CHAPTER 306: CHAPTER 303: INTENSIVE CULTIVATION OFFICIALLY BEGINS

The emergence of the Curved Plow represents the pinnacle development of ancient plowing tools, heralding the era of meticulous farming.

Prior tools like the straight plow were labor-intensive and inefficient, unable to meet the requirements of meticulous farming.

Without meticulous farming, yields were naturally low.

Historically, the Curved Plow was improved step by step, but the ultimate person responsible for the design remains unknown.

The strength of the Curved Plow lies in its existence since the Late Tang Dynasty, being utilized for over a thousand years without major changes. Until modern machinery appeared, it was finally retired, showcasing the scientific aspects of its millennia-old design.

Lin Wanwan previously contemplated introducing modern farming tools when she saw everyone laboriously tilling the soil, unable to adjust the depth of plowing.

She never acted upon it until she saw the prototype of the Curved Plow brought by Xiao Chong, deciding then to stir her butterfly wings once more.

She took paper and pen and traced the construction diagram of the ultimate Curved Plow version from the computer screen, labeling the names of its eleven component structures.

After drawing and writing, Lin Wanwan blew on the rice paper contentedly, trying hard to memorize it all, then opened the Space-Time Gate to return to the Great Tang in her small study.

In the modern world, Lin Wanwan took twenty minutes to do these things, whereas in the Great Tang, only five minutes had passed.

She leisurely took a plate of cherries downstairs, pretending to act normally, as Xiao Chong and the others had already entered the main hall from the corridor.

"Cousin, these are cherries from my garden, give them a try."

Xiao Chong’s eyes gleamed, he smiled slightly, reached out for one, and praised, "Hmm, very sweet."

Little Qingyu raised her small head and clamored, "Mommy, I want to eat too."

Lin Wanwan said, "Yes, yes, you can go pick them with Aunt Yixun, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yixun moved closer to Lin Wanwan and snorted lightly, "I don’t want to go to the garden; I want to stay here."

After speaking, she turned her head defensively towards Xiao Chong, as if fearing he’d snatch away her treasure.

"Suit yourself."

This was naturally an excuse; Xiao Yixun didn’t want to pick cherries, and Lin Wanwan didn’t mind.

Little Qingyu happily took Rongrong to the garden with Yun Shang; the little child was pleased as long as she had something to play with.

"Wanwan, this is Wang Lang from the Lu Clan of Langya, also a descendant of the Mo Family, currently serving as a Clerk in the County Government."

"I am Wang Lang, greeting the Village Lady, wishing her peace."

"Clerk Wang, no need for formality." Lin Wanwan returned the courtesy gently.

After introductions, Xiao Chong got straight to the point, "Wanwan, I’ve come this time for the plow before us. It was modified from a long straight plow by Wang Lang and me. What do you think?"

"I think it’s quite good."

Lin Wanwan bowed her head to look at the prototype of the Curved Plow, carefully comparing it with the ultimate version diagram she had memorized.

Xiao Chong brought it to Lin Wanwan, hoping she could provide some suggestions.

He always felt the current plow was not perfect, not nimble enough for the small fields of the Jiangnan Region, and thus came to discuss it with Lin Wanwan.

In every interaction with Lin Wanwan, she always had many clever ideas that enlightened him, which is why he liked to visit Lin Family Manor (also attracted by good food).

Lin Wanwan had just researched in the modern world to give Xiao Chong some "professional advice." Now that he asked, she had nothing to hide.

Lin Wanwan discussed the shapes, sizes, and dimensions of various components with Xiao Chong and Wang Lang, inadvertently leading to the formulation of the ultimate Curved Plow.

"Marvelous! Xiao Mingfu, I find the Village Lady’s suggestions extraordinary and worth trying." Wang Lang’s eyes shone brightly at Xiao Chong.

Xiao Chong nodded slightly, "Then let’s have the craftsmen modify it and try it out."

Lin Wanwan smiled, "No need to wait so long. Our Third Uncle knows some carpentry skills; let’s go to his house now and have him modify it."

"Alright." Xiao Chong immediately agreed.

The three of them then led a group of servants carrying the Curved Plow towards Third Uncle’s house.

By now, it was dusk, and families who ate early were already having dinner.

People squatting at their doorsteps chatting with neighbors retracted into their homes upon seeing Xiao Chong.

Only teenagers under sixteen and seniors over sixty weren’t afraid of Xiao Chong (being exempt from service), happily greeting Lin Wanwan and Xiao Chong from their yards.

The two responded with smiles, waving their hands as they walked, akin to a celebrity parade.

"Wanwan, where are you leading Xiao Mingfu?" The Clan Leader carried a hoe on his shoulder, with a bamboo basket hanging at one end, returning from weeding the cotton fields.

Lin Wanwan replied with a smile, "We’re going to find Third Uncle to work on the plow. Clan Leader Uncle, you’re back from the fields so late?"

"Ah, I was getting rid of newly grown weeds in the fields, just bringing some back to feed the sheep. These weeds grow too fast." The Clan Leader responded, glancing back at the peculiar-looking plow on his shoulder.

Quickening his pace toward home, he prepared to lay down his hoe and follow to observe.

The Great Tang lacked herbicides, relying entirely on manual labor for weeding, which was very tiring.

Even though the cotton fields were collectively owned and managed, the diligent Clan Leader never got lazy. Instead, he routinely inspected the fields whenever free.

Compared to the mostly maritime Lin Clan, the Lu Family Manor was more anxious. Their crippled Clan Leader wished he could live in the cotton fields!

The Lu Family Manor comprised pure farmers, with annual "rent-duty-tax" obligations to the court, unlike Lin Family Manor, which only needed to pay seafood taxes.

Now, these cotton fields were crucial for Lu Family Manor’s yearly "tax," failing which they’d have to sell everything to buy silks and cloth for contributions.

So these old comrades dared not relax, constantly clearing fields together when weeds sprouted.

The lazier men in the clan now avoided the two Clan Leaders, fearing they might unwittingly be roped into labor.

They thought, "Why must I work more? The Village Lady’s work points don’t distribute extra to me even if I do."

The illiterate farmers had no big wisdom, but certainly lots of cunning.

After a while, Lin Wanwan arrived at Third Uncle’s house with Xiao Chong.

"Third Uncle, are you home? I need some carpentry work."

"Yes, I’m home. Is that you, Wanwan?" Third Uncle responded, hurriedly welcoming from the inner room where he had been working.