Chapter 107: Restoring crops to their purest and most fundamental state...
Lu Xiaoqi and Su Jun parked their car by the edge of the field and saw the familiar figure standing in the spring breeze from afar.
Zhao Guo stood at the edge of a vast field, his back to the road, like a frozen statue, his dark face facing the bustling scene before him, motionless.
“Commander Zhao.” Lu Xiaoqi walked to his side.
Zhao Guo didn't turn around, but said softly, "You've come? I'm sorry, I should have told you first."
"It's alright." Lu Xiaoqi shook her head, but finally couldn't help asking out of curiosity, "What did Commandant Zhao see today?"
Zhao Guo looked up at the sky, let out a long sigh, and turned back with a relieved smile on his face: "Seeing the current agricultural scene is truly unforgettable."
But what he found most unforgettable was his conversation with those old farmers.
He was stunned on the spot and almost grabbed the old farmer to ask, "Do farmers no longer have to pay grain or taxes?!"
Fortunately, he remembered his role in time and didn't blurt it out.
Lu Xiaoqi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this: "Thank goodness..." Otherwise, she was afraid that these farmers would mistake Zhao Guo for a walking 500,000 yuan and send him to the police station.
She asked, "So how did you get the information back then?"
Zhao Guo smiled and said, "That guy asked me how much the government subsidizes farming where we live?"
He was completely stunned.
Huh? What do you mean? It's just farming, and not only do we not have to pay money, the imperial court even gives us subsidies?
"Really? You don't have that where you are? Brother, where are you from?" The farmer who asked him saw him standing there for a long time without saying a word, and assumed that he came from a remote area where there was no subsidy. He felt a little sympathy for him, but also showed off a bit: "Well, we do have it here."
A farmer nearby chuckled and said, "We get 130 yuan per mu, which isn't much, but it's better than before."
"That's right! It's always better to have money than not to have money. Before, we had to hand over the money and food in our pockets, but now we're getting money in from outside. How can that be the same!"
“You’re right,” the old farmer nodded vigorously, his tone certain. “The government gives us money so we can grow grain with peace of mind. We wouldn’t have dared to dream of such a life in the past. Now, as long as you’re willing to work hard, being a farmer is no worse off than being in the city!”
"Our house is even bigger."
"If that's what you're saying, then they have medical insurance and pensions, while we don't. Anyway, I think if the kids are good at studying and have ambition, it's better for them to go to the city. Even if they end up farming, I guess it'll be different from how we farm."
"That's true," someone sighed. "Times have changed."
However, he quickly regained his optimism: "No matter what, life is getting better every day, and our medical insurance is doing alright now. Let me tell you, you still have to pay social security, especially medical insurance; a few hundred yuan a year isn't much..."
They started chatting amongst themselves, which allowed Zhao Guo to gain a lot of information from them.
Later, these farmers all had things to do at home, so they said goodbye to Zhao Guo, leaving him alone to sit on the edge of the field.
Zhao Guo sat there for a long time.
He wasn't spacing out; he was organizing the information in his mind. He'd been spending time in the ancient town supplementing his knowledge with macro-level historical information and common sense about daily life in this era. Ironically, this was the first time he'd encountered agricultural matters on such a large scale. Previously, he'd simply assumed it was just about high yields and abundant produce.
But to my surprise, it was so subversive.
He roughly summarized several pieces of information:
First, it's highly likely that taxes will no longer be levied here;
Secondly, not only will there be no taxes, but farmers will also receive subsidies; to put it bluntly, they will be given money.
Third, farmers have the freedom to choose whether or not to farm, to go to the city, and to study.
Fourth, farmers also have social security. He didn't know what it was, but it seemed to involve medical care and retirement, which sounded like a good thing.
......
"Your summary is mostly correct." Lu Xiaoqi nodded after hearing what he said.
Su Jun said apologetically, "I should have put this part of the knowledge at the beginning."
Zhao Guo smiled and said, "If you had told me this on my first day here, I would probably have thought you had lost your minds or that you were conspiring to deceive me."
It was precisely because he had a certain understanding of this era that he knew this must be true.
He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Is it really true that taxes are no longer collected now?"
Lu Xiaoqi shook her head repeatedly: "Of course not. How can the country function without taxes? Of course, taxes are still collected."
A look of disbelief crossed Zhao Guo's face. Had he really misheard?
For a moment, I didn't know whether to be happy or unhappy.
“However…” Lu Xiaoqi made a sudden turn, smiling as she said, “It is true that agricultural taxes have been abolished. Farmers are no longer taxed, and they no longer have to hand over grain to the state.”
Zhao Guo: !!!
Su Jun glanced at Lu Xiaoqi disapprovingly, and she chuckled, her eyes turning into crescent moons.
Zhao Guo felt a lump in his throat. It was actually true! Overwhelmed with mixed emotions of joy and sorrow, a torrent of feelings surged within him.
Taxes were the heaviest shackles on the heads of farmers in his time, and also part of his duties as the Grain Collector.
Paying taxes is a matter of course! From the time he was old enough to understand, this had been as unshakable as the movement of the sun and moon. All he pursued in his life was to help the people harvest a few more bushels of grain, to prevent a few people from starving to death, and to be able to barely pay the taxes. He felt that this was a great merit and enough to make his life worthwhile.
He did indeed do it.
The emergence of agricultural practices such as the alternating field system and improved farming tools brought the joy of a bountiful harvest to the farmers of the Han Dynasty.
However, in the later years of the empire, years of war led to repeated increases in taxes. In the end, even children as young as three years old in peasant households had to pay taxes. The harvested grain was taken to the government granary before the farmers could even eat it themselves. Life was extremely difficult for the people, and some were even forced to kill their children to avoid taxes.
Zhao Guo's feelings toward Emperor Wu of Han were very complicated.
I felt a mix of gratitude, respect, and disappointment.
But now, he has somehow arrived in an era where farmers don't have to pay taxes...
Zhao Guo fell completely silent. He slowly turned around, his back to Lu Xiaoqi and Su Jun, and looked once again at the vast field that was being constantly turned over amidst the roar of tractors, exuding the fragrance of earth.
In the distance, newly built, sturdy concrete irrigation ditches gleam in the sunlight; rows of neat white plastic greenhouses stand; and utility poles stretch along the straight field ridges like loyal guards into the distance.
High-speed trains whizzed past on the elevated tracks.
The torrent of two thousand years has brought not only the incredibly powerful "iron oxen" and the miracle of yielding thousands of catties per mu, but also a new world where farmers can earn money without paying taxes and enjoy a life of abundance with their backs straight.
But what he saw before him—the crisscrossing fields, the roaring oxen, the full granaries, and the farmers' peaceful lives—far exceeded even his wildest fantasies! It was a magnificent scene he had never dared to depict in his dreams, even with all the wisdom he had ever possessed!
An indescribable surge of emotion, a mixture of immense shock, boundless joy, a sense of insignificance under the sweeping tide of history, and a feeling of relief at the fulfillment of a long-cherished wish, overwhelmed this agronomist from two thousand years ago.
Zhao bent down.
Lu Xiaoqi couldn't help but take a step forward, but Su Jun immediately grabbed her hand.
Su Jun shook his head silently at her.
Lu Xiaoqi stopped in her tracks.
Zhao Guo, his back hunched, looked like a pilgrim who had finally arrived at the legendary paradise after a long journey, yet felt lost and insignificant because the paradise's splendor far exceeded his imagination. He slowly, step by step, walked down the ridge of the field, completely disregarding the mud that covered his shoes and socks.
Finally, he squatted down and, with his calloused hands that had touched countless times the crude farming tools and barren soil of the Han Dynasty, carefully and almost reverently scooped up a handful of freshly turned, moist, dark soil brimming with vitality.
The soil in his slightly trembling palm carried the coolness of freshly turned earth and a heavy weight.
He buried his face deep in the soil in his palms, greedily and deeply inhaling the familiar yet utterly unfamiliar scent.
After a long while, a suppressed sob, filled with endless emotion, relief, and reassurance, finally escaped from between his fingers, which were pressed tightly against the soil, and dissipated into the vibrant spring field that belonged to the future.
The two watched Zhao Guo silently, not wanting to disturb him at this moment.
After a long while, as the sun gradually moved westward and set behind the mountain peak, Zhao Guo finally straightened up. He casually wiped the remaining moisture from the corner of his eyes with his mud-covered sleeve, his dark face showing a hint of embarrassment, but mostly a sense of relief and calm.
"I'm sorry you had to see this." His voice was still a little hoarse.
Lu Xiaoqi quickly waved her hand: "No, no! Commander Zhao, we completely understand!"
Anyone who travels across two thousand years to come here and sees such changes will be awestruck.
Su Jun also said gently, "Lord Zhao cares deeply about agriculture and sericulture. It is only natural for him to empathize with this situation."
Zhao Guo nodded, his gaze once again falling upon the fields gradually returning to tranquility in the afterglow of the setting sun. He took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale this peace into his very being.
Seeing that he still seemed unwilling to leave, Lu Xiaoqi simply sat down on the edge of the field. As she moved, she realized that Su Jun had been holding her hand when he pulled her earlier, and he hadn't let go yet.
At this moment, he was holding her hand with perfect ease.
Lu Xiaoqi felt her ears burning slightly. She subconsciously cleared her throat, trying to hide the sudden flutter in her heart.
Su Jun, who was also looking at Tian Ye T, turned his head to look at her in confusion when he heard the sound: "Hmm?"
Lu Xiaoqi didn't speak, but her eyelashes drooped slightly, her gaze quick and carrying a hint of barely perceptible annoyance. Su Jun followed her gaze and was slightly taken aback.
His heart tightened, as if he had been burned by something, and a hint of barely perceptible panic washed over him. He quickly released his grip. The sudden emptiness of the soft touch lingering on his fingertips made his heart skip a beat.
His Adam's apple bobbed almost imperceptibly, and he coughed softly to cover it up: "...Sorry."
Lu Xiaoqi quickly withdrew her hand, her fingertips curling slightly. She nodded gently, then sat down on the edge of the field, her expression calm—or at least seemingly calm—as she said to Zhao Guo, "Commander Zhao must still have a lot to ask? Why don't we sit here and chat?"
“Good.” Zhao Guo readily agreed.
The three of them sat down on the ground, facing the field.
Zhao Guo's question was actually quite simple—why are farmers no longer required to pay grain and taxes? If so, how should the state operate?
This was something he had once fantasized about, but each time he thought it was utterly absurd; fantasies are just fantasies. So, how did this era manage to achieve it?
Lu Xiaoqi and Su Jun explained the current tax system to him in detail. The largest portion of the tax revenue actually comes from value-added tax, corporate income tax, vehicle and vessel tax, etc. All business activities actually have to pay taxes. And the more you earn, the more you pay.
Zhao Guo listened intently, his eyes gleaming with thoughtful consideration: "I see! With thriving commerce and industry, all sectors prosper, and naturally, the tax base expands..."
He thought of the countless factories, shops, and traffic he had seen along the way, and he vaguely understood.
"Moreover," Lu Xiaoqi added, "a large portion of the taxes collected by the government are used to support basic industries like agriculture, as well as essential public services such as healthcare, education, and elderly care. Subsidies for farmers are a very important part of this."
Zhao Guo pondered these words, connecting them with the "medical insurance" and "social security" the old farmer had mentioned, and his thoughts gradually became clear. "In other words, the country takes from all industries and uses it for the benefit of all people? In particular, it should ensure that farmers have their benefits, the sick have their medical care, and the elderly have their support?"
"Yes! That's exactly what I mean!" Lu Xiaoqi nodded vigorously. "When the country becomes prosperous, it has the ability and responsibility to protect the most basic farmers who provide food for everyone, so that they can also share the fruits of development, farm with peace of mind, and live a good life. Abolishing agricultural taxes and providing subsidies are the most direct manifestations of this."
Zhao Guo remained silent for a long time, the golden glow of the setting sun reflecting on his striking face.
He sighed deeply, filled with endless emotion, “This is no small act of benevolence or favor, but a great act of benevolent governance and great wisdom! Even if Emperor Gaozu, Emperor Wen, and Emperor Jing were alive, they would be ashamed.”
Lu Xiaoqi paused for a moment, then said with some regret, "However, although the policy is good, farmers are still the hardest-working part of this society."
To her surprise, Zhao Guo was not surprised after hearing this. He smiled and said soberly, "I saw those old men just now. Although they were talking with satisfaction, their hands were chapped, their faces were dark, and they looked tired."
Clearly, the farmers here still have a hard life.
Lu Xiaoqi and Su Jun were both stunned for a moment, and then a feeling of admiration welled up in their hearts.
As expected of Zhao Guo! He was not only an agronomist but also a high-ranking official for so many years. He was not completely blinded by the superficial wealth and the halo of policies. He keenly saw something deeper—the essence of farmers is still that of laborers who struggle with the land.
“Commander Zhao sees things clearly,” Su Jun replied sincerely.
“Yes,” Lu Xiaoqi said seriously, her smile fading. “Although machines have increased efficiency, during the busy farming season, we still have to work from dawn till dusk, braving wind, sun, and rain. Pest and disease control and field management cannot be relaxed for a moment. If we encounter extreme weather, such as severe drought, flood, or hail, even with insurance compensation, a year’s hard work may be wasted. The blow and heartache are something that money can’t fully compensate for. Moreover, grain prices are affected by market fluctuations. Sometimes, after a year of hard work, the income may not even be as good as working in the city.”
She had researched these things before when making historical videos.
Zhao Guo listened quietly and nodded in understanding: "I understand. Exempting them from taxes and providing subsidies is not to exempt them from their hard work, but to make their hard work worthwhile, to ensure their livelihood, to provide them with support in the face of natural disasters and man-made calamities, and to enable them to... stand taller."
“That’s exactly right!” Lu Xiaoqi and Su Jun said in unison.
Lu Xiaoqi sighed, "Anyway, the general direction is right, right?"
It is not perfect, but it represents a huge improvement.
As the sun completely sank behind the mountains, only a brilliant sunset remained on the horizon. The outline of the fields gradually blurred in the twilight, but the vitality and hope of that land were deeply imprinted in Zhao Guo's heart.
He stood up, dusted himself off, and looked at this land that had witnessed two thousand years of vicissitudes and held the sweat and hopes of countless farmers. A peaceful yet resolute smile appeared on his face.
“The road ahead is still long,” he said softly, looking at the field ridges stretching into the distance, as if referring to the road ahead, and also to the long road leading to prosperity and dignity. “As my young friend said, the direction is right.”
Lu Xiaoqi and Su Jun also stood up and stood beside him, looking together at the fields in the twilight.
Zhao Guo suddenly turned around and looked intently at Lu Xiaoqi: "Young friend Lu, I have decided on my wish."
Lu Xiaoqi thought to herself: Sure enough, it's here.
She smiled and said, "Please go ahead."
"I want to try farming here for a year using these iron oxen, oh no, tractors, and experience the four seasons of farming," Zhao Guo said excitedly, his melancholy and sighs having vanished.
A system voice announced: "You have a new side quest to complete."
"Side Quest: A wish from the SSR-level card character Zhao Guo—to farm in the modern world for a year and experience the four seasons of agriculture. Once the wish is fulfilled, the card character's life form will solidify and he will gain a special ability."
Players will also receive corresponding rewards.
Zhao Guo, who had just received his reward, looked up and told her, "My reward is called 'The Way of Farming,' which can be applied to a hundred acres of land. Within that area, crops will be able to reap abundant harvests regardless of the weather, and will also yield the purest and most authentic flavors."
Lu Xiaoqi's pupils widened as she mentally reviewed the skill, then excitedly grabbed Zhao Guo's sleeve: "Commander Zhao, can it grow anything?"
Zhao Guo was puzzled as to why she was so agitated, so he went back to check again and, after confirming, said, "The system did not mention any restrictions, so it should be possible to plant any crop."
Lu Xiaoqi was so happy she almost jumped for joy, and Su Jun hurriedly supported her, feeling that she was about to jump into the field at any moment.
"This skill is wonderful!" she exclaimed excitedly, looking at Zhao Guo earnestly with her hands clasped together. "Commander Zhao, I entrust this hundred acres of land to you!"
This skill isn't overpowered among the current SSR characters, but it's really something to look forward to!
What is the most authentic and purest taste of the crops themselves?
A few days ago, Xiao Meiyun complained to her that the tomatoes she bought were losing their tomato flavor, and many other vegetables were too, feeling completely different from the ones she ate as a child. Will she finally be able to eat tomatoes with the purest and most intense flavor in the future?
I can't wait! I want to try it right away!
Shouldn't crops include fruits?
Zhao Guo looked bewildered: "Where did you get a hundred acres of land?"
Lu Xiaoqi chuckled and pointed to her car parked not far away: "Come on, I'll show you your place!"
Zhao Guo got into her car, and Su Jun sat with him in the back seat.
Lu Xiaoqi drove to the second phase of Qinghe Ancient Town, on the other side of the lake. Blue barriers had already been erected, and construction was underway on site after site. Because there were few residents nearby and the project needed to meet deadlines, they had obtained nighttime work permits, so even at night, the area was brightly lit, creating a striking contrast with the equally magnificent ancient town across the lake.
One can imagine how bustling this area will be after the second phase is completed.
Lu Xiaoqi drove through several construction sites in Phase II, parked the car at the edge of an open area, and turned off the engine.
All around was silent, save for the faint rumble of the construction site in the distance, like the snoring of a sleeping beast. The searchlights from the construction site in the distance shone like giant beams of light, sweeping across the sky and outlining the shape of a stretch of undeveloped farmland in the distance.
"Commander Zhao, we've arrived." Lu Xiaoqi's voice carried an barely suppressed excitement in the darkness. "This is it!"
Zhao Guo and Su Jun got out of the car. The night breeze carried the chill of early spring and the dusty smell of the distant construction site. Zhao Guo squinted, trying to adjust to the darkness, and used the faint light from the distant construction site and the sparse stars and moon to examine the "hundred acres of land" that Lu Xiaoqi had mentioned.
What came into his view was not the fertile fields he had imagined.
This was a wide-open wasteland right next to the back of the school. The terrain was slightly undulating, overgrown with weeds that rustled softly in the night wind. Scattered on the ground were gravel and dry shrub branches.
“This used to be farmland, but it was abandoned after no one farmed it.” Lu Xiaoqi turned her head, her eyes shining in the night. “Of course, it’s not a hundred acres yet, probably only about twenty acres.”
When she bought the land, she wanted to leave some room for future development, so she included the surrounding area as well. She never expected it would come in so handy now.
Unfortunately, we still didn't buy enough!
“These seem to be farmland belonging to nearby villagers, right?” Su Jun squinted at the view. “Perhaps… we could try renting them. If they’ve already started spring planting this year, we can continue cultivating them.”
Zhao Guo certainly can't cultivate 100 mu of land by himself; he needs to hire help. If these farmers are willing to rent land, they will definitely be happy to help.
Lu Xiaoqi was also very confident: "Don't worry, as long as the price is right, they will definitely be willing."
Nowadays, farmers are very shrewd. The output from these few acres of land is definitely not as good as renting it out for cash, and they can even get paid to help out in Qinghe Ancient Town. She's not bragging, but Qinghe Ancient Town can definitely be ranked among the top three best employers in Qinghe City now.
"Then tourists can also experience harvesting rice and picking vegetables." She smiled and said, "It will become an experiential farm."
She suddenly became wary and asked the system in her mind, "Doesn't this align with our principles? Promoting agriculture and sericulture is also a traditional Chinese culture, even its core!"
System: "Players, please rest assured that farming does indeed fall under the category of traditional culture. Otherwise, Zhao Guo would not be in the card character pool."
Lu Xiaoqi was relieved.
Zhao Guo couldn't help but take a step forward, but the two behind him, fearing he might step into the ditch in the dark, immediately pulled him back.
Zhao Guo squatted down, just like he had done before on the ridges of the fields on the outskirts of the county, and used his weathered hands to grab a handful of soil. This was wasteland; the soil was already dry and hardened, rough and cold to the touch, a world apart from the moist, fertile soil on the outskirts of the county.
This time, however, there was no sadness in his eyes; instead, a sharp gleam of pragmatism and exploration shone through.
"This is uncultivated land, it needs careful cultivation and irrigation," Zhao Guo muttered to himself, already beginning to formulate his next plan.
He frowned and pondered for a moment, then slowly stood up, meeting Lu Xiaoqi's expectant and confident face with a smile: "Young friend Lu, then this land is mine! It's spring planting season now..."
He can start working tomorrow!
Zhao Guo was truly restless; he came to check again the next day. Lu Xiaoqi instructed Chen Yingying to immediately discuss renting land and hiring workers with the surrounding farmers, and sure enough, not a single one disagreed.
They were initially disappointed that their land hadn't been requisitioned, but things took an unexpected turn for the better, and they even received some money. Everyone happily signed contracts, received their wages, and became workers in Qinghe Ancient Town.
Zhao Guo told them to continue their own spring plowing, but also to help him level the wasteland. He wanted to join the spring plowing team as well.
With the help of modern machinery, his dream wasn't so far-fetched. By the end of April, the land was already planted with green rice seedlings, presenting a vibrant scene.
Meanwhile, Han Yunshang was also leading the women in the textile workshop to work intensively on making more ready-made clothes and wedding dresses for He Yan.
The film crew will leave in early May and move on to Hengguo Film City.
After being visually stunned by the film, Liu Yu, far away in the capital, was inspired and actually produced a shooting plan ahead of schedule. Now that everything was ready, he planned to shoot the blockbuster while He Yan was still in Qinghe Ancient Town.
So in early May, Liu Yu led a large team, including fashion editors, photographers, stylists and more than a dozen others, to Qinghe Ancient Town, intending to shoot a grand Chinese-style fashion spread that would add luster to their magazine's anniversary celebration.
This time, he took his time exploring Qinghe Ancient Town with the photographer and fashion editor, instead of just making a quick visit.
After this visit, I became a fan of Qinghe Ancient Town and posted numerous photos on my social media platforms.
Liu Yu was eager to befriend Lu Xiaoqi, so before coming, he specifically asked for her phone number, chatted with her, and tried to get closer to her.
Given his behavior, Lu Xiaoqi, as the hostess, naturally couldn't be stingy and hosted a banquet for him at Song Sao Fish Restaurant, partly hoping to build connections in the fashion world. She had originally intended to invite He Yan and Director Tang's group as well, but the film crew had been busy shooting these past few nights and hadn't had time to come.
We happened to be talking about He Yan's dress during dinner.
When Liu Yu heard that He Yan had bought two apartments for one million, he was clearly surprised and blurted out, "So cheap?"
Lu Xiaoqi and Han Yunshang exchanged a glance: ......
Damn, looks like the price was too low!
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