RPAGF Chapter 163 Returning to the Village for Renovation: What She Wants is Productivity
Chapter 163 Returning to the Village for Renovation: What She Wants is Productivity
The two arrived in Ju'an District and hired 20 disabled soldiers to follow Zhao Chen back to the village to help build the oil mill and courtyard house.
After arranging everything, the two returned to the restaurant hand in hand.
Lin Xi remained somewhat nervous throughout the journey, turning to look at Gao Mengli with worry in her eyes, "Mengli, is there any way to kill these locusts during their larval stage?"
Gao Mengli nodded, then shook her head.
This really worried Lin Xi's simple mind. "Huh? Does it mean yes or no?"
Gao Mengli glanced at Lin Xi, "No."
Even with today's advanced technology, there's no way to prevent it, let alone in ancient times with low productivity.
Gao Mengli then added, "However, while chemical control may not work, biological disaster prevention can reduce losses."
Lin Xi's eyes lit up, and she asked eagerly, "What is biological disaster prevention?"
Gao Mengli stroked her chin. "People can't eat locusts, but chickens, ducks, and geese are fine."
Given Pingyao's geographical location, forget about growing cotton; it's impossible.
Making a down jacket shouldn't be a problem, right?
In addition, this winter may be colder than usual.
Therefore, we must plan ahead and prepare in advance.
Upon hearing about biological disaster prevention, Lin Xi immediately became interested. "That's right! Look at me, I didn't even think of that!"
They had never farmed or raised poultry before.
It's mostly theory, with little practical application.
In addition, down can be used to make clothes, which solves the problem of cotton shortage in winter!
A family that raises about ten ducks and plucks their down twice can roughly solve the clothing problem for several people in the family!
Lin Xi jumped up and down excitedly, "Haha, Mengli, that's a brilliant idea!"
Let's go get some ducklings and raise them until they're plump and healthy. Then, in winter, we'll make them into a jar of pickled duck; it'll keep for years!
Lin Xi was about to go buy ducklings with great enthusiasm when Gao Mengli grabbed him, saying, "Don't rush, let's wait until the house is built."
This needs to be planned carefully, because over time, a place where chickens, ducks, and geese are raised will become barren.
Lin Xi's idea of making pickled duck is good; they can raise more ducks. Who knows, next spring they might even have a security escort agency transport them to the prefectural city for sale!
The two immediately came up with a plan.
Seven days later.
Just as the store closed, Jiang Shuzhi approached Gao Mengli and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Elder sister, I... I want to ask for leave to stay in the village for two days."
Gao Mengli raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the question, "Is something happening in the village?"
Jiang Shuzhi nodded, "We're working on paddy fields at home, so we need to carry water and fertilizer into the fields... That's why I was thinking..."
Gao Mengli was very puzzled, "Aren't there remnants of the Ju'an District helping out? Aren't there enough people?"
Jiang Shuzhi sighed helplessly and waved her hand, "Sigh, almost every household in the village has hired laborers from Ju'an District, so there really aren't enough people."
In addition, your father found locust larvae in the field, so he's worried about bad weather this year and wants to plant rice early for an early harvest, so he's racing against time.
Upon hearing this, Gao Mengli frowned. "Okay, I understand. Wait for me, I'll go with you."
The work in the fields really can't be delayed.
The possibility of a locust plague is indeed worrying.
She immediately went to call Lin Xi.
Seeing Gao Mengli nod in agreement, Jiang Shuzhi happily followed behind them, got into the carriage, and went back to Wangyue Village together.
Along the way, I saw groups of people carrying fertilizer and water on their backs by the roadside.
Gao Mengli's face was solemn. "Mother, are the paddy fields irrigated by carrying water?"
Jiang Shuzhi nodded and sighed, "That's right, most of our land is mountainous and hilly. Some of the paddy fields on higher ground have to be irrigated little by little by carrying water."
Besides, it hasn't rained much this year. Your dad keeps an eye on the weather, and I doubt it'll rain anytime soon.
They try to choose low-lying areas for their paddy fields, but water supply is also a problem.
Upon hearing this, Gao Mengli lowered her head and remained silent.
Back in the village, Lin Xi got off the carriage and looked at her family's courtyard house, where the roof was already being paved. She turned around, gave a brief explanation, and then happily ran over to look at each room.
Gao Mengli did not go over, but followed Jiang Shi back to the old house.
The harvested rapeseed was drying in the yard, and Yang Qing and Zhu Mei were sifting out the residue with a winnowing basket.
The two turned around and were quite surprised to see Gao Mengli following them back.
Yang Qing quickly put down what she was doing and brought Gao Mengli a small stool, placing it in the shade under the eaves. "Sister-in-law, you're back! Sit here!"
Gao Mengli nodded, sat on the small stool, took the water that Yang Qing poured for her, and took a sip.
Looking at Yang Qing, who had gone back to sifting the dregs, Gao Mengli asked suspiciously, "Isn't there a windmill?"
Jiang Shuzhi, Yang Qing, and Zhu Mei all looked completely bewildered.
Yang Qing scratched his head, looking puzzled. "Sister-in-law, what is a grain winnowing machine? I've never heard of it. We've always used a winnowing basket to sift grains slowly."
"Huh? No?" Gao Mengli nodded in sudden realization.
Using a winnowing basket to dry rapeseed bit by bit is not only inefficient, but also doesn't clean it properly.
No wonder I couldn't find any "idle people" to spare; it turns out they were held up here.
She immediately stood up from the small stool and told Jiang Shuzhi, "Mother, go and call Father for me. I need to see him."
"Okay! I'll head over right away."
Jiang Shuzhi, who had just grabbed a winnowing basket to get to work, quickly put it down and ran to the field to call for help.
Gao Mengli walked to a corner of the yard, took a rough tissue from the table, and then took a piece of charcoal from the kitchen.
After thinking about the structure of the windmill, he carefully drew a "slice" diagram.
Seeing that she was busy, Yang Qing and Zhu Mei did not disturb her and quickly grabbed their winnowing baskets to continue working.
A moment later, Lin Yong came running back, panting, and leaned against the gate of the courtyard, catching his breath. "Big brother, you were looking for me?"
Gao Mengli looked up and waved to Lin Yong, "Dad, come over and help me make a tool."
Lin Yong took two deep breaths and quickly went over to look at the blueprints, but he was puzzled, "What is this thing?"
"This is a windmill. It uses wind power to separate impurities and shriveled seeds from rapeseed, which is much more efficient than using a winnowing basket."
As Gao Mengli explained, she gestured with charcoal on the paper.
"Look, this is the feed inlet. We pour the rapeseed in, and the rotating fan blades generate airflow, blowing the lighter impurities to the outlet here."
The heavy, plump rapeseed seeds fall from another outlet.
"Once this grain winnowing machine is made, it will save the village time and effort in sifting grains."
This will improve efficiency and unleash productive forces.
The villagers then have more time to do other things and create additional value, and their families gradually become wealthier.
As people become wealthier, the world will be more secure.
This way, no one will become a bandit or a vagrant because of poverty.
As Lin Yong listened to Gao Mengli's explanation, he stroked his chin, his eyes gradually brightening. "Haha, eldest brother, you're really quick-witted. If this works, it will be a huge help."
Lin Yong quickly grabbed his plane and started drawing lines on the wooden board with the ink line before getting to work.