Chapter 240 Who doesn’t want to succeed at a young age?

"Sir!" Su Boyan brought several cousins ​​to see County Magistrate Hu.

Since the parents are not at home, they naturally have to come out to receive them.

"Well, you've been here for quite some time. How do you feel?" County Magistrate Hu's words were incoherent.

"Your Excellency, we, the younger generation, have personally experienced and deeply understood the difficulties faced by farmers." The brothers looked at each other, and Su Boyan replied.

"Boyan, it's not just a simple statement that being a farmer is not easy. Since ancient times, if agriculture is unstable, the country will be fundamentally unstable.

"The Heavenly Khan has designated Lingnan Road as a special grain administration area. This is a far-sighted and ambitious plan. What are your thoughts on this?"

County Magistrate Hu began to test the young men present. "Not just Boyan, all of you should speak freely and say whatever comes to your mind."

The county magistrate suddenly tested him, and the young man looked delighted. This was a good thing.

"Who will speak first?" County Magistrate Hu deliberately let several people perform on the spot and take the opportunity to see what kind of character each person has.

"Brother Shi Yan, you speak first!" Su Boyan saw that Su Shi Yan was eager to try.

Su Shiyan stood up and bowed to Magistrate Hu, "Sir, I am here first. I would like to offer some suggestions and I hope you will give me some advice."

Several young people discussed how to develop agriculture, improve agricultural production tools, increase research on farming techniques, cultivate excellent varieties, etc. under the existing government orders to achieve increased grain production.

"Well, good, very insightful!" County Magistrate Hu did not expect that these young men were so knowledgeable.

Realizing the importance of advanced agricultural tools, and digging deep into and researching various technologies, it seems that they are really thinking about the future.

"What about you? Boyan?" County Magistrate Hu saw that Su Boyan had remained silent.

"Your Excellency, I have similar ideas to my brothers and sisters, but I would like to add two more points." Su Boyan pondered for a moment.

"Oh, tell me, do you have anything else to add?" asked County Magistrate Hu.

"First, expand the government warehouses and store sufficient grain reserves. This will allow the court to have sufficient grain to allocate during wartime or famine, and to regulate the grain supply. This will prevent unscrupulous merchants from taking advantage of the situation and driving up grain prices.

Second, regarding road construction, according to the current development trend, Lingnan’s grain warehouses will be full by the end of the year, and a large number of additional warehouses will be built next year.

If the roads are blocked, transporting food will be difficult, time-consuming and costly during wartime or famine. It would be better to widen and repair the roads now.

If there is any unusual movement, Lingnan Road's grain can be transported promptly and quickly."

Su Boyan spoke in a slow, unhurried, and quite steady tone. There were some things he didn't elaborate on, and there was no need to use his cousins ​​to highlight his own abilities.

"Well, what Boyan said reminds me that the government warehouse does need to be expanded, and the roads also... need to be built, like the ones in Huanggou Village!" County Magistrate Hu felt that there were so many things to do that he was really too busy to handle it.

This trip was worth it. The boys from the Su family are all good. They have the vision of students from Chang'an and the personal experience of working in the fields.

Such people will be practical when they become officials in the future, and will not be empty talk or deceive their superiors and subordinates.

It’s just a pity that they can’t leave Lingnan in this lifetime! County Magistrate Hu was very sorry.

"Move everything in!" Mrs. Hu directed her attendants to carry large and small boxes of food and daily necessities to the Su family's house.

Two ox carts followed the horse carriage, and Zhang San and Li Si came slowly.

"Oh! What is Madam doing?" The old lady and her three sisters-in-law were terrified.

The governor sent several large boxes of silks and satins a few days ago, and Madam Hu sent some more boxes. I wonder what’s in them?

Only Su Ying was calm. The more expensive the gift, the better Hu Erlang was doing outside, and the bigger the Hu family's business was.

"There's nothing much to give, just a few boxes of silk, a box of books that Erlang collected, and a box of novelties that he found in Guangzhou and Quanzhou ports."

There are also some fine gauze, pens, ink, paper, inkstone, rice, flour, grain and meat, which are all ignored.

The more lighthearted Mrs. Hu spoke, the more uneasy the women present became. "Madam, the gift is too heavy. The Su family simply cannot afford it!"

"Haha, as you should! Don't take it personally. It's because of Aying that Erlang got the chance to travel around with the Fu family and gain experience.

Otherwise, not to mention you, I might not even see these things in my lifetime!"

Mrs. Hu picked up a piece of winter melon candy and put it in her mouth, savoring it carefully.

"Aying, this winter melon candy is delicious. When can you make a batch so that Erlang and the others can sell it?" asked Mrs. Hu.

"In the second half of the year, after the second-season rice is harvested, we will purchase a batch of winter melons. How much we can produce depends on how much brown sugar the sugar factory can supply." Su Ying replied.

"This year, the county has planted more sugarcane than in previous years. All of them are plowing the land for cultivation. The output will increase by at least 30% compared to last year, right? It's enough to keep you busy!" Mrs. Hu said with a smile.

While the sugarcane was still growing in the field, Erlang wrote to place an order. If it weren't for the reliance on brown sugar to attract foreign merchants, Erlang could have underwritten all the output of the sugar factory.

"It's still early, there's no rush. What I'm worried about now is the paint. I wonder if Madam has any results?"

Su Ying was worried that this season's silkworms were over and she would have to wait for the next season in more than a month.

"Oh, look at my memory!" Mrs. Hu slapped her forehead.

"From the carriage! You were so distracted by your thoughts that you forgot all about it! Quick, quick, go get the paint from the carriage."

An attendant went out, and a few people came in holding four jars, in the colors of bright red, bright yellow, indigo, and purple.

"Is that enough?" asked Mrs. Hu.

These bottles of paint are not cheap. Each bottle weighs two kilograms. They are all concentrated pigments extracted from herbal plants. They are pure natural, non-toxic and harmless.

"Enough! Enough!" Su Ying nodded repeatedly.

"It's getting late, we have to go back!" Mrs. Hu said, looking at the sky.

"Stay here tonight and leave tomorrow!" Su Ying tried to persuade him to stay.

"No, the county magistrate is busy, and so am I. If I stay for one night, the pile of work will take me several days to deal with!" Mrs. Hu said with a smile.

County Magistrate Hu also came out of the study. The young men were very excited and talked in high spirits. They hadn't had such a good chat for a long time.

"Boyan, I'm very busy with official duties here. I have to go to the countryside every day and inspect the progress of construction on various sections of the road. I really can't spare time. Would you be willing to lend a hand?"

Before leaving, County Magistrate Hu extended an olive branch.

County Magistrate Su should forget about it, as he is now the governor's think tank. County Magistrate Hu hated himself for having too many concerns and missing opportunities.

After a pleasant chat just now, I am very satisfied with Su Boyan. He is more visionary than my own Dalang and has a keen insight into the current situation.

Take him with you to gain some experience, and he will soon be able to work on his own, and you will feel much more relaxed.

So what if you can’t leave Lingnan? You can still display your talents by being your own think tank.

"Sir?" Su Boyan didn't expect the county magistrate to think so highly of him. "I'm just a talker with no real experience. I'm afraid I won't be able to live up to your high expectations!"

The other young men looked at Su Boyan with envy. Who doesn't want to be recognized? Who doesn't want to succeed at a young age?

Su Shiyan was extremely jealous, seeing his uncle and third uncle being promoted and given important positions by the governor and the temple minister.

He also fantasized that one day he would meet a noble person who would appreciate him. Today, County Magistrate Hu tested him and he performed very hard.

I didn't expect that County Magistrate Hu would test me with a purpose today. If I had known earlier, I should have worked harder.

"Alas, Boyan, you are still a scholar, too rigid! Who is born with such talent?

Don't we all start from the first time? We slowly accumulate experience. How about it, would you be willing to come to me for training?" County Magistrate Hu smiled.

"I'm willing! Thank you for your appreciation, sir. I will definitely live up to your high expectations!" Su Boyan said excitedly.