Chapter 450 Cotton Loom Drawing
Not long after returning home from the city, it was wheat harvest season.
Just like last year, Tong Huaqiong's family had another bumper wheat harvest this year.
When the wheat was harvested, County Magistrate Liu had someone bring Tong Huaqiong the drawings of a loom that had been collected in Huating County and could be used to weave cotton cloth, and said that the loom had not been obtained.
After all, the loom is a treasure of this era and will not be lent out easily. Tong Huaqiong understands this.
Although it was just a blueprint, Tong Huaqiong was still very excited.
Since she came to this era, she has never dared to underestimate the wisdom of the people of this era.
For example, if she took out the formula for pesticide, the alchemist hired by Gu Dashu would be able to prepare it for her, and he could also adjust the formula based on this.
The reason why Tong Huaqiong's family's wheat yield is higher than last year is not only because of the high-quality wheat seeds, but also because of the pesticides and fertilizers that the alchemist improved according to modern formulas and are suitable for the soil of Qinghe Bay.
Therefore, Tong Huaqiong had no doubt that with the drawings of the loom, the skilled craftsmen in Pingchuan County would definitely be able to figure out a loom suitable for weaving cotton.
Thinking of this, Tong Huaqiong took the blueprint and went to the cotton field at the foot of the West Mountain to look for Gu Daqiao.
Thirty acres of cotton have grown to thigh height. The breeze blows, accompanied by the green grass and trees on the gentle slopes, and the waves of green are refreshing.
Gu Dahan and his men were busy in the fields. Tong Huaqiong had reminded them that these 30 acres of cotton were crucial. Whether their family could do cotton cloth business depended entirely on whether Gu Dahan could ensure a good cotton harvest.
Gu Dahan did not dare to take it lightly. As soon as the wheat was harvested, he started to take people to water the cotton fields.
My nephew Gu Daqiao was sitting under a cotton shed, thinking about a textile machine.
In addition to helping Gu Dahan manage the hired workers in the cotton fields and recording the growth of the cotton, Gu Daqiao spent the rest of his time thinking about textile machines.
He was grateful to Aunt Tong for her support and for giving him a chance to work as a disabled person. Since he started working at Aunt Tong's house, no one in the village called him a waste anymore.
He knew that Aunt Tong wanted a loom suitable for weaving cotton, so he spent most of his time in the past few days thinking about the loom. He had been thinking about it for almost two months without any clue, and he was so anxious that his mouth was covered with blisters.
"Aunt Tong, you are here."
When Gu Daqiao saw Tong Huaqiong walking towards the shed, he stood up on one leg and greeted her.
Tong Huaqiong waved at Gu Daqiao and said, "You don't have to get up."
Gu Daqiao pointed at the loom and the cotton beside it and said distressedly, "Aunt Tong, I don't have the ability to repair this loom."
Tong Huaqiong said: "Don't be discouraged, I brought you something good, see if you can understand it."
Tong Huaqiong took out the drawing from his sleeve and handed it to Gu Daqiao.
Because of his leg disability, Gu Daqiao could not work in the fields or go out to work. In addition, he was illiterate, so in order to prove that he was a useful person, he liked to sit at home and tinker with various tools.
For example, he figured out how to make the sickle cut wheat faster, and how to make the plow plow the land better. What's more, his modifications really promoted production.
If anyone's farm implements are broken or if someone's cart wheel has a problem, they can go to Gu Daqiao. He will feel around and take a look, and he'll be able to find the problem and fix it quickly.
Tong Huaqiong felt that Gu Daqiao had the potential to be a skilled craftsman, so she showed him the blueprint first, thinking that if Gu Daqiao was not capable, she would ask County Magistrate Liu to find someone else.
Gu Daqiao held the blueprint, frowning and relaxing his brows. After two cups of tea, he said to Tong Huaqiong, "Aunt Tong, I have never seen a real cotton loom, so I dare not say whether I can make one exactly like it according to the blueprint, but I will try my best to figure it out."
Tong Huaqiong felt that Gu Daqiao must be very capable.
She said, "There are still several months until autumn, enough time for you to think about it."
Gu Daqiao smiled.
In the whole village, only Aunt Tong treasures his craftsmanship.
Gu Daqiao said, "How can I figure it out in the fall? By then the daylilies will be cold, and I have to figure it out before picking cotton. After the loom is completed, I have to try to see if it can be used. If it doesn't work, I have to adjust it. This back and forth will waste a lot of time. Aunt Tong, you trust me so much, I will assemble the loom even if I don't eat or drink."
Tong Huaqiong said, "Okay, since it's handed over to you, you can take charge of it. If you need any tools, manpower, or silver, you can ask Dahan for it."
Gu Daqiao said, "I understand."
Tong Huaqiong gave Gu Daqiao some instructions and then walked towards home from the cotton field.
At this time, Mrs. Hong brought flowers to the cotton field to welcome Tong Huaqiong.
It can be said that since Tong Pandyi came to Qinghe Bay, Huaer was brought up by Hong.
"Call her aunt." Mrs. Hong held the flowers and taught her to call her Tong Huaqiong.
Hua'er was mumbling something, and Tong Huaqiong couldn't understand what she was saying, but that didn't stop her from reaching out and hugging Hua'er in her arms, mainly to let Hong take a break.
Hua'er was raised to be plump and white. She grabbed a piece of cake in her little hand and stuffed it into Tong Huaqiong's mouth.
Tong Huaqiong was so touched by the flower that she hugged her and gave her two big kisses.
"The flowers are so nice."
Tong Huaqiong and Hong walked towards home while playing with Huaer.
"Sister Tong, look."
Hong stood on the ridge of the field and pointed towards the pig farm, her eyes burning with gossip.
Tong Huaqiong looked closely and saw a handsome man in green clothes wandering outside the pig farm.
If not Master Su, then who else could it be?
Mrs. Hong said, "In the past, Master Su could come to our house to supervise Jingzhe's homework. Now Jingzhe has gone to the capital to study. If he comes again, I'm afraid Pandi will understand his thoughts."
Tong Huaqiong said: "I'm afraid Brother Pan has already understood."
More than come again.
Tong Pandi is so smart that he probably already understood Master Su's thoughts.
Just from the fact that he brought gifts for Duo'er and Hua'er every time he came to Tong Huaqiong's house, his intentions were obvious enough.
Mr. Su went to Qinghewan during this period, and every time Tong Pandi used the excuse of being at the pig farm not to go home.
Hong said, "Master Su keeps coming to your house. I'm afraid rumors will spread."
What Hong didn't say was that now that Gu Jingzhe had gone to the provincial capital, the teacher of the village private school was still Su Chengmin. If Master Su visited Tong Huaqiong's house again, he would either spread rumors about Tong Huaqiong or about Tong Pan'di.
The aunt and niece, one a widow and the other a divorced woman, are both born scandal generators.
Tong Huaqiong understood what Hong meant and said with a smile, "Just spread it. It's not like no one has spread it before."
Just recently, for example, Tong Huaqiong has been involved in a scandal.
The object of the scandal is Mr. Qian, who moved to the village during the Chinese New Year.
When Old Man Gu just died, Tong Da Jiao was afraid that there would be a lot of gossip about being a widow, so she would avoid a male dog when she saw it in the village. Now, facing the scandal with Boss Qian, she faces it calmly, which makes some old ladies in the village envy her a little.
Not to mention, she already has a grandson, and the fact that she is loved by a wealthy middle-aged man really makes the villagers look at Tong Huaqiong with new eyes.
Tong Huaqiong and Hong walked along the ridge of the field to the pig farm and ran into Master Su.
As soon as Huaer saw Master Su, she struggled to get him to hold her.
Master Su took the flower from Tong Huaqiong, took out a puppet from his arms, and while playing with the flower, he pretended to ask about Gu Jingzhe's visit to Wanliu Academy.
Tong Huaqiong told the truth.
Then Master Su brought news that shocked Tong Huaqiong and Hong.