I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 232 All the Money Gone
Because no one had figured out a way to improve the loom, the thousand taels of gold were left in front of the Wenchang Gate, enticing passersby.

Unfortunately, the thousand taels of gold were surrounded by heavily armed soldiers, so everyone just looked on with envy, satisfied their curiosity, and then asked Liu Miao why he had placed the thousand taels there, and that was the end of it.
Now that they suddenly heard that someone had come up with a way to improve the loom and was going to take the thousand gold pieces, the people of the entire Xiangyang city were all in a frenzy. They surrounded the Wenchang Gate three times to the left and three times to the right, eagerly watching to see who was so capable that they wanted to take Liu Miao's thousand gold pieces!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Three drumbeats sounded, and Liu Miao rode out of the city gate in a carriage and arrived in front of the thousand gold pieces.

Upon seeing Liu Miao arrive in person, the surrounding people became even more excited, constantly looking around for him.

"I have met General Liu."

Suddenly, a tall young scholar with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes came up and bowed to Liu Miao.

"You are Zhuge Liang?"

The young scholar quickly denied it: "I am Zhuge Jun, and Zhuge Liang is my elder brother."

"My brother sent me here to invite General Liu to visit another place."

elsewhere?

Before Liu Miao could speak, the surrounding people became unhappy.

"This person has quite the airs!"

"Commander Liu is of such high status that you can't just invite him around like that."

"General Liu! In my opinion, these two brothers are definitely swindlers!!"

"..."

Although Liu Miao has been spending his days racking his brains to empty the pockets of wealthy families in other regions using white porcelain, most of his officials are busy with the reforms in Jingzhou.

Previously, the land and wealth of Jingzhou were excessively concentrated in the hands of powerful families, so the land that Liu Miao now had at his disposal was more than enough to distribute to the people of Jingzhou.

It's nothing to brag; it's impressive to actually deliver on your boasts!

At least the principle of "land to the tiller" has now been fully implemented in Jingbei, allowing the people of Jingbei to enjoy the same treatment as the people of Jiangdong, who have private land and permanent property.

Therefore, although Liu Miao controlled Jingzhou for less than a fraction of the time Liu Biao did, his prestige among the people undoubtedly surpassed that of Liu Biao!
In addition, the establishment of the Wenchangmen Academy not only enabled some poor families to become rich quickly, but also made Jingzhou extremely wealthy today.

Tables, chairs, benches, pots, pans, and bowls.

The prices of these goods have already dropped to historical lows in Jingzhou, and are expected to continue to decline in the future.

Now everyone owns land and can afford to buy goods in the market, which is the most comfortable life these people have lived in the last hundred years!

Originally, everyone was just watching the show, but when they suddenly heard that this Zhuge Liang was actually ordering Liu Miao around, they couldn't help but get angry and started cursing at Zhuge Jun.

When Zhuge Jun realized that he had angered everyone, his face turned pale instantly. He didn't dare to look at Liu Miao, thinking that he was about to be punished by Liu Miao.

"boarding!"

"what?"

Zhuge Jun looked up in surprise, only to find that Liu Miao had already moved half his buttock to the side to make room for him.

"Get on up here! Otherwise, do you think these people really wouldn't dare to hit you?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Jun hurriedly climbed onto Liu Miao's carriage and thanked Liu Miao.

"No need for thanks."

Liu Miao pulled out his robe, which had been pressed down by Zhuge Jun: "I guess your brother Zhuge Liang wants me to see the improved loom?"

"If he can really make that thing and double the production of cloth, then that will be a great achievement for generations to come!"

"I am not going there for him as a person, but for something that will allow countless people to afford clothes! Do you understand?"

"General Liu is benevolent and righteous!"

Before Zhuge Jun could finish speaking, Liu Miao had already wrapped his arms around his neck: "On the contrary, if you and your brother conspired to deceive me just to gain fame and reputation, then don't blame me!"

Zhuge Jun felt a chill run down his spine, but he was so frightened that he couldn't even speak.

"Hahaha! Just kidding, why are you so nervous?"

Liu Miao suddenly laughed heartily and shouted to Zhou Tai in front of him, "Let's go!"

At the same time, Liu Miao shouted to the soldiers in front of the city gate, "Bring that thousand gold pieces with you!"

So Zhou Tai drove the carriage at the front, followed by several soldiers carrying the thousand taels of gold, and then countless civilians, all heading off in a grand procession to another place.

Fortunately, the road Zhuge Jun pointed out was not too far. In just half an hour, they were able to see a black dot on the riverbank.

Upon closer inspection, someone in the crowd immediately exclaimed, "Good heavens! How can there be such a huge loom?"

What you see sitting by the water is a giant loom that is about ten feet tall and about two feet long!
What Liu Miao saw first was a huge waterwheel, ten feet tall, extending from the loom.

Upon seeing this, Liu Miao smiled knowingly.

"No wonder he asked me to come here. It seems that Zhuge Kongming was not being arrogant or seeking fame. I had misunderstood him."

The appearance of that waterwheel also confirmed Liu Miao's direction for Zhuge Liang's improvements—

Just as Han Ji replaced horse-drawn and human-drawn carts with improved water-powered carts in iron smelting, Zhuge Liang's original intention in improving the loom was also to improve power, replacing human labor with water power. Water flow impacting a wooden waterwheel generates power, which, through a transmission device, drives the spindles and yarn frames to rotate synchronously. Employing continuous rotation and twisting technology, multiple spindles can operate simultaneously via water power, thus completely liberating human labor.

At the same time, the power of the water turbine can also drive more spindles to operate, thus enabling the weaving of more cloth and improving the efficiency of the entire loom!

"It seems I'm afraid I can't keep my daughter."

Even though he was about to lose money, Liu Miao couldn't hide the smile on his face no matter what!
As you approach that colossal object, you'll see a person standing there, having been waiting for quite some time.

With a feather fan and silk turban, he possessed a majestic appearance!
His face was as handsome as jade, and his eyebrows and eyes were clear and bright!
This is the kind of scholar known as "Sleeping Dragon" that we all admire!
Then look at Pang Tong next to him...sigh~
Pang Tong also noticed Liu Miao's gaze. Although he twitched his nose slightly, he did not retaliate.

If he were facing someone of average appearance, Pang Tong would dare to go up and argue with them.

But when faced with handsome men of Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang's caliber, Pang Tong could only feel helpless.
When Liu Miao arrived in front of Zhuge Liang, he got off the carriage and immediately grasped Zhuge Liang's hand.

"The name of Wolong is truly well-deserved!"

"I haven't said anything to Liu Biaoqi yet."

“It’s powered by water, and I just counted, there are a full thirty-five spindles on it… If they all run at the same time, it can probably spin more than a hundred catties of hemp yarn a day, right?”

Zhuge Liang was not only handsome, but also had a clear and melodious voice, with each word ringing out.

But when Zhuge Liang heard Liu Miao's words, his voice was filled with surprise: "General Liu, you actually managed to see that?"

"You can only tell the difference. If I were to make it myself, I couldn't possibly make a loom like that."

Liu Miao patted the huge loom and exclaimed in admiration again: "Such a thing exists. In a year, the people of Jingzhou will no longer have to worry about their clothes; in ten years, the people of the world will no longer have to worry about their livelihood."

"That thousand taels of gold is yours!"

When the soldiers placed a thousand gold pieces next to Zhuge Liang, the surrounding people immediately became envious!

At this moment, Zhuge Liang also bowed to Liu Miao.

"This humble citizen offered advice to General Liu not for the sake of the gold."

"I believe!"

If anyone else had said that, Liu Miao would have slapped them across the face long ago!

What are you pretending for? Why are you putting on airs in front of me?

However, it was Zhuge Liang who said this, and Liu Miao expressed that he still believed in him.

However, Liu Miao still made Zhuge Liang accept the gold in front of everyone.

"Has Kongming ever heard the story of Zigong redeeming people?"

"Of course I've heard of it."

During the Spring and Autumn Period, the State of Lu had a law that allowed anyone who could redeem a Lu citizen who had been enslaved abroad to receive reimbursement from the state treasury. On one occasion, Confucius' disciple Zigong redeemed a Lu citizen abroad, but upon returning home, he refused to accept the state compensation.

When Confucius learned of this, he said, “Zigong has made a mistake. From now on, the people of Lu will no longer redeem their slaves from other countries. Taking compensation from the state will not damage your character; but if you do not take compensation, no one in Lu will redeem their compatriots who have perished.”

Later, another of Confucius's disciples, Zilu, rescued a drowning man. The man thanked him and gave him an ox, which Zilu accepted. Confucius happily said, "From now on, the people of Lu will surely be brave enough to rescue those who have fallen into the water."

Liu Miao also said to Zhuge Liang, "Accepting this thousand taels of gold will not cost you anything, Kongming. But if you don't accept this thousand taels of gold, will anyone be willing to work tirelessly to improve a skill in the future?"

"Zigong did not go to the Lu State treasury to pay the ransom because he was a wealthy man."

"Kongming did not want to accept the thousand taels of gold because he was of high moral character and his ambitions lay elsewhere."

"But among the people of the world, the wealthy and virtuous are ultimately a minority. If we rely solely on such people to improve the country, when will the country ever become better?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang finally stopped insisting and, in front of all the onlookers, bowed to Liu Miao and readily accepted the gold that had been displayed in front of Wenchang Gate for a long time, stirring the hearts of many.

"It's over! Liu Biaoqi really gave him the gold!!"

"Waaaaah! My gold! My gold!"

"What do you mean, 'your gold'? You bastard!"

"It's alright. Since General Liu is so generous, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future! Even if we can't make money from this loom, we can make money from farm tools! We can make money from other things!"

For a time, some were envious and jealous, some were inspired to work harder, and some were amazed...

But undoubtedly, from that moment on, the people of Jingzhou believed one thing—

Those who work hard will truly reap the rewards!
Wisdom can really make money!

For thousands of years, all cultural traditions have been telling people that only through hard work and perseverance can one achieve wealth and prosperity.

But now! Liu Miao used two thousand taels of gold to tell the world that you don't need to suffer! You don't need to work hard! As long as you have wisdom, you can also be rich and powerful! And you can earn more than through hard work and perseverance!

Seeing the clamor of the crowd, Zhuge Liang was finally convinced and sincerely convinced.

"General Liu loves the people more than he loves the world."

After months of preparation, Zhuge Liang finally bowed deeply to Liu Miao.

"This humble subject, Zhuge Kongming, greets my lord!"

(End of this chapter)