xymnovel Chapter 58, Longing is a Disease
Chapter 58, Longing is a Disease
In the evening in Lin'an, although the high-ranking officials and nobles in the distance were still reveling all night, the ordinary people turned off their lights early in order to save on candlelight.
The surroundings were quiet, with only the sound of dogs barking reaching his ears, making it impossible to distinguish between near and far, morning and evening. Lin Zhou lay on the bed in complete darkness, and at this moment he was unsure whether he should miss Xiao'e or Hongliu.
Or perhaps he missed Hongliu more, and was more worried about Xiao'e, but he couldn't tell the difference. During this time, some images of the children in the South City would flash through his mind, but they were very blurry. There was not much he could do, but he heard from Black Leopard that because of the ostentatious atmosphere in Lin'an City, the children in the South City had already learned to dance for the young masters and ladies to amuse them and get a laugh, so they were not lacking in food.
That's good. Let's just get through this winter first. As long as we survive, there's hope...
No! Lin Zhou suddenly snapped his mind back to reality. He shouldn't be thinking about those things. The sounds of wind, rain, and reading should all be kept out of his notice. Family matters, national affairs, and world events—he couldn't let any of them get to him. His abilities were mediocre; he was incapable of saving the world. Caring about everything would only bring him more trouble.
He should be thinking of those beautiful young women in brothels, their flesh so fragrant and soft, their waists as slender as willows, their lips like cherries, their skin so white…
One should think of the thighs that Hongliu developed from riding horses and shooting arrows since childhood, one should think of the undergarment still carrying the scent of a young girl...
Just then, his door creaked open, and Eagle woke up. She peeked out and saw Lin Zhou lying on the bed. She walked over happily and slipped under the covers with a "hey!"
Because she wasn't treated well from a young age, she was physically weak and extremely sensitive to the cold in winter. The saying "a wicked servant bullies his master" perfectly describes someone like Brother Ying. In any other household, which maid or servant would dare to be so presumptuous? It was only because Lin Zhou was easy to talk to that Brother Ying had the opportunity to act this way.
"Sir, you smell so good."
"body wash."
"Sir, you feel so warm."
"Don't you dare wander around like that. If you touch me again, get back inside."
"Master..." Eagle said in a low voice, "You are truly a good master."
Sensing something was off about Eagle's voice, he suddenly asked curiously, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing..." Eagle said softly, "It's just that I heard yesterday that the sister who used to work in the same brothel as me died, and I feel a little... a little sad."
"The sisters in the brothel? How old were they before they died?" Lin Zhou asked curiously.
"Thirteen, I think. She was a bit older than me. Manager Cao gave her to another master, saying she was pregnant, and the lady of that house beat her to death." Brother Ying shuddered a few times as he said this: "Then she was thrown into the mountains."
Lin Zhou was stunned for a moment: "How did you know?"
"Another sister told me that when they found the body, it had been gnawed to death by wild dogs and was unrecognizable."
Eagle suddenly turned around and hugged Lin Zhou's arm tightly: "Master...you really are a good master...I told them that my master has never hit or scolded me, and he even bought me cotton clothes and meat to eat, but they didn't believe me."
"Get away from me. At your age, I should shoot you if I even think about it."
Lin Zhou was really at his wit's end with her, so he could only take out another quilt. Although it was legal here, he just couldn't get over that moral hurdle.
Fortunately, Eagle Brother didn't have any concept of anything and soon fell asleep like a log, so Lin Zhou was finally able to get a good night's sleep. If it were "Old Maid" Hong Liu, no one would be able to sleep tonight.
The next morning, Lin Zhou sent Brother Ying to invite Cao Wenda over.
"Brother, you look radiant today. What good news brought you here so early in the morning?"
Cao Wenda visibly became more polite. After all, the young man in front of him was no longer the same as before. He was the son-in-law personally acknowledged by the King of Jin. In just one day, he had turned his life around. Although they were not married, his status was already there. Whether they would get married or not was another matter. But now he was already in a very high position. Regardless of whether he would eventually become the King of Jin's son-in-law, he was now.
"Brother, I won't hide anything from you. This matter has come to this point and there's no way to resolve it. What I want now is to obtain an official title. I've won over the Prince, and he's quite satisfied with me. But I can't get through to the Wanyan clan. As a commoner, it's really difficult for me. Brother Cao, do you think you can find a way? If not, this marriage will probably fall through."
Upon hearing Lin Zhou's words, Cao Wenda's eyes immediately darted around. Then, feigning nervousness, he paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, saying, "This is a big deal. You bear the name of goodwill between the Song and Jin dynasties, so you can't be negligent."
"I don't know whether we're on good terms or not, it's just with the princess... well... hehe..."
"I understand, I understand." Cao Wenda immediately patted Lin Zhou's hand knowingly. "We're both men, we understand. I'll go and think of a way for you right away."
Lin Zhou then looked around cautiously and whispered in his ear, "Brother Cao, I have some technical skills. If this works out, I'll offer you a steel mill."
Upon hearing this, Cao Wenda was visibly taken aback, but being a businessman, he instinctively asked, "What steel mill?"
"It's a steel mill that forges high-quality steel. I have the steelmaking technology, which is better than that of any other steel mill currently operating, and it can save 30% on costs."
"Thirty percent!?"
Upon hearing this, Cao Wenda's eyes bulged out: "Is it really 30%?"
"That's right, 30%, maybe even more. I have the technique of washing coal and blowing it into the furnace. I can use coal gas to maintain the furnace and firepower to smelt steel, which can save 30% of the coal and produce an extra 20% of the steel."
Lin Zhou's words struck Cao Wenda like a dagger. This back-and-forth deal involved far more than 30%, and steel mills were currently in high demand. If they could really get their hands on it, what about the Prime Minister…?
"How's the quality?"
"If I don't reach the top level, you can cut off my head!"
The scripts were all taught by an external brain; Lin Zhou just had to memorize them. Anyway, the technology was in his hands. From how to refine coke, how to blow carbon monoxide, and how to blow oxygen, they had all been written down for him in a notebook. It was a foolproof tutorial; as long as there was no water in his brain, he could basically handle it.
But these words were a complete blow to Cao Wenda, who quickened his pace considerably: "Since you've put it that way, brother, I'll go and make things happen for you! Let's give it a try."
"So, while I'm at it, I'll start planning the steel mill?"
"Sure, sure." Cao Wenda's eyes darted around again. "Brother, how about this? I have a vacant lot over there, and I'll give you a discount, okay?"
"Thank you so much, brother. This steel mill can produce 300,000 jin a month. If it's even one jin less, you can kill me."
"Alright, enough chit-chat, I'll be off now."
Cao Wenda didn't bother with any pleasantries with Lin Zhou and set off immediately. As expected of an external brain, Lin Zhou wasn't in a hurry at all, but naturally, there were others who were more anxious than him.
Upon arriving at the Prime Minister's residence, Cao Wenda felt for the first time how agonizing the wait could be. It wasn't until nearly noon that Qin Hui returned from his duty in the palace. After Cao Wenda learned of Qin Hui's return, it took six channels of communication for Qin Hui to finally let him know that he was there.
"Let him come over," Qin Hui instructed his attendant, his face remaining expressionless.
When Cao Wenda entered the study, his attitude was extremely respectful. After he finished speaking, Qin Hui remained indifferent: "This matter concerns the foundation of the nation. How can you just give it away like that? You are really being ridiculous."
"Your Excellency! 300,000 catties of refined steel per month!"
"Three hundred thousand isn't much."
"One month!" Cao Wenda practically knelt before Qin Hui: "Prime Minister, one month!"
Only then did Qin Hui realize what was happening: "How much?"
"January production: 300,000 jin! This is just the initial estimate; there's much more to come. Fine steel, my lord!"