Traveling through time as a peasant girl to turn things around

Zhang Qingshan, the county leader, led all the officials in daily visits to the villages, inspecting and supervising water conservancy projects. He demanded that every household reclaim as much wasteland as possible. He offered no payment for the first three years, with no harvest in bad years. After three years of good years, he would harvest 30% of the grain. The people applauded, praising their good officials. Whoever reclaimed wasteland owned it. Even small plots of land were personal property, with no accounting required. This policy resonated with the people.

A month later, a waterwheel was sold for fifty taels in this county, and one from another county for a hundred taels. Twenty-eight waterwheels were built that month, earning eight hundred and eighty taels. One waterwheel was placed in the court, and when the second one was completed, Zhang Qingshan sent an official to deliver it to the capital, which led to this scene in the court. Someone went up to move it, not knowing what to do. The emperor looked at them, a bunch of idiots, and then announced, "Come in, Taohua County officials." The Taohua County officials had never seen such a scene before, and their legs were shaking with fear. Later, realizing that this was a good thing, they stopped shaking, knelt down, and lowered their heads. The emperor asked, "Do you know how to move it? How to make the waterwheel move?" I replied that if you put it in the river and fix it, you can use the impact of the water to bring the water to a higher place, through the trough, and then flow to a higher place. "Okay, I'll go out for a walk too. Minister of Revenue, you take the lead."

Minister's Purpose. A large group of people, the emperor riding in a dragon chariot and other officials on horseback, arrived at a village on the outskirts of the city. They found a good spot by the river and fixed a waterwheel in the river. The trough led to the bank, and the water hit the groove of the waterwheel and turned it. The groove flowed downward and then flowed into the trough, changing direction and slowly flowing into the large trough. When it reached the high bank, everyone stared at the miraculous scene with wide eyes, speechless. "Amazing! Amazing!" The emperor praised it greatly, "Award!" If waterwheels were installed throughout the country, no farmland would lack water, and more food would be grown. There would be no more reliance on the weather, and there would be no years of famine. The people of the country would have enough to eat, and there would even be more surplus food. The Great Yan Kingdom would be even richer. It was unimaginable! ! After a while, the ministers thought a lot. "Your Majesty, this is a great thing. It is a blessing for our emperor!" The ministers praised it one after another without asking for money! The emperor summoned the minor official from Taohua County and asked, "Who came up with this?" "Our Lord Zhang said it was a carpenter from Taohua Village who came up with it and tried to build it. He succeeded and has already irrigated the fields. Only then did he dare report it," the official said, bowing his head. The emperor understood his officials, who were down-to-earth and unpretentious. He had seen Zhang Qingshan's memorial and said he didn't want to leave Taohua County due to his age, so he rewarded him with gold, silver, and palladium. The emperor thought that even if the waterwheel was taken back, the Ministry of Works wouldn't be able to build one. So, he decided, "Let's go back. Leave this waterwheel here and benefit the people here." The village chief immediately held a meeting to build a ditch to irrigate the fields, and the village was transformed. He even sent people thousands of miles to learn how to make a waterwheel. But that's another story.

The emperor returned to the palace and summoned the Minister of Works. He issued an order, "Take people to Taohua County tomorrow to learn how to build a waterwheel. When you have learned it, come back. Bring more people with you. Minister Li, you go in person." The Minister of Works was so frightened that he knelt down and kowtowed, "This old minister will leave tomorrow." "Go."

The emperor issued several imperial edicts in succession. One was to reward Zhang Qingshan with a thousand taels of gold, another was to reward carpenter Li Dong and the entire village. Later, the Minister of Works came back and talked about the deeds of the Lao Chai family. The emperor issued another imperial edict to Taohua Village. This is a story for later.

The next day, the Emperor ordered the Chief Eunuch Chen to take two imperial edicts to Taohua Village. Regent Ye Heng said, "Your humble servant is willing to go." "Very well," he said. "And by the way, let me see how the officials along the way have performed. I'll give you the imperial sword, so you can execute first and report later if necessary, so you can act at your convenience." "Your humble servant obeys the order!"

The Regent left court and changed his clothes. Just then, the Emperor's reward arrived outside. The butler entered and said, "Go call Jiale." Jiale arrived shortly after. "I remember you said you were from Taohua County." "Yes, sir." "I'm from Taohua Village, Taoyuan County." "How long have you been away?" "Over three years." "Come with me to visit your family." "Sir?" "Yes." "Go home and visit, then come back with me." The Regent glanced at him. "I'll get a change of clothes." Jiale quickly packed, taking the money he'd earned over the past few years and some banknotes. He arrived at the gate carrying a bundle, and someone brought his horse to him. "Let's go," the Regent said. A carriage carrying the reward was followed by a detachment of imperial guards. The Emperor was in full display, all on horseback.

These days, more than 30 households in Taohua Village have planted rice. The Chai family has taken out various seeds and sold them to the villagers at a low price. Every household has planted vegetables, and the spring planting is ready.

Little Milk Bag took out some climbing plants and planted them at home, at the base of the south wall—outside, of course. Now they've completely covered the wall, with red and yellow blossoms blooming. It's a beautiful sight. The same goes for the east courtyard wall. Flowers have also been planted on both sides of the school gate. Large, neat rows of flowers have bloomed. Flower beds have also been built in the village, and fruit trees line the streets in two rows. Whoever's in front of their door is responsible for managing it. Every household has planted grapes.

Fifteen days later, the Regent and his entourage arrived in Taoyuan County ahead of the Ministry of Works. Zhang Qingshang led the entire county government staff to greet them at the county gate. Zhang Qingshan then led his men to the government office. The Regent produced the imperial edict, and Zhang Qingshan set up the altar and knelt to receive it. "I commend Zhang Qingshan for his excellent management of Taoyuan County. Considering his age and unwillingness to leave, I hereby reward him with a thousand taels of gold." "I thank the Lord for his grace."

The Regent continued, "Wash and eat." "Okay, okay, I've made all the arrangements." A maid led the Regent to a bath and clean clothes. Jiale also dressed up. "Young Master, Unparalleled in the World," he said, referring to Jiale. Zhang Qingshan accompanied him in the hall, and the Regent invited Jiale to sit down for dinner.

It was still early, and Zhang Qingshan led the way, followed by a carriage. A large group of people headed for Taohua Village. The common people had never seen such a sight before. People along the roadside knelt, waiting until the carriages were far away before daring to stand. The imperial army marched with a majestic and impressive force, arriving at Taohua Village in half an hour. From a distance, they spotted the flowers in front of the school, each blossoming. The regent was struck by the vitality at first sight. This place was unlike any other. It had class and quality. The main road was smooth, clean, and neatly laid out. Further in, a street and two rows of trees were also planted with flowers. What a beautiful day! Lush greenery stretched out in the distance, and along the road to the river, the carriages stopped. Sun Gui, Chai Zhen, and the elderly rushed to greet them, kneeling on the ground. The regent said, "Everyone, rise." "Li Dong, receive the order," Sun Gui quickly sent for. Soon, Li Dong and all the carpenters came running and knelt. "The imperial edict has arrived. By the will of Heaven, the Emperor declares that Li Dong's waterwheel has benefited the people of Dayan and is a national event. The Emperor hereby grants this reward. The carriage drove into Li Dong's house.

, unloading the car, three boxes of gold, silver and jewelry, a cart of farm tools, and two boxes of cloth. Li Dongjia congratulated all the carpenters and knelt down to express his gratitude again.

The imperial guards looked at the waterwheel and then walked around the yard. The woodworking area, the vegetables, the crops, the pigs, and the chickens filled the yard. It was clear that this family lived well. Li Dong then handed the rewards to Sun Gui to distribute.