Picking Up a General to Plow the Fields

Chapter 382: Realization

Su Zi Ji also smiled.
Looking to Su Jin, he said: “I’m afraid there are still places that I will need to ask Miss Su for advice, I hope Miss Su doesn’t mind!”

“Of course! This is how it should be!” Su Jin agreed, smiling happily.

After explaining a few more details to them, Lian Fang Zhou left with Ah Jian.

Su Zi Ji squeezed the cotton, looking at it as if it was a treasure, and the smile never left his face.

Though he had asked Su Jin for advice on spinning, she knew that it wasn’t time for that step yet.
Taking the weavers with her, she said goodbye and returned to their rooms.

Back in her own room, she sat at the table and held a teacup in her hands, thinking about gains and losses.
It was unknown what her thoughts were.

After a long time, she raised the cup to her lips and was frustrated to find that it was already empty.
Luckily, Hong Hua was already next to her to refill it with great eyesight.

Smiling, Hong Hua said: “I didn’t expect the cotton to look like that! It almost looks like flax, how can this be spun and weaved? I almost think Miss Lian is crazy!” After a moment, she laughed: “Miss Lian is like that, but I didn’t expect that Steward Su would also be like that! It was very funny.”

After a moment, she also advised: “Miss, I don’t think you need to worry! I think they know what is at stake here if they fail.
Anyways, Miss Lian took the initiative to hire us at great cost, we have a clear conscience!”

“Hong Hua…” Su Jin looked up at her, sighing faintly: “You have spent many years by my side, right? All that time but it seems you still haven’t learned much! That cotton looks similar to flax but it’s tough, much better than flax! Flax can’t be spun into thread, which is fine, but it’s also flimsy.
Cotton seems to be much more solid.
Even if it was not woven, it could be used to fill quilts and warm clothes to keep out the cold in the winter.
This is amazing! No wonder Miss Lian was willing to pay such a high cost to invite us here…”

She raised her delicate eyebrows, beautiful eyes gleaming, and smiled at Hong Hua: “Hong Hua, I have a hunch that this trip was not in vain! Miss Lian truly has great insight and vision, it’s extraordinary.
I would have never expected this remote corner in the southwest would have such a talented woman.
What’s even more rare is that she is still so young and her temperament is very good.”

Hong Hua was stunned: “Miss, I have never heard you praise a person so much!” After thinking about it for a moment, she smiled: “But to be honest, Miss Lian treats people very well.
You haven’t had to say anything at all.”

Although this place was remote, their food and accommodations were not the slightest bit lacking.
On the contrary, they were very comfortable.

Su Jin smiled slightly: “I have never seen a girl like Miss Lian.
Alright, I need to talk to the others.
We should take a good rest the next few days, after that we will be very busy!”

Her maid smiled, agreeing.
She couldn’t help but ask: “Miss is so sure?”

“Naturally.” Su Jin’s eyes were deep.

~

That afternoon, Lian Fang Zhou and Ah Jian picked another eight or nine catties of cotton and brought them to Su Zi Ji, who treated them like a treasure.

These catties were all that was currently available.
After the two days of drying, there would likely be more mature cotton for Su Zi Ji to test.

Sure enough, Su Zi Ji lived up to Lian Fang Zhou’s expectations.
As soon as the cotton was dry, he asked Lian Fang Zhou to come see the cotton gin he had made and tried it out on the spot.

The ginning was fast and well-made.

Lian Fang Zhou was surprised and delighted.

Over the next few days, Su Zi Ji made many changes to the cotton gin and spinning wheels.
Though their original design was adequate, there were still many modifications and improvements that needed to be made.
This was within their expectations and the materials were already prepared.

After this, Su Jin personal demonstrated how the cotton fluff was spun into a pure white cotton thread.
The onlookers were completely silent, not a sound between them, as they watched in awe.

The cotton really could be spun into thread!

Not only this, but the cotton manufacturing was much more convenient than the laborious process of sericulture and mulberry production to make silk and the yield was larger.

“It’s done! It’s done! Miss, it’s done! Look, the cloth is so good!” Su Zi Ji was so excited, his eyes were gleaming.

Su Jin smiled: “The cloth is fine and soft, much better than linen.
Not even the finest linen can compare to this.
Miss Lian, congratulations!”

Feng Xi and the other weavers held the cloth out for the others to come up and touch, gently pulling the cloth as they chatted.
Everyone was full of admiration and excitement.

Although Lian Ze didn’t quite understand, seeing the excitement of the professionals, he couldn’t help but be infected.
His eyes were bright as he said to his sister: “Eldest Sister! Your hard work was not in vain! This is great!”

Ah Jian’s lips were curled, his heart full of pride and joy.
His Fang Zhou was indeed the best and most outstanding!

Although these results were not a surprise for Lian Fang Zhou, she was still affected by the emotions of the crowd.
Her heart was warm as she smiled and said: “It’s not just my hard work, we all worked hard! Steward Qin, after the cotton harvest is finished, be sure to give everyone a lot of rewards!”

Qin Feng agreed, smiling.

After the initial joy and excitement passed, Lian Fang Zhou looked serious: “Don’t talk about this matter outside.
I don’t want people to find out too quickly.”

Naturally, Qin Feng, Su Zi Ji, Su Jin, and the others understood the importance of this and nodded solemnly.
As for Lian Ze and Ah Jian, they listened to whatever Lian Fang Zhou said and would never say a word.

Letting everyone disperse, Lian Fang Zhou, Ah Jian, and Lian Ze stayed to talk to the experts and discuss what to do next.

Su Zi Ji couldn’t help saying: “Miss Lian, I think Miss Su’s advice is very valuable.
They will take the lead in spinning and weaving, so I think it’s best to hear her thoughts.”

Lian Fang Zhou smiled: “I will talk to her about this later and let you know.
I don’t think it will be too late to talk about it then.
I will go to the city tomorrow to see if there are any female slaves available and buy back seven or eight.
Sister Su can teach them to spin and weave, which was why I hired them.”

Out of consideration for how long this secret could realistically be kept, Lian Fang Zhou had never intended to hire any local weavers.
This was why she had Su Zi Ji hire some professions from south of the Yangtze River for a higher price.

The textile industry over there was more developed and the weavers were more skilled.
They were more flexible with new ideas and could start working faster.
However, the most important consideration was that they were foreigners from far away.
It would be easier to control the spread of their technology secrets than if they used women who lived nearby.

Lian Fang Zhou knew that this technology could not be kept secret forever.
Su Zi Ji was not the only smart person in the word.
If Su Zi Ji could design a special spinning wheel for cotton, then others naturally could as well.

She just wanted to seize the opportunity to make a fortune first.