Sister Han is good at farming

After Ruan Qingqing and his team harvested the sweet potatoes, they planted wheat and then prepared the land for rapeseed. By the time they finished planting rapeseed, the water in the reservoir was only half of its previous height, and it was already November.

There hadn't been a drop of rain since August. Now, everyone was starting to get nervous. More importantly, refugees had already appeared in Qingshui County.

Ruan Qingqing had found some time to give the drawings of the water mill and the water pestle to Yan Qufeng, and asked him to help make one of each.

Just after they finished planting rapeseed, Yan Zechen ran to her house to inform her that the things were ready, and his father had already contacted the stonemason to build the corresponding stone mill.

Ruan Qingqing was relieved after hearing this. She first went to Yan the Carpenter's house to see the results, and then arranged to build a mill near the outlet of Wudaoling Reservoir.

This mill was built by their family and Yan the Carpenter's family. Ruan Qingqing provided ideas, drawings and manpower, and Yan the Carpenter's family provided technology and money. The autumn harvest and planting were over, and everyone was free, so it was very convenient to find manpower.

The mill was built in less than five days. When it opened, people from all over the country came to see the excitement. Even the county magistrate Zhou Zheng came to visit the mill in person after hearing the news.

"It is truly a masterpiece of ingenuity and an astonishing skill!" Zhou Zheng praised it highly.

Seeing this mill, he felt that the emperor was too ruthless in destroying the Mo Sect. If this mill had appeared a few years earlier, how much labor could it have freed up?

Ruan Qingqing, Ruan Wantie and Yan Qufeng were all there with him.

"Sir, can you sell the drawings in your hand for a price?" Ruan Qingqing asked.

Zhou Zheng touched his nose and said, "There are a few families waiting to see what's going on. Why don't you make a copy of this water mill and this water pestle and sell them to me? With the actual products, I think you can get a better price."

Ruan Qingqing glanced at Yan Qufeng.

Yan Qufeng understood, "It can be done, but the size of this thing has to depend on the terrain, it's not fixed."

Zhou Zheng waved his hand. "It doesn't matter. Those old foxes don't believe in the power of this water mill and the water pestle. As long as the things can work, let them see it for themselves, they will pay for it obediently!"

"So if they use the things, does that mean I will lose my life too?" Yan Qufeng looked at Zhou Zheng meaningfully.

He was stunned for a moment, then the corners of his mouth slowly curled up, "Carpenter Yan is so talented, who would want to take your life?"

Yan Qufeng laughed sarcastically, "Isn't it true that the more talented you are, the more you will be seen as a thorn in the eye?"

Zhou Zheng's expression became solemn. "As long as Carpenter Yan has the right intentions, my Zhou family is willing to protect you!"

"Why should I protect you?"

"On my brother's promise!"

"What you say is unfounded!"

"Letter as proof!"

Zhou Zheng took out an unopened letter from his sleeve and shook it at him.

Yan Qufeng smiled, "It turns out that the Master came prepared!"

Zhou Zheng pursed his lips towards Ruan Qingqing and said, "Well, in order to become the judge of Qingshui County, I sold out my family!"

Ruan Qingqing chuckled, "Your Excellency loves the people like your own children. The people of Qingshui County will always remember your kindness in their hearts."

Ruan Wantie knelt down and thanked him, "Thank you very much for building the water conservancy for us. Although there has been a drought for three months, we still have water!"

The village chief and a group of villagers who were watching the excitement knelt down at the same time when they saw this. "Thank you for building the water conservancy and bringing us water!"

The voice is loud as a bell and full of emotion.

Zhou Zheng also put away his joking expression, personally helped Ruan Wantie up, and shouted to everyone, "Everyone, there's no need to be like this, get up!"

Seeing that Zhou Zheng had no airs, everyone started to joke with him. "Sir, you are our rain god. Praying to gods and Buddhas is not as effective as asking you for help!"

"Thank you, thank you! But one thing is true, it is better to rely on yourself than on God. Everyone should take good care of the crops in the fields, harvest well, and have food in hand, so that we can get through these difficult days!"

"That's right!"

"Sir, I went to the county yesterday and found refugees on the roadside. Will there be more and more refugees in our county in the future? Will the situation of looting and smashing things happen again like my father's generation?"

There was a brave man who saw that the atmosphere between the government and the people was good, so he hurriedly asked the question that he was worried about.

"No! In fact, the drought is very widespread this time, affecting the four states surrounding our Lulin Prefecture. Refugees appeared in other places as early as September. I have already informed General Ling, the garrison general of our Lulin Prefecture, that we will never allow refugees from other places to enter our Lulin Prefecture. The refugees you saw should be people from our Lulin Prefecture.

Because Qingshui County opened a canal to divert water from the Qianlong River earlier, people from other counties probably got the news and wanted to come here to beg for food. So there are refugees here, but they won’t appear in large groups. Of course, during this special period, everyone must take good care of their belongings. It’s best to go out with a group to avoid being schemed by those with bad intentions.”

"Thank you for your help, sir!"

Before Zhou Zheng left, he specifically told Chi the Hunter, "Brother Zijing, please have your people keep an eye on this mill. Don't let anything go wrong here."

Chi Hunter snorted, "The little girl has already thought of it! Look, I was hired by her to maintain order here."

Zhou Zheng shook his head in disbelief. "This little girl is only ten years old! How come you have considered every aspect?"

Hunter Chi rolled his eyes at him and said, "Do you think that Mohist talents are just here to eat and do nothing? Can the person he chooses be bad?"

“It should be said that if it weren’t for some people in the Mo Sect who were so self-inflated and unable to recognize reality, they would have defeated the Mo Sect. The talents in the Mo Sect are still very powerful, and some are even amazing!

Just like the water mill and the water-cranked pestle this time. I sent the blueprints back three or four months ago, but up to now no one has figured it out. They even insisted that I was talking nonsense.

Chi Liehu's face became serious. "The Mohists are the only ones who are good at making tricks! This is not an exaggeration. Apart from not knowing how to fight, what can't they do? It's a pity that after several turbulent times, their Mohists are getting worse with each generation. But no matter how bad they are, they are better than us. Especially that carpenter Yan, I misjudged him."

"Isn't it? He is quite slippery. He took the opportunity to get his personal security. Fortunately, I came here today for his matter."

"You can't judge a person by his appearance!"

While Chi the Hunter and Zhou Zheng were chatting, a long line formed outside the mill.

Because of the new harvest and the reduction of taxes by half compared with previous years, everyone had a lot of surplus food. So they wanted to grind some new flour or pound some rice to reward themselves and their families.

"Daya, with the situation like this, when will it be our turn?" Ruan Wantie was extremely anxious.

"Dad, why are you in such a hurry? We can just grind it tonight."

"This this……"

"When you get home, don't you still have to discuss weaving sorghum mats with grandpa?" Ruan Qingqing reminded.

"Yes, yes! We can't delay our money-making business!"