Zhao Yingluo's exchange ratio for those insect catchers is one or two cotton bollworms for one stone of grain, such a high incentive, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves.

Money can make ghosts grind, and this sentence has been most vividly interpreted in Kaifeng City at this moment.

One spread ten, ten spread hundreds, hundreds spread thousands, this news was like wings, and quickly flew all over the market, alleys, or restaurants and teahouses, all talking about this exciting news.

Those who have nothing to do and are idle on weekdays seem to have found a shortcut to make a fortune at this moment, and they are eager to try.

And those hard-working and simple farmers see hope, they know that as long as they are willing to put in the effort, this year's harvest will be multiplied.

So, under the call of Zhao Yingluo, the people of the entire Kaifeng City were moved. They picked up insect trapping tools, walked out of their homes, and went straight to the cotton fields on the outskirts of Kaifeng. Every corner of Kaifeng City.

"Have you heard? Her Royal Highness the Princess has issued a notice, one or two cotton bollworms can be exchanged for one stone of grain! One of them said mysteriously to the person next to him.

"What? Can one or two bugs be exchanged for one stone of grain? Are you sure you heard it right? The man's eyes widened with disbelief.

"It's true! The notices are all posted, can I still lie to you? The first man swore by it.

"Oh, that's a great thing! What are we waiting for, let's go catch bugs! The second jumped with excitement.

"Lao Li, why don't you go to the cotton field to catch insects? That's white food! One shouted at Lao Li, who was hanging out.

"Oh, I'll go! You wait for me, let's go together! Lao Li's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly chased after him.

On the road to the cotton fields, people walk in pairs. Some of them were carrying bamboo baskets, some were carrying cloth bags, and they looked like they were fully armed.

"You say, is this princess in the brain? How did you come up with such an idea? One muttered as he walked.

"Bah, what nonsense are you talking about! Your Royal Highness Princess, this is for the good of our people. Don't you see what those cotton fields have become like with insects? If you don't think about it, this year's harvest will be over! The person next to him immediately retorted.

"That's it! Your Royal Highness is here to help us! We've got to do a good job and catch more bugs and go back for food! Another chimed in.

When they arrived at the edge of the cotton fields, people rolled up their trouser legs and sleeves, ready to do a big job. They squatted or stood, carefully searching the fields for traces of cotton bollworms. Whenever someone finds a bug, they shout excitedly, "I found it!" Then carefully grab it and put it in the basket.

The farmers stood by and watched with a smile. They knew that Her Royal Highness would not only effectively control the pest, but also allow the people of the city to participate in agricultural production. This is undoubtedly a great thing for them.

Whenever someone catches a bollworm or two, they will excitedly run to the farmer to issue a certificate, and then take the certificate to exchange for food. The farmers will carefully check that they have not really destroyed the cotton fields before giving proof. This way of mutual supervision and cooperation not only ensures the safety of cotton and harvest, but also strengthens the trust and friendship between people.

And Zhao Yingluo stood on the city tower and looked at this prosperous scene from afar, full of relief and pride.

The insect catching operation lasted for ten days, and the entire Kaifeng City seemed to have fallen into a national craze for catching insects. Whether it is the streets and alleys, or the fields, you can see people busy everywhere. They squatted or stood, carefully searching for traces of cotton bollworms in the cotton fields, and once they found the target, they quickly took action to arrest it.

However, despite all these efforts, less than 5,000 koku of grain was eventually exchanged. This is a drop in the bucket for the wealthy Zhao Yingluo, but she is not disappointed or frustrated. Because she knows that the significance of this insect catching operation is not only the amount of food exchanged, but also the long-term impact it brings.

Sure enough, within a month of the end of the operation, people began to see results. Each cotton plant is adorned with plump cotton peaches, as if huge pearls are inlaid between the green leaves. After another half a month, individual cotton peaches began to spit out white cotton wool under the sunlight of early autumn. The cotton wool is as light and soft as a cloud, and people can't help but want to reach out and touch it when they see it.

When the farmers saw the cotton wool for the first time, they were all very surprised. They were talking around the cotton fields, their faces filled with surprises and anticipation. Some people asked Zhao Yingluo curiously: "Can this really be made into clothes?" Zhao Yingluo smiled and nodded in response: "Of course you can, and the clothes made will be very comfortable and durable." ”

In order to prove her claim, Zhao Yingluo immediately recruited a group of knitters. She has them deseed the first crop of cotton they pick and then spin it into threads on a spinning wheel. The cotton wool, which was originally loose and soft, gradually turned into slender cotton threads under the rotation of the spinning wheel, as if it had been given a new life.

Next, the knitters use the cotton threads to weave the fabric. They skillfully manipulated the loom and intertwined the cotton threads to form a wide sheet of cotton cloth. These cotton cloths have a uniform texture and clear texture, making them soft and comfortable to the touch.

Subsequently, these cotton fabrics are dyed and cut to become brand new clothes. By the time all these clothes were made, it was already approaching the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Zhao Yingluo ordered people to set up a tall platform outside the palace gate and hang these cotton clothes on it for display.

For the ordinary people of the Great Song Dynasty, it is destined to be a season full of novelty and surprises. On this day, on the high platform built outside the palace gate, there were pieces of cotton clothes that were as white as snow and as soft as clouds. It was the first time they had seen clothes made of cotton, and the curiosity and excitement filled the air.

The crowd gathered, their eyes firmly attracted by these strange clothes. Some people's eyes widened, and their faces were full of disbelief; Some people stretched out their hands to touch the legendary cotton shirt, but they were a little hesitant to step forward.

"Oh, look at that shirt, why is it so white?" An old woman pulled her husband beside her, pointed to the cotton clothes on the high platform and exclaimed.

"yes, I've never seen such a white fabric." The old man squinted his eyes and carefully examined the clothes, "Is this really made from the cotton in our field?" ”