CHAPTER 202: CHAPTER 202: GRAIN SEEDS

It’s already the third hour of the night, and everyone is full of energy, ready to check the grain seeds. Jiang Shaohua decided to lead everyone to the warehouse together.

Five carts were neatly parked on the open ground outside the warehouse.

"These grain seeds are to be sent to the field manor tomorrow. Therefore, I specifically instructed not to unload the carts into the warehouse." Song Yuan, who had been out for several months, had changed his previously silent and reserved demeanor: "Various grain seeds in the carts have all been registered in the ledger and handed over to Chief Clerk Wen. When the Commandery Princess has some free time, you can take a closer look."

Jiang Shaohua noticed this subtle change and smiled with understanding: "Commander Song has arranged everything perfectly." Then, curiously, she inquired, "Wasn’t it mentioned in the letter that three carts were loaded with corn and sweet potatoes? What about the extra two carts?"

Song Yuan replied with a smile: "At the docks of Nanhai County, I bought many new overseas grain seeds delivered piecemeal by sea ships. Who knows, they might yield something good, so I brought them all back."

Jiang Shaohua sincerely praised: "Commander Song’s actions are indeed prudent."

Meanwhile, Cui Du, taking advantage of his youth and small frame, had already squeezed into a cart. Chief Historian Chen and others gathered around, craning their necks to look.

Jiang Shaohua felt an inexplicable surge of nervous excitement in her heart.

This matter concerns the farming and agriculture of Nanyang County. It concerns whether the people can fill their stomachs in the coming years. Though Cui Du spoke with confidence, who truly knows if he can cultivate new grain? Were the corn and sweet potatoes bought from Dai Hai Merchant by Song Yuan genuine?

"Commandery Princess!"

Cui Du excitedly popped his head out, holding a handful of golden grains in his left hand and something the size of a child’s fist in his right hand: "Look, this is corn, and this is a sweet potato!"

"Can these be used as grain seeds?" Jiang Shaohua asked eagerly.

Cui Du grinned widely and nodded vigorously.

Jiang Shaohua unconsciously let out a breath, half of the heavy burden in her heart lifted.

At least, the grain seeds brought back by Song Yuan were genuine.

Song Yuan also let out a sigh of relief and softly chuckled to Jiang Shaohua: "To be honest, Commandery Princess, I’ve been anxious and uneasy these past months, unable to eat well or sleep soundly. Even on the return journey, I was in unease, fearing that I might mess up the task and purchase the wrong seeds."

"Now that Cui Du nodded, my heart is finally at ease."

Jiang Shaohua relaxed her brows, laughing softly: "Let’s wait a few more months, until Cui Du grows the new grain and calculates the yield per acre, then I can truly be at peace."

Cui Du, full of confidence, chimed in: "I’ll head to the field manor tomorrow to select seeds, nurture seedlings, and plant them."

"I’ll go too," Jiang Shaohua replied without hesitation, "I want to see for myself how to cultivate and plant these new grain seeds."

Cui Du’s eyes lit up with joy: "Isn’t the Commandery Princess supposed to inspect the Fourteen Counties? Will this delay your schedule?"

The other officials remained unmoved. Only the young and zealous Chen Sheren couldn’t help but glance at Cui Du.

"It won’t delay anything." Jiang Shaohua was particularly patient with those who had real skills, smiling: "I’ll stay at the field manor for ten days to half a month. Once the new grains are planted, I’ll inspect the Fourteen Counties. When I return from the tour, I should just be in time to collect the harvest."

Cui Du calculated in his heart: "Corn takes about four months from sowing to harvest, with sweet potatoes delaying by about another month. Since it’s still cold now, it’s not sowing season yet. We’ll first plow the fields and fertilize, selecting seeds and nurturing seedlings on the side, and probably be able to sow in about a month. The Commandery Princess’s inspection speed of the Fourteen Counties needs to be faster than last year, otherwise it won’t be in time."

Jiang Shaohua laughed: "Before the harvest, have someone send a message for me, and I’ll be sure to return in time."

Cui Du agreed with a smile.

The gazes of Chen Zhuo and others drifted from the Commandery Princess’s face to Cui Du’s face. This scene just now inexplicably gave a sense of familiarity with a subtly chaotic feeling.

It was like a wife urging her husband to return early before he sets out on a journey...

"Everyone, go back and rest early!" Jiang Shaohua laughed: "In the morning, we’ll go to the field manor."

After a pause, she added: "Commander Song, you don’t need to go. You’ve been on the road for a few months, both exhausting and tough. Rest well at the mansion. After a few days, accompany me on the inspections of the counties."

Song Yuan did not argue, openly accepting the order.

...

That night, Cui Du slept very soundly. The following morning, he got up early to meet the Commandery Princess, only to see slight dark circles under her eyes.

Cui Du couldn’t help but laugh: "Did the Commandery Princess not sleep well last night?"

Jiang Shaohua laughed with a soft hum: "I kept dreaming, in every dream, there were heaps of corn and sweet potatoes. People’s homes were all filled."

Nearby, Chen Sheren and Ma Sheren laughed aloud.

"To be honest, Commandery Princess, I had almost the same dream last night," Chen Jinyu eagerly interjected: "This indicates a good omen. The Commandery Princess will surely have her wishes fulfilled."

Ma Yaosong, never missing an opportunity to flatter, quickly chimed in: "Once we cultivate high-yielding new grains, people won’t have to go hungry anymore. The people of Nanyang County won’t need to burn incense and worship Buddhas; they can directly worship the Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua chuckled lightly.

At this moment, Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng came together. For such an important event as planting new grains, they naturally couldn’t be absent.

Chief Clerk Wen also arrived, insisting that he needs to record data meticulously for future comparisons.

The workshop was busy crafting new-style plows and also making armor and weapons. Minister of Industry Shen already settled in the workshop and had no time to visit the field manor.

The seasoned Yang Zheng, now much more diligent in his duties, had nearly cleared the backlog of cases over the past year. Today, he thickened his skin and came, reasoning: "Such an important new grain needs careful guarding until it’s grown. It mustn’t be stolen by thieves. I will go to the field manor to give Lin Zhuangtou a few pointers."

Jiang Shaohua laughed it off.

Unexpectedly, the visiting Lu Cong was also eager to join, dragging his cousin Lu Xuan along to plead to accompany him.

Lu Cong, unaware of Lu Xuan’s position at the Prince Mansion, thought bringing him along would prevent the Commandery Princess from refusing. Little did he know, Jiang Shaohua’s good mood would get slightly dampened upon seeing Lu Xuan.

She vividly remembered how in the previous life, Nanyang County suffered three years of drought and locust plague, causing many deaths. Lu Xuan, who took charge of Nanyang County for her, did nothing, watching helplessly as people starved and died of illness.

The incompetence yet occupying high positions was infuriating.

Jiang Shaohua’s smile faded: "Today, I have pressing matters at the field manor and don’t have time to entertain Uncle. Uncle should stay at the Prince Mansion!"

She then addressed Lu Xuan: "Father hasn’t seen Uncle for years; spend time catching up on old times with him. Then, take Uncle for a tour around."

Lu Xuan, accustomed to Jiang Shaohua’s unpredictable mood swings, nodded in agreement: "Don’t worry, Commandery Princess. I’ll certainly fulfill my duties as the host."

With a light nod, Jiang Shaohua rose to lead a group of officials away. Lu Xuan hastily clasped his hands to respectfully send off the Commandery Princess.

Lu Cong: "..."