After a few days of getting used to each other, everyone became more and more adept at their work.
The children were no longer idle; they spent their days cutting grass and digging for wild vegetables in the safe areas designated inside and outside the city walls.
The entire Longtan County was bustling with activity.
On the third day, the team that went out to buy supplies still hadn't returned.
Yun Mo followed with his bodyguards, and no one was too worried about their abilities.
All the soaked and germinated rice grains have sprouted, and Lin Shuo and his team have prepared the fields for planting.
Under Lin Yinan's guidance, they brought over large bundles of cut hay and burned a layer on them to kill most of the insect eggs in the soil. Then they mixed the soil with the burnt ash, making the soil soft and fine, with just the right amount of moisture, which was conducive to the rice seeds taking root.
Everyone put in a lot of effort to ensure the seedlings grew well.
A week later, when the rice seedlings had sprouted to the size of half a grain and the roots had grown to the size of a whole grain, Lin Yinan checked the book and knew it was time to sow them in the field.
Old Lin led the way, carrying a basket on his back filled with sprouting rice.
He carefully grabbed a handful and scattered it evenly on the ground, followed by a person carrying a basket filled with fine soil.
When Old Lin scattered the grain seeds on the ground, he would grab some fine soil and sprinkle it on top to cover the seeds.
At this moment, the edge of the field was surrounded by people, all eager to try and wishing they could personally go down and replace the people inside.
Seeing the sprouting rice plants in the ground filled everyone with excitement. If all of these rice plants survive, they won't have to worry about not having enough food to eat next year.
Lin Yinan stood by and watched, thinking about the methods she had learned from the book. Her eyes were glued to the people in the field, oblivious to the fact that her shoes were covered in sticky, wet mud.
As everyone was watching intently, suddenly, cheers erupted from the county government office.
Everyone turned to look and saw someone running quickly towards them.
The person arrived very quickly, appearing in the blink of an eye.
Only then did everyone realize who it was: Yun Mo had returned.
As Yun Mo walked along the ridges of the fields, the villagers greeted him warmly.
Despite Yun Mo's cold and handsome face, the villagers know that he is a warm-hearted person despite his cold exterior, after spending so much time with him.
Seeing him approach, Qianwu released her grip on Lin Yinan's hand.
Yun Mo took over supporting Lin Yinan's arm, glanced at the wet and muddy ground, and frowned, "The fields are slippery, why did you come here?"
"I've come to check on the planting today."
Lin Yinan's eyes swept over him. In ancient times, going out was not easy. He looked travel-worn and tired, his clothes were wrinkled and covered with grass clippings and mud.
After resting for a while, her complexion finally became rosier. Yun Mo said gently, "Let's go back. The sun is getting strong. Let's see what I can buy for you."
Lin Yinan obediently let him help her walk towards the county government office.
Once she stepped out of the crowd, she asked, "Why did you all take so long to come back?"
“We ordered bricks, tiles and wall-building materials, but the merchants didn’t dare to come when they heard that the goods had to be delivered to Longtan County, fearing Japanese pirates. Only 30% of the goods we ordered came back this time. The rest was supposed to be delivered in ten days, and we had to send someone to pick it up on the way.”
"Is the curved plow ready?" Lin Yinan asked, noticing how inefficient the people in the fields were at turning the soil with the straight plow.
Yun Mo looked at her with tender eyes, his affection undisguised. "I did it. At first, the master didn't want to take the job because we were strangers and he didn't know what we were doing that required so many. In the end, he only ordered ten after paying a high price."
"There's nothing in this world that money can't buy. If there is, it's because you don't have enough money." Lin Yinan's ears turned red unconsciously as he looked at her.
Yun Mo nodded in agreement, "A Nan is right. We previously visited Changyi County and Yongqing City, which are the closest to Longtan County."
Is it far?
"It's not far. It's just over a mountain from Chi'an County. Changyi County is closer, but it doesn't have as much stuff as Yongqing City."
Lin Yinan knew he made it sound so easy; it wouldn't be easy to travel over mountains and valleys with a carriage.
Seeing that she didn't say anything, Yun Mo continued, "My brother-in-law and I bought a few pigs and dozens of chickens. The chickens are being kept in the backyard to nourish you."
"Why not just buy piglets and chicks and raise them yourself? That way you'll have meat to eat all year round."
“My brother-in-law has already placed the order. He will go to Changyi County to pick it up in a few days. In the next couple of days, we will have someone build the breeding shed.”
Lin Yinan thought for a moment and said, "I'll draw up some blueprints later, and you can find someone to build it accordingly. The five hundred guards at home and the troops brought by Yunyu are quite expensive."
"Okay, I've got it."
Lin Yinan, heavily pregnant, couldn't walk fast, so Yun Mo supported her step by step. The two walked slowly like this, and he quite enjoyed this peaceful moment.
"By the way, on our way back we encountered two families escorted by the guards. They were servants who had signed life contracts, and they even brought their indentures. They were very good at tending the fields."
Lin Yinan was taken aback when she heard this, then she smiled and said, "Yunyu and Yunkang are here. Second Uncle wants to do us a favor. Since he gave it to us, we should accept it."
Walking back to the county town, weeds taller than the houses could be seen from inside the low city walls.
Yun Mo frowned, wishing he could build the city wall immediately. "There are still too few people, and too much to do."
"No rush. We must eat one bite at a time, walk one step at a time, and do things one by one. Solve the immediate problems first, and make sure everyone has a place to live and food to eat."
Lin Yinan subconsciously reached out and touched her belly. She was almost seven months pregnant and didn't have much energy to plan much. By the time the first batch of food was ready, she would be due to give birth soon.
Yun Mo guessed her thoughts, "You're smarter than me and my second brother. Just let me do whatever comes to mind. You can just stay home and give orders."
Lin Yinan smiled slightly, "Did you manage to find out about the situation in the surrounding counties during your trip?"
"I've learned some things, and I'll tell you more about them later."
The two walked across the main street and saw that on the open ground outside the county government office, people were unloading the bricks and tiles that had been brought back. Tomorrow, construction on houses and city walls could officially begin.
While they went out to buy supplies, the people building the house split into two teams each day: one team started digging the foundation, and the other team cut down timber from above to build the house.
Upon entering the county government compound, villagers and guards were working together to slaughter pigs. Two of the pigs they brought back were listless, and Doctor Lin shook his head, saying they wouldn't live long. Zhang Gong and Aunt Li decided to kill them and eat them.
Yun Mo took her directly back to the backyard to rest.
The two passed by Yunmu's house and were called inside.
Yunmu and Yunying lived in a house with several children. The house was about the same size as theirs, with an outer room.
Outside, all the women of the Yun family were present.
Nine unfamiliar men, women, and children stood to one side. Lin Yinan thought that these were the two families that Yun Mo had mentioned, the ones that Uncle Yun had sent over.
“Anan, you two have come at the right time. These are two families sent by your second uncle. He said they are skilled farmers, and he will entrust them to you.”
As Yunmu spoke, she handed the nine people's indentures to Lin Yinan.
Li Huishan looked up at Lin Yinan, her gaze full of inquiry.
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