The term "two rice harvests a year" refers to planting rice twice on the same land within a single year, resulting in two harvests. The growth and ripening of rice are greatly influenced by sunlight; the longer the sunshine, the faster it ripens. During the Ming Dynasty, in the southernmost region of Hainan Island, two or even three rice harvests a year were already being achieved.
In Yunnan Province, although people have tried, few have succeeded. This is related to factors such as rice variety, climate, and planting methods. Because success is a matter of chance, most people do not expect to harvest two rice crops a year, and therefore do not choose rice varieties with shorter maturity periods. The rice they used to grow was the kind that could not be harvested until late autumn.
What Qingchen needs to do now is to ensure the success of both rice harvests in Yuanjiang Prefecture this year, rather than relying on mere chance. Only in this way can the people of Yuanjiang Prefecture have enough food to get through the winter.
Rice is typically harvested twice a year, once in summer and again in autumn. However, it's already almost September, with only a little over three months left until winter. This means that if the seeds sown now don't mature before winter, the rice will still freeze to death when the temperature drops to a certain level.
Qingchen's dilemma is that she must persuade the people to plant rice again and ensure that this planting will yield a harvest. Otherwise, the people of Yuanjiang Prefecture will once again experience despair, which would be an even greater blow than suffering from a hailstorm.
Because a person's confidence cannot withstand repeated destruction.
If it really comes to that, it will be very difficult for Qingchen, the prefect, to regain the trust of the people. Governing this area in the future will be even more difficult.
Having made up his mind, Qingchen consulted two people skilled in weather forecasting. They learned that winter in Yunnan had arrived neither early nor late this year, but fortunately, the temperature shouldn't be too low. With this in mind, the next step was to do everything in his power.
Xie Wenyuan quickly brought Yuan Song over.
Qingchen told Yuansong his thoughts, "Two rice harvests a year are imperative, but we have limited time. Therefore, I need you to improve the rice varieties and planting plan as soon as possible, and make sure the seedlings are planted in the fields by early September."
Yuan Song naturally knew what this meant. Whether so many people in Yuanjiang Prefecture would have enough food to get through the winter depended on whether this one route was viable. He lowered his head and replied in a steady voice, "Yes, sir!"
Yunnan's four seasons are not as distinct as those in Beijing.
By mid-September, the leaves of the plants were still green, and the autumn wind wasn't so bleak. Time seems to flow more slowly in Yunnan than in Beijing, and the transitions of seasons are leisurely.
The second batch of rice seedlings for this year in Yuanjiang Prefecture has already been planted, and Yuan Song has finally lived up to Qingchen's expectations.
As far as the eye can see, the rice paddies of Yuanjiang Prefecture are a lush green expanse once again. The rice that survived the hailstorm has entered its final ripening stage, with each ear of rice bearing a full and plump head, the stalks bending under their weight.
This phenomenon of large areas of green and golden yellow coexisting is unprecedented in the history of Yuanjiang Prefecture.
When the people first heard that the government wanted them to plant rice again, they were filled with doubt and distrust. They had grown up in the fields and had never heard of planting rice again in September, the season that was supposed to be for harvesting.
But when Qingchen distributed the seedlings that Yuansong had cultivated to everyone and had them plant them in the ground, and taught them how to plant them, and when the seedlings grew rapidly half a month later, they began to have some faith.
Two rice harvests a year—perhaps it really is possible.
Three months later, in December, at the end of the year.
Snow has begun to fall in Beijing, and the sky is always overcast. The vermilion walls of the Forbidden City have lost their vibrancy in the foggy, cold air.
Meanwhile, in Yunnan, thousands of miles away, although the temperature has dropped, the weather remains sunny and often bright.
In the rice paddies that nurture hope, the rice that the people of Yuanjiang Prefecture planted in September has ripened!
After playing a cruel joke on Qingchen with a hailstorm, fate did not interfere with her miraculous escape. The harvest that was rightfully hers and that of Yuanjiang Prefecture finally arrived as promised.
It was not just a bumper harvest, but an enormous one. The grain filled the granaries in the homes of the people, filled the official granaries that had been empty for three years, and even filled the bellies of field birds and field mice.
When Xie Wenyuan reported the statistical data to Qingchen, his face beamed with joy. In recent years, when had Yuanjiang Prefecture ever reported a bumper harvest? Every year there had been poor harvests, and the day the statistical results came out was the day he dreaded the most. But this year was different.
Now, wherever Lady Shen goes, people line the streets to welcome her, bringing her vegetables and eggs. They even composed a folk song to praise her, which is sung by children in the streets and alleys.
When Yunnan Governor Cheng Yuanzhi received the good news from Yuanjiang, he breathed a long sigh of relief, not only because of the three hundred taels of silver he had lent out, but also because he felt gratified.
That's how it should be. Those who are willing to work hard will always be rewarded.
This year is his first year in Yunnan, and Shen Qingchen has given him a great gift—Yuanjiang Prefecture has successfully cultivated two varieties of rice in one year, which means that Yunnan Province can learn from and replicate this model next year. This is a great thing for the people.
At this time, Cheng Yuanzhi was unaware that this was also a great thing for him. After the report from Yunnan Province was delivered to the capital by express horse, the imperial decree was quickly issued—Cheng Yuanzhi had rendered meritorious service in governing Yunnan, and was hereby promoted to Minister of War, to go to the capital to take up his post immediately.
When Qingchen delivered the three hundred taels of silver to the governor's office, the imperial envoy had just finished announcing the decree, and Cheng Yuanzhi was still somewhat taken aback. He had only been in Yunnan for a few months, and was about to return to the power center of the Ming Dynasty.
"This humble official extends his congratulations to Lord Cheng," Qingchen said.
Cheng Yuanzhi smiled and said sincerely, "Lord Shen, it's all thanks to you. I'm just benefiting from your kindness."
"I only did what I was supposed to do and dare not take credit for it. This is the three hundred taels of silver I borrowed from you, sir. Now I am returning it in full, with interest." Qingchen said as she handed over the three hundred taels of silver she owed and the interest.
Cheng Yuanzhi looked at her calm and handsome face, shook his head and said, "No need to give it to me, you can keep it."
Qingchen was somewhat puzzled when the imperial decree announcer continued, "Since Lord Shen is here as well, that's perfect. I'll announce all the decrees together. Shen Qingchen, Prefect of Yuanjiang, kneel down to receive the decree—"
Qingchen paused for a moment, then turned to look at Cheng Yuanzhi beside him.
Cheng Yuanzhi simply smiled and remained silent.
Only after the official decree was announced did Qingchen realize that she had been promoted again.
Cheng Yuanzhi was originally the Governor of Yunnan and concurrently the Provincial Treasurer. Now that he has been transferred back to the capital, these two positions have become vacant. And she will succeed him as the next Provincial Treasurer of Yunnan! A third-rank official! The governorship is a temporary position. Because Yunnan Province is located in a remote area, the Provincial Treasurer usually serves as the governor, or there is no governorship, and the Provincial Treasurer governs the province.
Despite his young age, Qingchen is already a high-ranking official in charge of a region!
After the imperial decree was read, Cheng Yuanzhi immediately smiled and said, "Just now Lord Shen congratulated me, now it's my turn to congratulate Lord Shen."
On the way back to Yuanjiang Prefecture, Qingchen's mind was in turmoil.
She was unaware of how Yuanjiang Prefecture had suffered from hail, how the people had rioted at the prefectural government, how she had implemented the policy of two rice harvests a year, and how the rice had finally yielded a bumper harvest. All of this information had been sent to the capital and into the hands of Emperor Zhu Rui at the first opportunity.
Cheng Yuanzhi and Shen Qingchen were both people Zhu Rui appreciated. When the position of Minister of War became vacant, the first person he thought of to succeed him was Cheng Yuanzhi. And Qingchen had made meritorious contributions in Yunnan and was a talent that Zhu Rui intended to cultivate, so it was only natural for him to replace Cheng Yuanzhi. Therefore, without consulting the cabinet, Zhu Rui drafted and issued the two decrees of promotion himself.
Qingchen was still young, and it was feared that she would not be able to win the support of the people if she were appointed as governor. So he first appointed her as provincial treasurer. As long as he did not send a new governor, she would be the head of Yunnan Province.
Following the imperial decree, Cheng Yuanzhi hurriedly packed his things and left the governor's office with his family, heading towards the capital. Meanwhile, Qingchen, with Xie Wenyuan's help, moved from the Yuanjiang prefectural government office to the larger and more impressive Yunnan provincial government office.
The changes were so rapid that even she herself hadn't been able to react in time.
It wasn't until she stood on the stone steps of the provincial governor's office, watching the distant mountains to the north disappear into the afterglow of the setting sun, and the smoke from countless chimneys rising into the air, that she realized she had a greater responsibility on her shoulders.
...
After the bumper harvest, Yunnan Province quickly entered winter.
Unlike the heavy snowfall in Beijing, this southern region is mostly sunny and warm, though the temperature has dropped enough to require wearing thick clothes.
After Qingchen became the Yunnan Provincial Governor, he promoted Xie Wenyuan by one rank and brought him to the Provincial Administration Office. Governing a prefecture is different from governing a province. Cheng Yuanzhi left in a hurry and did not have time to explain the situation of the entire province to her in detail. He only left some of his own notes for her reference.
Qingchen was already very grateful. Compared to when she first arrived in Yuanjiang and faced a chaotic and inefficient government office, Cheng Yuanzhi had left her a much better team. However, being new to the area, she needed to familiarize herself with many things, and being busy was inevitable.
Xie Wenyuan noticed that although Lord Shen had changed into her official robes, her busy schedule remained unchanged. The lamp by her window still burned until the third watch of the night, and the documents on her desk were still piled high.
Aside from occasionally spending time with her father, who suffered from hysteria, basking in the sun and having a chat, or sometimes standing alone gazing at the northern sky, he had hardly ever seen her do anything for him. Her life revolved almost entirely around her official duties.
This reminded him of someone.
No wonder they're master and apprentice.
The style and habits of Grand Secretary Song were all reflected in Lord Shen.
Both of these people were wholeheartedly devoted to the country and its people.
Several Bauhinia plants, a pale purple flower with thin, somewhat translucent petals, were planted in the courtyard of the Provincial Governor's Office. This year's New Year arrived quietly amidst the fluttering petals of these flowers.
When Qingchen returned to the backyard that day, she found that bright red couplets and paper-cut window decorations had been pasted on the doors and windows. She was stunned for a moment, and Xie Wenyuan beside her said, "The adults have been so busy that they have forgotten. Today is New Year's Eve."
Once on the corridor, Qingchen gently flicked her sleeve, stopped by the window, and fixed her gaze on the bright red and vivid paper-cut window decorations.
Another year has passed.
She remembered that before last year's Lunar New Year, Song Yue took her to pick out many paper-cut window decorations. Whether it was a coincidence or intentional, all the decorations they chose featured adorable children. When she tried to pay, he grabbed her wrist to stop her, and said something very flirtatious—
Do you want to keep the Grand Secretary as your mistress?
Dressed in fine clothes, with an unparalleled face, his gaze was deep and captivating, capable of making one fall in love with just a glance. At that moment, she couldn't even count how fast her heart was beating.
On New Year's Eve, the paper-cut window decorations they bought together were pasted on his window. He walked with her in the yard, ate New Year's Eve dinner with her, and watched the fireworks with her... When the fireworks were in full bloom, the sky was full of colorful and splendid colors, and snowflakes fell slowly like decorations. He hugged her and kissed her.
In that instant, she almost melted in his tenderness.
But in the blink of an eye, everything has changed.
Qingchen touched the paper-cut window decoration, then rolled up her sleeves and continued walking forward.
Xie Wenyuan followed beside her and said, "I saw that you were too busy, so I took the liberty of buying you New Year's goods and picked out these window decorations and couplets. If you don't like them, I will go and buy more."
"No need," Qingchen shook his head and said, "This is fine enough. Thank you for your hard work. Today is New Year's Eve, you should go home early and spend time with your family."
“I am fine. Since returning to Yunnan, I have been able to see my family every day, so there is no rush. It is you, sir, who is spending the New Year in Yunnan for the first time this year. The yamen is deserted. I will stay and keep you company.”
“No need. Even if we see each other every day, your parents will still be hoping you come back for a family reunion. You don’t need to worry about me. In previous years in the capital, it was just my father and me.” Qingchen said, “Go back.”
"Well... I'll take my leave now."
After Xie Wenyuan left, Qingchen went back to the backyard to check on her father. Since arriving in Yunnan, her father's health had improved due to the favorable climate, but his consciousness remained unclear.
She was usually busy, so the servants would cook for Old Shen. Right now, he had already eaten lunch and was sitting by the window on the couch.
When the servants saw that Master Shen had returned to the backyard, they prepared a meal for her. Qingchen had little appetite and only drank a small bowl of porridge. Then she sat facing her father. She said a few words to him, but he didn't respond. His gaze remained unfocused, and it was unclear whether he even recognized his daughter.
The midday sun shone through the window into the room, making even the finest dust particles in the air clearly visible.
The weather is lovely today, and there's still a whole afternoon until evening. What should I do?
Actually, lonely people are most afraid of holidays. On ordinary days, they are surrounded by people and too busy to think about anything. But on holidays, everyone leaves and they have nothing to do, and they feel bored and listless.
She wondered how everyone in Yunnan celebrated the Spring Festival. Since arriving in Yunnan, she hadn't had a chance to properly explore the area.
After thinking for a while, Qingchen made up his mind, put thick clothes on both Old Shen and himself, and then helped his father out the door.
"Dad, the sun is shining so brightly today, let's go for a walk outside."
Old Shen still did not respond.
The streets were bustling with people, and the atmosphere was filled with the spirit of the Lunar New Year. Qingchen helped her father stroll around, letting the sunlight shine on them. Seeing the joy of the harvest on the faces of the people, her mood improved again.
She bought Yunnan's specialty pastry, flower cakes, for herself and her father. These pastries are very crispy and have a wonderful floral flavor, which Qingchen quite liked.
As they strolled around, the sun began to set. Qingchen helped his father back to the yamen, but when they reached the yamen gate, just across the street, a voice called out to them.
"Lord Shen." There was a hint of a smile in his voice.
A carriage was parked by the roadside. The man quickly got out of the carriage and said with a smile as he walked, "Long time no see, Lord Shen."
He was dressed in a plain-colored long robe, with a snow-white fur collar around his neck and a sky-blue cloak draped over his back, and his face still wore that nonchalant smile.
It is Meng Ge Xing.
"It's you." Qingchen wasn't too surprised; she had expected him to come looking for her again. "Looking for me?"
He nodded. "I've missed Lord Shen quite a bit, it's been many days since I last saw him."
Qingchen raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is there something you need?"
"It's nothing much." He smiled slightly. "I just wanted to ask Lord Shen, would you like to spend the New Year with me?"
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