Chapter 61: Liu Di's Machine "What kind of good stuff is this?" Someone...

The spring thunder marks the beginning of the Waking of Insects, and a sudden rain clears the cold haze.

In the middle of the night, Liu Yeshu was awakened by a muffled thunder. She jerked herself up in bed. The patter of falling rain drifted through the window lattice, mingling with bursts of thunder. She rose, threw on her clothes, walked to the window, and opened it a crack. Damp air, tinged with the scent of earth, lashed her face. Rain threads slanted like a curtain, and in the distance, a silvery, snake-like flash of lightning occasionally ripped through the night sky.

It's spring plowing time again.

The snow in Ning'an County had just begun to melt, and the soil was emitting a distinctive sweet, fishy aroma. Occasionally, a few tender grasses peeked out from the thawed earth. In the fields, farmers worked in groups of three or four, their coarse cotton jackets barely visible in the morning mist.

Liu Yeling hadn't wasted this winter. Ever since his sister's approval of his mechanical model, he and Old Man Wang had been poring over it day and night. In the cold winter, they toiled in the woodshed, burning countless logs, their calluses growing and fraying on their hands, until they finally completed their first practical tilling machine.

This machine, though crude in appearance, was practical. Its main body was constructed from tough wood found in the mountains, its joints reinforced with homemade iron nails. Its base was fitted with two specially crafted iron wheels, repurposed from abandoned horse-drawn carriages and polished to a high shine. These wheels connected to a meticulously crafted curved plowshare, its curvature perfectly balanced, allowing it to easily cut into the soil without sinking too deeply.

The most ingenious feature is the long handle at the rear, equipped with a mechanism for adjusting the depth of the plowshare. This was the idea Liu Yeling devised after poring over blueprints for a long time. While it's a simple pulley mechanism, a simple flick of the mechanism now allows the angle of the plowshare to be easily altered. What once required the combined efforts of several strong men can now be accomplished by a single person.

That morning, before the morning dew had even settled, Liu Yeling pushed his plow into the fields. He first squatted down beside the ridge, carefully inspected every part, and adjusted the plowshare to the most appropriate angle.

Once everything was ready, Young Brother Liu took a deep breath and pushed the machine onto the soft earth. The iron wheels sunk firmly into the soil, making a soft creaking sound. He gripped the handles tightly with both hands, exerting a slight force, and the plowshare sank into the earth as easily as cutting tofu. As he walked steadily forward, the soil was evenly turned up, gleaming moistly in the morning light. A straight furrow stretched behind him, as neat as if it had been measured with a ruler.

Gradually, he became more skilled. With a steady pace, he watched the barren fields transformed by the machinery. The dark brown new soil emerged, radiating a vibrant life.

The farmers, at first focused on their work, only looked up when a shadow passed by. They saw the skinny young man pushing a strange tool, moving back and forth across the field. Even more astonishing, wherever he went, the soil was neatly turned over, the furrows spaced just right for sowing.

"What the heck is this?" someone exclaimed. "It turns the soil so fast!"

"Look at how neatly the ground is turned." Another old farmer squinted his eyes, his tone full of admiration. "On weekdays, a few strong laborers like us can't keep up with the speed of this thing even if we work for most of the day."

Steward Li stood on the ridge of the field, his shrewd eyes fixed on Liu Di's machine, his gaze blazing, as if he were staring at a piece of fat meat that was about to be caught. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief from time to time, but he couldn't hide the greed and surprise that flashed in his eyes.

Having been in charge of this for many years, he was well aware of the benefits and disadvantages involved. If this machine were to be widely adopted, it would not only greatly increase the efficiency of farming in the entire village, but more importantly, the enormous benefits hidden behind this invention would be immense. Steward Li secretly calculated that if he presented this device to his superiors, he would surely be promoted, perhaps even...

Not far away, Liu Yeling was absorbed in operating the machinery, oblivious to the gazes around him. He paused occasionally to check the softness of the turned earth, then bent over to adjust a mechanical part, unconcerned about the mud on his hands. Through repeated attempts, he had mastered the art of pushing, and he and the machine seemed one.

"What a wonderful thing!" Manager Li finally couldn't contain himself anymore and strode forward with a flattering smile on his face. "Miss Liu, where did you get this amazing machine? It really saves a lot of effort!"

"Manager Li, thank you for your compliment. This is something I came up with together with Uncle Wang. Although there are still many areas that need improvement, it is finally useful."

Upon hearing this, Manager Li raised his thick eyebrows, his eyes gleaming. He walked over to Liu Yeling and patted the young man's shoulder in a feigned warmth. "Little Brother Liu, this is truly an incredible invention! You know, if this thing were to become widespread, it would be a tremendous achievement!"

Liu Yeling blushed at the compliment, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the handle of the machine: "I was just thinking about it when I was bored, I didn't expect it to really work."

Manager Li became even more excited upon seeing this, rubbing his hands and saying, "If your machine can be used on a large scale, farming in the entire village will be much easier. This contribution is extraordinary!" As he said this, he looked at Liu Yeshu meaningfully.

Liu Yeshu sensed the calculation in his eyes and calmly stepped forward, standing in front of her brother. "Manager Li, you're too kind. This machine is still immature. We can make plans after it's improved."

The greed in Manager Li's eyes became increasingly apparent. He lowered his voice and said, "Miss Liu, promoting a new product like this is difficult without connections and money. If you're willing, I can buy it and run it for you. It would be a great deed!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Manager Li." Liu Yeshu said neither servile nor overbearing, her voice gentle but firm. "My father has gone to the battlefield. We'll discuss this matter after he returns."

Manager Li's smile froze instantly, and his fingers curled slightly at his sides. He suppressed his displeasure and forced a smile. "Since Miss Liu is so determined, I can't force her. But you must consider this matter carefully. It would be a pity to miss this opportunity."

After saying this, he bowed and turned to leave. There was a deliberate heaviness in his footsteps, as if silently threatening him.

Liu Yeshu looked at Manager Li's receding figure, her brows furrowed slightly. Although the warm spring sun shone on her body, she felt a chill.

*

At night, an oil lamp burned quietly in the main room, casting the shadows of two people on the wall.

Liu Yeshu and Widow Wang sat around a small charcoal stove, discussing business for the Spring Restaurant. A pot of tea was simmering on the stove, steam rising and the fragrance of tea wafting through the room.

"Miss Liu," Widow Wang rubbed her fingers, stiff from the cold, and tapped the edge of the table. "According to the date, the Hu merchants should be arriving in a few days." A shrewd glint flashed in her eyes. "These Hu merchants have big appetites, so we need to stock up on beef and mutton. I heard someone recommend a reliable butcher, so I'll go ask him about it soon."

Liu Yeshu pulled a delicate little cloth bag from her bosom and opened it. A unique aroma immediately wafted out. "This is a new spice blend I've mixed with honey. It should be more to Hu Shang's taste. I'm also thinking of changing the way I marinate the meat this time..."

Before she could finish her words, a clear rooster crowed in the courtyard, followed by Xiao Yu'er's cheerful laughter. Liu Yeshu turned to see Xiao Yu'er cradling a chick. In the moonlight, her tender face was filled with concentration. The furry little creature fluttered in her palm, uttering a few tender cries, which made Xiao Yu'er laugh even more.

"Be careful, don't get pecked by the chicks." Liu Yeshu reminded softly.

Xiao Yu'er put the chick down obediently, but then followed closely behind. She tiptoed along the jumping chick, waving her hands gently from time to time, trying to stop it from running away but not daring to actually touch it. Her serious expression made Widow Wang laugh.

"That child seems to be very happy here with you. Look how cheerful she is." Widow Wang smiled and shook her head, her eyes full of love. Suddenly, she remembered something. "Oh, by the way, there's a new foreign merchant in town. I heard he has connections in silk and spices..."

Before he could finish his words, he heard hurried footsteps outside the door, mixed with a faint commotion. Liu Yeshu keenly sensed something was wrong—the footsteps were heading towards the east end of the village.

"Sister Wang, something seems to have happened outside." She quickly stood up and put on the coat that was drying by the charcoal basin. "I'll go check it out."

Just then, a young boy ran past the door, panting.

"Don't go," Liu Yeshu called out to him, "What happened?"

"Someone fell into the water!" Zhang Xiaowang shouted without turning his head.

"Who is it?" Liu Yeshu asked.

"He's not from our village!" The voice had drifted away.

Liu Yeshu wrapped her coat tightly around her and hurried after him. The night wind was so sharp that the wind chimes under the eaves jingled, and the sound of voices could be heard faintly in the distance.

As night fell, a chill wind swept across the river, stirring up tiny ripples. The Qingxi River shimmered in the moonlight, a faint, cold glow. The snow on the banks, still not yet fully melted, reflected a brilliant white light in the moonlight. When Liu Yeshu arrived, many villagers had already gathered on the shore, and exclamations echoed from the crowd.

"Sister! It's Uncle Wang!" Liu Yeling arrived at some point, her voice filled with anxiety, "I'll go find a rope!"

"Wait!" Liu Yeshu grabbed his brother and said, "The rope is too thin. Uncle Wang can't hold it. Quickly find a long bamboo pole!"

Liu Yeling immediately understood and ran towards the bamboo forest. Soon, he and several villagers came back carrying a thick bamboo pole. Their faces and hands were covered with mud, obviously expending a lot of effort.

"Ling'er, go over there," Liu Yeshu took the bamboo pole and quickly instructed, "Everyone stand apart and keep the bamboo pole steady!" She herself came to the position closest to the water and carefully extended the bamboo pole to Old Man Wang.

"Uncle Wang, grab the bamboo pole!" she shouted at the top of her lungs, fearing that Old Man Wang had lost consciousness. Her voice trembled slightly in the cold wind, but it was still clear.

The sound seemed to awaken Old Man Wang's hazy consciousness. He struggled to reach out his hand, but his movements were slow, and he missed several times. Seeing this, Liu Yeshu simply took off his coat, knelt on the cold mud, and pushed the bamboo pole forward again.

"Sister, I'll go into the water to save her!" Seeing this, Liu Yeling also wanted to step forward.

"Nonsense!" Liu Yeshu stopped him sternly, "Help me fix the bamboo pole from behind!"

Finally, after several attempts, Old Man Wang managed to get his hands on the bamboo pole. But he was soaked to the skin, and his hands had no strength at all, so the pole nearly slipped off several times. Seeing this, Liu Yeling immediately ran to her sister's side, knelt on the ground with her, and held on tightly to the end of the bamboo pole.

The brother and sister worked together, and with the help of the villagers, they finally dragged Old Man Wang to the shore. Liu Yeshu immediately went forward to check on his condition, while directing Liu Yeling, "Go get some dry cloth!"

Old Man Wang sat on the shore, his expression dazed, his mouth still mumbling drunkenly. Liu Yeshu gently patted his back and comforted him, "Uncle Wang, it's okay, don't worry, we are here."

Old Man Wang finally came to his senses and raised his head, his eyes a little confused, but under the concerned gaze of everyone, he finally regained a bit of clarity. He looked at Liu Yeshu in front of him, his heart mixed with emotions, and murmured, "Girl... Thanks to you guys, if it weren't for you... I'm afraid I really wouldn't be able to come back tonight..."

After Old Man Wang's condition stabilized a little, Brother Liu helped him stand up slowly and sent him home to rest.

Along the way, Old Man Wang staggered under the support of Liu Yeshu, and mentioned intermittently, "It was that Manager Li...who asked me to drink with him today...to ask him questions...we have to be careful of him..."

Liu Yeshu's heart trembled and she glanced at her brother who was helping.

Liu Yeling understood and whispered, "Sister, I'll go to the field to check out the machinery." Then she trotted along the ridge of the field.

As the night deepened, Liu Yeshu paced back and forth at the doorway, her footsteps remarkably clear in the empty courtyard. The cold wind swayed the lanterns under the porch, casting flickering shadows. She glanced toward the edge of the field from time to time, pausing to peer whenever she heard any movement.

Finally, a burst of hurried footsteps approached from afar. Liu Yeling came running back, panting. In the moonlight, beads of sweat covered his face.

"Sister, I'm still here." He wiped the sweat from his forehead while calming his breathing.

Liu Yeshu finally breathed a sigh of relief, but then she remembered Old Man Wang's drunken warning, and a shadow of hope fell over her heart again. She took her brother's hand and whispered, "Ling'er, we must be extra careful these days. We must not let outsiders take advantage of us."

The next morning, the cold air was still lingering. The Liu family arrived early at the edge of the field, and Liu Yeling was eager to try out his machinery. However, as soon as he reached the edge of the field, he froze in his place as if struck by lightning.

The machine he had poured so much effort into was now scattered on the ground. Fierce cracks appeared where the wooden frame had broken, iron pieces were stuck crookedly in the soil, and the scattered screws on the ground shone coldly in the morning light.

"Sister...the machine is destroyed!" Liu Yeling's voice was trembling, her face was pale, and her fists were clenched.

Liu Yeshu slowly squatted down and carefully examined the broken parts. Her heart tightened with each glance: the wooden frame had been broken with brutal force, clearly intentionally by a heavy object; the beams bore deep knife marks; the surface of the iron sheet was covered in traces of violent scratches. Worst of all, the core component connecting the plowshare to the rollers. Those meticulously polished gears were completely warped, a fresh layer of rust coating their surfaces.

Liu Yeling knelt on the ground, his hands trembling as he tried to bend the bent metal back into place. But the deliberately enlarged screw holes made all attempts futile. His gaze fell on the shattered wooden frames, and his voice was filled with despair: "Sister, this kind of damage... I'm afraid it can't be repaired."

Liu Yeshu's heart ached. This wasn't just ordinary damage; it was clearly intentional sabotage. The delicate gears were warped, and even a forced repair wouldn't restore their original precision. Worse still, they had no spare parts on hand, and rebuilding them would require not only a vast amount of materials but also countless hours of time and effort.

Liu Yeling bit his lower lip tightly, his eyes filled with both anger and loss. He gently put down the fragments in his hand and looked at the mechanical wreckage on the ground, a trace of despair in his eyes.

"Wait," Liu Yeshu suddenly called out to his brother who was about to leave. He quickly walked over to the pile of parts and picked up a piece of metal from the dirt. "Where did you get this thing?"