The next day, Mu Yi'an got up early to make breakfast. After Jiang Shuyun finished eating and dressed, Uncle Wang drove the carriage to pick her up.

Thanks to Brother Mu's matchmaking, Jiang Shuyun and her group quickly met the county magistrate.

Jiang Shuyun was surprised to find that the county magistrate looked quite young and had a decent appearance, unlike the grotesque and corrupt officials portrayed in TV dramas.

"Student Jiang Shuyun greets Your Excellency, the County Magistrate!"

Jiang Shuyun bowed and greeted the county magistrate.

"Scholar Jiang, no need for formalities. I heard from Constable Mu about your watermelon planting. I never expected you to be so righteous, thinking of finding a way out for the people of Xinyuan County."

Magistrate Zhao took office in Xinyuan County last year. His performance in the spring imperial examination was mediocre, ranking last in the second class. He was just short of becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination). It's said that a Jinshi is like a concubine, not destined for greatness.

After some time at home, he came to Xinyuan County to take up his post.

Xinyuan County is a relatively wealthy county with water and land ports, and its policies are already quite mature. It won't be easy for him to achieve outstanding results.

However, the news brought by Officer Mu gave him a different opportunity.

Watermelons are a rare commodity. If they were grown on a large scale in Xinyuan County, with the convenient waterways available there, there would be an unexpected harvest, allowing the people to earn more money and live a better life.

"Your Excellency is too kind. We only saw a few words about it in a book. My brother-in-law is fond of studying farming. I didn't expect it to be so successful on the first try."

Jiang Shuyun said, half-jokingly, that the matter of planting watermelons couldn't be attributed to Yi An.

One reason is that we need to promote the planting in the future, and it's inconvenient for her, as a woman, to show her face in public. Another reason is that even if she achieves results, it's not appropriate to give her too many rewards, but it's different for Brother Mu; he can receive much more.

“You’re all great. Here’s the thing: I’m a novice when it comes to growing watermelons, but you’re experts. Right now, the fields are all planted, so there’s not much else to do. Let’s make a plan first, and if it works out, we can try it out next spring.”

Magistrate Zhao was not a person who was eager for quick success and instant benefits; farming is seasonal.

The county magistrate's dedication to the people is a blessing for Xinyuan County.

Jiang Shuyun bowed again. He had been apprehensive, fearing he might encounter an official who would prioritize political achievements over the well-being of the people. Fortunately, this county magistrate seemed decent, and from what he could see, a shrewd and calculating one.

After leaving the county government office, Jiang Shuyun and Brother Mu split up. He went to the county school to deliver watermelons to Master Wei and also to Manager He. Brother Mu left a few watermelons for his second brother, asking him to deliver two to the county magistrate and invite his colleagues to try them. The two agreed on a time to meet at the dock.

Jiang Shuyun met Master Wei, but he was teaching a class and didn't say much because he was in a hurry. He planned to visit her again after returning from the prefectural city.

Manager He also said a few words in a hurry. Jiang Shuyun said that she was going to the prefectural city and would contact him again when she returned, and then left in a hurry.

Brother Mu and Jiang Shuyun sat on the boat to catch their breath. They had really worked hard to keep up with the journey.

They arrived in the prefectural city without incident and hired a cart to transport the large baskets filled with watermelons to Uncle Mu's house. On the way there, to avoid causing unnecessary trouble, the watermelons were packed in baskets and covered with something.

"Zichen, Shuyun, what brings you here? It's so sunny, come in and rest. Your third uncle hasn't finished his business yet, and Ziwen went to see the teacher and hasn't come back yet."

Aunt Mu, her nephew, and her nephew-in-law chatted for a few minutes, then asked the servants to bring up tea and prepare the meal.

"Have some tea and rest for a while, then wash up and have something to eat before your third uncle comes back."

"Thank you for your trouble, Auntie. We're not in a hurry; we'll wait for Uncle to come back. This basket contains watermelons we grew ourselves; we brought them over for you to try."

Brother Mu and Aunt Mu explained why they had come. After drinking some tea, they took Jiang Shuyun to wash up and change her clothes. They had sweated a lot on the boat and felt like they smelled bad.

Aunt Mu was overjoyed that they had come all this way to deliver watermelons. For the past six months, her husband had been busy taking care of everything, and although she had no complaints—it was all for the sake of her children—she was still very happy that her children were so understanding and appreciated their efforts.

When Uncle Mu returned from his official duties, Brother Mu and Jiang Shuyun had just woken up from a nap.

"Third Uncle."

"You're here. Let's eat first, and we'll talk later."

Aunt Mu had already mentioned that the two children had brought watermelons. After the meal, Aunt Mu cut up a watermelon and let everyone try it; it looked delicious.

"Hmm, not bad, you guys are pretty good. This watermelon tastes amazing."

Uncle Mu had eaten a watermelon once before, but it didn't taste as good as the one Zichen and the others grew.

After finishing the watermelon, Uncle Mu led Mu Ziwen, Mu Ziwu, and Jiang Shuyun into the study.

"Zichen, last time you came, you said you wanted to talk to the magistrate about planting watermelons. How's that going? Did you talk to him?"

"Third Uncle, we met with the county magistrate before we came and told him our thoughts."

Brother Mu recounted their conversation with the county magistrate, with Jiang Shuyun adding to it.

"You've done well. The Zhao family in the prefectural city is quite good. Their main branch is in the capital, and they've even produced an imperial tutor. They have a good reputation. The Zhao family in the prefectural city is a collateral branch, but they have a strong foundation, are principled, and have a good reputation in the prefectural city."

Uncle Mu has been working in the prefectural government for so many years, so he naturally has his own sources of information.

"That's good. I was worried that the magistrate would be too eager for quick success and instant benefits, and then the common people would suffer."

Jiang Shuyun was completely relieved this time. He knew that every family had its own way of surviving. As long as there were principles to follow, many things would be very different.

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