The afterglow of the setting sun cast a psychedelic glow over Wofeng City like a cicada's wing.
The wind coming from Xiushui River takes away the summer heat. There is no irritability in the air, but instead there is a faint fragrance.
Among the people brought by Ning Yuchun were Gongsun Ce, Shang Liang and Ma Xingkong, as well as Xi Xunmei and Xi Shuang, father and son, as well as Shi Yiming and Fei Qian, a total of eight people.
At this moment they were all looking forward to it. Gongsun Ce and the other two were looking forward to the arrival of Earl Ding'an and where their next arrangements would be.
Xi Xunmei already knew what Fu Xiaoguan asked of him. He had been working on compiling the "Yu Criminal Code" these days, but he didn't know how to separate the criminal law and civil law.
Shi Yiming and the other three had the most complicated feelings. Back then in the Sifang Building, Fu Xiaoguan gave them a new life, but they still didn't know what else they could do for Fu Xiaoguan.
Ning Yuchun and Xi Xunmei stood side by side. Ning Yuchun admired the former Minister of Justice very much. If it weren't for Xue Dingshan's incident, which caused the Minister to suffer the consequences, with his talent, he would not have fallen to such a state.
"Compared to Jinling, this place seems much quieter, but the climate is better than Jinling."
Ning Yuchun glanced at the setting sun and continued, "I've traveled a lot these days, but I stayed the longest in Xiushui County. Fu Sandai's rice is growing very well now... I heard from a farmer named Wang Er that this rice seed was named after Earl Ding'an, and this Wang Er was also sent by Earl Ding'an from Xishan."
"Wang Er said the soil here is fertile and the weather is good. According to the current growth rate, this one acre of rice field can yield about 800 kilograms..."
Xi Xunmei turned to look at Ning Yuchun, her face full of shock.
"This... I remember that even the farmland in Jiangnan and other provinces only yielded a little over 200 kilograms per mu. How could there be such a high yield?"
Ning Yuchun smiled and was about to explain, but unexpectedly four people were coming towards him.
Ning Yuchun didn't recognize it, so he just took a look and said, "Wang Er said that this seed was cultivated by Ding'an Bo in the eighth year of Xuanli. At that time, it was named Fu Erdai. In the ninth year of Xuanli, it was bred again and named Fu Sandai. These are the rice grains planted in Wofeng Road today.
Wang Er also said that Yao County also has 5,000 mu of rice planted, but the yield there isn't expected to be as high as here. According to his estimate, it's around 600 kilograms."
The four people who came were Zhang Wenhui and others. When they heard that Earl Ding'an could also cultivate rice seeds?
No, how could the output be so high?
Although they have never farmed, they have heard of it.
Even in this Wofengyuan, the rice yield per mu is more than 300 kilograms, which is the highest per mu in the entire Yi Kingdom.
But this gentleman... I think he is the prefect, but he said that Yao County can achieve an output of about 600 kilograms per mu!
Not only Zhang Wenhui and others did not believe it, even Xi Xunmei and the seven young men behind them did not dare to believe it.
Zhang Wenhui was shocked, but he came to his senses in an instant. There was no need to dwell on this matter, let alone expose it.
Which official is not boastful?
It is understandable that this gentleman does not understand farming.
He bowed to the two of them and asked politely, "Excuse me, Master Ning Yuchun is...?"
Ning Yuchun then took a closer look at the four people. They were dressed in gorgeous clothes and had extraordinary demeanor. He also bowed and returned the greeting, "I am the official. What are you waiting for..."
Zhang Wenhui and the other three quickly bowed. He said, "I am Zhang Wenhui. These three and I are all merchants from Wofeng City. We have long wanted to meet you, sir, but never had the opportunity."
Ning Yuchun remembered that Zhang Wenhui had once sent her a visiting invitation, but he had already left Wofeng City.
"Oh... I'm new to Wozhou and have been very busy. To be honest, I only came back yesterday because Earl Ding'an was arriving."
When Zhang Wenhui and the other three heard what was said, they felt that there was no sense of arrogance in the words of this gentleman. Instead, they sounded like the cool evening breeze, which made them feel relaxed and happy.
Their originally anxious hearts calmed down a little, but then they heard Ning Yuchun say, "Is there something difficult that I need to help you with? Speaking of which, since you are merchants in Wofeng City, have any officials abused their power to bully you?"
"Well..." Zhang Wenhui quickly shook his head. "No, really. We just want to treat you to a feast and listen to your teachings."
Ning Yuchun understood that these businessmen were feeling uneasy!
They used to be from the Yi Kingdom, but now they have surrendered to the Yu Dynasty. They don't know what the new policies of the Yu Dynasty are, and they don't know what kind of people all the officials of the Wofeng Road are. So they want to find their own way and seek asylum.
"As for me, you don't really understand me." Ning Yuchun stopped using the term "official" and continued, "Let me tell you this: as long as you abide by the law and do business, no one will dare to trip you up. Anyone, even the prefectural governor or the head official, who dares to threaten or blackmail you, just tell me. If I don't skin him alive, I'd be unworthy of being the governor of Wozhou!"
Ning Yuchun's words were powerful, but Zhang Wenhui and the other three looked at each other in disbelief.
Officer, it doesn’t seem to be like this!
Or maybe this gentleman says one thing in public and another in private. If you take it seriously, you will lose.
Ning Yuchun looked at the expressions of the four people and laughed, "I'm afraid you don't believe it, but it doesn't matter. We will be together for a long time in the future, and you will naturally understand."
"How dare I not believe it, but, but... I just can't wrap my head around it for a while. We've been wanting to treat you to a feast for a while, sir. How about I host you tonight and treat you to a drink?"
"You're probably here to welcome Lord Ding'an," Ning Yuchun said. Zhang Wenhui blushed and was about to explain when Ning Yuchun added, "That's nothing. Lord Ding'an will be here soon. If he wants to go, I'll join him for a drink. If he doesn't want to..."
Ning Yuchun spread his hands and said, "Then I'll treat you four to a drink in a few days when I'm almost done with my work."
"How can this be possible!"
"Times have changed. The extravagant practices you once experienced will no longer exist, at least in Wofeng Road. This is what Earl Ding'an requires of all officials in Wofeng Road, so that merchants like you can conduct business with confidence."
"If you earn money, Wofeng Road will be prosperous, and you will live a better life. Then we officials will have a proud face!"
Ning Yuchun's words completely overturned the four people's thoughts, so that for a moment, they could not tell the truth from the falsehood.
At this moment, Fu Xiaoguan's convoy was coming from a distance.
Everyone looked towards the convoy, and the setting sun seemed to have coated the convoy with a layer of golden light.
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