The weeds are green in the spring shade, and sometimes there are flowers and trees. Walking in the vast wilderness, the fragrance of earth is on the tip of your nose, and the chirping of birds is beside you.
The fields on both sides of the ridge have already been planted with various high-yielding crops, and the old farmers come to take care of them every day, fearing that anything will go wrong.
Looking up, the water channels extending in all directions gathered together in one place. Several peasant women squatted next to the pond, cleaning the soil-covered farm tools one by one, and dropped them on the grass to dry the water drops.
Chen Deng nodded thoughtfully, picked up a charcoal pen and recorded this scene on the parchment. This time I arrived in Hedong County. Different from last year, I mainly came to purchase improved seeds.
It was just a way to see if Zhao Sheng and his party could be rescued. In fact, Tao Qian also knew that it was impossible, so he didn't force it.
Chen Deng was too lazy to visit Zhao Sheng at the Wei Institute. With that time, he wanted to see with his own eyes how the Wei family organized farming.
He had just been promoted by Tao Qian to the rank of Diannong Xiaowei. He was mainly responsible for agricultural production in Xuzhou and had great responsibilities. Different from the geographical environment of Hedong County, Xuzhou is on the seaside, and the terrain and water conservancy there are all challenges for him.
And he could always find inspiration from Wei's agricultural layout, which made him very happy. Of course, the most important thing is that for outsiders like them, the Wei family did not specifically prevent them from secretly learning the scriptures. What's more, they even asked the bankers to take the initiative to explain the principles to them.
"Yuanlong, come and take a look at this canal." The officials accompanying him excitedly waved to Chen Deng. When Chen Deng heard this, he quickly put the charcoal pen into his bag and trotted over curiously.
The water channel in front of me has a strange shape, with several small gates opened on both sides of the farmland, from high to low, which seem to have ulterior motives.
Chen Deng looked at the crops in the farmland and frowned: "Is this early indica rice?" The official who was accompanying him nodded slightly, then squatted next to the valve of the water channel, and said in a deep voice: "Look, these water gates look simple. , but some of them are quite particular." Chen Deng looked down, and then his eyes lit up.
At this time, two water gates were opened, and the water in the canals flowed into the rice fields. However, the water level in the rice fields was always kept a little above the roots of the indica rice seedlings, and the entire seedlings were not submerged.
You know, the water level in the nearby ditch is significantly higher than these seedlings. If the water is directly opened, the seedlings will definitely be drowned.
The accompanying official's eyes widened and he asked tentatively: "Yuanlong, do you think our flood control dam can be built based on this thing?" Chen Deng's expression moved, and a trace of emotion flashed in his eyes. He also thought it was feasible. .
However, he then shook his head helplessly and said in denial: "The river is flowing rapidly, and ordinary wooden doors may not be able to withstand such a strong impact." The fellow officials were startled when they heard this, and then sighed in disappointment.
"But" Chen Deng then said: "Brother Chenghua, if we can get cement, there may be a way." The official was stunned and asked doubtfully: "What is cement?" Chen Deng pointed towards the satellite city not far away. Youyou said: "It is a strange building material that can solidify mortar into solid rocks, and the shape can be arbitrary. If it is used to build a stone gate, it will not matter how big the water flow is." The official stood up excitedly and looked at To the satellite city,
"It seems we have to pay a visit to Manager Xue." The two smiled at each other, dusted themselves off, and headed towards the satellite city.
at the same time. In the satellite city, a respected old man was organizing a meeting for everyone. This is Satellite City No. 5, and it is also one of the first places to participate in greenhouse cultivation. There are three small aristocratic families in Satellite City No. 5. Among them, the Xue family is the most famous. Old Mrs.
Next to Mr. Xue were the patriarch of the Fang family and an old woman from the Liu family. Both of them were stewards named by the Wei family, so they were certainly capable craftsmen.
From time to time, the old woman glanced at the front of the high platform, where there were twenty sewing machines. At this time, many women were looking at the sewing machines eagerly, with anticipation and anxiety in their eyes.
On the stage, Mr. Xue took a step forward, raised his hands and said: "Everyone, everyone is here. I am here today to allocate the twenty sewing machines in front of you." There was a burst of cheers from the crowd. Sewing machines are very expensive. These twenty sewing machines were purchased by their Satellite City No. 5 through crowdfunding. They are considered collective property, but how to distribute them is a big problem.
Mr. Xue signaled everyone to be quiet, then raised his finger and pointed at the old woman beside him, and said: "We are all members of City No. 5. No matter what we three old guys decide, it is for everyone's good. If any of you are dissatisfied, you can Argue with us in private, and don't make mistakes at this time." Mr. Xue looked at several young people in his family, the warning in his eyes was particularly serious.
The Xue family has many men and has a relatively strong voice in Satellite City No. 5, which often arouses resentment among the other two families.
Liu's old woman stepped forward and bowed, then started to distribute the food with great enthusiasm. Not long after, twenty women came out of the crowd, including women with children and unmarried girls.
Overall, it was fair, with six people from each of the three aristocratic families, and the remaining two places were given to bankers.
However, these two girls from farmers' backgrounds are from the Liu family. It was obvious that the young people of the Xue family were beginning to become dissatisfied. Many people began to whisper, and some even began to get angry.
At this moment, Mrs. Liu looked towards the two girls. The two women nodded in response, turned around and took out the prepared fabrics, then walked cautiously to the sewing machine and sat down.
Old Man Xue glared at the chattering tribesmen and said loudly: "This time, among the women selected by our City No. 5 to participate in the Xiuhefang assessment, only two of them passed the final selection and became Xiuhefang's designated embroiderers."
"With them here, our City No. 5 can also make such beautiful clothes. You should know how high a set of clothes in Xiuhefang has been sold at now. Even so, the supply exceeds the demand. Haha, now we can also make such beautiful clothes." The clothes are worn out, even if the materials are inferior, those merchants will definitely fight for it." Now everyone was undecided. Everyone present had heard of how popular Xiuhefang's clothes were, especially the Xue family. Some of the young men of the clan were present that day.
"Grandfather, can we also purchase clothes ourselves?" Old Mrs. Xue frowned, but Old Mrs. Liu on the side responded with a smile: "This is natural. After all, sewing machines are collective assets. If we make them by ourselves in the future, We provide the clothes and fabrics ourselves, and they only charge a certain craft fee.”
"Wow, that's great!"
"I didn't expect that I could wear Xiuhefang's clothes. I will definitely make Brother Zhou and the others envious when I look back." At this time, Old Master Xue shouted sternly: "Everyone, be quiet. Why are we raising funds to purchase sewing machines? Everyone is thinking We all know that now is the time to make huge profits, so all of you should restrain yourself, and no one can disturb them until the money is recovered." The entrance to the square.
Chen Deng looked curiously at the twenty embroiderers in the crowd and the twenty strange-looking sewing machines.
"What is this Xiuhefang?" Wei Mansion. Liu He was also looking at the clothes in front of him curiously. This set of Hanfu named Zixia was a gift given to her by Wei Cheng.
If it were just a set of clothes, Liu He wouldn't be so curious. What kept her unable to take her eyes away for a long time was the artificial material ice silk cloth that could be seen everywhere in later generations.
"Your Highness, I'm sorry, this fabric has never been heard of by this old slave. Although it is similar to Luo Sha, it is denser and its tentacles are as cold as jade. It is really the best choice for personal lining." The old nanny marveled at the side.
Liu He nodded slightly and motioned for her to step back first. Then he hesitated and said to the maid on the side: "Get ready, I need to take a bath and change clothes." The maid sang softly and hurried to prepare warm water.
When Liu He saw that she was the only one in the boudoir, he gently raised his jade hand and slowly took out the glow, which was as bright as the sun rising and glowing like a canal. The jewels and jades in the room were not even half as bright as hers.
Liu He's beautiful face was reflected in the half-length mirror at the side. I don't know if it was the light, or the girl's gestation, but there was a little red light, and her eyes seemed to be blooming with flowers.
"How did he know that I prefer snow-green?" Snow-green is a color of purple, not deep, but rather bland. Liu He took off the heavy palace clothes outside, revealing the snow-green bellyband inside. There were no other stunning patterns on the bellyband, but two small red beans were embroidered on the neckline. The needlework and thread were new, and they must have been embroidered not long ago.
"Ah chirp"
"Sir, are you okay?" Wei Cheng rubbed the tip of his nose, shook his head and replied, "It's okay, I just sneezed, maybe the smell of ink is irritating." Dian Wei looked at the side carefully and nodded slightly.
Wei Cheng picked up a writing brush, raised his head and pondered for a while, and then slowly started writing.
"You will personally deliver this letter to the guard station and give it to Tian Yuanhao later, and ask him to supervise the matter as soon as possible." Dian Wei respectfully bowed his fists and saw that Wei Cheng was still writing, looking at it hesitantly, as if he was hesitant to speak. look.
In fact, Wei Cheng had discovered it a long time ago. Taking advantage of the stall where the letters were spread out to dry the ink, he raised his head and asked, "What's wrong? What trouble did you encounter?" Upon hearing this, Dian Wei hurriedly walked to Wei Cheng and clasped his fists After bowing, he said: "Young Master, this matter shouldn't bother you, but my mother-in-law keeps talking about me, me." Wei Cheng was stunned for a moment, and said with a smile: "Why are you such a mother-in-law? Mother, what do you mean? That's it." Dian Wei raised his head in embarrassment and asked, "Sir, can I buy a sewing machine on credit?"
"Sewing machine?" Wei Cheng was startled for a moment, then nodded and replied, "It's what my wife wants to use. Of course there's no problem. The credit is waived and I'll give you one."
"No, Dian Wei appreciates the good intentions of the young master. The young master has already helped Dian Wei a lot. Man'er can go to Heluo College to study. Dian Wei now has a place to live and settle down. He really doesn't dare to demand too much." Wei Cheng said indifferently. She waved her hand to indicate that he didn't have to bend down to talk to her, and then said with a smile, "Does Madam Sister-in-law also know how to use a sewing machine?" Dian Wei nodded hurriedly,
"It works. She went to Xiuhefang to take the assessment without telling me, and she got the quota of the designated embroiderer. However, she wanted to take care of the food of my father and son at home, so she couldn't go to Xiuhefang to work, so" Wei Qing agreed. He made a sound and said angrily: "It's just such a small thing, and you have been grinding with me all morning?" Dian Wei blinked his eyes and thought to himself: It's a small thing for you, but it's a big deal for our family. That sewing machine It costs fifty thousand copper coins!
Wei Cheng handed him the letter with dry ink and said: "Go and deliver the letter first. Later I will ask the housekeeper to deliver a sewing machine to your house. You are my bodyguard and you have to risk your life to protect me. It's just a sewing machine." Sewing machine, please don't be polite to me." Dian Wei took the letter and bowed to Wei Qing with clasped fists.
"Thank you for the reward, young master." Wei Cheng laughed and said, "Okay, okay, what's the big man doing? I didn't expect that you are also henpecked." When Dian Wei heard this, his old face turned red and he quickly turned around and left. .
Walking to the door, Dian Wei paused.
"Did Young Master just say so?" Dian Wei chuckled and said,
"I must have heard wrongly." Not long after Dian Wei left. Cai Yan held his belly and walked in with Zhong Chan's support.
There is also a faint fragrance of ink in the study, which is Cai Yan's favorite smell. Wei Cheng was thinking about his next move. When he looked up and saw her, he immediately put down his brush.
"Why are you here? Come and sit down." Zhong Chan supported Cai Yan and chuckled: "Brother Wei, my sister is here to ask you to accuse me." Cai Yan scratched Zhong Chan's armpit angrily. , making Zhong Chan hurriedly avoid it.
Wei Cheng helped Cai Yan sit down on the soft couch and asked puzzledly: "What does this mean? Did I do something wrong?" Cai Yan's cheeks were very pink with a little baby fat, but at this time he was angry. He said loudly: "Just now, two aunts came to sit with me and said that most of the female workers in the soap shop were gone. When I asked why, I found out that it was related to my husband." Wei Cheng's expression changed.
"Why are all the female workers gone?" Zhong Chan walked up behind Cai Yan and chuckled: "Brother Wei, the Xiuhefang you opened has poached all the people. Just now the two ladies were annoyed and helpless, saying The wages offered by Xiuhe Fang were so high that all female workers were attracted, causing them to lose a lot of business." Cai Yan also looked at Wei Cheng aggrievedly, after all, she was also involved in the soap factory, and now the two aunts I went to talk to her about something, but she was kept in the dark about everything. How could she not feel aggrieved?
Wei Cheng looked at the tearful Cai Yan and comforted in a low voice: "Oh, it's just a few female workers. Let the aunts pay a high salary and hire a few more people to make up for it. What's wrong with you? Stop crying."
"I just feel aggrieved. I stay at home all day long and don't know what's going on outside. I heard that my husband even found the most beautiful woman in Hedong County to go to Xiuhefang to support the show. That woman must be extremely beautiful." Good guy , turns out to be waiting for me here.
Wei Teng looked at Zhong Chan speechlessly, who was gloating about his misfortune. Zhong Chan hurriedly shook his head and waved his hands.
"It's not me, it's the two eldest ladies. Brother Wei, please don't blame the good people." Wei Cheng sneered. If you hadn't covered your mouth and snickered just now, I would have almost believed it.
