Chapter 281: Taking over Caili Farm_l

Translator: 549690339 |

Lu Yuhong’s studies at Anzhou Academy run much deeper than they appear on the surface. He has another mission as well – to help Chu Lan find the Ninth

Prince.

Based on various clues, the Ninth Prince, if alive, should be somewhere in Jiangnan.

“The re-examination of Lord Xu’s case can’t possibly be a coincidence. Someone must be stirring the pot behind the scenes, we’re just not sure who it

is.” Chu Lan asserted.

Given the Emperor’s lingering sentiments for the late Empress Xu, if the Ninth Prince is still alive and Lord Xu’s case is reexamined, the political landscape will undoubtedly undergo a seismic shift.

“Well, I don’t quite understand all of this. All I can do is help you find him and leave the rest up to you.” Lu Yuhong waved dismissively, entirely unwilling to think about such complex matters.

“Mm,” Chu Lan nodded, aware that Lu Yuhong was not really into such things.

It was because he didn’t care that Chu Lan was willing to share with him.

In his position, it was difficult to have a confidante who could be trusted…

Thinking of this, an image suddenly emerged in Chu Lan’s mind.

One afternoon they sat idly in the courtyard of the farm, basking under the sun, drinking a specially brewed tea available only there.

Thinking of this, Chu Lan turned to the attendant at the tea pavilion, “Do you have winter melon tea here?”

The attendant shook his head in confusion, having never heard of winter melon tea.

Chu Lan was somewhat disappointed, “You may go.”

Lu Yuhong’s interest was piqued, “Winter melon tea? What is that? Is it good?”

Lu Yuhong’s interest in food far outweighed his interest in political feuds.

“Yes, it’s good. But it can’t be found just anywhere.” said Chu Lan.

“So, where can we get it? Let’s go drink some!” Lu Yuhong was filled with curiosity about the unfamiliar drink.

“Let’s wait for the right opportunity. That place isn’t easy to get to.” Chu Lan said.

“Is there a place in Taizhou prefecture you, as the Seventh Prince, can’t go?” Lu Yuhong asked skeptically.

“Mm. There is.” After finishing, Chu Lan glanced out of the window at East

Lake, deep in thought.

It wasn’t difficult to get to that place, but being welcomed and invited in was another story.

###

While the government office was a beehive of activity, Wei Ruo was also industriously occupied.

The manor of Fei Tuipan, which had captivated Wei Ruo’s interest, was purchased through Xu Zhushan.

Fei Tuipan, a man of refinement, had named his manor Caili Farm.

Wei Ruo found the name agreeable and decided to retain it, also giving her original manor a corresponding name: Younan Farmstead.

The manor belated from Madam Yuan used to have a name, Yuan Family Farm, but the plaque was conveniently removed when it was transferred to Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo, being lazy, didn’t bother to find a new name after becoming its

owner.

Due to the purchase of the second manor, her first manor finally secured a proper name.

Thus, Wei Ruo now owns three farms in Taizhou prefecture: Xiaoyang Mountain Farm in Xingshan County, the 2,000 mu Younan Farmstead (originally gifted by Madam Yuan and later expanded by another 1,000 mu), and the newly acquired 1,000 mu Caili Farm.

The Xiaoyang Mountain Farm grows primarily sweet potatoes. Last year’s harvest was particularly bountiful, and if this year’s yield is normal, filling several storages with sweet potatoes wouldn’t pose a problem, with plenty of byproducts produced as well.

The original 1,000 mu of fertile land in Younan Farmstead was revamped and fertilized after this year’s wheat harvest. The additional 1,000 mu of land, initially infertile, underwent similar treatment for improvement. Now, 80% of that land is growing rice, while the remaining 20% awaits Wei Ruo’s taro seeds.

Wei Ruo now has a general understanding of Caili Farm, the soil is not very fertile, a good number of seedlings have been killed off by the frost this year, Wei Ruo needs to make some adjustments and arrangements.

In addition, Wei Ruo rents a sandy tract of land next to Stone Village in Baima Village for sweet potato farming.

Wei Ruo’s farmland now far exceeds the size of the Colonel’s estate by God knows how much. If her mother, Mrs. Yun, knows of her daughter’s vast land holdings, she would be shocked.

Wei Qingwan always assumed Wei Ruo was vying for favor within the Wei family. It would be interesting to see her reaction when she realizes that Wei Ruo doesn’t need the Wei family’s favor at all.

After taking over Caili Farm, Wei Ruo first met with the farm manager.

Wei Ruo arrived in the persona of Xu Heyou, and since the owner of the farm is Xu Zhushan, everyone naturally assumed that she was their young master s wife.

Wei Ruo reviewed the farm’s accounts. They indeed had a plethora of problems, but all were things she had previously understood, so there weren’t any surprises.

The farm was made up of tenant farmers who, according to previous regulations, were required to pay a hundred jin rent per mu every year. During previous productive years, each mu could yield three to four hundred jin of rice a year. Even after paying rent, the remaining produce was enough to feed a farming family for the year.

However, since the year before the last, yields have sharply declined. Last year, the yield per mu fell to fewer than two hundred jin. Even though Fei Tuipan’s family reduced some rent, it didn’t completely solve the problem.

This year, an unexpected cold spell killed off most of the budding seedlings, plunging the farm into despair.

After examining the account books and the situation, Wei Ruo promptly issued an order, “I’ve understood the situation, instruct the tenants to uproot all the seedlings on the farm.”

Upon hearing this order, the manager at Caili Farm went into a daze, wondering if there was something wrong with his hearing.

The manager at Caili Farm, Zhao, was much younger than Manager Yu, probably in his thirties, burly and bearded, and obviously very robust. “Young Mistress, this won’t do! Absolutely not! The remaining seedlings are the only hope for the farming households this year! If they are all removed, people won’t have anything to live on! They will starve to death!” Manager Zhao hastily dissuaded her.

-just follow my instructions. If my advice doesn’t ensure there’s enough food for everyone this year, I’ll personally fund it, providing two hundred jin rice and two hundred jin flour to each household.” Wei Ruo promised without hesitation.

This left Manager Zhao dumbfounded, his eyes, though not very large, widened in astonishment.

Their previous landlord was already a very benevolent person, exempting rent in years of dearth, but no one had ever heard of a landlord providing food for the tenant farmers, it was unheard of!

“Or do you think these remaining seedlings can yield enough food for the tenants to last till next year?” Wei Ruo asked.

Manager Zhao shook his head repeatedly.

“If not, then follow my instructions. My Younan Farmstead isn’t far from here. I don’t know if you’ve heard about the abundance of my wheat harvest there, but if not, you should take a trip there yourself and see how many bushels of wheat are stored in the granary.” Wei Ruo continued..