CHAPTER 335: CHAPTER 335: RETURN (PART 2)

When it comes to the starving people, another important matter must be addressed.

"Chief Historian Feng, how much grain does Nanyang still have in storage?" Jiang Shaohua didn’t ask about gold and silver. At the moment, the grain that could fill one’s stomach and save lives was far more important than gold and silver.

Chief Historian Feng silently calculated for a moment, then murmured a number.

Jiang Shaohua frowned slightly and sighed softly, "For the past three years, we have been quietly buying and storing grain. Last year, the new grain had a bountiful harvest. But in the past six months, the grain consumption has been too much."

Chief Historian Feng reassured the Commandery Princess, "There’s no need for concern. In one or two months, the fields will yield grain. This year, the entire Nanyang County has been planted with corn and sweet potatoes. Last year, Mr. Cui was busy selecting and cultivating excellent seed varieties, and after last year’s exploration, the people now know how to farm."

"This year’s grain yield should be much higher than last year’s. At that time, I’m afraid every household’s granaries won’t be enough to store all the grain."

Listen to this bold tone.

Jiang Shaohua was amused, "Chief Historian Feng is right. Having Cui Du is a blessing for our Nanyang County, and even more so for me, Jiang Shaohua."

Having extra grain at home is her biggest confidence.

Chief Historian Chen’s eyes flashed, and he smiled with deep meaning, "Cui Du was saved by the Commandery Princess. This blessing naturally belongs to the Commandery Princess."

"The Commandery Princess should think of a way to keep him in Nanyang forever."

Chief Historian Feng coughed, implying heavily, "Chief Historian Chen has a point. Mr. Cui is the same age as the Commandery Princess, only thirteen years old this year. In three to five years, he will come of age."

Jiang Shaohua wasn’t the usual sheltered girl; upon hearing such heavily implied words, she wasn’t the least bit shy. She even smiled, "This matter, I know well. The two Chief Historians need not worry."

Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng exchanged glances and smiled, saying no more.

...

In the field manor.

In a cornfield, a handsome young boy in a gray hemp suit patiently explained to a group of farmers.

These farmers were still selected from various counties. This kind of training session lasted about two months. Since last year to now, six sessions have been conducted.

The farmers who received training returned to their respective villages and taught the new farming methods they learned to other people.

The entire promotion of new grain in Nanyang County was so smooth, these training sessions deserved at least half the credit.

Lu Sheren was always by his side. Originally fair and handsome with a graceful demeanor, Lu Sheren had been busy in the field manor for more than a year. His skin had tanned significantly, and his temperament had transformed greatly. If he changed into a short shirt and worked in the fields, he might even look like a farmer.

However, Lu Sheren was in quite a good mood.

During Cui Du’s break to drink water, Lu Sheren quietly approached and said with a low laugh, "The Commandery Princess should have returned to the Prince Mansion today. Mr. Cui, are you not eager to return to the Prince Mansion to pay respects to the Commandery Princess?"

Separated for more than half a year, busy during the day and falling asleep exhausted at night, there seemed to be no free time. But the longing for her had never ceased.

He wished he could grow wings and fly to her side immediately.

"The training here will end in three days. One must see things through to the end." Cui Du said in a low voice, "They are all the main labor force in their families, sent here to the field manor for training, but always thinking about their fields at home. I must teach them quickly so that they can go back sooner."

Lu Sheren thought to himself, it’s no wonder the Commandery Princess holds Mr. Cui in such high regard. Just for this meticulous and diligent work ethic, he was already worthy of admiration and respect.

"The Commandery Princess has returned, it wouldn’t matter if she sees you a few days later." Lu Sheren, looking at the handsome and vigorous Cui Du, smiled with a double meaning, "As long as the Commandery Princess has Mr. Cui in her eyes and heart, that’s enough."

Cui Du grinned, and the image of the Commandery Princess flashed in his mind, warming his heart.

That night, Cui Du tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. It wasn’t until midnight that he fell asleep, only to awake from a sweet dream before dawn.

Like a thief, he quietly changed his clothes, then blushing, washed them clean and hung them on the bamboo pole in the yard.

The two young attendants who served his daily needs in the yard were quite startled when they rose early and saw the clothes hanging in the yard.

"Young master usually has us wash his clothes. Why did he secretly wash them himself this time?"

"Shh, keep it down. Mr. Cui is thirteen years old, growing taller every day and his body is developing...he’s simply embarrassed, so let’s just pretend we don’t know."

"Alright, as you say. We won’t mention this."

The two young attendants exchanged winks and jokes, but when in front of Cui Du, they didn’t say a word about it.

Cui Du secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and as he recalled last night’s romantic dream, his heart quietly warmed again.

Still two days to go before he could head to the Prince Mansion to see her, he truly wished time would pass more quickly.

Cui Du was a bit distracted, zoning out twice during today’s lecture, pausing inexplicably in the middle of speaking. Fortunately, he had taught these lessons many times and knew them by heart, so he didn’t teach anything wrong.

The weather was hot, the sun shining fiercely, and sweat appeared on everyone’s foreheads.

The farmers, used to the hardship of fieldwork, wiped their sweat, took a sip of water, and continued listening intently. When Cui Du finished speaking, the farmers scattered into the fields to weed and hoe.

Lin Zhuangtou came over with a smile, "Once the next two days are busy, another batch of people will come in ten days to half a month. Just in time for the harvest, and there’s no shortage of hands."

The farmers had learned to grow the new grain, and there were people to work in the field manor, a win-win situation.

Cui Du smiled with a hum and casually wiped his sweat with his sleeve.

Just then, the ground beneath him began to tremble subtly.

Cui Du’s heart raced, and he instinctively got up and turned his head to look.

He hadn’t mistaken it; it was indeed the sound of hoofbeats.

At least a hundred fine horses galloping together could cause such a commotion, which meant that at least a hundred people were heading for the field manor.

In Nanyang County, the only person who could travel with a hundred fine horses was one.

Cui Du’s eyes shone with a brilliant light, and the smile on his handsome face was blinding.

Lu Sheren and Lin Zhuangtou exchanged a smile.

The farmers in the field, not understanding the reason, got up and looked around. Then they heard Lu Sheren shout loudly, "The Commandery Princess is here, everyone come quickly."

The farmers’ spirits were lifted, and they rushed out of the field, kneeling in a disorganized manner.

Lu Sheren, knowing the Commandery Princess’s temperament, immediately smiled, "Everyone doesn’t need to kneel; you can just stand to welcome the Commandery Princess. Also, if the Commandery Princess asks questions later, just answer truthfully."

In the short time of these few words, the hoofbeats grew closer and closer.

About a few hundred meters from the farmland, the group dismounted. The Nanyang County Princess, Jiang Shaohua, advanced with a smile amidst her trusted aides and two housekeepers.

Cui Du stared unblinking at the smiling girl approaching. It wasn’t until Lu Sheren pinched his arm hard that he finally came to his senses and bowed in salute, "Your servant greets the Commandery Princess!"