Chapter 280: Promoting Late Rice and Sweet

Potato_l

Translator: 549690339

Wei Ruo replied, “Firstly, about late autumn rice. When vile sprout disease appeared in some rice fields near Government City, I asked them to plant late autumn rice. I have previously tested this variety in Xingshan county-it was planted at the start of May. By early June it grows into seedlings, and it can also be harvested in the autumn with a decent yield.”

“If there is still time to plant this autumn rice, that would be wonderful. I’ll discuss this with my husband, and we should promote this autumn nee to the public,” replied Madam Yuan hurriedly.

“However, there’s a prerequisite-we cannot have another cold wave like we had the past few days, or even with the late autumn rice, it would still be an issue to grow seedlings in such fluctuating conditions,” cautioned Wei Ruo.

The rice variety she had developed was indeed outstanding, yet it still was not capable of sprouting under intense cold wave conditions.

“Now all we can do is pray for blessings from the gods,” sighed Madam Yuan, then she asked Wei Ruo, “You mentioned two options, what’s the other one?

“The other option is summer sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes can be planted across multiple seasons—in spring, summer, and autumn—they can all survive. Generally, summer sweet potatoes are planted after wheat is harvested in May or June. Autumn planting works in warmer areas. If the weather is stable, they can also be planted around Taizhou prefecture. But given the current climatic conditions, it’s safer to plant in spring and summer, which is exactly what we should be doing now,” Wei Ruo explained.

The late autumn rice and sweet potatoes had already been promoted by Wei Ruo step by step after her arrival in Taizhou prefecture, but it was still within a small scope.

It was a good opportunity to allow Lord Yuan and Madam Yuan to promote planting on a large scale under the name of the government office.

Wei Ruo couldn’t guarantee that planting late autumn rice and sweet potatoes would lead to a bumper harvest, but their superior varieties and robust performance should result in higher yields compared to currently grown crops, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

“I have tasted sweet potatoes before; they are sweet and can easily make you feel full. However, there aren’t many grown in Taizhou prefecture at present. If the ones planted now can survive, it would be an exceptional blessing, said

Madam Yuan.

Wei Ruo added: “The method should vary according to circumstances. For fields that were originally paddy, with fertile soil, we should plant late autumn rice. For fields that have poor soil where rice yields have been low, they should switch to sweet potatoes. As the two plants have different nutritional requirements, rotating these crops promotes growth.”

This method should counterbalance, to some extent, the problem of poor soil fertility and low rice yields.

Madam Yuan listened to Wei Ruo’s explanation and her mood improved, “Both my husband and I have been very depressed these few days. Until hearing Ruoruo’s words just now, it felt as though a heavy fog had lifted from my heart, and my mood lightened significantly.”

“I can assure you, if it is as Ruoruo has said, I will not let you down,” Madam Yuan reassured Wei Ruo.

“Madam, there’s no need to stand on ceremony. I am simply offering a suggestion, the real work still needs to be done by Lord Yuan and the people from the Government Office,” replied Wei Ruo.

“They eat the King’s salary and should therefore bear his concerns—it is their duty. Although Ruoruo only made suggestions, if they prove useful, they could significantly increase the grain yield in Taizhou prefecture—even more valuable than thousands of taels of gold,” said Madam Yuan.

Madam Yuan didn’t view Wei Ruo’s few words lightly. If successful, their value would be unimaginable.

“If Madam trusts me, then discuss it with Lord Yuan and carry it out. I also hope that everyone can have enough to eat,” Wei Ruo stated bluntly.

“Alright, everything that Ruoruo has told me today, I will report it to my husband without missing a single word and discuss with him how to promote the planting of late autumn rice and sweet potatoes,” said Madam Yuan, highly valuing Wei Ruo’s advice.

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Wei Ruo was invited by Madam Yuan to stay for dinner after their discussion. By the time she left, it was already very late and the crescent moon was high in the sky.

Madam Yuan specially assigned guards to escort Wei Ruo’s carriage back to the Military Prefecture. They waited until Wei Ruo safely entered the mansion before they returned to report to Madam Yuan.

Wei Ruo didn’t rest immediately after returning to the Military Prefecture. She busied herself at her desk, writing up methods for composting, fertilization after rice planting, methods for weeding and management, as well as methods for planting and managing sweet potatoes.

These techniques would come in handy later, so she wrote them down in advance and planned to provide them to Madam Yuan at the right time.

Once she had completed writing, it was already midnight. Wei Ruo fell asleep immediately upon hitting her pillow.

The next day, Madam Yun called Wei Ruo over and asked about the business with Prince Seven and Madam Yuan. Wei Ruo only gave a rough description and didn’t go into the specifics with Madam Yun.

Madam Yun didn’t press for more details. Although it was good for her daughter to assist Prince Seven and Madam Yuan, she feared that her daughter’s abilities might not suffice. If they were displeased in the end, it could bring disaster on the Wei Family.

So, it was a good thing that her daughter frankly expressed her limitations, to avoid any potential issues.

On the second day, the Government Office sprang into action to execute Wei Ruo’s suggestions: on one hand, they procured agricultural waste for composting, and designated outskirts for composting centers; on the other hand, they centrally purchased late autumn rice and sweet potato vine cuttings, and then distributed them to households for planting.

At the same time, Lord Yuan invited prestigious local families to the office for social visits. The specifics of what was discussed were not available to the public.

Furthermore, he personally visited various counties and negotiated with the county magistrates, assigning tasks.

The actions from the Government Office caused quite a stir in the city. Commoners, who received the rice seeds and sweet potato cuttings, responded warmly and enthusiastically.

The elites debated these actions—while some praised the move by the Government Office, others were suspicious and adopted a wait-and-see approach.

Chu Lan received news soon after and sent his men to inquire about the reasons for Lord Yuan’s invitation of local dignitaries.

In the tea room of Yusheng Tea House, one of his subordinates reported recent findings to Chu Lan:

“Lord Yuan invited these prestigious individuals to lead the planting of late autumn rice, and also mentioned how to add fertilizer afterward.”

“I know. You may leave,” Chu Lan waved away his subordinate.

Lu Yuhong chuckled and said, “It seems there’s no need for Brother Chu to worry, Lord Yuan already has a countermeasure.”

“That’s for the best.” Chu Lan didn’t seem perturbed.

If he could accomplish this, it would be a bonus for him. If not, there’s no reason for anger or disappointment.

“As long as you’re not upset.”

“It seems that the late autumn rice was first grown by Wei Qingruo in the improved fields in Xingshan County. Sweet potatoes also first appeared in Xingshan County in Taizhou prefecture,” Chu Lan commented, lost in thought.

“Is there any connection?” Lu Yuhong asked.

“It’S nothing, just an observation,” Chu Lan ended the conversation abruptly and turned to Lu Yuhong. “You’ve been at Anzhou Academy for a while, have you found anything?”

“I didn’t find anything. I think you’re overthinking it. The Ninth Prince simply does not exist, the case against the Xu Court is probably just a coincidence, said Lu Yuhong..