They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 206 Do you know what this means?

"Granny is incredibly resourceful." Xu Zhichun smiled. Granny's enthusiasm made her skip the opening remarks.

"There are two or three things related to the rice harvest that I would like to present to the magistrate. I wonder if you could inform him on my behalf, Granny?"

Granny Ji was taken aback, and became even more curious. About harvesting rice? She knew about harvesting rice, but could there be some tricks or intricacies involved? She was truly astonished.

Madam Xu wouldn't lie, and she also wanted to take a look at something interesting.

"Alright, I'll send someone to invite Master Shao."

"Thank you, Granny Ji."

When Master Shao heard that Granny Ji had invited him, he was afraid that the magistrate's wife had something important to discuss, so he didn't dare to delay and came very quickly.

Granny Ji said with a smile, "Master Shao, are you not busy? Please sit down. Madam Xu has something she wants to present to you, Master Shao. Please take a look at it first."

Xu Zhichun rose, bowed, presented the blueprints, and began to explain in detail.

Xu Zhichun explained clearly what the purpose of the objects made according to the blueprints was, how to use them, and how she obtained the blueprints, without Shao Shiye having to worry.

At first, Master Shao was nonchalant, but as he listened, he stared blankly at the blueprints, and his expression gradually became serious.

To be honest, he didn't really understand the blueprints. He couldn't connect Xu Zhichun's description with the blueprints, nor could he understand the underlying principles.

However, Xu Zhichun's explanation was quite logical and must have some merit. Also, these blueprints look very complex and advanced; they seem legitimate and not something to be taken lightly.

If what she said is true—

Master Shao's heart began to race uncontrollably.

"Madam Xu, can the threshing machine made according to these blueprints really thresh grains? And this windmill, can it really blow away the shriveled grains and straw, easily separating the plump grains? If it's really as Madam Xu describes, this hard labor will become easy work, making life so much easier!"

"Madam Xu, do you know what this means?"

Xu Zhichun certainly knew, and understood the true meaning behind Master Shao's words: it was equivalent to the technological advancements of this era.

But as Xu Zhichun is right now, she doesn't know what this means to be normal.

Xu Zhichun nodded and smiled, "I know, it means that everyone will be able to save effort and trouble during the autumn harvest."

Master Shao: "."

He was confused. Madam Xu obtained this thing by chance. She was quite intelligent, and it was already the best she could think of this. How could he expect her to understand any profound principles?
This is enough.

"Are you sure this stuff will really work, Madam Xu?"

"I'm not sure, but I think there's some truth to it."

Master Shao gave her a complicated look, sighed softly and nodded: "Madam Xu, wait a moment, I'll have someone find a craftsman."

"Yes."

The craftsmen that Master Shao had found were studying Xu Zhichun's blueprints with great concentration. They looked at them and pondered, nodding slightly from time to time, their eyes sometimes bright and sometimes dim, and sometimes asking Xu Zhichun questions.

Xu Zhichun doesn't know how to be flexible; she only knows how to memorize by rote.

But rote memorization could obviously solve the immediate problem. At least she answered the craftsman's question by rote memorization and reciting the text, and the craftsman nodded with a look of sudden realization, indicating that he understood.

Xu Zhichun silently broke out in a cold sweat: she didn't understand how he knew.

It's true that every profession has its own secrets.

"Master, this thing—this threshing machine, windmill, watermill—is worth a try." "Really?"

"Yes."

Master Shao waved for him to leave, and when he looked at Xu Zhichun again, he could hardly hide his excitement: "Madam Xu, you are really lucky! You are so thoughtful! If these three things can be successfully completed, Madam Xu will definitely deserve some credit."

Xu Zhichun wanted to hear those words, so he didn't mince words and bowed generously to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Master Shao. Rest assured, Master, I wouldn't dare to act recklessly if I wasn't confident."

Master Shao laughed and said, "This is not considered reckless. If Madam Xu remembers anything else in the future, she can just say so. It doesn't matter whether she is confident or not. Even if it doesn't work, the master will not blame Madam Xu."

Xu Zhichun nodded and smiled: "Your Excellency is wise; it is a blessing for the people of Qingshan County."

Master Shao laughed heartily, but still wouldn't give up, he asked again, "Madam Xu, do you really not remember which book you read this in? What is the name of that book?"

Xu Zhichun pondered earnestly for a moment, then shook his head slightly with regret and guilt. "I've thought about it for a long time, and many times, but I still can't remember. I didn't take that book seriously before, and I didn't read it carefully. If only I had known earlier... Ah, hindsight is always 20/20."

"Oh, that's true."

Disappointed and regretful, Master Shao sighed and had no choice but to give up.

Master Shao went to report to Magistrate Lu. Granny Ji couldn't help but grab Xu Zhichun's hand, whispering excitedly, "Miss Xu, you are truly a capable person! This good fortune is unparalleled. The three things you presented are remarkable. If they succeed, you can expect a generous reward from the magistrate, guaranteed to satisfy you."

Xu Zhichun was both surprised and delighted, her eyes shining: "Granny, you're not just trying to make me happy or tease me, are you? I'll take it seriously."

"Of course not, you can rest assured and wait."

"Oh, thank you, Granny."

Xu Zhichun happily took his leave.

While Master Shao and the craftsman might still be feeling nervous and uneasy, she knew perfectly well that as long as the craftsman wasn't a charlatan, he would definitely be able to make something by following the blueprints.

A hefty reward? What hefty reward? All she wanted was protection.

Before this matter was settled, Xu Zhichun didn't say much. He continued to set up his stall with Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu'er as usual, and went home at noon.

That very evening, after dinner, just as they were about to go to bed, Zeng Xiaoyan arrived in a flurry, dragging Zeng Xiaojuan along with Qiao'er.

"What's wrong?!"

Xu Zhichun noticed that the two sisters looked rather strange, and her heart skipped a beat.

She let Chunfen play with Qiao'er in the yard while the three of them talked inside the house.

"what happened?"

Zeng Xiaoyan didn't know whether she was angry, anxious, or unsure how to express her feelings: "Sister-in-law Zhichun, my second sister wants to marry Uncle Yang Ming. I really don't know how she could have such an idea. I—she told me this today, and it startled me."

Startled, Zeng Xiaoyan didn't know what to do, so without thinking, she dragged the person over to Xu Zhichun.

Xu Zhichun was stunned when he heard this. "This..."

Zeng Xiaojuan blushed with embarrassment and lowered her head without saying a word.

Zeng Xiaoyan was even angrier, "Second sister, what's wrong with you? Are you trying to drive me crazy?!"

Xu Zhichun hurriedly said, "Xiao Yan, don't be anxious. Sister Xiao Juan, just tell us what you're thinking. We're all on the same side."

Happy New Year, everyone! May everyone be happy, healthy, and successful in the new year. Take good care of yourselves!
(End of this chapter)