Don't Disturb My Date

The next day, Fang Zheng had no interest in returning to his post at the Court of Diplomatic Receptions.

After all, he'd achieved his objectives. The Northern Rong had abandoned thoughts of a marriage alliance, and they'd gotten a taste of Taoyuan's "luxury goods."

As far as Fang Zheng was concerned, the rest was none of his business.

Right now, the most important matters were major projects like the textile factory and football field.

The football field needed no explanation.

But the textile factory was crucial. Whether he could develop a relationship with the Princess depended entirely on it!

Moreover, winter was approaching, and clothing in the capital wasn't cheap.

Taoyuan County's highly efficient textile machines could easily outperform the small handicraft workshops in the market.

When that happened, clothing prices would drop, and many people would likely take advantage of the lower prices to buy themselves new clothes.

In ordinary households, it wasn't uncommon for families to go several years or even over a decade without buying new clothes.

When clothes and pants got damaged, they'd just patch them up, layer upon layer. As long as they were wearable, it was fine. Everyone lived this way, so no one would laugh.

As the weather turned cold and the fields no longer needed tending, logic would suggest there should be plenty of available labor.

But contrary to intuition, the workforce didn't increase. Instead, it decreased rapidly.

Due to the harsh weather, most people would hide in their homes, keeping warm together as families.

Working outdoors in winter might not even guarantee income, and would only waste energy and food.

The common people were clearly shrewd, calculating their own interests better than anyone.

In short, during winter, parts of the civilian economy almost came to a standstill.

More terrifyingly, people would freeze to death, and it happened every year.

This was never good news for administrators.

Banshan District's small civilian economy had been doing quite well. For things like street stalls and food carts, Fang Zheng had simply waived all taxes with a wave of his hand.

Even so, the street vendors had only modest assets. Compared to ordinary farmers, they barely had the concept of "private property."

They couldn't withstand any risks. They were far from being truly prosperous!

Fang Zheng dragged Li Yuanzhao to the textile factory construction site, where work was still in full swing.

Overall, it appeared about half complete, and progress was very rapid.

After taking Li Yuanzhao on a tour, Fang Zheng called over the person in charge.

The supervisor was naturally from Taoyuan County, named He Zhong.

Besides overseeing construction, he was also responsible for future production.

He greeted Fang Zheng and stood to the side, ready to answer questions.

Li Yuanzhao asked curiously, "Old Fang, how come I never saw you this concerned about the textile factory in Jianjiang? You never personally visited there."

Fang Zheng smiled.

What else could it be for? For your sister's happiness!

"Jianjiang was too big for me to manage, and besides, those were all private merchant enterprises. We couldn't interfere too much."

"Now with winter approaching, we need to complete the textile factory to provide clothing for the people."

"How can we let the common people suffer from the cold in winter?"

"There are clothing shops everywhere on the streets. When have we ever been short of clothes to sell?" Li Yuanzhao asked doubtfully.

"Old He, please explain to His Highness."

He Zhong stepped before Li Yuanzhao and respectfully said, "Your Highness, our textile factory is very different from others."

"The factory uses Taoyuan County's newest looms, which are extremely efficient!"

"Besides quick weaving, we also use Master's invented assembly line method."

"Assembly line? What does that mean?" Li Yuanzhao asked.

Fang Zheng quickly interjected, "Your Highness, remember to tell the court historians that I invented the assembly line!"

He couldn't let this patent slip away! Otherwise, he'd have lived in vain!

Li Yuanzhao rolled his eyes, not understanding why Old Fang was so interested in the court historians, then looked back at Old He.

Old He smiled and said, "The assembly line means each person only does one step of the process. We clearly divide the labor, use tools to replace manpower where possible, break repetitive work into different parts, and reduce wasted time."

"Our looms are already highly efficient, and with assembly line production, they're even faster. This means shorter production time, fewer workers needed, and naturally cheaper products. I might not be explaining it very well, but Your Highness will understand once you see it."

"Moreover, our future products won't just be good quality, they'll be quite different from the clothes and pants currently on the market!"

"How are they different?"

Old He explained, "We sew three layers of linen into one layer. This makes them more durable and much warmer. Though the cost and price are a bit higher, it's well worth it!"

"Hmm, that makes sense! Very good!"

Fang Zheng sighed.

These were the clothes people in Taoyuan County used to wear.

Though life in Taoyuan County was good now, times had been really tough at first.

People had died from hunger and cold.

Back then, to reduce deaths from cold and hunger, the county had called on women to hand-sew clothing.

They'd sewn three layers of linen into one and distributed them free to the people, which had finally helped Taoyuan's people survive two harsh winters.

Cotton was naturally unaffordable.

Growing cotton depleted the soil too much, and no one in Great Jing was willing to grow it, so cotton prices remained high.

Cotton clothing was therefore out of reach for ordinary people.

But once sweet potato yields increased, more people should be willing to grow cotton.

At least they could convince the court to grow cotton.

Fang Zheng glanced at Li Yuanzhao, who was still enthusiastically observing the construction site.

He suddenly said, "Your Highness, though this is still just a construction site, it concerns the welfare of the capital's people."

"The three-layer winter clothes are good, but I think they're a bit expensive. The common people might still not be able to afford them."

"So I'd like to ask Your Highness to approach famous wealthy merchants for cooperation, putting their business logos on the clothes. The advertising fees can go to the textile factory to reduce the winter clothing prices."

Li Yuanzhao was stunned, "Couldn't we just have someone else handle such a small matter? And couldn't we just sell at cost?"

Fang Zheng's expression turned serious, "Of course not! If we sell at cost, how will others in the industry survive? We must give them room to breathe!"

"Also, Your Highness must handle this personally. Textile factories already have a bad reputation for employing women. If Your Highness personally negotiates, it will suppress much of the public criticism."

Li Yuanzhao looked at Fang Zheng with a knowing smile, "Hehe, you just want to use me as a shield? Everyone will blame me instead. Just say it directly, I'm not afraid of criticism! So does that make me the factory director now?"

Fang Zheng gave an enthusiastic thumbs up, "Your Highness is truly heroic! But the Fifth Princess is the director."

"Why her? She hasn't done anything!" Li Yuanzhao immediately protested.

"Because she's a woman. Your Highness, it would really cause scandal if you managed a group of women! What would people say about you?"

"The people would say the Crown Prince is unrestrained and corrupting public morals. How should those factory women conduct themselves? What about their reputations!"

"But if Your Highness only helps with advertising and investment, it's different. Though people might gossip briefly, once they put on the cheap, warm winter clothes, no one will speak ill of Your Highness."

"Even court officials will praise Your Highness for caring about the people! I'm truly thinking of Your Highness's reputation!"

Fang Zheng looked at Li Yuanzhao with a grin.

Hurry up and get busy! Don't interfere with my date with the Princess!

Li Yuanzhao suddenly understood, "Not bad! You're right, but it's too easy on Miaohan to make her director without doing anything! We should charge her some money!"

You beast! Even eyeing your sister's money.

Fang Zheng took a deep breath, "That's incorrect! The Princess naturally has her duties. We won't let her be idle. I'll make arrangements!"

Li Yuanzhao immediately gave Fang Zheng a suspicious look, "Why do I feel like you're plotting something?"

Fang Zheng put on a righteous expression, "Not at all! The Princess and I have a pure relationship, don't make wild accusations! Come on, let's go home. I'm tired after walking around so long!"

"Tch, I'm hungry. Let's go to Laoliu Restaurant. The food was good last time."

"What food! Doesn't that cost money? There's a palace banquet tomorrow night. Your Highness can wait!"

"Palace food tastes bad!"

"Nonsense, free food never tastes bad!"