Chapter 70: Big Brother's here to back you up!

This big sack of corn, in less than two minutes, the cobs went clatter‑clatter—cobs were cobs, kernels were kernels.

Instantly, the workshop fell silent.

The leaders of the Bing Jia Chang, as well as that big leader in white cuffs, were completely shocked by this sight.

The work that a skilled villager could only finish in an hour of hard labor was produced by this strange‑looking device in just two minutes.

As leaders, everyone almost instantly realized the value of this machine.

What does the Great Zhou royal court lack most right now?

It's definitely grain!

During the war years, vast tracts of land lay fallow; just look at what the common folk eat now and you'll know.

Eating white flour three times a month already counts as a well‑off household in the imperial capital.

You know, this is the imperial capital!

If it's a remote area, one might not even get a bite all year round.

Even now, many places are still suffering from famine.

That's why the Great Zhou dynasty now so highly values the status of artisans and farmers, raising it wildly.

It can be said that anything related to agriculture now is the most valuable!!

Lu Yuan's device greatly reduces the labor farmers expend on this!!

It can be said that this device's value surpasses even that of the Snow Dragon Sunlight Armor!!

What talent!!

This Lu Yuan is truly a talent!!

Almost in an instant, those few words appeared in the big leader's mind.

The structure and idea of this so‑called hand‑cranked thresher felt to the big leader like they didn't belong to this era.

It's truly far ahead of its time.

The big leader didn't know how Lu Yuan's mind could have come up with this, actually able to create such a thing.

This device is incredibly powerful; as long as I turn it over to the higher‑ups for them to see, it will surely cause a sensation.

By then, the higher‑ups will definitely have the Forging Bureau open two new factories dedicated to producing this.

We don't need many of these; if each village pools funds to buy one, that will be more than enough!

This can be said to be a necessary agricultural implement!

In the future it will surely be as common as hoes, sickles, and the like!

Now the Huangcheng Forging Bureau can absolutely be proud!!

You know, the Great Zhou dynasty has a total of five forging bureaus, distributed across the country.

These other forging bureaus have done quite well this year.

For example, the Jiangnan Forging Bureau this year newly researched a spring bed, called 'Soft Dream Thought', which sold very well, even reaching the imperial capital.

This year the Huangcheng Forging Bureau didn't come out with any new gadgets.

However, restoring the Snow Dragon Sunlight Armor also counts as a remarkable achievement.

And now they've produced this hand‑cranked thresher, which is truly impressive.

Firmly securing the position of elder brother in the Forging Bureau!!

At this moment, the excited big leader grabbed Lu Yuan's hand and quickly said:

"Xiao Yuan, I'll take this to the bureau right now and have the higher‑up leaders personally examine it; I'll also definitely apply for additional rewards for you!!"

Rewards are definitely guaranteed.

However, Lu Yuan felt it would probably just be a monetary reward; money Lu Yuan certainly wants, but creating this device isn't just about the prize money.

The next second, Lu Yuan gave the big leader a mysterious look and said:

"Big leader, this thing actually isn't much."

Huh??

This thing isn't much??

The big leader, who had been extremely excited, was about to walk off hugging the machine, but upon hearing Lu Yuan's words, immediately froze.

This…… this isn't much??

The next second, Lu Yuan looked at the big leader and said:

"This device is fine for village use, but for larger places it would be a bit ink‑stained."

For example, the imperial court's grain store, the grain stores of each province—if used like this, it wouldn't work well; someone would still have to crank it.

Hearing Lu Yuan's words, the big leader blinked.

This……

Actually, it's still fine.

The big leader felt this device was already plenty impressive.

Although the grain stores of the provinces are huge, wouldn't just making a few more of these machines do the trick?

However, hearing Lu Yuan's meaning…… could there be something even more impressive??

Immediately, the big leader eagerly said:

"Then Xiao Yuan, what do you mean?"

Afterward, Lu Yuan raised his head and said:

"I also have a large‑scale thresher driven by a spirit power core!!"

"It's ten‑plus times larger than this hand‑cranked version, with ten‑plus times the efficiency, and it doesn't need manual cranking—just flip the switch and the spirit power core drives it!"

Hearing this, the big leader could no longer contain himself; he quickly set down the hand‑cranked thresher he was holding and excitedly patted Lu Yuan's shoulder, saying:

Well... that uncle, would you like to go back with me now to have a look?

This big leader's age is not much different from that of Director Liu of the Heaven-Holding Guard.

Claiming to be Lu Yuan's uncle, that is naturally something he can live up to.

However, the leaders of Bing Jia Chang beside them exchanged glances.

Well... how did this big leader first become kin with Lu Yuan?

Lu Yuan was also a bit dazed, but this big leader put on a solemn face and said matter-of-factly:

"You are from the Forging Bureau, I am a leader of the Forging Bureau—isn't a leader just the head of the family? What's wrong with that, right?"

"My surname is Xu; you might not have known the uncle before, but the uncle is the director of this Forging Bureau. From now on, when you see the uncle, don't call him leader—just call him uncle."

Everyone: ……

This is a bit far-fetched, isn't it?

Lu Yuan blinked, this…

Um… this isn't important!

Lu Yuan also had a sweet mouth, and immediately he grinned and said:

"Okay, uncle, but for now let's not go, because I don't have that large item you mentioned at home, but I do have the drawings."

Having the drawings would be even better!!

"Take this thing to the higher-ups for them to look at; once they approve it, tomorrow he can have the Forging Bureau open two more factories outside Huangcheng, dedicated to producing this thing!"

Immediately, Director Xu hurriedly said:

"Then uncle, shall we go get it now?"

Lu Yuan shook his head and said:

"Now, no, because it's not completely finished yet; however, tonight I'll go back and work late under the lamp, pull an all-nighter, and I can finish all the drawings in one night, so it'll be ready by tomorrow."

Hearing this, Director Xu's face filled with excitement—this kid is really capable!!

We'll be able to get those drawings tomorrow??

But before Director Xu could say anything, Lu Yuan then said:

"However… tomorrow I can't bring it over to you, uncle."

Um…

Lu Yuan was about to reveal his true intention.

Director Xu was stunned, then hurriedly said:

"Xiao Yuan, your health isn't good, and you'll have stayed up all night—how could I let you deliver it? I'll go get it myself tomorrow; you just rest after you finish."

Originally having someone else get it would be the same, but this wouldn't show respect, would it?

Things were developing just as Lu Yuan had imagined; he chuckled to himself, then quickly said:

"Uncle, I'm not just going to rest—I'm going to hold a feast."

"Hold a feast??

Director Xu was taken aback.

He didn't quite understand what was meant.

Afterward, Lu Yuan looked at Director Xu and suddenly said:

"Uncle, how about you come to my feast at noon? It's just along the way, anyway."

The map is exhausted, the dagger appears.

Ah this…

Director Xu couldn't help but be stunned, feeling a bit embarrassed.

The Imperial Court has regulations—officials like us can't just go to commoners' homes to eat and drink……

And at that moment, Lu Yuan lowered his head with a sorrowful expression and said:

"Uncle, you don't know, my parents died in the war, and I have no relatives or siblings; earlier I had a little money, and I spent it all on books."

"I've been married for so long, yet I never held a wedding for my wife—I'm poor."

"It was only after the bonus was paid out the day before yesterday that I could afford to hold a feast for my wife."

"Uncle, you say I'm fatherless and motherless, with no relatives, so I'd only invite a few people from the household and coworkers—there wouldn't be many, it'd be rather lonely."

"Uncle, if you have time, please come eat a meal at my place—this way it won't look like there are many people, and it'll be lively."

Hearing Lu Yuan's words, Director Xu almost burst into tears.

Seeing Lu Yuan like this, Director Xu put on a solemn face, patted Lu Yuan's shoulder, and said:

"Don't worry, Xiao Yuan; from now on I'll be your uncle. After this, I'll take the seat of honor, we'll be family, and I'll back you up!!"

(End of chapter)