Chapter 75: Future Ready-to-Wear Shop

At dusk, the palace maids from the workshop delivered the finished down jackets to Zhaoyang Hall. Several young ladies looked at these new garments with amazement, all expressing how much they liked them.

Seeing their delight, Liu Li felt happy as well. Observing that it was getting late outside, she said, "The hour is late. Why don't you all stay in the palace for the night? I will arrange for someone to send you back tomorrow."

The group looked at one another, and finally, Han Wan said with a smile, "We shall follow the Princess's arrangements."

Upon hearing this, Liu Li immediately ordered the palace maids to prepare dinner for them, ensuring her friends were well hosted. Afterward, Liu Li had Zhuqing return to Music Conservatory to inform the Emperor and the Empress that she would be staying at Zhaoyang Hall for the night.

Zhuqing relayed the message to Fuqu, who then turned and informed the Emperor and the Empress. Upon hearing this, A Jiao chuckled softly and said, "It seems A Li is having a very pleasant time with her friends today."

Hearing Fuqu's report, Liu Che also said with a sense of nostalgia, "I recall that in my youth, I too had a few good friends with whom I could sleep in the same bed. Unfortunately, later..." His words came to an abrupt halt, and his expression froze, as if he had recalled some unpleasant memories.

Ever since Han Yan died, he had no more friends with whom he could speak freely and without restraint. During that period, he once felt as though he had become a lonely man.

A Jiao turned her head to look at Liu Che's stunned expression and guessed whom he was missing—Han Yan. As Liu Che's companion in his youth, Han Yan had been with him even longer than A Jiao.

After Liu Che ascended the throne as Emperor, Han Yan's status rose with the tide, and he became the Emperor's favorite courtier. How, then, did Han Yan die later? A Jiao frowned slightly, lost in memory.

She vaguely remembered that the Empress Dowager Wang had become dissatisfied with Han Yan, not only for his disrespect toward the King of Jiangdu, Liu Fei, but also for his casual comings and goings in the imperial harem. Not long after, Han Yan was ordered to commit suicide by the Empress Dowager Wang.

Liu Che had been saddened for a long time because of Han Yan's death.

Recalling this, A Jiao could not help but sigh. After all, the Han Yan in her memory could truly be called peerless. To be ordered to die in such an unclear manner was truly a pity.

"Among A Li's friends, there is also a granddaughter of the Marquis of Gonggao," A Jiao said slowly.

Liu Che was slightly stunned upon hearing this: "Hm?"

The current holder of the title Marquis of Gonggao, Han Tuidang, was Han Yan's father, and Han Wan was the daughter of Han Yan's eldest legitimate brother. A Jiao smiled and told Liu Che about this connection, and Liu Che suddenly laughed after hearing it.

"A Li is truly worthy of being my daughter." Even her friendships extended to that family.

The next morning, after the noble ladies finished breakfast in Zhaoyang Hall, they bid farewell to the Princess of Jianling one by one.

Liu Li even packed a pot of milk tea for each of them to drink on their way home.

Han Wan said politely, "The Princess has given us such warm clothing and even milk tea; A Wan does not know how to repay the Princess."

Liu Li said with a smile, "I give you things not because I want repayment. Isn't it normal for friends to give each other gifts? Besides, when we are at the Imperial Academy, don't you often give me pastries made at home?"

Han Wan beamed: "Then I shall accept this milk tea with peace of mind."

After the others accepted the milk tea, they also expressed their gratitude to Liu Li.

"Greetings to the Empress," came the voice of a palace maid from outside Zhaoyang Hall.

The group was slightly startled and hurriedly stood in formation according to protocol, looking toward the entrance, their breathing unconsciously becoming tense.

Liu Li was also puzzled; why had Liu Che come to Zhaoyang Hall at this time?

Everyone only saw a slender, graceful figure walking in from outside the hall. Only when "she" drew near did they see the beautiful face that made it impossible for people to look away.

"Mother, why have you come?" Liu Li's voice brought the noble ladies back to their senses, and they all bowed to the Empress.

Liu Che's voice was gentle: "No need for formalities." His gaze swept over the faces of the young girls one by one, finally landing on Han Wan's face. He could not help but sigh inwardly that this Han Wan truly bore a resemblance to her uncle, Han Yan.

Han Wan felt the Empress's gaze upon her, and her heart was unconsciously filled with some trepidation.

(Continued from above)

Fortunately, Liu Che did not put too much pressure on her. He quickly withdrew his gaze and looked at his daughter: "Small guests have arrived at Weiyang Palace; as Empress, I naturally had to come and see."

Liu Li arched an eyebrow; she did not believe Liu Che's explanation. However, she did not expose his words and said with a smile, "Your daughter has already arranged for carriages to send them home."

"Hm." Liu Che nodded. When he entered, he had already seen the carriages parked in front of Zhaoyang Hall. He said indifferently, "It is rare for A Li to make friends; in the future, when you are free, you may invite everyone to keep you company again."

Liu Li nodded repeatedly: "Mm-hmm."

The Empress coming in person to see them off made the young girls feel flattered. Only after they boarded the carriages and left Weiyang Palace did they dare to speak.

"The Empress is truly beautiful," Han Wan whispered. "It's just that she seems a bit unapproachable." She felt that the Empress possessed an aura that ordinary people did not have, making one feel involuntary awe.

Wei Yan'er nodded lightly in agreement.

Cheng Xin said, "The Princess is very much like the Empress." Everyone looked at her, and she paused before looking at Chen Ran: "You also look a bit like the Empress."

Chen Ran: "..."

Han Wan burst into laughter: "Cheng Xin, don't you know that Chen Ran is the Empress's niece?"

Cheng Xin realized belatedly: "There is actually such a relationship?"

Han Wan said, "Relatives always have some similarities. My grandfather often says my nose and mouth are very much like my uncle's."

Chen Ran pursed her lips and asked, "Then where do you think I look like the Empress?"

Everyone looked carefully at Chen Ran's small face, and Wei Yan'er said, "I think your eyebrows are a bit similar."

Han Wan shook her head: "I think the mouth is similar."

Cheng Xin thought for a moment and said, "I think the Princess's eyes are exactly the same as the Empress's."

After hearing Cheng Xin's answer, everyone suddenly stopped talking, then covered their mouths and let out a series of silver-bell-like giggles.

Cheng Xin looked at the group, quite puzzled. Had she said something wrong? The Princess of Jianling's eyes were truly exactly the same as the Empress's.

After sending her friends away, Liu Li followed Liu Che back to Music Conservatory. Liu Che said very generously, "From now on, Zhaoyang Hall shall be reserved for you to host your friends."

"Really? Thank you, Father," Liu Li said happily.

Liu Che gladly accepted Liu Li's thanks. In any case, there were no concubines in the harem now, and these palaces were empty anyway; it was better to give them to his daughter to use.

Liu Li leaned against Liu Che: "By the way, there is one more thing I want to discuss with Father and Mother."

Liu Che raised an eyebrow: "What is it?"

"I want the weavers in the workshop to continue making down jackets these next few days, and prepare one for the Prime Minister, the Censor-in-Chief, and the Grand Marshal in the court," Liu Li said slowly. "If possible, issue a down jacket to all the palace servants as well, so that everyone can spend the cold winter warmly."

In this era of scarce resources and no cotton for warmth, the way the rich kept warm was perhaps by wearing animal fur or keeping a heater or fire pit nearby. But the poor could not afford animal fur and could only wear more hemp cloth on their bodies to keep warm.

Now that there was such cheap and warm clothing, Liu Li wanted to improve the living conditions of the palace servants in Weiyang Palace, as a benefit for the upcoming New Year.

Liu Che frowned slightly after hearing his daughter's words: "I can understand you wanting to give down jackets to the court officials, but why must all the palace servants wear them?"

What status did these servants have that they should wear the same clothes as the Emperor and Empress?

In fact, during this time, Liu Che had not failed to notice that A Li seemed to have a heart that was too benevolent. She seemed not to treat the servants around her as servants at all, and sometimes even said "thank you" to them.

This was what Liu Che could not understand most; wasn't it natural for servants to obey orders?

Facing Liu Che's question, Liu Li did not know how to answer for a moment. She bit her lower lip, thought seriously, and then said, "Father, Confucius once said that a ruler should employ his ministers with propriety, and ministers should serve their ruler with loyalty. I think this logic applies to palace servants as well. If I treat them with propriety, they will surely be loyal to me. In Confucian thought, isn't benevolence the core focus?"

(Continued from above)

Liu Che: "..."

Since he wanted to promote Confucianism, he naturally wanted to expand Confucian thought into everyone's heart.

After a long pause, Liu Che burst into loud laughter: "Hahaha, A Li speaks very well! No wonder every time Dong Zhongshu comes to Xuanshi Hall to report on his duties, he praises you repeatedly. If A Li were a boy, I would definitely appoint you as Prime Minister!"

Liu Li: "..."

Listening to Liu Che's praise, Liu Li raised her eyebrows slightly, lowered her eyes calmly, and hid the emotions in her pupils.

"So be it, as you wish." Liu Che nodded and agreed to Liu Li's previous proposal: "However, the matter of issuing clothing to palace servants still falls under the management of the Grand Minister of Agriculture. You should discuss it with Sang Hongyang yourself."

After all, the down collected from the people was handled by Sang Hongyang, who had previously intended to resell it to earn back Zhu coins. Now that she wanted to use down jackets to win people's hearts, it would inevitably be a large expense.

Liu Li nodded with a smile: "Okay, A Li will go find Minister Sang to discuss it now."

Liu Li not only wanted to give every palace servant a down jacket, but she even considered the soldiers in the army. Since she wanted to use down jackets to boost her reputation, the soldiers' benefits could not be lacking.

There were now more than 100,000 soldiers guarding Chang'an; the weavers in Weiyang Palace alone were far from enough. I fear that by the time they finished making down jackets for these 100,000 people, winter would already be over.

Therefore, Liu Li needed a larger clothing factory that could produce enough down jackets in a short time.

An advanced idea emerged in Liu Li's mind. Since a clothing factory was needed now, why not start a Han clothing factory?

After all, food, clothing, housing, and transportation were the necessary conditions for human survival, and no matter where one was, one could not do without these four points. After the clothing factory was set up, it could not only produce down jackets for the soldiers, but also sell the clothing produced to the public in the future.

Making clothes certainly required textile workers. Recruiting from the public would also increase social productivity; it was simply a great idea for comprehensive development.

The more Liu Li thought about it, the more excited she became. She couldn't sleep at all lying in bed, so she simply sat up with a carp-like leap. She turned on her solar flashlight, took out paper and pen, and began to plan the construction of the clothing factory.

The first step, of course, was the location of the clothing factory.

There was no need to struggle with this; the address would be in Shanglin Park. Shanglin Park covered a very large area, spanning almost five counties, with a total area of about 340 square kilometers. It would be enough to set up a hundred clothing factories here.

The second step was the fabric issue for the clothing factory.

The clothes worn by the common people in the Western Han Dynasty were mostly hemp textiles. In winter, they wore hemp textiles with dense weaves, and in summer, they wore hemp textiles with sparse weaves.

Officials and nobles wore wool and silk textiles. Wool textiles were common in winter, using animal hair processed into textiles and clothing. Silk textiles were silk fabrics made from silkworm silk, common in summer.

Liu Li did not know much about silkworm raising. If she produced the raw materials herself, she would need to arrange a group of people to raise silkworms, which was a bit troublesome. It would be better to cooperate with merchants who specialized in raising silkworms and grant these merchants the title of Imperial Merchant for long-term cooperation.

Sang Hongyang could be asked to hold a bidding meeting, and merchants interested in cooperation could come to bid.

The third step was the employee issue.

This was actually easy to solve. The women of the Han Dynasty basically all knew how to weave. First, arrange the idle palace maids in Shanglin Park into the factory, and if there were not enough people, recruit from the public and provide a certain wage.

The last step, and also the most important step.

The sales channel for down jackets.

First of all, the first batch of down jackets produced would be issued to the soldiers. Where would the subsequent clothes be sold? To other feudal kingdoms, of course.

Liu Li knew very well that the initial sales would certainly be very good. After all, this was the first time everyone had seen this thing, and it was very practical. Just like the potatoes before, new things easily promoted purchasing power.

(Continued from above)

But when everyone knew how to make down jackets, their down jackets might not be sold. After all, this was the Western Han Dynasty, and there was no way to apply for a patent to prevent others from imitating her clothes. Moreover, her original purpose for coming up with down jackets was to benefit the people.

At this time, a brand influence was needed. Liu Li decided to discuss the specifics with Sang Hongyang tomorrow. She put away her things one by one, then lay back on the warm bed with satisfaction and let out a long sigh of relief.

Now that she thought about it, being a princess in the Western Han Dynasty was quite good.

At least in all her plans just now, she did not consider the cost of setting up a clothing factory. She was using Emperor Wu of Han's money, hehe.

And she was not afraid that Liu Che would object, because the one who could make decisions for her now was her mother, A Jiao.

The next morning after breakfast, Liu Li took her plan to the Shaofu office and found Sang Hongyang, who was busy, and showed him her factory plan.

Sang Hongyang stared at the notebook for a long time, then said: "Although I don't understand what you wrote, Princess, I know it's definitely not a good thing. You're here to spend money again, right?"

Liu Li raised her lips: "I didn't expect you to see through it."

The plan she wrote was in simplified characters, and it was normal for Sang Hongyang not to understand, so Liu Li patiently explained her plan to him.

After hearing this, Sang Hongyang was silent for a long time and said: "Actually, there is an office in Shanglin Park specifically for making clothes for soldiers and palace servants, but I have never thought about selling the clothes produced to the public. And this bidding is a very fresh statement."

As soon as Liu Li heard this, she immediately said: "Since there is already a clothing factory, it can be started now." She thought for a while and said: "You didn't think about selling the clothes made in Shanglin Park before because these clothes were all the same, and everyone knew how to make them, so there was no need to spend money to buy them."

As she spoke, Liu Li became radiant: "But it's different now. Our down jackets are so fresh. At least for the first wave, we will definitely be able to earn back the cost."

Sang Hongyang nodded: "What about later? Once down jackets become popular among the people, I'm afraid there will be no sales later." The two words "popular" and "sales" were learned by Sang Hongyang from Liu Li, and he felt that these words were quite interesting.

Liu Li raised an eyebrow and said: "That will depend on our later marketing." She gave Sang Hongyang an example: "If the people know that the Emperor is wearing the clothes we sell, where would they be more inclined to buy if the price is the same?"

Sang Hongyang clapped his hands, pleasantly surprised: "I understand!"

Sang Hongyang was a man of action. He said: "I will arrange for people to send the down to Shanglin Park to make down jackets for the soldiers, and then arrange the subsequent matters regarding the clothing factory."

"Okay."

"I will also trouble the Princess to think of a name for the future clothing store," Sang Hongyang said. "After all, this was founded with Zhu coins from the national treasury, and the future revenue will have to be entered into the national treasury."

Liu Li looked at Sang Hong with bright eyes, thought for a while, and said: "Why don't we call it the Future Ready-to-Wear Shop." These are clothes from the future, and it should be good to call it this name.

And the fact that Sang Hongyang could be so clear about public and private matters truly made Liu Li admire him.

Having him in the Han Dynasty was a blessing for the Han Dynasty.

After Liu Li left the Shaofu, she turned to Xuanshi Hall and told A Jiao the result of her discussion with Sang Hongyang. Unsurprisingly, her idea received A Jiao's support.

Liu Li began to look forward happily to the near future when the first government-run clothing store would appear in the Han Dynasty.

Taking advantage of the fact that there was no one else in the hall, A Jiao handed a scroll of bamboo slips to Liu Li and said: "The spies previously arranged to go to Huainan have already heard about A Ling. This was sent by fast horse, and I haven't had time to look at it yet."

Liu Li took the bamboo slips handed over by A Jiao: "Then I will look at it first."

A Jiao nodded: "Okay."

Liu Li held the bamboo slips, changed to a comfortable posture, slowly opened them, and began to read them at a glance.

After some investigation by spies who infiltrated the palace of the King of Huainan, some things about Liu Ling in Huainan were finally collected.

(Continued from above)

Liu Ling was the legitimate daughter of Liu An and had been very intelligent since she was a child, and was very much liked by her father, Liu An. Influenced by Liu An, Liu Ling was very interested in some things about Daoism.

When Liu Ling was young, because Liu An liked to read and write, he had recruited as many as a thousand guests and alchemists, and the Eight Immortals of Huainan were among these people.

Then Liu An and these people wrote the book "Huainanzi" together, wanting to leave a reputation in the world.

Among the Eight Immortals of Huainan, there was a wandering knight named Lei Bei. This person was very good at swordsmanship and looked very heroic. It is said that when Liu Ling was in trouble when she was young, Lei Bei had saved her, so Liu An took Lei Bei as a guest.

When Liu An and his guests were writing "Huainanzi" together, Liu Ling, who was thirteen or fourteen at the time, also participated in it, and it seemed that she had a relationship with Lei Bei.

Unfortunately, there was a difference of more than ten years between Lei Bei and Liu Ling, and this relationship was destined not to be favored, so Liu Ling and Lei Bei had been in secret contact. Even when Liu Ling reached the age when she should get married, she used various excuses to say she didn't want to get married.

After a few years passed like this, Liu Ling thought that she was already an old maid, and if she proposed to marry Lei Bei to her parents at this time, maybe her parents would agree.

Originally, things were developing as Liu Ling thought, and Liu An, under the persuasion of the Queen, also intended to agree to his daughter's marriage. As a result, the central government of the Han Dynasty implemented the Order of Favor.

Liu An, who was determined to rebel, could not sit still and wanted to find a suitable person to go to Chang'an to inquire about the news. After choosing and choosing, he chose Liu Ling. For her father's dream of becoming Emperor, Liu Ling came to Chang'an alone.

Liu Li finished reading the bamboo slips sent by the spies and stared at the name Lei Bei, feeling familiar. She closed her eyes and thought carefully, and suddenly remembered.

Isn't this Lei Bei the person in history who came to Chang'an to report to Emperor Wu of Han that the King of Huainan, Liu An, was plotting a rebellion?

It was because of Lei Bei's report that Emperor Wu of Han had an excuse to investigate the King of Huainan, and then wiped out those Liu-surnamed feudal kings who were trying to rebel. From then on, the feudal kings never dared to make trouble again.

Liu Li scratched her head in confusion. Liu Ling in this space-time actually had feelings for Lei Bei... Wait, didn't she take a fancy to Wei Qing?

So who does Liu Ling actually like? Could it be that she liked Lei Bei when she was in Huainan, and liked Wei Qing when she was in Chang'an?

Liu Li turned her head and repeated the contents of the bamboo slips to A Jiao. A Jiao was also stunned after hearing it: "This relationship... seems a bit complicated."

Liu Li nodded in agreement.

【Ding, witnessed the "Rebellion of the Three Kings" event.】 The system in her mind suddenly made a sound, and Liu Li was startled.

Has this event, which should have happened in the first year of Yuanshou, been triggered so soon?

And it was the Rebellion of the Three Kings!

Liu Li closed her eyes to check the task details. Sure enough, three branches appeared under the event card, but only the branch of the King of Huainan plotting rebellion was currently displayed.

Liu Li guessed that it should be because she saw Lei Bei, the key figure in the King of Huainan's rebellion, that the entire historical event was triggered.

This is tricky. Except for the King of Huainan, she didn't even know who the other two feudal kings were, so how should this task be done? And the King of Huainan alone was enough to give her a headache, and there were two more!