RPAGF Chapter 273 begins Oden's seedling cultivation.
Chapter 273 begins Oden's seedling cultivation.
Chapter 273, Beginning Oden's Seedling Cultivation
Tian Tian and Ling Yao stayed together affectionately until dinner before Tian Tian left the palace.
*
"I specifically excused Tian Tian from paying her respects and told her to go directly to Yao'er," Empress Li complained in the imperial study. "But you, you still assigned so many memorials to Yao'er."
Ling Jun sighed helplessly, “Yao’er is the crown prince, and he should share my burdens.”
Empress Li snorted loudly, "If you don't share the burden with your daughter-in-law, let's see what you say then."
She frowned and offered her advice, "At the very least, you should work a little harder before your daughter-in-law marries into the palace."
Ling Jun let out a sound of surprise, and then his expression became more and more excited.
"Yes, yes, yes, that makes sense!!"
He was so excited that he stepped out from behind his desk and embraced Empress Li.
"How could I not have thought of that?!"
"Your Majesty, you are truly my good Empress."
Empress Li looked puzzled and confused.
“Once our daughter-in-law marries into the palace, our Yao’er will be an adult.”
Empress Li nodded, "That's true."
Having a wife means you're an adult.
“Then it is time for me to entrust the empire to him,” Ling Jun said.
Empress Li was shocked!!
"In that case, I can take you, Empress, out to travel and enjoy the scenery... to see the beautiful landscape of our Great Qi!" Ling Jun imagined.
Empress Li, after leaving the palace, couldn't stop thinking about the outside world.
Little did she know that although Ling Jun possessed the entire Great Qi Empire, he had actually visited very few places.
He felt a strong longing when he heard Empress Li share her experiences outside.
Upon hearing the Emperor's words, Empress Li's face instantly lit up with anticipation.
but...
"This...isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
Her eyes darted around mischievously. "Wouldn't that be too unethical?"
Ling Jun, however, disagreed, saying, "What's so immoral about harming your own son?"
"That makes sense!!" Empress Li slapped her hand suddenly.
"Then it's settled." The two huddled together. "After Yao'er and Tian Tian get married, you'll hand over the throne to him, and we'll go traveling..."
"We'll go to Yunzhou Prefecture first!! Then we'll go to other places..."
"Alright, I'll do as the Empress says."
Empress Li grabbed the Emperor's arm and said, "At that time, we will no longer be the Emperor and Empress."
"Ah Jun!!"
"Qingqing."
Outside the door, Eunuch Yin silently wiped away Ling Yao's sweat.
*
As the businesses of Chaxiangzhai and Jiaoyan Pavilion reached new heights, Tian Tian prepared to begin her life of farming in the Imperial Fields.
“Mother, Aunt Liu, I will be away from the manor for the time being. You may close the manor immediately. If anyone comes to the door, send someone to Yutian to find me.”
"If you can't withstand it, just deal with it casually."
"If they come with ill intentions, have the guards drive them out."
Tian Tian gave Lu Tao and Liu San Niang some instructions.
The palace guards were present in the princess's residence from the beginning, numbering only about twenty.
However, after she enters the palace, she will have Ling Yao send dozens more people over.
It is essential to be on guard against others.
Because of what she said in front of Xingyun Casino, the people now have a lot of opinions about Xingyun Casino.
The locals were abuzz with discussion, demanding that Xingyun Casino be shut down.
Even without Tian Tian personally proposing it to the Emperor, some officials had already impeached the Qi family and demanded that they close down their gambling den.
She was certain that the Qi family would hold her accountable for this.
Therefore, she couldn't guarantee that the Qi family wouldn't make any moves while she was away at Oden.
It's better to err on the side of caution.
"I understand, don't worry." Lu Tao pulled Tian Tian along with concern, "Take good care of yourself in the palace."
"If you're not used to the food or other things, just tell His Highness."
"Come back when you have time."
Tian Tian nodded. "Mother, I know."
"You're the same. Eat whatever you want from the manor; there's no need to save any."
They brought back a lot of things from Baishi County, but Lu Tao and the others were afraid that Tian Tian would give them as gifts, so they didn't eat much of them and kept them frozen in the refrigerator.
"Okay," Lu Tao replied.
"Let Jinghe stay at the academy for the time being."
"And Youyou..."
Tian Tian was also worried about Qin Youyou.
That day, Cui Mingyi from the Cui family and his cousin were seen by Qin Youyou. They came to apologize several times, but Qin Youyou refused to see them.
Now that the New Year holidays are over, that cousin from the Cui family has gone back home. Cui Ming also came to apologize, but Qin Youyou still refuses to see him.
But she could tell that Youyou also had feelings for Cui Ming.
The fact that they refuse to meet now suggests they have some unresolved issues.
Tian Tian secretly gave Liu San Niang a few instructions.
Liu San Niang nodded, "Okay, I understand."
Tian Xiang saw Tian Tian to the door, saying, "Don't worry about me in the palace. While you're gone... I'll keep an eye on things at the shop for you."
Tian Tian nodded, "But you should also be careful, I'm worried the Qi family might retaliate."
She sighed, "If only Qin Qingyun were here."
Upon hearing Tian Tian mention Qin Qingyun, Tian Xiang's expression changed slightly.
Tian Tian didn't notice, "Big sister, then I'll go."
Today is the day set by the Emperor, and she must go to the Imperial Field. The people from the Ministry of Revenue are waiting there.
*
Fifty people from the Ministry of Revenue arrived.
"So many people?" Tian Tian was shocked.
These people were all assistant directors in the Ministry of Revenue...
One Ministry of Revenue, and so many assistant ministers!! And that doesn't even include those in the various prefectural cities.
The Vice Minister of Revenue brought these people over. "Princess, after they finish their studies, they will be assigned to various prefectures, in groups of three."
Tian Tian nodded. "Have you already made up your mind?"
The Vice Minister of Revenue nodded. "It's already been allocated."
He gave Tian Tian a booklet, which contained the assigned groups and the corresponding prefectural cities they were to visit.
Yunzhou Prefecture was not included.
Because the people of Yunzhou Prefecture have already planted rice.
Tian Tian glanced at the imperial fields, which numbered at least a thousand acres. These imperial fields were of excellent quality.
By farming here, she can harvest at least several hundred more kilograms of her high-yield rice.
but...
She looked down at the booklet in her hand.
Although she was not familiar with several of the prefectures above.
However, she had been to Ganzhou Prefecture, and Ling Yao had been to Shazhou Prefecture.
The soil conditions in the two prefectures were different.
Ganzhou Prefecture is close to Yunzhou, and the land is similar to that of Yunzhou. As long as you apply more fertilizer and nourish the soil, the soil fertility will be very high.
However, most of the land in Shazhou Prefecture is sandy soil, which is not suitable for growing rice at all.
"Today... let's all tell each other what the soil is like in different places." Tian Tian turned around and led everyone to the temporary shed next to Yutian.
These assistant officials were assigned to their respective prefectural cities because they had connections with assistant officials in other places and maintained correspondence and official business.
I have a fairly good understanding of the arable land situation in various regions.
"There are two types of soil in Ganzhou Prefecture: one is red soil, which has low fertility, and the other is brown soil, which has medium fertility."
I know about Tian Tian pretty much.
Red soil is suitable for growing tea trees, while brown soil is suitable for growing crops.
“Our Xizhou Prefecture has purple soil, which is quite fertile and suitable for growing all kinds of crops. We also have limestone soil, which can be used for planting.”
"The soil in our Qingzhou Prefecture is good for growing grass, but not so good for growing crops. In higher places... grass is also hard to grow."
"Hanzhou has black soil, which is very fertile."
“Our area is by the sea, so we can’t grow crops here.”
Tian Tian wrote down what everyone said and then began to study it...
Other places are fine, but Cangzhou, which is near the sea, is more troublesome.
Actually, the rice seeds she bought from the system are relatively salt-resistant, but they need to be irrigated with fresh water during the planting process to wash away the salt and reduce the salt content in the soil.
That's too much trouble.
But saline-alkali land can be used for planting...
Sunflowers.
Sunflowers are salt-tolerant and suitable for planting in saline-alkali land, and they can also improve the soil.
Moreover, it has good economic value; sunflower seeds can be eaten and can also be pressed for oil.
It doesn't matter that rice can't be grown in Cangzhou, we can grow sunflowers. In the future, we can make money by growing sunflowers and exchange it for rice.
Besides sunflowers, cotton can also be grown.
Tian Tian told the Ministry of Revenue official in charge of Cangzhou Prefecture about her idea.
The wealthy man was stunned. "Is...this alright?"
"Didn't they say they were going to plant high-yield rice?"
"Didn't you just say that Cangzhou Prefecture is by the sea and can't grow crops?" Tian Tian said with a faint smile.
"My rice is just a high-yield variety, not some kind of magical seed."
The wealthy man smiled sheepishly, "I see."
"Then... let's do as the princess says, we'll plant..."
“Sunflowers and cotton,” Tian Tian repeated.
"Yes, plant sunflowers and cotton," the official repeated.
Tian Tian continued, "Don't worry, growing sunflowers and cotton is no worse than growing rice."
"The seeds of this sunflower can be roasted and eaten as a snack, or they can be pressed for oil."
“If the people of Cangzhou Prefecture have any objections, you can tell them that I, Princess Fufeng, can buy the sunflower seeds they grow at a price of ten coins per pound.”
"According to my estimate, the yield of sunflower seeds per mu is 1,000 jin, so each mu can earn about 10 taels of silver."
“The yield of cotton is about 1,500 catties per mu. I can buy seed cotton at eight copper coins per catty, so I can earn twelve taels per mu.”
The wealthy man's eyes lit up. "Really?"
He had been corresponding with the Assistant Magistrate of Cangzhou Prefecture for many years and was very familiar with the situation in Cangzhou Prefecture.
Because the soil in Cangzhou Prefecture is all saline-alkali land, it is impossible to grow rice or ordinary vegetables.
They could only eat sorghum and pick some salt-tolerant fruits.
As for work... the only option is to go to the imperial salt fields.
But the salt fields are by the sea, so people who live far from the sea have to find other ways to make money.
If farming can make money now, then many people can stay at home and farm to earn money.
Seeing Tian Tian nod in agreement, the wealthy man also nodded, "Then let's plant, let's plant sunflowers and cotton."
*
At the end of the first day, Tian Tian returned to the palace that Ling Yao had prepared for her.
Ling Yao arrived just a few minutes after I had rested.
"How are you feeling today?" Ling Yao asked as soon as he saw her.
"There aren't many memorials to process today. I was originally planning to visit you, Oden."
He took Tian Tian's hand and said, "But considering you're working, I'll let it go."
Tian Tian nodded in satisfaction. That's more like it.
It's best if he doesn't show up when she's doing important things.
"Today is the first day. We're just getting to know the soil conditions in different areas," Tian Tian explained slowly, outlining today's progress.
She told him about the situation in Cangzhou Prefecture.
Ling Yao thought of the soil in Shazhou Prefecture, "Shazhou Prefecture is still suitable for growing sweet potatoes."
"Besides sweet potatoes, we can also grow corn," Tian Tian thought, "and watermelons too."
Yes, watermelons prefer loose, well-drained soil. Sandy soil is very suitable for watermelon growth, and watermelons grown in sandy soil taste sweeter.
Melons and grapes are also suitable for planting on sandbars.
Tian Tian sat up straight. "Um... isn't the Marquis still in Shazhou?"
Wei Shaoyuan has now stayed in Shazhou, supposedly because he finds farming to be a very enjoyable thing.
If that's the case...
Tian Tian: "I have some seeds of several kinds of melons and fruits. I'll send someone to deliver them so he can plant them on the sandbar..."
Seeing the light in her eyes, Ling Yao couldn't help but ask curiously, "What kind of seed is it?"
"Watermelon, cantaloupe, and grapes."
Ling Yao had heard of and tasted all of these kinds of gossip.
However, they were not distributed to the market, but were instead supplied to Sweetheart Inn, which was jointly opened by Tian Tian and Rong Yan'er.
"The melons and fruits grown on the sandbar are sweeter than those grown in Yunzhou Prefecture."
"Once the fruits are harvested, they will be transported directly to the capital...it will definitely be a hit."
"The money earned... will be sent back to Shazhou to build roads and bridges... and establish private schools for the people of Shazhou..."
Tian Tian imagined that with money, even a remote sandbar could improve many things.
Ling Yao suddenly hugged her, "Sweetie, I thank you on behalf of the people."
He could tell that every word Tian Tian said was genuinely for the benefit of the people.
Moreover, she always keeps her word.
"Okay..." Tian Tian gently patted his back, "I still need to sort out the seeds."
Ling Yao let her go.
Tian Tian sat down at the desk and began writing down the precautions for planting melons and fruits for Wei Shaoyuan.
From site selection and land preparation, to seed selection, germination, sowing, then to thinning and fixing seedlings, weeding, watering, fertilizing, pruning and training vines, and finally judging maturity and harvesting methods, etc.
Ling Yao stayed by her side, helping her grind the ink.
After Tian Tian finished writing on one page, he thoughtfully took it aside to dry.
Tian Tian packed the melon and fruit seeds into a sealed bag, added the planting methods for each species, and then sealed it.
Finally, put it in a large envelope.
“I immediately arranged for someone to deliver it to Shazhou and give it to Wei Shaoyuan.”
Ling Yao had dinner with Tian Tian and stayed with her until it was time for her to rest before leaving.
*
Cui Mingyi arrived at the Princess's residence again. He no longer needed to introduce himself; the gatekeeper at the entrance already recognized him.
"Young Master Cui, our Princess's Mansion will be closed to guests starting today."
The doorman said politely.
Cui Mingyi immediately understood the reason behind it.
"What about the shop?"
The gatekeeper's lips twitched slightly; closing the mansion to guests was just an official excuse.
As for the shop, Princess Qingping and Princess Anping will keep an eye on it.
But... Princess Anping instructed that the young master of the Cui family should not be seen.
How should I answer that?
Seeing the gatekeeper's dilemma, Cui Mingyi understood and said, "Alright, I understand."
"There's no need to tell Princess Anping about my visit today."
"Farewell."
After leaving the princess's residence, Cui Mingyi went to the Tea Fragrance Pavilion.
Not finding Qin Youyou, he went to Jiaoyan Pavilion.
I've searched all three of the Jiaoyan Pavilions, but I still haven't seen the person I want to see.
Only then did he return to the academy, his enthusiasm waning...