At that time, the vegetables in Xu Di's greenhouse were growing well, but because of the long distance, he could not present the fresh green vegetables to the emperor so that the emperor could taste them.

To that official from the Ministry of Revenue, that greenhouse was a real windfall. In the capital, how many families would spend a fortune just to have some greenery on their tables in the dead of winter?

Xu Rao explained each vegetable in detail to the official. These were all brought back from overseas. This trial planting was to obtain more seeds. Xu Rao said that he would explain the matter clearly in the subsequent memorial, and would definitely submit it when the seeds were available next year.

These things are all done in secret. If such a thing becomes public, many people will want to take advantage of it, or even try to steal the credit. If it is reported up the chain of command, it's hard to know who will ultimately get the credit.

When Xu Rao heard his superior call him a fame-seeker, he was initially confused, but later realized that someone must have been trying to sabotage him in front of the prefect.

When Xu Rao got home that evening, he told Zhang Zhaoci and Xu Di about it. After listening, Zhang Zhaoci pondered for a long time and said, "Tomorrow is the flower fair organized by the wife of Registrar Li. I'll go and see what the wife of Registrar Li and Magistrate Qian's family thinks."

Zhang Zhaoci had met the wives of Li Zhubu and Qian Xiancheng several times, but they were not close. Li Zhubu's wife was in her forties. Her eldest son was already married, but they did not have any children. She also had two young ladies who were of marriageable age and were looking for husbands. Therefore, she was very enthusiastic about these flower and tea parties.

The wife of Magistrate Qian was in her thirties. I heard that her family was also a prominent family in Ganzhou. She followed Magistrate Qian to this small place in Hexi. She looked down on everyone. She had a legitimate son and a legitimate daughter, and I heard that she also had several illegitimate daughters.

Xu Di said, "Father, what does your superior mean by saying you're a fame-seeker? Are they very dissatisfied with you?"

Xu Di said, "Who knows what it means? I was thinking that since I have the means, I should do more things that are good for the people, so that everyone has food to eat, clothes to wear, and money to spend. More than a year has passed, and I only go to Ganzhou to report on my work at the end of each year. I don't have a deep relationship with the prefect, but I just follow what others do."

Xu Di stroked his chin and said, "There are only a few people in your county government, and only a few of them can speak up in Ganzhou. I think County Magistrate Qian is the most suspicious. I heard that one of County Magistrate Qian's sisters-in-law is the prefect's concubine. That's nepotism, Father. I think it must be because of County Magistrate Qian."

Xu Rao said, "This Magistrate Qian is indeed a very shrewd and resourceful person, but he is a bit too slippery and greedy. The worst thing for an official is to compete with the people for profit."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "Aren't you his boss? Can't you tell him he's no good?"

Xu Rao said, "I can't say it either. Everyone knows about it, but we just can't say it out loud. Most importantly, these are all established customs, so I can't say anything about them."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "In that case, I'll sound out Madam Qian's opinion tomorrow."

Xu Di said, "Dad, since that's the case, why don't you just oust your boss and take over yourself?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Rao glared at Xu Di and said, "You're just talking nonsense. I'm only a seventh-rank official, while the prefect is a fifth-rank official. I have no merits or demerits, so I still have to do my job well. Maybe I can even reach the fifth rank."

Xu Di said, "Then you should work hard, seize the opportunity, and achieve results. Wouldn't it be better to be promoted through special procedures?"

Xu Rao shook her head and said, "I've already registered with the Emperor. Now I don't need to do anything else but grow crops. And you have to take good care of your vegetables for our family. Right now, all we can do is grow crops and vegetables."

Xu Di shook his head and said, "Father, I think you haven't grasped the key point. I still think the reason you were able to fill the vacancy of the county magistrate and bring our whole family here is because my mother saved the heir of the Marquis of Jingbei. If my mother hadn't brought my sister and me with you, I guess the heir would have found a way to bring my mother and us here. My mother's surgical skills are the most advanced in this time and space. If she had been trained well, how many people could she have saved during the war?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Rao cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Zhang Zhaoci and said, "My wife, I am honored by your presence."

Zhang Zhaoci laughed and said, "Come on, who taught you to be so glib? Where did that serious Professor Xu go?"

Xu Rao said, "I'm just doing as the Romans do. Well, it's getting late. You all have a banquet tomorrow, so get some rest and have fun tomorrow."

Xu Di said, "I really don't want to go. A bunch of idle housewives, bringing their children together, either to find partners for their children who have reached the age of marriage, or to pursue the 'wife diplomacy' route. What's the point?"

Zhang Zhaoci said, "You're being a bit superficial. I think this is a good thing. Don't underestimate this gathering of housewives. You can learn a lot from it. Tomorrow, don't worry about anything else, just pay close attention to the Qian family. Observe their behavior, and you'll be able to learn a lot from it."

Xu Di, unsure whether to agree or disagree, said, "I'm just a research dog, how could I possibly understand these things? If I had known we were going to live like this here, I would have studied chemistry and agriculture properly. I would have done something like those transmigrators in novels, made a fortune, and led you all to wealth and the pinnacle of life. Wouldn't that have been great?"

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