Chapter 276 The Changing Winds of the Capital
Grandpa Zhao patiently explained, "After paying the grain tax, what's left is just enough for the whole family to eat, and then we can exchange it for some oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar. If the harvest is bad, then it will be hard to get by."
Ji Wensheng nodded thoughtfully. Having run his business in the capital, he was well aware of the impact of grain price fluctuations on people's livelihoods and commerce.
He then saw women working in the fields, bending over, and asked:
"Are those women working in the fields the women of the household?"
Grandpa Zhao sighed, "Yes, when spring plowing gets busy, it doesn't matter whether you're a man or a woman; everyone with strength has to go to the fields. The women are meticulous; they can do things like replanting seedlings and weeding more efficiently than the men. The children also have to help deliver water and watch the livestock."
At this moment, a middle-aged man who was fertilizing the field next to them looked up and smiled kindly at Jiang Ling and Ji Wensheng.
Jiang Ling recognized him as Zhou Daniu from the village and greeted him, "Brother Daniu, busy?"
"Hey, Miss Jiang!" Zhou Dani wiped his sweat with his sleeve.
"We're fertilizing the rice plants thoroughly, hoping they'll grow strong and healthy!"
Ji Wensheng took a few steps forward and asked across the ridge, "Brother, what kind of fertilizer are you using?"
Seeing that this young nobleman had taken the initiative to speak, Zhou Daniu became somewhat reserved and honestly replied:
"It's just homemade compost and some wood ash."
"I see."
Ji Wensheng nodded. Although he didn't understand specific farming practices, he knew that these were all traditional fertilizers.
He chatted with Grandpa Zhao and Zhou Daniu for a few more minutes, his attitude was sincere and eager to learn, and he showed no contempt, which made Grandpa Zhao and Zhou Daniu like him even more.
He also offered several suggestions on farming and humbly asked everyone to comment on them.
After saying goodbye to Grandpa Zhao and Da Niu Zhou, they boarded the carriage again.
Jiang Ling smiled slightly, "I didn't expect Young Master Ji to be so knowledgeable about farming."
Ji Wensheng remained silent for a moment before saying to Jiang Ling, "Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—agriculture is the foundation of the nation. Only when the weather is favorable, the people live in peace and prosperity, and there is no worry about famine, can commerce be promoted."
The carriage moved slowly forward, leaving the vibrant green fields behind.
Jiang Ling led Ji Wensheng along a clear stream behind the village into the mountains.
The babbling brook crashes against the smooth pebbles, making a pleasant sound.
The banks of the river are covered with lush green grass, dotted with unnamed wildflowers in red, yellow, blue and green, like a hundred flowers vying for attention.
"I never expected that Jishui Village would have such a tranquil place."
Ji Wensheng took a deep breath of fresh air, a relaxed expression on his face, completely different from the shrewd businessman he was in Beijing who was always calculating.
He picked a foxtail grass and played with it in his hand, looking quite interested.
"The countryside can't compare to the bustling capital, but its natural charm is still something to be proud of."
The spring scenery ahead was in full bloom, and the paths were mostly winding, making it difficult for the carriage to pass. So the group abandoned the carriage and walked.
Jiang Ling walked ahead, pointing out interesting sights to him from time to time.
“Young Master Ji, look over there. That old locust tree must be over a hundred years old. In the summer, the villagers love to cool off under it.”
"There is a century-old chestnut tree in front, which produces soft, sweet chestnuts that are said to have fed many people during famine years."
Seeing Jiang Ling introducing the products, Xiao Yi excitedly chimed in:
"Sister, there are some really big pomelo trees after you turn the corner on that path! The pomelos they bear are big and round. I went to pick some with Little Fatty and the others a few days ago, and they were so sweet!"
Ji Wensheng sighed, looking at Jiang Ling, "Mr. Jiang is truly blessed to be able to live here for so long, far from the hustle and bustle of the world."
The group walked along the stream for a while, then climbed up the hillside, where a bright and open view suddenly appeared before them.
It was a sunny, gentle slope covered with pale purple wildflowers, swaying in the wind as the sun rose.
Xiao Yi had already rushed into the sea of flowers with cheers, startling a few pink butterflies.
Xiao Ran stayed with the guards brought by Ji Wensheng, standing quietly beside Jiang Ling.
Jiang Ling found a clean, flat grassy area, had Xiao Ran spread out a piece of coarse cloth she had brought, and then took out the tea, snacks, and juice she had prepared in advance from the bamboo basket she carried with her.
"If Young Master Ji doesn't mind, please rest here for a while and have some simple tea and snacks."
Ji Wensheng didn't stand on ceremony. He sat down cross-legged, picked up a bright green mugwort glutinous rice cake, took a bite, and his eyes lit up: "It smells wonderful, it's soft and chewy, and tastes great!"
He then tasted the small cake he had never seen before and praised it highly, saying, "The food here at Boss Jiang's place is always so unique and surprising."
The group sat amidst the sea of flowers, enjoying tea and snacks in the gentle breeze and warm sunshine, and chatting for a while.
Jiang Ling looked at the mountains covered in wildflowers and the lush green hills and clear waters, and suddenly spoke:
"But what happened in the capital?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Ji Wensheng's eyes, followed by a relieved smile. He put down the pastry in his hand: "I thought I had kept it a secret very well. How did Miss Jiang find out?"
Jiang Ling offered no explanation, but instead pressed, "Has something serious happened?"
Ji Wensheng picked up his juice and took a sip: his tone became somewhat low: "It's just a game between big shots. We little people should just keep a low profile. As long as we don't get involved, the storm will pass and things will be over."
Jiang Ling remained silent. No wonder Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing hadn't come by recently, and she hadn't even received a letter.
"By the way, there's something Miss Jiang would like to hear," Ji Wensheng said, adjusting his tone as if he had suddenly remembered something.
Jiang Ling asked, "What?"
Ji Wensheng put down his cup: "The Crown Prince is coming back."
Jiang Ling was taken aback upon hearing this.
Is Qin Qian coming back?
"Is the border region stable?"
"I heard that a settlement agreement has been signed."
"Reconciliation?" Jiang Ling asked, puzzled.
"If we don't reach a settlement, are we just going to keep fighting, wasting resources and manpower?"
Ji Wensheng glanced at her expression and continued, "The Great Yu Dynasty... even the Great Yu Dynasty can't hold on. The other two countries are not as wealthy as us to begin with. Just the resources alone are enough to give us a headache. Moreover, it's spring planting season now. If we don't reconcile, we'll lose the labor force for farming. How much harvest can we expect in the fall? People's livelihood is the most important thing."
His original intention was to say that even with Jiang Shennu, the Great Yu Dynasty couldn't withstand it.
He had already discovered that Jiang Ling had repeatedly sent supplies to the Crown Prince.
Jiang Ling didn't think about it any deeper, and only asked, "What are the conditions for reconciliation?"
Ji Wensheng sighed: "It could be a marriage alliance, an exchange of hostages, or ceding territory and paying reparations. But according to inside information, this time it should be a marriage alliance."
Jiang Ling lowered her head sadly.
Sending my concubine to secure the nation, I wonder where a general is needed.
To sacrifice a woman's lifelong happiness for a brief moment of peace on the border sounds so helpless and unfair.
However, if we calm down and think about it from the perspective of the nation and the world, we can see the truth.
If peace can be achieved by sacrificing one woman, why mobilize thousands of troops and tear more families apart?
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