Li Wei stood at the bank of the Tianxi River, the steady gurgle of water filling his ears as he surveyed the village's barren fields. The villagers had gathered behind him, their faces lined with exhaustion and skepticism. For generations, they had lived and died with their backs bent under the weight of hard labor, relying solely on manual grinding to process their grain.
Old Fu, the blacksmith, stood nearby, arms crossed as he eyed the strange contraption Li Wei had sketched a water wheel. The villagers whispered amongst themselves, casting doubtful glances at the emperor. They had heard promises from officials before, and none had delivered anything but disappointment.
Li Wei cleared his throat, turning to face the group. His voice was steady, but he infused it with warmth. "I know this looks unfamiliar, but let me explain how it works. The river's current will turn these paddles," he said, pointing to the wooden panels in his sketch. "That rotation will transfer energy to a central axle, which powers a millstone. The millstone grinds grain into flour much faster than any manual method."
Uncle Bo, the eldest farmer, stepped forward, his rough hands gripping his cane. "Your Majesty, this sounds like sorcery to us. We've worked these fields for decades, and none of us have ever seen such a thing. How do we know it won't break or worse or fail entirely?"
Li Wei smiled reassuringly. "Uncle Bo, I understand your concerns. That's why I'll stay here until it's built and working. You won't need to trust just my words, you'll see it with your own eyes."
His words calmed some of the villagers, though doubt lingered. Old Fu nodded gruffly. "Alright, Your Majesty. I'll build it, but don't blame me if it falls apart. This is your gamble, not mine."
For the next two weeks, Li Wei worked side by side with the villagers and Old Fu to construct the water wheel. They used strong wood from nearby forests, shaping the paddles and assembling the axle with meticulous care. Despite being the emperor, Li Wei didn't hesitate to roll up his sleeves, hauling logs and hammering nails with the rest of them. His humility and determination earned the grudging respect of the villagers.
Finally, the day of the test arrived. The completed water wheel, standing tall and sturdy, was lowered into the river. The villagers watched in tense silence as the current caught the paddles. Slowly, the wheel began to turn, its rhythmic motion steady and smooth. Inside the millhouse, the attached millstone ground grain into fine flour with a low, satisfying hum.
The villagers erupted into cheers. Uncle Bo clapped Li Wei on the back, his weathered face breaking into a wide grin. "You've done it, Your Majesty! You've made our lives so much easier!"
Li Wei felt a swell of pride, but he tempered it with realism. "This is just one step. If we can replicate this across the kingdom, we'll see true change. But for now, let's celebrate this success."
As the villagers gathered to share their first batch of freshly ground flour, Li Wei couldn't help but feel hope stir in his heart. This was proof that progress was possible, even in the face of centuries of stagnation.