The oats need to be harvested, dried, and threshed. Then there are all the other crops planted in the village; they all need to be harvested one by one. This is something we have to do ourselves. Large tracts of land are rented to tenant farmers, who are from nearby villages. After renting the land, they pay rent according to the amount of land they cultivate each year, and the rest is just enough for their own food. These past few days, the weather has been kind, with favorable winds and rain. Every year after the harvest, after paying the rent, there's just enough left to feed the family.
Xu Di worked in the fields all day long, and he became dark-skinned and thin. Xu Rao and Zhang Zhaoci didn't think much of it, but Granny Lu felt extremely sorry for him. Like springtime, she delivered three meals a day to the fields, not only to Xu Di, but also to the others who were invited to help look after the estate.
Xu Zhi spent all her time with Granny Lu. While Granny Lu cooked with Sister He in the kitchen, Xu Zhi would find something she could do to help, such as tending the fire or kneading dough. She couldn't let herself be idle. Because there were fewer people in the family now, Granny Lu hadn't been paying much attention to the upbringing of the Xu family's children lately. She felt that the two Xu children were actually quite good as they were, so she let them do whatever they wanted.
The Xu family hadn't even finished harvesting their crops when a group of people arrived from the capital. Led by Grand Eunuch Zhao, who served Emperor Liang Cheng, they first went to the General's Mansion, met with the Crown Prince, and then came directly to the estate with him.
These past few days, Xu Rao has been harvesting crops in the fields with some hired people. When the young master arrived with Eunuch Zhao, Xu Rao was wearing old clothes and a straw hat, working hard.
Eunuch Zhao was deeply moved to see Magistrate Xu in such a way. He held Xu Rao's hand, too excited to say anything.
Xu Rao was a little embarrassed. He had only come here to work because there wasn't much to do at the yamen these past two days. In Xu Di's words, agriculture is the primary productive force now, and as an official who is responsible for leading so many people in the county out of poverty and into prosperity, he must understand farming.
Xu Rao quickly led them to the newly built courtyard. Xiao Ming and Xiao Liang went to find a teapot and teacups, and the other went to boil water. These two young servants had come from the Marquis's mansion and knew very well how to receive guests.
Because it's a newly built house, although everything is new, there are actually few things, so it looks quite shabby.
Xu Rao said somewhat apologetically, "My lords, I am really sorry. The house was just built and hasn't been tidied up yet. It's a bit rough around the edges. I hope you will forgive me."
Eunuch Zhao sat on a small stool in the courtyard and said, "Lord Xu, you flatter me. I think this place is beautiful with its clear waters and lush mountains; it's a lovely place indeed."
Xu Rao said with a smile, "I was thinking of trying to grow some crops. The land here is good and the water is cheap, so I used that piece of land as a test field. In a while, I will plant wheat and then intercrop corn in the wheat field next year."
The men accompanying Eunuch Zhao exchanged glances upon hearing Xu Rao's words. One of them stepped forward, bowed to Xu Rao, and asked, "Lord Xu, is the corn you mentioned the same crop mentioned in the memorial the Crown Prince submitted to His Majesty?"
Xu Rao smiled and said, "That's right. This corn was introduced from overseas. I obtained it by chance from a traveling merchant. According to him, some people in the south have already planted it, but I don't know why it hasn't been widely promoted."
Eunuch Zhao introduced, "Lord Xu, this is Lord Jin, an assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He has brought people here to assist you in the trial planting of the new grain."
Upon hearing this, Xu Rao quickly bowed to Lord Jin and said, "Welcome, welcome. I don't really know much about farming. I just invited a few old farmers to help. There are many things I don't know how to make decisions about. Lord Jin, you've come at the perfect time. I'll need your help in the future."
Lord Jin quickly said he dared not accept such politeness. After a moment, Xiao Ming and Xiao Liang had already boiled the water, prepared the teapot, teacups, and tea leaves, and placed them on a small table after brewing tea for the gentlemen. This table was specially bought from a carpenter's shop in the city by Xu Di because he felt that eating here was not comfortable. He didn't expect that it would actually come in handy now.
Xu Di didn't dare to step forward. As a child of about ten years old, he didn't dare to compete for credit in front of others. Right now, he was cutting oats in the field with his uncles.
Xu Di hadn't expected the court to attach so much importance to the matter of grain. He knew Zhao Gonggong Xu Di well; he was the most favored eunuch in Liang Chengdi's court. He had accompanied Liang Chengdi since childhood, from the palace to the establishment of his residence outside the palace, and then back to the palace to become emperor. He was loyal and devoted, and had always been one of the people Liang Chengdi valued most.
Lord Jin was in charge of agricultural affairs, and he was very interested in the intercropping that Xu Rao had just mentioned. After tea was served, he pulled Xu Rao aside and began to ask about winter wheat and corn. As someone who specialized in agricultural affairs, he was very sensitive to agricultural issues, and he could understand many things as soon as Xu Rao explained them. Moreover, the more Xu Rao explained, the more amazed he became.
Looking at the simple courtyard and then at the golden oat fields around him, Eunuch Zhao felt quite conflicted. Xu Rao had truly done something that Emperor Liang Cheng had been eagerly anticipating. As the ruler of a country, and a diligent and responsible one at that, his greatest wish was for his people to have enough to eat and wear. The current agricultural yield was low because of the constant warfare in recent years, which had caused many people to be displaced and reduced the country's population significantly, not to mention the land that had been abandoned for many years.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
