Chapter 421: Entering the Cotton Business
After the farce on the anniversary of Old Man Gu’s death, there was no movement at the old house for a long time.
Time quickly came to March.
The weather starts to warm up in March. We no longer have to experience the unpredictable cold snaps of late spring. It’s time to put away our cotton-padded clothes and put on spring clothes.
The entire Qinghe Bay is wrapped in a sea of peach, cherry and pear blossoms. The air is filled with the fragrance of flowers, making people feel happy.
Thanks to Tong Huaqiong's painstaking research, the improved cotton seeds were also planted.
Tong Huaqiong's ambition is to target the cotton cloth and textile market.
Just as cheap pork opened up the market, Tong Huaqiong also hopes that there will be cheap and warm cotton cloth in this era.
When she consulted later materials, she found that Pingchuan County had advantages in growing cotton, with flat terrain, little autumn rain, sufficient sunlight, and good soil drainage, providing a good natural growth environment for cotton. Pingchuan County's cotton appeared in later history. Although it was not as famous as the long-staple cotton in Xinjiang in later generations, the fiber quality was not bad, with good softness and glossiness, suitable for making clothes all year round.
Due to seed problems during this era, Pingchuan County had few cotton bolls and low yields. Despite the good planting environment, no one was planting it on a large scale.
In addition, the textile technology of that era was backward and looms mainly served ramie, which further prevented the development of cotton in Pingchuan County during this era.
Since this is a blank market, Tong Huaqiong must be the first to occupy it.
After planting the cotton, Tong Huaqiong studied the information on each stage of cotton growth. She knew clearly when to apply fertilizer, when to prune the branches, and what problems were most likely to occur at each stage.
But in the actual practice process, she found that Gu Dahan was the master of planting.
He knows nothing about agricultural science and relies entirely on experience.
Tong Huaqiong thought that if it were in modern society, Gu Dahan would definitely be an outstanding student at the Agricultural College.
After planting the cotton, Tong Huaqiong began to study textile machines and cotton-fluffing machines.
In addition to high-quality cotton, improving textile technology is equally important.
As for textile machines, she only remembered the spinning Jenny and how our great textile technology expert Ms. Huang Daopo learned textile production from Li women on Hainan Island and created a complete set of "rolling, spinning, spinning and weaving" tools after improvements.
The dynasty she was in had disappeared in the long river of history and did not exist in the history books of later generations. Therefore, she was at a loss and did not know where to find Huang Dao Po even if she wanted to go to Songjiang to learn cotton textile technology.
She could only figure it out on her own through the knowledge she learned in later generations.
In addition to the newly developed cotton business, the most important thing for Tong Huaqiong and Yiwodaizhu at the moment is that Gu Jingzhe is going to take part in the provincial examination.
Tong Huaqiong was not worried at all about whether Gu Jingzhe could pass the examination and become a scholar.
If Gu Jingzhe fails the exam, then all the students in Ningcheng who are going to take part in the provincial examination will be wiped out.
why?
According to Tong Dajiao's memory from her previous life, Gu Jingzhe achieved an excellent result of first place in this provincial examination.
Of course, a variable appeared in this life, Gu Ruinian.
Tong Huaqiong doesn't think that Gu Ruinian is Gu Jingzhe's opponent. He might be able to get a seat as a scholar, but he will never get the first place. He is not even one of the members of the protagonist group, and the cannon fodder system is destined not to have too high a highlight.
Gu Jingzhe has been reviewing his lessons at home these days.
The provincial examination will begin in three days.
Gu Jingzhe would go to the provincial capital one day in advance to familiarize himself with the examination venue.
Su Chengmin gave the students of the private school a holiday, and he and Nie Xiaofeng sent them to the exam.
"Mom, my third brother will definitely get the title of scholar this time."
Gu Taohua showed Tong Huaqiong a fortune stick, which she had drawn at the temple without telling her family. She spent five taels of silver to do so.
It's a very good lottery.
"If your third brother fails to pass the exam to become a scholar, no students in the entire Pingchuan County will be able to pass the exam either." Tong Huaqiong said.
Gu Jingzhe was sweating and said, "Mom, can you be more low-key? Master Su said that the exam is very uncertain, and it is hard to say who will pass and who will not. Some people passed the examination for Tongsheng at a young age, but it took them three consecutive times to pass Xiucai; some people passed the examination for Xiucai once, but never passed the examination for Juren in their entire lives. I am just studying in a private school in our town. There are many students in Pingchuan County, Qingyang County, and even in the prefectural capital. Who knows where there are hidden dragons and crouching tigers."
His mother was really something. After he returned to school, she discouraged him a lot and repeatedly advised him not to be proud and complacent, but after the new year, she became very high-profile about his provincial examination.
And after Gu Ruinian returned home, he became more and more high-profile.
Wherever I go, my son will definitely pass the imperial examination.
If he really fails to pass Gu Ruinian in the exam, that would be a huge slap in the face. Who knows how his second uncle's family would mock him and his mother in the village.
Tong Huaqiong said: "Although there are many uncertainties in the exam room, for someone who studies hard, mistakes are unlikely to be serious, unless you don't study hard. I say this to give you some confidence. Take the exam well, relax, and don't take any pressure."
Gu Jingzhe nodded and said that he would try his best to pass the exam.
"Don't read books anymore. Learning is about daily accumulation, not cramming. Go out for a walk and rest your brain." Tong Huaqiong saw that Gu Jingzhe had been studying hard these days, and often drove him out for a walk.
When spring comes and flowers bloom, taking a walk outside will make you feel better.
Maybe it will promote learning more.
Gu Jingzhe listened to Tong Huaqiong's words, put down the book and walked out.
As soon as I walked out of my house, I saw Gu Ruinian walking towards me.
"Brother Jingzhe." Gu Ruinian shouted.
Without waiting for Gu Jingzhe to respond, Gu Ruinian continued, "I just happened to come to see you. Grandpa and grandma asked you to come over."
Gu Jingzhe followed Gu Ruinian to the old house.
"Jingzhe, you are here."
Gu Jingzhe came to the old house. As soon as he entered the yard, his always cold second aunt Jia took the initiative to greet him.
"Second Aunt, I heard that grandpa and grandma called me over." Gu Jingzhe said.
"Jingzhe, come in quickly." The voice of Grandpa Gu came from the room.
Gu Jingzhe walked into the house, greeted Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu, and then stood aside waiting for Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu to speak.
"Jingzhe, how are you going to the provincial capital tomorrow?" asked Grandpa Gu.
Gu Jingzhe guessed on the way here that Grandpa Gu asked him to go to the old house to go to the provincial capital to take part in the provincial examination.
Of course, it was not because of concern for Gu Jingzhe, but for Gu Ruinian.
Gu Jingzhe smiled and said, "Laifu and Xiaofeng will take me to the city."
Old Master Gu nodded and said, "Ruinian is also planning to go to the capital city tomorrow. Since you have a carriage at home and someone to take you there, let Ruinian go with you."
Gu Jingzhe thought, this is not a discussion from grandpa, it is a command.
Gu Ruinian stood aside without saying anything.
Old Lady Gu said, "It won't be a problem for Ruinian to come along. Your carriage is so spacious that it can accommodate not only one Ruinian, but also two more."
Gu Jingzhe smiled and said, "Grandma, I didn't say I wouldn't bring Ruinian with me."
Gu Ruinian said with a look of surprise: "Thank you, brother Jingzhe. You didn't have time to ask me questions these days. I thought you were angry with me because of my uncle's death anniversary."
Ever since Gu Ruinian confirmed that Gu Jingzhe was a pure ancient person, he once again began to think about taking Gu Jingzhe as his younger brother.
But during this period of time, when he went to see Gu Jingzhe, Gu Jingzhe was always reading and had no time to pay attention to him.
Yes, the ancients had never seen the world and only knew how to study hard.
When the provincial examination is over and he gets the first place, he will not be afraid that Gu Jingzhe will not submit to him.