Chapter 30 Agricultural Techniques
Rong Zhuo turned around while holding the wheelchair, and Wang Jian was surprised by the man in the wheelchair.
It's not because of his appearance, but because of his royal demeanor.
"My name is Wang Jian. I have no intention of disturbing you, Madam. I just saw that you two are in love and wanted to make friends with you. If you don't mind, please sit down and have a cup of tea."
Chu Sishui had not originally planned to leave. The view here was so great that she wanted to take a look.
He gestured to Rong Zhuo, who nodded.
Chu Sishui said to Wang Jian, who was wearing a coarse cloth gown, "Then I'll trouble you, big brother. I see the beautiful scenery here, and I haven't enjoyed it enough."
Wang Jianyou kindly invited them to sit down, made some tea, and started chatting.
Chu Sishui only then realized that he was Aunt Wang's son, and she had just bought day lilies from his house.
After hearing this, Wang Jian felt more connected with her and they chatted for a few more minutes.
Seeing that he, a grown man, did not go out to work and asked his mother, who was in her forties or fifties, to sell vegetables, Chu Sishui could not help but ask.
Wang Jian heard this and said, "To be honest, I failed the imperial examination this year and my marriage was postponed, so I wasted some time."
Chu Sishui was puzzled. "If you don't pass this year, you can take the exam again next year. Why do you have to do this, Brother Wang?"
Wang Jian shook his head and said dejectedly, "Madam is from an aristocratic family, how could she know the hardships of us poor students. Let's not talk about the land tax, the only way for poor students to see the emperor may be closed in the future."
When Chu Sishui heard that it was about the imperial examination, he looked at Rong Zhuo, who then asked, "Why do you say that?"
Wang Jian, "Mr. Rong, you know that the buying and selling of articles is prevalent nowadays. Even if a person has real talent and knowledge, once his article is favored by a noble, he can find someone else to replace him. How can we, the poor family, seek justice?"
Rong Zhuo was surprised, "Brother Wang, you think your article has been replaced by someone else. Do you have any evidence?"
Wang Jian smiled bitterly and shook his head, "It's because I have no evidence that I feel so miserable. That Jiangzuo playboy Xiao Yuan didn't learn a lot, but he passed the imperial examination in one day. How can this be justified?"
Jiang Zuo Xiao Yuan? Chu Sishui had heard from Chu Bianxiu before that this person spent 200,000 silver dollars in the brothel just for one night with the courtesan.
Rong Zhuo hesitated for a moment, "Do you still remember the article that Brother Wang wrote?"
Wang Jian said painfully, "I remember every word and sentence. I have put all my life's knowledge into that piece of agricultural technology. From rice land selection, land preparation, seed selection, seedling cultivation, transplanting, irrigation, drainage, pest control and weed control to fertilization and topdressing, I have personally experienced everything."
Rong Zhuo, "If you trust me, I'd like to read your article to see if it's exaggerated."
Wang Jian heard yesterday that a new scholar had come to the village, but he did not recommend him this time. Instead, he went into the house to get the four treasures of the study and, sitting on the table in front of the house, recalled his answers from last time.
Time passed little by little, Rong Zhuo picked up the written article and took a look at it. His eyes flashed and disappeared in an instant.
This person's article is not exaggerated. On the contrary, he has actually farmed and knows the working and sleeping schedule of crops. As he said, every word and sentence is gained through practice.
In particular, he carefully analyzed how to select seeds with full grains, no diseases and pests, and strong growth from the harvested rice for sowing in the next season.
Rong Zhuo also agreed with the japonica rice varieties promoted by Wang Jian in the Taihu Lake Basin.
As for field management.
Wang Jian achieved irrigation water temperature regulation by adjusting the water inlet and outlet in a straight or staggered manner.
Draining the rice fields to make them dry fields after the crops are mature can prevent the rice from lodging and promote the development of rice roots and branches and nutrient absorption.
Rong Zhuo put down the article and said, "Brother Wang is truly talented and knowledgeable. Rong admires him."
Wang Jian sighed, "What's the use of real talent and knowledge? It's still mediocre. Don't be afraid of being laughed at by Brother Rong, Wang wants to take the imperial examination, and he really wants to increase grain production. The land tax is getting higher every year. The common people plant a few acres of land. If the harvest is not good, I am afraid they can't even pay the taxes, let alone have enough food."
Rong Zhuo, "The land tax of the court is fixed, and only three layers of tax are collected for each acre of land. If you rent land from a landlord or private land, you have to pay an additional two layers of tax to the employer. In total, farmers can also get five layers of food. As my brother said, I'm afraid the tax in this place is not three layers."
Wang Jian nodded in surprise, "Brother Rong's guess is correct. Brother Rong and I hit it off right away. It's rare to see a gentleman like Brother Rong. Most clans or people who pass the imperial examinations know the problem but dare not speak out, for fear of causing trouble."
"Brother Rong, you should also be careful when you are outside. If you run into a black-hearted person and go to the government office to sue you for slander, you will suffer a lot."
Rong Zhuo hesitated for a moment, "Brother Wang, do you plan to take the exam again?"
Wang Jian, “The road ahead is unknown.”
Rong Zhuo already knew what happened, and he didn't want to cause others sadness at this moment, "Goodbye."
Wang Jian calmed down and was about to see him off.
Chu Sishui said, "It's almost noon, Brother Wang, please stay. We can just walk around and have some fun."
Wang Jian had no choice but to give up and watch them leave.
On the way back, Chu Sishui bought some more gadgets. When she passed by Aunt Wang's stall, she was gone. She was probably there to deliver the day lilies.
There were only a few scattered people left in the market. Some farmers had eaten early and were already sitting in front of the door with their bowls in hand, eating. When they saw them passing by, they watched them curiously.
Rong Zhuo was no longer worried about other people's eyes at this time, and let Chu Sishui push him around.
Finally returned to the courtyard before dinner.
Fei Jian had been waiting since early morning. When he saw them finally come back, he was about to answer, but was choked by Chu Sishui's words, "Cousin, are you done with your work today?"
Fei Jian didn't dare to be angry or say anything, because the princess said he was her cousin in order to conceal her identity.
He said weakly, "I'm done."
Jin Pei was passing the meal around while taking the things from His Highness's hand. Just as she was about to say "Your Highness", she remembered that she was His Highness's cousin-in-law, and she was choked for a moment.
Chu Sishui understood and said, "What's the matter, cousin, did you have a fight with your cousin?"
Jin Pei felt uncomfortable all over, and now he understood the difficulty of flying the sword.
She immediately ran to close the door, blocking the view of people outside, and said softly, "Princess and Your Highness are really embarrassing me. I really can't bear your address."
Chu Sishui didn't tease her. She handed the things she bought to her and asked her to distribute them. Everyone tasted them and said, "Wash two peaches after dinner."
Jin Pei immediately fled. Mother He in the kitchen had just finished cooking a pot of day lily. "Masters, please try it. This dish sent by Aunt Wang is very fresh. Tomorrow I will go to the market to see if there are any other fresh goods to change the taste for you."
After Chu Sishui washed her hands, she asked them to leave and eat on their own to avoid people suspecting that so many people were needed to serve them a meal.
Although she had many questions about Wang Jian, Rong Zhuo didn't like talking during meals, so she kept it to herself.
After the meal, Jin Pei brought some peeled peaches. Chu Sishui picked up a piece with a wooden fork and handed it to Rong Zhuo's mouth. Rong Zhuo took it and fed her the same piece.
Chu Sishui carefully savored the sweetness of the country peaches and was in a good mood. After feeding Rong Zhuo several times, he stopped eating.
Knowing that he only ate to stay alive, I didn't force him.
"Eat less. Eating too many peaches is not good for you."
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