RPAGF Chapter 173: Minister of Agriculture
Chapter 173: Minister of Agriculture
In the two acres of sweet potato field planted by the Qin family, the Minister of Agriculture Pan Jizhong, who was over 50 years old, and the Taicang Office Director Li Shan'an were squatting at the edge of the field with two young clerks, carefully observing the growth of the sweet potato seedlings.
Lord Pan had a serious expression on his face and from time to time he turned back to give careful instructions to the clerk who was taking notes.
Li Shan'an and two recorders arrived in Changhe Village from Ganzhou five days ago.
Lord Pan had just arrived from the capital yesterday with two servants and guards.
Food is the foundation of a country. The discovery of new crops in Changhe Village immediately attracted the attention of the imperial court.
Originally, Li Shuling was sent to bring people to investigate the situation, but Lord Pan in the capital could no longer sit still.
He could not wait to ask the emperor for permission, and at the beginning of the year he personally brought people to Changhe Village.
After a tiring journey, it was already dark when County Magistrate Jiang and Lawyer Qian led them to Changhe Village.
If it weren't for the fact that it was dark and difficult to observe the crops at night, Lord Pan would have come to the field last night.
Early this morning, after getting up, Lord Pan couldn't even wait to ask Li Shan'an to bring him over to see the growth of the seedlings without even having breakfast.
About half an hour later, Qin Zimu appeared at the edge of the field and invited them to go back for breakfast.
"Zi Mu, you're here. Well, let's go back and have breakfast first." Lord Pan stood up and patted Qin Zi Mu's shoulder with a smile on his face.
Before coming to Changhe Village, County Magistrate Jiang showed him the book that Qin Ruo asked Master Qian to bring back to the yamen.
Although he had never seen the actual fruit described above, Lord Pan was as surprised and delighted as Master Qian was at the beginning.
After discussing it, the two agreed that this matter was of great importance and should not be made public for the time being.
Wait until the time is right before reporting to the court.
When Lord Pan came over last night, Qin Zimu went to greet him with Qin Huaisheng and Qin Ruo. That night, he chatted with Lord Pan about some things related to sweet potato planting.
Lord Pan had a very good impression of Qin Zimu. Although this child was young, he was steady in his every move, which was truly rare.
Before coming to the experimental field, Lord Pan had already gone to the vegetable garden that Qin Zimu had previously taken care of.
Upon learning that Qin Zimu had learned how to grow sweet potatoes by himself in the beginning, they praised him highly.
Lord Pan and the others were talking and laughing as they followed Qin Zimu towards the Qin family's home.
In addition to Lord Pan, Li Shan'an, and a recorder, the agricultural officials from the Sinong Temple who came to Changhe Village this time also brought their own servants and guards, a group of nearly ten people.
Qin Huaisheng arranged someone early on to be responsible for Li Shan'an and his group's three meals a day.
Qin Ruo brought Banxia back with her when she returned to the village this time.
With Banxia and Old Lady Qin in charge of cooking at home, it’s just a matter of adding a few more pairs of chopsticks.
Banxia and Old Lady Qin got up early this morning and prepared breakfast. Then they immediately asked Qin Zimu to invite someone.
When Lord Pan and his party returned to the Qin family, they happened to see Si Heng bringing a plate of fried dishes to the dining table.
Director Li and the two clerks were trembling and were about to kneel down subconsciously, but were scared away by Si Heng's glare.
However, Lord Pan was surprised when he saw Si Heng. He was busy chatting with Qin Ruo and her brother about new crops last night. Li Shan'an and others did not tell him that Si Heng was also in Changhe Village.
He knew that Si Heng was in Taihe County, but he didn't expect it would be such a coincidence that he would meet him here.
It seems... he has a special relationship with the Qin family.
But that is the royal family’s business, so let His Majesty worry about it.
"minister……"
Lord Pan bowed and was about to salute Si Heng, but Si Heng was quick to hold his arm.
"Lord Pan, please stand firm and watch your step." Si Heng shouted loudly, but when he saw that no one noticed them, he quickly lowered his voice.
"Old Pan, shut up, and keep your mouth shut, and stop yelling at the people who are watching you. From now on, call me Mr. Si when we meet."
Lord Pan was so startled by Si Heng's call of "Old Man Pan" that he almost lost his balance. He turned around to look at him, only to see that Si Heng had already walked away with big strides.
When Director Li and the two clerks saw Si Heng walk away, they breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Lord Pan with questioning eyes.
Lord Pan coughed lightly, glared at them, signaling them not to talk too much, and then followed him into the main room.
Qin Huaisheng and Qin Zimu were helping to set the table. Old Mrs. Qin came out of the house with a smile on her face and greeted Lord Pan and his group.
"My lords, please take your seats quickly. Just treat it as your own home. We don't have any fancy dishes to offer, but you will be full. I hope you don't mind."
Old Mrs. Qin is a very outgoing person. After living in Taihe County for a period of time, she has become more and more skilled in dealing with people.
Although she was not very literate, she was hospitable and knew her limits, and she had no difficulty getting along with Lord Pan and his group.
"Mrs. Qin, you're welcome. Thank you for your hospitality. We are sorry for bothering you today. We will definitely bother you again in the future." Lord Pan laughed and responded to Mrs. Qin's words.
Looking at Pan Jizhong, who was wearing coarse cloth clothes with a little mud on them and had no official airs at all, Old Lady Qin felt particularly kind to him.
Li Shan'an's tense shoulders just relaxed, and suddenly he heard Old Lady Qin shouting to Si Heng: "Little Si, stop busying yourself and come and eat."
"Hey, here it comes, here it comes." Si Heng responded while bringing out the last dish and placing it in front of Li Shanan and the others.
Director Li and the two clerks almost stood up from their chairs again. How could they allow this gentleman to serve the dishes personally?
This gentleman from the Great Sheng Dynasty was of noble status and always acted as he pleased. When did he become so approachable?
Office Manager Li and the two clerks wanted to stand up, but Si Heng stretched out his hand and pushed them back.
"Li Shuling, sit down. This is the breakfast that Grandma Qin and the others prepared for you after working all morning."
Si Heng had a smile on his face, but his tone was filled with a hint of gnashing of teeth.
The most annoying thing is this kneeling thing. If the Qin family really knew my identity, how would I get along with them in the future?
"Stop talking and eat. We have to go back into the mountains later." Lord Pan secretly kicked Li Shuling and happily picked up his bowl and chopsticks to start eating.
Lord Pan was born in a farming family in his early years, and his life in the capital was much simpler than that of other officials.
He ate the breakfast prepared by the Qin family with gusto.
Li Shuling was thankful that Si Heng sat at Old Lady Qin's table, otherwise how could he have breakfast?
No one else noticed the little quarrel between Si Heng and Lord Pan, but Qin Ruo saw it clearly from the side.
Even though Si Heng never mentioned his identity openly, the answer was obvious from his frequent interactions with the Xie family.
But so what? Qin Ruo didn't care.
Her attitude towards Si Heng has never changed, and she has never been servile to him because of his status.