The exchange ratio that Zhao Yingluo gave to those insect catchers was one tael of cotton bollworms for one stone of grain. Such a high incentive was like a huge stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up thousands of waves. Money can make the world go round. This saying has been most vividly interpreted in Kaifeng City at this moment. It was spread to ten, from ten to hundreds, and from hundreds to thousands. This news was like having wings, and it quickly flew all over the streets, alleys, and restaurants, everyone was talking about this exciting news. Those people who usually have nothing to do and are idle now seem to have found a shortcut to make a fortune, and they are all gearing up and eager to try. And those farmers who were already hard-working and simple saw hope. They knew that as long as they were willing to work hard, this year's harvest would be doubled. So, under Zhao Yingluo's call, everyone in Kaifeng City became aware of the news. They picked up insect-catching tools one after another, 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 tael of cotton bollworms can be exchanged for one stone of grain!" A person said mysteriously to the person next to him. "What? One or two worms can be exchanged for one stone of food? Are you sure you heard correctly?" The man's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief. "It's absolutely true! The notices have been posted, how can I still lie to you?" the first person said confidently. "Oh, this is such a great thing! What are we waiting for? Let's go catch bugs!" The second person jumped up excitedly.
"Old Li, why don't you go to the cotton field to catch bugs? That's a waste of food!" A person shouted to Lao Li who was wandering around. "Oh, I'm going right now! Just wait for me, let's go together!" Lao Li's eyes lit up and he quickly chased after him. On the road leading to the cotton fields, people walked together in twos and threes. Some of them were carrying bamboo baskets, some were carrying cloth bags, and they looked fully armed. "Do you think this princess is out of her mind? How could she come up with such an idea?" one person muttered as he walked. "Bah, bah, bah, what are you talking nonsense! Your Highness, this is for the good of our common people. Have you not seen how those cotton fields have been destroyed by insects? If you don't think of a way, this year's harvest will be completely ruined!" The person immediately retorted. "That's right! Your Highness the Princess is helping us! We have to work hard and catch more bugs to exchange for food!" Another person echoed. When they arrived at the cotton fields, people rolled up their trouser legs and sleeves one after another, ready to go to work. They squatted or stood, carefully searching for traces of bollworms in the fields. Whenever someone finds a bug, they will shout excitedly: "I found it!" and then carefully catch it and put it into the basket. The farmers stood aside and watched all this with a smile. They knew that Her Royal Highness's method could not only effectively control pests, but also allow people in the city to participate in agricultural production. This is undoubtedly a good thing for them. Whenever someone catches one or two bollworms, they will excitedly run to the farmer to issue a certificate, and then take the certificate to exchange for grain. Farmers will carefully check whether they have really not damaged their cotton fields before giving proof. This method of mutual supervision and collaboration not only ensures the safety and harvest of cotton, but also enhances trust and friendship between people. Zhao Yingluo stood on the tower and looked at this prosperous scene from a distance, her heart filled with relief and pride. The insect-catching operation lasted for ten days, and the entire city of Kaifeng seemed to be caught in a nationwide insect-catching craze. Whether in the streets or in the fields, you can see people busy everywhere. They squat or stand, carefully searching for traces of bollworms in the cotton fields. Once they find the target, they quickly take action to capture it. However, despite people's efforts, the final amount of food exchanged was less than 5,000 shi. For the wealthy Zhao Yingluo, this was simply a drop in the bucket, but she did not feel disappointed or depressed. Because she knows that the significance of this insect-catching operation lies not only in the amount of food exchanged, but also in the long-term impact it will bring. Sure enough, within a month after the insect-catching operation ended, people began to see results. Each cotton plant is dotted with plump cotton bolls, as if they are huge pearls inlaid among the green leaves. After another half month, individual cotton bolls began to spit out white cotton wool under the sunshine of early autumn. Those cotton battings are as light and soft as clouds, making people want to reach out and touch them. When farmers saw these cotton bats for the first time, every one of them felt very strange. They were talking around the cotton field, with expressions of surprise and expectation on their faces. Some people curiously asked Zhao Yingluo: "Can this really be made into clothes?" Zhao Yingluo smiled and nodded in response: "Of course it can, and the clothes made will be very comfortable and durable." In order to prove her statement, Zhao Yingluo immediately recruited a group of knitters. She ordered them to deseed the first crop of cotton they picked, and then spin it into thread on a spinning wheel. The originally loose and soft cotton batting gradually turned into slender cotton threads under the rotation of the spinning wheel, as if they had been given new life. Next, knitters used these cotton threads to weave fabrics. They skillfully operated the loom and intertwined the cotton threads to form wide sheets of cotton. These cotton fabrics have a uniform texture, clear grain, and are very soft and comfortable to the touch. Subsequently, these cotton cloths were dyed, cut and other processes, and finally turned into brand new clothes. By the time all these clothes are finished, the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. Zhao Yingluo ordered people to set up a tall platform outside the palace gate and hang these cotton clothes on it for display. For ordinary people in the Song Dynasty, it is destined to be a season full of novelties and surprises. On this day, pieces of cotton clothes as white as snow and as soft as clouds were hung on a high platform built outside the palace gate. This was the first time they saw clothes made of cotton, and the curiosity and excitement filled the air. Crowds gathered one after another, their eyes firmly attracted by these unfamiliar clothes. Some people's eyes widened with disbelief on their faces; some people stretched out their hands, wanting to touch the legendary cotton clothes, but they were hesitant to step forward.
"Oh, look at those clothes, why are they so white?" An old woman pulled her husband beside her and pointed to the cotton clothes on the high platform and exclaimed. "Yes, I have never seen such white fabric." The old man squinted his eyes and looked at the clothes carefully, "Is this really made of cotton from our fields?"