Chapter 126 A Guest Arrives
After confirming the feasibility of the waterwheel, Zhang Wende asked about its general working principle, where the waterwheel could be used, and other questions. After understanding all the basic issues, he went back to make arrangements.
In order to maximize the benefits, he does not plan to take the initiative in the surrounding counties. Naturally, he cannot directly issue tasks to the villages and towns in Xikang County. This requires careful consideration.
After seeing off the county magistrate, the group began to install the big stuff.
Because of the magic of the waterwheel and its important role in carrying loads in the future, the villagers on both sides, who had been clearly divided and had never interacted with each other in the past, gathered together for the first time. They saw the magic of the waterwheel, and at the same time, some people with quick minds also set their sights on the small waterwheel that had been installed.
When Rong Bingwen heard that someone wanted to borrow a water truck to bring water to his own paddy field, he looked at the other person in surprise.
This person was also exiled here. He had the impression that this family was very low-key. They only focused on their own lives and rarely got involved in gossip and rumors about others.
Rong Bingwen has always had a good impression of such people. When he heard his request, he agreed without much hesitation.
The man thought he would have to talk a lot or be rejected directly, but he didn't expect to be agreed so easily. For a moment, he didn't know how to react.
Rong Bingwen patted his shoulder and said, "There are some processed bamboo tubes over there."
Other than that, not much to say.
He knew this family. Although their official positions were not very high, they were good officials who really got things done.
But throughout history, the more you do, the more mistakes you make. This is an unchanging truth.
If you do it well, your political achievements will become a ladder for promotion to higher-ups; if you do it poorly, you will only be able to take the blame.
And this person is the one who had his credit taken away and was blamed.
For people like this, he doesn't mind giving a little more help.
The man thanked him again and again, then went to the waterwheel and installed the drainage trough with the help of Rong Huaijin, and then carefully stepped on the pedal.
Many people are upset when they see others get there first.
"How come that taciturn guy from the Tian family got there first?"
"No, we are stronger than the Tian family anyway, why should we let him go first?"
"That's right, we have a whole family to support."
It's hard to change one's nature.
Those people who were arrogant, who gathered together to gossip about other people, hated others for having more than they had, and often got jealous and had red eyes, stopped working immediately when they saw Tian Zhixin using this thing called a waterwheel to irrigate his own paddy fields.
Rong Bingwen looked at those righteous people and felt a little puzzled.
He didn't want to argue with the woman, so he went straight to help where the big guy was being installed, which made the people behind him stomp their feet in anger.
Rong Bingwu sneered, "Troublemakers like you deserve to be exiled."
He knew that some people got into trouble because of their families, but these few people still didn't think they were wrong.
"Don't think you can speak freely just because you've been rehabilitated!"
"Let me tell you, we were all wronged!"
"That's right. If men were more capable, we wouldn't have to work so hard for this family."
“…”
Rong Bingwu was amused by the shamelessness of these people. His eyes fell on their men and children not far away, who were full of shame and anger.
There is one thing they said that is right, that they are incompetent. If they could have noticed it from the beginning, if they had not been so lax...
It's too late to say anything now.
However, they are not completely powerless now.
"Go back quickly and don't embarrass yourself here!"
"The rice jar at home is almost empty, so I'm out digging for wild vegetables!"
"It turns out that I'm not doing my job well by working so hard every day..."
They were used to being domineering at home, and when they saw their men say this, they were ashamed and angry, and scolded them back on the spot. The men ignored them and took the children home first. The second son of the Rong family was right. If they didn't make changes, their descendants would suffer greatly.
Isn’t exile a retribution?
The cursing sounds did not disappear even after a circle of wind hit the cotton. Fortunately, they had all left, and their ears were clear.
Tian Zhixin carefully looked at Rong Huaijin beside him and said apologetically, "I'm sorry for causing you trouble."
Rong Huaijin shook his head and gave him a reassuring look: "Don't worry about him, he's an unimportant person."
For the Rong family, those people are irrelevant as long as they don't affect their plans.
On the contrary, it was Tian Xinzhi's proactive request that made their water truck come into the sight of others faster and more directly, saving them a lot of trouble.
Thinking of this, he smiled at the other party and said, "Don't worry. If you don't understand something, just call me."
Tian Xinzhi thanked again, and the pedals under his feet seemed to be much lighter.
Being able to irrigate directly without carrying anything on his shoulders was a good thing that he had never dreamed of before, but it actually happened today. He was filled with gratitude towards the Rong family, the Pu family, and the Lu family.
From now on, they won’t have to work so hard. With enough water, the crops may be better and their lives will become more promising.
The original villagers of Fushan Village did not expect that these exiled prisoners were so capable of causing trouble and actually made a waterwheel.
but,
They were quite shocked as they watched the waterwheel bring the water from the lake to a higher place and automatically flow it to the paddy fields above.
This is a good thing that has been personally confirmed by the county magistrate. It has to be said that as people from Fushan Village, even though they have never had any contact with those people, they can't help but feel a sense of pride in their hearts.
No matter what, they are all people of Fushan Village now.
"What do you think? Can we use this waterwheel?"
"Of course it can. The county magistrate is here, which proves that this waterwheel is very useful. I heard him say that everyone will have a easier time from now on."
"These people are really amazing! Our ancestors have lived here for countless years, how come they didn't think of this!"
"I heard they were high-ranking officials in the capital, all scholars, so they must be very powerful."
"In fact, they give people a very kind impression, not like those evil people."
"They were all good officials, but unfortunately they were framed. Fortunately, they have been vindicated now."
“…”
Many indigenous villagers even feel a little regretful at this moment. If they had known this would happen, they would not have kept their distance from them. If they had trusted them more, could they have created more value for Fushan Village?
At least,
They are all educated people who can read and write. It would be good if they could teach their children at home and help them recognize a few words.
Unfortunately, it’s too late to say anything now.
The Rong family and several others did not care what the villagers of Fushan Village were thinking. They had more important things to do now, which was to assemble the waterwheel as quickly as possible and cooperate with Zhang Wende to spread his reputation.
The provincial examination was about to begin, and they would be heading to the provincial capital in a few days.
The installation of a large waterwheel is not as simple as a small waterwheel. Just the two pillars embedded in the water are not something that one or two people can do.
Fortunately, there is strength in numbers, and there are villagers and clerks left behind by Zhang Wende who know carpentry, so the main body of the water wheel was assembled quickly.
The most difficult part is how to install the water wheel on the pillar.
The upright column is a three-dimensional trapezoid made up of six large logs, with an axle in the middle supporting the water wheel on two horizontal beams.
The shaft is the key to the rotation of the waterwheel and the focus of the craft. If you want to imitate it, other structural parts are easy to imitate, but as for the power transmission such as the shaft and gears, it is difficult for ordinary people to make them without someone familiar with them to explain.
The diameter of the water wheel is about three meters. In Lu Yao's opinion, it is just an ordinary-sized water wheel. But at this moment, in the eyes of these people who have never seen other water wheels, it is as if they are looking at a behemoth. They are now going to put this behemoth up, and their first thought is that it is impossible to accomplish.
Of course, even if they know it is difficult, they must complete it as quickly and successfully as possible.
There are always more solutions than problems. Modern people should not underestimate the wisdom of the ancients.
After Rong Yanhui proposed the principle of leverage, everyone worked together to successfully install the water wheel.
Next, it is the connection bearing part and the pedal.
Because water diversion will not be completed in a short time, it takes a long time to step on the pedal. If it is exposed to wind, rain and sun, even the strongest person cannot withstand it.
Therefore, when they designed it, they added a shed outside. With the shed, there is no need to worry about wind, rain or scorching sun.
Moreover, in order to be more user-friendly, some adjustments have been made to the design of the pedals. You can pedal them like riding a bicycle. If you get tired of sitting, you can stand up and support yourself with your hands on the horizontal beam in front to pedal.
In short, do whatever makes you feel comfortable.
To make it easier, two positions are designed so that two people can step on it together, which saves more effort.
In fact, Lu Yao still felt a little regretful. It would be better if she could switch to animal power.
Well, time is tight now and there is no time to adjust. If there is an opportunity in the future, we can develop more methods and structural forms.
Perhaps, without waiting for them to take action, the working people can be inspired by this waterwheel and develop various types of waterwheels that are more suitable for the local environment in practice.
Even with so many people helping out, it still takes a lot of time to install all the water trucks.
In order to put it into use as soon as possible, they worked overtime all night, and finally, all the installation was completed by the next morning.
After the waterwheel was installed, it was time to debug and start trial operation. This time, the ones at the forefront were Village Chief Li and Rong Bingwu.
One of them is the village chief of Fushan Village, and the other is the elder of the Rong family. No matter which one of them is, the villagers cannot afford to offend them. Those who are eager to try it can restrain their impulse.
Just as they sat down, put their feet on the pedals, and were about to start pedaling hard, a noise came from not far away.
"Oh, is this the waterwheel they were talking about?"
"They say they can divert water, but is that really possible? How do we divert water?"
"Is this already installed? Oh, we came at the right time."
“…”
As the village chief of Fushan Village, Village Chief Li has to ignore it.
He looked carefully and saw that the person walking towards him chattering was an old acquaintance of his.
"Why are you here?" Village chief Li obviously did not welcome them.
At least, it is not welcome at the moment.
"Hey, Old Li, we've finally come here, what's with your attitude?"
"That's right, guests are welcome. We have been friends for decades."
Village chief Li curled his lips. Why was he like this? Didn't these people know what was going on?
Needless to say, these old guys are paying New Year's greetings to chickens, and they definitely have no good intentions.
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