Chapter 363 Planning

"For the construction of the four counties, your government office must have specific plans instead of making decisions based on your head."

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

What is planning and the meaning of the word "planning" he explained to the officials in school.

In his opinion, the Four Counties are a piece of rough jade that has not yet been carved.

If you want a beautiful pattern to appear on this piece of rough jade, the government office must have a well-thought-out seal engraving plan in mind just like the craftsmen.

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

How many schools should be built to educate the children of the common people and where should they be built?

How to connect the four counties with roads, water transportation, etc.

"Your Highness, this plan is too grand, and I am afraid that it will be impossible for me to rely on my subordinates alone." Liu Fu had beads of sweat on his forehead.

He attaches great importance to the issue of planning.

And because he valued it, he didn't dare to make a casual decision.

After a pause, he said: "But I have an idea. It's better to convene officials and students from the Government Affairs School to discuss it together and try to come up with a specific plan within half a month. By then, the sowing will be almost over."

Zhao Xu nodded, "Well, brainstorming is a good idea. You discuss it first. After the planning is completed, I will give my opinions."

At present, officials from the four counties can all be said to be his students.

This planning is like a homework assignment for them.

They can deepen their understanding by doing it themselves.

After talking to Liu Fu about infrastructure construction, Zhao Xu returned to the palace.

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

Feng'er was preparing food in the dining room and waiting for his return in the bedroom.

Luan'er was sitting in the yard embroidering handkerchiefs.

It looks like the time has passed quietly.

This picture brought a smile to Zhao Xu's face.

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

But sitting at home with friendly lights can make all worries disappear.

"Your Highness, there is a letter from the Queen." Seeing Zhao Xu return, Feng'er picked up a letter from the table and greeted him.

Luan'er was concentrating on embroidery, and when she heard the sound, she knew Zhao Xu was back.

He picked up the cattail leaf fan beside him and walked over to fan Zhao Xu to relieve the heat.

"When did you arrive?" Zhao Xu asked casually and tore open the letter.

"Just arrived." Feng'er held Zhao Xu's arm and rested her head on his shoulder.

After glancing at it, Zhao Xu smiled.

In the letter, Concubine Mi asked him to pay attention to his health and diligently manage the land.

Also, his uncle Mi Yan has now replaced Ma Yuan and is currently the Dasong Yushitai.

"His Royal Highness is so happy, it must be that the capital has some good news." Feng'er couldn't help but asked when she saw Zhao Xu had a smile on his face.

Zhao Xu nodded and gave the letter to Feng'er, "Of course it's a good thing. The chaos in the northwest probably made the emperor understand who can be relied on."

Feng'er nodded.

However, her focus was obviously not on these plots. She grabbed Luan'er's hand excitedly and shouted, "Your Majesty is now a noble concubine."

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

Zhao Xu rolled his eyes when he saw this, sat at the table and started eating by himself.

After dancing and laughing for a while, the two came to Zhao Xu's side. Feng'er said: "I am afraid that since the founding of the country, I am the first woman from a poor family to become a noble concubine."

"As the saying goes, the mother is as valuable as the son, which shows how important your highness is in the court now." Luan'er nodded.

"..."

While talking, the two of them rubbed Zhao Xu's shoulders and legs, and their clothes couldn't help but become soaked with sweat.

"The weather is hot, and it's getting hot all of a sudden. Now the ice in Jinling is probably in short supply again," Feng'er said.

Then she smiled and said, "But our palace doesn't need to buy ice. In winter, I asked my servants to dig a lot of ice from the river and store it in the cellar. Your Highness, would you like a bowl of iced sour plum soup now?"

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

Feng'er, the housekeeper, can consider all aspects.

"As a reward, I will let you have a kiss." After eating and drinking, Zhao Xu started to play around.

Feng'er curled her lips and said, "Your Highness, this is not a reward, it is clearly bullying this slave."

"Yes." Zhao Xu looked like he was thinking, "Then let me kiss you."

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

Feng'er ran away like a rabbit. Zhao Xu saw Luan'er standing next to him and giggled, and turned around to catch Luan'er again.

After a while of commotion, all three of them were covered in sweat.

Feng'er sniffed her body at this time and sighed: "This slave is going to wash off this sweaty body."

Luan'er said: "My slave, let's go too. It's hot today and it's still greasy even after washing. It would be nice if there was something that could wash me fresh and refreshing."

When Zhao Xu heard Luan'er's words, he suddenly thought of something.

Due to the war in Qinzhou, this matter was delayed by him.

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

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

In the hot summer, every woman likes to be clean and refreshing.

What Zhao Xu said naturally made them extremely interested.

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

Some time ago, he asked Yang He to purchase animal fat from Beidi merchants for this purpose.

It’s time to come up with something like this.

Although the current income from business in the four counties is good, no one would object to making more money.

It is still necessary to continue to add goods to the business.

What's more, the four counties will face long-term construction and development.

This requires continuous investment, so the more money the better.

"Your Highness is keeping us in suspense again." Feng'er and Luan'er glanced at Zhao Xu coquettishly, and went to bath together.

The next day.

Zhao Xu got up early and went to the Science and Technology School to work with the students to tinker with this bathing artifact.

As soon as he went out, he saw Wang Ying coming.

"Your Highness, the hydraulic boring machine has been made. Please go and see it." Wang Ying said with dark circles under his eyes.

He said that he would give the King of Yan a reply within three days, and it only took three days.

Now the first hydraulic boring machine is turning in the Armory.

Zhao Xu was surprised and excited. He said to Wang Ying: "Yes, you are getting more and more efficient now."

Wang Ying chuckled twice. He was not good at flattery, so he could only express his happiness in this way.

They went to the Armory together. On the way, Wang Ying introduced the whole process of making the hydraulic boring machine to him.

The power of the hydraulic boring machine is the same as that of the hydraulic drilling machine, both of which use water flow to drive the water wheel.

So, he directly used the water wheel of the rotary machine.

After all, the trouble is to grind the tool, but because of the simple structure and the fine measuring tools, several craftsmen worked day and night and completed it in more than two days.

The last step is to fix the tool on the wooden frame to ensure that the tool will not move when rotating.

When he arrived at the Armory, Wang Ying took him directly to a workshop facing the water.

Inside, a boring machine similar to the one on his drawing was rotating at a constant speed.

Seeing this scene, Zhao Xu smiled with satisfaction.

The road to the steam revolution of the four northern counties is one step closer.