Yun Erman put away his resentment towards his father and smiled at Xiao Xitian. "Sister, then tell me, how is this windmill used? Why can it help the family grind grain when the wind blows?"
Because everyone in the Yun family, except for the newly born Xiao Zhuzi, was literate, their curiosity for new things was high...
Take this windmill, which liberates labor, for example. Why can it make the millstone turn with a whir?
Xiao Xitian was happy to explain to her second brother.
"Second brother, look at this blueprint!" Xiao Xitian unfolded the blueprint and pointed with her little finger. "The working principle is very, very simple. Second brother, do you see these four fan blades?"
"...Mm, I see!" Yun Erman nodded.
Old Yun also craned his neck to peek at the paper from behind.
Xiao Xitian smiled and said, "At the tip of these fan blades, there is a sector gear, called the horizontal shaft gear, and the end that meshes with it is called the vertical shaft gear. At the very bottom of the vertical shaft, a connecting rod and millstone are installed. As long as power is transmitted, the millstone can turn..."
Yun Erman: "???"
This is called very simple?
Although this was the case, making a windmill was no simpler than a waterwheel...
Old Yun pondered for a moment and saw the point. "This is indeed a good method. Our Great Water Village often has strong winds throughout the year. If we use wind power to grind grain, it will not only save time and effort, but our livestock can also rest!"
Because they raised dairy cows, in addition to feeding them hay, various concentrated feeds also needed to be provided, such as cornmeal, wheat bran, millet, sorghum, etc...
These crops could not be fed to livestock unless they were ground into powder.
"Then, then if we let it keep turning like this, its lifespan is also limited!" Yun Erman said with a worried look.
Xiao Xitian smiled and shook her head. "Don't worry about that. When it's not in use, you can lock the fan blades, and then it won't turn..."
Yun Erman said "Oh," and nodded as if he understood but didn't quite.
Seeing this, Old Yun kicked Erman again, looking disappointed. "You useless fellow, learn more from your sister. Don't just guzzle wine all day. Now that your sister has given the snack shop to Shanshan, you need to be more attentive and take good care of the dairy cows at home. After all, making milk candy, milk cakes, milk tofu, etc., none of them can be done without milk!"
Yun Erman: "..."
Are you starting to pick on me again, old man?
Good heavens, now that his eldest brother, third brother, and fourth brother are not home, and he is the only one accompanying his parents, whenever his father encounters the slightest displeasure, he scolds him. What did he do to deserve this...
Although Jiang Tuan's eldest brother is also here, his father doesn't scold him at all.
"Forget it, if I can't afford to offend you, can't I avoid you? Hmph!" Yun Erman patted his butt, tucked his sleeves, and walked out.
Old Yun's eyes widened, and he reprimanded, "You, where are you going? The dairy cows haven't been fed yet!"
Yun Erman stopped and turned back. "I'm going to Uncle Yan's and Uncle Zhuang's to invite two carpenters over. Otherwise, can your father alone make the windmill? Can he?"
Old Yun: "..."
Good boy, your brain has finally opened up. It seems I didn't scold you in vain.
"Okay, go, go. Huaihua said she's making lamb shank stewed with dried cabbage today. Have the two carpenters come to the house to eat, and I'll have a drink with them..." Old Yun waved his hand.
Yun Erman said "Aye," and trotted out.
"Daughter, come, let's go inside!" Old Yun rubbed Xiao Xitian's head.
"No, Daddy, I'll watch for a while longer." Xiao Xitian looked at the blueprint and planned to refine it further.
Old Yun cautioned, "Don't stand outside for too long, you'll catch a cold. If my daughter catches a cold, your mother will blame me to death..."
He remembered that in the twelfth lunar month two years ago, he took his daughter to the county town to visit the market. Because he was only focused on buying things, he was negligent and didn't take care of his little daughter.
After returning home, Xiao Xitian had a high fever and sneezed, which made Gu Shi angry and not speak to Old Yun for several days...
Xiao Xitian said with a wry smile, "Daddy, I'm a big girl now, you don't need to worry!"
Even if she caught a cold or a fever, she had special medicine, so she wasn't afraid.
Besides, every day when she just got up, her mother would find the warmest cotton jacket and pants for her, wrapping Xiao Xitian in layers upon layers, so hot that she couldn't stand it...
After Old Yun returned to the house, Xiao Jincheng walked over with his hands behind his back.
When he came to Xiao Xitian, he suddenly extended a hand, and a crystal-clear sugar-coated hawthorn appeared before Xiao Xitian...
"Wow, it's sugar-coated hawthorn!" Xiao Xitian's eyes lit up.
Xiao Jincheng curved his lips, put the sugar-coated hawthorn into Xiao Xitian's hand, "Here, Xiao Jun just bought it from the county town!"
"Thank you, you stinky boy!" Xiao Xitian took a bite, her eyes narrowing with sweetness.
Xiao Jincheng looked at the blueprint in her hand and asked, "Isn't it too early to start construction? After all, the weather is too cold, and it hasn't thawed yet..."
"It's not too early!" Xiao Xitian looked at Xiao Jincheng. "When the windmill is finished, it will be around May Day, which is the time for spring gales!"
"You've calculated quite carefully!" Xiao Jincheng smiled slightly. Seeing a bit of sugar stain on the corner of the little village girl's mouth, he took out a handkerchief and wiped it for her. "At that time, I'll let Commander Kong and Xiao Ying and Xiao Jun come to help you..."
Xiao Xitian said "Mm," "Okay!"
When the two little dumplings got together, they always had endless topics to chat about, and as they chatted, the sky turned dark.
In the main hall of the Yun family, Old Yun was drinking with Yan Dajun and Zhuang Lao Er, while the sound of stir-frying came from the kitchen...
Zhao Guihua and Yun Daman were not at home, Yun Jinshan had returned to Jinxiang Academy to study, Sanman, Siman, Shangguan Fang'er, and Murong Qing had left, and Jin He had also gone to study in another place with two classmates. There were not many people left at home.
Chu Jiangtun had packed his luggage and planned to set off for the capital early the next morning. He would spend one last night with his family tonight...
"Father, Mother, your son will toast you both again. When you come to the capital in the future, your son will definitely offer you the best things to entertain you!" Chu Jiangtun raised his wine glass, his face full of smiles.
Gu Shi and Old Yun were also overjoyed and clinked glasses with Chu Jiangtun...
Yan Dajun saw this and was extremely envious. "Alas, what a good child. No matter when, he never forgets his roots or where he came from. This is a conscientious person. Unlike my unruly son, he wouldn't even care if his father was stuck in the snow outside!"
Zhuang Lao Er glanced at him after hearing this. "Your son is only seven years old, how can he take care of you?"
"What's wrong with being seven years old? That sweet baby is only six years old and can already build windmills and waterwheels!" Yan Dajun's voice grew louder as the alcohol took effect.
Xiao Xitian: "..."