"Wait a minute, do we really need your help with this? You're Zhang Xiaojing's superior. As far as I know, he doesn't have any other elders or relatives. So, we need you to step in."
Lu Xuan: "......"
For some reason, he had agreed to propose marriage to two women on behalf of Zhang Xiaojing at Wen Ran's house. Coming to his senses, Lu Xuan felt an excruciating pain in his groin.
I'm only in my early twenties, and I'm supposed to be an elder proposing marriage to a man in his thirties?!
But Xu Hezi looked pleading, clearly bored at home and looking for something to do. If she hadn't promised to dance a few new dances for Lu Xuan tonight, he would never have done it.
Zhang Xiaojing rushed to Lu Xuan's house, thinking the plan had changed. But when he arrived, he sensed something was off. Captain Lu's expression was somewhat awkward. What was going on?
"Yes, Zhang Xiaojing, I know you and Wen Wuji from the East Market are comrades-in-arms, brothers who have gone through thick and thin together. So you must be very familiar with his daughter, Wen Ran?"
"Lu Lang..." Xu Hezi whispered a reminder when she saw that Lu Xuan was getting off-topic. Lu Xuan felt embarrassed for a few moments.
"Zhang Xiaojing, please give me your birth date and time. After I have someone look at your birth chart, I will choose an auspicious day to propose marriage to the Wen family on your behalf."
Zhang Xiaojing: "!!!!! Sir, what did you say?"
"What? You have no elders left in your family. As your superior, I'm worried about this for you. You're over thirty and still not married. People will think you're a scoundrel who can't find a wife. How will you find someone in the future? I've met Wen Ran. She's beautiful and good at managing a household. She's a good girl."
"I've already arranged the matchmaker for you. Once we've checked your birth date and time and set a date, I'll personally go to propose marriage. Make sure you look your best. Even if they're interested, you should still show respect."
"No, sir, please listen to me!"
"What are you saying? Wen Ran is already eighteen. If you wait any longer, she'll be an old maid. How long are you going to wait? Marriage is a major event, and the elders should make the decisions. Since you don't have any elders, I, as your superior, will reluctantly make the decisions for you. I've already prepared the dowry and everything else. You just need to get yourself ready. That's settled then. Go back now."
Zhang Xiaojing: "......"
The love triangle between Zhang Xiaojing, Wen Ran, and Tan Qi (who appears later in the original novel) is a classic example of a "sudden arrival" scenario, where the boy wins over the childhood sweetheart. When Lu Xuan first read it, he felt quite sorry for Wen Ran. At this point in time, Zhang Xiaojing didn't even know Tan Qi and had no feelings for anyone else. Lu Xuan simply let them be together. Whether Zhang Xiaojing was willing or not was unimportant... what mattered was that Lu Xuan himself was clear-headed.
Zhang Xiaojing left, completely bewildered. Speaking of his feelings for Wen Ran, he had long considered it a brother-sister relationship. Of course, he knew the girl's feelings. He just felt he wasn't good enough for such a wonderful girl. But how could a man not feel a flutter in his heart when such a beautiful girl liked him?
It's just that Zhang Xiaojing had forcibly suppressed his romantic feelings for Lu Xuan. For many years, he had lived a life of excessive repression. Since Lu Xuan appeared, he had shared a lot of the burden, which had made Zhang Xiaojing's personality much more normal.
This farce at home eased Lu Xuan's tense nerves considerably. Sometimes he couldn't help but sigh that only with these kinds of family squabbles could one truly feel at home. Having transmigrated here, he felt he was getting closer and closer to the Tang Dynasty.
Now that you've brought it up, some things need to be done. In ancient times, marriage proposals always involved a matchmaker. Even if you two are mutually in love, the matchmaker still has to make an appearance and go through the formalities before things officially begin.
There's a blind date and other procedures to follow. The key point is that Wen Ran's father, Wen Wuji, is Zhang Xiaojing's old comrade-in-arms. Meeting them in this way is incredibly awkward. Thinking about this, Lu Xuan suddenly felt that what he had done wasn't so awkward after all.
The young men of the Bad Guys also heard that their boss was getting engaged. Suddenly, they felt that their gloomy and ruthless boss wasn't so scary after all. Marriage can always dispel many things. Zhang Xiaojing now felt that the intimidating power he had accumulated over the years was about to be washed away by this engagement.
Taking a break from his busy schedule, Lu Xuan dealt with his wife's sudden whim. He felt he couldn't let this woman stay idle any longer. Otherwise, who knew who she'd be arranging marriage for next time?
"Lu Lang, what are you going to do with all this wool?"
Have you ever seen a wool blanket?
“Yes, I have seen it. Persian merchants often transport wool blankets to the Tang Dynasty to sell. I saw them when I was at the Qunfangyuan. However, they need to use a lot of spices to mask the fishy smell on them.”
"That's right. Wool products can't be widely used, partly because wool is uneven in thickness, making it difficult to process. Another reason is the oily film on the surface of wool. If this oily film isn't removed, no matter how exquisite the wool product, it will have a strong greasy and fishy smell."
"Does Lu Lang know how to remove this grease when he says all this?"
"I know a little bit about it. I've already made arrangements in the backyard and started the experiments. But I don't have time to focus on this right now, so I'm entrusting this task to you. You'll be in charge of the wool degreasing experiment. You should know that this is a major event that benefits the country and its people. If you do it well, it's possible that the current emperor will grant you an imperial decree."
After saying this, Lu Xuan could even see Xu Hezi's eyes begin to shine. In this era, a woman's only way to rise above others was through men. After all, not everyone is Wu Zetian.
Degreasing wool—that was the job Lu Xuan had assigned to Xu Hezi. In reality, the problems that needed to be solved for large-scale use of wool went far beyond just degreasing.
First, there's the raw material. In this era, the wool from sheep in Yunzhong and the Khitan region was of the highest quality. In the Hetao region, there was another type of sheep called Tan sheep, whose wool was even more exquisite.
After that, supporting tools and sufficient power were also needed. Therefore, the spindle of this era also had to be modified.
Simply put, the seemingly simple use of wool requires the cooperation of the entire textile industry. But Lu Xuan also knew that once this system was established, it would be a silent, deadly weapon.
At that time, Lu Xuan will make those barbarians on the grasslands forget how to wield a sword.
------------
Chapter Seventy-Five: Abolition of the Jing'an Division
It was December again, and a heavy snow covered Chang'an City.
A debate is underway in the imperial court.
"Your Majesty, the Jing'an Division is lawless and arrogant. They have repeatedly used the pretext of apprehending spies to commit illegal acts in Chang'an, causing trouble, disturbing the people, and harming the innocent. I suggest that the Jing'an Division be abolished and its duties be transferred to the Right Valiant Guard and the Dragon Martial Army for cooperation."
This was Li Linfu's first direct confrontation with the Jing'an Division. An eerie silence fell over the court. But then, more than a dozen officials stepped forward to reconsider. Then more officials followed suit. Soon, most of the court had agreed to the matter.
Looking at the situation in the court, He Zhizhang felt a headache coming on. He had repeatedly warned Li Bi, and even the Crown Prince, that the Jing'an Division was getting too powerful. If they continued to cause trouble, they would likely face impeachment soon.
However, Li Bi always readily agreed, but his actions remained unchanged. In fact, he became increasingly reckless. The Jing'an Division's elite guerrilla battalion even turned its attention to some important officials in the court. Although not explicitly stated, they began some investigations in private.
He Zhizhang knew that most court officials wouldn't have ties with foreign tribes. But that didn't mean they weren't afraid of investigation. The Jing'an Division had such high authority; who would dare let them investigate recklessly? Today's events were the inevitable result of all their previous actions. He had wanted to step forward and offer some explanation, but seeing the current situation, he felt that all was lost.
"This old minister has failed in his duty to manage his subordinates; I beg Your Majesty's punishment." At this point, admitting guilt and preserving himself was the most important thing. As for the Jing'an Division, he was powerless to do anything about it.
"In the past few days, I have received several memorials impeaching the Jing'an Division. It is clear that the Jing'an Division has forgotten its proper duties. Issue an order that, effective immediately, the entire staff of the Jing'an Division be dismissed. All case files shall be transferred to the Right Valiant Guard, the Dragon Martial Army, and the Golden Guard for joint handling. The Six Ministries and the Court of Judicial Review shall also provide their full cooperation."
The Jing'an Division may be disbanded, but the repeated appearances of Turkic spies in Chang'an are an undeniable fact. You all must be extra vigilant. Li Linfu, this matter is entrusted to you. Don't disappoint me again.”
Rumors had already spread that Li Linfu, the head of the household, had ties with the Turks. However, the Emperor still entrusted Li Linfu with the authority of the Jing'an Division, raising questions about the true extent of Li Longji's trust in him. The high-ranking officials in the court, seeing this, knew that Li Linfu still enjoyed the Emperor's favor. Naturally, they continued to curry favor with him.
"And the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is also to blame for the dereliction of duty by the Jing'an Division (the Jing'an Division's armed forces were originally drawn from the Crown Prince's Guard). I hereby issue an oral decree that Crown Prince Li Heng shall stay at home for three months to reflect on his mistakes, as a form of punishment."
With the Jing'an Division gone, even the Crown Prince was forced into seclusion to reflect on his actions. Right Chancellor Li Linfu's power was further increased, prompting sighs from the court officials. Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, there had never been such a powerful minister. Of course, these words couldn't be spoken openly. But most people had already lost faith in the Crown Prince.