Fang Liuming was in charge at the Ministry of Labour, where he had previously recommended the hand-cranked threshing machine. He had used the previous, clumsier version and knew how it worked. Upon seeing that Pei Qin had created a new, more portable version of the corn threshing machine, the Minister of Public Works questioned him and immediately gave a detailed explanation. They then tested it with a corn cob.
Soon, the hand-cranked corn threshing machine received approval, and the Emperor rewarded Pei Qin with ten bolts of brocade and one hundred taels of silver, instructing the Ministry of Labour to implement the use of the hand-cranked corn thresher.
Fang Liuming was also promoted, starting to work on this matter under the guidance of the Minister of Public Works.
When the reward arrived in Yuanyang County, Zhao Liniang was in the throes of a difficult childbirth.
Pei Zongli was anxiously pacing back and forth in the courtyard.
