Chapter 649 A Dream of Youth 181
The adults who came on horseback also went down to the field to touch the cotton. They hadn't felt so impressed by the cotton when they saw it in the box before.
After everyone had finished touching the cotton with satisfaction, they turned to weaving and spinning. At this time, the elders who had come by carriage also arrived.
Chen Wanniang had started preparations early in the morning, so when everyone arrived, she personally led them on a tour.
They were stunned when they saw the water-powered spinning wheel in the weaving workshop. "How come this spinning wheel is so big?"
They weren't unfamiliar with spinning wheels, but they had never seen one this big before.
Besides the large spinning wheel, there was also a small spinning wheel, but it was different from the spinning wheel they remembered. Aren't spinning wheels usually hand-cranked or foot-operated?
How can water power still be used?
Xie Ning then stepped forward and explained one by one: the large spinning wheel was used to spin hemp, while the small spinning wheel was an improvement on the problem of shorter cotton fibers, and had a smaller diameter.
She can also design machine spinning. Apart from air-jet spinning, other basic mechanisms still rely on spindles and their transmissions. It's just that the machines have more power, more spindles, and faster speeds, but the underlying principles remain the same.
However, the overall level of science and technology, especially in terms of power development, has not yet reached that point, so Xie Ning postponed it.
After witnessing the entire process of cotton turning into yarn and then being woven into fabric, everyone was deeply moved.
He didn't know about other emperors, but he felt dizzy and light-headed, as if he were floating on clouds.
As they approached the entrance of a small courtyard, they heard a clear and melodious reading voice. Unlike usual, this reading voice was crisp and pleasant, and it was actually a woman's voice!
The emperor stopped in his tracks, not asking Xie Wangzhi, but instead bowing his head to ask Xie Ning, "What is this?"
"Your Majesty, this is a girls' school that my mother and I opened in the weaving workshop. The girls who study and learn to read and write here are all female workers from the weaving workshop."
After saying that, she looked at the emperor with bright eyes and said, "Your Majesty, although I said that women can serve you and the country even if they are illiterate, I still prefer that they can read more books and learn more, so that they can do more for you and the court."
Then, looking at the assembled officials behind him, Xie Ning's voice was firm and resounding, "You officials are much older than me and have read far more books. You certainly have a clearer understanding of the turbulent undercurrents beneath the calm surface of the Great Zhou than I do."
The Northern Jin and Western Li are eyeing the Great Zhou with covetous intent, both wanting to tear it apart and swallow it whole. However, Your Majesty has worked diligently to bring the Great Zhou to its current state. Beneath this prosperity, we cannot ignore the wolves lurking in the shadows.
Cotton will allow more impoverished people to get through the cold winter safely, and it will also make our soldiers stationed on the frontier warmer. The Great Zhou will get better and better...
Your Majesty, Your Excellencies, don't you want to see if you can create a golden age?
The older folks: ...What do we do when we get all fired up by what you're saying?
After calming his excitement, the old master looked at Xie Ning and Xie Wangzhi, father and daughter. He felt that the two had a striking resemblance, but it was definitely not in their faces.
Where exactly is it?
Seeing Chen Wanniang, who was also excitedly looking at Xie Ning, and Xie Wangzhi, who was still smiling but whose eyes were calm and indifferent, the old master instantly understood.
The father and daughter were exceptionally skilled at flattery. Xie Wangzhi would often use this method when attending court, though he was more subtle than Xie Ning.
Look at His Majesty's flushed face, he was the one who was just flattered and felt very comfortable. What a prosperous era!
Who wouldn't want to assist a wise ruler in creating a glorious era that will be remembered in history?
After flattering the emperor, Xie Ning stepped aside to invite him inside for a look, and then slowly revealed his true purpose.
"Your Majesty, I have imparted knowledge to them, and now they are no longer comparable to ordinary weavers. They can not only spin and weave, but also teach more people how to spin and weave and how to grow cotton."
The Great Zhou Dynasty has a vast territory; with them, cotton can be popularized more quickly, and revenue can be generated more rapidly…”
"only......."
Xie Ning kept rambling on, and the emperor, who was feeling quite pleased with himself, nodded repeatedly, finding Xie Ning's words very reasonable. When Xie Ning paused, he quickly asked, "But what?"
"Your Majesty, although the weavers know a few characters, they rarely possess any management skills..."
"What's the big deal? The popularization of cotton will be handled by officials sent by the imperial court. They only need to fulfill their teaching responsibilities."
The adults didn't think this was a problem at all.
However, several adults secretly glanced at Xie Wangzhi, secretly resentful, thinking that they probably wouldn't get this credit.
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