With several tasks being carried out simultaneously, things suddenly became bustling, and everyone was extremely busy. However, such fulfilling days always pass quickly, and before they knew it, it was harvest season. The success or failure of Fu Changfeng's much-anticipated method of terraced rice cultivation depended on this moment.
"Although I often go to check on things, when the day actually comes, I feel a bit dazed. I don't know if things will turn out the way we wish." Fu Changfeng rarely comes home so early, and he seems quite anxious and uncertain.
"We'll know tomorrow. I see that the rice is growing very little, and thanks to the waterwheel, it's not much different from the paddy fields down the mountain." Xichun knew his anxiety and comforted him with a smile.
"The court hasn't made any moves yet, and Brother Zeng is also worried. The triennial performance evaluation is coming soon. If he can't achieve anything and has no one to help him, he might just stop here."
"I think the current situation is pretty good. Although we can't stay in comfort forever, things in officialdom haven't changed these days, but that doesn't mean they won't change in the future. Let's just focus on doing our own thing."
To say we've done exceptionally well wouldn't be entirely true. The ideal we strive for is a world of harmony, where no one picks up lost items and doors are left unlocked. If we can ensure the people of this region have enough to eat and wear, then we've done our best to live with a clear conscience.
“My wife is right. I was obsessed. I’ve been worrying too much these days. We’ll know what will happen tomorrow. Why waste today for tomorrow?” Upon hearing this, Fu Changfeng also came to his senses.
Planting rice on these terraced fields was a big deal, so most of the officials naturally came. Xichun also brought the children to see the grand occasion.
Today they arrived at Qian Qiaoqiao's hometown village, where the village chief was already waiting. They could be said to be among the first people to grow rice with the Qian family, and they were quite obedient, which is why Fu Changfeng's first stop was here.
"Sir, everything is ready. Shall we begin harvesting?" The water in the fields had been drained a few days ago because of the rice harvest. All the rice ears were ripe, and the view from both above and below was a beautiful sight.
"Let's begin now. Magistrate Li, the two of us will be responsible for harvesting the first bunch of rice. I want to see how the yield is." Fu Changfeng stepped forward, selected a sickle, and led Li Cheng to harvest rice together. Li Cheng was naturally honored. Today, not only the local people had come, but even several families from the city had sent people to watch.
Seeing the adults harvesting rice, the villagers followed suit and went to work in the fields. With many hands making light work, they quickly harvested a plot of land. This plot of land was not even an acre long, because these plots all belonged to the Qian family. Fu Changfeng planned to harvest all of them and weigh them together.
Seeing the golden rice, everyone watching tried to guess how much each acre would yield, based on their own rice-growing experiences.
"I think it should weigh around 100 or 200 pounds, right?"
"It's possible, but the yield isn't as high as the paddy fields down the mountain. But originally, no one thought that rice could be grown in these places. They could barely grow some sorghum and soybeans."
"That's right. If it weren't for that waterwheel, who would have thought that rice could be grown on this mountain? When I get back, I'll clear some of the uncultivated land near my house. The newly cultivated land is exempt from taxes for three years, which is a great thing. After three years, the land will be fully cultivated. Even after paying the taxes, there will still be some left. Our family only dares to eat a little white rice during festivals. At other times, it's only for the wife and children who have just given birth."
"Who isn't like that? Back then, everyone complained that nothing could grow on this mountain and it was difficult to cultivate. Who would have thought that Lord Fu could turn this dry land into paddy fields? Amazing, truly amazing."
"I've heard that land reclamation has started in many places. These people are all people who do great things quietly. They are so good at keeping things under wraps. If it weren't for this, I really wouldn't have known about this."
"No one would believe me even if I told them. If it were you, would you have dared to try it on your own dry land? I'm afraid you would have lost everything and had to borrow grain and pay taxes everywhere. But I think it's still possible now. I'm not going to say anything more, let's start weighing."
Fu Changfeng didn't just make a couple of cuts and stop; instead, he worked with the villagers to finish cutting all the plots of land.
Only after the threshed rice was packed into sacks did they begin to weigh it.
"Sir, there are a total of 823 catties here. There are 3.2 mu of land. That means each mu of land can produce about 257 catties." Li Cheng was also covered in sweat, but that did not hide his enthusiasm for weighing the goods himself.
"Good, good, good, this yield is already excellent." The village chief was surprised when he heard the number. Usually, their paddy fields would yield more than 300 catties in good quality and more than 200 catties in average quality. However, they were calculating based on the dried fruit, while this was not yet dried and the weight would be reduced.
"I am very pleased with such a harvest. Once it is dried, report the weight to me." Fu Changfeng had not expected it to weigh more than 200 jin, but it was very encouraging.
"That's wonderful! Such a harvest in the first year! I'm sure there will be even more as the land matures. Sir, you are truly our benefactor, always thinking of us. This terraced rice cultivation method is a great act of kindness. If it is promoted, even ordinary people will be able to eat rice regularly in the future."
Several family heads also came over to say kind words. The people looked at Fu Changfeng with gratitude in their hearts. There are not many good officials like him who work for the people. If it were said that in the past, when the villains of the Long family were eliminated, they would only say that it was a relief. But now, even they themselves can benefit from it. That is really great.
"I also have to thank everyone for their cooperation. I will promote this method of rice cultivation in terraced fields. It is what I want to see most that everyone can eat rice." Fu Changfeng smiled. This success has given him a lot of confidence.
Seeing his spirited appearance, Xi Chun couldn't help but feel happy for him. Indeed, whether it's a man or a woman, only when they have their own career and goals can they truly shine.
In the afternoon, Fu Changfeng did not leave, but continued to observe the other families who were also planting rice, to see how their yields were.
Fortunately, although they didn't have as much as the Qian family, the difference wasn't significant. The onlookers were so eager to step forward and make a cut themselves, to personally experience the joy of this bountiful harvest.
"I'm happy to see Dad happy. Dad is really amazing. He was able to grow so much rice." A-Zhao ran up and whispered to Fu Changfeng.
"Yes, brother-in-law, you're really amazing! You actually figured out this method. Although you've gotten much thinner and darker, you look much more energetic." Xiao Feng's words made everyone laugh. After all, Fu Changfeng had changed a lot in the past year. He had become much thinner from all the hard work and being in the sun all the time, and he didn't look as refined as before.
"Hehe, that's what a truly good official looks like," Taozi added with a chuckle.
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