The temporary residence of Minister Zuo was bustling with activity, with officials, scholars, and common people coming and going all the time.
Faint sounds of conversations could be heard:
"Move the mulberry trees from Jiangsu and Zhejiang to the Western Regions...]
[Employ craftsmen from Huzhou to teach the techniques of planting mulberry, raising silkworms, boiling cocoons, reeling silk, and weaving.]
Minister Zuo placed great importance on building up the Western Frontier, and the promotion of the silk industry was one of the measures for economic recovery.
When Lu Yao arrived, Minister Zuo had just seen off a group of visitors and was writing a petition.
He showed no intention to hide, freely wielding his brush and splashing ink—