funbook-pk Chapter 113 The First Beauty Who Became a Substitute Bride (29)
Chapter 113 The First Beauty Who Became a Substitute Bride (29)
Most of them have dedicated their lives to this craft, and for some, it is a skill passed down through generations of their ancestors, making their craftsmanship impeccable.
However, this focus also brings some drawbacks.
They placed too much emphasis on their own craftsmanship, leading to a reluctance to communicate with others and creating a situation of working in isolation.
The barriers between different industries are like towering city walls, becoming a huge obstacle to technological integration and innovation.
For example, female textile workers are busy spinning and weaving all day long, and they are very familiar with every step of the textile process.
The carpenters, on the other hand, were skilled in wood processing and construction, possessing in-depth knowledge of mortise and tenon joints and the toughness and strength of wood. However, they never imagined their skills could be applied to the textile industry.
If textile workers and carpenters communicated more, wouldn't it be possible to build textile machines?
Shen Chumo's research institute solved their problem very well.
Ultimately, aside from a dozen or so spies planted with ulterior motives, all three hundred craftsmen were assigned to the research institute.
Shen Chumo then assigned each person to one of the four courtyards based on their different skills. She wrote down some modern products on paper and gave them to them, asking them to use these as research targets.
The business school produced glass, mirrors, and mass-produced paper; the agricultural school produced fertilizer and double-cropping rice; the equipment school produced textile machines and harvesters; and in addition to gunpowder, Shen Chumo also gave the craftsmen blueprints for guns and cannons to forge in the military school.
When they saw these things, their faces were filled with astonishment and confusion.
These things were so novel to them, completely beyond their previous understanding, but they also knew that once these things were made, they would bring immeasurable value to the Great Xia Dynasty.
When the first batch of research results came out, these beneficial and people-friendly things were praised by all the court officials, who exclaimed that Consort Shen was a lucky star of the Great Xia Dynasty.
The glass manufactured by the business school was used to build exquisite palace decorations. Those transparent and sparkling glass products made the palaces appear even more magnificent and spectacular.
Mirrors entered every household, making it easier for women to dress up and groom themselves. This small mirror changed people's daily habits.
High-quality paper makes the copying and printing of books more exquisite, and the speed of cultural dissemination is accelerated. Students love this paper even more.
The agricultural institute has achieved remarkable results. The use of chemical fertilizers has enabled even barren land to yield abundant harvests, and the increase in grain production has relieved people of their worries about food and clothing.
The successful cultivation of double-cropping rice in some areas has filled granaries, ensuring sufficient food reserves even in years of disaster.
Seeing the smiles on the farmers' faces, some court officials couldn't help but exclaim, "Consort Shen's actions are truly a great thing that benefits the country and its people."
The textile and harvesting machines at the institute transformed the production model. The textile machines operated day and night, producing exquisite fabrics that not only met domestic demand but also became sought-after commodities in foreign trade.
Combine harvesters have made harvesting season less hectic and chaotic, allowing farmers to complete their work with ease. These two inventions have driven the development of the entire agricultural and textile industry chain, leading to economic prosperity.
What's even more terrifying is that An Nuannuan successfully developed gunpowder, which, combined with firearms and artillery, gave the army a qualitative leap in combat effectiveness.
The border wars gradually subsided, and the enemy, hearing that the Great Xia Dynasty possessed such powerful weapons and equipment, dared not easily invade. The Great Xia Dynasty also successfully entered a new era of prosperity.
Shen Chumo's prestige reached its peak, and Xie Yanhuai publicly conferred upon her the title of Empress. No one in the court objected, and the people cheered and celebrated upon hearing the news.
On the day of the investiture ceremony, the entire capital was immersed in an atmosphere of joy.
The streets and alleys were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and people flocked to the streets, eager to catch a glimpse of the new empress. The palace was also filled with a festive atmosphere, with red silks hanging in every corner of the palace, and palace servants busily moving about, making final preparations for the grand ceremony.
Inside the Chu Prince's residence, Xie Siyuan watched as the items that had been packed were loaded one by one onto the carriage.
Looking towards the palace with a look of reluctance in his eyes, Xu Kui said from the side, "Your Highness, are you really not going to attend the Empress's investiture ceremony today?"
Xie Siyuan lowered his eyes and said softly, "Forget it, what's the point of seeing him?"
Just a few months ago, he was still plotting to overthrow Xie Yanhuai and take the throne. Although Xie Yanhuai was the last of his elder brother's blood, he accomplished nothing after ascending the throne and even became increasingly cruel.
At that time, the Great Xia Dynasty was beset by internal and external troubles. If things continued like this, the Great Xia Dynasty would be on the verge of collapse. He could not allow Xie Yanhuai to destroy the Great Xia Dynasty.
But in a short period of time, Xie Yanhuai seemed to have become a different person. He was no longer bloodthirsty and cruel, but began to work diligently for the people, eliminating many corrupt officials in the court.
Xie Yanhuai not only reduced taxes, but also began to pay attention to people's livelihood and vigorously supported Shen Chumo in promoting various technological innovations, which made the Great Xia Dynasty present a prosperous scene.
When Xie Siyuan walked through the streets and alleys and heard people praising Xie Yanhuai and Shen Chumo, he understood that all his plans should come to an end.
Xie Siyuan sighed, "I originally thought I was the most suitable person for that position, and I also wanted to do some good for this country. But now, everything has changed." He walked to the window, looked at the scenery outside, and felt a mix of emotions.
Xie Siyuan gave a wry smile. "I really can't understand why he suddenly changed."
After a moment's thought, Xu Kui replied, "Perhaps it's because of Empress Shen."
Ever since Empress Shen entered the palace, the entire palace seemed to have changed, transforming from a lifeless place into a vibrant one. In the past, everyone in the palace was cautious and timid, afraid of offending the emperor. It was her beauty and intelligence that changed Xie Yanhuai and the Great Xia Dynasty.
Xie Siyuan snorted coldly, revealing a resentful expression, "This kid is really lucky."
He was the one who first contacted Shen Han. Before Shen Chumo entered the palace, Xie Siyuan visited the Shen residence several times, but he never showed any concern for this unfavored illegitimate daughter of the Shen family.
Xie Siyuan vaguely remembered that once, in the backyard of the Shen family mansion, he saw a girl in a pink dress standing under a peach tree. Peach blossoms drifted down gently, and her long hair was covered with petals, like a painting carefully adorned by nature.
She tilted her head slightly, her eyes sparkling with intelligence and a faint smile playing on her lips, as if enjoying the gentle caress of the peach blossom rain.
He was deeply attracted by this scene and stopped involuntarily, but was quickly pulled away by Shen Huanyu. He asked Shen Huanyu who this person was, and Shen Huanyu only said that he was just a servant in the Shen family.
After Xie Siyuan learned that she was a servant, he gave up the slight flutter in his heart, but upon careful consideration, he realized that the person should be Shen Chumo.