At this time, many powerful families in Chang 'an City would use their influence and connections to obtain enough harvesters. This would not only allow them to harvest their own wheat fields easily, but also allow them to help others harvest and earn a considerable amount of money for the use of the harvesters.
The Yang family was in such a situation. Each of them had bought enough harvesters, about 200 in total. With such a large number of harvesters, it would only take a day to harvest more than 5,000 mu of wheat fields, or even more than 10,000 mu of wheat fields. As long as they were used together, they could easily harvest one family's wheat field every day, and then harvest another family's wheat field the next day. Finally, they could leave half of the time to harvest for other major grain farmers and earn a little money for themselves.
Among them, Yang Guozhong had the most harvesters, with a total of 50 harvesters. The rest of the families had at least a dozen harvesters. It was not that they did not have the ability to obtain more, but in order to balance the interests of the major aristocrats, they could not occupy too much. If they occupied too much, the other aristocrats would be extremely dissatisfied. They also decided how many harvesters they bought according to their status and strength. Of course, they also had to consider the land they owned near the capital city. If they used their power to buy all the harvesters, some hotheaded censors might impeach them. In any era, there were censors who were not afraid of death and any revenge. Even if they could not fundamentally hurt the Yang family, the impact would definitely be negative.
Even if they only had 200 harvesters, it was the most among all the aristocrats in the capital city. Few other families had more than 100 harvesters. Most of them only had dozens of harvesters. With the output of 100 harvesters per month, it was really difficult to guarantee the use of so many aristocrats in the capital city. What's more, there were many aristocrats in the Eastern Capital and other places who also had a great demand for harvesters. They were all fighting to buy harvesters. Whoever bought too many harvesters would be unanimously angered by the other families, so no one dared to go too far.
The most noble person was Ang Lee. Although this harvester was invented by Ang Lee, and his family had a lot of fields, and his status was not low, but Ang Lee only had three harvesters, which was far less than the number of harvesters that other aristocrats had bought. Many people admired him. Of course, they all spent money to buy it, but Ang Lee directly asked for it from the imperial court without spending a penny. So, of course, he could not ask for too many harvesters, or he would face impeachment.
The reason why Ang Lee did not spend money was not because he could not afford it, but because this harvester was invented by Ang Lee. It was not too much for him to ask for a few. At the same time, it also showed that he was greedy for small gains. He gave himself some small flaws that would not have much impact and would not make him appear too big.
His ability was already strong enough. If his image was incomparably big, then Ang Lee's prestige would be too high. This would easily arouse the suspicion of the royal family. Ang Lee did not want to live in a life of suspicion. That kind of feeling was very bad. It was a life that Ang Lee did not want to experience in his life. If he had some flaws, he would only lose a little of his image. However, it could protect Ang Lee very well, so that Ang Lee would not be suspected by the royal family and fall into a situation where he would be framed.
It was better for people to have some flaws. A person without flaws was not perfect. On the contrary, it would give people a very fake feeling, making people feel that this was not a normal person. This was because normal people would have seven emotions and six desires, and a person with seven emotions and six desires would always have some flaws. Sometimes, it was just to deliberately cover up for their own image.
After separating from Old Du, Ang Lee prepared to go back. The purpose of this trip could be considered to have been achieved. In addition, he also understood some of the situation. It could be said that this trip was not in vain.
With the arrival of spring harvest and spring plowing, the weather had become warmer and warmer. After the weather became warmer, the clothes on everyone's body would naturally be greatly reduced. Otherwise, it would be unbearably hot!
However, the temperature in spring was very unstable. It might not be able to stay warm forever. It was very likely that it would unknowingly give you a late spring cold, and this late spring cold was obviously very fatal. Not only would it damage many plants, but it would also make people sick at the same time.
It was still sunny in the morning. Just after lunch, it suddenly became cloudy. Gusts of cold wind blew, and the temperature also dropped extremely. It dropped by at least ten degrees. The people who were harvesting wheat in the rice fields couldn't help but shiver.
When they went out in the morning, they saw that the weather was good, so they naturally didn't wear thick clothes. In the afternoon, just as they started to work, the temperature suddenly dropped. Fortunately, they were harvesting wheat, which was considered physical labor, so their bodies could still hold on. If they stopped to rest, they wouldn't be able to stand it immediately.
As long as they weren't too old or weak, they could withstand the test of this late spring cold. However, those cultured people who came out to relax weren't so lucky. As a matter of fact, more than a dozen scholars wearing thin long gowns were shivering from the cold.
From their attire, one could tell that they weren't nobles, but they weren't ordinary poor people either. They were scholars with some family background. They had agreed to go to the wheat fields outside the city to admire the scene of the farmers harvesting wheat. At the same time, they were looking for inspiration to compose a few poems or something.
When they went out in the morning, they saw that the weather was clear and the temperature wasn't low, so they naturally didn't wear cotton clothes. Because they weren't nobles, they naturally didn't have a carriage or backup cotton clothes. At this moment, when they suddenly encountered a cold current, all of them were shivering from the cold.
Not long after, one by one, they started to sneeze. It was obvious that they had caught a cold. However, the farmers working in the nearby rice fields didn't shiver or sneeze.
When these farmers saw that the scholars' bodies were so weak, they couldn't help but laugh. Although they were tired from working and their bodies were very cold, at least they were very strong. They were much stronger than the scholars who were enjoying the scenery.
Before the arrival of the cold air, these farmers were so tired that they were covered in sweat. However, these scholars were actually pointing at the mountains and rivers, and from time to time, they would write poems. These were all things that these farmers could not understand, which made these farmers feel quite uncomfortable. At this moment, seeing these fellows shivering and sneezing from the cold, their hearts immediately balanced and felt much better.
"Scholars, the weather is too cold. Why don't you help us harvest wheat and warm up?"
A strong farmer laughed and joked.
"Hahaha!"
Immediately, it resonated with many farmers.
Although the scholars were quite angry, at this moment, they were shivering from the cold and didn't have the leisure to refute. However, it was impossible for them to harvest wheat. They were noble scholars. How could they do something like harvesting wheat? This was too insulting. However, this was the wilderness. It was still very far from where there were people. It would be difficult to find a shelter in such a short time. Therefore, they could only hide next to a big tree and use the thick trunk to block the invasion of the cold wind. They were praying in their hearts, hoping that this deadly cold wind would stop.
After all, although the temperature had dropped a lot, if there wasn't a wind stronger than force five or six, this drop in temperature would be nothing. However, with a force five or six wind, the effect of the temperature drop would be greatly enhanced. After all, the piercing cold wind would take away the heat from people's bodies bit by bit, making them feel twice as cold.
The big tree next to the paddy field wasn't very thick. The effect of blocking the wind wasn't very good. Even if these scholars all gathered together, it would be difficult to block the invasion of the piercing cold wind. Each of them was unbearably cold. However, if they left the protection of the big tree, the cold wind on their bodies would be even more intense. Therefore, they had no choice but to rely on the big tree to temporarily block part of the cold wind and wait for the wind to die down before leaving.
At this moment, they were no longer in the mood to recite poems or compose poems. They only had one thought, and that was to quickly stop the cold wind. Otherwise, they would freeze to death.
An old farmer used his eyes to reprimand the younger generation who made fun of the scholars. Then, he called a few other farmers to pile up the wheat bundles that were harvested on both sides of the road near the big tree. He piled them up as high as possible to help these scholars block the cold. Then, the old farmer took out some more wheat bundles and placed them beside these scholars.
"The weather is too cold. Sit on these wheat bundles. It will be warmer this way."
The old farmer said.
After all, the wheat bundles they piled up against the big tree weren't very high. They were only about half the height of a person. However, as long as these scholars sat down, the cold wind wouldn't be able to reach them. In order to prevent the ground from becoming too cold, he thoughtfully prepared wheat bundles and benches for them.
"Today's kindness will be repaid with gusto in the future."
The scholar was also grateful and said.
"Forget it. This old man can't even live for a few more days. Remember to treat the commoners better when you become an official in the future. Hahaha! "
The old farmer laughed heartily.
With the protection of these wheat bundles and the fact that they curled up after sitting down, these scholars instantly felt much more comfortable.
There were only two ways to keep out the cold. One was to exercise continuously, and the other was to keep warm. However, the physique of the scholars was not suitable for continuous exercise. As such, they could only curl up to keep warm. There was no better way to keep warm.
This scene was naturally seen by Ang Lee who was outside. He didn't plan to come out today. After all, he had already gone out to take a look at the wheat fields a few days ago. However, it was too boring to stay in the research and development center. Ang Lee couldn't help but want to see how fast the wheat was harvested and the ratio of harvesters used after the spring harvest began. From there, he would have a better understanding of the spring harvest. He didn't expect to see such a lively scene.
"These farmers are really simple. They actually used their own wheat bundles to block the cold for these scholars. This is very rare!"
Li An exclaimed in admiration.
However, although these farmers temporarily solved the problem of keeping the scholars warm, the cold wind didn't show any signs of stopping or weakening. If this bone-chilling wind continued and didn't stop at night, these scholars would be trapped here forever. Moreover, the farmers didn't harvest wheat for them to block the cold. They would be transported away when the carriage arrived.
"How many winter clothes do we have in the carriage?"
Ang Lee asked.
"Only two cotton-padded clothes. They were left behind by Alang a few days ago."
A young butler who followed along replied.
"Only two? That's too little. There are more than ten scholars here. It's not enough!"
Ang Lee said.
The young butler said in surprise, "Alang, the weather isn't too cold. They won't freeze to death. These scholars are too delicate. Moreover, how can you let them wear Alang's clothes?"
After saying that, his face was full of disdain. This young butler had followed Ang Lee for many years and could be considered a confidant. He naturally respected Ang Lee very much. However, he didn't care about these ordinary scholars. What was so great about scholars? It was very difficult for them to become a high official just by relying on their knowledge. Moreover, the weather wasn't too cold. Couldn't they run away?
Ang Lee rolled his eyes at the young butler and said, "I remember there's a blanket in the trunk. Send it to them along with these two clothes."
"Alang, this …"
The young butler looked reluctant. However, under Ang Lee's gaze, he finally compromised and hurriedly sent the blanket and cotton-padded clothes over.
Soon, these things to keep out the cold were delivered to more than a dozen scholars. Although they didn't come over, they all stood up gently and saluted to the cart not far away. Their postures were quite respectful.
Although these scholars looked very ordinary, they were the future hope of the Tang Empire. No one could guarantee that there wouldn't be a useful talent among them in the future. If they were frozen to death, it would be a huge loss.
Three donkey carts soon appeared. They were definitely going to transport the stacked wheat sheaves away. However, to Ang Lee's surprise, the old farmer not only took the wheat sheaves away, but also the scholars. There were three or four scholars lying on the three donkey carts. In order to prevent these scholars from freezing, they were all covered with wheat sheaves. Only one cart was covered with a blanket. The two cotton-padded clothes were put on by the two weakest scholars.
Ang Lee's two cotton-padded clothes were not outerwear. In fact, they were cotton-padded clothes worn inside. They were of very ordinary quality and didn't have gorgeous embroidery. Therefore, they weren't worth much. The blanket was used to cover the ground. There might even be mud on it. Of course, for keeping out the cold, this was not a big problem.
"With such a fierce late spring cold, the fruit trees at home will decrease in production this year!"
Ang Lee said helplessly. Then, he ordered them to return. Not to the R&D Center, but to go straight home.
Judging from the current trend, the late spring cold this time was quite fierce. Perhaps it would be colder at night. Therefore, they had to prepare early. Not only did they have to keep the greenhouse in the backyard warm, but they also had to smoke the fruit trees in the yard to prevent the cold from affecting the fruit trees that had just bloomed. All these needed to be arranged in advance.
Ang Lee's guess was right. The late spring cold this time was indeed fierce. When it was time to go to bed, the cold wind outside would be even fiercer. Obviously, the temperature at night would be lower. If they didn't prepare early, most of the newly bloomed flowers on the fruit trees would wither.
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