Chu Chen had only one ox and a curved-shaft plow, while the other side had two people working together, and even three oxen.
It was unavoidable, as the original plows were so cumbersome. If one were to cultivate wasteland, three oxen working together would be absolutely necessary to pull such a plow.
Though they spoke of a competition, the Empress had already made up her mind.
As long as the wasteland cultivated by Chu Chen was more than half of what the other side managed, or even just reached half, the plow would be worth promoting.
For Yun Yue Kingdom, and indeed the entire Qing Province, oxen were more valuable than human labor.
Even if the new plow only worked at half the speed of the old one, it only required one ox!
This meant that if the curved-shaft plow was vigorously promoted, the speed of cultivating farmland would increase by fifty percent compared to before, using the same number of oxen!
With this fifty percent increase in yield, the crisis facing Yun Yue Kingdom could be greatly alleviated!
Half an hour, neither long nor short, felt incredibly boring to Princess Xin Yue, who was watching from the side.
To the Empress's right stood another woman exuding an air of elegance.
"Xin Yue!" the Empress frowned, reprimanding her, "Watch properly. Why don't you learn from your elder sister?"
"It's just plowing fields, what's so interesting about it?" Princess Xin Yue pouted, clearly dissatisfied.
The elegant woman, however, smiled without speaking, watching Chu Chen diligently working with keen interest.
In fact, if it weren't for Chu Chen plowing the field, Princess Xin Yue would have long since slipped away.
If it were anyone else, she would never have sat there honestly, watching the boring process of plowing.
Half an hour passed in a flash, and with the eunuch's shrill cry, both sides stopped simultaneously.
As the eunuch tallied the results, the Empress couldn't help but feel a flicker of curiosity.
She too wanted to know the efficiency of the curved-shaft plow.
But upon seeing the results, she couldn't help but lose her composure.
"Are you sure you didn't mix up the statistics from both sides?"
The area of wasteland cultivated by Chu Chen was nearly thirty percent more than the other side.
If the curved-shaft plow were to be promoted nationwide, it would mean that Yun Yue Kingdom's grain output this year would be at least four times that of last year!
Combined with the new planting techniques proposed by Chu Chen, this yield would increase even further!
At this moment, even the Empress was somewhat flustered.
But Chu Chen was not satisfied with this.
After the statistics were released, he immediately demonstrated the waterwheel.
It was just a small model, powered by a cup of water.
As Chu Chen demonstrated, the flow of just one cup of water was enough to make the waterwheel transport water from the river to a considerable distance.
"Even if the river flow is insufficient, just add this..." As he spoke, Chu Chen fitted another pre-made component next to the waterwheel.
"Using human or animal power, the waterwheel can also be turned."
"If necessary, they can even be used simultaneously to speed up the transport of river water."
Chu Chen smiled slightly, "This way, even dry land far from the water source can become irrigated land."
The Empress's eyes were somewhat vacant.
She could no longer calculate what kind of changes this would bring to Yun Yue Kingdom.
If it were truly promoted nationwide, in just three to five years, Yun Yue Kingdom would undoubtedly leap to become the most powerful nation in the vicinity.
The significance of increased grain production for a nation was far more than just the common people being able to eat their fill.
With grain production multiplied several times, it meant the nation could collect more taxes, leading to a prosperous and strong nation, naturally enabling grand projects.
This, in turn, would further benefit the people, improving their lives.
Previously, the common people had to toil in the fields all day just to eat, but now they would have more time to attend to other matters.
With enough food, the people would be healthier and stronger. The soldiers recruited would naturally have greater combat power.
Let's not forget that cultivators existed in this world.
Cultivators had higher food demands, especially for meat, compared to ordinary people.
With sufficient food, more livestock could be raised, providing more sustenance for cultivators.
This meant Yun Yue Kingdom could support more cultivators.
In a single moment, countless thoughts flashed through the Empress's mind.
She decided to immediately promote the curved-shaft plow and the waterwheel.
This technology could not be kept secret forever. No matter how careful they were, within two to three years, some people would likely acquire these items.
Therefore, the Empress wanted to promote them nationwide before others could react.
"You have done very well," the Empress said calmly. "I shall reward you handsomely!"
"Tell me, what reward do you truly desire? I can grant you anything!"
Chu Chen's face lit up with joy. "I request Your Majesty to bestow a name upon my invention!"
"If not for Your Majesty's brilliant leadership and effective governance, I would not have been able to create such a divine artifact."
"Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to grant it a name. This is my greatest wish!"
Even though the Empress had never been fond of those who were adept at flattery, she couldn't help but feel a touch of fondness for Chu Chen at this moment.
This was not a reward; it was an opportunity to let her name be passed down through the ages.
It was foreseeable that once these two inventions were promoted, the common people of the world would be grateful to the inventor.
Even the Empress, who was not particularly interested in empty fame, couldn't help but be tempted.
"Since that is the case, let it be named after our Yun Yue Kingdom," the Empress said with a light tone.
"However, these are merely nominal honors. Actual rewards must still be given."
"I dare not ask for more," Chu Chen replied quickly. "I have only made a small, insignificant contribution. It is Your Majesty's wise leadership that deserves the credit, and this achievement should be attributed to Your Majesty."
*Cough cough, young man, you've really broadened your horizons!*
At this moment, even the eunuch, who was most fond of flattery, was shocked by Chu Chen's shamelessness.
*You actually dare to offer such praise?*
But as the saying goes, a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth.
Regardless of what others thought, Chu Chen firmly believed that this was the merit of the wise and mighty Emperor's leadership, and had nothing to do with him!
"I decree a reward of one hundred taels of silver, one hundred bolts of silk..."
"Furthermore, effective immediately, you are promoted to Grand Supervisor, in charge of all the eunuchs in the palace."
"All manpower of the Imperial Household Department is at your disposal."
Having said that, the Empress gazed deeply at Chu Chen. "From now on, if you have any ideas, you can come directly to me to discuss them."
"I eagerly await your future achievements!"
"He's actually the Grand Supervisor!"
Amidst the crowd, someone exclaimed in surprise.