Before harvesting rice, the water in the fields needs to be drained.

Seeing that Aunt Li's fields were being irrigated, many people rushed over to watch the spectacle.

"Aunt Li, you actually believed him? If it hadn't rained, wouldn't all your efforts have been for nothing?"

"Isn't that right? You're too easily fooled! You'll regret it when you suffer the consequences..."

Aunt Li, hands on her hips, retorted with a tirade: "Pah! Pah! It's my choice to suffer a loss, what's it to you!"

The others looked embarrassed after being scolded, just waiting to see what would happen.

——

Money makes the world go round, and within just two days, someone had already delivered the finished tools.

Chi Yan couldn't wait to try it out in person, so he brought his equipment to Li Family Village.

Upon hearing the news, a group of villagers gathered in Aunt Li's field, intently examining this unusual object: "What is it used for?"

Aunt Li straightened her back, a hint of pride on her face: "The adults said that with this chicken, we can harvest all the rice in a single day!"

Chi Yan coughed lightly and stood beside him to correct him: "It's a harvester."

Everyone was taken aback, exchanging bewildered glances: "One day?! Is this thing really that miraculous?"

Before Chi Yan could speak, a sneer suddenly rang out: "You're just fooling me! I don't believe it. There's such a magical thing. I've never heard of it before."

He looked in the direction of the sound and, sure enough, saw Li Erzhu and his group.

Chi Yan curled his lips into a smile. "Why not take advantage of a face that's offered up like this?"

Li Erzhu glanced at the harvester in the field. Unlike the mechanical harvesters of later generations, this one was made of wood and looked quite rudimentary due to limited resources. His disdain deepened: "A bunch of wooden frames, who are you trying to fool?"

He turned to his companions and asked, "You're all seasoned veterans in the fields, has anyone seen this before?"

Everyone shook their heads.

An elderly man approached, circled the push harvester a few times, his eyes shining as he looked at Chi Yan, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly: "Could you please demonstrate it for us, sir?"

Looks like there are some discerning customers here?

Chi Yan smiled good-naturedly: "Of course."

——

The sun was so strong it made people dizzy and lightheaded. Minister Gong stood in the shade of a tree, took a sip of water handed to him by his subordinate, and fanned himself vigorously with his sleeves twice.

"It's so hot, and that brat Chi Yan still bets me it will rain? I think his good days are over!"

He squinted, a smug look flashing in his eyes.

If he was a little apprehensive at first, seeing the clear skies these past few days, with not a single cloud in sight, let alone rain!

Now they were completely relieved and secretly looking forward to Chi Yan's fate!

"My lord, my lord!"

Someone rushed over, their face full of flattery.

Minister Gong looked impatient: "What are you rushing about for?"

The man's eyes flickered slightly as he leaned closer and lowered his voice: "I heard that in Li Family Village, Chi Yan has been surrounded by villagers who won't let him leave! He's probably in big trouble!"

"Really?" Minister Gong's eyes lit up instantly, and he suddenly became alert.

The other party nodded firmly: "I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be false?"

"Serves him right! Let him oppose me!" Minister Gong laughed heartily, a hint of ill intent flashing in his eyes. "As colleagues, I can't just stand by and watch him get into trouble. Come, let's go take a look!"