Time flies, and summer has arrived again, the season for harvesting wheat.
Because the Li family planted their 3,000 mu of land later, even though they applied a lot of organic fertilizer, the crops matured later, but they grew quite well.
Fortunately, Yan Qingqing plans to plant cotton next season, which requires seedling cultivation, thus avoiding this time difference.
However, the thousand acres of land that Li Xiangping bought from Master Ding were harvested on time.
Because of the use of organic fertilizer, the wheat ears appeared particularly plump. Naturally, the yield was also much higher than that of other farms.
This delighted Li Xiangping. When the agricultural officials of the same rank as him heard the news, they all requested to visit Li's fields to observe and learn from him.
At everyone's request, Magistrate Ling led them to inspect the unharvested wheat field belonging to the Li family.
Li Xiangping set off with Ah San very early in the morning.
When they arrived, Magistrate Ling and several agricultural officials were already waiting there.
After dismounting, Li Xiangping quickly bowed to Magistrate Ling. Upon seeing this, Magistrate Ling smiled and said, "Alright, we're already so familiar with each other, why bother with all this formality?"
"My lords have been waiting for you for a long time."
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangping quickly apologized to everyone, saying, "Everyone, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting."
"Now I'll give you a tour of our estate."
After saying that, he gestured for everyone to enter.
As Li Xiangping walked, he introduced the village to everyone.
This 3,000-mu estate is definitely one of the best in Chengyang County. You can see farmhands everywhere on the estate, and they are all smiling from ear to ear.
Although they weren't tenant farmers, the good harvest on the farm meant the landlord would pay them high wages. This was what Li Xiangping had promised them when they first came to work.
Even if they weren't paid extra wages, they would still be happy, because they all knew that working for the Li family would bring good benefits.
Ming Zhaoshuo had just received a high-temperature allowance from them a few days ago.
They were utterly stunned when they heard this. They had lived most of their lives and had never heard of any high-temperature subsidy before. To put it bluntly, it was a way to send them money.
How could they not love and respect such a master?
They all knew that Li Xiangping was a kind person, and when they saw him bringing several people who looked to be of high status to visit, they all made way for them with great tact.
Looking out from afar, the three thousand acres of golden wheat are quite a sight, and also quite beautiful.
One of the agricultural officials, who usually didn't get along with Li Xiangping, said sourly, "Did your family have some great luck? Why do you get all the good things?"
In just over a year, Ming Zhaoshuo rose to the rank of a third-grade imperial consort; you, lad, are only an eighth-grade agricultural official.
Not only are your businesses thriving, but even your wheat is growing so well.
It's impossible not to be jealous.
Actually, what this person said was true. You wouldn't know it if you didn't think about it carefully. Once you did, you were shocked. The Li family's development momentum has indeed been very strong in the past two years.
However, only Li Xiangping knew that their family's success today was due to their good mother, and it was the result of their whole family's hard work and dedication.
Even now, there are many things her mother still does herself, which is not something a third-rank noblewoman should be doing.
However, Li Xiangping didn't explain these things to them. His mother had said that since they had put in the effort, they should just enjoy the fruits of their labor. There was no need to explain to outsiders.
Magistrate Ling spoke up, saying, "I brought you here to visit Lord Li's manor and learn from him how to grow crops so well, not to encourage you to compare yourselves with him or be jealous of him."
You are both agricultural officials, and you are older and more senior than Lord Li, yet the crops you have cultivated are not particularly good.
Instead of wasting time making sarcastic remarks, they should seriously consider why they can't produce any political achievements.
Magistrate Ling's few words made these agricultural officials blush with embarrassment.
Because agricultural officials did not need to go through layers of selection, most of them were minor officials whose positions were obtained through donations from their families. Although they were also eighth-rank officials, their prestige was far less than that of Li Xiangping, who was appointed as an eighth-rank official by the emperor himself.
Magistrate Ling's few words silenced their lingering dissent.
Another agricultural official surnamed Wang, seeing the awkward atmosphere, smiled and tried to smooth things over, saying, "Yes, yes, yes, we're here today to learn from Lord Li."
The crops at Lord Li's house are indeed growing better than those of other families, whether it's potatoes and sweet potatoes in the past or wheat now. We think there must be a secret to it.
If this method can be widely adopted, it will greatly benefit the people of our Great Yan, and Lord Li will have done a meritorious deed.”
Magistrate Ling's expression softened somewhat upon hearing this.
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangping smiled and said, "What Lord Wang says is true; I also had this plan."
However, accurate data is required to report to the county magistrate.
Moreover, I'm currently only in the experimental stage, and I've only just achieved some results, so I'm inviting you all to come and visit."
Magistrate Ling nodded in approval and said, "You are right to be so cautious, after all, this is a major issue concerning people's livelihood."
Li Xiangping then led them on a tour of the manor, and they were increasingly impressed by what they saw.
If every household could grow such high yields of grain, then the Great Yan Dynasty would not have any hunger problem at all.
This time, Magistrate Ling spoke first, asking, "Lord Li, tell me, why is your wheat growing so well?"
Li Xiangping smiled and said, "Actually, for wheat to grow well, it also requires the right timing, location, and people."
If the actual conditions don't meet our needs, we have to create them ourselves. There are essentially three key points: first, the soil must be fertile enough; second, pests must be prevented; and third, the weather must be favorable.
However, the fertility of many lands, even fertile fields, will greatly decline after several years of planting crops, resulting in reduced grain production.
When the season comes, insects also need to reproduce, and they will come to eat the crops.
"To have favorable weather and abundant harvests, we need the grace of Heaven."
Li Xiangping's words resonated with everyone, including Magistrate Ling, who, as agricultural officials, certainly had some understanding of this matter.
But what Li Xiangping said next shocked them. He said, "Actually, the fertility of the soil can be changed by humans, and fertilizer can be made through a series of fermentation processes."
In addition, pest control is not just about catching insects by hand; some measures can be taken in advance to prevent pest infestations.
Of course, besides these two points, water conservancy is also very important, as most of the people of Dayan rely on the weather for their livelihood.
When the weather is favorable, our harvest may be larger, but if there is drought or flood, it may not be so good.
Why can't we store the rainy water and then drain it for irrigation during droughts?
This is what is meant by favorable timing, geographical advantage, and harmonious relationships.
As soon as Li Xiangping finished speaking, he saw the officials looking at him in shock.
If all the things he mentioned could be changed by human intervention, then it would be difficult for crops in the fields not to be highly productive.
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