Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 579 The Transmigrator Wants to Show Off

The sarcasm wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears with exceptional clarity, carrying a condescending disdain and a chilling coldness.

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to the sudden sarcasm, and they all turned to the source of the sound.

At the very back of the restaurant, in a dimly lit corner.

Three people were sitting around a square table.

At first glance, they look like a family of three, but an odd feeling lingers about them.

A middle-aged man, around fifty years old, was overweight with an oily face. A friendly smile was plastered on his round face. His coarse cloth short jacket was stained with large patches of oil, and a common, thick-backed kitchen knife was casually tucked into his waistband, its handle worn smooth and shiny.

He was leisurely and methodically handling a plate of braised pig's head, his movements relaxed, as if all the noise around him had nothing to do with him.

Like a cook.

Sitting opposite him was a middle-aged woman in her forties. Her appearance was only average, and her clothes were simple and unadorned.

However, the fabric was actually a delicate and supple silk, quite valuable.

What's even more striking is the austere and disciplined aura she exudes. Her hair is perfectly styled, her collar and cuffs are spotless, and even her nails are neatly trimmed, giving off an aloof and unapproachable vibe.

There was also a boy who looked only seven or eight years old.

The child's clothing was the strangest: a dark robe, clearly shortened from adult clothes, loosely draped over his small frame.

He sat upright, his small hands resting on his knees, his eyelids lowered, his long eyelashes casting a faint shadow on his cheeks, quiet to the point of being somewhat wooden.

If this were a couple who had a child late in life, the "couple" would be quite old; in this day and age, they would be old enough to be grandparents.

What's even stranger is that although the three of them appear to be sitting at the same table, a closer look reveals a lack of any of the warmth and affection that should exist between family members.

The man was engrossed in his food and grease, the woman was like a finely sculpted iceberg, and the boy appeared dull and slow-witted.

More like three companions.

The source of that sarcastic remark just now was this well-dressed, cold-faced middle-aged woman.

To be ridiculed in public by a woman during a discussion of national policy is like pouring a bucket of cold water into boiling oil!
After a brief period of silence, an even more violent eruption followed.

Several burly men sitting near the door, with menacing faces and clearly roughnecks, were the first to lose their temper. They slammed their fists on the table, causing the bowls and plates to rattle loudly.

"Where did this stinking old hag come from! Long hair, short brains! Who gives you the right to speak here? Get home and breastfeed your baby! You know nothing about converting rice paddies to mulberry fields!"

A man with a scar on his face pointed at the woman and shouted insults, spitting as he spoke.

Another burly man, his chest exposed and revealing thick chest hair, was even more vulgar. He glanced contemptuously at the greasy man who was engrossed in his food and sneered:
"Hey! You, the guy with a penis! Keep your wife in check! You can't even control a woman, what are you doing here? I'm ashamed for you! Are you even a man?"

The third one was even more vulgar, grinning and saying:
"Pshaw! You call us resentful women? I think you're the one who's the resentful woman in her boudoir! Is it because your man's thing is useless and he can't satisfy you in bed that you're so angry and come here to cause trouble?"

Foul language is like a venomous snake spitting its tongue, each utterance more unbearable than the last.

Liang Jin, witnessing all this, shook his head helplessly.

He decided to ignore the pointless squabbles of the common people and turned his gaze back to the imposing gates of the government office across the street from the window.

However, just as the group of martial artists' foul language was escalating—

Liang Jin's hand, which was holding a chopstick, suddenly stopped!
"Murderous!"

His gaze shifted from the government office to the "family of three" in the dimly lit corner.

really!

The greasy man, who kept his head down and shoveling rice into his mouth, did not pause for a moment, and did not even change the frequency of his chewing. But in his small eyes, which were half covered by his eyelids, a glint of light, colder than the frozen meat on the cutting board, suddenly flashed.

The woman, as cold as an iceberg, had a faint, cruel sneer at the corner of her mouth, and her fingers holding the teacup had nails that were trimmed to an unusually sharp point.

The most chilling thing was the little boy—he slowly raised his head.

Those eyes!

That's definitely not the look a seven or eight-year-old child should have!
There was no trace of innocence or naivety within it, only cruelty and bloodthirsty desire.

It seemed as if a ferocious beast, ready to devour its prey, was imprisoned within its small body.

In that very instant, when the air was thick with murderous intent...

The middle-aged woman tapped her right index finger twice on the greasy tabletop.

The sound was so soft that it was almost drowned out by the surrounding noise.

but--

It was at the very moment that the soft, command-like sound fell!

A sudden change occurred!

The boy's figure vanished from the spot without warning!

No, it's not disappearing, it's almost gone!
Everyone felt a blur before their eyes, and a blurry phantom seemed to explode out of thin air in the dim corner. They heard several sharp, ear-piercing whistles.
The sound was short, swift, and deadly!
Like the flapping of a bee's wings, or like the scythe of death!
The afterimage vanished in a flash.

The next moment, the boy in the oversized, ill-fitting clothes sat back down properly in his original seat, as if he had never left.

The only difference was that he was now playing with a uniquely shaped, thin as a willow leaf throwing knife in his chubby little hands.

On the tip of the knife, a drop of viscous, dark red blood is slowly gathering and elongating.

With a "plop," a drop of blood fell onto the greasy, dirty ground, blooming into a small blood flower.

Where is the trace of childishness on his rosy little face?
A slight upturn of his lips revealed a cruel smile that seemed completely out of character for his age, as he coldly surveyed the few martial artists who had been shouting the loudest.

"what--!!!"

"Uhhh-!!!"

The agonizing screams suddenly erupted at this moment.

Those martial artists who were just talking so eloquently now looked like chickens with their necks being choked, tightly covering their mouths with both hands.

Blood gushed from between their fingers like a spring, instantly staining their palms and shirts red!

Their mouths were precisely and cruelly slit open by a sharp weapon, starting from the corners of their mouths, with the wounds tearing all the way down to their ears!

The skin rolled back, revealing the stark white teeth and scarlet gums inside.

The horrific wounds prevented them from closing their mouths, leaving them with only a huge, eerie smile.

Each spasm and twitch from excruciating pain exposed the hideous wound even more, making the two rows of teeth stand out starkly against the bloodstains.

The excruciating pain caused them to weep uncontrollably and tremble violently.

However, in the face of boundless fear, even the excruciating pain seemed to take a backseat.

They clutched their bleeding wounds, their eyes filled with utter horror and disbelief as they looked at the boy!

"Wow...so fast...speed! Wow...such superb lightness skill!"

The scarred man, enduring excruciating pain, roared incoherently, each word slurred with blood.

The other martial artist seemed to remember something; his pupils suddenly shrank to pinpoints, and all color drained from his face, leaving only a deathly ashen fear.

He pointed at the boy, his voice trembling with extreme horror:

"You...you are...Thousand Machine Child!!!"

The four words exploded like a thunderclap in the small restaurant!

"hiss--!"

In an instant, a collective gasp filled the entire restaurant!
All the diners froze on the spot, a chill running from the soles of their feet straight to the top of their heads!

When they looked at the boy again, their eyes were filled with a deep-seated fear, as if he were not a person, but a vengeful ghost from the deepest hell wearing human skin!

Thousand Machine Boy!

In the martial arts world, this name means bloodshed, cruelty, and lawlessness!

Rumor has it that this person is not a real child, but suffers from a strange disease that keeps his body forever in the shape of a seven or eight-year-old, like a legendary dwarf.

As for his real age, no one knows it anymore; all that is known is that he has been famous for many years and is infamous for his wickedness!

He was skilled in the art of mechanisms and hidden weapons, and his methods were unpredictable and ruthless. He was once recruited by the Six Doors' Mechanical Department.

However, this man was naturally arrogant, cruel, and violent. Because he was not under control, he tortured and killed his superior in an extremely cruel way during a conflict.

He then defected from the Six Doors and became a wanted criminal with a large reward offered by the imperial court.

Over the years, he has roamed various places and committed numerous bloody crimes. Every time he strikes, death and terror follow. His fearsome reputation is enough to stop even a child from crying!

At this moment, this ferocious god was actually sitting right in front of them!

Fear, like an icy tide, instantly engulfed everyone.

The government office was right across the street, within arm's reach, yet at that moment, not a single person dared to entertain the slightest thought of reporting it to the authorities.

Under the cold, venomous gaze of the Thousand Machine Child, any rash action could lead to annihilation!
"Woo...Woo..."

Those martial artists whose mouths had been slit, enduring excruciating pain and bone-deep fear, knelt on the ground in a wretched state.

They kowtowed desperately toward the direction of the Thousand Machine Boy, uttering indistinct pleas for mercy and gratitude.

Blood dripped down their chins and pooled on the ground.

However, the young boy's face remained completely unmoved.

He continued to toy with the blood-dripping throwing knife, a cruel smile playing on his lips, his cold eyes sweeping over everyone in the restaurant.

It's like watching a flock of lambs waiting to be slaughtered.

The chilling killing intent emanating from him did not diminish despite the other party's pleas for mercy; on the contrary, it grew increasingly intense and viscous, almost tangible.

The air was almost frozen!
And it enveloped the entire venue!

In those child's eyes gleamed a naked, undisguised desire for destruction.

"Should we silence them?"

Liang Jin shook his head slightly upon seeing this.

The intense killing intent of the Thousand Machine Child even enveloped Liang Jin as well.

Since this Thousand Machine Boy is highly skilled in martial arts, it is in line with the logic of a vicious and wanted criminal to kill and silence witnesses after his identity was exposed and to massacre the restaurant.

But this place is right across from the county government office. Even if he silences them, how long can he keep it a secret?

Wouldn't that be redundant?
Seeing that the matter had already involved him, Liang Jin did not intend to wait for the Thousand Machine Child to make a move before retaliating, but instead took the initiative to strike.

So Liang Jin stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to the Thousand Machine Boy, and said:

"Since you've already cut their mouths, please show some mercy and spare their lives."

The Thousand Machine Boy's cold, lifeless eyes flickered slightly, and his sinister gaze, like two poisoned daggers, suddenly pierced Liang Jin.

He grinned, revealing a chilling smile that clashed drastically with his youthful face; his childlike voice carried a bone-chilling coldness.
"Ha...you have quite the nerve. You actually dare to plead for them?"

His fingers, holding the throwing knife, twitched slightly, the blade reflecting a cold, glint in the dim light.
"Do you want to die?"

That chilling killing intent surged toward Liang Jin like a tidal wave.

The air inside the restaurant seemed to freeze, and everyone felt as if an invisible hand was gripping their hearts tightly, almost suffocating them.

Despite this blatant threat of death, Liang Jin's smile remained unchanged; he laughed heartily and waved his hand.
"Of course not, why would I dare to court death?"

"I just saw that everyone was quite angry, so I came out to mediate and make peace. It's too dangerous to resort to knives and guns, and it would damage the harmony too much."

His tone was relaxed, even carrying a touch of the slickness of a commoner, as if he were completely oblivious to the imminent threat of death:
"If you want to chat, we can sit down and talk slowly. There's really no need for fighting."

"For example, let's talk about what I just mentioned... oh, it's about converting rice paddies to mulberry fields! This lady... seems quite interested in a good solution for breaking the deadlock in converting rice paddies to mulberry fields?"

"Why don't we sit down and talk about this calmly? It's better than resorting to knives, don't you think?"

Anger flashed across the young face of the Thousand Machine Boy.

How could he not hear the contempt and mockery in Liang Jin's tone?

You're really asking for it!

The childlike face of the Thousand Machine Child instantly twisted, becoming as ferocious as a demon, with a fierce light shooting from his eyes!

The throwing knife emitted a soft hum at his fingertips, and it was about to transform into a deadly bolt of lightning!

Liang Jin didn't care.

If this guy really dares to make a move, then he can just slap him to death.

If it weren't for the fact that his clone was renowned as a "timely rain," considered by many to be public-spirited, righteous, and easy to get along with, he would have been a different person.

Otherwise, why would he talk so much nonsense?

Any other clone would have made a move long ago!
Sometimes, Liang Jin began to feel that each of his alter egos had changed its style of doing things because of the roles they needed to play.

The clone of Qingyi Tower can fight his way through the Western Desert.

The Taiping Dao's clones are increasingly resembling charlatans.

The clones of the Dragon Gate can act as leaders or subordinates.

Now, with this new identity, her temper seems to have improved, she smiles more, and she has made more friends and brothers.

At the same time, this clone was not as aggressive and was more accustomed to using diplomacy first and then resorting to force.

At this time.

Just as the Thousand Machine Boy was about to launch his flying knife.

Just when everyone in the restaurant thought blood was about to spill from one side of the wall—

"Oh?"

A clear, cold female voice, like jade striking against jade, with a deliberately drawn-out ending, suddenly rang out, abruptly interrupting the murderous intent that Qianji Tongzi was about to unleash.

It was that well-dressed, cold-faced middle-aged woman!

She put down her teacup, the bottom of which made a crisp sound as it hit the table.

She raised her eyes, and for the first time, her sharp, hawk-like gaze fell upon Liang Jin with a truly scrutinizing look.

Do you have a good solution to break this deadlock?

The woman's voice was not loud, but it clearly drowned out all the noise, carrying an undeniable authority:

"I'd really like to hear it."

Her words brought the Thousand Machine Child, who was about to erupt, to a halt as if bound by an invisible rope.

He turned back to the woman with extreme displeasure, making a low, beast-like growl in his throat as if he were questioning her.

However, the woman didn't even glance at him out of the corner of her eye; she simply stared intently at Liang Jin with great interest.

Her gaze was so sharp it seemed to pierce through skin and go straight to the heart.

"but……"

The woman's tone shifted abruptly, her voice dropping to freezing temperatures, each word seemingly carrying the biting winds of the north, chilling one's very soul:
"I hope you're not wasting my time, otherwise..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the chilling murderous intent contained in her unfinished words was even more terrifying than the Thousand Machine Child's naked threat.

The consequences are self-evident.

Upon hearing the second half of this sentence, the dissatisfaction on Qianji Tongzi's face subsided slightly, and that cruel yet satisfied expression reappeared.

Liang Jin didn't mind.

It's okay to say it, it's not a problem.

Besides, he was a transmigrator after all, and since transmigrating, he hadn't had a chance to use his knowledge from his previous life to show off.

Now, it's time to show off.

"Since Madam is in such high spirits, then I shall humbly offer my humble contribution!"

With a broad smile, Liang Jin sat down again, even pouring himself a cup of coarse tea to moisten his throat.

His calm and composed demeanor was completely out of place in the tense and bloody atmosphere around him.

"The imperial court has been promoting the conversion of rice paddies to mulberry fields for many years, hoping to enrich the national treasury with the profits from silk production. However, the forced implementation has been too hasty, and the drawbacks have already become apparent. In the south, mulberry fields are encroaching on rice paddies, grain prices are soaring, people's livelihoods are declining, and the number of displaced people is gradually increasing."

"If we were to forcibly order the conversion of the already established mulberry fields back into rice paddies at this time, not only would there be enormous resistance and damage to the livelihood of mulberry farmers, but it would also be a case of changing orders frequently and undermining the prestige of the court. It would not be a wise move."

Liang Jin's voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

He spoke slowly and clearly, and immediately got to the heart of the matter, making everyone listen intently.

Liang Jin was naturally aware of the plan to convert rice paddies to mulberry fields.

In particular, he has multiple avatars in the south, north, and south, allowing him to see the matter from different perspectives and understand it more thoroughly than most others.

"In my opinion, the way to break the deadlock lies first and foremost in 'taking things slowly, combining mulberry and rice farming, creating an ecological cycle, and ensuring people's livelihood.' A composite farming method called 'mulberry-dike-fishpond' can be promoted."

Liang Jin introduced this novel term that surprised everyone.

"Specifically..."

He dipped his rough fingers in the tea and began to draw a simple diagram on the greasy tabletop:
"Farmers can be organized into a basic unit of ten mu: four mu for rice cultivation according to the old system to ensure food supply; three mu for planting mulberry trees around the pond; two mu for digging a pond to raise fish; and finally, one mu for building a public granary."

He explained as he drew, his voice steady and powerful, carrying a convincing certainty:

"What's so wonderful about this method? It's the word 'cycle'!" "The water used for irrigating rice paddies can be diverted into fishponds to nourish the fish; the fertile pond mud deposited at the bottom of the fishponds can be dug out regularly to serve as excellent fertilizer for mulberry fields; the mulberry trees are lush, and the mulberry leaves are used to feed silkworms, producing silk; and the silkworm excrement produced during silkworm rearing is a natural food that fish love to eat! In this way, water and land are mutually nourished, and both grain and silk are harvested, forming a continuous cycle."

"According to my estimation, compared to planting mulberry trees or rice alone, this method can not only increase the income by more than three times, but also effectively diversify the risks, guaranteeing a good harvest regardless of drought or flood, and not fearing disasters."

Liang Jin paused and looked around.

The restaurant fell silent; everyone was stunned.

The middle-aged woman frowned, her eyes gleaming, clearly deep in thought about this unprecedented idea.

"Not only that."

Liang Jin continued, tapping his finger on the table:

"A 'regulation' mechanism still needs to be established."

"The government should make overall plans. In years of good harvest, farmers can be guided to increase the proportion of mulberry fields to obtain more silk profits. In years of disaster and food shortage, the contingency plan should be activated immediately to convert mulberry fields back to rice fields and prioritize grain production."

"Furthermore, we must establish 'mulberry and rice regulating granaries,' whereby the government will uniformly purchase and store surplus grain in good years, and release grain into the granaries in famine years to stabilize grain prices and provide relief to disaster victims. Only by ensuring that 'three years of farming will guarantee a year's worth of food' can we establish a solid foundation and maintain public stability!"

As Liang Jin finished speaking, the simple water stain diagram on the table seemed to shimmer with light.

He felt a slight sense of pride, like someone who had traveled through time.

This combines the "mulberry-dike-fishpond" ecological agriculture model, which has been tested and proven over hundreds of years in the Pearl River Delta region, with the essence of modern ecological agriculture theory!

This kind of groundbreaking wisdom should surely bring a little bit of shock to people of this era, right?
really!

The coldness and contempt that had been on the middle-aged woman's face had vanished.

Instead, there was deep contemplation and an undisguised shock.

Her sharp gaze was fixed on the water stain picture on the table, as if she wanted to etch it into her mind.

Even the rough men in the restaurant who used to only know how to brandish knives and guns or do small business all looked at Liang Jin in a completely different way.

Shock, bewilderment, and disbelief eventually transformed into profound awe.

This dark-faced man is really something!

I'm not exaggerating!
Liang Jin didn't give everyone much time to process the shock. He cleared his throat, his voice becoming even louder:

"Simply changing the way crops are planted in the fields is not enough to completely break the deadlock."

"Supporting reforms to the handicraft industry are also needed to truly unleash the potential of 'converting rice paddies to mulberry fields' and benefit all people!"

Liang Jin's words were sharp and pointed, hitting the nail on the head:
"First, the management of silk production must be reformed. A weaving and dyeing bureau should be established to purchase silk in a unified manner, with the price set at twelve times the price of rice. This will ensure that the income of mulberry farmers is no less than that of rice farmers, and merchants will be strictly prohibited from hoarding and speculating."

"Furthermore, advanced machinery can be promoted to improve the efficiency of silk weaving, making the benefits of ten mulberry trees equivalent to those of a hundred rice trees."

Liang Jin's eyes shone brightly, as if he could see a vision of the future:

"Side businesses also need to be diversified, so that mulberry farmers can also grow drought-resistant crops such as hemp and beans, and develop techniques such as mulberry winemaking and mulberry branch papermaking, so that every part of a mulberry tree can be utilized, thus diversifying the risks of relying on a single economic activity."

Liang Jin's words progressed step by step, from farming to weaving, from the main business to the sideline business, constructing a vast and clear blueprint for reform.

Most of the people in the restaurant seemed to understand but not quite, only that the direction seemed very correct, the logic was clear, and the tone was powerful.

However, the specifics of how to operate, especially the "advanced equipment" and "development techniques," remained a vague fog in their minds.

The middle-aged woman had a furrowed brow; she was clearly the one who listened most attentively and understood the most deeply.

Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the table unconsciously, her eyes sharp as knives, as if dissecting every detail of Liang Jin's words, assessing their feasibility and value.

The greasy middle-aged man beside her continued to gnaw on his pig's head with a smile, completely ignoring this grand pronouncement that was enough to shake everyone, as if there was nothing else in the world but the delicious food in front of him.

however.

Qianji Tongzi, who has always been exceptionally sensitive to technical matters, let out a sharp, cold laugh at this moment!

"Hmph! So he's nothing but a glib-tongued, boastful pedant!"

The childish voice of the Thousand Machine Boy was filled with biting sarcasm as he pointed at Liang Jin, as if he had seized upon the man's fatal weakness:
"What promotion of advanced equipment? What development of new technologies? It sounds better than it's being sung!"

"Why don't you take out that 'advanced equipment' and let everyone have a look?"

"Without physical evidence or blueprints, you expect people to believe you just by talking? That's a complete joke!"

Having previously worked in the Six Doors' mechanical system, he was well-versed in the difficulties of mechanical manufacturing. He seized upon the vagueness in Liang Jin's words and his remarks became even more incisive:
"And those so-called 'new technologies' sound interesting, but how are they implemented? What tools are used? What methods are employed? You need to give me a clear explanation!"

"It's all empty talk, vague and impractical! It might fool these laymen, but to show off in front of me? Trying to teach a fish to swim!"

The Thousand Machine Boy's question was like a bucket of cold water being poured over his head.

Many people began to look at Liang Jin with suspicion again.

Yes, it sounds impressive, but where is the crucial technological support?

Without these, even the best blueprint is just a castle in the air.

Faced with this aggressive questioning, Liang Jin not only did not panic, but instead revealed an even brighter, more excited smile.

It was as if they had been waiting for Qianji Tongzi to ask about this point.

"Who says I'm just talking nonsense?"

Liang Jin retorted loudly, his eyes gleaming with confidence:
"Since I dare to say it, I am naturally confident!"

"The shopkeeper's!"

He suddenly raised his voice.

The shopkeeper, who was hiding behind the counter, jumped in surprise and quickly responded:

"Yes, yes! Please give your orders, sir!"

Liang Jin waved his hand dramatically, exuding an imposing aura:

"Bring me paper and a pen!"

Perhaps due to the existence of supernatural powers, the agricultural technology in this world is not advanced enough.

Even lagging behind.

Liang Jin's treasure trove of knowledge from his previous life was as vast as the sea; just a scoop out of it would be enough to leave people of this era speechless.

Today, he's going to show these people what a dimensional reduction attack really is!

soon.

The shopkeeper personally and cautiously brought over the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and carefully laid them on a relatively clean table in front of Liang Jin.

Everyone in the restaurant, including the middle-aged woman and the Thousand Machine Boy, focused their attention on Liang Jin's rough, dark, calloused hands.

Liang Jin took a deep breath and pondered for a moment.

The large spinning wheel described in Wang Zhen's "Agricultural Treatise" from the Yuan Dynasty can be used to improve the efficiency of silk weaving.

The technology is too advanced for this era to achieve.

Just use something that is easy for people in this world to understand, easy to achieve, and transcends this world.

Immediately.

Liang Jin picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and with a steady and powerful wrist, began to sketch quickly on the rough Xuan paper without the slightest hesitation!
What he painted was not flowers, birds, landscapes, or water, but a mechanical device!
The brushstrokes are fluid and powerful, with clear and smooth lines.

As the drawings took shape, Liang Jin explained them aloud as he drew:
"This device is called the 'Water-Powered Spinning Wheel'! It is the key to improving silk reeling efficiency!"

He pointed to the core component on the blueprint:

"The key lies in the ingenious use of water power! A 'water-powered silk reeling workshop' can be built near a stream. A large bamboo tube with its joints removed serves as a water channel, drawing water from the stream above and impacting a huge waterwheel below. The waterwheel rotates, driving multiple reeling machines to operate simultaneously through a transmission device!"

He emphasized the drawing of the linkage mechanism:

"Look, everyone! One waterwheel can drive ten, or even more, spinning wheels at the same time! The spinners only need to watch the silk thread being fed into the spindles, without having to exert themselves to turn the spinning wheels! In this way, one person's strength can be equivalent to that of ten people, working day and night, increasing efficiency by more than double!"

With just a few strokes, a highly efficient silk reeling workshop that utilizes the power of nature and liberates human labor leaps off the page!

With the final stroke, Liang Jin blew on the still-wet ink, casually rolled up the drawing, and with a hint of mockery, tossed it towards Qianji Tongzi like a bone.

The roll of paper drew an arc in the air.

Qianji Tongzi snorted coldly, reached out with his small hand, and accurately grabbed it in his hand.

With utmost criticalness and disdain, he unfolded the blueprints, his gaze sweeping over every line and every annotation with the precision of a ruler.

The restaurant was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone eagerly awaited Qianji Tongzi's evaluation.

a long time.

Qianji Tongzi curled his lip and let out an extremely disdainful sneer, casually tossing the blueprints onto the table as if they were some kind of filthy garbage.

He crossed his arms and, in his uniquely childlike voice, unleashed a torrent of sarcasm:
"Crude! Simple! Absolutely no sophistication! This thing is so simple and straightforward in structure that it's like a three-year-old's scribbles!"

"It's not technically difficult at all. Any carpenter in the countryside can assemble it by following the blueprints!"

"Absolutely no aesthetic appeal, no challenge whatsoever! It's an insult to my skills in mechanical engineering! Garbage! Waste paper!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts sank.

His gaze toward Liang Jin was once again filled with disappointment and doubt.

As expected, the dark-faced man was just bragging.
The painted instruments were dismissed as worthless.

however.

The middle-aged woman, who had been staring intently at Qianji Tongzi, keenly caught a fleeting look of surprise and... a hint of suppressed annoyance deep in his eyes.
She remained calm and asked in a cool voice:
"I only ask you this: compared to the foot-operated or hand-cranked reeling machines commonly used in Daqian today, how efficient does this device compare? Can it improve efficiency?"

This question struck at Qianji Tongzi's Achilles' heel!

His disdain froze instantly, followed by a barely perceptible hint of embarrassment.

He coughed twice, his eyes flickering. Under the woman's all-knowing gaze, he finally steeled himself and reluctantly muttered:

"Hmph! Efficiency... efficiency improvement is natural."

"This piece of junk may be crude and lack any technical sophistication, but... but the principle is correct."

"Using water power to drive multiple vehicles in tandem... it should be several times more efficient than those clumsy machines that rely entirely on manpower... that shouldn't be a problem."

By the end, his voice had become barely audible, filled with frustration.

"Wow——!"

The restaurant erupted in an uproar! Everyone suddenly realized what was going on!

That's it!

The Thousand Machine Child pursues the ultimate ingenuity, complexity, expense, and artistry of mechanical arts—the kind of refined art reserved for top masters.

However, Liang Jin's design was aimed at the vast number of grassroots farmers, pursuing practicality, low price, and easy promotion—a "commoner's" product!
In the eyes of the Thousand Machine Boy, this was naturally "crude and crude".

But in the eyes of the millions of peasant women weavers who rely on silk reeling to make a living, this "water-powered spinning wheel" is nothing short of a magic tool that turns stone into gold!
Being able to increase efficiency several times over is already a huge blessing!
The middle-aged woman's eyes flashed with a sharp light!
Before Qianji Tongzi could react, she suddenly reached out and snatched the blueprints from the table!
The movement was so swift that it even stirred up a gentle breeze.

She held the drawing, which Qianji Tongzi had dismissed as "waste paper," with utmost care, as if it were a priceless treasure.

His fingers trembled slightly with excitement, and his eyes were focused and burning, as if he wanted to engrave the entire drawing deep into his mind.

That look of cherishing something as if it were a priceless treasure, as if afraid of damaging it in the slightest, was completely different from his previous icy indifference!

She saw more than just a change in the textile industry.

This has triggered a series of impacts on the entire agricultural sector!

She stared at him for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea before suddenly raising her head and looking intently at Liang Jin.

At this moment, there was no longer any contempt or arrogance in her eyes, but instead a sense of respect and a hint of barely perceptible eagerness!

"gentlemen!"

Her voice remained cool and clear, but it carried an unprecedented solemnity:
"Since you can draw such ingenious blueprints for weaving efficiency so easily, you must also have a deep understanding of the various improvement techniques you just mentioned!"

"I hope you will not hesitate to enlighten me, sir! I am all ears!"

Her tone also changed from its previous cold and arrogant manner to one of respect.

This attitude surprised everyone.

Liang Jin was practically overflowing with the thrill of successfully showing off.

He loves this attitude of respecting knowledge and talent!
If no one asks such a question, how can he continue to show off?
"You're too kind, Madam!"

Liang Jin laughed heartily and waved his hand with boundless pride:

"Since Madam wishes to hear, then I will speak frankly and without reservation!"

Next, Liang Jin got completely into the zone.

He combined the essence of ancient agricultural classics he knew from his previous life, drawing on a wide range of sources and explaining them in a simple and easy-to-understand way, using the most plain and vivid language to tell those seemingly profound "techniques".

It was as if a series of pictures of farming and various crafts, full of wisdom and vitality, were unfolding before everyone.

In silkworm breeding, he adopted the method of "selecting cocoons and moths" from the "Essentials of Sericulture". Every year during the Qingming Festival, he selected strong moths and raised them in a warm room with mulberry buds to cultivate a good breed with large cocoons and long silk threads.

Besides feeding silkworms, according to the "Compendium of Famine Relief Herbs", tender mulberry leaves can be steamed, dried, and made into "mulberry tea", which can relieve summer heat and satisfy hunger.

When the mulberries ripen, they are sealed in earthenware jars, mixed with rice yeast, and brewed into purple wine according to the brewing method in "Qimin Yaoshu" for use in village drinking ceremonies.

Mulberry branches are cut into lengths and placed in cellars. During the autumn and winter off-season, the "kiln workers' guild" burns mulberry branch charcoal. This charcoal has a uniform heat and is a good product for iron smelting and casting.

According to the "Illustrated Compendium of Agricultural Implements", water mills were set up in villages and communities to pound rice into brown rice, and the broken rice that was sifted out was used to make porridge for famine relief.

After the rice husks are collected, they are woven into raincoats by bamboo craftsmen or sent to charcoal kilns to be burned into "rice husk charcoal" for use as horticultural fertilizer.

In addition, there are the "seed soaking method" and "grafting technique" recorded in "Essentials of Agriculture, Sericulture, Clothing and Food". There are also contents on improving agricultural tools in "The Classic of Leisi".

……

Liang Jin spoke fluently and slowly, but every word he uttered was precious.

He combined the wisdom hidden in ancient books with the specific circumstances of this world, transforming it into clear, feasible, and profitable ways to make money and to ensure the well-being of the people.

He not only talked about methods, but also about principles, how to adapt to local conditions, and how to benefit the farmers at the bottom of society.

The entire restaurant had long been enveloped in a strange atmosphere.

The initial fear and bloodshed were replaced by a more powerful force—the thirst for knowledge and the desire for wealth.

The middle-aged woman listened with rapt attention, sometimes frowning in deep thought, sometimes her eyes flashing with sudden realization, and sometimes she quickly jotting down notes in a delicate little book she carried with her, completely unaware that ink had stained her expensive sleeves.

The look in her eyes as she gazed at Liang Jin was filled with unprecedented shock and... an almost fanatical desire to explore!
The other listeners in the restaurant reacted more directly and enthusiastically:

The farmers listened with shining eyes and heavy breathing!

Those methods of seed selection, fertilization, utilization of rice husks, and the fact that every part of the mulberry tree is valuable are practically tailor-made for their survival!

It's as if I can see a future where the fields are piled high with gold!
The small vendors, on the other hand, shrewdly calculated the business opportunities involved:
Mulberry wine, mulberry tea, mulberry bark paper, rice husk charcoal... these are all novel products that I've never heard of before!
Wouldn't it be a great way to make a fortune if we shipped it to other places?
His eyes were filled with greed for wealth.

Craftsmen, carpenters, bamboo weavers, and kiln workers were so excited they could hardly contain themselves!

Water-powered spinning wheels, water-powered mills, charcoal making... all of these require their skills!

It was as if countless orders and livelihoods were beckoning to them!

Even the minor officials huddled in the corner, no longer afraid of the Thousand Machine Boy, secretly took out their charcoal pencils and notebooks and began to write furtively.

They might not understand the deeper meaning, but they instinctively felt that what this dark-faced man was saying was likely a major achievement that would interest the higher-ups!

The news spread like wildfire throughout the small town of Jinxi!
"In the restaurant across from the county government office, there's a strange man talking about the secrets to making money!"

"It's true! Even that fierce-looking Thousand Machine Child didn't dare to make a move when he heard it!"

"What? Mulberry trees are all valuable? Rice husks can be sold for money? And there are water-powered spinning wheels?"

"Hurry up! Hurry up! If you're late, you won't be able to hear us!"

……

At first, it was the nearby vendors and merchants, and then it was the farmers and artisans who came after hearing the news.

Finally, even wealthy people who were sitting idly at home, curious scholars, and even more government officials and clerks flocked to that small restaurant like a tide!
The small restaurant was instantly packed with people!
Doorways, windows—everywhere you could stand was packed with people!
The people behind them stood on tiptoe, craning their necks, trying desperately to hear every word coming from inside.

The people inside were squeezed and swayed, sweating profusely, yet not a single one complained or left.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed intently on the ordinary figure sitting by the window, dark-skinned, talking eloquently.

The restaurant owner was already so busy he barely had time to breathe, but his face was beaming with joy as he directed his terrified waiters to bring out benches and even remove door panels for people outside to step on.

The scene was chaotic and frenzied, filled with the smells of sweat, dust, and a restless atmosphere of "hope."

Jinxi City, this long-silent border town, has not seen such a scene of thousands of people flocking to hear one person speak for countless years!
All eyes and all expectations were focused on Liang Jin.

Meanwhile, the "family of three" in the corner were in a completely different state:
The greasy man continued to gnaw on the last bone with a smile, as if all the frenzy around him had nothing to do with him.

Qianji Tongzi crossed his arms, his face so gloomy it could drip water, his eyes staring at Liang Jin, who was surrounded by the crowd, with a complex mix of jealousy, resentment, and a hint of... indescribable fear.

The middle-aged woman was completely immersed in her own world, her pen moving swiftly and continuously, taking notes. Occasionally, she would look up at Liang Jin with a gaze as deep and unfathomable as if she were assessing a priceless treasure that could shake the very foundations of the world.

The gates of the government office outside the window remained heavily guarded.

The afterglow of the setting sun cast its long shadow across the bustling, crowded street, like a silent behemoth watching the storm stirred up by a single word.

It's getting dark...

(End of this chapter)