Chapter 368: Planning

"For the development of Yanzhou, your Government Office must have a concrete plan, rather than making decisions on a whim."

In the dim light of the oil lamp, Zhao Xu said to Liu Fu.

As for what a plan is, he had already explained the meaning of the word "plan" to the officials at the Government Academy.

In his view, Yanzhou was currently an uncarved piece of jade.

If one wanted to present a beautiful pattern on this piece of jade, the Government Office, like craftsmen, had to have a well-thought-out engraving design in their hearts.

For example, where to dig irrigation channels, how much to dig, and how to maximize the water channels for irrigation.

How many Public Schools to build for the children of the common people, and where to build them.

How the roads and water transport of Yanzhou should be connected, and so on.

"Your Highness, this plan is truly too grand; I fear that relying on this subordinate alone is beyond my ability." Beads of sweat appeared on Liu Fu's forehead.

He attached great importance to this issue of planning.

And because he attached importance to it, he dared not make decisions carelessly.

After a pause, he said: "However, this subordinate has an idea. Why not gather the officials and the students from the Government Academy to discuss it together, and strive to produce a concrete plan within half a month? By then, the sowing will also be nearly finished."

Zhao Xu nodded. "Mm, pooling wisdom is a good idea. You all discuss it first, and after the plan is drawn up, this Prince will offer my opinions."

At present, all the officials in Yanzhou could be called his students.

This planning was like an assignment he had given them.

Only by doing it themselves could they deepen their understanding.

After speaking more with Liu Fu about infrastructure matters, Zhao Xu returned to the Prince's Mansion.

At this time, the sky was full of stars, and a bright moon hung in the sky.

Feng'er was having the kitchen prepare food and was waiting for him to return in the bedchamber.

Luan'er was sitting in the courtyard embroidering a handkerchief.

It was a scene of peaceful, quiet time.

This picture made a smile involuntarily bloom on Zhao Xu's face.

Fighting on the battlefield was certainly a man's romance.

But sitting idly at home with intimate lamplight could make all troubles vanish like smoke.

"Your Highness, a letter has arrived from the Imperial Concubine." Seeing Zhao Xu return, Feng'er picked up a letter from the table and greeted him.

Luan'er was concentrating on her embroidery and only knew Zhao Xu had returned upon hearing the sound.

She picked up the cattail fan beside her and walked over to fan Zhao Xu and dispel the heat.

"When did it arrive?" Zhao Xu asked casually as he tore open the letter.

"Just arrived." Feng'er clung to Zhao Xu's arm, her head resting on his shoulder.

Glancing over it, Zhao Xu revealed a smile.

In the letter, Mi Fei said that Zhao Heng had given her another reward, and now Mi Fei had become Noble Consort Mi.

She also said that Zhao Heng had praised him, the Yan Wang, highly in front of her.

She also asked her to convey in the letter that he should take care of his health, govern his fief diligently, and keep in mind the duty of guarding the Imperial Clan, stating bluntly that he would give him full support.

Also, his uncle had now replaced Ma Yuan's position and was currently the head of the Censorate.

"Your Highness is so happy; there must be some good news from Jingshi again." Seeing the smile that had been hanging on Zhao Xu's face, Feng'er couldn't help but ask.

Zhao Xu nodded and gave the letter to Feng'er. "Naturally, it is good news. This chaotic situation in the northwest has likely made the Emperor understand who can be relied upon. Although this favor comes a bit late, it is ultimately beneficial to Yanzhou."

Feng'er nodded.

However, her focus was clearly not on these power struggles. Grabbing Luan'er's hand excitedly, she called out: "The Imperial Concubine is now a Noble Consort."

Luan'er looked over upon hearing this, her little face also flushed with excitement.

Seeing this, Zhao Xu rolled his eyes and sat down at the table to eat on his own.

After jumping and laughing for a while, the two came to Zhao Xu's side. Feng'er said: "The Imperial Concubine is likely the first woman from a humble background to reach the rank of Noble Consort since the founding of the Great Song."

"As the saying goes, a mother is honored by her son; this is enough to show the weight Your Highness now holds in the imperial court." Luan'er nodded.

"..."

While speaking, the two also massaged Zhao Xu's shoulders and legs, and their clothes were inevitably soaked with sweat.

"This weather, once it gets hot, it gets hot all of a sudden. The ice in Jinling is likely going to be in short supply again," Feng'er said.

Then she smiled. "But our Prince's Mansion doesn't need to buy ice. During the winter, this servant had the servants go to the river to chisel plenty of ice and store it in the cellar. Your Highness, would you like a bowl of iced plum juice now?"

"What a clever little thing." Zhao Xu smiled.

Feng'er, this steward, could indeed consider things from every aspect.

"As a reward, this Prince will let you kiss me." After eating and drinking his fill, Zhao Xu began to play around.

Feng'er pursed her lips. "Your Highness, how is that a reward? It is clearly bullying this servant."

"That's true." Zhao Xu put on a thoughtful expression. "Then let this Prince kiss you."

After saying that, he jumped up and went to grab Feng'er.

Feng'er escaped like a rabbit. Seeing Luan'er standing to the side giggling, Zhao Xu turned and went to grab Luan'er.

After making a scene for a while, all three were covered in sticky sweat.

Feng'er sniffed herself at this moment and sighed: "Covered in this sticky sweat, this servant needs to go wash up."

Luan'er said: "This servant will go too. Now that the weather is hot, even after washing, one still feels greasy. If only there were something that could wash one clean and refreshed."

Hearing Luan'er's words, Zhao Xu suddenly thought of something.

Because of the war in Qinzhou, this matter had been delayed by him.

So he said: "There is indeed such a thing."

"What thing?" Feng'er and Luan'er looked at Zhao Xu at the same time.

In the scorching summer heat, there is no woman who does not like to be clean and refreshed.

The thing Zhao Xu spoke of naturally made them extremely interested.

"I won't tell you for now," Zhao Xu chuckled.

Some time ago, he had Yang He purchase animal fats from Northern Di merchants precisely for this matter.

Now it was time to get this thing produced.

Although Yanzhou's trade revenue was quite good now, no one would complain about earning more Silver.

It was still necessary to continue increasing the merchandise for the trading firms.

Moreover, Yanzhou was facing long-term construction and development ahead.

This required a constant stream of investment, so naturally, the more Silver, the better.

"His Highness is keeping us in suspense again." Feng'er and Luan'er cast a coquettish glance at Zhao Xu before heading off together to bathe.

The next day.

Zhao Xu rose early and headed to the Technology Academy, preparing to tinker with this bathing miracle tool alongside the students.

Just as he stepped out, he saw Wang Ying approaching.

"Your Highness, the Hydraulic Boring Machine has been completed; please come and take a look," Wang Ying said, sporting dark circles under his eyes.

He had said he would give Yan Wang an answer within three days, and he had used exactly three days.

Now, the first Hydraulic Boring Machine was rotating inside the Armory.

After his surprise, Zhao Xu felt excited; he said to Wang Ying, "Not bad, you are becoming more and more efficient in your work."

Wang Ying chuckled twice; he was not good at flattery and could only express his happiness this way.

As they went to the Armory together, Wang Ying described the entire process of manufacturing the Hydraulic Boring Machine to him.

The power source for the Hydraulic Boring Machine was the same as the Hydraulic Drill, both utilizing water flow to drive a waterwheel.

Therefore, he had directly used the waterwheel from the drilling machine.

The only trouble was grinding the cutting tools, but because the structure was simple and they had precise measuring tools, a few craftsmen had finished it in just over two days, working day and night.

The final step was to fix the cutting tool onto a wooden frame to ensure it would not shift during rotation.

Upon arriving at the Armory, Wang Ying led him directly to a workshop by the water.

Inside, a Boring Machine, much like the one in his blueprints, was rotating at a steady speed.

Seeing this, Zhao Xu revealed a satisfied smile.

Yanzhou had taken another step closer on the road toward the steam revolution.