Qin Wan didn't grow these crops for herself; if that were her own business, she could just graft the fruits. She worked so hard, personally tending to them, for the sake of a high yield, for the benefit of the people of the world.
She met Xie Qing's gaze and detailed her worries and concerns one by one: "Currently, all hybrid crops have only reached the third generation at most. No one knows whether the fourth generation will have a high yield. Even the second generation that can produce high yields is not stable. So I want to find a higher-yielding crop and submit it to Your Majesty."
Xie Qing was so excited that he couldn't help but hold Qin Wan's hand and said, "You are willing to give it to my father."
"Why not? A high grain yield benefits the people of the world, not Your Majesty." Qin Wan said matter-of-factly, "Although I'm not a saint, I'm not selfish either. What I just said was only my plan. If you have a better plan, please share it."
Xie Qing's throat rolled, and after adjusting himself several times, he finally calmed his voice. "My idea is that the Ministry of Revenue has a Si Nong official, and the local areas also have Si Nong officials. We can first send some seeds to the military and government fields in various places for trial planting. After a year, the court will distribute seeds free of charge to the people for cultivation, stating that the yield is unknown, and ask the Si Nong to follow up at any time."
After saying this, Xie Qing looked at Qin Wan seriously and said, "It's not easy for you to cultivate new grain seeds. I will naturally ask my father for a reward for you. The seeds will also be purchased by the Ministry of Revenue."
Seeing his cautious look, Qin Wan broke off a rice ear and placed it in his hand, saying with a smile, "I don't want any reward, but these farmers who serve the farm can enter the Ministry of Revenue's Agricultural Department."
"You..." Xie Qing looked at her in disbelief and asked, "You know, the grain yield is extremely high. It's no problem for them to be made a marquis or a prime minister. You're going to give all the credit to them and let them work in the Ministry of Revenue? Then who will take care of your farm in the future?"
"They are all going to the Ministry of Revenue to work as ministers of agriculture, so naturally I will release their indentures." Qin Wan was very confident, especially since she had no intention of keeping these farmers around. Initially, the cultivation of new hybrid grain varieties had to be kept secret, for fear that Bai Wanyi would cause trouble or that others would steal the results.
Now that she has the power to hand it over, she is naturally not afraid of these farmers leaving.
She said, "This is the glory they have worked so hard to gain. I cannot destroy their future for my own selfish gain. They cannot read and write, and this is their only way to a better future. How can I take it away? Therefore, you come to fight for their glory, but..."
Xie Qing quickly asked, "But what?"
Qin Wan was a little worried: "The farmers who tend the farmland include not only men but also women. It's unfair to only reward the men and treat the women unfairly."
Xie Qing also frowned. "If they ask for a title, I guess the reward will go to their husbands, children, or fathers, not the women. It's them who work in the fields, but the men in the family benefit in the end. This is really unfair."
Xie Qing thought for a long time, but couldn't come up with a good idea. He could only say, "There's no precedent for women serving as officials, but working in the Ministry of Agriculture shouldn't be a problem. I'll think of a way to do it later."
"But I can give them some rewards first to appease them. As for the matter of asking for an official position, don't tell them yet."
Qin Wan nodded. "Of course we can't tell them. If we do, their families will definitely instigate them to seek official positions for their fathers, brothers, husbands, or sons. So we'll just nip it in the bud."
Song Shao made his presence known, attracting the two men's attention, before speaking, "I have a plan. If someone is given an official position, someone will undoubtedly ask why the women involved weren't given one. Even if the young lady and the Crown Prince suppress this matter, they will inevitably embarrass these women at home. Therefore, I will also send someone to spread the word that being an official isn't that easy."
"For example, if we go to the Ministry of Agriculture, the superiors will interrogate us in detail about how the crops are planted, how they are grafted, the four seasons and eight festivals, rainy weather, when to weed, when to fertilize, and how they are cared for. They may not be able to answer, and if the harvest is affected, they will be held accountable."
"Don't even mention the weather. If others can grow crops, why can't yours? You can't fool around with any of this. Give them some rewards, some money, to appease their grievances. As for what they do with the money after they get it, we have no right to control it or interfere."
Xie Qing listened thoughtfully.
Qin Wan looked at Xie Qing and said, "The rewards should be given to them themselves. They should know that they deserve it. There is no need to share these things with anyone else. These are their private property. There is no need to sacrifice their own interests for others."
Qin Wan looked at Xiaoyu, Zhenzhen, and the others again, telling them and urging them to make it clear to the women on the farm: "I can't control other people, but on my territory, for those from my side, I won't allow their families to crawl on them and suck their blood like leeches."
"Go back and tell them that I said I would release these women and children first. If they bully these women, I will not let them off easily!"
After a pause, she continued, "Those old farmers too, don't think that just because you're an official you can act tyrannically at home. Diligence and self-respect will lead to a better future. If you become complacent and do things you shouldn't, you'll fall back the same way you rose."
"Yes, I remember it."
Several people bowed in agreement, including Song Shao, who said, "I will supervise and restrain them."
"Okay, go down."
Xie Qing watched Song Shao take Xiaoyu away, and a smile appeared on his face. Just as he was about to speak, he heard a cough.
Xie Qing turned his head and immediately put on a flattering smile: "My Lord, you are here too."
"We're in public, be careful of the impact!" Qin Zhan glared at him. "Do you think I don't exist?" He couldn't let go of my hand after holding it!
Xie Qing looked down following his gaze, his face suddenly flushed. He quickly let go of her hand and said at a loss, "That..."
Qin Zhan looked at him like this, and couldn't help but feel happy. This prince is not bad, very good. He put his hands behind his back and asked the servants in the courtyard to leave with him: "Haha, that's enough. I have something else to do. I'll leave first. You young people can talk."
Xie Qing wanted to hold Qin Wan's hand, but she dodged him.
Qin Wan glared at him: "This is in public, be mindful of the impact!"
After she finished speaking, she couldn't help laughing. Xie Qing took the opportunity to hold her hand and walked towards the front hall: "You sent someone to call me here, and I thought you missed me. I didn't expect it was because of these things."
The two sat down next to each other. Qin Wan noticed some dust on his sleeves and brushed it off for him. "Why? Do I have to miss you before I can call you over? If I don't want you, then I can't call you over?"
Xie Qing was startled, then smiled and said, "Are you saying sweet words to me?"
Note: In earlier dynasties, the Ministry of Revenue was called Sinong, in charge of the country's finances and grain. Later, it was renamed the Ministry of Revenue. The Sinong mentioned in this article is a department under the Ministry of Revenue, specializing in agriculture and sericulture.
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