"Elder Tan, you are truly remarkable."
Looking at the papermaking factory that was already taking shape before her eyes, Song Qingchao couldn't suppress her astonishment as she spoke.
Moreover, Elder Tan wasn't the only one working as a carpenter on site; he also had three young apprentices.
They all seemed sharp and eager.
Elder Tan, sensing Song Qingchao's gaze, stroked his beard and said, "Miss Song, please take a look and see if this factory meets your expectations."
Song Qingchao walked around, observing, and exclaimed, "Elder Tan, you are truly a capable man."
"I don't deserve such praise."
He chuckled, his eyes gleaming with a special light. "It's Miss Song's drawings that are excellent. Otherwise, even with all my skills, I couldn't create such an object."
"Not at all," Song Qingchao said, her praise entirely genuine. "Drawings are inanimate objects. Only when brought to life by your hands can their true value be realized."
Elder Tan's gums showed as he beamed from the praise.
He kept saying, "Miss Song, you don't need to be so polite."
As he spoke, he beckoned his three apprentices over. "These three are my youngest apprentices. I apologize for not informing you beforehand, but I hope you will bear with it."
"What are you saying? It is a blessing for my people that you are willing to teach them."
Song Qingchao was genuinely not upset.
She understood that Elder Tan was helping her cultivate talent.
If she were to get angry, she would simply be unable to distinguish right from wrong.
Elder Tan was also very pleased with Song Qingchao's attitude.
He had been sent by Bai You'an. Although it was his master's order, a craftsman always had his pride.
He had first been drawn to the drawings in Song Qingchao's hands, and later, he was touched by her demeanor.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone through the trouble of selecting three bright apprentices from a crowd to leave for her.
In truth, he wanted to stay longer. After all, Song Qingchao's drawings were quite captivating.
However, he also knew that this was his master's business, and he wouldn't be staying here indefinitely.
When Song Qingchao presented the drawings for the curved-shaft plow.
Elder Tan simply held them and took a look.
Seeing Elder Tan's silence, Song Qingchao tentatively asked, "Is this item difficult to construct?"
"Not at all."
Elder Tan shook his head. "This item, I believe my three apprentices should be capable of it. If you trust them, would you be willing to entrust them with these drawings?"
Song Qingchao's eyes brightened further.
Elder Tan was truly helping her nurture talent!
She knew well that Elder Tan wouldn't be staying much longer, which was why she was so eager to present one drawing after another. Now that Elder Tan had personally offered, she naturally had to agree!
"Of course, regarding the production, I, as a junior, do not understand. I will listen to your instructions, Elder Tan."
The three young apprentices couldn't hide their smiles upon hearing Song Qingchao's words.
"Good show," Elder Tan said, feigning disapproval, as he handed the drawings to them. "Pay close attention to these; do not rush."
The three apprentices huddled together, examining the drawings.
Song Qingchao was also delighted.
She busily bowed in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Elder Tan."
"Miss Song, you must not."
Despite his pride, Elder Tan was also a man of rules and could not accept such a礼.
He sighed. "These three apprentices are new to their craft but are clever. You can be completely at ease with this matter. I will also be here to oversee them."
Song Qingchao nodded. "This humble girl trusts Elder Tan. However, I would still trouble you all to deliver the finished items to the nursery once they are made. I believe with Elder Tian's assistance, their adaptability will be even better."
"Miss Song, rest assured."
This matter was thus settled.
As long as Elder Tian and his team could properly integrate the curved-shaft plow, it could be widely promoted.
This would coincide perfectly with the plowing season. Coupled with fertilization, the soil's condition would also improve.
As the saying goes, it is a matter of timing, geography, and human harmony.
Song Qingchao could foresee a bountiful harvest in the autumn of this year.
Once spring plowing was over, the papermaking factory would also be completed.
After the busy farming season, significant manpower and resources would be dedicated to papermaking and house construction.
Within half a year, Ji Yanzhuo and his team would also be able to complete the literacy education textbooks.
And those researching other disciplines would, at the very least, be able to integrate useful knowledge.
She did not demand profound scholarship, only clear and easy-to-understand principles, focusing on practicality.
Once the papermaking factory could produce its goods, combined with printed textbooks.
When winter arrived, it would be the ideal time for literacy campaigns.
At that time, the papermaking factory would temporarily cease operations, and the freed-up personnel would all participate in the literacy classes and physical fitness classes.
Thus, in terms of clothing, food, housing, and transportation, only "transportation" remained.
Regarding this aspect,
Song Qingchao had been pondering for quite some time.
Horses, as a means of transport, were extremely precious and rare in this era.
Most farming households relied on ox carts or donkey carts.
Furthermore, the mountain paths were narrow, making it difficult for large carts to pass.
However, if each person had a horse, it would require significant financial resources.
Setting aside whether horses could even be acquired, as raising horses alone was a considerable expense, she was wary of being nagged by that stingy fellow Su Nan.
Sometimes, she wondered how the son of the richest family, the Su family, could be so parsimonious.
Since transportation by animals was not feasible, she decided to focus on human power.
She had used a search engine, but the results left Song Qingchao somewhat bewildered. Airplanes, trains, magnetic levitation...
These were likely things beyond her reach.
Right now, she struggled even to create a wheelchair.
It was important to note that the cost of producing wheels was also very high.
However, there was one item that Song Qingchao felt was worth trying. Although it could be used for transport on flat ground, it might prove somewhat difficult in mountainous terrain.
This item was called a two-wheeled vehicle, constructed from two wheels and a few rods.
This could be tolerable as a single unit, but it would be problematic for warfare in the future.
Balance was an issue, and mobility even more so!
Most importantly, it was made of wood! If it were to be cleaved by a single blow, a fall would be a minor matter, but losing one's life would be a grave consequence!
Therefore, Song Qingchao abandoned this idea.
If she had the opportunity in the future, she might commission Elder Tan to build a few for fun, for internal message delivery within Sifangtai. But for actual battlefield deployment, it was best to forget about it.
This, in turn, led Song Qingchao to reconsider the idea of warhorses.
Horses were essential.
However, these horses did not necessarily have to be raised or bought; they could also be seized.
Song Qingchao decisively stood up and called for Aunt Fang.
Aunt Fang was extremely busy, and her arrival at this moment showed a hint of exhaustion.
Song Qingchao couldn't help but frown.
"Aunt Fang, how long has it been since you last rested?"
Aunt Fang replied, "It's nothing."
But her tired appearance could not be mistaken, and she coughed a few times as she spoke.
Song Qingchao's frown deepened. "Aunt Fang, you should go and rest for a few days. Let Zhou Yi and the others handle your current tasks. Don't wear yourself out."
"Thank you, master, for your concern. However, farming matters have always been handled by this servant. If the tasks are handed over now, it will cause chaos. Furthermore, I have always dealt with those people. If someone else takes over, they might be easily deceived by them."
Since Aunt Fang insisted, Song Qingchao had no further words.
"For today, that's how it will be. You go back and rest. I will send a physician to check on you later."
"Please don't worry, master. This servant will manage."
Song Qingchao became anxious. "Health is paramount in all matters!"