Seeing that the waterwheel was finally starting to irrigate the land automatically as they had planned, many people became excited, thinking that if the land on the mountain could have such a method, wouldn't they no longer have to work so hard?
Fu Changfeng breathed a long sigh of relief. The experiment was a complete success, which meant that his idea was correct. As long as the waterwheel was promoted in the future, the people of Shaoming County would be able to free up more time.
Even Long Datou, who made the waterwheel, was excited. Now that the waterwheel was working, could their sentences be reduced? The previous theft had brought a heavy burden to their families.
Without able-bodied men, the elderly and children in the family will suffer as well. They can only hope for more opportunities to reduce their sentences so that they can go home sooner.
“Good, good, Long Datou, continue your research. If you can make more simple waterwheels, I will apply to the higher authorities for a reduction in your sentences.”
"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!" Long Datou knelt down and kowtowed excitedly.
"Sir, this thing called a waterwheel is really useful. Could we set one up in our village?" The village chief's eyes darted around, trying to find a reason to get Lord Fu to keep the waterwheel. Then their village would be the first to have a waterwheel, saving everyone a lot of effort.
"Since this waterwheel was successfully tested in your village, you can use it. Remember, this is public property, and since it's in your village, you have an obligation to protect it."
Fu Changfeng naturally had no objections. Now that the first one had been made, the rest would not take much time.
The smooth progress of today's experiment boosted Fu Changfeng's confidence, so he said to the constables behind him, "Today's experiment was a success, so I'll be treating everyone to dinner tonight. We'll have dinner in the main hall of the county government office later, so don't rush home tonight."
"Thank you, sir." Upon learning that there would be a free dinner, the constables naturally wouldn't miss it.
Fu Changfeng had Taozi deliver several tables of food from the newly opened restaurant. Apart from his own family eating in the backyard, the rest of the officials gathered at the county government office. They were all surprised to see the sumptuous dishes.
"Sir, you are so generous! So much meat! We don't even get such good treatment at home during the New Year. This is wonderful!" Yang Jiang was the first to praise the dish.
"That's right, sir, you're so kind. Although you've increased our salaries since you came, who dares to spend money recklessly when it comes to making ends meet? We'd rather stretch every penny we have to two. Only you dare to treat us to a meal."
Everyone finished eating happily, and they even tacitly left some food behind, each packing a little to take home for their families.
Fu Changfeng was worried that everyone would feel awkward, so he called Li Cheng and Zhao Yuping aside to eat alone.
"My lord, I think this waterwheel is extremely useful. Those families will definitely want to know how to make it. I expect the news will reach their ears tomorrow."
"Yes, this waterwheel is truly unprecedented. Its invention is a great thing that benefits the country and its people, so it is only natural that these families want it."
Zhao Yuping sensed Li Cheng's probing tone and knew that Fu Changfeng intended to give these families face, which is why he made their subsequent actions seem like a perfectly reasonable excuse.
"Hehe, let's talk about this later. I have other things to consider. Let's eat first. Everyone has been tired these days, so let's give everyone a rest. By the way, Yu Ping, when are your family members coming? Your sister-in-law has already rented a place for you. Don't worry about the rent; she's already paid a year's rent in advance."
Remembering Xichun's instructions, Fu Changfeng shifted the topic to Zhao Yuping.
“I should be the one to pay the rent. How can I let you spend the money, Madam? My wife and children are not expected to arrive for another month. It’s really kind of you to worry about this.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuping quickly stood up to express his gratitude.
"Hey, there's no need for such formalities between our two families. Please sit down, have dinner, and go back to rest early." Zhao Yuping had been staying in Fu Changfeng's first courtyard these days, but with his wife and children here, it wasn't convenient for him to stay.
Madam Zhao originally planned to come with Madam Fu and the others so they could keep each other company, but at that time the elderly in the family were not in good health and could not make time. This time, Fu Changfeng found a security escort agency to send them over.
Sure enough, early the next morning, the heads of several major families came to the county government office together, wanting to find out Fu Changfeng's thoughts on the waterwheel and see if they could make money from it.
"Lord Fu, this humble subject greets you. Since Lord Fu came to our Shaoming County, you have done a lot of practical things for us, and everyone knows this clearly. We are all very grateful. If there is anything you need from us, please feel free to give the order. As long as it is for the good of the people, we will obey."
Upon Fu Changfeng's arrival, tea was served to them, and with everyone's support, the head of the Yang family began to flatter Fu Changfeng.
"Hehe, I suppose you gentlemen didn't come here today just to praise me. I've been busy with official duties these days. If you have anything to say, just tell me directly, no need to beat around the bush."
Fu Changfeng had no intention of beating around the bush with them, and instead told them to speak directly.
"Nothing can escape the eyes of an adult, so I will speak frankly. I have not read many books, so if I have offended an adult, I hope the adult will forgive me."
We came here because we heard that the adults had someone make something new called a waterwheel, which can irrigate the fields on its own, saving a lot of manpower. We're very curious and wonder when it will be rolled out in Shaoming County so that more people can benefit from it.
"Oh, so that's what you've come for. I have my own plans for this, and you'll find out in a few days. I'll let the people of Shaoming County be the first to use it." Fu Changfeng pretended that he had only just found out.
"Does Your Excellency intend to sell this waterwheel elsewhere? If so, it could increase the county government's revenue. If there isn't enough manpower, each of our families can contribute some people to help."
"Hehe, everyone doesn't need to worry about this matter. Now that I've become the magistrate of this county, I will naturally make things better for everyone. However, I have already reported this waterwheel to the imperial court, and its nationwide promotion will naturally benefit more people."
However, if you also want to make some money, I have only one request: the materials used to make this waterwheel must be sourced locally and made by local people. This will provide the local people with a new source of income. If you agree to this, I will naturally let you make money on your own.
Fu Changfeng and Xichun had thought of this before they even started. That's why Xichun came up with this idea. Since they would have to hand over the method to the court sooner or later anyway, they figured it was better to share the profits with everyone and win the hearts of the people than to let others make money from it.
So last night, Fu Changfeng reported the waterwheel incident to the prefectural government, which then passed the report up the chain of command, giving them a time advantage.
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