The autumn harvest is over and we are now plowing the fields and planting winter wheat.

This year, Zhang Hulan planted 500 acres of rice and harvested more than 100,000 kilograms of millet.

It sounds like a lot. If it were sold as millet, it could probably fetch more than two hundred taels.

If we exclude the costs of labor, livestock, and seeds, the cost is estimated to be reduced by 30% to 40%.

Fortunately, Zhang Hulan does not have to pay taxes now, otherwise she would have to pay 20% less.

Farming really doesn’t make money, but you have to farm, and this is the same in any dynasty.

It is impossible for ordinary people to get rich by farming.

Only big landlords can earn some money by accumulating small amounts.

Zhang Hulan bought all the grain seeds this year and won’t need them next year.

Most of the farmers here keep the seeds for themselves.

During the harvest, the rice ears with full grains are selected and used as seeds.

Zhang Hulan did the same, picking out the rice ears with full grains and good growth to use as seeds.

She wanted to grow hybrid rice, but she didn't know how.

If she could produce 700 to 800 kilograms or more than 1,000 kilograms of rice per acre, then she would have no problem getting an imperial decree.

However, Zhang Hulan did have an idea. There were already curved plows and regenerated rice here, so he thought there should be capable people in this area in the court.

She could tell the imperial court about hybrid rice and let the imperial court handle it.

Although the contribution will be small, it should not be too small.

Hybrid rice is very troublesome to make. Once it is successful, seeds will have to be cultivated for a long time, which requires a lot of manpower and material resources.

Moreover, the impact of this matter was too great. Even if Zhang Hulan could make hybrid rice, she couldn't do it herself. Otherwise, her life might be in danger. It was better to let the court do it.

In mid-October, Ye Hongyun sent someone to deliver a letter to Zhang Hulan, indicating that the house that Ye Hongling had helped find had been found.

We found several houses, ranging from a few hundred taels to a few thousand taels, and it was up to Zhang Hulan to choose.

Ye Hongyun asked Zhang Hulan when she would go to Beijing, and Zhang Hulan said she would go before the New Year.

Wait until the children are on vacation, then I’ll pack up and spend the New Year in Beijing.

Ye Hongyun said that they would go together then, as they would be returning to the capital by then.

…

That afternoon, Zhang Hulan was watching over the wheat planting on the farm when Song Yuzhang came over.

Song Yuzhang bowed to Zhang Hulan and said, "Madam Zhang, can I discuss something with you?"

Zhang Hulan smiled and said, "Mr. Song, please speak."

Song Yuzhang pointed at Liu Cong who was working in the fields and said, "Can you let that child stop working and let him concentrate on his studies? I will take care of his tuition and food and accommodation."

Zhang Hulan asked in surprise: "He is good at studying?"

Zhang Hulan remembered that the child had followed them in the city at first. At that time, the innkeeper had asked the children to stay in the inn's firewood room for one night.

Song Yuzhang nodded. "He must have studied before, and he was quite good at it. I want to train him well."

Zhang Hulan asked: "If he had been educated before, it means his family was well off before, so why did he become a beggar?"

Song Yuzhang said: "I asked him, but he didn't say anything, maybe he has some unspeakable secret.

This child is quite mature mentally, and sometimes he seems to be troubled.”

Zhang Hulan thought for a moment, then said, "Mr. Song, how about this, I'll talk to him first and see if he's willing to talk about his story.

If a person is preoccupied with worries, he cannot concentrate on reading. "

Song Yuzhang thought about it and realized that if he couldn't concentrate on his studies, sitting in class would be a waste of time.

Sometimes Song Yuzhang would find that Liu Cong was often distracted in class, but when he was asked to stand up and answer questions, he was able to answer them.

Only then did Song Yuzhang realize that Liu Cong had read a lot of books before.

Song Yuzhang nodded, "Okay, Madam Zhang, talk to him first, it would be better if he can resolve his worries.

If he encounters any difficulties, as long as it is not too big, I can help him deal with it.

Although I am a nobody, I still have a few friends I can talk to.”

"Okay, I'll talk to him after I talk to him, then I'll talk to Mr. Song."

After Song Yuzhang left, Zhang Hulan called out to the field, "Liu Cong..."

Liu Cong heard the shout and ran over immediately, "Madam, what do you want?"

Zhang Hulan said, "Go wash your hands. I have something to ask you."

Liu Cong nodded, then went to the ditch to wash his hands.

"Come with me, let's talk somewhere else."

Zhang Hulan turned around and walked back, with Liu Cong following behind.

Zhang Hulan led Liu Cong back home and asked everyone else to leave. After sitting down, she pointed at the chair and said, "You sit down too."

"I'll just stand here. Madam, please go ahead and talk."

Zhang Hulan looked at Liu Cong. The boy was tall and had a dark skin, but he had a good appearance.

Standing there, there is a clear difference between him and the other children, a difference in temperament.

Zhang Hulan's eyes made Liu Cong feel a little unnatural. Zhang Hulan smiled and then said, "Liu Cong, can you tell me your story?"

Liu Cong lowered his head and said, "Madam, I don't have any stories."

"You have a story. Everyone has their own story." Zhang Hulan said softly, "You have been educated before, so your family should be quite well off, right?"

"You are obviously different from other children. You must be a child who grew up in a scholarly family."

"Of course, you don't have to tell me. I don't mean to force you to tell me."

"Mr. Song just came to see me. He said he wants you to stop working and focus on your studies with him. He will take care of your tuition and food and clothing expenses."

"But you have something on your mind. It's hard to concentrate on one thing when you have something on your mind."

"That's why I came to ask you."

"If you need any help, you can tell me or Mr. Song."

"As long as it is within our ability, we will do our best to help you."

"Mr. Song said that you are a good student and he wants to train you well."

"I also hope that you can be successful in the future and help more people."

"Of course, if you don't trust me or Mr. Song, just go back to work. I'll pretend I never looked for you today, and we'll continue as before."

Liu Cong raised his head and looked at Zhang Hulan with clear eyes, "I believe Madam Zhang, Madam is kind-hearted, we all know it in our hearts.

But it is because my wife is a good person that I can say this.

Madam has known some things, which is not good for Madam and may bring disaster to Madam."

To be honest, Zhang Hulan didn't want to know what happened to Liu Cong anymore.

Curiosity kills the cat. The more you know, the faster you die.

She just wants to live her life peacefully and help those in need within her ability.

Moreover, Liu Cong had already said that if she knew it, it would bring disaster to her, so she really didn’t want to know.

But it’s also because Liu Cong doesn’t want to bring trouble to others, which shows that he is also a kind person.

Zhang Hulan couldn't bear to watch such a kind-hearted child endure everything silently.