The most important reason for the internal turmoil in the Central Plains was natural disasters, coupled with the wrong decisions of the rulers, which led to a continuous series of wars.
Agriculture is essential for national prosperity, and Chinese dynasties throughout history have always attached great importance to agricultural planting.
For agriculture to develop, it must rely on tools for its operations.
Deng Kang paced back and forth in the room filled with rice threshing machines, trying to figure out how to use them.
Seeing his interest, Wu Xingwang said at the opportune moment, "Master Deng, this thing is called a foot-operated rice threshing machine. Just put the mature, cut rice stalks in, step on them a few times, and the grains will come out. This thing is much less laborious than the manual threshing method."
"Is it really as miraculous as you say?"
"You'll know once you try it."
Wu Xingwang immediately ordered his servants to fetch a bundle of dry straw.
“Master Wu, you’ll know its power once you try this dry straw.”
Deng Kang took the straw with some doubt and, under Wu Xingwang's guidance, put it into the threshing machine. Since there were no grains on the straw, Deng Kang was careless and didn't hold on tightly. When he stepped on it, the straw in his hand was instantly rolled into the grain bin at the back.
He tried to reach out and pull, but Wu Peng, who was standing nearby, reacted quickly and grabbed his hand, thus preventing an accident from happening.
Wu Xingwang realized what was happening, and a thin layer of sweat had already broken out on his back.
He rushed forward and pulled Deng Kang away, looking him over. Seeing that he was unharmed, he said, "Patriarch Deng, you scared me to death! The gears inside this thing can crush an arm."
"It's that powerful!" Deng Kang said, still shaken.
Deng Kang was not giving up and wanted to try again to see how powerful it was.
Wu Xingwang had no choice but to let Wu Peng hold his hand so that he could feel it, fearing that Wu Peng might not have enough strength.
With each press of his foot, the gears spun rapidly, and Deng Kang felt the gears inside the machine constantly devouring dry straw.
Finally, Deng Kang laughed loudly, "Wonderful! This machine is really useful, much less labor-intensive than manual labor."
"This was made by the craftsmen at the behest of our city lord."
Do you also sell rice threshing machines?
Having tasted its benefits, Deng Kang couldn't wait to bring it back to Cangwu County.
“Sell it! Our city lord said this product is beneficial to the people, and promoting it would be the best thing for the vast number of farmers.”
Deng Kang nodded, agreeing with his words. They lived in the mountainous Nanling Mountains, where in addition to the sweltering heat in summer, there was also a lot of rain and monsoons. If the crops were not harvested in time, they would rot in the fields.
How to sell it?
“Longtan will provide the patent drawings, you will be responsible for production and sales, and Longtan will receive 30% of the profits.”
"Oh." Deng Kang understood. In other words, the final price was entirely up to them, which meant there was a lot of room for maneuver.
However, since it was intended to benefit the people, he wouldn't sell at a high price against his conscience, as only a very small number of landlords and wealthy families could afford it.
Next, Wu Xingwang recommended the improved curved plow to him, and Wu Kang happily accepted it.
At noon, Lin Yinan hosted Chen Xianming, the head of the Zhong family, Deng Kang, and their entourage at the Longtan Hotel.
The menu for Longtan Hotel was all taught to her by her second aunt, Zhang, and was finalized after several taste tests.
The restaurant is managed by Ms. Zhang, who has been managing the canteen for nearly a year and has accumulated a wealth of experience.
In addition, two men from Linjia Village who were skilled cooks were hired as head chefs. After a month of training, the two were able to cook the restaurant's signature dishes with great skill.
The appetizer was pickled radish, which was harvested in large quantities before the Lunar New Year and made into pickled vegetables, which are stored in jars.
"In spring, liver qi is vigorous, so it's best to eat some sour foods to calm the liver qi and nourish yin and blood," Zhang said with a smile.
Chen Xianming exclaimed in surprise, "This lady knows about pharmacology?"
"Oh, I'm just a woman, how would I know anything about this? It was a doctor in the city who taught me."
The peeled radish is crystal clear, pickled until it is crisp, refreshing, and flavorful with a hint of spiciness. It has a unique taste that whets the appetite.
Everyone at the table who tried it praised it highly.
After everyone had tasted the appetizers, Zhang led the waiter to bring the dishes to the table one after another.
As each dish was served, Zhang would announce its name to everyone.
The heads of the families present were all from the South. The dishes at today's banquet were all chosen by Lin Yinan according to their tastes, including salt-baked chicken, steamed pork with rice flour, stuffed tofu, braised pork with preserved mustard greens, steamed spare ribs with fermented black beans, fish head with chopped chili peppers, pickled fish, hot pancakes, and more than a dozen other dishes.
Deng Kang picked up a piece of chicken, and his eyes lit up as soon as he put it in his mouth.
"This chicken is golden in color, savory and fragrant, and tender in texture. It's delicious!"
"Master Deng, this is called salt-baked chicken."
The others were very satisfied with today's dishes and started discussing them.
"Lord Lin, why don't you just open a branch in Yongqing City as well? That way, I can satisfy my cravings from time to time," Chen Xianming suggested.
Chen Xianming felt a little embarrassed when he glanced at Chen Gu, who was eating heartily as if he hadn't eaten in eight lifetimes.
Upon hearing his father's suggestion, Chen Gu, ignoring the food in his mouth, mumbled, "Open! With me protecting you in Yongqing City, you'll definitely make a fortune."
"In that case, I thank Young Master Chen in advance!" Lin Yinan said with a smile.
"Lord Lin, I've noticed these black beans on several dishes. They taste salty and have a rich, mellow flavor that leaves a lasting impression." The Zhong family head picked up a fermented black bean and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly.
As the two sides got to know each other better, the Zhong family gradually shed their reserve.
Lin Yinan said, "This is a condiment made from fermented beans. It can be paired with any dish, has a wide range of uses, and most importantly, it is inexpensive and affordable for ordinary people."
Patriarch Zhong said, "Your Dragon Pool has truly broadened our horizons; you have quite a few good things here."
"That's right, Lord Lin and his entourage came from the prosperous heart of the Central Plains after all." Chen Gu's appetite was satisfied, and he smiled obsequiously.
The head of the Zhong family swallowed the food in his mouth, smacked his lips, and said, "The food is good, but I feel like something is missing!"
Having spent many years in the business world, Wu Xingwang was extremely shrewd. He glanced at everyone and, seeing that they had all tasted the specialties of Longtan, he nodded slightly to Lin Yicun without making a sound.
He then raised his hand and clapped a few times, "Waiter, bring wine to the heads of the families!"
"Hey! I knew it, how can you have a meal without wine?" Chen Gu muttered.
The waiter, who had been waiting outside, quickly brought in a wine jar, opened the seal, and the aroma of the wine immediately filled the air.
Even the calm and composed Deng Kang turned his head to look at the waiter, his nose twitching slightly as he sniffed the aroma in the air.
"It smells good! It even has a subtle fruity aroma."
"What kind of wine is this? It smells so good!"
Wu Xingwang beamed and said, "This is homemade lychee wine!"
Chen Xianming stared in astonishment, "Lychees can be used to make wine?"
They have countless lychees rotting on the trees every year, and they have thought about making wine, but they have never succeeded.
It is used to make dried fruit, but due to insufficient technology, less than 30% of the product can be produced.
Lychee trees require little management and bear abundant fruit every year, making them both loved and hated.
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