Li An had a simple lunch in the palace and then hurried out of the palace. He had already introduced everything that needed to be introduced. He left behind a group of technical talents who could continue to help him explain some technical problems so that the ministers who did not understand could continue to ask.
Ang Lee hurried out of the palace because he had already promised Yan Ruyu that he would go with her to the craftsmen's homes to pay his New Year's greetings and deliver enough New Year's goods to win over these high-level technical talents and make them work for him willingly.
Yan Ruyu should have been to many craftsmen's homes in the morning. After lunch, she would wait for Ang Lee at the appointed place. Unless Ang Lee did not arrive at the appointed time, Yan Ruyu would continue to deliver New Year's goods by herself.
Seeing that Li An had arrived as promised, the corners of Yan Ruyu's mouth curled into a faint smile. She took a few steps forward to welcome Li An.
"Madam, how many families have you delivered in the morning?"
Ang Lee asked.
"I've only sent 15."
Yan Ruyu replied faintly.
"15. Not bad. It's not a small number. Who asked them to live so loosely? Let's go! Let's deliver the New Year's goods together. "
Ang Lee said happily. He waved his hand and led the group to set off.
Ang Lee was of noble status. Since he had personally delivered the gifts, he naturally gave a lot of gifts. If the gifts were shabby, it would seem insincere.
There was enough rice, flour, grain, and oil for a large family to eat for several months. In other words, even if these craftsmen did not prepare any New Year's goods, the New Year's goods provided by Ang Lee were enough to let them have a happy New Year.
"Alang, we've arrived at Blacksmith Li's home."
The guard reminded him.
Because they had to deliver goods every year, some of the old guards in Ang Lee's home could accurately find out where all the guards lived. They even knew how many people there were in each household and what kind of temperament they had.
"Husband, is this Blacksmith Li the blacksmith with the best forging skills? I heard you mention him a few days ago. "
Yan Ruyu asked.
Li An nodded and said, "Yes, it's this blacksmith. He's a very short old man, but he's really strong. He's a good blacksmith. Several projects were thanks to him. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to succeed. Blacksmith Li has contributed a lot to my husband's great achievements. Even the successful invention of the telegraph this time was also due to Blacksmith Li. He's a hero of the Tang Empire."
This was not something Ang Lee said casually. In the Tang dynasty, where basic technology was backward, Ang Lee had a lot of wonderful designs. They all needed to be made and polished manually, and the requirements for the craftsmen's skills were very high. The higher the craftsmen's skills were, the easier it was to realize Ang Lee's inventions. Therefore, these ingenious craftsmen had always been regarded as treasures by Ang Lee. Not only did he give them generous rewards, but he also gave them enough respect. He even personally sent them New Year goods during the Spring Festival.
Scholars, farmers, businessmen, and businessmen. In the Tang dynasty, craftsmen's status was slightly higher than that of businessmen. Their status in the whole society was relatively low. However, Ang Lee respected craftsmen very much. This moved the craftsmen greatly. When they worked, naturally, they worked harder.
"Husband, Blacksmith Li's home is different from last year. It's a lot bigger! The door is also more magnificent. At first glance, no one would think that it was the residence of a craftsman. It looks more like the residence of a bigwig! "
Yan Ruyu said.
Ang Lee looked carefully and nodded. "My wife is right! Blacksmith Li's home is indeed many times bigger than ordinary people's. However, it's just a little bigger. It doesn't have the grandeur of a bigwig, nor is it against the rules. "
Just as Ang Lee and Yan Ruyu were talking, Blacksmith Li came out with his children and grandchildren after hearing the news. He had just had a holiday yesterday, so he could spend the Spring Festival at home. After the Spring Festival, he would continue to work for the Tang dynasty on the eighth day of the Spring Festival. However, he would have another day off on the fifteenth.
"Greetings, Assistant Minister Li."
Blacksmith Li hurriedly led his family to salute respectfully.
"Get up, get up. There's no need to salute. Aiya! Blacksmith Chen's home is really prosperous. There are twenty to thirty people at a glance. Are they all family? "
Ang Lee looked at the people in front of him and asked.
Although there were more people in Ang Lee's residence, most of them were bought servants. He did not have many real family members. However, the people in Blacksmith Li's home were more or less the same. There should be no difference between them and his family.
"Assistant Minister Li, these are all my family members. These are my sons, these are my grandsons, and these are my daughters-in-law. They are all family."
Blacksmith Li introduced them.
"It's a blessing to have so many children and grandchildren! This is the age when you should be enjoying your life, but you have to work for the Tang dynasty. Blacksmith Chen, you've worked hard. "
Ang Lee praised.
"You flatter me. This is what I should do. Assistant Minister Li thinks so highly of me. How can I not do my best? It's just that my son hasn't mastered the essence of blacksmithing. I can't retire for the time being. At least, I have to work for another seven or eight years until my son has mastered my skills. Only then can I retire at home!"
Blacksmith Li said with a smile.
Ang Lee paid Blacksmith Li very well. The reason why the Li family could have such a large residence was all because of Blacksmith Li's work. How could an old man like him be willing to lose his job? Moreover, he had already thought about letting his sons take over. However, in terms of skills, sometimes, it was not necessarily the case that the father was good at it but the son was good at it.
"Hahaha! Old Li! You can't bear to part with the pay, right? Look at your residence, it's been changing every year for the past few years! I remember when I came here last year, this place was still a small garden. Now, it has been built and even the courtyard walls have been raised. "
Ang Lee said with a smile.
"To be honest, Assistant Minister Li, I really can't bear to part with the pay. If I know that this old man's body can take it, I'm willing to work for another twenty years."
Blacksmith Chen said with a face full of chrysanthemum flowers.
"Good for you, Old Li! Haha! Come, bring in the New Year goods! "
Ang Lee smiled and ordered.
After chatting at the door for a long time, Blacksmith Chen did not invite Ang Lee into the house. Firstly, he did not have time. Secondly, he knew that Ang Lee was here to deliver the New Year goods. The quantity and weight of the goods were relatively large. It was not good to let the delivery guards carry them into the house. It was better for his sons and grandsons to do it.
After all, the guards had to deliver the goods to many houses. If they had to carry it for every house, it would be very tiring. They were all simple and hardworking people. Naturally, they would be more considerate of the guards. If they could do it themselves, they would not easily trouble others.
"This is a reward from Assistant Minister Li to our family. Why aren't you going to help? The guards have been busy the whole morning and are tired. Go and carry it!"
Blacksmith Chen did not stand on ceremony. He ordered his sons and grandsons to carry the New Year goods. Then, he very politely invited Ang Lee into the house.
He also understood Ang Lee's routine. He knew that Ang Lee would definitely go in to find out more. However, he would not stay for too long. Therefore, he did not say anything that Ang Lee would definitely not agree to.
"Good fellow, three courtyards and a new big courtyard at the side. There are a total of four courtyards! There must be more than thirty rooms here! One room per person is not enough! "
When Ang Lee entered Blacksmith Chen's house, he realized that it was very different from last year. There were more rooms in each courtyard. Furthermore, there was a new courtyard. The new courtyard also had five rooms. In total, there were four courtyards and more than thirty rooms.
When Blacksmith Chen heard this, he smiled and said, "Replying Assistant Minister Li, there are a total of thirty-six rooms. However, there are only twenty rooms that can be used as bedrooms. My family has twenty-five people. One room per person is really not enough!"
"Haha! Good for you, Old Li. Are you thinking of building a few more rooms? Then you have to work hard. As long as you do well, the remuneration will definitely increase. You don't have to worry about not having enough money to build a house. "
Ang Lee encouraged loudly.
"Assistant Minister Li, this time we have successfully developed the telegraph machine. His Majesty will definitely reward us!"
Blacksmith Chen asked with a face full of anticipation.
Ang Lee nodded affirmatively and said, "Is there even a need to say it? His Majesty was very happy this morning. In court, he said that he would reward everyone who contributed. All the craftsmen who entered the palace today were able to eat His Majesty's usual food. This is such a huge reward! Just wait! Before the New Year, His Majesty's reward will definitely be sent over. "
"Haha! That's great! To be able to follow Assistant Minister Li for the rest of my life is a blessing that I've accumulated over several lifetimes, a blessing that I've accumulated over several lifetimes! "
Blacksmith Chen was so excited that he didn't know what to say.
The old woman at home, who was Blacksmith Chen's mother, and his wife were also holding Yan Ruyu's hands and praising Yan Ruyu. Yan Ruyu couldn't stop laughing and didn't know what to say. It was no wonder. To be honest, Yan Ruyu was an outstanding beauty. Moreover, as long as she went out, she would definitely put on makeup. Blacksmith Chen's mother and wife were really old and ugly. Even if they put on makeup, they definitely wouldn't be beautiful. Where were their facial features? Therefore, when they saw a beauty like Yan Ruyu, how could they not be envious?
"As long as you work hard, you will be more fortunate in the future. And your sons, compared to you, are too inferior. You must practice diligently."
Ang Lee said.
"Assistant Minister Li is right. It's my fault that I didn't teach them to forge. That's why they are not skilled. It's all my fault."
Blacksmith Li said.
"What's wrong? Your sons have all just started to learn how to forge? Why didn't you teach them from a young age? "
Ang Lee was very curious and asked.
For example, sickles, hoes, and shovels. No matter how exquisite they are, they can't be sold for very high prices. They are only twenty percent more expensive than crudely made ones. Moreover, many people are unwilling to buy them, thinking that the things this old man makes are too expensive and impractical. Mother and my wife often complain, and this old man swears in public that even if my sons starve to death in the future, they will never become blacksmiths. Thus, this old man has had his sons work with others from a young age and become simple farmers. Who would have thought that this old man's little bit of skill would play such an important role in Assistant Minister Li's eyes? This is truly the case of a fine horse meeting a Bole! "
Blacksmith Li said excitedly.
"So you're saying that you regret it now and want to let your sons who haven't learned to forge start to learn blacksmithing now?"
Ang Lee asked with a smile.
Blacksmith Li opened his mouth and said, "The eldest and second sons have already settled down and settled down. They are already good at farming. It's a little late to learn blacksmithing now. The third and fourth sons are still underage. It's not too late to start learning blacksmithing now."
"What a good plan! As long as the whole family works hard, their lives will get better and better. I have high hopes for you. Don't let me down. "
Ang Lee said.
"Assistant Minister Li, rest assured. I won't let you down. I'm determined to follow you for the rest of my life. In the future, my third and fourth sons will follow you for the rest of their lives."
Blacksmith Chen expressed his loyalty.
"Good, that's good. I still have to send off many families. I can't waste too much time. I'm leaving."
Ang Lee stayed for a quarter of an hour and was ready to leave.
"I'll send off Assistant Minister Li. Assistant Minister Li, please."
Blacksmith Chen personally sent Ang Lee to the door. Moreover, his old mother and the whole family came out to send them off. They sent them off for a long distance until Ang Lee and the rest disappeared from sight. Only then did they return home.
"Husband, this Blacksmith Chen's family is really interesting, especially his old mother. Although she's old, she's really interesting. She doesn't repeat the same words when she praises people. I'm sure she must have been a capable woman when she was young."
When Yan Ruyu spoke, there was a smile at the corner of her mouth. It was obvious that she was in a good mood. How could she not be in a good mood after being praised by others?
"Yes, yes, yes. When that old woman was young, she must have been as capable as Madam."
Ang Lee said with a smile. In fact, he had other intentions.
"If she's capable, then she's capable. How can she be like me? Compared to her, there's still a big gap between me and her! "
Yan Ruyu seemed to be a little dissatisfied.
"A big gap. That's right. Madam is much prettier than that old woman when she was young. You're also a hundred times more virtuous than that old woman. You're also more knowledgeable about poetry and etiquette than that old woman. You're also more …"
Ang Lee said a lot of good things in one breath. Every word he said hit the bottom of Yan Ruyu's heart. This made Yan Ruyu extremely happy.
"My husband is really good at coaxing people. Alright, whose house are we going to next?"
Yan Ruyu rolled her eyes at Ang Lee and asked with a smile.
"Madam has the final say. We'll go to whichever house Madam wants to go to first."
Ang Lee said very gracefully.
"We'll waste more time if we ignore what's close at hand and seek what's far away. Why don't we go to the house of Carpenter Zhao, which is closest?"
Yan Ruyu said indifferently.
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