48. Chapter 48
"none"
Kangxi was returning to Beijing from Gonghuacheng after paying homage to the Empress Dowager when he suddenly decided to take a detour via Shunyi. His surprise grew as his horse approached Shunyi.
In the past, when leaving Shunyi, the roads were often collapsed and muddy on rainy days, and bumpy on sunny days, making it extremely difficult to travel.
Kangxi was ready to abandon this route and take a detour through Gubeikou from somewhere else.
What you see before you is a flat and spacious official road. The roadbed is stabilized with gravel on both sides, and the collapsed areas caused by earthquakes have also been repaired and leveled.
Some were planted with fruit trees, others with corn and vegetables. In one place, he even saw a flower bed with roses in full bloom.
Kangxi's nose suddenly felt sore for no reason. He seemed to see real life in this rose bed.
In the fields, the wheat gradually turns golden, waves rolling in the wind. The rice seedlings in the fields are as green as emerald, and someone is walking among them, pulling weeds.
The young child was squatting on the edge of the field, and stretched out his chubby little hands carefully, trying to catch the dragonfly resting on the seedlings.
The people in the fields looked at them curiously, then politely avoided them. Once they were gone, they went back to their work.
Kangxi saw three or five young children, shaking their short legs, running towards somewhere like little ducks, surrounding a person and chattering something.
Kangxi looked over and couldn't help laughing. It seemed these kids were going to report the news.
Sure enough, Kangxi hadn't taken a few steps when he saw Qi You running out. He looked closely from his horse and saw that Qi You was wearing a fine blue shirt, a darker complexion than when he'd been in the capital. His clear eyes remained the same, and when he looked up, they seemed to gleam with light.
Qi You thought of countless possibilities along the way. Kangxi was the emperor, and the mourning period was over as he was observing the years instead of days.
He came to Shunyi suddenly, it must be a surprise attack, he wanted to see what was going on in Shunyi.
As for the reason for visiting Shunyi, Qi You didn't know the reason, but in the final analysis, it was nothing more than for the sake of the court and the country.
Qi You went forward to greet Kangxi frankly, calling him Khan Ama. He did not ask why Kangxi came, but said with concern: "Khan Ama, you have had a hard journey. Please come in and rest for a while."
Kangxi's heart warmed, and he dismounted, saying, "I'm not tired. While it's still early, let me go and see your farm and how the school is progressing."
Qi You thought that perhaps Kangxi had to rush back to the capital. Since it was a surprise inspection, he had to be quick.
Anyway, Shunyi let Kangxi inspect him casually, and Qi You immediately led him to the field.
As he walked along, Kangxi heard the gurgling of water in the canal, with small fish and shrimp occasionally jumping around in it. He was secretly amazed and said with a smile, "You have built a smooth canal."
Qi You did not take credit for it and said, "We just repaired it along the old route. Some places had collapsed and were occupied for growing crops. Later, when we repaired it, we cleared the occupied land. It didn't rain for several days when we were planting rice this year, so the canal came in handy."
Kangxi nodded in relief and looked around, realizing something was amiss. He looked carefully and discovered ropes buried in the rice fields, breaking the rice seedlings into pieces.
Some seedlings were clearly growing stronger, while others were growing thinner and weaker. He looked at them for a while, but couldn't figure out the reason. He pointed and asked, "Why are the seedlings in this field growing so differently?"
Qi You took a liking to it and said with a smile, "Khan Ama, this is a fertilizer that Master Lin Daniu from the farm accidentally figured out, so I asked him to use it here. The seedlings that are growing well have been fertilized, while those that are not growing well have not been fertilized."
Kangxi was delighted at first, but then froze for a moment and asked, "Since using fertilizer will help the seedlings grow well, why not use it on all the fields?"
Qi You explained, "Because fertilizer is hard to come by, it requires fermenting a mixture of bran, Amorpha fruticosa, mule and horse manure, and human urine. Bran is too expensive. However, it's not impossible to use it, but the cost must be calculated. For example, if this fertilizer is used, will the extra grain harvested offset the price of the bran?"
Kangxi thought so too, and the joy he had felt from finding good fat disappeared completely. He said regretfully, "It would be great if we could find something else to replace it."
"Don't worry, Khan Ama, just follow me." Qi You comforted Kangxi and led him across the ridge of the field to a small strip of land that looked like a pig's kidney.
Kangxi saw a large patch of green leaves growing in the field. He examined them carefully for a while and asked, "Is this tobacco?"
Qi You nodded. "Khan Ama is really knowledgeable. This is tobacco. Tobacco is grown mainly to prevent and control pests and diseases. Everyone here grows some. This piece of land is Lin Daniu's private plot, and he has used it all to grow tobacco. Khan Ama, what do you think is different about this tobacco?"
Kangxi looked up again and saw that the tobacco leaves, like the rice seedlings, were growing in different ways. He became increasingly surprised and said excitedly, "They used different fertilizers on the fields?"
Qi You said yes, "This tobacco field uses different fertilizers, all fermented by Lin Daniu using other common and cheap plants. When the time comes to harvest, we will calculate the difference in yield and choose the cheapest and most easily available composting method, and teach it to all the people for free."
Kangxi was delighted to hear this and said, "This is a great thing. You must keep a close eye on it."
Qi You replied, "Don't worry, Khan Ama. However, I don't think it will be that fast yet. We still need to make corrections. For example, we need to adjust the various ratios and use them on different crops. After the harvest, we can calculate the data again to ensure that there are no mistakes."
Kangxi couldn't help but smile as he heard the data. He was used to his son's rigorous and pragmatic approach, always pondering and researching everything, always relying on practical data, and absolutely not favoring boastful achievements.
"Khan Ama." Qi You looked at Kangxi with a smile and said, "If you succeed in the future, don't forget to give credit to Master Lin Daniu."
Kangxi glared at Qi You and said in feigned anger, "I see. Just remember your bondservants. They want credit. What credit do you, their master who helps them, want?"
"It's one thing to do it for Master Lin Daniu, but more importantly, I hope others will see this and be inspired to use their brains and study how to grow crops well. I'm not afraid of them being obsessed with making achievements, I'm just afraid they won't."
Qi You sighed and said seriously, "As for me, I don't want any credit. Khan Ama, as I said before, they have taken care of me, and this is what I should do. Khan Ama, this recipe must be spread throughout the world. I absolutely, absolutely, absolutely will not allow any noble to monopolize it and use it for their own benefit."
Kangxi looked at Qi You's usually gentle features, which had rarely been sharp. He felt a complicated feeling in his heart. After a while, he said, "I understand. You should stop worrying about it. You've lost so much weight. What's going on? Is there no food to eat in Shunyi?"
Qi You's expression relaxed, he raised his arms and gestured, saying, "Khan Ama, I'm in good health."
Kangxi laughed at this. After observing the crops' growth, he estimated that this year would be another bumper harvest. In a good mood, he said, "Let's go and take a look at your school."
Qi You agreed, asked Degao to bring the horse, and accompanied Kangxi to the county town.
As soon as he entered the county town, Kangxi looked at the pitiful little streets in front of him and his mood became less happy.
He reined in his horse and stopped to the side, frowning and saying, "This county town is really too small and too shabby. It's such a tiny place, and once the people come out, they'll crowd the waterside pavilions so tightly that they can't even pass through."
Qi You hurriedly explained, "These are all gentlemen who came to the school looking for jobs. There aren't many people in the county town. After the earthquake that year, those who survived and had connections moved away, leaving only those who had nowhere else to go. However, there weren't many people living in the original Shunyi County town either."
Kangxi was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood what Qi You meant. He meant that the people of Shunyi had no land of their own, and there were no wealthy landlords, so how could the county town be prosperous?
All the landlords and wealthy people were in the capital, including himself.
Kangxi glanced at Qi You and cursed him inwardly, "Little bastard!" He saw that there were too many people, and when they saw them coming, they quickly avoided them. Some of them were smart and kept looking over here secretly.
Kangxi frowned slightly, not planning to go over, but just looked at the county government office from a distance.
The newly built county government office looked simple and solemn. Lin Yicheng, upon hearing the news, rushed out nervously, about to kneel down a few steps away.
Kangxi didn't want to make a statement. He raised his whip towards Lin Yicheng, looked him up and down, and asked, "Are you Lin Yicheng?"
Lin Yicheng's legs trembled upon seeing Kangxi. He glanced at Qi You, who was riding beside him. Seeing his reassuring look, his fear immediately dissipated. He lowered his head and replied, "Your Majesty, I am Lin Yicheng, the magistrate of Shunyi County."
Kangxi reviewed Lin Yicheng's resume at the Ministry of Personnel and found it ordinary and unremarkable. However, in the two years since Qiyou arrived, his four-level evaluations have consistently been exceptional. (Note)
"This fool also has his own luck." Kangxi sarcastically said, feeling proud at the same time.
Even if his son is a fool, he can teach him to become a pillar of the country.
However, being stupid is not a big deal. As long as you are obedient and willing to learn, you are not hopeless.
I'm afraid he's the kind of person who thinks he's smart but has high expectations but low skills. Alas, you never know until you compare him. By comparison, most of his other sons are just superficial.
Kangxi gave Lin Yicheng a sour look and said, "Work hard. Go back and take care of your own business. You don't need to come with me."
Lin Yicheng was in turmoil, not understanding Kangxi's intentions, and bowed to take his leave. As soon as Kangxi and his companions left, he rushed into the yamen to discuss matters with Xia Shiye.
Qi You took Kangxi to the place where the school was built and gave him a detailed introduction to the origin of the land and the various plans.
Kangxi looked at the construction site, which was surrounded by a low straw wall. Some people were carrying baskets, some were shouting slogans as they laid the foundation, and others were shouting loudly from the side: "Be careful, the Seventh Master said, safety first!"
To the east, a circle of thatched and mud-walled houses housed the people who were repairing their homes. Smoke curled from the rooftops, and the aroma of steamed buns wafted into the air, a scene of bustling activity.
Kangxi looked at the orderly scene with an indescribable look of relief. When he smelled the steamed buns, he actually felt hungry.
Since the people around him died one after another, Kangxi was deeply shocked and had been in a bad mood.
Except for today, when he came to Shunyi, he truly felt the peace and prosperity of the country and felt indescribably relaxed and happy wherever he saw and visited.
Kangxi laughed and said, "Let's go back to the village. I won't be returning to the capital today. I'll stay in Shunyi for one night."
Qi You pondered for a moment and asked, "Khan Ama, are you staying in the palace or in the manor?"
Kangxi frowned and said, "Why, when the Crown Prince and the eldest son come, they can stay at your manor, but when your father comes, he can't stay there too?"
Qi You secretly complained, but he didn't show it on his face. He smiled and said, "Khan Ama is different from others. I would love to live in the manor."
Liang Jiugong, who had been following silently behind him, hurried to Degao and said politely, "Degao, please take me back to clean up first."
Degao looked at Qi You and got his nod before following Liang Jiugong.
Qi You was actually very troubled. No matter how simple Kangxi's travels were, he was always surrounded by a large number of guards and the Langtan Army.
Not to mention how troublesome the rules and defense are, to entertain this group of people, we have to pound and grind rice and flour on the spot, otherwise there won’t be enough to eat.
Kangxi, riding on his horse, turned his head to look at Qi You and said with a smile, "You always talked about how delicious the pig-killing dishes were. Why don't you kill a pig tonight and let me see it."
Qi You's scalp suddenly felt numb. He was very poor and had only a small monthly salary, most of which he spent on other expenses.
With so many people coming, they would eat up a lot of his food, so he gritted his teeth and endured it, not caring about it.
Kangxi actually wanted to slaughter his pigs!
The author has something to say:
Four-category evaluation: In the Qing Dynasty, the "four categories" were used as the standard for determining the grades of Beijing officials. The first was "morality", which was moral integrity and was divided into three categories: clear, cautious, and fair; the second was "talent", which was ability and was divided into two categories: senior and fair; the third was "politics", which was work style and was divided into two categories: diligent and fair; the fourth was "years", which was age and physical condition and was divided into three categories: young, strong, and healthy.
Those with good moral character, strong talents, diligent work style, and young or healthy age were ranked first, known as "competent." Those lacking any one of the four elements were ranked second, known as "diligent." Those lacking two of the two elements were ranked third, known as "serving." Those lacking most of the four elements or even one element were considered below average and subject to discussion and punishment, or even impeachment.
The examinations for local officials had only two levels: outstanding and serving, and were also based on the four-grade standard.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
