Chapter 53: Success of Medical Gauze, Luo Yan’er Becomes a Noble Lady

Are all merchants shameless? Zhu Yunwen is not sure, but he knows that if Zhu Zhi and Zhu Geng cannot change, they cannot be of use to him. The overall situation of imperial commercial affairs can only be entrusted to others.

Opportunities often come only once. If missed, it becomes a lifelong regret.

Although Ma Enhui feels regret for spending more money, she still hopes that Zhu Yunwen can be more tolerant towards Zhu Zhi and Zhu Geng. She advises, “Your Majesty, the transformation from feudal lords to merchants takes time. They have already made good progress.”

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly and said, “They have done well in setting aside their noble status and engaging in lowly pursuits. However, commerce involves many considerations. It would be strange not to encounter difficulties and setbacks. If they brought experienced managers instead of servants, believe it or not, they could negotiate a deal for not just two maces, but even one and half maces.”

Ma Enhui furrowed her brows and skeptically said, “How is that possible? Businesses also have costs. Isn’t one and half maces too low?”

Zhu Yunwen stood up, picked up a jar of Autumn Dew White wine, poured a cup, and said, “Empress, this Autumn Dew White wine is primarily made from sorghum. One stone of sorghum, approximately 140 catties, is worth no more than five maces. Ten catties of sorghum can produce six catties of Autumn Dew White wine. One stone can yield 84 catties. Calculating the cost per catty of Autumn Dew White wine, it is only six wen.”

“This jar of wine weighs only three catties, so it amounts to twenty wen. Taking into account various labor, transportation, and other expenses, the total cost of one jar of wine is still one mace. Anything above that is profit. If they sell it for three mace, one jar of wine can yield a profit of two maces. Moreover, they usually sell it for five maces, earning a profit of four maces.”

Ma Enhui looked at Zhu Yunwen in astonishment and asked, “Such a significant profit? How did you calculate it so precisely?”

Zhu Yunwen laughed and said, “Empress, everything can be measured.”

Before Ma Enhui could ask further questions, there was a commotion outside the door.

Consort Ning and Consort Xian hurriedly entered the Kunning Palace. After exchanging greetings, they excitedly presented a piece of fabric.

Ma Enhui stood up in delight, quickly received it, examined it carefully, and then handed it to Zhu Yunwen. Zhu Yunwen touched the soft gauze, exerted a slight force, but it didn’t tear. There was no lint falling, and it was loose and breathable, almost indistinguishable from the medical gauze of future.

“We did it!” Zhu Yunwen exclaimed in excitement.

“We did it!” Ma Enhui held the hands of Consort Ning and Consort Xian, looking at their somewhat gaunt faces, and emotionally said, “You’ve worked hard.”

Tears welled up in the eyes of Consort Ning and Consort Xian.

Since National Day, the Chengqian Palace has been working day and night, and finally made a breakthrough, weaving this medical gauze!

Zhu Yunwen tightly held the gauze and looked up, asking, “How was it resolved?”

Consort Ning quickly said, “Your Majesty, it was Murong Jing’er from the Arts Troupe and Luo Yan’er from the Palace Laundry service. They twisted two strands of cotton yarn together to obtain coarse cotton yarn as the warp, and used single cotton yarn as the weft to weave in plain weave, thus solving the problem.”

“Murong Jing’er, Luo Yan’er?”

Zhu Yunwen’s lips curved into a smile.

He was familiar with Murong Jing’er, the pitiful girl from the Music office. But Luo Yan’er, he had never heard of before.

“Let’s go, we’ll go to the Chengqian Palace.”

Zhu Yunwen said with a smile.

In the Chengqian Palace, after everyone paid their respects, Zhu Yunwen saw Murong Jing’er again.

Murong Jing’er had a radiant smile and pulled Luo Yan’er from the side, saying to Zhu Yunwen, “Your Majesty, it was her idea. Jing’er was only responsible for weaving.”

“Oh?”

Zhu Yunwen looked closely at Luo Yan’er.

Her clear and unadorned face was devoid of makeup, with shiny black hair partially tied behind her neck, secured by a cheap wooden hairpin. In her soft autumn-like eyes, there was a trace of unyielding strength, refusing to accept her fate.

It was her hands that caught his attention—rough and weathered like aged tree bark, with two deep cracks revealing the crimson flesh beneath.

The toil of the Palace Laundry Service was not something an ordinary person could endure, especially in the cold winter days when clothes still needed washing. The freezing water combined with the harsh weather made it a painful experience.

“How did you come up with this method?” Zhu Yunwen softened his tone and asked.

Luo Yan’er dared not look at Zhu Yuncheng and whispered, “When mending clothes at the Palace Laundry service, we often use single strands or multiple strands. I have tried many times, but using only single strands doesn’t guarantee the necessary strength while relying solely on multiple strands results in inadequate density. That’s why I proposed to use both.”

Zhu Yuncheng nodded slightly and said to Ma Enhui, “This woman possesses great talent and has endured some hardships at the Laundry Bureau.”

Ma Enhui smiled and stepped forward, looking at Luo Yan’er’s hands that didn’t resemble those of a woman, and sighed, “These hands have done a great service for the country. Your Majesty, I suggest promoting Luo Yan’er to the rank of a cairen ^[1]Tl’s note: Cairen is an official title for a female official during ming dynasty but can also mean ‘ladies-in-waiting’ and bringing her into the Chengqian Palace to assist Consort Ning and Consort Xian in managing the palace. What do you think?”

Zhu Yunwen looked at Luo Yan’er and said, “That’s a good idea.”

Luo Yan’er expressed her gratitude and politely declined, saying, “I would like to stay at the Palace Laundry service.”

“Sister!”

Qiao Hui rushed out anxiously from behind and quickly knelt down, saying, “Your Majesty, what older sister Luo just said is nonsense. She’s too sentimental. Older sister, please speak up!”

How could they miss such a rare opportunity?

They couldn’t tire themselves out at that wretched place, just for the sake of sisterly affection!

Ma Enhui looked at Zhu Yunwen, and Zhu Yunwen walked towards the spinning machine, saying, “Come to the Chengqian Palace and choose ten palace maids to accompany you. Since this method has proven to be effective, you need to promote it and teach everyone. If this succeeds, you will be in charge of the Chengqian Palace.”

Qiao Hui looked at Zhu Yunwen in astonishment. This meant that Luo Yan’er’s future could reach the status of a consort. She eagerly pulled Luo Yan’er, who knelt down to express her gratitude.

Zhu Yunwen looked at Murong Jing’er and said, “You have also contributed. What reward would you like?”

Murong Jing’er pondered for a moment and approached Zhu Yuncheng, saying naturally, “If we talk about rewards, I hope Your Majesty can provide more opportunities for the Arts Troupe. The current troupe has a large number of personnel but has achieved little. If this continues, it won’t last long.”

Zhu Yuncheng flicked the cotton string and listened to the buzzing sound, agreeing, “I have been considering this matter. You can organize the Arts Troupe and arrange a program. The format is flexible, but it should be diverse and able to delight the people of the capital. The entire program should last for four hours.”

“Shuangxi! Post a proclamation: On the Lantern Festival, the Imperial Arts Troupe will perform songs and dances at Mo Chou Lake at dusk. The Emperor and Empress will personally attend and celebrate the Lantern Festival with the people.”

Murong Jing’er was overjoyed and quickly expressed her gratitude, saying, “The Arts Troupe will live up to the mission! I will take my leave now and entrust these matters to the talented lady Luo. It will surely succeed.”

Zhu Yunwen waved his hand, and Murong Jing’er bowed and left.

Looking at the palace maids, Zhu Yunwen’s eyes were filled with gratitude. It was their silent dedication that led to the final breakthrough. He surveyed the group and solemnly said, “You have all made great sacrifices for this medical gauze. On behalf of the people and the Ming Dynasty, I thank you. Each of you will receive triple the monthly stipend. Today, the Imperial Kitchen will prepare some food and drinks. I want to host a banquet for all of you.”

The Emperor hosting a banquet for palace maids?

There had never been such a precedent in the history of all kingdoms.

But Ma Enhui had no objections, and Consort Ning and Consort Xian also had no objections.

Some people choked up and tears flowed uncontrollably.

Compared to money, they were more moved by this respect, this care.

The Emperor was a good person.

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