After Uncle Yang got used to the technique for a while, his plowing speed noticeably increased. In just a short while, he had already plowed a third of the field. By the evening hour, three acres of the field had been plowed. After reviewing the process, Ji Shikang praised it three times. "Excellent, excellent! Dagan is fortunate to have such a talented person. Come, quickly make a copy of the blueprint and then send the original blueprint and plow to the capital."
Ji Shikang thought that if this money was used in the south, productivity would be improved and there wouldn't be so many people who had no food to eat. But he also thought about the increased taxes this year, and he couldn't help feeling heavy-hearted. Because the south was hit by the disaster, they in the north had to increase taxes and send food relief to the south. However, due to the layers of exploitation along the way, there was probably very little left in the hands of the people. Not only did it make life more difficult for the people in the north, but the people in the south would also not be well off.
In the carriage, Tong Wenyao poured Ji Shikang a cup of tea and said, "Master Ji, I have two high-yield crops in my hands. I got them by chance."
Ji Shikang glanced at her and said, "Tell me, what are your requests?" Tong Wenyao chuckled and said, "You flatter me. What can I ask for? But I'm thinking of distributing the grain to the people and letting them grow it. If they want to sell it later, I want the government and I to collect it!"
Ji Shikang was a little confused by her. If she was the one collecting the money, she had the money and wouldn't have to go through the government. So why did she bring the government in? You know, the government was already broke. They had some money from the last bandit suppression, but they had used it all on recruiting soldiers at the city gates. How could the government have any money now?
Tong Wenyao said, "I understand your concerns, sir. I can offer you a way to make money." Ji Shikang's eyes flashed with interest, and he said, "Oh! What way?"
Seeing his interest, Tong Wenyao said, "I believe you all know that I build cement houses, but the windows covered with window paper really don't look good. I thought if the windows were inlaid with glazed tiles, the sunlight would shine into the room, and how bright it would be!"
After hearing this, Ji Shikang said, "Lilac isn't cheap. If this is the case, the cost of building your house will also increase." She pretended to be distressed and said, "That's why I thought of another way to produce something similar to lilac."
Seeing that Master Ji gestured for her to continue, Tong Wenyao continued, "Master Ji, I checked and found that there are two mountains under the government's name that can be used to make glass. This place is close to the Cang River and has accumulated a lot of fine sand."
Lord Ji said, "So, what do you want to do?" When getting along with Ji Shikang, Tong Wen Yao always said what she thought and never beat around the bush, because she would not offend him. So when he said this, Tong Wen Yao had already told him what was in her heart.
"Master Ji can provide the site and the personnel, and I'll provide the technology. After production, sell it to us at a discount to the market price for cement buildings. I also need a 20% commission." Ji Shikang said, "You're very thoughtful, but 20% is too much. Ten% is the maximum." After hearing this, Tong Wenyao said, "Deal."
This kind of business would basically not make a loss for the government. The land was public, and the people were exiled prisoners, so there was basically no money to spend. However, this could only be used as the government's private treasury, and there was still no money on the books. Ji Shikang also understood this. Otherwise, if the court saw that a county had so much, they would have to increase taxes in this area!
The glass sold will be taxed at the normal rate, so it won't attract attention. Tong Wenyao said, "I'll send someone to teach you how to make glass, and we'll also customize a few sets of glass windows. Your people can then produce them according to that standard."
Glass is similar to colored glaze, but glass is more transparent. Colored glaze can also be sold to people outside, such as being shipped to Cangzhou and then shipped by sea from Cangzhou. If she guessed correctly, people on the other side of the ocean also like these things very much and are happy to exchange them for goods.
In addition to this, she also wrote down the method of composting to Lord Ji, so that he could promote this method and the people would be more willing to trust him. After reading it, Ji Shikang only asked one question: "Can this method you mentioned really make crops grow well?"
Tong Wenyao nodded, "But after spreading this, you have to water the crops, otherwise it will burn the roots."
Ji Shikang nodded and said, "In addition to promoting this method in this county, we will also present it to the prefect. What do you think?" In fact, Ji Shikang could have chosen not to tell her, but when he thought about how much benefit Tong Wen Yao had brought him, it would be better to inform her.
"This is a blessing for the people, and they are very happy about it." Tong Wenyao said with a sincere face. Lord Ji laughed out loud and said, "You are really considerate of the people."
Tong Wen Yao didn't say anything, but just looked at the people working outside. In the past, she only wanted to be a rich person, but now she wanted to do something for the people. She didn't know if it was because of He Chuan's arrival that made her want to create a world where everyone is equal, but Tong Wen Yao thought to herself that this was too difficult. She had to pry open the entire upper class with her own strength, so she thought of another way, which was to promote productivity, so that at least people here would not starve to death on the streets because of lack of food.
But there is another way, which is to move to a higher level, or become a higher level yourself.
Although Tong Wenyao hadn't expected to rise to the top, she did have food reserves and was developing her own staff. With the uprising in the south and the epidemic, the capital city was actually driving the refugees north. Wasn't this simply putting the blame squarely on her shoulders? This was why she had approached the county magistrate about improving agricultural tools.
Only with food can she keep people here, otherwise, all her efforts would be in vain.
Tong Wenyao handed the blueprint to Ji Shikang and said, "This is the blueprint for our cement building to build a house for you. Sir Ji, please take a look. If there is anything that is not suitable, we can still make changes. Otherwise, it will be difficult to make changes after it is built."
The building on the blueprint was different from the tiled house. It was somewhat similar to the blueprint of a modern villa. Ji Shikang took it in his hand and examined it carefully. He asked, "If we build a toilet in the room, will it smell bad?"
Tong Wenyao said, "Sir, you don't have to worry about that. The bathroom is cleaned every day, so don't worry about it smelling bad."
In fact, the ancient people here did not like to build toilets inside the house because pit toilets were dry toilets and would get clogged. But the one she built would not have that problem at all, because the toilet was next to the kitchen, separated by a wall. She made a fire pit to alleviate the freezing situation when it snowed.
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