Chapter 125 Shocked
After celebrating, everyone continued to work hard for a better life.
Rongji became popular again because the county magistrate's wife came in person.
The portions that were barely enough before are now as scarce as they were just after the opening.
but,
After discussing it, the Rong family decided to keep everything as it was, not increasing their weight due to temporary flattery, nor reducing it due to self-righteousness.
After deducting the costs, they now have a fixed profit of five or six taels of silver every day. Each person can get at least one tael. In this remote and backward place, they are considered a high-income family.
This time, there are still many people who envy and many who are jealous, but even though they are jealous, they dare not do anything to harm Rong Ji.
even,
No one dares to say sour words in front of outsiders, for fear of being misunderstood.
The people at Rongji didn't pay much attention to what was happening outside, but they did know a little bit about the attitude of people outside towards their shop from the customers they came into contact with every day.
They are happy to see such a situation.
Perhaps it is true that "it is easier to get things done if you have connections in the court", they found that now no matter what they do, everything goes smoothly.
The days passed slowly, and as July was coming to an end, after more than half a month of hard work by everyone, the new waterwheel was finally completed before the provincial examination.
Because the Rong family was rehabilitated, their former fame and honor were restored to them, and now there are several members of the family who are successful candidates in the imperial examinations.
My third cousin Rong Yuxuan is participating in the autumn examination this time. If he can successfully pass the provincial examination and obtain the title of juren, he will be able to go to Beijing with his eldest and second cousins to participate in the spring examination next year.
Now they just need to publicize the role of the waterwheel and make it famous, which will also be a plus for this provincial examination.
Moreover, the Rong family had already received a letter from the capital in advance. The letter included an introduction and preferences of the chief examiner of this provincial examination. With this, Rong Yuxuan was more confident about this exam.
However, these are secondary. At present, they have to try their best to install the water truck and use it, so that others can see its function and huge potential.
As soon as the waterwheel was completed, the two brothers Rong Bingwen went to the village chief's house, and then went to the Xikang County government office. After a conversation with the county magistrate, the county magistrate could not sit still and immediately asked people to prepare. He wanted to go to Fushan Village immediately to see the thing called waterwheel.
He had a hunch that if this was handled well, he would be able to leave here.
Rong Bingwu was pleased to see that the county magistrate was so discerning. This was a great achievement. If he didn't seize it actively, he would be a fool.
In fact, they also thought about operating directly through people in Beijing, but finally gave up.
Firstly, the mountains are high and the roads are long, which not only wastes time but is also very inconvenient;
Secondly, they live in Xikang County. If they directly bypass the county magistrate, it will definitely leave a bad impression on the leaders. Even if they are favored, they will not be able to be reused. Who knows whether the other party will also directly bypass them to seek benefits in the future?
As for the third point, although the relationship between them and the county magistrate is mutually beneficial, the other party has indeed taken good care of their family. In addition, although the county magistrate has no remarkable political achievements, he is also conscientious and never withholds money belonging to ordinary people. Under his governance, Xikang County, although not prosperous, is a place where people can live and work in peace and contentment.
The Rong family felt that this county magistrate was smooth and worldly-wise, and that he was able to gain a foothold in Xikang County and make the local wealthy and powerful people wary of him. He was definitely not an incompetent person.
For all these reasons, they don't mind returning the favor.
Zhang Wende, the county magistrate of Xikang County, and his entourage arrived in Fushan Village and instantly attracted the attention of all the villagers.
"It's not a festival, and it's not tax collection time yet, yet so many officials are here. What's going on?"
The common people were very afraid of the officials. They were curious, but due to the majesty of the government office, they did not dare to go out and inquire except to whisper a few words in private.
When Village Chief Li heard that the officials were coming, his heart began to beat rapidly.
Not fear, but excitement.
He quickly tidied his clothes and went out to greet the county magistrate.
He never imagined that someone could make such a magical thing, and he never thought that there was someone in Fushan Village who could show up in front of the county magistrate.
Village chief Li felt that today was the most glorious and proud day of his life.
"I didn't know the county magistrate was coming. I apologize for not welcoming you. Please forgive me."
He hurried forward and saluted.
Zhang Wende waved his hand, "We're mainly here for the water truck, so there's no need for courtesy, Village Chief."
It was already afternoon, and the group did not delay. The county magistrate, led by the village chief, walked towards the lake, while the Rong Bingwen brothers took the yamen runners back to get the waterwheel parts for installation.
The installation of the large water truck would definitely take a long time, so they decided to bring the small water truck that had been successfully tested before.
The county magistrate came over not really to see the process of their installation of the waterwheel, but to confirm the authenticity and operability of the waterwheel. With the small waterwheel as the endorsement, it didn't matter when the big one was installed.
All the men from the Rong and Pu families went out, and together with the yamen runners, they took all the materials to the lake.
"Where do you plan to install it?" Zhang Wende asked.
Rong Bingwen has discussed this issue with the village chief. According to their idea, they can irrigate the paddy fields at the highest position first, and then release water directly from high to low.
In this way, the waterwheel should be installed close to the direction of their exiles.
The village chief was worried that the villagers might have objections, but this waterwheel was researched and made by the Rong family, so he had no right to comment.
Besides, what they said makes sense. When the time comes, the water will be poured into the highest paddy field and then released layer by layer, which is convenient and saves trouble.
It's impossible to choose a low-lying area. When it comes to paddy fields on high ground, you still have to scoop water and carry water, right?
This doesn't make sense.
This is the relevant planning for the waterwheel.
As for the small waterwheel, the focus now is to let the county magistrate see its effectiveness. It only needs to be installed and operated directly. They chose a place with relatively flat terrain.
After determining the location and the areas that need attention in the current environment, the group began to assemble.
With the experience from the first time, they were much more skilled and faster this time. The water truck was installed in just over half an hour.
Looking at the big guy that had been installed, even though it was the second time they saw it, the Pu Jiarong family and the Lu family still couldn't calm down.
Not to mention the possible benefits this thing may bring to them, just the fact that it can actually bring benefits to the people makes them excited.
Those who had seen water wheels before were all like this, let alone those who were seeing it for the first time.
However, the waterwheel had not yet started running, and its special features had not been revealed. While they were curious about it, they were more skeptical.
This thing can be used to divert water for irrigation? This is a joke, right?
This is the question that everyone who was there and witnessed the miracle of the waterwheel firsthand may have.
Zhang Wende looked around the waterwheel for a long time, and finally his eyes fell on the pedals. "You said you needed manpower, but this is the key?"
Rong Bing was momentarily surprised, then he praised sincerely, "Master Zhang really has an extraordinary eye."
"Really?" Zhang Wende was also surprised. He picked up the hem of his shirt and tied it to his belt, then rolled up his sleeves. "How do I do this?"
Seeing that he was about to try it himself, Rong Bingwen quickly stopped him: "Sir, you can wait for the boy at home to try it first."
It has just been installed and needs debugging, so they dare not let the county magistrate be the first to go.
Zhang Wende was not really reckless and refused to listen to advice. After listening to Rong Bingwen's explanation, he did not insist. Instead, he watched a young man come forward, stepped on the thing called a pedal, and started to step on it one by one.
As the young man moved, the water wheel that had been motionless before began to turn slowly. The bamboo tube on the water wheel drew water to a higher place, and then it flowed into the water trough, along the water trough to the connected "water diversion channel", and then flowed to the fields in the distance.
The "water diversion channel" is made of bamboo tubes. Split the grown bamboo into two and remove the middle bamboo node to make the best water diversion device.
When everyone saw the water flowing with the rotation of the water wheel, being drawn up to a high place by the bamboo tube, and then flowing to a distant place through the water trough, they were shocked instantly.
This, this,
They really weren't bragging!
Zhang Wende finally couldn't hold back any longer and wanted to go forward and try it himself.
He had a hunch that this waterwheel would not only bring great convenience to the people, but also add a nice touch to his political achievements.
While stepping on the pedal, Rong Huaijin kept an eye on the surrounding situation, especially the county magistrate. When he heard what the other party said, he came down and gave up his seat.
Zhang Wende couldn't wait to step on it, and Rong Yuqing watched from the side. If anything went wrong with the other party, he could be there to take care of him.
At first, it was a bit strenuous to pedal, but once the water wheel started turning and gained inertia, it became much easier. Zhang Wende pedaled it for about a cup of tea before he finally got off. He saluted Rong Bingwen and the others and said, "On behalf of all the people, I would like to express my gratitude to you."
Regardless of his achievements in Xikang County, as a local official, he still had the minimum of insight.
Rong Bingwen waved his hand: "Master Zhang is in a serious condition. It is our honor to be able to do something for the people."
"Yes," Rong Bingwu also echoed: "Whether it is our Rong family, or the Lu and Pu families, our elders are all good officials who are dedicated to serving the people."
Perhaps the speaker was unintentional but the listener was intentional. Zhang Wende felt a pang in his heart and realized that these people in front of him were all high-ranking officials in the capital. Even if they have not been reinstated yet, they are all Jinshi or Juren scholars with honors. And the families they represent, any one of them, if taken out, would have much higher status than him, a small county magistrate.
He knew in his heart that they could have passed the credit to their superiors without him, but they didn't. Instead, they presented it directly to him. This was not only because of his care for them over the years, but also because his rule was pretty good.
Thinking of this, Zhang Wende became more humble and cautious towards the people in front of him.
After some business exchanging, they got down to business.
Zhang Wende said, "When we get back, we'll arrange for people to visit various villages and towns, and start making waterwheels based on local conditions, so we can put them into use as soon as possible."
If the other party takes him along, he will return the favor.
By the way, we also need to make arrangements with several surrounding counties with which we have good relations, so that the influence can be greater.
Of course, this is a great thing, so he can't rush to do it.
There are also memorials to be submitted, which he must arrange immediately.
Xikang County has produced something good that benefits the country and the people. It can be said to be a great thing that will benefit the present and future generations. He must report it to the court as soon as possible to make the emperor happy.
At this moment, he was extremely grateful because of the special situation here, he had the right to submit a memorial directly to the court and have it heard directly by the emperor.
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