Clara clicked her tongue twice. "That might cost thirty taels, maybe even more!"
"Not everyone's like me, after all—I could singlehandedly carve out a millstone this big. For your village to do the same, you'd need at least ten men just to shape one like it. And getting it transported and installed? That's no easy task either."
A millstone weighing over a thousand catties wasn't something ten men could just lug into place without breaking a sweat. The stone was brittle—one careless move and if it cracked, all that effort would be wasted.
Seeing York Wang hesitate, Clara gave a light, understanding smile. "Of course, I know Sonny pretty well. If I weren't so tied up at home right now, I'd have come to help myself."
"But honestly, I really can't spare the time. My husband's completely buried in his books now, and with so much work left at home, I just can't get away."
"Third brother is studying?" Sonny thought his ears were playing tricks on him. "Sis-in-law, did you just say Third Bro is… reading?"
Clara nodded. "Just decided a few days ago. You know what he's like—useless at everything. So I figured, why not let him hit the books again? Maybe something good will come of it."
Sonny was stunned. Lester Liew, studying? That guy couldn't even sit still without picking his teeth, and now he was going to read?
But knowing what Clara was capable of, Sonny didn't dare throw cold water on the idea. He just grinned and said, "Well then, tell Third Bro that if he makes it big, don't forget his ol' buddy Sonny!"
Clara chuckled. "Even if I forget the world, I won't forget you, Sonny."
After all, if this deal went through, it could net her at least five taels of silver.
With that kind of price gap, only a fool wouldn't choose her and Carpenter Liew to handle the job.
Seeing York Wang still caught in thought, Clara suggested he go visit Carpenter Liew for more technical details.
"If your folks in Riverbend Village can figure it out themselves, we'll just charge a small consulting fee."
Of course, that was just politeness. In truth, Carpenter Liew wasn't stupid either. The two of them had worked together many times and already had a solid understanding.
Besides, based on York's reaction to all that talk earlier—about drive mechanics, axles, and operational principles—it was clear this wasn't something an amateur could pull off.
But he still needed something concrete to bring back to the villagers. So off he went to visit Carpenter Liew, while Clara claimed she had work in the fields and asked Sonny to escort him.
Half an hour later, Sonny ran alone to the fields to find Clara. "Sis-in-law, York and I gotta head back to the village to discuss with the others. But the way it looks, we'll probably need to trouble you and Carpenter Liew again."
Clara smiled and nodded. "Sure. If you need me, just come find me."
"Oh, right—your third brother's home too. Kept talking about you. Why not come by for a visit?"
"Nah, no need." Sonny waved his hand. "Gotta rush home. I'll drop by next time."
Besides, now that Third Bro was studying, how could he dare to disturb?
Anyway, when it came to decisions, wasn't Clara the one calling the shots?
As he left, Sonny thought about those meat buns Clara had once given him and smiled.
Carpenter Liew, of course, was as prickly as ever. He muttered something about how craftsmen had their rules, and the waterwheel design was a trade secret—absolutely not to be shared.
York hadn't expected that. He even accidentally offended the man.
So, the two of them hurried back to Riverbend Village and gathered everyone to talk through what they'd seen. Sonny, excited, gushed about how fast and convenient the watermill was. The villagers, long tortured by the hand mill, were practically ready to storm Liew Clan Village and drag the mill back.
Well, not literally. That was just a joke. After all, the people there had chased off mountain bandits just a few months back—no one dared cross them now.
"Why not just hire them to do it for us?" someone suggested. "Each household chips in a bit, saves us the trouble."
Sonny jumped on the idea, standing on a stone to shout, "Exactly! We've got so many people—split it up and it's just about two silver coins per family! You haven't seen that mill in action. I tell you, it's worth every coin!"
Seeing everyone looking his way, Sonny added, "If my old mum and wife never have to suffer with the mill again, I'd pay two whole taels without blinking!"
That got a loud laugh from the crowd.
"You, Sonny, paying two taels? If that happens, I'll chop my head off!" someone jeered.
The villagers erupted with laughter again.
Sonny rolled his eyes. "Can't pay it, huh? Sell me and I'd still be worth thirty taels! I'd sell myself if it meant giving my old mum and wife an easier life!"
When Sonny got stubborn, no one could outdo him. And he didn't care about face. The villagers didn't want to argue further—if he started stripping and lay down to sell himself, what would the womenfolk think?
The village chief finally raised his voice, calling for order. "Alright, settle down! If you're in favor of building the mill, raise your hand. If not, speak up. Majority rules."
Most raised their hands. Sonny stood high on a rock, arm raised the highest. Everyone knew he just loved being noisy, so no one questioned his motives.
Seeing the support, the village chief confirmed the decision.
"Chief, we've gotta hurry!" said the Yang brothers. "Harvest season's coming up—if we get it built in time, life'll be so much easier this year!"
The two were hunters who had just taken on a few acres of land. Not used to farming work, they were exhausted already.
The villagers all nodded in agreement—if they were spending money, they wanted to get something out of it quickly.
So the village chief told his son York Wang to make another trip to Liew Clan Village and firm up the deal.
Since Carpenter Liew refused to share the technique, they had no choice but to ask him to build it.
"Oh right—don't we need that woman from the Liew family too, if we want the millstone?" the chief asked.
York nodded. "Yes, Carpenter Liew said the waterwheel design actually came from Clara. It's based on blueprints from her mother's side of the family."
The chief didn't find that surprising.
He'd heard of Clara before—both the village chief and clan head in Liew Clan Village had mentioned her more than once.
Back at New Year, it was Clara who led the villagers to drive out the bandits. A formidable woman indeed.
"Then speak directly with her," the chief instructed. "Ask exactly how the watermill should be built, how long it'll take, and what it'll cost."
York nodded and set out, this time taking along a respected elder from the village so no one would think he was pocketing anything for himself.
(End of chapter)
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