The next day, before Shen Xiangwan had even gotten up, Yuan Xiu had already retrieved two completed curved-handled plows. When she saw them, she didn't even bother to eat, just quickly ate a few bites before heading out with Wei Chengyi, taking the curved-handled plows with them. Qingying, whose injuries had healed, also went along.
The hired villagers were already busy in the fields at the break of dawn. Following Shen Xiangwan's orders, one hundred people were tending the fields, while the remaining two hundred were collecting humus.
"Chengyi, Wanwan, why are you here?"
Seeing the carriage approaching from afar, Zhao Dashan trotted to meet them.
"We came to see how things are going, and to bring you something good."
Smiling in response, Shen Xiangwan hopped off the carriage, holding Wei Chengyi's hand. Without needing to be told, Qingying silently unloaded the curved-handled plows.
"Second Master, Madam."
Wu Youfu and his son, who were already busy in the fields, also came to greet them. They had already planted the potatoes and sweet potatoes yesterday. From today on, their task was to supervise and teach the villagers how to topdress the fields, and to also clear an acre of land next to their own for planting the corn Madam had specifically assigned to them.
"Mm."
Nodding, Shen Xiangwan looked out at the villagers in the distance; some were plowing, others were turning the soil, and still others were tending the fields – all were busy at work.
"What is this?"
Pointing to the curved-handled plows at their feet, Zhao Dashan curiously asked. From its appearance, it looked like a plow, but it was different from the plows they used.
"Curved-handled plows."
Shen Xiangwan didn't play coy, but she didn't offer an explanation either. "Old Wu, Shuisheng, go get the draft ox."
"Yes."
Although they didn't know what she was going to do, Wu Youfu and his son turned and ran. In a short while, they returned with the draft ox.
"Wait for me."
Briefly telling Wei Chengyi, Shen Xiangwan made a move to pick up one of the curved-handled plows, but Wei Chengyi beat her to it. "How do I do it?"
"Follow me."
Chuckling and shaking her head, Shen Xiangwan led him to the draft ox, attached the curved-handled plow, then lifted it and urged the ox forward. A large amount of soil was quickly turned over; neither the ox nor she seemed to exert any effort. When they reached the end of the row and needed to turn, she didn't stop, but effortlessly turned the plow around.
"What a convenient plow!"
Zhao Dashan exclaimed involuntarily. Although the village didn't have draft oxen and they relied on manual labor to turn the soil, he was an experienced farmer. Even if he hadn't eaten pork, he had seen pigs run. He could tell at a glance that this plow was many times more convenient than the ones they used before.
"Wanwan, can I try it?"
Before the ox and its handler could return, Zhao Dashan excitedly rushed over, his eyes fixated on the curved-handled plow like it was a stunning beauty. He was practically drooling. For peasant families, convenient farming apparatuses were undoubtedly rare treasures.
"Of course."
Shen Xiangwan smiled and traded places with him. Zhao Dashan excitedly secured the curved-handled plow and gave a sharp crack of the whip. The ox winced and moved forward again, turning up more soil.
"Madam, can I try this plow?"
When she returned to the earthen ridge, Wu Youfu, eager to have a try, pointed to the remaining curved-handled plow.
"Go ahead."
Shen Xiangwan waved her hand indifferently. Wu Youfu immediately happily picked up the plow, expertly attached it to the draft ox, and drove it forward. Only after actually using it did he realize how useful the new plow was. It only required one person and one ox, making it far more convenient than their previous straight-handled plows, and it wasn't tiring at all.
"It looks like your curved-handled plow is very useful."
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her on the earthen ridge, watching the enthusiastic Zhao Dashan and Wu Youfu, Wei Chengyi smiled slightly. Although he was completely ignorant of farming, this didn't affect his judgment: the curved-handled plow was certainly better than the plows discarded to the side.
"I didn't design the curved-handled plow."
It's the wisdom of our ancestors from thousands of years ago in China.
Shen Xiangwan didn't dare take credit; she only brought them to this world. In an era without mechanized agricultural equipment, the curved-handled plow was undoubtedly the most important farming apparatus, bar none.
"Whoa!"
"My turn, my turn."
As they spoke, Zhao Dashan had finished plowing a section and returned to them. He had wanted to continue, but Wu Shuisheng stepped forward and took the whip and plow from him. Before he could react, the other man had already driven the ox away.
"Good, it's truly a good thing!"
Feigning displeasure and spitting, Zhao Dashan looked at the curved-handled plow effortlessly turning the soil with satisfaction. With the curved-handled plow, turning the soil would be much easier.
"Madam, this curved-handled plow is incredibly useful! With it, our plowing speed will be at least several times faster."
Forgetting his social standing for a moment, Wu Youfu, like a child, dropped the curved-handled plow and excitedly rushed to Shen Xiangwan.
"Mm."
Smiling and nodding, Shen Xiangwan exchanged a glance with Wei Chengyi, and the couple both laughed.
"Wanwan, did you modify this curved-handled plow? Why is it so much smaller than the straight-handled plow, yet so much easier to use?"
After the excitement subsided, Zhao Dashan asked curiously.
"Compared to the straight-handled plow, the curved-handled plow has several significant improvements. First, the long straight handle is changed to a short curved handle, and a freely rotating plowshare is installed on the plowshare, making the plow smaller and lighter, easier to turn and maneuver, and much more flexible to operate, greatly saving labor and animal power."
Automatically ignoring his first question, Shen Xiangwan briefly explained the differences between the curved-handled and straight-handled plows.
"So that's how it is. Wanwan, you people from the Imperial City really know more."
Nodding with a look of understanding, Zhao Dashan readily gave a thumbs-up. Although he was still wary of the exiled commoners – hadn't the Wei Family and the Shen Family caused a lot of trouble? – Shen Xiangwan and her companions were different. He could feel that she was genuinely kind to them.
"Heh..."
Without responding directly, Shen Xiangwan paused slightly before saying, "Uncle Zhao, you keep busy. My husband and I will go take a look around."
"Go, go. I can handle things here."
Waving his hand, Zhao Dashan didn't press them further. He hadn't forgotten that they were there to help him.
Shen Xiangwan exchanged another look with Wei Chengyi. Hand in hand, the couple walked along the earthen ridge. Farming wasn't just about plowing and sowing; later irrigation was also extremely important. Yesterday, Shen Xiangwan had decided to look for a suitable water source today.
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