As many people say, there's nothing a hot pot meal can't solve; if one meal isn't enough, then two will do.

Xu Di has made a very reasonable career plan, and he is now gradually moving forward according to his plan. Therefore, this new year should be considered a new beginning for Xu Di.

After the Spring Festival, six-year-old Xu Zhi began to learn various skills from Granny Lu, including etiquette, manners, reading and writing, needlework and cooking, and even how to read accounts and manage the household.

Xu Di saw the little boy sitting seriously in the large chair, shook his head, and said, "Why is Xiao Jiu learning this? Isn't it enough to learn some basics?"

Upon hearing this, Granny Lu frowned and said, "Brother, our Xiao Jiu is the ninth young lady of the Marquis's mansion. She will be returning to the capital in the future. We can't let people say that we came from a small place. If we're going to do something, we have to be the best and leave no room for criticism."

Xu Di smiled and said, "Granny Lu, I know what you mean. I just think that Xiao Jiu is only six years old and I'm afraid she'll get tired."

Xu Zhi didn't move and said, "Brother, I'm not tired. If I don't study well, I'll embarrass our parents and the family. So I must study hard and do well so that people will say our child is well-mannered."

Well, Xu Di is worrying too much again. He said, "Then take it easy with your practice. I'll make you some shredded potatoes and have Sister He make you some pancakes. We'll have pancakes rolled with shredded potatoes for lunch."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhi's eyes immediately lit up. Seeing this, Granny Lu said, "It's perfect timing, we're going to the kitchen to learn how to cook later. Why don't you go with your eldest brother and take a look?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhi got off the chair, respectfully bowed to Granny Lu, and then happily followed Xu Di to the kitchen.

When Zhang Zhaoci returned home at noon, she saw her son and daughter making lunch in the kitchen, with Aunt He helping out. The two children had smiles on their faces, which made Zhang Zhaoci feel incredibly content.

Seeing Zhang Zhaoci return, Xu Zhi quickly pulled her into the kitchen and said, "Mom, look, I helped Sister He make pancakes, and I also helped my brother cook. My brother said I did a great job."

Upon hearing Xu Zhi's words, Zhang Zhaoci bent down and kissed Xu Zhi's cheek, saying, "Oh my, our little Jiu can help with chores now, that's wonderful!"

Xu Zhi said somewhat shyly, "Oh dear, we're in the kitchen, how can you kiss me? It's so embarrassing."

Seeing Xu Zhi's blushing face from shyness, Zhang Zhaoci felt even more fond of her and said, "Xiao Jiu is my good daughter. I just can't resist giving Xiao Jiu a kiss."

Xu Di said, "Alright, alright, look at you two, you're so clingy as soon as you meet. Let's hurry up and eat, I'm starving."

Zhang Zhaoci washed her hands and helped carry the food into the house. Usually, when Xu Rao didn't come home, Zhang Zhaoci and Granny Lu would eat at the kang table in the house with the two children. This was how most people ate in the area; it was warm even when it was cold.

Everything was ready, and we hadn't even started eating yet, when Xu Rao came back.

Upon seeing Xu Rao return, Zhang Zhaoci exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, how come our Lord Xu has time to come home for lunch?"

Xu Rao laughed and said, "You're just teasing me. I came back for dinner and also to ask Xu Di about some things."

Qingmiao and Qingsui quickly fetched hot water for Xu Rao to wash his hands. Xu Rao watched them eating on the kang (heated brick bed) around the kang table, took off his shoes, climbed onto the kang, sat cross-legged in front of the kang table, and said, "It's so much more comfortable to eat like this. It's not cold at all. Let's eat like this from now on. Don't let us eat at that table outside every time I come back. It's so cold there."

Xu Di ladled a bowl of rice porridge for Xu Rao and asked, "Father, what brings you back to see me?"

Xu Rao said, "Isn't it spring? The wheat in the fields is turning green again. I want to ask you how to manage it afterward. This is the first time for everyone to plant it, and we don't understand many things."

Xu Di said, "Dad, is that so? I'll write down some precautions. You can arrange for someone to go to the villages and explain the precautions to them. Also, find out how many acres each village has planted and what the land conditions are like. We'll be intercropping corn in a few days, right? I'll distribute the seeds according to these guidelines. Please make the arrangements well. This first batch is for planting seeds, not for eating."

Xu Rao said, "Okay, I'll make the arrangements this afternoon."

Xu Di said, "My third uncle wrote to me before the New Year, saying he would come over in a while and bring me some seeds he brought back from his last voyage. I'll plant some more and see what else I can grow. If there are any suitable ones, you should help promote them. The more types of crops we grow, the more food we can eat. If we also grow things like pumpkins, will we still have to worry about not having enough to eat even if we don't have enough grain?"

Xu Rao said, "It sounds simple to you, but people will only dare to plant it if they see the benefits. Farmers are very cautious when they plant crops. If they plant the wrong thing, they might not have anything to eat for a whole year. What are they supposed to do then?"

Xu Di said, "The current yield per mu is still too low. We still need to promote the fertilizer from the fertilizer factory. It has a high fertility, which will help crops grow better and produce more grain."

Xu Rao sighed and said, "It's not that simple. Do you think people will just buy what you tell them to buy? In the end, it's because we don't have the money."

Xu Di said, "If this won't work and that won't work, then forget it. I'll use it all on my estate first. Once my estate has a bumper harvest, they'll know how good this fertilizer is."

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