At this time, not only were officials throughout the Han Dynasty busy, but Mo Shang and others from the Research and Manufacturing Department were also working day and night to improve and optimize the plow and harrow.
In the northern part of the Research and Development Bureau, on an open field, Mo Shang and a group of Mo family disciples were conducting new experiments with their newly improved plows and rakes.
Everyone watched the ox and the man ahead with tense expressions. With a slight tug on the reins by the disciple driving the ox, the ox began to move slowly forward, and the plow and hoe were driven into the ground, creating a furrow.
Mo Shang and the others hurriedly went to the ravine to check it out.
After taking measurements and comparing them with previous data, a disciple of the Mohist school looked at Mo Shang with excitement.
"Master, the depth has increased by about three-tenths compared to last time, and by one and four-tenths of an inch compared to the total depth before the improvement!"
"good!!"
Upon hearing his disciple's report, Mo Shang excitedly got up, went to the oxen, and began to check on their condition.
It was observed that the oxen pulling the plow were now moving much more easily and at a significantly faster speed than before.
Before long, the ox reached the end of the open space. Under the disciple's direction, the ox turned around and the disciple easily straightened the plow and began to slowly walk back.
Mo Shang approached the disciple and asked, "How are you feeling?"
“Master, this plow is much smaller and easier to lift than the previous one. Turning around and lifting it is not strenuous. I guess even a fifty-year-old farmer could operate it by himself, and it saves a lot of time going back and forth!”
The disciple spoke with a satisfied smile on his face.
About half an hour later, Mo Shang came to check on the ox and found that it was breathing steadily and showed no signs of fatigue.
Mo Shang turned to the disciple who was in charge of recording and asked, "How's the speed?"
"Master, after comparison, the tillage speed is about 70% faster than before the improvement!"
Mo Shang asked urgently, "Really?"
"Yes, yes! Look, Mr. Ju!"
Seeing Mo Shang's wide eyes and incredulous expression, the disciple nodded excitedly and then handed the comparison data to Mo Shang for review.
"Hahaha~ We did it~ We did it!!"
After seeing the data, Mo Shang burst into excited laughter and started gesturing wildly.
All the Mohist disciples excitedly embraced each other and wept. The disciple who had been plowing the field also hugged the old ox and shed tears of joy. Those broken plows had exhausted them quite a bit.
After the initial excitement subsided, Mo Shang said urgently, "Quick! Take this plow with you, and come with me to present it as a gift to His Majesty!"
As soon as Mo Shang finished speaking, the disciples hurriedly took down the plow and followed behind Mo Shang, running towards the Research and Manufacturing Department.
"Hey~ wait for me! Why did you guys run away again??"
Only the disciple and the old ox remained in the open space, slowly following behind, and no one paid any attention to their calls.
"Quick! Load them onto the cart, we're going to the palace!"
Urged on by Mo Shang, the disciples loaded the plows onto the carriage and sped towards Luoyang. Inside the carriage, the people were both excited and nervous, protecting the plows in the middle, afraid that they would be damaged by the bumpy road.
After traveling for half an hour, Mo Shang and the others finally arrived at the palace gate.
Who goes there?
As Mo Shang's carriage approached the palace, the newly promoted Tiger Guard captain, who was in charge of guarding it, stepped forward to stop it and questioned it.
"I am Mo Shang, the supervisor of the Imperial Works, and I have come to see Your Majesty!"
As he spoke, Mo Shang ordered his men to carry the plow out of the carriage, then took out a token given to him by Liu Hong and handed it to the Tiger Guard captain.
"Okay! No problem, you can go in with him!"
The captain of the Tiger Guard took the token handed over by Mo Shang, checked it, and after confirming that there was no problem, he gave an order and pointed to one of his subordinates.
"Thank you!!"
After thanking him, Mo Shang followed the Tiger Guard into the palace and headed towards the Deyang Hall.
Halfway there, Mo Shang noticed a eunuch walking towards their group. This man was none other than Jian Shuo, who had pulled Mo Shang along the way.
"Greetings, Attendant Jian!"
The leading Tiger Guard recognized Jian Shuo and hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects.
"Yes! No need for formalities!"
Jian Shuo nodded, then looked at Mo Shang and the others with a smile, "Hey? Isn't this Supervisor Mo? What good stuff have you come up with this time?"
As he spoke, Jian Shuo's eyes swept over the plows and rakes being carried by several Mohist disciples.
"Attendant Jian, this is a new type of plow and harrow that we have recently improved. It can not only increase the depth of plowing, but also greatly increase the speed of tilling!"
Mo Shang smiled and introduced himself to Jian Shuo.
Jian Shuo smiled and nodded, "Yes! Not bad, as expected of Supervisor Mo, you actually made such a good thing!"
Then, as if just realizing what he had just said, Jian Shuo's eyes widened, and he exclaimed urgently, "What did you say? This thing can increase the depth and speed of tilling?"
"Uh...not bad!"
Seeing Jian Shuo's appearance, Mo Shang was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
"Tsk tsk tsk, this is truly a fine item. His Majesty will surely be delighted to see it!"
Jian Shuo circled the plow and harrow twice, constantly clicking his tongue in amazement.
"Give it to me!!"
Then, taking advantage of the fact that the Mohist disciples were not paying attention, Jian Shuo snatched the plow and rake, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and ran quickly toward Deyang Palace.
As he ran, he shouted, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty is overjoyed! Overjoyed!"
Mo Shang and the others stared in astonishment at Jian Shuo, who was running and shouting while carrying a plow. They were momentarily stunned and didn't understand what was happening.
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