While having lunch, Ban Jiu asked Ma Lin what he planned to do with the reeds.
"Making mats, of course."
"What's a mat?"
"It's laid on the bed, very clean, animal skins can be laid on the mat, making it comfortable to sleep and less likely to dirty the skins."
Ban Jiu said, "Make one for me too."
Ban Jiu is the leader here.
Ma Lin replied, "I haven't made one before, so I'll make one for myself first. Then I'll make one for you, and I can teach Ban Yan. Eventually, everyone will have mats to use."
"Are mats good stuff?"
"They are good, each household should have them."
He pondered whether to make the mat first or the grass padding, feeling a bit confused.
He knew how to weave mats, so he started working on them first.
After lunch, he tore apart the reeds which he had already prepared, spread them out, and started weaving them at a forty-five-degree angle.
