northernbook Chapter 152 Manual Threshing Machine
Chapter 152 Manual Threshing Machine
Merchants passing through Baishi County would stop to observe the rice in the fields outside the town.
And the people of Baishi County often gather together to observe the fields...
The rice in the fields... is uneven.
In the fields where the county government planted high-yield rice varieties, the rice seedlings grew densely, with sturdy stems and uniform growth.
In the farmers' own fields, the rice seedlings were sparse, and the stalks were very thin...
"These high-yield rice plants are indeed growing more vigorously than any rice we've ever seen," the merchant said, his eyes filled with amazement.
They traveled to many places, so they naturally saw a lot of rice.
The other merchants nodded resentfully, "Indeed, they are much stronger."
Someone cautiously reached out and touched the rice stalks, saying, "The harvest will definitely be good."
*
Tian Tian arrived at the rice paddy, stood with her hands behind her back, and her eyes sparkled with confidence.
Although she had to move between several fields every day, she was as busy as a spinning top.
But I still feel... time flies by too fast...
It has been almost two months since the day we planted the rice seedlings.
In another month, the rice will be ripe.
And at this time...
She wanted to continue cultivating seedlings so that after the rice harvest in the field, she could immediately transplant them to plant a second season of rice.
When Ling Yao heard her talk about breeding, his first reaction was one of confusion.
"The rice in the fields hasn't been harvested yet, why are they already breeding new varieties?"
“We in Daqi have always planted rice once a year, and now you're raising seedlings…”
He paused, as if he had thought of something.
Then he started counting on his fingers, muttering something to himself, "Seedlings are at the end of February, rice transplanting is at the end of March, and now it's the end of May..."
"The rice in the fields can be harvested at the end of June or the beginning of July."
"Breeding will begin at the end of May, and transplanting will be possible again at the end of June or beginning of July..."
"Rice seedlings are planted in early July and harvested in early October, when the weather is still warm..."
Ling Yao looked up excitedly, "You're racing against time to get the seed!"
"Second Miss Tian!" He rushed up to Tian Tian, his eyes fierce. "You, too..."
He saw Tian Tian turn around, her eyebrows and eyes clear and calm, her gaze as bright as a spring stream, radiating a gentle light that put people at ease.
Her face was delicate, with a touch of girlish innocence. Her fair skin was as smooth as jade in the sunlight, slightly tinged with the warm hue of the sun, making her look vibrant.
A slight upturn of her lips revealed a faint smile, a smile like a gentle summer breeze blowing across a lotus pond—not intense, but refreshing and soothing.
Her slender, willow-leaf-shaped eyebrows curved naturally, adding a touch of liveliness, and one glance filled one with tenderness.
Her nose was straight and delicate, and her whole face was like an elegant ink painting, serene and tranquil, yet full of captivating vitality.
The wind brushed against her hair, her smooth, black hair swaying gently in the breeze, like black silk draped over her shoulders, highlighting her slender and long neck.
A plain ribbon was tied at the end of her hair, swaying gently as she turned, exuding a girlish playfulness and purity.
The simple cloth dress accentuated her fresh and elegant temperament, while the light blue cloth belt tied around her waist outlined her slender figure. She resembled an orchid blooming in the wind, neither flamboyant nor seductive, yet possessing a unique and refined beauty.
"Stop talking." Tian Tian's steps were light and efficient. "Didn't you record the entire breeding process? This time, I'll teach you how to breed."
"I'll tell you what to do, and you do it."
As she walked, the hem of her skirt swayed slightly, like ripples on water or a swallow skimming by, leaving behind soft curves.
That unique composure and confidence flowed naturally from her every smile and gesture, as if the world's turmoil was no match for the peace in her heart.
"Hurry up and catch up."
Tian Tian turned around and smiled in the sunlight.
The composure and brightness in her eyes were like a ray of morning light piercing through the thin mist, clear and transparent, carrying a warmth that made people stop and linger.
The wind lifted the hem of her skirt and strands of hair, making her look like a clear spring in the mountains—pure, vibrant, and captivating, making Ling Yao reluctant to look away.
Ling Yao instinctively clutched his chest. What was happening...?
what happened...
Why did I unconsciously use so many beautiful words to describe the girl in front of me?
But he didn't think it was excessive; on the contrary, he felt... the words were too cliché and shouldn't be used to describe her...
"Aren't you leaving yet?" Tian Tian frowned, looking at Ling Yao with dissatisfaction.
He's usually quite agile, so why is he spacing out like this?
Ling Yao snapped out of her daze and quickly followed, "Yes, you tell me, I'll do it..."
*
As the new rice seedlings slowly grow, the rice ears become heavier and heavier...
"Starting today, we will drain the water and shut off the water supply." Tian Tian stood by the paddy field. She had been coming to the paddy field every day for the past month, all for this day.
Behind him, Ling Yao carefully took notes...
Having observed the fields every day for nearly three months, Ling Yao now truly realizes how difficult farming is.
Even a simple rice paddy involves irrigation, drainage, and drying of the field.
There are many rules and regulations surrounding them.
The same must be true now that the water supply is cut off.
Sure enough, Tian Tian continued, "Stopping the water at this time allows the soil to dry gradually, making it easier for us to harvest."
"It can also improve the grain filling rate and the weight of the rice."
"But it's also important to maintain appropriate humidity; it shouldn't be too dry."
"Tell Lord Li that we will prepare to harvest in twelve days."
Ling Yao looked up excitedly, "Yes."
Twelve days later, the harvest finally arrived.
The fields planted with high-yield rice varieties were dyed a dazzling golden yellow.
The full ears of rice hang from the stalks like heavy golden pendants.
A gentle breeze swept across the rice paddies, creating waves of golden yellow that seemed to softly sing the joy of a bountiful harvest.
Ling Yao greedily inhaled the rich fragrance of rice blossoms, a sweet aroma of ripe grains mixed with the fragrance of earth.
The rice stalks in the paddy fields stand straight and tall, their leaves still glistening with morning dew, shimmering in the sunlight like countless diamonds set in a golden sea of rice.
The people in the fields are already busy, and the ridges between the fields are full of people.
The rice paddy that Tian Tian, Ling Yao, and the others were looking at was the one closest to the city gate.
The people waved their sickles, which flashed golden in the sunlight.
The crisp, rhythmic sound of rice harvesting, mingled with the laughter of villagers and the playful shouts of children, added even more vitality to the fields.
The women tied the harvested rice ears into bundles and piled them up into small hills.
Not far away were ten manual threshing machines.
These ten manual threshing machines were naturally purchased by Tian Tian from the system.
Since it needed to be used in full view of everyone, Tian Tian didn't buy an electric or oil-powered threshing machine, so she chose a manual one.
This manual threshing machine is very easy to use.
It involves stepping on the pedal while holding the rice stalks and feeding the rice ears into the rotating machine.
Inside the machine is a rotating wheel with protrusions that strike the rice grains as it rotates, causing them to fall off the rice stalks.
These machines cost 400 coins each, totaling four taels of silver.