Read Novel Full Chapter 1092 - 128: Water Mill
Chapter 1092: Chapter 128: Water Mill
After handling the matters of the Divine Pill and the Southern Wei people, Zhao Yao began to busy himself with establishing the water mill workshop. Previously, he had designed the Water Wheel to solve Lingnan’s irrigation problems. Later, he created windmills to address the harvesting issues, but after harvesting, rice needs to be processed to become edible.
Regarding grain processing, not just Lingnan, but the entire Great Zhou relied on the ancient mortar and pestle passed down from the previous dynasty. These tools were not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also yielded little grain, making them highly inefficient.
Zhao Yao initially did not notice this problem. When the whole of Lingnan was busy harvesting the second season of rice, he discovered this issue.
He thought of the world in Zhao Yao’s dreams where the Song Dynasty used water mills to process grains, and thus he planned to recreate all those water mills from the Song Dynasty.
Building water mills requires water resources, and fortunately, Lingnan is never short of water. Besides being by the sea, there are many rivers, and he felt these rivers could be used to build water mill workshops along their banks.
During these days, Zhao Yao, along with Zheng Cheng and others, first constructed a water mill primarily for grinding rice and flour. Later, they built a water-powered spinning wheel specifically for twisting hemp yarn. They also developed a Tea Grinding Workshop, specifically for grinding tea.
Speaking of Tea Grinding Workshop, one cannot help but mention Zhao Yao’s newly devised tea-drinking method. He recreated the Song Dynasty’s tea whisking from Zhao Yao’s dream world and also introduced "Tea Hundred Plays," which unexpectedly became quite popular.
He originally thought the tea whisking method might not be well received, especially since he had introduced the method of brewing loose tea years ago. Since then, the entire Great Zhou and even foreign countries like the Western Regions and Annan have appreciated this novel tea-drinking style.
Compared to brewing loose tea, the tea-whisking process is more elaborate and involves drinking tea powder, which might not be appealing. However, tea whisking turned out to be more popular than brewing loose tea.
Seeing everyone embrace the tea-whisking style, Zhao Yao simply introduced "Tea Hundred Plays," which stirred up a sensation in Swamp Prefecture.
Now, numerous teahouses have opened in Swamp Prefecture, with many people visiting daily to watch the performance of "Tea Hundred Plays." Some also engage in tea competitions, which revolve around "Tea Hundred Plays."
Speaking of the construction of water mills, it not only facilitated convenience and increased efficiency but also boosted income.
Initially, various local government departments constructed water mills. Later, civilians started building various water mills themselves. Within a short time, numerous "small factories" were established by civilians.
In recent days, Zhao Yao and Zheng Cheng have been busy improving the water mills. They developed the "Three-Wheel Technology," where a single wheel axle can perform three functions: grinding, husking, and pulverizing. This technology is far more convenient, efficient, and, most importantly, easier.
They also devised the "Five Mills with Single Wheel" technology, where one wheel can drive five millstones. Imagine how much this enhances work efficiency.
Besides utilizing water mills for grain processing, Zhao Yao also applied them to iron smelting, thereby improving iron smelting efficiency.
During this period, the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Revenue were extremely busy. Civilians who wanted to build water mills had to first apply at their local government, which then applied to the Ministry of Industry. Upon approval, the Ministry would dispatch personnel to help civilians construct water mills.
Civilians only need to pay the construction costs, and then the water mill becomes theirs, allowing them to use it freely. Of course, if problems arise with the water mill, they may seek assistance from the government, and the Ministry would send personnel for repairs. Repairs are not free; civilians need to pay the repair fees.
The Ministry of Industry is responsible for the construction and repair of water mills, while the Ministry of Revenue is busy collecting taxes, not on the construction but on the business conducted using the water mills.
Zhao Yao encourages civilians to build water mills and conduct business to earn money with them. He has never emphasized agriculture over commerce, instead encouraging civilians to engage in business.
Nowadays, various water mills have been established along the banks of the Lingnan River in Swamp Prefecture, and most are already in use. As a result, the banks of the Lingnan River have become lively.
Seeing so many water mills built along the Lingnan River, Zhao Yao began constructing various shops on both sides of the river. Merchants, noticing the business opportunities on the riverbanks, quickly rented shops. Of course, merchants can also rent land to build their own shops.
The land on both banks of the Lingnan River can only be rented, not purchased.
In recent days, many have come to the Ministry of Industry to arrange shop rentals, making the Ministry personnel overwhelmingly busy. The Chief of Staff has been so busy he barely has time to eat.