Chapter 27: Contract Plow Manufacturing

Mi Zhu felt a sudden jolt in his heart. He found himself both fond of and apprehensive toward Liu Feng—fond of the "cornucopia" Liu Feng brought to his doorstep, yet fearful of his requests. He had learned by now that nothing Liu Feng asked for was ever simple. A single previous request had emptied his family’s grain reserves; he could only wonder what he would be asked to sacrifice this time.

Despite his unease, Mi Zhu steadied himself and replied with firm resolve, "Young Master, pray speak your mind. Whatever you command, I shall not refuse."

Liu Feng clapped his hands and called out, "Wen Gui, bring it in."

Pan Zhang responded from outside the hall, then entered carrying a curved-shaft plow. He placed it before Mi Zhu and withdrew. Mi Zhu curiously examined the strange-looking tool. Though he didn't know its purpose, he could tell it was a piece of farm equipment.

"Vice Governor, this is called a curved-shaft plow. I improved it based on the traditional straight-shaft design. It is not only more labor-efficient and effective for tilling, but also lighter and easier to use, which will greatly increase farming efficiency." Liu Feng explained the benefits in detail. He then rose and spread a roll of silk before Mi Zhu. "Vice Governor, this contains the manufacturing process. I humbly request that you produce at least three hundred of these before the spring plowing."

The first phase of the land reclamation project involved five thousand households, necessitating at least five thousand plows. However, the industry of this era was extremely underdeveloped and productivity was low, often relying solely on human labor. It was currently the first month of the year, leaving only two months until the spring plowing in the third month. If the Mi family could provide three hundred, combined with the output of the official workshops under Liu Bei, securing five hundred would be a significant achievement.

Mi Zhu examined the design carefully, his heart racing with excitement. Though a merchant, his family was also a major landowner in Donghai Commandery; he was no stranger to farm tools. He felt Liu Feng was being modest—the potential of this plow was likely tenfold what had been described.

When Liu Feng claimed credit for the improvement, even Mi Zhu, with all his composure, couldn't help but wonder if the boy had plagiarized the work of some veteran farmer or artisan. But then, remembering the refined salt and rock sugar Liu Feng had recently presented, his skepticism vanished. If he could believe an artisan had invented the curved-shaft plow, he could never believe such commoners could conceive of the methods for producing refined salt and sugar. After all, those men might go their entire lives without even laying eyes on such luxuries.

The meeting had been a massive shock to Mi Zhu; it left the famously steady Mi Zizhong feeling quite flustered. He forced himself to calm down, made a silent calculation, and looked up to give Liu Feng his word: "Rest assured, Young Master. My family will deliver three hundred curved-shaft plows to Tan County before the end of the third month."

Liu Feng thanked him sincerely and immediately began placing orders for future production. Even if they weren't needed for this season, there would be thousands required for the next. If the second phase of land reclamation began, the shortfall would only grow. Good things were always in short supply.

Mi Zhu promised to deliver one hundred and fifty plows per month, with the volume doubling after six months—time he needed to expand production. The Mi family needed these tools themselves; their own requirements exceeded Liu Feng's, as they needed at least ten thousand. This was not just for their tenant farmers, but for the clans, free citizens, and other allied gentry, powerful families, and merchants who relied on them. In Donghai Commandery alone, the demand exceeded thirty thousand, and in Xiapi, the population was even larger, meaning the need would be even greater.

Liu Feng actually had many other ideas, such as assembly-line production, but he saw no point in sharing them yet. Good things had to be given in increments, and besides, revealing them now wouldn't increase output, as iron production was limited. There was no need to rush.

After finalizing these details, Mi Zhu insisted that Liu Feng stay for a banquet. Liu Feng called Pan Zhang in, and Mi Zhu summoned a few refined guests to join them. During the feast, Mi Zhu was shocked to discover that Liu Feng was not only widely learned, with novel and grand insights, but possessed an experience that far surpassed ordinary people. His analysis of the world’s situation carried an indescribable confidence that made others inadvertently succumb to his powerful charisma.

It created a strong illusion for Mi Zhu; if he were blindfolded, he would never have believed he was conversing with a ten-year-old child. Had someone told him he was speaking to a brilliant, reclusive sage in his twilight years, he would have believed it without hesitation.

What alarmed Mi Zhu most was the breadth and depth of Liu Feng’s knowledge, something he had never encountered in his life. No matter how Mi Zhu changed the topic, Liu Feng kept pace, seized the lead, and dominated the conversation. It made Mi Zhu recall a rumor: could there really be people born with innate wisdom in this world? He had never believed it, but after witnessing Liu Feng, his conviction wavered.

Mi Zhu did not know that Liu Feng’s performance was intentional. He wanted to subdue Mi Zhu, as the Mi family—with their vast network of servants, workshops, capital, and technology—was a vital part of his plan. By establishing prestige before Mi Zhu, Liu Feng aimed to earn his awe and, ultimately, his obedience. He would then generously grant the Mi family the opportunity to invest in him.

While Liu Feng was feasting at the Mi residence, "Big-Eared Brother" Liu Bei was also busy. He had prepared a banquet and invited Chen Deng. It had to be said that Chen Deng was a man of bold character and broad-mindedness, and his reputation was excellent. Liu Bei adored him, and Zhang Fei, who usually held scholars in high regard, found himself immensely fond of Chen Deng.

Zhang Fei was merely a local wanderer, a minor power holder with some assets, whom neither the gentry nor the great clans looked upon with favor. Yet, Chen Yuanlong, a renowned scholar, conversed with Zhang Fei with ease and without a hint of bias. This alone touched the heart of Zhang Fei, who valued righteousness over profit. Even Guan Yu, usually arrogant, proud, and often cold toward the gentry, spoke highly of Chen Deng and considered him a friend. Such was the grace and skill with which Chen Yuanlong navigated the world.