Uncle Jiang was in his thirties, wearing a coarse cloth short jacket and trousers rolled up to his knees. His dark red face was proof of years of hard work.
Their family rented these two plots of land from Mu Yi'an. Since they didn't have to pay taxes, the land was split 40/60, which was a very good deal. Most tenant farmers outside also had a 40/60 split, but they had to pay their own taxes.
"Third Uncle, I'd like to ask, how do you manage to save your rice seeds every year?"
Mu Yi'an had been observing for quite some time. The rice ears looked quite full, but each plant didn't have many tillers, only four or five. This was somewhat related to the spacing between the rice seedlings; the spacing was a bit too close.
"It means that after the first year's harvest, you select the plumpest ones to keep."
Uncle Jiang didn't understand why Shuyun's wife asked that question, but he answered truthfully.
Mu Yi'an walked slowly along the paddy field ridge to check on the rice ears.
"Shuyun, what's this, niece-in-law?"
"Third Uncle, it's nothing. I bought an agricultural book at the bookstore before. She took it very seriously. It contains some farming methods, so she thought she would try it out to see if she could increase the yield."
"Agricultural books, are they about farming?"
"Yes, they're all about farming."
Jiang Shuyun also read that book, which was mostly about farming, but he didn't know if it was right or wrong.
"There are also books about farming. It's really good to be literate. I plan to send my children to your father's school for two years. I'm not counting on them to pass the imperial examinations, but if they can read, they'll have more opportunities to work in the future."
Uncle Jiang envied Jiang Shuwen. He was able to become a small manager in the business because he was literate and could write.
"That's true. After studying for a year or two, you'll be able to write some commonly used characters, and you'll be able to earn more money working in the county town later."
"That's exactly what I mean. If it could be like Shuwen's, I'd be incredibly grateful."
Uncle Jiang and Jiang Shuyun chatted about things in the fields, the school, and the county town. Mu Yi'an took a look around and got a general idea of what was going on.
"Uncle Jiang, it will be time to harvest in another ten or eight days, right?"
"Pretty much, maybe even earlier if the weather's nice."
"Then I'll come back in a few days. Before harvesting, I'll save some rice seeds and select the best-growing ears of rice from each plant to cut."
Mu Yi'an could only use this most primitive method to improve the rice varieties; without equipment, she was powerless to do anything else.
"Okay, I understand."
Although Uncle Jiang didn't quite understand, he was an honest man, and after hearing Shuyun's explanation of the agricultural book, he didn't say much. The main reason was that Mu Yi'an's land didn't need to be taxed, and it was divided 40/60, so he was getting a good deal.
Having finally finished inspecting his own territory, Mu Yi'an felt relieved.
She's adapted pretty well over the past month or so, and all that's missing is her original family home. She plans to go back soon; she can't keep running away like this.
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