Next, Li Xiangping explained in detail how to make organic fertilizer, how to use quicklime and wood ash to prevent pests, and how to dig ditches and build canals in the fields.
What Li Xiangping said are all very practical things.
However, most people would never do that, especially since they definitely can't make organic fertilizer without knowing the steps involved.
Magistrate Ling looked at Li Xiangping and said, "Go back and write down everything you just said. I will submit it to the Emperor with urgent news."
As soon as Magistrate Ling finished speaking, everyone looked at Li Xiangping with envy.
As agricultural officials, they could never reach the imperial court in their entire lives; even ordinary county magistrates' memorials never reached the emperor's desk. But Magistrate Ling was an exception.
The reason why the Li family, including Yan Qingqing, were able to receive the emperor's rewards was because of the memorial submitted by Magistrate Ling.
Thinking that Li Xiangping would definitely be promoted and rewarded after Magistrate Ling submitted his memorial, they all looked at Li Xiangping with envy.
Li Xiangping didn't care much about these things. He also wanted to tell Magistrate Ling that his mother had taught him all these things, and that he was just the errand boy.
But his mother wouldn't let him say it, saying that he had always been the one managing the farm affairs, and that the good harvest was all earned through his hard work.
If he wants to develop a long-term career as an agricultural official, he must always be attentive and careful, and one day he will be able to put his skills to good use.
His mother had shown him the way and taught him all sorts of farming tips. If he still couldn't do it well, wouldn't he be letting his mother down?
Li Xiangping calmed down and replied, "Don't worry, sir. I will sort out these things when I get back and write them down as soon as possible to send to the yamen."
Magistrate Ling nodded and said, "I have received inside information that in order to solve the problem of soldiers on the border freezing in winter, the Emperor has issued an order to promote the use of cotton."
Chengyang County is very likely to be used as a pilot area for this promotion.
Since cotton was first discovered by Ming Zhaoshuo, officials from various places will inevitably come to learn from it.
However, given Ming Zhaoshuo's status, you, as agricultural officials of Chengyang County, should share the burdens of Ming Zhaoshuo and the Emperor.
You should consult with Lord Li more often, so as not to embarrass Chengyang County.
Everyone readily agreed, as this was a great opportunity to shine, and they couldn't let Li Xiangping take it all by himself.
So everyone quickly surrounded him, asking him all sorts of questions, trying to build a good relationship with Li Xiangping.
Although Li Xiangping was an honest and simple man, he had a good understanding of human relationships and social customs after serving as an official for so long.
They can also mediate with them with ease.
Seeing this, Magistrate Ling nodded with satisfaction. Putting aside everything else, although Yan Qingqing's children did not come from a good background, their abilities all came from Yan Qingqing.
When Li Xiangping returned home, he first went to see Yan Qingqing and told her about the things that Magistrate Ling had asked him to do.
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Since Magistrate Ling is willing to help you, just write down the experience you've gained over this period and submit it to him."
Li Xiangping readily agreed, but then added, "Mother, I figured these things out by figuring out the methods you taught me."
These credits should rightfully belong to Mother.
Yan Qingqing liked Li Xiangping's honesty, but too much honesty wasn't good either, so she said, "I'm glad you have this kind heart, but we are mother and son, we don't distinguish between each other."
I remember telling you many times that you are the eldest son in the family, and many things in the future will depend on you, as will your younger siblings.
Therefore, you need to have something they can rely on in order to protect them from the wind and rain.
Li Xiangping understood everything Yan Qingqing was saying, but he just felt that everything he had now was given to him by his mother, and all these honors should be returned to her.
Yan Qingqing could understand Li Xiangping's thoughts, and then said, "Mother has her own path to walk, but Mother is, after all, a woman, and she is getting older. The future belongs to you young people."
"Today, I can make you all proud of me, but I hope even more that in the near future, you will all make me proud of you."
In ancient times, women were expected to obey their fathers at home, their husbands after marriage, and their sons after their fathers died.
Although Yan Qingqing disdained these rules, societal norms still held sway.
Moreover, no matter the era, parents are always proud when their children are successful.
Li Xiangping smiled and replied, "Mother, don't worry, I will definitely work hard."
Even if I can't earn Mother an official title, I will never let her be disgraced.
Yan Qingqing laughed heartily upon hearing this.
Li Xiangping had never written a memorial to the throne before and wanted to learn from Yan Qingqing. However, it just so happened that Yan Qingqing had never written one either.
The mother and son stared at each other blankly for a while.
Finally, Li Xiangping spoke up, saying, "How about I go and ask Magistrate Ling for advice?"
Yan Qingqing stopped her, saying, "No need, just do it your way. Sometimes, simple words are the most touching."
Especially in front of the emperor.
Also, don't have someone else write it for you; write it yourself.
Li Xiangping: ...
Is his handwriting, which looks like a dog's scratch, really acceptable? Putting aside whether the emperor would reward him or not, wouldn't he think that he had disgraced the court and strip him of his official position?
However, Li Xiangping always listened to Yan Qingqing, and went straight to his study when he got back.
After careful consideration, Li Xiangping began to write: "Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's great favor."
But then I felt that my writing was too literary, and I couldn't write anything more substantial.
So he tore it up and rewrote it, writing it over and over again until late at night, but still couldn't come up with a satisfactory document.
When Yuan Huiniang saw that Li Xiangping had not returned for a long time, and heard that Li Xiangping had gone into the study after leaving Yan Qingqing's courtyard, she realized that he had not returned.
He figured his mother must have given him some difficult task, since Li Xiangping had never liked studying.
Yuan Huiniang led her people to the study, and when she opened the door, she saw that the floor was covered with scraps of paper.
Li Xiangping was focused on writing something.
Li Xiang was startled when he heard the door being pushed open, and his hand trembled, causing the ink to smudge on the paper.
Li Xiangping slumped into a chair, and Yuan Huiniang naturally saw it. She said remorsefully, "Husband, have I bothered you? It's all my fault. How about I write it for you?"
Li Xiangping shook his head and said, "This is a memorial to the Emperor. My mother told me to write it myself so that it would seem more sincere."
But as you know, I don't know many characters, and my handwriting is even worse. Even I think it's ugly.
Yuan Huiniang smiled and said, "I want His Majesty to see your sincerity, but you can write it down first and then copy it."
Li Xiangping's eyes lit up when he heard this, thinking it was a good idea.
He picked up the papers he had just thrown away and cobbled together another one before he was satisfied.
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