"We've left the city!"
"Finally out of the city! I've been so bored these past few days."
It only took Grandpa Gu a few seconds to go from having a stern face to relaxing.
"Jinling is no place for ordinary people. It's full of nobles. You'd be afraid of being arrested and thrown in jail if you spat on it. I'm never coming here again!"
"Grandpa, I'm sorry to have troubled you. It will be alright once we return to Yunshui County."
"Yes, there's no place like home."
"Grandpa, you mustn't let Grandma hear what you're saying, she'll be angry!"
"Your grandma, now she teaches students how to make pastries, so she doesn't miss us at all~"
"Grandpa, how about we make a bet?"
"What kind of bet?"
"After you return to Yunshui County, Grandma will definitely come to pick you up in person."
"I don't believe you, Grandma!"
"Let's bet on a hot pot meal."
"Okay, I'm definitely having this hot pot!"
It's a deal.
*Smack!*
The grandfather and grandson gave each other a tacit high five, everything understood without words.
Jiang Yue smiled meaningfully. She had written a letter in advance and sent it back to Yunshui County.
Then, Grandpa's little treasure trove will be ready!
Three days later—
Yunshui County
Inside and outside the city walls, all was peaceful and harmonious.
The policy of non-interference in governance, as instructed by the princess long ago, allowed people without land to register and then cultivate wasteland outside the city to plant seeds distributed free of charge by the county.
Of course, this seed is not given away for free; after the harvest, one-tenth of the total harvest must be returned to the county!
This policy has earned the people's deep gratitude.
Let alone 10%, even 50% is acceptable!
But the princess said she only wanted 10%.
The people's enthusiasm for reclaiming wasteland was unprecedented and unparalleled; they planted!
After the harvest, one-tenth will be returned to the princess!
Keep 90% of the food for your own winter, and sell the rest. That way you'll have plenty of money!
This is a benefit that the princess has sought for the people!
Sure enough, the seeds and seedlings planted earlier have now turned into golden waves of wheat, swaying in the wind, and the people harvesting wheat are filled with joy and laughter.
"Your Excellency, this is unacceptable! You are of noble birth and cannot be expected to work in the fields like us commoners."
"In Yunshui County, there is no distinction between noble and lowly people. What you can do, old man, I can do too!"
"Come on, everyone, let's go to the fields and help the old man harvest these few acres of wheat!"
"Received~"
......
The newly arrived prefect was a young man, fearless and bold, who brought a group of his men to help with the wheat harvest.
I wonder if they're genuinely here to help, or just putting on a show?
The common people dared not ask, only glancing at the scene from time to time.
I must say, this prefect is quite fast at harvesting wheat. He's a pro at the job.
"May I ask, sir, have you ever harvested wheat before?"
"Yes, I used to be a spoiled brat. My father sent me to my classmate's house in the countryside to toughen me up. I not only harvested wheat, but also planted rice seedlings, fished in the river, and dug up wild vegetables in the mountains."
"The adults have even planted rice seedlings?"
"Don't believe me? Then when spring comes, when you're planting rice seedlings, I'll bring some people over and we'll have a competition."
"Hehehe, no, no, I believe you! Truly, heroes emerge from among the young!"
"Grandpa, you're wrong. The official is a good one."
"Oh, this little rascal, is he your grandson? He's got a good eye!"
“You’re right, sir. This is my grandson, Gouwa, who is six years old. I heard that Her Highness the Princess has opened a school and is recruiting students. I plan to send my grandson there next spring…”
"That's great! Once you're in school, no matter what you study, you'll be successful!"
"Thank you for your kind words, sir."
The old man took off his straw hat and handed it to the good official.
Yes, he's a good official.
Liu Yunfei put down his sickle, placed the wheat ear in his palm aside, took the straw hat, but instead of wearing it himself, he put it on the little boy's head.
"I have thick skin, so I don't care if I get tanned. Gouwa's face is delicate, so let Gouwa wear it."
"Thank you, sir!"
Gouwa smiled, then happily carried the basket and picked up the rice ears behind him.
"Cotton is white, rice is yellow, and sorghum ripens with a reddish hue~"
"Soybeans are round, millet ears are long, and corn tassels produce long ears of grain."
"Sweet potatoes, fragrant peanuts, and golden wheat filling the granary!"
"Sweat cultivates lush seedlings, technology yields bountiful harvests!"
It's unclear who started singing the nursery rhyme, but soon the sound of nursery rhymes echoed across the wheat fields.
Liu Yunfei wondered if his father would praise him if he saw this scene and heard the people's chanting.
It wasn't just Prefect Liu who knew how to conduct himself—or rather, how to be a good official—there were other officials transferred from Jinling as well.
However, they all had delicate skin, and their palms, backs of hands, arms, and even cheeks were often cut by the wheat ears!
pain!
It's still itchy!
Compared to the bustling scene at Prefect Liu's place, the people here wished they could stay far away.
I'm not cutting anymore!
This is just a thought; I still have to bite the bullet and get the surgery!
There's no other reason than this: it's about saving face, maintaining dignity, and, most importantly, securing one's future!
What if the princess suddenly returns and only sees Prefect Liu's achievements, without noticing theirs? Wouldn't they be at a disadvantage?
So they gritted their teeth, braced themselves, and persevered in the fields for three days, working for three days straight!
From being clumsy at the beginning to becoming proficient later.
Well, I must say, it actually created feelings, or rather, a sense of connection.
I originally thought these officials were just here for fun, but they actually came in handy.
The people were grateful, and the atmosphere became increasingly peaceful.
Three days later—
"Thump thump thump~"
A convoy returned, moving slowly along the official road.
Look closely, it looks very familiar.
Jiang Yue rolled down the car window and looked at the wheat field, which was mostly harvested.
I thought to myself, not bad, this wheat variety produced by the system is very adaptable.
"Princess~"
"It's the Princess who's back!"
"Ahohoho~"
"Princess! Princess! Princess~"
A group of grown men were shouting, their voices growing louder and louder, making it hard for Jiang Yue to ignore them.
The most eye-catching one was Liu Yunfei, who was only wearing a short jacket. His original skin color had turned into a bronze color, and he was running around the most energetically.
"parking."
As they approached the city gate, Jiang Yue stopped the carriage, got off, and stretched her limbs.
Although she didn't encounter any danger along the way, the feeling of being watched was still there, and she hardly ever left the carriage.
Now that they've entered her Yunshui County territory, even a bird has to think twice about whether it can fly out!
"Your Highness, Princess Jiang, this humble official respectfully welcomes Your Highness's return!"
Liu Yunfei, with his sharp eyes, noticed that there were outsiders on the other side of the city and quickly changed his words.
"Hmm, what's this about Prefect Liu?"
Jiang Yue nodded, indicating that the other party should dispense with the formalities.
"Sharing joy with the people."
Simply put, it's about helping people harvest wheat!
After Liu Yunfei finished speaking, he pursed his lips, thinking to himself that he hadn't done anything wrong.
"Prefect Liu, you've worked hard. You're a truly compassionate official who cares deeply for the people."
Jiang Yue nodded and exchanged polite greetings, letting those who were interested see what was going on.
......
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