"This stuff is really delicious, but it's a pity that rice noodles are made with rice, so ordinary people can't afford it."
After finishing a bowl of snail rice noodles, Qian Qiaoqiao said regretfully, "This kind of delicious food is not something that ordinary people can eat often."
"Yes, farmers can't afford rice, and those who can afford rice don't need to farm."
"If we could increase rice production, then people would be able to afford to eat rice."
Fu Changfeng also felt this deeply. Shaoming County is a mountainous area with limited land suitable for farming; most of it is dry land.
"If we could increase the area of paddy fields and the yield of rice, then ordinary people would also be able to eat it." Xi Chun thought for a moment, realizing that she hadn't thought of this earlier.
"But things like this aren't that simple, are they?"
"I have an idea. I once read in a book that there is a type of rice in the Jiaozhi region. If we could introduce it and hybridize the two, we could create a new variety, which might even yield a higher yield than it does now."
Moreover, although Shaoming County has many mountains, it also has abundant rainfall. In addition, we now have waterwheels that can bring water to higher ground. So if we cultivate paddy fields on the mountains, wouldn't that increase yields?
After Xi Chun finished, Fu Changfeng looked at her in surprise and was about to take her to the study.
“My wife, come with me. Let’s discuss this properly. I think this might actually work.”
Fu Changfeng had someone summon Zhao Yuping, and the three of them discussed the matter for a long time in the study. Fu Changfeng then asked everyone present to keep it a secret until they had actually achieved results.
Meanwhile, Taozi, who had just returned, was assigned a new task by Fu Changfeng: to find more rice varieties.
Qian Qiaoqiao also suggested that they could clear land on their own property and try to cultivate terraced fields suitable for growing rice.
Once they had a task, everyone seemed to be injected with adrenaline and started working with great enthusiasm.
Even when the eunuch carrying the imperial edict arrived in Shaoming County accompanied by the prefect, Fu Changfeng was still at the Qian family's house inspecting suitable locations for building terraced fields.
"My lord, the prefect has arrived with the imperial envoy. The imperial edict has arrived, saying that you must return to the county office immediately."
Filled with excitement, Li Cheng urged the driver to speed up the entire journey to the village to inform Fu Changfeng.
At this moment, Fu Changfeng was no longer as excited as he had been when he first heard about the reward. He thought that he had more important goals now, and the waterwheel didn't seem to matter much anymore.
"Okay, I'll go back now. Yu Ping, you go back too." Fu Changfeng waved his hand, his heart burning with warmth even in the cold weather.
The prefect and the chief envoy were sitting in the county government office. The bailiffs dared not go inside, as everyone inside was more powerful than them, and they were afraid of being found fault with.
Fortunately, Li Cheng had someone inform Xi Chun, so she had hot tea and snacks prepared, and charcoal was lit, so the room was finally not so cold.
When Fu Changfeng and Li Cheng returned, they saw the two leisurely drinking tea.
"My lord, I have failed to greet you properly and have kept you waiting."
As soon as Fu Changfeng entered, he apologized to the two of them.
"Lord Fu is diligent in his duties and loves the people. He still goes to the village to check on things in this kind of weather. We admire him to the extreme and would never blame him."
"Let's get down to business. Now, receive the imperial decree."
"Go quickly, light the incense on the altar, and everyone must kneel down to receive the imperial decree."
The prefect didn't say anything else, but simply reminded Fu Changfeng of the proper etiquette.
Soon, even Xichun and the others came over and knelt down to receive the imperial decree.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Fu Changfeng, Magistrate of Shaoming County..."
The Emperor praised Fu Changfeng and the Prefect in his imperial edict.
At the same time, rewards are also indispensable, including gold, silver, fine clothes and silks.
Perhaps it was because Fu Changfeng had just taken office and had not yet been promoted.
Fortunately, the Emperor bestowed imperial titles upon Madam Fu and Xichun, and even sent them their official robes, which made Fu Changfeng even happier.
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty. I also thank the old envoy and all the officials for coming from afar. Today, I have prepared a simple banquet with plain tea and rice. I hope you will not mind."
Upon receiving the imperial decree, Fu Changfeng invited the group to the best restaurant in Shaoming County, which Li Cheng had already booked in advance; it was owned by the Yang family.
Upon learning that the old angel and the prefect were going to dine at a restaurant, the head of the Yang family was flattered and personally went to the restaurant to give them instructions, also hoping to make a name for himself.
The heads of several families also learned of this news and rushed to the Yang family's restaurant.
Fu Changfeng was well aware of the sacrifices these people had made for him, so after arriving with his men, he arranged for the family heads to greet them.
"Lord Fu is truly young and promising. I've heard that you dealt with the local tyrant and brought justice to the people."
"Hehe, Your Excellency flatters me. I am merely fulfilling my duties in my position and do not deserve such praise."
Fu Changfeng dared not boast and could only deal with it carefully. During the meal, everyone had their own thoughts. Fortunately, with the help of the prefect, the old angel did not continue to keep an eye on Fu Changfeng.
The next day, the old angel led the people and the prefect back home. Fu Changfeng, of course, was not unaware of the situation. He had already inquired that these messengers would receive benefits, and the more they received, the more likely they would say nice things.
So Xichun gave a considerable sum of money to everyone who came. The old angel touched the purse in his hand, squeezed it gently, and knew that it contained silver notes. He went back with a smile.
"My lord, we've finally seen all these people off. Spending time with them was so tough, even in the dead of winter, I was sweating buckets."
Only after the person had walked away did Li Cheng dare to wipe the sweat from his face.
"Don't worry, Magistrate Li. Fortunately, everyone has been safely taken away. You should go back and get some rest too."
When Fu Changfeng returned, Xichun had already started distributing the items. The two had agreed the night before that these silks and satins could be given to Li Cheng's family, since they held official positions and were entitled to wear them.
Xi Chun also set aside some of the fabric that ordinary people could wear, for Zhao Yuping and her own family to wear.
As for the other constables, they were given silver directly, each receiving a small portion. Although it wasn't much, it was a reward from the imperial court. If it weren't for Fu Changfeng, they would have had no chance to receive it.
Everyone was grateful to Fu Changfeng for the gifts he had received, since they were all given to him as a reward. They wouldn't dare to object if he didn't give them away.
The heads of the families, having the opportunity to meet with the prefect and the old envoy, became even more supportive of Fu Changfeng, the county magistrate.
Therefore, if Fu Changfeng wanted to implement any policies in the county, everyone would cooperate even more.
When Madam Fu learned that she had been granted an imperial title, she was overjoyed and immediately put on her official robes, much to the envy of her father, Old Master Fu.
Spring arrived quickly, and throughout the winter, Qian Qiaoqiao's family was cultivating terraced fields according to Xichun's method.
Seeing how diligent they were, the surrounding families also started clearing land, which made the villagers even more enthusiastic about land reclamation throughout the winter.
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