A Complete Explanation of the Negative Textbooks of the Imperial Examination - Chapter 72

    Xiao Jingduo unfolded the embroidery piece to see, Qiu Ju also came over and took a piece to look at.

      The stitches are messy, and there are many uneven threads, but Mrs. Zhou can embroider both the front and back at the same time, and can’t see any thread, not to mention Qiu Ju, even Xiao Jingduo, who doesn’t pay much attention to clothes and jewelry. To admire.

    “It’s so beautiful.” Qiu Ju sighed sincerely.

    “Yes, it’s really exquisite.” Xiao Jingduo picked up another veil, and his tone was a little regretful, “Ama Zhou is very good at embroidering rich and precious things like koi, but if it is replaced by landscape, it will be worse. Some.”

    Xiao Jingduo painted a few pictures overnight, and asked Xiao Lin to send them the next day. Xiao Jingduo just had a vague idea now, so he painted a common lovable koi, and also painted a landscape. It is a pity, however, that Grandma Zhou helps others with embroidery work all the year round, and naturally she embroiders more auspicious and wishful patterns. Grandma Zhou has never contacted these landscape paintings, so naturally it is not good for embroidery.

    This is a bit of a dilemma. If the mother and daughter of the Zhou family can’t embroider landscapes, then his plan will be changed. Xiao Jingduo frowned, thinking about what to do with this matter, while Qiu Ju picked up the handkerchief embroidered with landscapes, looked at it, and said, “Langjun, if you want landscapes, why don’t you ask Mrs. Chen to embroider it for you?”

    “Who?”

    “Miss Chen! Lady Chen’s embroidery skills are no worse than Grandma Zhou, and she has read poetry and books, so she should be more familiar with these mountains and rivers.”

    “It also makes sense.” Qiu Ju’s words opened up a new way of thinking for him, but Xiao Jingduo was a little unsure, “I heard that embroidering these is quite time-consuming, is Miss Chen willing?”

    “It’s fine, I’ll talk to her tomorrow.” Qiu Ju took over the task, “Ms. Chen is very talkative, I think most of it.”

    “If Miss Chen agrees, then I will thank her in advance.”

    The next night, Qiu Ju received news that she agreed to the submission, but she had never embroidered landscapes before, so I am afraid it will take some time.

    Xiao Jingduo of course agrees, it’s better if he is willing to help, why would he ask for anything else. However, this kind of double-sided embroidery is far more troublesome than Xiao Jingduo imagined. The mother and daughter of the Zhou family took about ten days to embroider the two-sided handkerchief. This is not a complicated pattern, if Xiao Jingduo thought of it. It can be done, no matter how much effort it will take.

    After ten days, the finished product was delivered to Xiao Jingduo’s eyes. Chen Ci is really a girl who has studied calligraphy and painting. The landscapes and rivers embroidered by her hands are elegant and lofty, and the artistic conception is leisurely. Although there are only a few strokes in a boat, it is extremely expressive. The best part is that this embroidery is the same before and after, and it is very beautiful no matter how you look at it.

    Xiao Jingduo was completely relieved this time, and immediately called Xiao Lin: “Prepare the horse, I will go to Rongzhou tomorrow.”

    The Inspector of Rongzhou did not expect that in less than a month, Xiao Jingduo would come again. The governor received Xiao Jingduo in the living room. After Xiao Jingduo saluted according to the etiquette, he sat opposite the governor in the room.

    “What are you doing this time?”

    “For the first time, the imperial governor mentioned the gift of the Qianqiu. After returning from Rongzhou, the lower official has been thinking about it. Today, I dared to bring a few samples, and I would like to ask the imperial governor to take a look.”

    Although the governor was curious, he didn’t take it seriously. Jinjiang County is not rich in products, so there is something good. Because of his affection, he waved his hand and said, “Please.”

    Xiao Jingduo took out the framed brocade and presented it to the governor with both hands.

      Same!”

     “Yes, the embroidery mother in the county calls this kind of embroidery double-sided embroidery.”

    The governor held the Jinpa in his hand and watched it over and over, and he couldn’t put it down.

    “That’s right.” Xiao Jingduo slowly stated his purpose for today, “Shi Shi, if we add a double-sided embroidered screen like this to the saint’s rite of passage, embroidered with us Jiannan’s landscapes show the heart of me and other foreign officials, what do you think of the prefect?”

    The governor has realized the meaning of the embroidered handkerchief in his hand, he can no longer sit still, stood up and paced the room excitedly: “Yes, the screen, this embroidery method has the same pattern on both sides, The embroidery on the screen is elegant and beautiful, and the screen is a large piece, it will definitely attract the attention of the saint, as long as the saint praises it…”

    It seems very good to think about it this way, they can stand out from the many gifts in Rongzhou immediately, but the governor has been an official for many years, and his thoughts are much more complicated, he frowned for a while. , finally shook his head and said, “No, although this method is unexpected, the Chengdu government will definitely send Shu embroidery, and there is no guarantee that there will be a screen inside. We must not steal the limelight of the governor of Chengdu. This is a taboo in officialdom.”

    Of course Xiao Jingduo understands this principle. Although Rongzhou is geographically important, it is just an ordinary small state in Jiannan Road. In the officialdom, it is most taboo for subordinates to steal Shangguan’s credit. If they furtively present double-sided embroidery to make the highest official of Jiannan Road, that is, the governor of Chengdu, shameless, let alone the governor of Chengdu, even other high-ranking officials will not tolerate them.

    Xiao Jingduo has long been connected with this section. He can’t take all the benefits alone. Necessary concessions can win more benefits, so Xiao Jingduo didn’t plan to get double-sided embroidery from the beginning. For himself, when he set off, he thought about it. He wanted to dedicate the double-sided embroidery to the Chengdu government, and let the Chengdu government come forward to buy the mountain and river screen. In this way, the credit and the limelight belong to the governor. Although Xiao Jingduo suffered a loss on the surface, but With the appreciation of the top official, this is much more useful than a false name.

    But Xiao Jingduo understands this truth, but he can’t say it himself, otherwise it will provoke the prefect of Rongzhou. After the governor of Rongzhou said this concern, Xiao Jingduo seemed to have reacted and said, “It’s still the governor’s thought. But it’s a pity to give up like this. Send it to Chengdu Prefecture, and let the provincial governor of Chengdu come forward to buy large pieces of double-sided embroidery. Moreover, Chengdu Prefecture is rich in silk and silk, and there are many embroidered mothers, which is far more convenient than buying it ourselves.”

      Profiting together is a great achievement.

    “Yes, yes, there are so many ingenious embroiderers in Chengdu Prefecture, and it would be better for them to embroider. We just need to share some small pieces.”

    This is the principle, in the end, the entire Jiannan Road will benefit, which is far safer than eating alone. Xiao Jingduo added: “Ci Shi, since it is going to be handed over to Chengdu House, it is not appropriate to embroider only the scenery of Rongzhou on the screen. If not, we can send a Qianli Jiangshan screen to the saint, each with double-sided embroidery. Embroider the scenery of various places, from Saibei to Lingnan, from Jiangling to Jiannan, to congratulate the sage that he will rule the world well, and the future will last forever, what do you think?”

    “Good idea!” The governor of Rongzhou was also a literati, and his ideas also spread, “When the time comes, let each state come out with a few people who are good at painting, paint the scenery of each place, and then give it to embroidery Mother, go to embroider. When the screen is put out, once it is opened, it will be a thousand miles of rivers and mountains, both positive and negative, how magnificent! By the way, in the end, I have to let the governor of Chengdu make an inscription…”

    “Inspector.” Xiao Jingduo interrupted with a smile, “No inscription.”

      The prefect of Rongzhou looked at Xiao Jingduo blankly. After a while, he suddenly realized: “Yes, you can’t write an inscription, you have to send it to Chang’an and leave it to the sage or the prime minister to inscribe it!”

    Xiao Jingduo’s idea can be said to be very delicate and elegant. It presents a screen to the saints. It is not a compliment that is better than a compliment. The prefect of Rongzhou was so excited that he wanted to ride a horse to Chengdu Mansion. Before he went out, he suddenly thought of what was wrong: “Hey, who can embroider this kind of embroidery? Can you embroider a whole screen?”

    It can be said that this question is asked, Xiao Jingduo smiled in his heart, but he couldn’t see it on his face: “This kind of double-sided embroidery was conceived by a grandma in Jinjiang County. At present, Only three people will.”

    The Governor of Rongzhou sucked in a breath: “It’s only three people?” Even if he doesn’t know how to embroider, he knows that only three people can embroider such a big screen in a year. … but what should we do?”

    “There is no need to worry about the governor, the embroidered maid of the Chengdu government is ingenious and talented, and she will surely learn it soon. As long as I can complete the sage’s rite of passage, I am willing to send the embroidered maid from the county to Chengdu. So that they can assist the Inspector.”

    “Okay!” The governor of Rongzhou came over and patted Xiao Jingduo on the shoulder, “You have this heart, I will keep it in my heart, and I will report it truthfully to the governor of Chengdu.”

    The governor of Rongzhou knew of course that at this point, these three embroidered mothers who can embroider on both sides are priceless treasures. Now Xiao Jingduo is willing to let it go, even if only one is allowed, it is very rare.

    “Don’t be.”

    On that day, the prefect of Rongzhou stayed with Xiao Jingduo for one day, and the next day he sent Xiao Jingduo out in a friendly way. As soon as Xiao Jingduo left the prefect’s residence, he immediately rushed to Jinjiang County.

    Chen Ci and others also supported each other and chased out, looking at Xiao Jingduo expectantly: “Xiao Mingfu, what does the governor say?”

    “The Inspector agrees.”

      : “The Buddha is on top, my old wife has lived her whole life, and she never thought of embroidering things in the palace. It’s really my ancestors’ blessing, my ancestors’ blessing!”

    Xiao Jingduo had spoken to them before, the double-sided embroidery is extremely rare, and maybe it can be used as a tribute. In the hearts of the common people, the emperor is heaven, and being able to send it to the palace for the use of nobles is an opportunity that cannot be asked for. But Xiao Jingduo was cautious. Even though he was sure of everything in his heart, he did not say it absolutely. Therefore, for the past few days when Xiao Jingduo went out, the mother and daughter of the Zhou family and the statement had been waiting in the county tremblingly, hoping that Xiao Jingduo could persuade the prefect. Now that they heard Xiao Jingduo’s words, they were relieved and immediately cheered.

    Seeing them so happy, Xiao Jingduo also looked at them with a smile, and when they were finished, Xiao Jingduo said: “Aunt Zhou, the prefect may send someone to pick you up to Chengdu Mansion in a few days, you can willing?”

    “Chengdu Mansion…” Grandma Zhou held her daughter’s hand tremblingly. She had long heard of the prosperity of Chengdu Mansion, but now that she had the opportunity to see it in person, she trembled Xin said, “The old woman is willing, but, with the old woman’s body, I don’t know if I can survive to Chengdu Mansion.”

    “Naturally it’s your mother and daughter who go with you.” Xiao Jingduo said, “If you want to, then stay in Chengdu Prefecture. Chengdu Prefecture has developed Shu embroidery, and you have double-sided embroidery by your side. It’s better there.”

    Also an official in the court, Xiao Jingduo knows too much what other people think. According to his guess, after the Zhou family and their daughters arrive at Chengdu Mansion, the governor of Chengdu Mansion will definitely try their best to keep people behind. Down. Both Xiao Jingduo and the governor saw the value behind double-sided embroidery. Now there are only three people in the world who can do double-sided embroidery. If the mother and daughter of the Zhou family were under the eyes of the governor, the Chengdu government would let them go.

    Xiao Jingduo expected it, but did not want to impose more restrictions. In fact, in all fairness, with the craftsmanship of the Zhou family and their daughters, they would have a better space for development in Chengdu. And this screen cannot be embroidered by one or two people. Grandma Zhou will definitely teach other embroiderers so that they can complete the birthday gift together. The Chengdu government would not treat them badly, so Xiao Jingduo generously let them go. As long as the mother and daughter of the Zhou family were willing, they would move to Chengdu.

    This principle is also understood by Grandma Zhou. There are not many people in Jinjiang County who buy embroidery products. Their mother and daughter can only survive hard, but Chengdu is different. Where, obviously they can live better.

    Ama Zhou was deeply moved, she pulled her daughter and immediately gave Xiao Jingduo a big gift: “Xiao County magistrate is a big favor, the old lady will never forget it…”

    “Hey grandma…” Qiu Ju exclaimed, and Xiao Jingduo hurriedly supported the person, “Grandma, you don’t have to, your craftsmanship is unparalleled, this is what you deserve.”

    It was very easy to comfort the emotional Grandma Zhou, Xiao Jingduo breathed a sigh of relief and asked Qiu Ju to send the person back to the backyard. After Qiu Ju and Grandma Zhou left, only Xiao Jingduo and Chen Ci were left in the yard. Xiao Jingduo looked straight and said to Chen Ci, “Miss Chen, I have an unkind request.”

    “Xiao Mingfu is very polite, just tell me if you have any orders.”

    “I want to ask you to work for some time, teaching other women in the county to learn double-sided embroidery.”

    “Okay.” Chen Ci nodded happily and said, “This is not a big deal, it is all arranged by the Ming government. But, Xiao Mingfu, you know that embroidery is very talented. I can’t promise everyone in the church, just do your best.”

    “This is natural.” Xiao Jingduo smiled. Mingfu is a popular name for the county magistrate, and Xiao Jingduo felt ashamed that he was always called Mingfu in his remarks. Xiao Jingduo didn’t care anymore when he saw that he couldn’t make a statement, but let her go.

    “Mingfu, you let others learn double-sided embroidery, but you want to sell this kind of embroidery in the future?”

    “That’s right.”

    The submission frowned and said carefully: “I don’t know how to do business, but I just heard from others that if there is no way, business is absolutely impossible. Besides, there is a lot of embroidery in Shu, and our embroidery pieces It is time-consuming and expensive, and I am afraid not many people in Shu are willing to buy it.”

    “Indeed, very few people buy land in Shu.” Xiao Jingduo paused, then raised his head and looked towards the northeast, with some nostalgia in his tone, “But Chang’an is different.”

    I didn’t understand the connection between the submissions, so I had to ask tentatively: “Is there a plan in Mingfu?”

    “It’s not a plan.” Xiao Jingduo said, “It’s too early to talk about this now. The most important thing now is the meaning of the Chengdu government.”

    If the Chengdu government agrees that double-sided embroidery can be sent to Beijing as a gift, then his plan will have room for implementation. If the Chengdu government is unwilling to take risks, then more plans will have to be put on hold. But do your best to obey the destiny, no matter what the result is, you must make good preparations in advance.

    Xiao Jingduo did what he said, and within a few days, he set up a few courtyards behind the county government office for the presentation and other embroidery women to work during the day. To this end, Xiao Jingduo sent people to publicize the county that as long as women who are ingenious and idle at home, regardless of age, can come to the embroidery workshop to learn.

    The land around Jinjiang County is scarce, so most of the women stay at home and do not need to go out to help farming. The people in Shu are extremely hard-working, and the same goes for the women. I heard that the embroidery workshop is good for eating and eating, and they don’t delay going home at night, so many people come to the embroidery workshop to sign up. After all, they can earn a little bit.

    In fact, Xiao Jingduo’s decision was under a lot of pressure. All the expenses of the embroidery workshop are public funds. It’s winter, what should I do? Most importantly, what is the use of letting so many women learn embroidery? The master and others guessed that Xiao Jingduo wanted to learn from Chengdu Prefecture to sell Shu embroidery, but Jinjiang County did not have a lot of silkworms and the road was difficult. The most important thing was that there was no way to go inside and no reputation outside. They imitated Chengdu Prefecture in Jinjiang County. ?

    However, Xiao Jingduo couldn’t stand it. Even if the principal objected again, the embroidery workshop opened as scheduled. Every day, Chen Ci went out from the back door of the government office and went across the street to the embroidery workshop to teach others to embroider double-sided embroidery. Qiu Ju and Xiqi would go over to listen to them as long as they were busy with their work.

    The Embroidery Workshop was just on the right track, and news from Rongzhou came.

    The author has something to say: Another month is over, and the surveys in various counties across the country have been published, do you want to check?

    Xiao Jingduo nodded with a heavy heart [Yes]

    The county’s agricultural situation: probably will be able to eat

    County Economic Status: No Economy

    The county cultural industry: what is that?

    The current financial situation of the county government: a test on the brink of bankruptcy

    One sentence summary: Please make a rich plan as soon as possible! !