ebookland Chapter 485 Harvesting Wheat
Chapter 485 Harvesting Wheat
The Wei River outside Xianyang City shimmered under the sunlight, winding through the fields like a silver ribbon. A gentle breeze rustled the wheat fields, creating a beautiful symphony of nature. The air was filled with the rich aroma of wheat, mingled with the chirping of cicadas, bringing an indescribable sense of comfort.
Ying Wuyou stood quietly on the edge of the field, her gaze piercing through the endless golden waves of wheat before her, stretching to the distant horizon. A surge of indescribable emotion welled up within her. Two full months had passed since the fall of the Dai Kingdom. In these two months, the political landscape had shifted dramatically; the six other states were like frightened birds, living in constant fear, while the Qin Kingdom had undergone a complete transformation amidst this turbulent situation.
"Princess, this is a newly made iron sickle. Please take a look." An official from the workshop respectfully presented a gleaming farm tool. Ying Wuyou snapped out of her reverie, smiled, and accepted the sickle, examining it closely. The blade was thin and sharp, clearly meticulously crafted; the handle was engraved with exquisite cloud and thunder patterns, enhancing not only the comfort of the grip but also showcasing the superb craftsmanship.
At the New Year's Eve banquet, the newly improved sickle by Wang Tieniu, the "flower of all trades" and the "flower of agriculture," caused a sensation upon its introduction. Now it seems that this sickle is indeed very effective, not only improving harvesting efficiency but also reducing the labor intensity of farmers. Ying Wuyou secretly marveled at the superb skills of the Qin craftsmen; their wisdom and creativity had made a tremendous contribution to the development of the nation.
"Let's go see the newly dug irrigation canals," Ying Wuyou said, turning to the officials behind her, her voice revealing a hint of excitement and anticipation. She strode forward, heading towards the fields, followed closely by a group of officials.
The group walked slowly along the ridges of the field, the soil beneath their feet exuding a faint, fresh fragrance. Soon, they arrived at the newly constructed stone canal. The canal meandered and twisted, like a long dragon coiled across the fields. The Wei River within the canal was crystal clear, its surface shimmering like a giant mirror.
Standing by the canal, Ying Wuyou gazed at the magnificent sight, her heart filled with a sense of accomplishment. This "People-Benefiting Canal," which she had personally overseen its construction, employed the siphon principle to divert river water into the fields, greatly improving irrigation efficiency. Watching the clear Wei River flow slowly into the wheat fields, nourishing every seedling, she couldn't help but exclaim, "This is truly a great project that benefits the people!"
Right Chancellor Meng Tian stood aside, also captivated by the beautiful scenery before him. Gazing at the plump ears of wheat, a look of delight appeared on his face as he said, "This year's wheat harvest is likely to break records." Last year, they promoted wheat varieties in the Guanzhong Plain with initial success, and now, with the new irrigation system, wheat production will undoubtedly increase significantly.
As they were talking, the sound of carriages and horses suddenly came from afar. Everyone turned to look and saw a magnificent carriage slowly approaching. The carriage canopy was black, gleaming brightly in the sunlight.
Ying Wuyou hurriedly led his officials forward to greet him. After the carriage came to a stop, the curtain was gently lifted, and King Ying Zheng of Qin stepped out. He was dressed in a long black robe, with a tall and imposing figure.
Ying Zheng's gaze swept across the golden wheat field, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. He walked up to Ying Wuyou, patted her on the shoulder, and said, "Good, very good. This irrigation canal is well-constructed; this year's harvest will surely be substantial."
"Your Majesty, not only has wheat production increased this year, but the output of the salt lake in Hedong has also increased by 30% compared to last year!" The Minister of Grain Management stepped forward with a joyful expression and reported this good news to King Ying Zheng of Qin.
Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng smiled with satisfaction. He nodded slightly to acknowledge the result, then reached out and plucked an ear of wheat, carefully examining the plumpness of the grains.
"The new salt-making method is indeed effective!" Ying Zheng exclaimed. "Now the people can afford cheap fine salt, which is a major issue concerning their livelihood."
The Minister of Grain quickly chimed in, "Indeed, Your Majesty. This salt-drying method not only increases salt production but also reduces costs; it's truly a win-win situation."
Ying Zheng nodded, put the wheat stalks back in their place, then picked up the iron sickle beside him and bent down to cut a handful of wheat himself. His movements were skillful and natural, as if he had a good understanding of farming.
Standing to the side, Ying Wuyou watched the King of Qin's actions and felt a surge of emotion. This young monarch possessed both the ambition to unify the world and the patience and pragmatism to get things done. With his support, Qin had implemented a series of reforms over the past two years: improving agricultural tools, constructing water conservancy projects, innovating salt and iron production, building roads, and producing sugar. Each measure addressed the fundamental needs of the people, laying a solid foundation for the nation's prosperity.
"Jiayang, you give it a try." Ying Zheng smiled and handed the sickle in his hand to Ying Wuyou, who was standing to the side.
Ying Wuyou carefully extended her hands and slowly took the sickle. The moment she grasped it, a heavy weight immediately filled her hands. This sickle was not just a simple farming tool, but also carried the hope and future of the Qin state's rise.
Ying Wuyou took a deep breath, steadied herself, and then bent down, aiming the sickle at the wheat in front of her. With a light swing, the blade of the sickle swiftly sliced through the wheat stalks like lightning, instantly and neatly severing them. All of this seemed so effortless, as if the sickle possessed boundless power.
"Your Majesty, this blade is exceptionally sharp. If it were used to make weapons..." Meng Wu, watching Ying Wuyou effortlessly cut the wheat, couldn't help but speak up. His eyes gleamed with excitement, clearly astonished by the blade's sharpness.
However, Ying Zheng waved his hand, interrupting Meng Wu. He smiled and said, "No rush." His gaze slowly shifted from the sickle to the distance, towards the direction of the six states. "Let the people have enough to eat first; the matter of weapons can wait." Ying Zheng's voice was calm and firm, revealing a sense of confidence and determination.
He knew that to achieve Qin's unification of China, sharp weapons alone were far from enough. The basic needs of the people were the foundation of national stability; only when the people could live and work in peace and contentment could the nation truly become powerful.
Ying Zheng's gaze lingered on the distance, as if it could pierce through the layers of mountains and see the lands of the six states. He thought to himself, "When our granaries are full and our treasuries are overflowing, the world will naturally be unified."
As the sun gradually set, the sky was dyed orange-red, and the golden afterglow, like a veil, fell on the vast wheat fields, gently enveloping everyone present. Ying Gaoshan stood there quietly, his gaze fixed on the receding figures of King Qin and Ying Wuyou, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up in his heart.