Jin brocade is famous for its bright colors. Shu brocade has a history of more than two thousand years and is regarded along with Guangxi’s Zhuang brocade, Nanjing’s Yun brocade, and Suzhou’s Song brocade as one of the four famous brocades in China.
Aunt Qing reluctantly admired the bright rose-colored Shu brocade, which depicted patterns of clustered flowers and flying birds in various vibrant colors, predominantly in rose red.
Such a brocade turned into clothing to wear in winter... Zhao Hanzhang tilted her head and thought it looked quite beautiful.
Especially in the snow, making it into a pleated skirt was quite pleasing to the eye.
Just as this thought crossed Zhao Hanzhang’s mind, Aunt Qing moved her hand from the rose-colored Shu brocade to a plain brocade beside it and said, "This one is good."
This was also what she had her eyes on earlier.
This plain brocade had a pale moon-like base, with large floral patterns woven across it, small flowers and auspicious clouds intertwining in the middle, and the colors were highlighted using three shades of pale yellow thread.
Mrs. Wang initially didn’t pay much attention, but upon seeing this plain brocade, she couldn’t help but look at her daughter.
She also liked this brocade, and the color matched well with her daughter.
She kept looking at Zhao Hanzhang.
However, Zhao Hanzhang did not intend to make new clothes. Seeing no one competing with Aunt Qing, they each chose the colors they wanted, so Zhao Hanzhang asked the clerk, "What’s the price for these Shu brocades and silks?"
The clerk seriously quoted a higher price, with each piece priced differently, and added, "These are the prices at which the county governnt bought them."
He wasn’t as thick-skinned as Chang Ning and Zhao Hanzhang, and after speaking, felt sowhat guilty, which led him to explain further, "The price is so high because the journey from the Shu region to here is long and unsafe, and there are very few rchants from Xiping."
Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him, prompting the clerk to realize he had said too much and he imdiately fell silent.
Fortunately, Aunt Qing and the other won’s haggling experience was not extensive, and he was telling the truth. Now there were very few Xiping rchants, and those that were mostly dealt in grain and ordinary textiles, buying stock upon hearing that goods were in large supply here. There wasn’t a single piece of valuable silk or brocade.
How could small rchants dare to transport such valuable items at this ti?
If they were robbed on the way, they would lose everything.
So, good fabrics were very expensive in Xiping now.
Although the prices quoted by the clerk were indeed too high, they were still within their budget, so everyone bought them without batting an eye.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly, let the clerk collect the money, and seeing it was getting late, rose to her feet, "I’ll escort Aunt and the others ho."
Aunt Qing and the others laughed, declining, "You’re busy, no need to see us off."
Mrs. Wang also said, "We still want to take another stroll."
"Very well," Zhao Hanzhang let the young maid lead them out to shop and handed Mrs. Wang a money pouch, "Mother, buy what you like, and also purchase so things on my behalf to honor Aunt and the others. Hanzhang won’t accompany you any longer."
Mrs. Wang accepted the money upfront and was quite pleased, "Sure, sure, you get busy now."
After Zhao Hanzhang had walked so distance away, Aunt Qing dared to start speaking freely, "Sister-in-law, how co your good son-in-law is nowhere to be seen?"
Mrs. Wang said calmly, "They are all busy people."
Fu Tinghan was indeed busy. As soon as Zhao Hanzhang left, he sat alone focused on a pile of dismantled wooden pieces, pondering.
When Zhao Hanzhang returned, his drawing was almost complete.
"You ca back at just the right ti, take a look at the drawing," Fu Tinghan handed over the finished drawing for her to see.
"I’ll call the carpenter, and we can give it a try."
"Alright."
The two were engrossed in making the loom. Mrs. Wang saw them absorbed in their work when she returned with everyone after shopping. She hesitated for a mont but chose not to disturb them, bringing Aunt Qing and the others back to the clan first.
Xiping County acquired eight cartloads of cotton padding, thus increasing the production of padded winter clothes and bedding.
The finished winter clothes and bedding were gradually distributed, first to the orphans and elderly in Yushan Hall, followed by the severely damaged families in the county, giving priority to children and won, then to the refugees’ children and won who ca to seek help...
By the ti it was the n’s turn, many were distinctly filled with reed and willow fluff rather than cotton, and so hadn’t yet received them.
However, no one was dissatisfied; everyone waited quietly and graciously accepted the county governnt’s gifts.
The county governnt was urging more sewing and stitching, so the refugees had an understanding of the situation; they would all receive so.
Ji Yuan sent over five cartloads of winter clothes and bedding, all leftover from the Shangcai side.
The steward who ca to deliver the goods bowed and reported, "Mr. Ji said, the manor can safely withstand this winter."
They also gathered many refugees over there, but since the rebel army hadn’t reached there, they kept building houses. By now, the brick houses they built were practically sufficient to house everyone.
Though it required about ten people to squeeze into one room... it was still quite warm.
Zhao Hanzhang felt a twinge of envy, but rembering Shangcai Manor was also her territory, her envy turned into contentnt.
Once the last batch of people also received their winter clothes and bedding, the temperature began to drop sharply, the north wind blew fiercely, and Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan’s collaborative improved loom was also completed.
The two watched as the significantly larger loom spun around. Finally, Zhao Hanzhang squeezed her fingers and said, "Let give it a try."
Fu Tinghan watched with anticipation.
Ting He set the thread for her, and Zhao Hanzhang stepped on the loom and pulled a few tis, swiftly weaving a finger-length of cloth. Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes lit up; before she could be happy, with a clunk, the roller in the middle of the loom fell off.
Both Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan’s smiles froze, and they quickly squatted down, their upper bodies half under the loom, examining it.
Fu Tinghan said with a headache, "This position is unstable."
Zhao Hanzhang said, "Seems like it still needs improvent."
But looking at the finger-length cloth, Zhao Hanzhang was still quite pleased, "Just a few pulls, and it beca fabric. Clearly, we succeeded."
Fu Tinghan lanted, "Unfortunately, the ti was too short. We don’t know if there are other shortcomings?"
Zhao Hanzhang thought for a mont and said, "Not lightweight enough; it requires a lot of effort."
She said, "I have enough strength, so I can pull it smoothly, but for other won, it might require a lot of effort to pull."
Fu Tinghan was thoughtful, "Then we need to figure out how to reduce the effort..."
Zhao Hanzhang let him ponder, and when he finished writing and drawing on the paper and was out of state, she said, "Today is the first snowfall, my mother invited us back to Wu Castle for a al. Later, we can take Zhao Erlang back with us."
The loom’s improvent wasn’t sothing that could be resolved in a day or two. Fu Tinghan nodded, "Alright."
So, in the afternoon, Zhao Hanzhang called Zhao Erlang, and the group rode back to Wu Castle.
It was just too cold, the wind stung their faces, so all three rode their horses slowly, jogging leisurely forward.
The streets were almost empty; with the cold weather, everyone was staying indoors, even the shops only opened half their doors. By 3:00 PM, seeing no custors, they simply closed their doors entirely.
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