Zhang Xiaobao really did arrange for people to do it. Building this kind of bridge was very fast. First, people would use boats to pull the hemp rope across. When the time came, both sides would be stretched, and the hemp rope would be gradually thicker. When a certain thickness was reached, one end would be replaced with an iron chain. When the time came, both sides would be fixed, and wooden planks would be laid. It would probably take less than half a month.
As long as one was willing to spend money, there was no need to worry about not being able to make the iron chain. At that time, the price would be half of the ferry price. If the ferry lowered the price for transporting goods, the bridge would also lower the price. It was necessary to let the people know that it was safer, faster, and cheaper to cross the river than to cross the bridge.
Of course, at this time, Zhang Xiaobao did not forget the impact of the bridge on the ferry industry. He was prepared to wait for the people to get used to the bridge before letting the ferrymen stop what they were doing and come over to help guard the bridge. Some people were willing to change careers to fishing.
After arranging everything, Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan returned to the boat behind Xiaobei and the others were on. Previously, they had been discussing the details of the emperor's travel expenses with Old Man Pi and the others.
As soon as they returned to the boat, Xiaobei came over angrily.
"What's wrong, Xiaobei? Did someone bully our Xiaobei? Why are you unhappy? "Zhang Xiaobao crouched down and opened his arms.
Xiaobei was still angry, but he did not refuse his brother's embrace. He leaned on his brother's arm and said, "It's you. I asked someone to make the clothes, but you didn't let me."
"Really? There was such a thing? Aiya, Xiaobei, when you mentioned the clothes, I just remembered that my back is whiter than my front. What should I do? I was worried, but in the end, your sister was the best. Guess what she thought of? "
Zhang Xiaobao indeed did not agree. At this time, he pretended not to know. He changed the topic and began to talk about his own matters.
As expected, Xiaobei's goal was not the clothes. Hearing his brother's words, he blinked his big eyes and asked, "Really?"
"Really. If you don't believe me, Xiaobei, look. Is my back whiter than my front?" As Zhang Xiaobao spoke, he put the clothes in his pocket for Xiaobei to see. There were faint ink marks on his chest and dirt.
Xiao Bei looked around and nodded. "It's true. What idea did you come up with?"
"I won't tell you for now. Let everyone guess. There will be a prize for guessing right. Go, get Little Yuan and the rest here." Zhang Xiaobao said to Xiao Bei. When Xiao Bei happily ran over to call for help, Zhang Xiaobao slapped his body with all his might. The mud sticking to his body was too uncomfortable.
Wang Juan finally couldn't help but laugh. She said to Zhang Xiaobao, "I really don't know what you're thinking. You could have just told Xiao Bei what happened tomorrow. Why did you have to torment yourself like this?"
"That won't do. To you and me, this is a small matter that can't be any smaller. But to children, this is a huge matter. Many children, when they grow up, their earliest memories stop at the age of five or six. Do you know why?
One reason is because there are problems with brain development when they are young. The other reason is that before the age of five or six, they always live the same life. What they do every day doesn't change much. Adults who don't understand this logic want their children to be more stable and obedient in order to save trouble.
Any obedient child is a good child. Many people think this way, but it's actually very selfish. Children are independent from the moment they appear in this world. They belong to themselves. Raising them isn't the same as restricting them.
I can't control others, but I can control Xiaobei and the rest. I'll let them have a lively and colorful childhood. Children are the continuation of adults' hopes, but they are definitely not the inheritance of adults' personalities. Adults who want their children to realize their unrealized ideas are unqualified adults. "
Zhang Xiaobao said seriously to Wang Juan. This was what he thought, and it was exactly what he did.
Wang Juan and Weiwei smiled. "Then let's hold a discussion for them. How can we make a white place turn black, or make a black place turn white? You're right. Children also have their own dreams. We just need to provide them with the environment to create their dreams as much as possible. They're not another Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan."
The innocent Xiao Bei didn't know how much effort his brother and sister had put in for them. He was happy to find Xiao Yuan, Xiao Zhu, and Xiao Hai. He didn't forget to pull Da Nan, Xiao Nan, and the other three people. The group of little guys ran over to Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan.
The discussion of black becoming white, and white becoming black began just like that.
*****
Two days later, when the color of Xiao Bei's right arm was about the same as the color of his left arm, the group finally entered the capital. Old Man Pi and the other two people went to the Joy House to rest, while Zhang Xiaobao led the group of little guys into the Imperial Palace.
The guards sent them to the door and stopped. The group of little guys put on cute and beautiful clothes and followed closely behind Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. They walked all the way to Xingqing Palace curiously.
Li Longji, who had been waiting for a long time, asked people to prepare a lot of snacks and juice. He changed into casual clothes and glanced at the entrance of the palace from time to time.
Xiao Bei and the others. The boy wore a black tuxedo with a white flowery shirt and a bow tie. The girl wore a princess dress with a beautiful bow tie in front of her chest.
There was no need for people to announce their arrival. They directly entered the palace. As soon as they saw each other, they began to greet according to the etiquette taught by Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. Naturally, there was no cupping of one's fist or kneeling. The boy put one hand on his chest and bowed. The girl just squatted and bowed. They said together, "We greet Imperial Uncle."
Li Longji had never seen such a fun thing before. Looking at the serious looks on the faces of these little fellows, he couldn't hold it in any longer. He stood up and walked forward while saying, "Rise, rise. Come, let uncle take a good look."
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan hadn't bowed yet. When they saw Li Longji coming over, they treated it as if they had already bowed. Wang Juan stood beside her younger brother and sister to accompany them. Zhang Xiaobao ran to Gao Lishi's side and took out a bag of small abalones that he had made. He said, "Adoptive Father, we came in a hurry and didn't prepare any other gifts. Eat some abalones."
Gao Lishi didn't care about what Zhang Xiaobao wanted to give him. He didn't lack money. As long as he saw his adopted son, he would be happy. He took the small abalones and asked Zhang Xiaobao, "My son, Xiao Bei and the others' clothes …?"
"I made them for fun. Don't they look good on you?" Zhang Xiaobao replied.
"They look good, just like the dolls you sell. Xin Er and the others didn't come?" Gao Lishi looked at Xiao Bei and the others and also liked them. Children were always so fun, especially children who pretended to be adults. It was even more interesting.
"Xin Er and the others originally followed the emperor to the capital, but they didn't want to enter the palace and went to work in their shop. They have a doll shop here. When the emperor goes to Jinyang, they will follow him."
Zhang Xiaobao replied.
At this time, Li Longji didn't care about Zhang Xiaobao and Gao Lishi. He hugged and kissed them one by one. He found that they were even more fun than his own children. When his children saw him, they were usually very scared. Some even felt that he was a stranger. This group of little guys was different.
Each and every one of them was obedient and not afraid of strangers. They always had a smile on their faces. It was very pleasing to see.
After kissing each of them once, Li Longji stood up and took Xiao Bei's hand. He asked, "Xiao Bei, I heard that you dared to wear official robes without my permission. Do you know your crime?"
If Li Longji asked other children, they might not know what to say. However, he chose Xiao Bei. Xiao Bei was the most sociable.
After hearing Li Longji's words, Xiao Bei wasn't afraid at all. Instead, he showed a nervous expression. He blinked his big eyes and said, "Can I only wear it with Uncle Emperor's permission?"
"Of course," Li Longji replied with a straight face.
"Xiao Bei and Uncle Emperor should discuss it and allow Xiao Bei and the others to wear it. Xiao Bei was injured last month and it hurts a lot. Uncle Emperor, what do you think?"
As Xiao Bei spoke, he felt so wronged that he was about to cry. His eyes were red.
Li Longji just wanted to joke. When he saw that Xiao Bei was about to cry, he immediately nodded and agreed. "Okay, Xiao Bei, if you want to wear it, then wear it. I have agreed. I will let you wear it."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty." This time, there was no need for anyone to tell them. The children, who always listened to stories from their older brothers and sisters, used the words that often appeared in other dynasties and bowed to Li Longji.
Li Longji was stunned at first. After pondering for a while, he felt that these four words were quite good. They sounded very comfortable and should be thanking him for his kindness. He hurriedly said, "You may dispense with the formalities. Xiao Bei, tell Uncle Emperor, how did you get injured? Does it still hurt? "
"It doesn't hurt anymore. It doesn't hurt anymore after big brother blows on it. It's more or less healed. It's just that I can't bruise it anymore and can't use too much force. I have to continue recuperating for another month. Uncle Emperor, are we still going to prepare the goldfish pouch and official robes ourselves?"
Xiao Bei obediently shook his head and waved his arms to show that he was almost healed. He then asked one last question.
Li Longji was stunned. "What goldfish pouch?"
"Becoming an official. Uncle Emperor personally agreed to confer us an official. We have already thanked you." Xiao Bei said with a look that said, "Are you going to go back on your word?"
"Confer an official? Confer what official? "Li Longji was even more confused.
"Disbanded officials. Lower third rank and fourth rank disbanded officials, just like big brother and big sister. Last time, Xiao Bei was wearing a third rank official robe because big sister was wearing it. Big brother was wearing a fourth rank official robe, so big brother Xiao Yuan and the others were also wearing fourth rank official robes. Uncle Emperor, you just said that you will allow us to wear this robe, so naturally, we have to have an official.
Uncle Emperor, you can rest assured. Xiao Bei doesn't care if you want an official robe and goldfish pouch. Xiao Bei can prepare them myself. Really, big brother Xiao Yuan and the others are the same. Isn't that right, Xiao Yuan? "
Xiao Bei tried his best to fight for his own benefits. He finally caught Li Longji saying the wrong thing. A monarch's words were not to be taken lightly. The opportunity was right in front of him.
Xiao Yuan and the others weren't stupid and immediately thanked him again.
However, Li Longji was dumbfounded. He was just teasing his children. How could he give away a bunch of third rank and fourth rank officials? If he really gave them away, that would be terrible.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
