Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 604 - 602: Each Gains Something

Li Tai refolded the cotton handkerchief and pressed it against his forehead to absorb sweat. It certainly worked better than a silk handkerchief!

"This handkerchief made from Gaochang cotton is truly useful; so soft and absorbent."

Lin Wanwan laughed and said, "Of course. Prince Wei, Princess Changle, I had some people from our clan bring cotton seedlings over through canal transport and loaned them to the manor guests. Planting will start this month."

For the manor guests of Lin Wanwan, April is an extremely busy month, with sweet potatoes, corn, and cotton all needing to be planted.

These seeds are nominally said to be brought from Mao County, but they’re not; they’re slowly transported from modern times by Lin Wanwan.

"My father used to say that what is grown in the fields should not be changed easily. Changle, you brought back so many plants from the Western Regions and overseas to plant indiscriminately. Aren’t you afraid that the Ministry of Industry will send someone to remove them? High-yield crops like sweet potatoes and potatoes are one thing, but does cotton yield as much as hemp or ramie?"

Li Lizhi interjected, "Li Tai, you know about sweet potatoes and potatoes too?"

Li Tai replied matter-of-factly, "Of course, I know. Last year, Xiao Zifang of the Lanling Xiao clan submitted a report on it!"

Originally, Xiao Chong and Li Tai were of the same generation from their great-grandmother’s perspective, and Li Shimin should call Xiao Yu ’uncle’.

However, after the political marriage, from the vantage of Princess Xiangcheng, Xiao Chong became Li Tai’s junior. Following Xiao Chong in regard to generation, Lin Wanwan was likewise a junior.

"Oh, right, Mao County already has it. Mother seems to have a piece of Mao County tribute cotton fabric too." Princess Changle remembered.

Lin Wanwan then explained some details about cotton planting and weaving to the two princes and princess, who listened with great interest.

Even though Li Tai is young, he has many ideas. Because of Li Shimin’s special favor, he harbors different ambitions and is quite sensitive to civil matters.

After hearing Lin Wanwan’s explanations, he immediately proposed to buy cotton seedlings from her.

"Not many seedlings were brought from Mao County this time, but if Prince Wei is truly interested, I can spare some for you."

"In that case, thank you, Le’an." Li Tai gave Lin Wanwan a slight bow.

Lin Wanwan responded with a graceful bow.

After discussing cotton, Li Tai pointed to the tube waterwheel, saying, "This device is excellent. It circulates seamlessly, and gravity takes it back down without using human or animal power. It has advantages over the noria. Le’an, who invented this?"

This truly posed a challenge for Lin Wanwan, as there’s no conclusion about when the tube waterwheel was invented, but it’s certain that it started being used during the Tang Dynasty, although it hasn’t been introduced yet in the current Zhen Guan Dynasty. It was later introduced to Japan, where their history books call it the Tang Country Water Wheel.

"This exists in Mao County. It may have been something my cousin learned from farming books. I noticed some inefficiencies with the canals here, so I asked a craftsman to build one to test its effectiveness. Surprisingly, it worked well."

Li Tai laughed and said, "Le’an, you’ve done well. Last year, Xiao Zifang submitted several useful farming implements. I wonder if this is one of them. I’ll inquire with the Ministry of Industry and request rewards for you both."

Lin Wanwan quickly replied, "I wouldn’t dare take the credit. Prince Wei, just mention my cousin. I learned about the tube waterwheel and the curved plow from him."

In any case, Xiao Chong welcomes such merits, so it’s safe to credit him. Besides, the curved plow was indeed first proposed by Xiao Chong and his Mo Family disciples. Lin Wanwan had provided only a bit of input at the time.

Li Tai appreciated Lin Wanwan’s humility, suddenly viewing her in a new light. No wonder Xiao Zifang would offend His Majesty for her!

Li Tai’s information network was very keen. He had long heard that Li Shimin wanted to take Lin Wanwan as a consort, but she refused. Xiao Zifang then took advantage by using an invention involving firearms to take credit and requested marriage from Li Shimin, nearly a direct challenge.

If not for the later miraculous invention of horse shoes, Xiao Chong might have been in trouble.

The three chatted for a while more and, as the sun rose higher, slowly walked towards the workshop.

Lin Wanwan and Li Lizhi’s workshop now requires a lot of oil daily, and she’s considering starting her own pig farm.

Regarding pig farming, she bought several modern books about breeding, castration, postpartum care for sows, treatment of sick pigs, and so on.

Once Lin Wanwan’s scientific pig farm is up and running, it will produce green and organic pork. The fat can be used to make soap, the lean meat for consumption, much cleaner than current Great Tang pork and even more organic than modern pork, truly a win-win situation.

When she returns to Mao County, Lin Wanwan also plans to replicate these efforts, establishing a branch of the soap workshop and a pig farm.

For Li Tai, Li Lizhi, and Li Zhi, today’s spring outing at Lin Wanwan’s estate provided substantial gains.

Li Zhi was the happiest, having never enjoyed such playfulness before! 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

He even played house with little Qingyu for quite a while today, pretending to be parents to several toys. Little Qingyu also gifted him a very intelligent tabby cat named Xiaosan.

Li Tai gained the most, seeing the tube waterwheel in action and obtaining cotton seedlings, witnessing firsthand the hardworking farmers in Great Tang’s countryside, now having more to talk about with his father.

Li Lizhi was the most satisfied, having seen the flourishing Soap and Music Workshop she co-operated with Lin Wanwan.

Shortly after sending off the three distinguished guests, Lin Wanwan returned to the study to see Ouyang Xun’s piece of calligraphy, now framed and mounted.

Admittedly, adding a few cultured individuals among the household servants increased their work efficiency significantly.

With a national treasure-level piece of calligraphy in hand, Lin Wanwan returned to modern times.

Her phone was already filled with messages, mostly from Lu Shouyue.

"Oh, did Teacher Lu help me recover the lost items? Was the person who sold them caught too?" Lin Wanwan was surprised upon seeing the message. "It’s a small world; turns out Teacher Lu is also linked with that antique shop."

As a leader in the industry, it’s hard to bypass Lu Shouyue when it comes to antiques.

Upon hearing Lin Wanwan was back at the courtyard, Lu Shouyue soon arrived from Ancient Capital University, bringing along two bodyguards and three chefs.

"Teacher Lu, how come there’s an extra chef today?" Lin Wanwan asked casually.

Lu Shouyue smiled, "There’s something new and delicious."

As he spoke, he handed Lin Wanwan a porcelain bottle from a box, "Here, this is the one that was stolen."

"Thank you, Teacher Lu." Lin Wanwan happily accepted it. This porcelain was now legitimized, just right for selling to make some money.

"Teacher Lu, please help me sell this. Since it was touched by a thief, it feels tainted, and I don’t want it."

Lu Shouyue readily agreed, "Sure."

"There are two more items touched by thieves at home. Please sell them together."

Lu Shouyue chuckled, "Alright."