As December approaches, the weather is getting colder day by day. It looks like it will snow soon. Lin Wanwan has asked them to prepare more winter clothes, as it would be a waste if they caught a cold.

Today she was going to take people to the fields to harvest potatoes. It was cold and there was not much work to do, so she called on the villagers to help, and also invited Fu Junyi and the county magistrate to come and watch.

The county magistrate looked at the pile of potatoes, somewhat puzzled, and asked, "What is this? Is it edible?"

Lin Wanwan picked one up, held it in her hand, and sniffed it gently like a treasure. "This is food. It can be boiled like sweet potatoes, or stir-fried. It can be cooked in any way."

The county magistrate's eyes widened and he shouted, "Sweet potatoes? Are you saying these are all for eating?"

Lin Wanwan nodded. "It's called potatoes, or ground beans. I planted the land a little late this year, and one acre of land yields about 3,000 to 4,000 kilograms. If I planted it earlier and managed it properly, one acre of land would yield at least 5,000 kilograms."

The county magistrate was so shocked that he was speechless. He took a hoe and hurried to the field to dig it himself.

Fu Junyi said, "One acre of land can produce so much, so if we plant all of it, won't everyone be able to eat enough?"

"Well, it's enough to fill your stomach, but it can't really replace rice, wheat or millet."

"You want to offer it?"

Lin Wanwan shook her head, looked at him and said, "I just planted them, and the number is too small at the moment. All of these are not enough for seeds, so I can only plant another batch and see."

Fu Junyi nodded and joined them in eating potatoes. After gradually getting used to it, he became addicted to it.

"Sir, look, this one has twelve seeds!"

"Hey, look at mine! Fifteen of them!"

Lin Wanwan shook her head in amusement, watching them show off like children.

At noon, Lin Wanwan made them a potato feast, including steamed potatoes, mashed potatoes, braised potatoes, potato stewed chicken, French fries, etc.

Maybe he was a little hungry after digging potatoes for the whole morning, so the potatoes tasted especially delicious. Fu Junyi even added three bowls of rice to his bowl, which scared Lin Wanwan and made him eat slowly.

After finishing his meal, he drank tea and returned to his noble appearance. "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you. I was really too hungry just now."

The county magistrate waved his hand and said, "You are just a nobody. When I was young, I could eat eight steamed buns in one meal. My family could hardly afford to support me, so I had to copy books to supplement the family income."

"Hahaha, sir, you have indeed been extraordinary since you were a child!"

Lin Wanwan was still shocked at how much those eight steamed buns were. She was indeed surprised by their appetite today. If Lin Bai ate so much in the future... forget it, she could afford it now.

"Sir! What do you think about promoting the planting of these potatoes next year?"

"Yes! That's what I was thinking! Distribute some to each village. If the harvest is good, it won't be too late to report it later."

"Okay, then I'll give you the seeds I saved next spring!"

"Good! This is really great news! After so many days, I finally heard some good news..."

"What's the matter, my Lord? What happened?"

The county magistrate sighed and said, "There is a severe drought in the northwest. There is less than 30% of food left, and we still have to pay taxes. Some families can't even pay taxes, so how can they have enough food and clothing? It's freezing cold over there, and the desert north has been invading repeatedly. Sigh, it's a bad year!"

Fu Junyi frowned and thought for a while, then asked, "Did the higher-ups issue any good disaster relief plans?"

The county magistrate shook his head again and said, "Not yet. I'm afraid we'll have to increase taxes in other places to use for disaster relief, and we'll have to set aside some grain and grass. If that's the case..."

"If we suddenly increase taxes, I'm afraid the people will complain. They have finally been able to have enough food to eat. If we rashly collect taxes, I'm afraid it will be bad."

"Yes, I heard that there have been several cases of injuries in Raozhou, and the injured were the local county magistrate. There were even hundreds of people who wanted to go to the capital to cause trouble, but they were stopped by the soldiers and taken back."

Seeing their worried faces, Lin Wanwan suppressed her laughter and said, "Actually, this problem can be solved without forcibly collecting grain."

The county magistrate suddenly raised his head and looked at her, "Is there any other way?"

"If the people don't have enough food to eat, they will definitely make trouble, and even bandits will arise everywhere. However, we don't necessarily have to let the people buy into this. Are so many merchants just eating for free? Even if they take a little from their fingers, it will be enough for the people to eat for several years, right, Mr. Fu?"

Fu Junyi suddenly laughed and said, "You have too many tricks, but businessmen pursue profits. How can you make them pay willingly?"

Lin Wanwan looked at the county magistrate and said, "That depends on your words. I, Baiweiju, learned that the northwest was hit hard by the disaster and could not bear to see the people suffer, so I donated 500 taels of silver and 1,000 kilograms of rice. I hope you can write my name, Lin Wan from Baiweiju, at the beginning of the memorial."

The county magistrate was somewhat puzzled and asked, "Can this get merchants to donate money and goods?"

Fu Jun also smiled and said, "Why not? If the emperor could see it, who wouldn't want to take a chance like this?"

"Yes, not only that, the county magistrate, why don't you make it public and write this matter on the notice of the county government? If someone pays more than me, I will naturally be ranked first. I believe that within three days, this matter will be resolved. When you submit the memorial, won't other counties and prefectures follow suit?"

Suddenly, the county magistrate slammed the table, stood up abruptly, and shouted: "I'll go back and try!"

"Okay, I'll send the money and food to you tomorrow!"

“Very good!”

The county magistrate left in a hurry, leaving only Lin Wanwan and Fu Junyi talking in the room.

Seeing that he was a little bored, Lin Wanwan took him out for a walk.

This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!