NOVPUBThe fourth type was an irrigation farming tool, a human-powered turning vehicle, also known as the dragon bone cart. Its operating principle was similar to the chain rotation of a bicycle, but with a long slot in the middle. Powered manually, it turned wooden chain paddles that lifted water upwards and discharged it.
This farming tool was designed to lift water from the lower levels of a lake or river to the higher water channels, irrigating the fields along the channels. Similarly, there were also cylinder vehicles that utilized water power. Xiulote had already sketched out the designs, preparing to first test-produce them by the northern banks of the Lerma River.
"Your Majesty, your Divine Revelation’s wisdom is truly as brilliant as a gem!"
Chalape followed closely behind, smiling and offering his compliments.
"This device was co-produced with the Master Carpenter. I used copper nails to reinforce crucial points repeatedly. With it, you can build highland gardens surrounded by earth embankments and wooden fences on the islands in the lake. This will not only facilitate irrigation but also prevent flooding!"
Hearing this, Xiulote paused and slowly nodded. The new irrigation farming tool indeed needed to be used together with embankments and canals, and there was no rush for the time being.
The fifth type of harvesting tool was equally simple, made of bronze, a small sickle less than half a meter long with a sharp inner curved blade. Harvesting tools actually included reaping, threshing, and cleaning. However, for crops like corn and pumpkins, only a reaping sickle was necessary.
Xiulote looked at it for a moment and asked in a grave voice.
"Chalape, how much bronze is used for this sickle? How many man-hours are needed to cast one?"
Chalape calculated it briefly; such a simple question, he knew well.
"Your Majesty, about three taels of bronze per sickle, roughly similar to a Bronze Spear tip. As long as the clay molds are sufficient, one person can cast a dozen or so in a day."
The King nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and then issued an order.
"With autumn harvest approaching in October, the vast number of fields cultivated by the military crop cultivation force needs sharp bronze sickles for rapid reaping. Chalape, I give you one month’s time, to provide at least half the sickles needed for the legions!"
"Ah, this... By your command, Your Majesty!"
Chalape’s expression turned bitter, and he bowed his head to accept the order. With the King’s inspection and successive military orders, one task followed another—he secretly resolved to push his craftsmen and apprentices to the limit these coming months: from dawn till dusk, eating and staying at the workshop!
The sixth type involved processing farming tools, used for processing grains and cotton. Xiulote was not familiar with the tools for processing cotton; he only remembered a scene where cotton was "shot," so he had people make a crossbow-like bed.
Basic grain processing tools, including pestles and stone mills, had long been available. Recalling a novel from another era, he sketched an upgraded version of the pestle, a foot-operated pestle, and then had the craftsmen produce it. Right now, he stretched out his foot and pressed down on the tail of the pestle, watching the front end rise and fall, and nodded with satisfaction, smiling.
"I have succeeded in developing the foot-operated pestle; I shall award myself a rank!"
Upon hearing this, Chalape was momentarily stunned, his mind racing, yet he also chimed in.
"Your Majesty’s Wisdom Revelation has created the foot-operated pestle, capable of pounding soybean paste, corn kernels, and pumpkin mash. This device greatly saves labor and benefits the whole world... The Chief Divine will surely rejoice and grant you Divinity, and also place the hearts of the Fief’s people entirely in your hands!"
Hearing this, Xiulote turned around in surprise, looking at the hereditary Copper Official before him, speaking meaningfully.
"Chalape, to hold the position of a mere Copper Official surely underestimates your talents."
"Ah, Your Majesty, your Divine light illuminates my eyes, allowing me to offer up the finest bronze craftsmanship... No matter what position I hold, I am willing to serve you to the death!"
Chalape quickly knelt to salute, his heart somewhat uneasy. He had deep roots in the workshop and was reluctant to leave it easily.
Xiulote nodded, noncommittal. He glanced at the Head Warrior and whispered an order.
"What Chalape said makes sense. The development of new agricultural tools is a Divine Revelation by the King and is related to the blessing of the Chief Divine... this can be made known to all the people."
A flicker passed through Bertade’s eyes, and he nodded in understanding. Since the learned elder had assumed the position of the chief, the core had roughly taken control of the fief’s discourse. The matters of propagation would soon infiltrate the hearts of the people like a spring breeze turns into rain.
The last aspect was the transportation of agricultural tools, including common carriers such as baskets and pole carriers, along with newly made wheelbarrows. As for more convenient mounts and large carts, they would have to wait for the arrival of pack animals.
Xiulote swept his gaze over the room twice, showing approval. Then, he solemnly asked his most trusted Head Warrior.
"Bertade, these new agricultural tools can facilitate the farmers in field production and help increase crop yields! I intend to popularize them throughout the fief so that all the people can use them... what do you think?"
Bertade pondered for a moment, his expression serious. He cautiously asked,
"Your Highness, how much do you think these tools can increase crop yields?"
"I have discussed this with the old farmers of the Alliance. The new tools can significantly reduce labor consumption, thus cultivating more land. As for the increase in crop yields... without actually planting for a season, there is no answer. The first year of farming might not show a clear increase, but it could reduce the fallow time. And with row planting and weeding with copper hoes... at least a 20% increase should be there!"
"A 20% increase..."
Bertade was no longer calm, his eyes revealing shock. He looked deeply at His Highness and then respectfully said,
"Your Highness, a definite increase in yields is indeed great news, and wooden agricultural tools are manageable. But currently, with the high price of copper, bronze is extremely expensive. How could ordinary people afford these bronze tools?"
"How about we distribute them uniformly across the fief?"
"Your Highness, agricultural tools are prone to wear and tear during use. Although bronze is durable, its usage cost may not be much less than that of stone tools before large-scale production can be achieved. For the ordinary farmers, rather than hoping for a little extra harvest, they would prefer to melt down the bronze tools to sell and continue using cheaper stone tools!"
"Hmm... you make a good point. What about temporarily leasing them?"
"Your Highness, ordinary people are not willing to lease items from the nobility, especially such valuable ones. If forced to lease, I’m afraid the people will only carefully store them away, unable to sleep at night, fearing they might lose them and be held accountable."
"Bertade, I am determined to popularize the new agricultural tools! What do you think we should do?"
"Your Highness, in my opinion, bronze tools could initially be used in military colonies. The military colonies are clearly organized, strictly managed, operate under strict military law, and are controlled by various levels of officers. As long as they are strictly supervised and losses checked, the new tools’ advantages can truly be utilized!"
"As for ordinary civilian settlements, only a small number of bronze tools should be issued. Under the guise of sacrificial objects, they could be handed over to the priests, and then loaned out as a blessing from the Chief Divine by devout farmers in the villages. This can also enhance the authority of the priests and strengthen their hold over the villages!"
"Hmm... let’s proceed as you suggest!"
The King stood still, reflecting deeply, and finally nodded slowly.
"Calculate the required quantities as soon as possible and then assign the task to the workshops. By next spring plowing, the military colonies must all use the new agricultural tools."
"Now it seems, to truly revolutionize the era, it is essential to reduce the cost of bronze soon. Large-scale excavation of copper mines is imperative!"
Xiulote paced with his hands behind his back, lost in thought, followed in silence by everyone. And when the King halted, right in front of him stood the real weapon to transcend the era, the bronze cannon!
