Chapter 239 Great Victory
The fifteenth day of the first lunar month in the fourth year of Wuding was a good day. The provincial school had scheduled Wangyue for enrollment, and Chen Lie and the blacksmith shop had scheduled the evening for the pick-up of knife heads.
At the beginning of the You hour, school was over and a group of people were coming back from the provincial school. Chen Lie went to the blacksmith shop to get a knife head. He had just taken the forged product from the blacksmith, checked it and paid the remaining balance. Before he even left the shop, he heard a gong sound outside.
"Great victory! Great victory! The Great Qi is unified!"
In the first month of the year, the bare-chested blacksmiths put down the pliers and hammers in their hands with a clang, walked out and looked at the street.
"Your Majesty led the army to destroy the Chen Kingdom in one fell swoop, and my Great Qi was unified!"
"The King of Qi won?" Wei Qinghe and a few others who were waiting outside the blacksmith shop were all filled with joy. They were all citizens of the Great Qi, and all of them were looking forward to the unification of the Great Qi.
"The King of Qi wins!"
"Our Lord has won!"
People walking on the street all stopped to watch, rejoiced, and then ran around to tell others the news.
A team of officials holding gongs came out of the government office and reported the victory to various directions, including the East Market, the West Market, and outside the city.
Chen Lie didn't delay any longer and said, "Let's go back quickly."
This good news must also be sent to the surrounding villages.
…
Just as Chen Lie had expected, the news quickly spread outside the city. When they returned to Daxing Village, the official who reported the victory had already walked around the village.
After years of chaos, no one wanted the unification of the Great Qi more than the common people. Zhou Cun was so happy that he called several people from the village to go to the mountain to cut bamboo and set off firecrackers.
Sang Luo subconsciously put her hand on her lower abdomen, her eyes full of joy. Just then, Chen Lie and Shen An came back with the newly made blade. She thought of something, turned back to the house, took out the final draft of the curved plow that she had redrawn during the day, and handed it to Chen Lie.
"You should send the plow along with this blueprint to the governor's mansion. It's spring ploughing season, and I think everyone will need this. Governor Zeng is an upright man who gets down to business. He always puts the people first and doesn't take any detours. It will be the fastest to promote it through him. It's a coincidence that His Majesty has won a great victory. If Governor Zeng is interested, it would be nice to give him this curved plow as a gift to congratulate him. It would be our way of repaying the favor for the book."
Shen Lie's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't take the drawing.
Chen Lie, who had been pulling the plow in the fields since he was a teenager, knew the benefits of Sang Luo's new plow. He also knew that this seemingly insignificant farm tool was actually a good thing that truly benefited the country and the people. Moreover, unlike papermaking, it would not affect anyone's interests. Such an achievement should be done by Sang Luo herself.
"A-Luo, you made this thing, so you should go and deliver it yourself. The government office is closed now, so don't go now. The provincial government office will open early tomorrow morning. I will accompany you. You can deliver the blueprint and the plow to the governor's mansion by yourself."
There has never been a woman who could study and become an official, but this was Sang Luo's achievement. The glory and fame that belonged to her should not be hidden behind him or anyone else.
Wasn't this the original intention of him applying for the provincial college? He knew she was extraordinary, and he tried his best to create a broad space for her to display her talents. If he was the one who took away Sang Luo's brilliance in the end, what was the point of all these efforts?
Shen An and Shen Ning also heard the door coming, and the brother and sister nodded repeatedly.
"Yes, sister-in-law, this is something you made, so you should call the governor, so that the people who use this plow in the future will know that it was made by you."
Chen An had studied for several years, so he had some sensitivity. He vaguely realized that if this plow was popularized, it might be an opportunity for his sister-in-law to become famous in the world as a woman.
Chen Ning's eyes also shone with light: "Sister-in-law, go and see that the imperial court only recruits men for official selection and education. How are we women inferior? It's a good opportunity to let them see that there are real Zhuge Liang among women!"
The last sentence was full of lofty sentiments, which made Sang Luo laugh: "What kind of female Zhuge Liang am I?"
The curved plow was the wisdom of her ancestors in her previous life, and she was just a porter at best. So Sang Luo didn't really think too much about it. The original intention of making this thing was just because the people here needed it, that's it.
Although she had asked Chen Lie to go on this trip without thinking much about anything else, and she was also very clear that Chen Lie would probably say directly in the first sentence that this was something she made, but seeing the three siblings with serious faces and Chen Ning's eyes shining brightly, Sang Luo thought about it and it was true. How are women inferior to men?
Not to mention anything else, when it comes to studying, if the girls in the village have the same opportunities as the boys, which one is worse off?
Although it doesn't really make a difference whether she goes or not, from the perspective of enhancing a woman's reputation and influence, it is also a good idea to start with small things and with herself.
"Okay, let's do as An Ning said and let the world know how powerful we women are."
…
After the matter was settled, Chen Lie put away the blueprint, said something to Sang Luo, and went out to Zhou's house first. Not only Zhou's family, but also every family in the village were visited, except Lu Dalang, who had just settled down and was allocated the most remote land and did not dare to go out. Even the brother Shuanzhu, who was talking at his grandparents' house at the time, came.
This walk attracted countless people, even Wei Qinghe and Wang Yunzheng came out to see. Before it got dark, the new plow was assembled and carried to the field. The whole village was in an uproar, but the excitement was limited to Daxing Village.
A group of farmers took turns pulling and supporting the plow. It took them at least half an hour to plow the new plow before it was cleaned and carried back.
Yes, lift.
It was obviously something that one person could carry back, but everyone was so excited that Zhou Dalang and Shi Erlang carried it back together.
They were reluctant to leave after touching the new plow. Not only were there spots of mud on it, but even the water marks had been almost wiped dry by them.
Chen Youtian, who had carpentry skills, asked Sang Luo, "A Luo, we'll deliver it to the government office tomorrow. Can I do the wood part at home tonight? I can take the old plow blade off first and send it to the blacksmith shop to make a new one tomorrow."
After tomorrow, you can imagine how busy the blacksmith shop will be.
Sang Luo smiled and said, "I figured it out for everyone to use. Uncle Youtian, please do as you please."
The Shen family has been busy for a long time. As for how to offer the plow on the second day, you say something and I'll come up with an idea.
Zhou Cunzheng said, "Tomorrow we have to carry a load and beat a gong. It just so happens that the government has issued a gong to each village. I will beat the gong tomorrow."
"One is not enough." Shi Erlang said, "Two. We should bring both the new and old plows so that we can compare them. Do you think a person like the governor can recognize what an old plow looks like?"
"That makes sense." A group of people nodded repeatedly. Zhou Cunzheng said, "Tomorrow morning, everyone should get up early, get two wooden poles that can be lifted, and have four strong men carry them. That will be enough for a grand occasion."
Thinking of that scene, everyone laughed. Mrs. Lu said, "We should tie a red cloth on the new plow, right? It's festive."
Mrs. Xu smiled and replied, "Use red silk. I have some. I'll bring it to you tomorrow."
There were people carrying poles, tying red silk and beating gongs. Old man Chen was a little nervous: "Isn't this too ostentatious?"
Shopkeeper Xu hurriedly stopped him and said, "Not ostentatious, uncle, how can this be called ostentatious? It happened at this time and at such a coincidence. This is a good thing that will bring joy to the court, comfort the emperor, add merit to the governor, and bring welfare to the people. It must be celebrated in a lively and festive manner."
Wei Qinghe also smiled and said yes, "This is also something that the government and His Majesty would like to see."
When the Qi Dynasty just conquered the Chen State, the people offered new plows to celebrate. What does this mean? It means that the emperor has won the hearts of the people and the help of heaven! Those who are more skilled in writing can write the way of heaven behind the emperor.
After discussing all this, Gan said, "Everyone in our village who can go tomorrow should go together, but we have to line up, right?"
They started discussing how to line up tomorrow. Needless to say, Sang Luo was going to be the one to walk in front, as husband and wife were one. Chen Lie could stay beside her, while Zhou Cun was beating the gong, so he would stand on the other side.
The head, middle and tail of the team were all discussing things, and the only thing missing was a live demonstration. It was really lively.
Sang Luo also knew that what they said was right. Whether it was the emperor or the governor, they would be happy to see the people doing something in accordance with the will of heaven, and they would also watch the fun. Until Mrs. Chen suggested that there must be a word. Can't we just beat the gong tomorrow and go to the city without doing anything? It would be stupid.
Then a group of people discussed and said that the lyrics should be appealing to both the elite and the masses, so that the common people can understand it and the officials will not feel embarrassed when listening to it.
After many rounds of polishing, it was finally finalized. Only the first sentence, "Sang from Daxingzhuang," shocked Sang Luo so much that she immediately called a halt!
"No, the latter part is all good. Change the first part. Our focus is on Li He congratulating the court and leading him out of Shezhou City. You don't need to take me with you. At least you can't shout like this all the way."
They shouted and banged gongs and wore red robes all the way from the gate of Daxing Village to the city. Sang Luo began to dig her toes into the ground: "Actually, I am walking in the front and I am the one making the offering. Everyone knows it is me. There is no need to shout my name."
Sang Luo was not exaggerating. Most of the people who settled in the area closest to the provincial capital came from the mountains. She might not recognize all of them, but most of them knew her.
Wei Lingzhen, Qin Fangniang, Gan and Shi Erlang's wife couldn't stop laughing when they heard Sang Luo hurriedly call for a stop.
Mrs. Chen also laughed: "Yes, there is no need to call A'Luo's name on the road. There are few people in our area who don't know A'Luo. It won't be too late to talk to her in the government office."
The first reunion night of the fourth year in Wuding was spent in such a warm atmosphere in Daxingzhuang.
The next morning, Chen Lie asked Chen An and Wang Yunzheng to go to the school first and help him ask for leave from the teacher. He said that he would go to the provincial school later and he would explain the reason to the principal in person.
At the beginning of the Mao hour, each family started to prepare. When the end of the evil hour arrived, the two plows of the Shen family, one old straight-beam plow and one new curved-beam plow, were neatly tied to two bamboo poles by Zhou Dalang and his group. The new plows were covered with red silk and tied with red flowers, which looked very festive.
A group of people carried the plow, lined up and went out of the village. The children ran around excitedly, leaving Zhao Da and Zhao Si, who had come to work early in the morning, dumbfounded.
Sang Luo stood at the head of the team and wanted to cover her face when she saw this scene.
However, she also knew that this was not only the fastest, most appropriate way to ensure that the people of Shezhou could see the curved plow first, but also the best way to help the governor Zeng add color to his political achievements.
Hello, I'm fine, everyone is fine, okay, she just thought of it as carrying the flag and leading the team around the playground at the school sports meeting when she was in school.
…
Following the great victory reported by officials everywhere on the evening of the 15th day of the first lunar month, the familiar sound of gongs rang out on the 16th day of the first lunar month in the fourth year of Wuding. The first gong sounded at the gate of Daxingzhuang.
"The villagers of Shezhou, in gratitude for the emperor's kindness, changed the straight shaft to a curved shaft, and made a new plow that is easier to work and more flexible!"
"It happened that the court had won a great victory and the country was unified. I presented the plow to the state government and the court. I congratulate the emperor, the court and the people in Chang'an!"
There was a gong sound and a loud shout. Zhoucun was shouting, and the young and strong men in Daxingzhuang followed suit and chanted in unison. Without stopping, they went straight to the gate of Shezhou.
The noise from the first round had already attracted people's attention. Daxingzhuang was not too far from the city gate. Halfway along the road, Zhoucun struck the gong again and led everyone to drink loudly again.
The Shezhou city gate is the busiest in the early morning, with many people queuing to enter the city. Moreover, there are farmlands on both sides of the official road, and farmers are already working in the fields. Hearing the noise, how can one not come and take a look?
Especially what the young and strong people in Daxing Village said in unison, a new plow that saves more effort and is more flexible? ? ?
There is only one cow in every village, and every day, the cow is treated like a cow. Who would not be concerned after hearing this?
The farmers who were plowing the fields stopped and looked at the official road from afar. They saw the two loads carried by the group of people, which looked like... plows?
"Go, go and have a look."
He stopped plowing the fields and ran to the official road, stepping onto the field ridges with his feet covered in mud.
The people queuing at the city gate to enter the city stopped going in and all turned around to look back.
"What is this for?"
"You mean a new plow that saves a lot of labor?"
"Is there any labor-saving plow?"
"Let's go, let's go and have a look."
They didn't even line up, and everyone rushed towards the dirt road leading into the city.
What Sang Luo said was right. Many people who came in and out of the city gate recognized her. People from the farmland and those who queued up at the city gate to set up stalls in the city turned back. When they saw Sang Luo at the head of the queue, they all showed surprise on their faces: "From Daxing Village, Madam Sang! It's Madam Sang!"
Someone who didn't come from the mountains asked curiously, "Who is Miss Sang?"
"Mrs. Sang, you are a kind person, a living Bodhisattva! You don't know that when we fled to the mountains..."
Some people told people around them about Sang Luo and her years in the mountains. Some had already raised their voices to greet Sang Luo and the people in Daxing Village. Some people went up to the side of the team and asked Chen Po and the others at the end for news.
The original team of dozens of people from Daxing Village began to be joined by many villagers from outside the city, chattering and making it very lively.
The soldiers guarding the city were a little confused at first when they saw such a large group of people coming from afar, and subconsciously wanted to stop them. But when they heard clearly that they were coming to offer plows, and then they heard clearly that they were coming to congratulate the court on its unification, and then they saw the man walking in front wearing the uniform of a provincial school student, who else could he be but Shen Lie, who was helping the government to bring people out of the mountains?
Okay, I won’t stop you.
A soldier was sent back to the yamen to report the news. After seeing that the people in Daxingzhuang only brought plows and no weapons, they smiled and made way to the side, exempting them from inspection.
Dozens of people entered the city, plus the villagers who followed behind to watch the fun. A large group of more than a hundred people rang the gong and went to the provincial government office. The residents of the city also went out to watch the fun.
At the governor's mansion, the guard at the city gate rushed back to report the news, and Zeng Sanlang, who had just arrived at the yamen, received the news.
"Offer the plow?"
"Yes, they said that changing the straight shaft to a curved shaft is more labor-saving and more flexible."
The guard had a good memory and was about to repeat the two slogans of the people in Daxing Village when Zeng Sanlang heard the sound of a gong and heard it by tilting his ear slightly.
“Here it comes!”
After listening carefully, Zeng Sanlang was delighted when he heard the slogan: "Inform the chief secretary and the six heads of the six chambers to follow me to welcome them."
Take a big step and go out.
There was no need for the guard to notify them. The Chief Secretary and the heads of the six departments had already heard the noise and came out.
All the officials of the governor's office came out of the government gate together, and it was a grand scene.
Zeng Sanlang remembered something, waved to Cheng An, and whispered, "Go to the backyard and tell my wife."
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