The Slender Waist-Chapter 101 - 78: Tu Family Fort

The next day was the date agreed with Ren Rude.

Feng Yun stumbled out of bed with bleary eyes and upon opening the door, was met with the sight of Ao Qi standing outside.

Clothed in light armor and leaning on a steel blade, his posture was as rigid as stone, unwilling to afford her a single pleasant glance.

Feng Yun observed his expression and narrowed her eyes, "What are you doing, Guard Ao?"

Ao Qi replied, "The General has ordered that I must not leave your side."

Feng Yun sighed.

She found it hard to believe that Pei Jue would issue such a bizarre command.

In the end, this youth has issues with his mindset.

Too obsessed with his uncle...

She smiled, walking ahead as Ao Qi silently followed her with his blade, refusing to take an extra glance at her. With a few light flutters of his eyelashes, a hint of moisture surfaced in his eyes.

Xiaoman caught up, holding an umbrella.

Ao Qi paused momentarily, then retreated two steps without uttering a word.

Feng Yun sensed a stiffness in the air and glanced back at the two, nodding thoughtfully.

"Walk faster, so we don’t miss the time."

-

The Tu Family Fort was a full eighty li from Andu City, located in a place called Tu Mountain, constructed facing the mountain.

According to the "Extensive Records," the Tu Family Fort was established over a hundred years ago by a family of noble descent that had migrated from the north to escape turmoil. It was managed by their clan, markedly different from the violent and pillaging armed strongholds.

Within the fort dwelled scholars and genteel folk; the clan’s offspring were educated in literacy and martial arts. Activities like farming and porcelain making were commonplace—everything one could ask for.

Under the setting sun, the defenders of the Wubao Earth Building, clad in armor and wielding swords, had the appearance of regular troops. The other civilians were engrossed in their work, contented and at peace. There were wisps of smoke rising from the households, painting the picture of an idyllic paradise.

Feng Yun was deeply moved.

This trip was like taking a lesson in enlightenment.

If one day she could own such a fort, what need would she have for a man’s protection...

Feng Yun presented her visiting card, and the Tu Family Fort received their party at the gate with much courtesy.

The Master of Tu Fort was a forthright man, greeting them with a loud laugh and a cupped fist salute.

"Madam, please."

Feng Yun bowed deeply in return, "I am intruding."

This time, Feng Yun came with a retinue of twenty, having only heard of the Tu Family Fort. Stepping inside left them all in astonishment...

The architectural structure of the Tu Family Fort was intricate yet practical, allowing for comfortable living as well as defense against enemies...

What was even more peculiar was its furnishings.

All the guest halls within the fort had high-backed seats.

Stools and seat cushions were also found in Changmen Village, but they were simple in design, not nearly as varied and refined as those in the Tu Family Fort...

Square, round, oval, and elongated shapes dazzled the eye.

Although high-backed seating was becoming more common, the majority of households still sat on the floor. Witnessing such a drastic departure in style at the Tu Family Fort was indeed surprising.

This was a truly extraordinary place.

Feng Yun was invited to take a seat.

Sitting with her legs dangling down was somewhat more comfortable than kneeling.

Thus, Feng Yun took the opportunity to observe those seats more closely.

Ren Rude acted as a mediator and explained the purpose of Feng Yun’s visit.

She needed a batch of farming tools as well as seeds for crops.

These were items that could not be found in the market but were available through the Tu Family’s Wubao.

However, the Master of Tu Fort was clearly not interested in giving them any such misconception.

"Mister Ren flatters us," he said with a sigh, "Frankly speaking, despite the Tu Family Fort’s apparent prosperity and size, with many mouths to feed, it’s rather difficult to make ends meet..."

Feng Yun smiled, "I’m not asking for a handout. I have goods to exchange with the Master of Tu Fort."

The smile on the Master of Tu Fort’s face remained unchanged, but the fleeting look in his eyes was one of condescension, clearly underestimating Feng Yun as a mere woman.

While residing in Wubao, one is not completely ignorant of the surrounding affairs.

Before Feng Yun arrived, the fort had already figured out her identity.

In the eyes of the Tu Fort Master, she was simply a lady with the backing of Pei Jue who thought rather highly of herself...

To receive her was an act of not wanting to offend anyone, whether it was Pei Jue or Ren Rude, they both deserved a certain level of respect.

He had already planned to treat her to good food and drink, and when she left, to give her some outdated agricultural tools and some seeds as a gesture of goodwill.

But if she wanted more, that was out of the question.

Feng Yun clearly understood his thinking and courteously clasped her hands in greeting:

"I’m not here to borrow or buy farm tools; instead, I wish to collaborate with the fort master on manufacturing them. It will be to my advantage, but the farm tools we make will also greatly benefit Wubao."

The corners of Tu Fort Master’s lips lifted in a smile.

"Drink this cup of tea, and I will show the lady our Wubao’s toolhouse."

This was the largest toolhouse Feng Yun had ever seen.

It had many more tools than she had ever seen in the Tianzhuang fields back at her home.

Not just in quantity, but also in variety.

The confidence and assurance of the Tu Fort Master were not unfounded; one could say that any agricultural tool found under the heavens could be located in this toolhouse, and even tools not found elsewhere could be discovered here.

Several members of the fort accompanied her, their faces showing smug smiles.

"Our Tu Family Fort has it all."

Feng Yun believed this. There were many skilled craftspeople in the fort, their level of craftsmanship not inferior to the Imperial Court’s artisans, and even better at research and development.

The Tu Family Fort even had a design studio dedicated solely to this purpose.

Having the world’s best craftspeople and techniques, they naturally had no interest in her so-called "collaborative production of farm tools."

Everyone was scoffing at Feng Yun for brandishing her ax at Lu Ban’s door.

But Feng Yun seemed oblivious to the others’ expressions and turned to call Xiaoman.

"Bring it over and let the fort master have a look."

—

Xiaoman bowed her head and presented the box in her hands.

Feng Yun opened the box in front of everyone and took out several drawings she had personally sketched and artificially aged.

"This is called the Wooden Ox Waterwheel."

"This is called the Curved Ape Plow."

"This is called the Rake Hoe."

The three types of farm tools were clearly depicted.

After looking at them for a moment, the Tu Fort Master sent for the senior craftsman.

Before the two craftsmen entered, they saw a young woman standing in front of the farm tools and were somewhat disdainful, but upon taking the drawings, they exchanged glances, their faces showing great surprise.

Professionals see things differently than amateurs; an expert can tell at a glance.

With just a brief explanation from Feng Yun, both craftsmen grasped the wonder of the implements, their eyes reddening with excitement.

"Wonderful, truly wonderful!"

Feng Yun said, "Given the high elevation of your fort, moving water uphill for irrigation and drinking requires a lot of manpower. With this Wooden Ox Waterwheel, you can utilize the terrain to your advantage..."

"And this plow..."

She pointed to the Curved Shaft Plough in the drawing and then compared it to the iron plough in the toolhouse.

"The Wei Plough of your fort is already superior to the straight shaft ploughs used by most farmers, but it’s not convenient for deep tillage or maneuvering. Since all of your lands are not flat plains, the Curved Shaft Plough is the most suitable..."

The plow heads and Rake Hoes present in the Tu Family Fort were abundant and, while not as exquisite and convenient as those in Feng Yun’s drawings, were not enough to amaze people.

But that waterwheel was truly eye-catching.

The Tu Family Fort had manpower-operated chain pumps and dragon-back waterwheels, which were very intricate and labor-saving, and they took great pride in them.

Yet, they had never imagined there could be such a divine device, resembling a large machine that could not only lift water for irrigation but also grind grain and even be used for forging and sawing wood.

Had it not been for Feng Yun’s explanations, they could never have imagined such possibilities.

Watching the two craftsmen’s excitement, the Tu Fort Master narrowed his eyes and asked Feng Yun.

"May I inquire where you acquired the designs for this invention?"