CHAPTER 174: CHAPTER 174: GREENHOUSES (PART 1)

Jiang Shaohua’s hearing was exceptionally sharp; even though Ma and Chen Sheren spoke in hushed tones, it didn’t escape her ears.

She pretended not to hear and didn’t turn to look at them, to spare them from embarrassment.

Cui Du was unaware that his moment of glory had sparked jealousy among his colleagues. He sat at the last seat and, when he lifted his head, he could see the Commandery Princess.

When they met a few days ago, he was only excited and joyful, but today he was much calmer and couldn’t help but carefully observe the Commandery Princess.

Over the past half year, Jiang Shaohua had grown a bit taller, her skin remained dazzlingly fair, and there was a slight reduction in her imposing sharpness. It was as if she had been sculpted by wind and rain, becoming more transparent and rounded, and increasingly composed.

Cui Du frequently glanced at the Commandery Princess, something observed by Chief Historians Chen and Feng, though they pretended not to notice.

Speaking is not allowed in bed or during meals, so after lunch, Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "Cui Du, Lin Zhuangtou mentioned that you had many greenhouses built. Take me to have a look."

Cui Du nodded with a smile and stood up to lead the way.

Jiang Shaohua casually asked with a smile, "What do the greenhouses look like? Why build them?"

Cui Du, who was usually willing to speak openly before the Commandery Princess, now opted not to speak due to the crowd, avoiding being ridiculed for his hoarse voice, only making a few gestures instead.

You’ll know once you see it for yourself!

Jiang Shaohua chuckled, ceased her questioning, and leisurely began to walk forward.

Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong, the two young housekeepers, closely followed behind the Commandery Princess. Chief Historians Chen and Feng, whether due to age or deliberate delay, had fallen a bit behind the group.

"What do you think of this Mr. Cui?" Chen Zhuo asked indifferently.

Feng Wenming glanced at his old friend, "Mr. Cui’s background is somewhat humble."

"If Mr. Cui can truly grow the corn and sweet potatoes he talks about, it would fill the bellies of countless people. That would be a true and significant contribution. When that time comes, Mr. Cui would be worthy of marrying anyone. For now, Mr. Cui is still too young, and it’s premature to discuss such things."

Chen Zhuo nodded slightly.

The two exchanged a knowing glance and moved past the topic.

Suddenly, a cry of surprise came from ahead.

Chen Zhuo helplessly rubbed his forehead.

Feng Wenming couldn’t help but laugh, "Chen Sheren is naturally lively; the Commandery Princess surely needs such an honest and open person around her."

"I’ve repeatedly admonished her to be more composed," Chen Zhuo replied with a helpless smile, "This girl agrees earnestly in person and usually manages to put on an appearance. But when something happens, she reverts to her excitable self."

However, something that could make Chen Jinyu shout certainly wasn’t ordinary.

Chen Zhuo and Feng Wenming quickly advanced, and upon seeing the expanse of white greenhouses before them, they couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement.

"So many greenhouses!" Jiang Shaohua was also taken aback, stepping forward to get a closer look.

Cui Du hurriedly stepped forward, disregarding his rough voice at this moment, and began to explain, "For the past half year, I’ve been continuously building greenhouses."

"Greenhouses ideally should be constructed with wood and glass. There’s no shortage of wood, but glass is quite expensive and extensive use would be too costly, so I used coarse cloth and oiled paper as substitutes. Each greenhouse covers about an acre, and now more than a hundred greenhouses have been built."

"The temperature inside the greenhouse is much higher than outside, allowing for the cultivation of wheat and rice seedlings. Seedlings cultivated in this way have much higher yields. Greenhouses can also grow vegetables and fruit trees. Even in the midst of winter, you can eat all kinds of fruits and vegetables."

As he talked about these, Cui Du was elated, completely forgetting how his harsh and hoarse voice might sound unpleasant.

Jiang Shaohua was engrossed, subconsciously asking, "How much does it cost to build such a greenhouse?"

Cui Du coughed softly and lowered his voice, "Including materials and labor, building one greenhouse costs at least twenty taels of silver."

Having spent over two thousand taels of silver with little to show for it yet, Cui Du felt quite uneasy.

Smack!

The Commandery Princess gave him a slap on the shoulder, beaming brightly, "I will allocate twenty thousand taels of silver for you to build another thousand greenhouses."

Cui Du: "..."

Cui Du was overjoyed, his smile almost reaching his ears, "Thank you, Commandery Princess."

The Commandery Princess is indeed generous and magnanimous! Working under her must be a blessing from his past life!

Jiang Shaohua smiled, "You are building greenhouses to cultivate new seedlings and grow vegetables and fruits. Whatever money is needed, just say the word."

"Chief Historian Feng," Jiang Shaohua turned and called Feng Wenming forward, "Upon returning to the Prince Mansion, please allocate twenty thousand taels of silver to the field manor for Mr. Cui’s use."

With so many greenhouses before him, lush with seedlings, Chief Historian Feng could find no reason to refuse and readily nodded in agreement.

On the other side, Chen Sheren had already hurried into the greenhouse, shouting cheerfully, "Commandery Princess! It’s so warm inside the greenhouse."

Chief Historian Chen rubbed his forehead again.

Jiang Shaohua smiled gently and briskly entered the greenhouse.

Once inside, the temperature was indeed much warmer and noticeably more humid, with a peculiar scent hanging in the air.

Cui Du stood proudly, introducing, "Here, we water a specific amount daily and fertilize regularly. After arriving at the field manor, I taught Lin Zhuangtou and the others the method of composting and fertilizing, and now everyone has learned it."

Hold on?

What is composting?

Jiang Shaohua, with a nose as sensitive as her ears, catching the unusual smell, couldn’t help but glance at Cui Du, "What do you use for composting?"

Cui Du replied matter-of-factly, "We use human and animal feces like cow and sheep dung."

Jiang Shaohua remained silent, and although Chen Jinyu wanted to exclaim, a stern look from her grandfather kept her obediently quiet.

However, Ma Yaosong, showing some interest, interjected, "Can horse manure be used too?"

Cui Du replied with a smile, "Horse manure can certainly be used. I’ve particularly requested it from the stables; all manure accumulated daily is collected and transported to the field manor. The fertilizers used in these hundred-plus greenhouses come from this source. Once a thousand greenhouses are built, the current amount of fertilizer won’t suffice."

"At that time, we’ll have the Personal Guard Camp deliver fertilizer." Jiang Shaohua chimed in, "There are thousands of horses in the Personal Guard Camp, piling up horse manure daily. It’s always been a headache figuring out how to handle it."

Truly a win-win situation!

Cui Du was overjoyed and thanked repeatedly.

Ma Yaosong thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Cui, I’d like to learn about this composting method. Biyang County has a horse farm and raises many cows and sheep. If we could implement composting, the fields could become much more fertile, and the villagers could harvest more crops."

Cui Du agreed without hesitation, "I’ll draw it on paper in a while, and you can have someone deliver it to Bi Yang."

Ma Yaosong showed gratitude, cupping his hands in thanks.

Mr. Cui was truly forthright, not concealing such a valuable secret.

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly and continued moving deeper into the greenhouse. Chen Jinyu, holding her nose against the lingering odors, followed on.