CHAPTER 173: CHAPTER 173: NEW GRAIN (PART 2)

After a stick of incense burned.

Chen Zhuo and Feng Wenming both looked shocked, each grabbing Cui Du’s hand: "Is what Mr. Cui said true?"

"Is there truly grain that yields twenty stones per acre in this world?"

These two Chief Historians, despite their age, are still quite strong.

Cui Du winced in pain from having his wrists squeezed and drew his hands back: "These two kinds of grain were brought from overseas. First, we need to find the seeds before I can plant them."

Cultivation experiments also require seeds first.

Chief Historian Chen, usually calm and collected, could hardly contain his excitement and immediately said: "Where can we find these seeds? Send someone to look for them right away."

Without hesitation, Chief Historian Feng immediately added: "No matter the cost in silver, we must buy them back."

"That’s what I intend to do." The Commandery Princess finally spoke: "Mr. Cui said we should send people to look in coastal counties. There are many coastal counties in Da Liang, with Nanhai County having the biggest harbor. Every year, many sea merchants set sail from there and bring back many goods from overseas when they return."

"I want to send a team to Nanhai County to look for new grain seeds."

Chen Zhuo and Feng Wenming exclaimed in unison: "The Commandery Princess is wise!"

Since the opinions were unanimous, the next discussion was about who should be sent.

"The journey to Nanhai County is long, taking several months round trip. The Prince Mansion Officials each have their own duties, none of them are suitable to be dispatched," Chen Zhuo reflected: "Furthermore, the journey is arduous. It’s best for the Commandery Princess to select someone from the Personal Guard Camp."

If bandits are encountered along the way, the trusted aides have the ability to protect themselves.

Jiang Shaohua nodded in agreement: "I’ll have someone invite Commander Song over."

After a cup of tea, Song Yuan also entered the study.

Cui Du’s voice hadn’t fully recovered, speaking with effort, his voice hoarse and unpleasant. Feng Wenming willingly recounted the whole story.

Song Yuan immediately offered: "Commandery Princess, let me handle this matter."

Jiang Shaohua had already considered Song Yuan suitable for the task. Firstly, the matter required someone trustworthy. Secondly, Song Yuan was steady and efficient, no one in the Prince Mansion was more suitable than him.

"Very well, Commander Song will take care of this," Jiang Shaohua calmly said and gave the orders: "Commander Song, take twenty trusted aides from the Prince Mansion and gather a hundred men from the Personal Guard Camp. Each person should have three horses, bring plenty of provisions, and take enough silver."

"The time limit is four months. Regardless of whether or not the new grain seeds are obtained, once four months have passed, you must set out on the return journey."

Song Yuan received the order with cupped hands.

Cui Du didn’t need anyone to instruct him; he had already found a place to sit and was focused on drawing diagrams.

The characteristics of potatoes and corn are very distinctive. Cui Du drew out ten copies before stopping. Just then, the Commandery Princess and Chief Historian Chen and others had almost finished discussing matters.

Song Yuan accepted a thick stack of diagrams, glancing deeply at Cui Du: "Cui Du, if this is successful, you will be the foremost merit-holder of the Nanyang Prince Mansion!"

Cui Du was somewhat unaccustomed to such praise, scratching his head: "Please don’t say that, uncle. It’s my duty to help ease the Commandery Princess’s worries since I receive her salary."

Jiang Shaohua laughed: "Meritorious deeds will be rewarded. If Commander Song truly finds the new grain seeds and Mr. Cui successfully cultivates them, it could save the civilians of Nanyang County. Whatever reward Mr. Cui desires, I will grant it."

Cui Du’s face reddened slightly, suddenly lowering his eyes, avoiding eye contact with the Commandery Princess.

Song Yuan had a smile flash across his eyes and said no more.

Chen Zhuo and Feng Wenming exchanged glances, each chuckling meaningfully.

...

Jiang Shaohua slept soundly and peacefully that night.

Perhaps, fleeting images and past happenings appeared in the dream, but they vanished like a passing cloud, finally transforming into golden yellow corn and large, round sweet potatoes...

Slept until the sun was high in the sky before waking up.

Jiang Shaohua lazily opened her eyes: "Yin Zhu, Tu Bai, why didn’t you wake me?"

Yin Zhu replied with a smile: "The Commandery Princess has been busy outside for half a year and finally returned to sleep peacefully at the mansion, so I took the liberty of letting the Commandery Princess sleep a bit longer."

Mrs. Zhang came in carrying steaming hot breakfast: "Indeed, the Commandery Princess has worked hard for half a year. Now that you’ve returned to the Prince Mansion, you should rest well. The affairs in the Prince Mansion are in the capable hands of Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng!"

Mrs. Zhang made a valid point.

One shouldn’t always be tense; it’s necessary to relax when the time comes, taking it slow.

Jiang Shaohua ate breakfast and continued to sleep.

After sleeping for a full day and night, she finally felt thoroughly rested.

Song Yuan, however, didn’t idle that day; he took a trip to the Personal Guard Camp, selected a hundred personal soldiers. Then he brought twenty people from the Prince Mansion, ensured provisions and warhorses were ready, and after bidding farewell to the Commandery Princess, the group hurriedly left.

Naturally, such a significant move couldn’t be concealed from the other Prince Mansion Officials.

Others dismissed it, but Yang Zheng’s curiosity inevitably drove him to inquire. Unfortunately, few knew the details. He didn’t dare ask the Commandery Princess, he had no acquaintance with Cui Du, and when asking Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng, they were evasive in their responses.

Jiang Shaohua didn’t idle either; after resting for two days, she rode to the field manor.

Qin Humeng, Meng Sanbao and dozens of personal soldiers rode with the Commandery Princess to the field manor. Young Chen Sheren and Ma Sheren also accompanied them, along with Chief Historian Chen, Chief Historian Feng, and Chief Clerk Wen.

Upon entering the field manor, what met the eye was an endless wheat field.

"The spring wheat has already been harvested; what the Commandery Princess sees now is the winter wheat," Lin Zhuangtou said with a radiant face and powerful voice: "For the spring wheat before, we selected seeds according to Mr. Cui’s method, used compost to farm, and harvested half a stone more grain per acre."

"The seeds for the winter wheat are even better, and next year’s grain yield will be even higher."

The joy brought by a bountiful harvest is incomparable to anything else.

Lin Zhuangtou was a straightforward person, transitioning from skepticism to wholehearted trust over the past half year, now almost entirely praising Mr. Cui.

"Mr. Cui works daily in the fields, guiding us personally on how to farm. Though I’ve farmed for decades, I don’t understand even a tenth of what Mr. Cui knows, which is truly embarrassing."

Jiang Shaohua’s brows and eyes were full of smiles, casting a gentle glance at Cui Du: "So Mr. Cui is quite skilled."

Cui Du felt light as a feather, grinning broadly.

Chen Jinyu’s quick eyes darted across Cui Du’s form.

Ma Yaosong felt a pang of jealousy.

He had been beside the Commandery Princess for three months, diligently running errands daily, fearing any oversight. Yet he had only been praised once or twice.

As for Cui Du, he merely knew farming! The Commandery Princess treats him too favorably.

After spending half a day wandering the fields, just past noon during a meal, the Commandery Princess invited Cui Du to stay for the meal.

Unlike before, even Chen Jinyu felt somewhat piqued.

"I heard this Mr. Cui is Commander Song’s nephew," Ma Yaosong whispered: "By blood, he could be considered the Commandery Princess’s cousin."

Chen Jinyu glared at Ma Yaosong: "The Commandery Princess’s affairs are not for you or me to gossip about."

Ma Yaosong ran into a wall, chuckled awkwardly, and quickly fell silent.