Chapter 147
Chapter 147
July of the 42nd year of Huayuan.
A caravan coming down by water, carrying goods from various places, unloaded at a city near Yonglin County.
The people in this caravan complained bitterly that the roads in this city with a dock were too bad.
The leader said, "Hold on a little longer, we'll be fine once we get to Yonglin County. The road from Yonglin County to Ning'an Prefecture has been repaired!"
Is this true? Didn’t they say that construction started at the end of last year?
After a bumpy journey, we finally arrived in Yonglin County.
After selling part of the goods in Yonglin County, go to Ning'an Prefecture.
In the past, if you wanted to go to Ning'an Prefecture to buy rubber, you had to take a detour to Zhennan Pass and then go to Ning'an Prefecture.
No need for that now, just go there directly.
The difference is obvious when the caravan's carriages drive on it.
These roads are hardened to just the right degree, not too hard to hurt the horse's hooves, but also very flat to save effort.
“It’s really fixed.”
“That’s really fast.”
"When I go to Ning'an Prefecture, I must eat a bowl of duck noodle soup."
“Their rice-flavored duck is really delicious.”
The journey was smooth, and when we arrived at Ning'an Prefecture, the team leader felt that the place seemed more prosperous and had more people than when he came here last year.
It is now the season for rice harvest, and the terraced fields at the foot of the mountain are beautiful no matter how you look at them.
There were also members of the lumberjack club nearby, pulling wood and singing songs.
The children either recited their lessons or followed along to plant trees.
Planting trees is essential, otherwise what will happen to our future generations if all the trees in the mountains are cut down?
The caravan stayed in Ning'an Prefecture for a few days.
I just heard that Ning Anzhou seemed to be tinkering with some new rice seeds, saying that they would be mature in three months.
After hearing this, the people in the caravan became extremely excited.
But then I heard again that one acre of land only produces three or four hundred kilograms, but in the Jiangnan and Fujian areas, one acre of land produces six hundred kilograms.
This is too little.
Everyone asked again and was still amazed at the short planting time.
Finally, someone wanted to buy some, but was rejected: "We don't even have enough."
Well, it's not a good thing.
But is there anything bad about Ning'an Prefecture?
The caravan members had no time to think, they replenished their goods here.
They took large quantities of rubber, dyed cloth, rice-flavored duck, and oil from the local water melon tree and continued to head east to Changyan County.
What remains are all kinds of dried fruits from all over the world.
The caravan makes money from the price difference after each trip.
Nowadays, people in Ning'an Prefecture are willing to buy these things, and they sell a lot of things.
And the things taken out of Ning'an Prefecture are even more in short supply.
They could exchange it for some high-quality well salt in Changyan County and then continue on their journey.
The journey from Ning'an Prefecture to Changyan County also made them feel relaxed.
Alas, after passing these roads, it will be a bumpy and tiring journey.
It would be great if all the roads in Tianqi Kingdom could be repaired.
"I see they are still repairing bridges and roads in Ning'an Prefecture. It will definitely be more convenient for me to come here next time."
"Definitely."
"Their Ning'an Province is developing very well."
“It would be great if the yield of the rice was a little higher.”
"How can it be so good? How can sugarcane be sweet at both ends?"
In modern times, it is possible to grow sugarcane that is sweet at both ends.
Therefore, Ji Yuan also believed that it was possible to cultivate Champa rice with extremely high yield.
To be honest, if Champa rice cannot be cultivated, he is willing to stay here forever until high-yield Champa rice is produced.
In the July harvest, the Champa rice was still average.
Fortunately, all three generations are about to be harvested, and by the time they are cultivated to the third generation, there will generally be some effect.
Everyone holds on to hope and continues to cultivate new varieties.
The caravan that had already arrived in Changyan County suddenly heard about it again.
The head tax in Ning'an Prefecture is paid by the local Chamber of Commerce.
ah?
Is there such a thing?
They want to move here, too.
When the caravan was about to move away, it heard that the head tax in several surrounding places was paid by the Chamber of Commerce.
It’s still “voluntary”.
I don’t know whether it was voluntary or not, but those Chamber of Commerce bosses have a love-hate relationship with Ji Yuan.
They wanted him to stay here, but they also felt that if he stayed, he might continue to exploit them and subsidize the farmers.
Some people also say that in our Tianqi country, there is a clear class division between scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans.
So what if you have money? So what if you make huge profits? You still have to spend the money.
But people even want to build a golden statue for Ji Yuan.
Others said, "What if this changes once he leaves?"
Most farmers would roll their eyes and say, "Every bit of savings counts."
"Besides, do they want to break the established rules?"
"The Lumberjacks are not to be trifled with!"
Not only in Ning'an, but also in Zhennan, there are logging associations.
Logging associations were established in most parts of Dianzhou Prefecture.
Anyway, it's the same as other chambers of commerce in various places, so no one can say anything.
With them around, many gentry did not dare to bully the local people.
After all, these people really dare to stand out.
However, it is very difficult to join the logging club now. You must abide by their rules, which were set by Ji Zhizhou.
The caravan left reluctantly.
Alas, who would have thought that people in such a remote place like Tianqi Kingdom live a more comfortable life than them.
It's a pity that moving is not something you can do just like that. We can only envy the locals.
The rest of Ji Yuan's time was basically spent on farmland.
The third generation of Champa rice has been planted, and we will see what the results will be.
This third generation of rice combines the characteristics of various ordinary rices with the qualities of high-quality Champa rice.
In short, up to now, a variety of rice varieties have been combined with each other.
As for whether it can be successfully grown, it depends on luck and the results of their pairing.
It is really not easy to find the most suitable collection of rice seeds among countless tangled ropes.
Other local officials are also waiting and watching.
Ji Yuan is a troublemaker, but his abilities are beyond doubt.
The primary rice seeds he cultivated are so good, I really can’t imagine what the advanced rice seeds he cultivates will be like.
When the time comes, they will get a share of the pie, which will be a brilliant achievement in the battle record.
Therefore, they simply acquiesced to some of the things that Ji Yuan did.
Anyway, at the end of the day, we don't ask them to pay, so what's the big deal?
Besides, no matter how difficult life is for local merchants, can it be more difficult for farmers?
Everyone will understand this principle if they think about it for a while.
During this period, another issue that had been suppressed because of the poll tax was brought up again.
Governor Ji, your term in office is about to end.
Some of the older locals had confused looks in their eyes.
What is term of office?
Hasn’t their Liu Tongzhi been here all the time?
The young man explained a lot, and they realized that Ji Zhizhou did not belong to Ning'an Prefecture, and by the end of this year, their Ji Zhizhou would leave.
Send someone you don't know over here.
The elderly locals were in tears.
Their good days haven't lasted long, and Ji Zhizhou is about to leave.
This won't work.
For a moment, the whole village was filled with crying.
I can't even get excited about the upcoming autumn harvest.
When Ji Yuan found out, he couldn't help but sigh.
Chai Feng said: "We really don't want to let you go. Because of you, we have such a good life."
Ji Yuan said: "If you say so, then you are flattering me."
Without waiting for Chai Feng, other minor officials, or even Liu Tongzhi who had arrived to refute him, Ji Yuan said, "I just gave them the life they deserve."
"I just talk, they plow the fields, they dig the paddy fields, and they dig the canals themselves in each village."
"Why should their achievements be wiped out just because of me?"
Ji Yuan was convinced: "I just did what I should do. They are the ones who really worked hard."
This is what Ji Yuan said sincerely.
The farmers and common people of the world support the upper class and scholars like him.
Should he be thanked just for giving back some of the knowledge he was lucky enough to have gained?
If other people have the same experience as him.
I'm afraid it won't be worse than him.
He was just lucky, luckier than these people, and had experienced another time and space.
If he relies on luck to be superior, then all the books he read in his previous life will be wasted.
If he calls himself a savior and a great contributor to the local area because of these good fortunes.
Then what is the difference between him and some people in Tianqi Kingdom.
If he doesn't keep himself alert at all times, he will become hateful.
The officials who were originally complacent about these achievements just felt their cheeks flushed.
To be honest, they are actually a little proud of Ning'an Prefecture's transformation.
Even those officials who were transferred here only last year are somewhat arrogant.
They thought that it was they and Lord Ji who brought a good life to the local area.
Little did they know that Lord Ji himself did not think so.
What right do they have to say that? Are they more powerful?
That's definitely not the case.
The Ning'an Prefecture government officials were calmed down and no longer showed off about this.
But they gradually discovered that the less they showed off, the more their colleagues from other places wanted to listen.
Have you in Ning'an Prefecture come up with something new?
No, that's really not the case.
Because as soon as August and September begin, the land tax has to be calculated.
This is the first time that Ning'an Prefecture is paying land tax, so it must be done seriously and cautiously.
The local people of Ning'an Prefecture are also prepared for this.
The issue of land tax has been a hot topic for several years, and it is not easy to delay it until now.
But even though they knew they had to pay land taxes, they still felt heartbroken when they actually took out the grain.
This is the crop they cultivated bit by bit.
Twenty percent was taken away directly.
Nowadays, the average yield from each family’s fields is around 390 yuan.
In total, one acre of land needs to provide 78 kilograms of grain.
Some Xinning people even "go on the right track" and add up to 90 kilograms.
This is their rule in Jing Country and Hehui Country.
Sometimes we even have to add up to 100 kilograms.
Generally speaking, when the grain bucket was full, the officials would kick it open, and the grain that fell down belonged to the officials in front of them.
What if the grain bucket is not full?
You guys please make up for it.
Therefore, some farmers would give more food in advance, and if food fell on the ground, they would be required to pick it up and give it to the officials.
Just give more and it will save you trouble.
Under Ji Yuan's rule, such a thing would naturally not be allowed to happen, so he said directly: "No need, it's what it should be."
The subsidies for their officials are issued by the government.
People working together will supervise each other. If anyone is found taking things from ordinary people, they will be held accountable directly by Lord Ji.
At that time, let alone continuing to be officials, according to Lord Ji's character, he will let them follow the exiled prisoners to build roads and bridges!
What?
Hasn’t the road in Ning’an Prefecture been repaired?
The one leading to the outside has been repaired, but what about the one inside?
Ning'an Prefecture has a complex ground water system and requires many bridges, preferably stone bridges. If it is a wooden bridge, most of the wood cannot withstand soaking.
Let them move big rocks?
You will die!
Lord Ji was extremely strict with his people, and he had sent more than one person to work on the roads, but he just didn't tell everyone.
The people of Xinning are very grateful. They didn't have to pay head tax before, but now they only have to pay the prescribed land tax, and they are very satisfied.
Although the people of Ning'an Prefecture are not used to it, there is nothing they can do. Everyone chooses to plant another crop in December.
Maybe it can make up for the deficit?
But how do we pay the land tax this time?
Ji Yuan doesn't give any advice. The main point is, if you don't ask, I won't tell you. But if you ask, I'll be surprised.
Many people seemed to have reached a tacit understanding.
Regardless of this season's rice?
All we have to do is pay the summer and autumn land taxes?
Ji Yuan’s attitude is the same as the attitude of the Ning’an Prefecture government.
To be honest, the main idea of Era is to delay as much as possible.
Anyway, the local second-season rice has just started to be planted, so it is normal that no rules have been formed.
In the words of Liu Tongzhi.
Lord Ji is extremely proactive when he should be proactive, and when he should procrastinate, he procrastinates until no one can stand it anymore.
Ji Yuan didn't know about this. Before he left the yamen, he looked left and right to make sure that there was no one around, and then he left quickly.
Everyone found it funny, but they also knew that there were too many people trying to block the prefect's way recently.
They all came here without any prior arrangement after hearing the news that Lord Ji was leaving office.
What are you going to say when you come over?
Actually, no. Some were sad, some were crying, all of which were expressing their reluctance to leave.
But they also know that all good things must come to an end.
Ji Yuan had seen too much and felt unhappy, so he simply hid from everyone so that everyone would feel better.
However, he still had to go to the vicinity of Guantian, so he only walked through places with few people. When he passed by the provincial school, he happened to see Cheng Yisan walking out of it.
Cheng Yishan's eyes were filled with surprise, and then she looked at his actions and couldn't help but laugh: "Why are you hiding from people again?"
Both of them were stunned.
The last time Ji Yuan hid from people was in the capital.
At that time, he had just passed the imperial examination and became the top scholar, and countless people wanted to marry him.
Speaking of it now, Cheng Yisan felt a little uncomfortable.
Ji Yuan had no choice but to say, “Everyone is unhappy when they meet.”
Because I am reluctant to leave, I am unhappy.
Cheng Yisan added.
The two of them didn't speak anymore. Ji Yuan's term was about to end, and Cheng Yisan had known about it for a long time. She had even said that Ji Yuan would definitely leave here.
So I feel pretty good now.
However, the two did not elaborate on this and only talked about this year's enrollment.
After the quotas for officials and teachers were available, more and more women came to sign up.
In particular, the daughters of wealthy and noble families outside Ning'an Prefecture were arranged by their families to come here, and some even bought houses nearby.
Now they are also a force that cannot be underestimated in Ning'an Prefecture.
And all these forces are under the control of Cheng Yishan.
Ji Yuan naturally had no objection to this, instead he admired Miss Cheng even more.
The two walked to Guantian together, where countless experimental fields were marked with codes, and most of them were now around the fourth generation.
But there are more than a hundred types of experiments.
All the rice seeds and rice are waiting here for a possibility.
Maybe one season will do.
Or maybe you have to wait ten years.
The uncertainty here is not something they can control now. Even in the future, it will still require exploration and research to achieve a relatively good result.
Uncertainty.
It's easy to create fear in people.
When humans first planted rice, it grew like weeds and tasted terrible.
But after the cultivation in the previous year, we finally have so many rice seeds.
Did people at that time consider uncertainty? It seems not.
But once people know the uncertainty, they will become anxious, imagine, and feel uncomfortable.
Ji Yuan is going back to the capital this time to do what he wants to do.
But I can't tell anyone.
He couldn't even say anything like a promise to Cheng Yisan.
Just forget it because you are not sure if it will work.
"I believe in you." Cheng Yishan suddenly said, "I believe that what you want to do will succeed."
"Of course, I don't want anything, I just want to tell you this."
As an ordinary citizen of Ning'an Prefecture.
Cheng Yisan felt that she was qualified to say this.
She believed in Ji Yuan, just like the people of Ning'an Prefecture and everyone around Ji Yuan.
She didn't want Ji Zhuangyuan to help her with anything.
Just say this sincerely.
Ji Yuan smiled and looked at Cheng Yisan again, neither of them said anything.
There is still a long way to go.
Whether certain or not.
According to their personalities, both of them will keep going forward firmly, and only by going forward can they see certainty.
Ji Yuan went to Guantian again, and Cheng Yisan prepared to go home.
Cheng Yisan looked at Ji Yuan's back and knew that Ji Yuan was destined to leave. Of course, she was a little sad.
Fortunately, there are not many sad things.
Maybe when we meet again in the future, she won’t need Ji Yuan’s protection anymore.
At this moment, the era has reached Guantian. Someone staggered over and said, "The third generation of number 79 has eared!"
"The ears are extra full!"
"And there are large fields of rice, all very full! Go and have a look!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
