Flowers in full bloom

Chapter 679: Learning from Others

"Then water wheels have been made, right?" Hualei continued to ask with a smile. When she came from the east, she saw a small number of water wheels in the fields.

"Yes, the workshop did make water wheels, but..." Hao Shijie looked at Hualei and stopped talking.

"What's wrong?" Hua Lei asked puzzled.

"The water wheel is not as good as the court has preached. The irrigation effect is very average. In addition, the water level of the local river is relatively low, so the efficiency of the water wheel is not high." Hao Shijie said directly.

"Oh..." Hua Lei paused. The water wheel was not working well. It was indeed related to the water level, but there might also be problems in the production process.

Just like the first waterwheel made by the Ministry of Industry at that time, we need to go to the site to check it out to find out the reason.

"I see. Well, I have a book here. Take it and have a look. There are many experiences in it that you can learn from. There are instructions for making a plow and a harrow, and also for a waterwheel.

Next, the workshop will make a batch of farm tools and try them out. If they are feasible, they will be promoted to the state capitals below." Hua Lei handed a copy of "Stones from Other Mountains" that she brought to Hao Shijie.

"Yes, sir." Hao Shijie took a few steps forward, took the book from Hua Lei's hand, and opened the cover with some suspicion.

As for the new prefect, he didn't think Hua Lei could get the first-hand production books from the Ministry of Works, and he probably copied them from somewhere.

I just don't know if the size of the parts is correct? You know, for some precision tools, a slight error can lead to a huge error.

He had worked as a carpenter in a workshop all his life, and his craftsmanship was impeccable, but he had a straightforward temper and spoke directly, so the previous prefects did not think highly of him.

Now that he is old, he has no confidence that the new prefect will look up to him. He just takes the attitude of doing his job as he goes by, muddling through his days and waiting to retire.

I thought the book was hand-copied, but when Hao Shijie opened the title page, he was stunned. The book was actually printed.

Not only are the words on it clear, but even the pictures of the water truck parts, large and small, are printed very clearly. Not only are there words and pictures, but the data is also clearly marked.

I was originally worried that my eyesight was not good, and it would be troublesome if I couldn't see the handwritten copy clearly. However, every word and every picture in this book can be seen clearly.

"Take a look first. It doesn't matter if you don't know how to do it. The samples will be brought here together with the seeds. The Ministry of Industry can prepare some wood in advance to avoid being in a hurry when the time comes." Hua Lei said.

When Hao Shijie saw that it was an official book printed by the imperial court, he was very happy for a moment. But when he heard Hua Lei say that there were samples, he looked at Hua Lei suspiciously.

Who is the new prefect? ​​Not only can he get high-yield corn seeds, but he can also get first-hand information printed by the court and even samples of agricultural tools? ?

"Yes." No matter how suspicious he was in his heart, Hao Shijie did not ask directly, but responded and retreated.

"By the way, in addition to grain seeds and farm tools, I want to ask, do we have enough oxen in Xichang Prefecture?" Hua Lei asked. When he first arrived in Mobei, one of the biggest problems that Minister Zhang encountered in opening up wasteland was the lack of oxen.

"Reporting to the Lord, in addition to using cattle to cultivate the land in Xichang Prefecture, a large part of the land is cultivated by mules and donkeys, so there is enough in this regard." Chen Ducao, who was in the household office, stood up and replied.

"Oh..." Hualei said with some surprise, "However, compared to oxen, donkeys should not be as strong as oxen, right? And paddy fields are not suitable for plowing with donkeys, right?"

"My Lord, that is indeed the case. Donkeys are relatively small, so they are not as strong as cows. Cows are more suitable for ploughing paddy fields.

However, donkeys also have advantages. They are very good at plowing dry land, and their rations are smaller than those of cattle, and they are more adaptable to the environment. In some mountainous areas or small plots of farmland, donkeys can also complete the task of plowing the fields with their flexible body shape.

Of course, it is slower than cattle, but it is still good to help the people with the initial preparation of the land, so both have their own advantages. "Chen Ducao replied.

"Then how many oxen and donkeys are there in Xichang Prefecture? Does the government office raise donkeys and mules?" Hua Lei asked again.

"The government office raised 28 cows and 40 donkeys. The cows and donkeys basically met the needs of the government office's official fields.

As for the ones under other provincial capitals, I am not very clear about the exact number. If you need the number, I can count it, but it won't be many.

Lord Fei has told us that both cows and donkeys need food, and now the people are still unable to get enough food and clothing, so as long as we ensure that there is enough arable land, that will be enough.

In addition, the government office also has a small number of mules and horses for travel and...breeding." Chen Ducao felt that it was a bit awkward to talk about breeding to a young lady.

"Oh, so that means the government only raises money to ensure the cultivation of official fields and official fields? The people still need to solve the problem of their own arable land, right?

Then the people...still have to farm the fields themselves?" Hua Lei frowned, not noticing Chen Ducao's embarrassment at all.

"...Yes, the people solve it themselves. In some villages, there will be one or two families with slightly better conditions, and they will have cows or mules." Chen Ducao hesitated for a moment, but still answered honestly.

"During the farming season, does the government rent oxen and donkeys to the people?" Hua Lei asked again.

"...No..." Chen Ducao, who originally felt justified, looked at Hua Lei's frown and suddenly felt guilty.

"There's none in the prefecture, nor in the county towns below?" Hua Lei asked. In the last two years of Mobei, in order to encourage the newly relocated people to open up wasteland.

Although there were not many oxen available for farming, Minister Zhang still allocated a small number of oxen to rent to the people, and the rent was used to pay for the people's help in reclaiming wasteland later.

"No, Lord Fei never mentioned this." Chen Ducao answered stiffly.

Hualei sighed softly. Guaranteeing official fields and official land only guaranteed the welfare of officials, and the people had no benefit at all.

Under the premise that they themselves cannot even get enough to eat, the people can't afford to buy oxen or donkeys. No wonder an official just said that the people are just getting by.

Even if the people don't want to live a mediocre life, they don't have the ability to change the status quo. Relying on manpower to turn the land is not fast enough. How can they reclaim the land?

"Master Chen, thank you for your hard work. In the next few days, please count all the livestock raised in the government office. Also, find a way to count the livestock in the prefectures and counties below. Give me the data as soon as possible."

Hualei instructed, paused, and then asked, "Are there any pregnant cows or donkeys recently? And can we breed more?