CHAPTER 206: CHAPTER 204 SEEKING HELP

After the spring plowing, people from outside the Chen Family Village often appeared on the farmland.

At first, the villagers of Chen Family Village would ask a few questions, but since they couldn’t put down their work, they would send the village children to show the visitors around.

As more people came, they became accustomed to it and didn’t bother anymore, continuing with their own tasks.

After all, the tasks in Chen Family Village were too demanding. Even with farm tools and oxen, people were still too tired to straighten their backs.

Old Mrs. Chen would often think when she was free that oxen aren’t too clever. If they could plow the fields on their own without needing guidance and finish by the time she woke up, how wonderful would that be?

But such a demand was indeed excessive, and Old Mrs. Chen was embarrassed to even nag about it to the Kitchen God.

"Auntie, you should go rest!"

The villagers would urge Old Mrs. Chen more than once.

Old Mrs. Chen shook her head: "No rest, no rest. You all know you want to earn silver coins; this old lady wants them too."

With missing teeth, Old Mrs. Chen’s speech was already airy, and when she spoke quickly, it sounded like whistling.

"Auntie, once you earn some silver coins, go get your teeth fixed!"

"Yes... The last time Auntie was at my house speaking, a few kids were sleeping on the kang. After Auntie left, guess what? My youngest had wet the bed without anyone knowing."

The crowd laughed together, not leaving their work. Today, they needed to finish this mountain area, as most villagers would head to another mountain area the next day.

When National Guardian General Song Qizheng and Grandpa Song from the Song Family reached the mountain fields of Chen Family Village, they heard the villagers’ cheerful laughter.

"General Song is here."

The women of Chen Family Village first noticed Song Qizheng and couldn’t help but call out.

The busy villagers on the mountain field looked down the hillside, all with familiar, friendly smiles on their faces.

"Haven’t seen the General in days."

But when they saw the "General Song" was not Song Xian but Song Qizheng, the expressions of the people from Chen Family Village visibly changed, from friendliness to respect.

Song Qizheng naturally sensed this change, which was the difference between him and Song Xian in the hearts of these villagers.

"National Guardian General."

Old Mrs. Chen and Chen Yongsheng, surrounded by villagers, stepped forward to greet him.

Song Qizheng said, "I’m just passing by for a look, no need to make a big fuss. The spring plowing time is tight, go ahead and do what you need to do."

The villagers didn’t move.

Song Qizheng said, "Just like when Song Xian comes, go on!"

Chen Yongsheng turned and signaled the villagers to leave, and only then did they return to the mountain field.

Song Qizheng asked, "I heard Chen Family Village has a lot of mountain fields. It will take quite some time to finish planting, right?"

Chen Yongsheng replied: "This is just the first mountain field; there are many more to follow. It’s our first year planting, so even with some preparation, we’re still inexperienced. But next year will be much better."

Song Qizheng said nothing. No need to wait until next year; the current situation in Zhenzhou was already enviable to the outside states and counties.

Both in the North, one sees two different scenes traveling from Dingzhou to Zhenzhou.

It’s notable that Dingzhou’s spring plowing this year was already vastly different from before, with much more land being cultivated and nearby villages buying farm tools. But neither the speed of planting nor the condition of mountain field cultivation could compare to Zhenzhou.

All the way, Song Qizheng had many reflections, often recalling the words of doubt about Song Xian he heard back in the capital. If those people came to Zhenzhou, they wouldn’t say Chen Family Village was directed by Song Xian.

The truth becomes obvious upon seeing it, which is why Li You spoke so much in defense of Song Xian.

Song Qizheng couldn’t help but sigh. It’s a pity that during the time Li You was around, he was misled by Song Min and even wanted to hold Song Xian accountable.

Grandpa Song from the Song Family was more concerned about the medicinal plant cultivation, wanting to be aided to inspect the mountains, so Old Mrs. Chen quickly called for Mrs. Gao and a few others to accompany Grandpa Song to the fields.

Song Qizheng asked Chen Yongsheng, "Does Song Xian come often?"

"General Song comes frequently," Chen Yongsheng replied, "The General values spring plowing greatly. If he’s in Zhenzhou, he comes daily and even brings us food. Many farm tools and the yellow oxen you’re seeing are from the government office, which we rotate use with nearby villages."

Song Qizheng heard about the arrangement made by the Zhenzhou government office, not to mention the "loan" of nearby mountain lands to the people. Song Xian thought carefully for the people of Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou.

The image of the legitimate eldest son in Song Qizheng’s heart once again blurred. For Song Xian to treat the people this way showed he wasn’t heartless. But why did he act so differently in front of him?

Was he, as a father, being too harsh on Song Xian?

Song Qizheng pondered while hearing a lively sound in his ear.

"Sister, Sister is back."

Several children from the mountain ran forward to greet a slender figure, and the busy people of Chen Family Village reminded them: "Hurry and bring water to your Sister."

Song Qizheng recalled Miss Xie, who was once brought to the Song Family by Song Min and interrogated by him.

Chen Yongsheng said, "That’s our Miss Chen. It’s our first time planting medicinal herbs, and we know nothing. We rely entirely on Miss Chen’s suggestions."

Previously, Song Min had said Miss Xie didn’t know how to recognize medicinal herbs at all. But not only had Chen Family Village sold medicinal herbs, they also opened a Familiar Medicine Institute and produced finished medicine, and now they even planted medicinal herbs...

As he thought of those past events, Song Qizheng felt a burning pain on his face.

"National Guardian General." Xie Liangchen stepped forward to greet Song Qizheng.

Song Qizheng nodded. Although the girl looked tired, her eyes remained bright. Despite wearing rough cloth garments, she stood out.

"With so much mountain land, it’s not easy to cultivate it all," Song Qizheng said, "It’s indeed hard work."

At this point, Song Qizheng paused: "I heard it was you who taught the villagers how to plant medicinal herbs on the mountain."

Xie Liangchen said, "Chen Family Village dares not claim the credit. It was General Song who sent over many related books and invited farmers from the South to plant medicinal herbs. Everyone discussed and came to this result."

So it was Song Xian; no wonder. A single Chen Family Village naturally wouldn’t have accomplished such a feat.

Before coming to Zhenzhou, he should have sent a letter to Song Xian, explaining their intentions. But because there was a rift between them, and some things were difficult to say, he came in person.

He thought a visit to the fields might give him a rough idea. Hearing what Miss Xie said, he realized he couldn’t avoid seeing Song Xian.

After a moment of silence, Song Qizheng said, "Is there still time to plant medicinal herbs on the mountain land in Dingzhou now?"

Song Qizheng couldn’t be sure if Song Xian would be willing to help upon hearing such words. Rather than asking Song Xian directly, he decided to first ask the young lady before him.

Xie Liangchen hesitated slightly: "In theory, it’s still possible, but it will depend on whether there’s enough seeds available." Besides that, it also depends on whether the National Guardian General can put aside his pride and ask Song Xian for help.

Before Song Qizheng could speak.

Xie Liangchen said, "The government office just received word that General Song has sent another batch of seeds to Zhenzhou. I’m not sure about the quantity..."

In other words, you’ll need to ask Song Xian about it.