Wu and his group couldn't stay here for too long. They had finished looking at the watermelons and organizing the planting information, so it was time for them to head back.

The headmaster thought it best to discuss this matter with Zhonglin's wife in person.

Jiang Shuyun came to the headmaster's study again. After listening to what the headmaster said, she thought to herself, "Yi'an is just thinking about going to the Northwest."

"Headmaster, let's talk at the manor tomorrow at noon. Coming to the academy or to my house will attract too much attention."

"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Madam Zhonglin, to make the trip."

Jiang Shuyun made an appointment with the headmaster and told Yi'an about it when she got home that evening.

“Okay, I’ll go to the estate tomorrow.”

There's one more thing: I haven't decided on the person to go to the Northwest yet.

"Who is the candidate?"

"The selection of people to go to the Northwest to buy land and provide guidance on watermelon cultivation."

Mu Yi'an thought about how arduous the journey would be. The round trip would take several months. Moreover, the journey was long; the earliest she could return was the end of next year.

"Do you have someone in mind?"

"When it comes to growing watermelons, Uncle Li knows the most, but he's getting old."

Then there's Jiang Shuhe. He was one of the first to start growing watermelons, so his skills are definitely top-notch.

But this is ancient times; a long journey could take a year or more. Could they accept that?

Mu Yi'an was unaware that she had asked Steward Li to find a suitable servant, but no suitable one had been found yet.

"Have Steward Li make a trip there and ask your brother-in-law if he has any ideas about growing cotton."

"Big brother?"

"Yes, he has three sons. Whether he will have more children in the future is anyone's guess."

This is an opportunity; if it succeeds, I'll have money and other intangible things.

Jiang Shuyun was thinking further ahead; this was a rare opportunity to hitch a ride on the Northwest Army's coattails.

"What you said makes a lot of sense. Should we ask Shuwen about it? We can't favor one over the other."

“They don’t have the means to buy property so far away; they must have brought at least ten or twenty thousand taels of silver with them.”

Jiang Shuyun wasn't indifferent to the Jiang family, but reality was reality.

No matter the era, money always makes money, because when opportunities arise, you can't seize them if you don't have money.

"That's true. I was planning to invest 50,000 taels in this, otherwise, it wouldn't be worth the trouble."

"At this stage, Shuwen and his group are content with a modest level of wealth."

Mu Yi'an also remembered that Li Qiuniang was pregnant, so it was best not to cause any unnecessary trouble at this time.

"Alright, forget about the others. I need to ask Jiang Qi if she has any thoughts."

Mu Yi'an thought that she was able to give birth smoothly thanks to Doctor Chu.

Moreover, he put in a lot of effort to treat Mr. Liang.

After the couple finished discussing it, Mu Yi'an wrote a letter to his elder brother and asked Steward Li to go to Xinyuan County the next day.

The matter concerning the eldest brother and Jiang Shuhe both require Butler Li to handle the communication.

The next day, Steward Li got up early and went to the dock.

After breakfast, Mu Yi'an saw Shao Ming and Shao Yun off, then played with the three children for a while. Seeing that it was almost time, he took Fang's wife and had Wei San drive the carriage to the estate.

After finishing her class, Jiang Shuyun came over with the headmaster and Professor Wu.

"Greetings, Headmaster, Lord Wu, and Lord Jiang!"

Mu Yi'an stood next to Jiang Shuyun and bowed.

“Mrs. Zhonglin, no need for formalities, let’s sit down and talk.”

The headmaster, being the oldest, took the main seat.

Aunt Fang served tea and then withdrew.

"Headmaster, Professor Wu, I have finished writing the booklet on watermelon cultivation. It is easy to understand."

“Mrs. Jiang, I’ve also read the planting booklet. I understand it very well, but I’m worried that things might go wrong when I actually do it.”

Wu Daren couldn't understand it, but Jiang Wen understood it. However, understanding something is one thing, and being able to truly comprehend it is another.

"Lord Jiang, I would like to ask about land prices in the Northwest. Are there any large tracts of land for sale?"

Mu Yi'an did not answer Lord Jiang's question; she wanted to know the information she needed.

"The Northwest is sparsely populated, with many large tracts of land available at reasonable prices."

Jiang Wen spoke frankly: there is a lot of land in the Northwest, but because the yield is low, there are not many outsiders who go there to farm.

"Lord Jiang, I'd like to buy land in the Northwest. I wonder if you could offer me some guidance?"

"When you go to the Northwest to buy land, how much are you planning to buy? Are you also going to grow watermelons there?"

Jiang Wen didn't understand why Mrs. Jiang wanted to buy land in the Northwest.

"I don't want to grow watermelons, I want to grow cotton."

"What, cotton?"

Before Lord Jiang could reply, Lord Wu suddenly stood up. Cotton was of vital importance to the Northwest Army.

"Yes, cotton, can't we grow it?"

"No, it's just that cotton yields in the Northwest are low. Does Mrs. Jiang have any ideas on how to increase production?"

Jiang Wen chimed in, also curious.

"I do have a method, but I've only read about it in casual books, and I don't know if it will work."

So, I'm planning to buy land in the Northwest, just to give it a try, what if it works out?

Mu Yi'an didn't rule out the possibility of failure.

"Then let's give it a try. Once we get to the Northwest, I can't guarantee anything else, but I can at least ensure your personal safety."

Wu Daren has a loud voice; when he gets excited, he speaks like he's about to go to war.

"What Lord Wu said is true. If Madam Jiang really succeeds in planting the seed, it will be a great deed for the people of the Northwest and for the entire Dali Dynasty."

Jiang Wen spoke with great skill, quickly elevating the discussion to matters of national importance.

"Lord Jiang is too kind. I am just a woman confined to the inner quarters. I only want to earn some money to save up for my child's betrothal and dowry. I really don't know anything else."

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