Published: March 11, 2025
CHAPTER 32: Sowing
Zhao Hai arrived at the study upstairs, which was also prepared by Galen. Inside, there were some books, but not many, as well as some account books and similar items. However, there was no shortage of paper and pens.
What surprised Zhao Hai was that the pens here were actually divided into several types: some were made of bird feathers, others from animal bones, some were metal and resembled pens, there were also brushes and pencil-like items made of charcoal. This combination of Eastern and Western styles, ancient and modern, opened Zhao Hai's eyes.
However, he couldn't praise the paper; it was not the white paper he had imagined, but yellow, similar to the parchment he had seen in his childhood. This paper was very stiff and much coarser than parchment.
Upon seeing these, Zhao Hai was momentarily speechless. In Adam's memories, there were many romantic and extravagant things, but there was no memory of items like pens and paper, which showed what kind of person he used to be.
Zhao Hai picked up the charcoal pencil and simply sketched the shapes of a stone mill and a grinder on the paper, then handed it to An.
An glanced at the drawing and immediately said, "Young master, I can make this. We’ve used something similar for grinding rice before; although it's not exactly the same, it's quite similar."
Zhao Hai nodded in reassurance and said, "Good, as long as you can make it. Meg, arrange for forty men to follow An to learn how to make these two items, and make several of them. We have many people here, so we might not have enough if we make too few."
Meg responded affirmatively, and Zhao Hai continued, "The remaining ten men should go up the mountain to cut grass and collect the dry hay. Then, let the women follow Ju to learn how to weave mats. We need to hang grass mats in all the houses in the shortest time possible. Also, if anyone with skills finds you, you must let me know. And tell those slaves that if they feel too cold sleeping on the ground, they can lay corn stalks on the ground. We have too few supplies right now to allow them to sleep in beds, but sleeping on the ground all the time might make them sick. Lay down several layers of corn stalks; they can serve as a bed."
Meg nodded. He understood that there really wasn't much for the slaves to do right now. Zhao Hai's land had not been improved yet, and the mining area had been cleaned up. There really wasn't any work to do at the moment.
After giving instructions, Zhao Hai and the others left the study. Just as they entered the living room, they encountered Grandma Merlin, who came to call them for breakfast.
At the dining table, Zhao Hai explained his arrangements to Grandma Merlin. She did not oppose; indeed, they needed some tools for grinding rice and flour, and Zhao Hai's plans were the best.
After breakfast, Meg immediately organized the manpower according to Zhao Hai's instructions. Stone led An and the others to find suitable stones for the grinder and millstone, while the women were under his supervision, all sitting together weaving mats.
The entire castle became busy, but Zhao Hai and Meg weren't in the castle. The two went from the lake in the mountains to the canyon. This time it was just the two of them; there wasn't much danger, and it was actually easier for Grandma Merlin without an extra person.
They walked on the waves and soon reached the canyon. Zhao Hai walked over to the land he had improved yesterday and saw that there was no change. He then improved another piece of land beside it, still ten acres.
When Grandma Merlin saw that Zhao Hai had finished improving the land, she turned to him and said, "Young master, how about we let those slaves come and turn this soil tomorrow? We can plant in these fields first."
Zhao Hai shook his head. He wanted to use this piece of land for an experiment. He wouldn't forget the hint he had received the first time he touched the small shovel: it could be used outside the space. He could turn over ten acres of land every day. Likewise, he wanted to know if the seeds and water in the space were still under his control after being brought out. If they were still under his control, he could plant ten acres every day.