On the south bank of the Wei River, there was a sea of people, a dark mass.
Almost everyone in the city came out and rushed here early in the morning just to get a good spot.
Everyone pointed at the huge keel frame erected beside the Wei River and talked excitedly, "Is this it? It looks pretty sturdy."
“It’s strong, but can it really carry the water from the Wei River? Those long wooden troughs don’t seem to be very useful.”
Many people came early the whole night to reserve seats, their eyes full of anticipation.
They rely on the weather for their livelihood by farming and pray for good weather every year, but it is really too difficult. If the waterwheel is really that magical and can bring river water into the fields, then they won't have to worry about drought and crop failure in the future.
It makes me excited just thinking about it.
"God, may everything go well and the waterwheel test be a success."
"Ms. Mu, you must strive to do better and never let us down."
The small landowners gathered together to gossip, "I heard that the person in charge of this project is a young girl who has not yet reached the age of marriage. We have so many capable officials and skilled craftsmen in Liangcheng, are they not as capable as her?"
"I also think it's unreliable. I don't know who is supporting her behind the scenes. Isn't she afraid of ruining the company? I don't know what she is thinking."
"It would be a big joke if you can't do it after you've made such a big promise."
I don’t know whether these people are hoping for Mu Wanqing’s success or her failure.
If they succeed, Mu Wanqing's reputation will be very high and they will not be able to touch her. However, the 30% land rent proposed by Mu Wanqing before caused them huge losses, and they are uncomfortable with this.
Even if they fail, the waterwheel is still a good thing for them.
"I just don't understand why the government would spend so much manpower and resources to promote a girl to the top."
"I heard that there is a noble person behind this who cannot be mentioned."
After these words were spoken, the scene fell silent, and everyone's curiosity was aroused. "Don't be so mysterious, tell me, who is this noble person?"
"Who do you think is the most powerful person in Liangcheng?"
"Ah, Commander Du? Impossible, you are insulting Commander Du! He is not a stupid person, don't talk nonsense."
"It's not him. Guess next."
"Down? That's the little general... not that bad."
"Why not? The young general is young and full of vigor and vitality. It's understandable that he wants to please a girl. Others use this to please actors, and he uses this to please little girls. It's the same."
It sounds like there's nothing wrong with it, but it sounds weird.
On the other side, there were several high-legged sheds, through which one could clearly see the waterwheel on the opposite side.
In one of the pavilions, a man stared at the waterwheel for a long time with a serious look on his face, "Draw them all."
The people around him hesitated for a moment, "We don't know if it will work yet, isn't it too early to start drawing now?"
The man tapped the table, his face thoughtful. "It's better to be prepared. We should be one step ahead in everything to avoid being passive."
"yes."
Footsteps sounded, and a man in gray walked in and said respectfully, "Master Jin, I have already had someone spread the word and put the blame on the young general."
The man nodded slightly, "We have to do the finishing work perfectly, and we can't let anyone find out about us."
"yes."
The man's eyes fell on the waterwheel again and he chuckled, "I want to see what kind of answer Mu Wanqing can hand in."
After making such a big fuss, if it fails, she will no longer have a place to stand in Xiliang and the snack street will naturally not be able to continue operating.
This is a huge gamble, on which the future of the Mu family is at stake.
Mu Wanqing is extremely courageous. This woman should not be underestimated.
On the other side, the colorful pergola
Mrs. Du was dressed in plain casual clothes and without any makeup, but her outstanding charm could not be concealed.
Two maids fanned her with fans, and the ice mountain in the corner brought a hint of coolness.
Many members of the Du family came, and the female members all accompanied Mrs. Du on the trip.
The two daughters of the Du family stayed beside their mother, chatting and laughing. The female members of the clan made jokes from time to time, and the atmosphere was quite pleasant.
Suddenly, a voice sounded, "Mother-in-law, why do you have to come out in such a hot day? It's too uncomfortable to be crowded together with so many people."
It was the second son-in-law, Zhao Yifan. He was wearing a moon-white scholar's robe and looked like a pale scholar.
His face was fair and clean, but his impatient expression destroyed his scholarly temperament.
The scene fell silent, and the women pretended not to hear anything. After all, this wasn't the first time he had done something stupid.
Mrs. Du had not planned to bring him here at first, but her second daughter insisted that her husband accompany her.
She didn't even raise her eyelids, "You scholars are more valuable than us, you should go back."
Zhao Yifan was not a man who could read expressions. It was only when Miss Du poked him gently that he realized that his mother-in-law was unhappy.
Really, what was he saying wrong? Isn't it good to stay at home comfortably on a hot day?
Women just like to make trouble for themselves.
"Mother-in-law, that's not what I meant. I just think that you are of noble status and there is no need to join in the fun. This is bound to be a farce to attract attention."
Mrs. Du lowered her eyes and played with the jade pendant around her waist.
She came to support her son. This battle involved her son, so how could she just sit back and watch?
Only this fool doesn't realize this. He keeps chattering and is so stupid. Just ignore him.
Miss Du Er brought the tea and held it over to Madam Du with both hands, smiling, "Mother, drink some herbal tea. This tea can calm your mind."
She also poured a glass for Zhao Yifan, "Husband, you drink too, it will cool down naturally if you calm down."
Miss Du shook her head slightly and used the same trick again.
Zhao Yifan drank a large bowl of it and felt better. "That little bitch Mu Wanqing only knows how to show off. She's too arrogant. She doesn't even take me seriously. Mother-in-law, you are the mistress of Xiliang. You should set an example and teach her a lesson. Let all the women in Xiliang know what the Three Obediences and Four Virtues are."
He was so straightforward in his provocation and did not hide his thoughts at all.
He was beaten by Mu Wanqing, his reputation was ruined, everyone looked at him strangely, and the teachers and students in the county school avoided him, which made him very depressed.
All of this was caused by Mu Wanqing, and he would never let her go.
The women present all frowned at the same time. They thought that he had become stupid due to reading too much, but he still wanted to transform women at the border into following the three obediences and four virtues. He was really sick.
The customs of the people in the border areas are open, women can go out freely, and widows are allowed to remarry.
After all, wars can break out at the border at any time. If men die in battle, the family will only be supported by women. How can a woman who follows the three obediences and four virtues survive without her husband?
Mrs. Du was a little annoyed with him. "It's not proper for a man like you to stay among women. Get out now."
Zhao Yifan was stunned for a moment, then he realized that he was the only man in the entire shed, and the rest were all women from the clan.
Hey, where are the other men?
"Where's my brother-in-law?"
Miss Du raised her eyebrows proudly, "Of course he was on duty at the scene."
Zhao Yifan's face fell. Was this a mockery that he was not as good as his brother-in-law?
Miss Du was too lazy to look at his dark face. She had no way of communicating with him and they often spoke at cross purposes.
Who would care about him if he turned his face away in public? He is a guy who never understands the situation.
At the experimental site, a group of people were nervously doing the final round of adjustments and tests.
"Ms. Mu, area one is fine."
"Ms. Mu, area number two is fine."
…
"Ms. Mu, is there any problem with area number nine?"
Master Mu also replied, "Qing'er, I checked, there is no problem in any link." He was too nervous and his voice was dry.
Mu Wanqing nodded slightly, very calm and steady, "My Lords, shall we begin?
The two officials looked at Du Shaoxuan, who was the most senior official in the meeting. He nodded slightly. "Okay, I'll listen to you."
A smile flashed in Mu Wanqing's eyes. He came to check on the situation every day and support Mu Wanqing, but never intervened. If he didn't understand, he would listen to the professionals.
This made her particularly satisfied, as this was the quality that a layman official should have.
She arranged a solemn ribbon-cutting ceremony with a full sense of ceremony.
The people who watched it exclaimed that it was very interesting and became even more excited.
"Start." Mu Wanqing waved the colorful flag, her eyebrows were confident and determined, and there was light in her eyes.
Du Shaoxuan looked at her infatuatedly. She looked so beautiful when she gave orders, like a ray of light that attracted his attention firmly.
My heart is beating faster for no reason. What's going on?
At Mu Wanqing's command, a mechanism was pressed, and the waterwheel slowly started. Driven by the water flow, the huge bucket slid toward the river surface, scooped up the river water, and gradually rose. When it reached a certain height, the bucket flipped over and poured all the river water into the wooden trough. The water flowed like a stream, but not a drop of it leaked out, and all of it was led into the dug canal. Note (1)
The canals are crisscrossed, and the water volume is controlled by valves to introduce different amounts of water into the fields according to different needs.
Under the watchful eyes of the people of the entire city, a large area of dry land was irrigated.
The canals continue to deliver water to more distant fields, and water wheels tirelessly bring water into the rivers, endlessly.
Everyone looked at the huge waterwheel in fascination, not daring to blink.
This is a miracle, right? God bless Daqi, God bless Xiliang!
After an unknown amount of time, cheers broke out from the crowd.
"Ms. Mu Wanqing, your waterwheel has been successfully developed. You are the best. The people of Liangcheng will never forget you."
This sound ignited the joy of the people like a spark, and cheers rang out one after another, shouting Mu Wanqing's name.
They don't have to worry about drought anymore! She is a bodhisattva who saves people from suffering!
Mu Wanqing's name spread to every corner and gained her great prestige.
Mu Wanqing felt the first voice sounded familiar, she looked over and saw it was a member of the Mu family, she couldn't help but smile slightly.
You also know how to create momentum, which is good and you have made progress.
Du Shaoxuan looked at her happily, "Wanqing, you are really amazing. I knew you could do it."
"I hope you like this gift." Mu Wanqing smiled brightly.
"I like everything you give me, but I like this gift especially. Thank you." Du Shaoxuan smiled happily. "I want to discuss something with you. I want to present this to the emperor. Is that okay?"
Mu Wanqing's eyes flickered slightly. It was just as she expected. Very good. Everything was under her control. "If I give it to you, it's yours. You can do whatever you want with it. It would be my honor if I could help more people and this country."
Her words were righteous and noble, and everyone around her was deeply moved.
How could there be such a woman with such a noble character?
Sun Tongzhi bowed deeply, "Miss Mu, please accept my greeting. I thank you on behalf of the people of Xiliang."
Mu Wanqing quickly returned the greeting, "You are so polite. Can I make a request?"
"You say." Sun Tongzhi knew a little about her character. She would say what she wanted directly. If she was rejected, she would not be discouraged. She could always get what she wanted with a little trickery.
Mu Wanqing didn't beat around the bush and made her request directly, "I want Fang Jinghan's branch."
The head of the Fang family, who was hiding in the corner, looked up suddenly. She actually brought it up so directly?
My heart is pounding and I am holding my breath nervously. Can I do it?
"Ah, this... is against the rules." Sun Tongzhi was in a difficult situation. Although Mu Wanqing was outstanding in every way, she was not an official. How could she allow the exile to be registered under her name?
Exiled prisoners are all under the management of the garrisons. This is the system and there is no way to make an exception.
Mu Wanqing had already thought of a solution. "How about transferring the money to General Zeng's name?"
Sun Tongzhi was silent. She was determined to get it. Well, just treat it as a favor. "Okay."
Giving it to Mr. Zeng is equivalent to giving it to Mu Wanqing, exactly the same.
Du Shaoxuan glanced at her and felt a little sorry for her.
She clearly possessed extraordinary talent, but because she was a woman she could not become an official, and her talent could not be fully utilized.
It has to be transferred to one person at a time and cannot be directly owned by her.
Heartbroken!
No, he couldn't let her suffer like this, he had to think of a way!
Ah, he thought of it!
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Note (1) The source is from Wikipedia.
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