Da Zhuang walked over and said, "Mother, Madam County Mayor, you should go back soon. It's windy outside."
"It's fine," Li Yao said. "How many acres can you plow in one day?"
"About one acre. The mountain soil here is too hard, and the ox is small."
Li Yao watched for a while and realized it was difficult to plow.
In fact, the small ox had grown quite big after being raised for so long. It shouldn't have such a hard time. Being able to plow only one acre a day was too little.
In her memory, one ox could plow at least two acres of paddy fields while plowing, harrowing, and bundling together. Could her memory be wrong?
No, that wasn't it.
She suddenly realized what was off about the plow Da Zhuang was using.
She racked her brain trying to remember what plows were like in her past life. Finally she remembered what was different.
The beam of past life plows was curved, while Da Zhuang's was straight.
"Da Zhuang, let's go back for today. We need to modify the plow a bit."
"Okay."
Da Zhuang didn't think much of it. He packed up and went home. Then as Li Yao instructed, he went into the woods and chopped down a small, curved tree.
Following her memories, Li Yao had Da Zhuang start working on it. After a morning's work, a curved-beam plow was complete.
"Let's go try it out again."
Carrying the new plow head back to the field, Da Zhuang skillfully attached it to the little yellow ox's back. Then he started plowing.
"Go on-"
With his shout, the little yellow ox immediately started walking, pulling the plow.
Expecting the usual struggling, the ox was surprised that it was so easy to pull this time. It quickened its pace.
Behind operating the plow, Da Zhuang was even more pleasantly surprised.
The previous plow took great effort just to hold down. The slightest lack of control would make it sway left and right, often resulting in missed patches.
But this new plow was so easy to operate. Just a little effort allowed easy control of direction and depth. The speed was several times faster than before!
If plowing just one round, he felt he could plow five acres in a day!
"Mother, this new plow is too amazing!"
"It's great, but remember to rest. People and oxen can't get worn out." Li Yao instructed.
"I understand, Mother."
The County Mayor's wife had long grown accustomed to Li Yao's constant innovations.
"Miss Li, this is something that benefits the country and people. Why don't I have my husband draw this curved-beam plow and send it to the capital for promotion? That way people everywhere can benefit."
"Why not?"
It was just an improved plow. Li Yao wouldn't go so far as to patent it.
News of the curved-beam plow quickly spread through the village. Hearing that Da Zhuang could plow three acres of Sanmu Mountain in an afternoon, many didn't believe it. The next morning, they came in droves to the back hill to watch him demonstrate.
Seeing Da Zhuang "striding swiftly" through the field, they couldn't help themselves.
"Da Zhuang, let me try it."
Village Head Wang Jiafu was the first to rush up and grab the curved-beam plow to start plowing.
After one round, he was thoroughly convinced of its superiority.
"Good plow, so good," Wang Jiafu tried it for a while, full of praise. "I'll have to make one too when I get back."
That whole morning, the villagers took turns coming to try it out. Da Zhuang didn't get a chance to touch the plow at all, concerning him somewhat.
Not much land was left. At this rate it would all be plowed by everyone else. What would he do next?
Li Yao didn't understand Da Zhuang's worries. Seeing it was getting late, she prepared to go home and cook.
"Mother, what's for lunch today?"
Wang San'er and Xiao Si returned from the back hill, the two brothers already starving with their chests sticking to their backs. As soon as they got home, they headed straight for the kitchen.
"Stir-fried pork with peppers."
"Great, we can eat peppers again!"
The two brothers jumped up and down on the spot.
Under Li Yao's influence, the whole family had now accepted peppers. Moreover, they had reached the point of discomfort if they didn't eat them for three days.
Especially He Xiaoya. After getting used to eating peppers, her appetite greatly increased, with food intake nearly doubling!
Whenever stir-frying peppers, she would always eat the most.
Li Yao vaguely felt something was off, but didn't say anything before confirming.
"Lunchtime!"
Two dishes of stir-fried pork with peppers, one bowl of stewed pork, a pot of radish and big bone soup, and a plate of stir-fried cabbage. This was the Li family's lunch.
The whole family sat together. The children were still very well-behaved, not moving their chopsticks before Li Yao did, especially with the County Mayor's wife present.
"Before eating, there's something," Li Yao said. "Xiaoya doesn't need to work this afternoon. I've sent someone to the market to invite a doctor to examine you."
"Examine me?" He Xiaoya looked confused. "Mother, I'm fine. Why see a doctor?"
"I said to see one, so eat."
The children didn't dare ask any more after not experiencing Li Yao's "sternness" for so long.
The County Mayor's wife understood. As a mother herself, she naturally knew Li Yao's intention.
After lunch, Da Zhuang and his brothers went about their business. Li Yao, Li Zhen, and He Xiaoya stayed home.
After taking He Xiaoya's pulse, the doctor happily congratulated, "Congratulations Mistress Li, congratulations on your daughter-in-law's pregnancy!"
"Are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"
"Mistress Li jests. I've diagnosed hundreds of pregnant women. I've never been wrong."
Li Yao's mouth twitched. He Xiaoya flushed red, feeling flustered yet excited.
She had been married to Da Zhuang for eight months and was finally pregnant!
Mother and Da Zhuang should be very happy right?
She just wondered if it was a boy or girl.
It'd be great if a boy, but if a girl, she didn't know if Mother-In-Law would be unhappy...
In an instant, He Xiaoya thought of many things.
"Miss Li, I offer congratulations as well." The County Mayor's wife said. "I'll prepare a gift for Xiaoya."
After seeing the doctor off, Li Yao solemnly called He Xiaoya over, "Now that you're pregnant, there are things to pay attention to."
"Mother, I'll listen to everything you say."
"From now on, let Xiao Hui do the laundry, cooking, and cleaning." Li Yao said. "Don't do any farm work, avoid cold water, don't go near the soap workshop, eat plenty of meat and eggs every day..."
Listening to Li Yao's constant instructions, He Xiaoya grew dizzy.
Doing nothing while eating well, wasn't this becoming a young mistress of a wealthy family?
"Mother, if I do nothing, then what do I do?"
It's said pregnancy makes one silly for three years. And she had just conceived, already losing logic when speaking.
"Take walks, exercise," Li Yao thought for a bit, "If really bored, do some needlework and embroidery. I'll have Da Zhuang buy you some silk. Fiddle with it however you like."
"Remember it all?" Li Yao asked finally.
"I remember."
He Xiaoya felt she was definitely the most fortunate daughter-in-law under heaven.
