's plan.
"Xiao Bao, we can just let them help us weave the cotton. Why do we have to teach them how to grow it? We have the resources here. When the time comes, we can just exchange the things they make for cotton. If they know how to grow it, will they still be able to exchange with us? "
How could Zhang Xiaobao not know about this? At first, he thought so too. However, considering that the Li Tribe over there, now called the Li Tribe, had their own culture and traditions. Their craftsmanship was not so easy to learn. Other than them, others might not be able to master it so well.
If they sent the cotton to them, they would make good things. As long as they exchanged, it would definitely become a commodity. Other people also grew cotton now. When they saw this kind of thing, how could they not know where it came from?
It was precisely because of this that Zhang Xiaobao decided to teach the Li Tribe how to grow cotton. He also provided seeds and a flower weaving machine. He explained to Wang Juan, "Now the tribute over there is cloth woven from cotton. It's very beautiful. Once a new thing is made with cotton, others will know it's produced locally.
Then, would the other people who grew cotton wait for us to exchange with Hainan? If it were you, wouldn't you interfere? Since we can't keep a secret and don't have the ability to keep a secret, it's better to be generous and let them feel our sincerity. As long as the cotton matter is successful, we can collect specialties from various places in the future and bring them to Hainan Island for the locals to choose from. "
"That's right. Then, we'll put our brand on everything we send over. Let them remember this brand and let them understand the benefits of cooperating with us. We must also let them know that we are not worse than them in some aspects. Don't they have a rattan weaving skill? After a while, we'll find someone from the inner courtyard to start training. "
Wang Juan also knew that this skill could not be monopolized, so she could only give in. She waved her small hand and began to arrange.
"What do we have that can surpass them in weaving? Find craftsmen from other places? How long will it take to learn? "Zhang Xiaobao felt that there was no technology that could be used.
"Why not? The heart is like a double net, there are thousands of knots in it. Let them tie China knots. I'm not very good at it, but I know a few knots." Wang Juan stuck out her chest and said proudly.
"Aren't you just a skilled worker? I don't want to learn even if you let me. Let's not talk about this anymore. Prepare to go down the mountain. "Zhang Xiaobao waved his hand indifferently and turned to leave.
"If you don't know, just say you don't know. Why are you looking for excuses? Tsk." Wang Juan shook her head happily and also left.
*****
The rain converges into a river, into the sea becomes a wave, the waterfall soars into the mist, the echo is a mountain song. When the wind comes, there are many things to worry about. Perhaps the hometown is still happy, but there are thousands of knots.
Most of the people began to go down the mountain and immerse themselves in their new jobs. Some of the people who came from Qin Province were in a bad mood. Although they could not see their hometown, they would still look there from time to time. There were places where they used to live and relatives.
The wind did not wreak havoc in Lu Zhou and went to the other side. They wondered how their relatives and neighbors were doing. If the officials there could do half of what Lu Zhou did, they might be able to avoid the wind.
Perhaps, their relatives there were worried about them as well. They thought that the wind came from this side first. They really wanted to go and tell them that everything was fine here. Even if the wind came, it would not hurt them, let alone the wind.
Some of the people had such thoughts as they followed the team down the mountain. When the time came, they would go back to their own homes. After that, they would have to replenish the seedlings.
Li Xun did not stay on the mountain to supervise the work. Most of the work here had been arranged. There were people who worked, and there were also guards who protected the people from being harmed by the wild beasts. Perhaps, the next time they came here, it would be a different scene.
After they went down the mountain, the crowd gradually separated. In the end, there was only a group of more than 6,000 people left. They continued to move toward the seaside. These people were the people of Ulei County. A quarter of them were fishermen. They went home to take a look and tidied up before they went out to sea again to fish.
Li Xun rode on his horse and approached Zhang Xiaobao who was also riding alone. He asked curiously, "Xiao Bao, what's your family doing again?"
"Nothing much. The roads in the province are not finished yet. Some parts of the docks are damaged as well. They have to be fixed first." Zhang Xiaobao yawned and replied. Last night, he was busy calculating how many things he could bring to Hainan Island to trade. He was sleepy.
Li Xun obviously did not believe Zhang Xiaobao's words. "If you're not doing anything, then what are you doing? Wang Juan took a few of your maids and mysteriously went into the carriage. Did she find something good again? "
"No, she just went to play with the rope. It's a woman's business. Don't worry about it." Zhang Xiaobao casually said. Weiwei put more strength into her legs, and the horse's speed increased by a few degrees.
Li Xun still did not believe it. After thinking for a while, he still could not figure out what a few maids could do to earn money. He shook his head and urged his horse to catch up. He asked again, "What do you think will happen in Qinzhou?"
"Who knows? We have already prepared the food here. If the loss is really big, send it in your name. Wait, maybe in ten days or half a month, the news will come from there."
Zhang Xiaobao yawned again and again. He leaned on the horse's back and closed his eyes to rest. Li Xun also yawned and rubbed his eyes. He gave a look to the guard next to him. The guard quickly stuck to Zhang Xiaobao's side, afraid that he would fall asleep in a while.
Li Xun came to the head guard and whispered, "Keep a close eye on them. What if there is a profitable business? You want to leave me behind? In your dreams. "
The guard nodded and passed on the task.
The group traveled for more than four days in a row. It was almost five days before they returned. It was much slower than when they went. When they went, it was to save their lives.
Wang Juan spent most of the time in the carriage. The maids were also the same. They were all in high spirits, but no matter how others asked, they did not reveal any information.
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