The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Chapter 421 Marching into the Cotton Industry

After the farce that took place on the anniversary of Old Man Gu's death, there was no news from the old house for a long time.

March arrived quickly.

The weather warms up in March, and we no longer have to endure the unpredictable cold snaps of early spring. We can put away our winter coats and put on spring clothes.

The entire Qinghe Bay is enveloped in a sea of ​​peach, cherry, and pear blossoms, the air filled with their fragrance, which brings joy to everyone.

Thanks to Tong Huaqiong's painstaking research, the improved cotton seeds were sown.

Tong Huaqiong's ambition is to target the cotton and textile market.

Just as cheap pork opened up the market, Tong Huaqiong also hopes that this era can have cheap and warm cotton cloth.

While researching historical records, she discovered that Pingchuan County had advantages for cotton cultivation. Its flat terrain, low autumn rainfall, ample sunshine, and well-drained soil provided an excellent natural environment for cotton growth. Pingchuan cotton appeared in later historical accounts, and although it didn't achieve the same fame as the long-staple cotton from Xinjiang, its fiber quality was still quite good, with excellent softness and luster, suitable for making clothing year-round.

Due to seed issues, cotton production in Pingchuan County was low, resulting in fewer bolls and lower yields. Despite the favorable growing environment, no one cultivated it on a large scale.

In addition, the textile technology of that era was backward, and looms mainly served ramie, which further hindered the development of cotton in Pingchuan County during this period.

Since this is a blank market, Tong Huaqiong must take the lead and occupy it.

After planting the cotton, Tong Huaqiong studied the data on each stage of cotton growth, including when to fertilize, when to prune, and what problems were most likely to occur at each stage.

However, in actual practice, she discovered that Gu Dahan was the real expert in planting.

He didn't understand any agricultural science principles and relied entirely on experience.

Tong Huaqiong thought that if Gu Dahan were in modern society, he would be a top student in the agricultural college.

After the cotton was planted, Tong Huaqiong began to think about spinning machines and cotton ginning machines.

In addition to high-quality cotton, improving textile technology is equally important.

Regarding textile machines, she only remembered the spinning jenny and our great textile technology expert, Ms. Huang Daopo, who learned textiles from Li women on Hainan Island and created a complete set of "rolling, stretching, spinning, and weaving" tools after making improvements.

The dynasty she now lives in has vanished into the long river of history and does not exist in the history books of later generations. Therefore, she is at a loss and does not know where to go even if she wants to go to Songjiang to learn cotton spinning techniques from Huang Daopo.

She could only figure it out herself by relying on the knowledge she gained from later generations.

Aside from the newly developed cotton business, the most important thing for Tong Huaqiong and her entourage right now is that Gu Jingzhe is going to participate in the provincial examination.

Tong Huaqiong was not worried at all about whether Gu Jingzhe could pass the imperial examination and become a scholar.

If Gu Jingzhe fails the exam, then all the students in Ningcheng who went to take the provincial exam will be wiped out as a whole.

why?
According to Tong Dajiao's memories from her previous life, Gu Jingzhe achieved the top score in this provincial examination.

Of course, a variable appeared in this life: Gu Ruinian.

Tong Huaqiong didn't think Gu Ruinian was a match for Gu Jingzhe. He might be able to get a Xiucai position, but he would definitely not be the top scholar. He wasn't even a member of the main characters' group, and his cannon fodder status meant he was destined not to have any highlights.

Gu Jingzhe has been studying at home these past few days.

The provincial examination will begin in three days.

Gu Jingzhe would go to the prefectural city a day in advance to familiarize himself with the examination venue.

Su Chengmin gave the students of the private school a holiday, and he and Nie Xiaofeng accompanied them to the exam.

"Mother, Third Brother will definitely pass the imperial examination this time."

Gu Taohua showed Tong Huaqiong a fortune stick, which she had secretly drawn at the temple for five taels of silver without her family's knowledge.

It's a very auspicious fortune stick.

“If your third brother fails to pass the imperial examination, then no student in the entire Pingchuan County will pass,” Tong Huaqiong said.

Gu Jingzhe, covered in sweat, said, "Mother, can you please be a little more low-key? Master Su said that the exams are highly unpredictable; it's hard to say who will pass and who won't. Some people pass the preliminary exam at a young age but only pass the county-level exam after three attempts; others pass the county-level exam on their first try but never pass the provincial-level exam. I'm just studying at a private school in our town. There are many students in Pingchuan County, Qingyang County, and even the prefectural city; who knows where the hidden talents might be?" His mother was really something; she had criticized him a lot after he returned to school, repeatedly advising him not to be arrogant and complacent, but after the New Year, she became very high-profile about his provincial exam.

Moreover, Gu Ruinian became increasingly high-profile after returning to his hometown.

Wherever he goes, my son will surely pass the imperial examination and become a scholar.

If he really couldn't pass the exam as well as Gu Ruinian, that would be a real embarrassment. His second uncle's family would probably ridicule him and his mother in the village.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Although there are many uncertainties in the exam room, for someone who studies diligently, the mistakes won't be too significant, unless you haven't studied well. I'm saying this to give you some confidence. Take the exam well, relax, and don't bring any pressure into it."

Gu Jingzhe nodded and said he would do his best to pass the exam.

"Stop studying. Learning is about accumulating knowledge over time, not cramming at the last minute. Go out and take a walk to clear your head." Tong Huaqiong often urged Gu Jingzhe to go out for a walk because she saw that he had been studying hard these past few days.

When spring is in full bloom, taking a walk outside can lift your spirits.

It might even promote learning.

Gu Jingzhe listened to Tong Huaqiong and put down his book before going outside.

As soon as I stepped out of my own front door, I saw Gu Ruinian walking towards me.

"Brother Jingzhe," Gu Ruinian called out.

Before Gu Jingzhe could reply, Gu Ruinian continued, "I just came to find you. Your grandparents want you to come over."

Gu Jingzhe then went to the old house with Gu Ruinian.

"The Awakening of Insects, you've arrived."

When Gu Jingzhe arrived at the old house, his usually aloof second aunt, Jia, greeted him as soon as he entered the courtyard.

"Second Aunt, I heard that Grandpa and Grandma called me over," Gu Jingzhe said.

"Awakening of Insects, come in quickly." Old Master Gu's voice came from inside the house.

Gu Jingzhe entered the house, greeted Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu, and then stood aside waiting for them to speak.

"Jingzhe, how are you going to the prefectural city tomorrow?" Old Master Gu asked.

Gu Jingzhe had already guessed it on his way here; the reason Grandpa Gu called him to the old house was to talk about going to the prefectural city to participate in the provincial examination.

Of course, it wasn't because I cared about Gu Jingzhe, but because of Gu Ruinian.

Gu Jingzhe smiled and said, "Laifu and Xiaofeng will take me to the prefectural city."

Grandpa Gu nodded and said, "Ruinian is also planning to go to the prefectural city tomorrow. Since you have a carriage and someone to take you, let Ruinian go with you."

Gu Jingzhe thought to himself, “This isn’t a discussion, it’s an order from my grandfather.”

Gu Ruinian stood aside without saying a word.

Grandma Gu said, "It won't be a problem for Ruinian to come along. Your carriage is so spacious that it can comfortably accommodate not only Ruinian, but also two more."

Gu Jingzhe smiled and said, "Grandma, I didn't say I wouldn't bring Ruinian."

Gu Ruinian said with a look of surprise, "Thank you, Brother Jingzhe. I've been asking you questions these past few days, but you haven't had time. I thought you were angry with me because of Uncle's death anniversary."

After Gu Ruinian confirmed that Gu Jingzhe was a pure ancient person, he once again had the idea of ​​taking Gu Jingzhe as his subordinate.

However, during this period of time, whenever he went to see Gu Jingzhe, Gu Jingzhe was always reading and had no time to pay attention to him.

Indeed, the ancients were unsophisticated and only knew how to study books.

Once the provincial examination is over and he achieves the top score, he is not afraid that Gu Jingzhe will not submit to him.