Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 257 - 255

Another winter turned to spring, a season of brilliant sunshine and oily spring rain.

The wheat field was a sea of green and the peach trees, apricot trees, and pear trees all burst into blossom.

Because Shen Chengyao was also responsible for promoting agricultural education, Xiao’er purposely bought a villa on the outskirts of the city that came with an orchard, a fish pond, and fertile land for use as experimental fields.

The royalty also had a royal experimental field, which was handed over to Shen Chengyao to be in charge of.

Previously, the activities of the agricultural officials merely consisted of reminding the people to plough and sow when the season called for it and to harvest when it was time to.

This reminder was only issued to local government offices, and notices were posted.

In some remote counties, by the time these notices were posted, the people had already begun weeding their crops for the second time.

The responsibility of the royal experimental field was handed over to some long-term workers who knew how to farm the land, but these people had never thought about innovation or how to increase productivity. They only followed the ways of farming inherited from their ancestors without trying to make any improvements, thus defeating the purpose of an experimental field.

After dealing with some affairs at the Ministry of Revenue, Shen Chengyao checked on the growth of the wheat in the experimental fields before riding to his own experiments fields.

Xiao’er was not able to go to the royal experimental fields, but her theoretical knowledge was stronger than Shen Chengyao’s, so she set up her own experimental field in their villa for exchanging and learning together.

Di Shaowei’s grandfather, The Marquis Zhongyong, loved to plant flowers and cultivate plants. The New Year’s gift that Xiao’er had sent to his house included a potted Bodhi flower, which the Marquis loved dearly.

After inquiring, he found out that they had a flower field and often asked Shen Chengyao to discuss the art of growing flowers.

Shen Chengyao loved farming and the Marquis loved planting flowers, the two got along well.

Now, Shen Chengyao was engaged in the spring planting season, and the Marquis expressed interest so he arrived early with Xiao’er.

Shen Chengyao was a practical man, determined to make a difference for the people, not squandering the emperor’s recognition and promotion of him.

Therefore, he personally participated in the work of the experimental field’s crops and kept good records of it.

Based on Xiao’er’s opinion, he carried out reasonable dense planting, fertilization, and irrigation.

Some time ago, Xiao’er had a large pond dug for composting, and now they were coming to see if the compost was ripe.

She consulted books in her space and found that wheat at this time is most suitable for applying nitrogen fertilizer.

In modern times, urea can be used as nitrogen fertilizer, but here they had to rely on human and animal manure, vegetation ash, rotten grass, and such to create their own.

Xiao’er conceived the idea of using biogas fertilizer for the top dressing of dryland wheat.

The nitrogen recovery rate of biogas fertilizer is up to 95%, so it is very suitable for top dressing.

Furthermore, the production is simple, it only requires the mixing of straw, green grass, and human feces, etc., in a biogas digester. After covering it, allow it to naturally ferment to produce biogas, and the remaining residue is biogas fertilizer.

Shen Chengyao asked someone to remove the wooden boards, and Xiao’er looked at the black fertilizer in the pond and nodded. "It’s ready, take out this fertilizer and stack it for five or six days before applying it to the field."

"Why does it need to be stacked for five or six days before application?" The always curious Marquis asked.

Xiao’er carefully chose her words before answering: "If the fertilizer is too strong, it will scorch the roots causing the wheat seedlings to turn yellow and wilt.

Therefore, when applying fertilizer, you need to dilute it with an equal amount of water, and it is best to use hole or trench application methods, then cover it with soil. Finally, you have to water it."

The Marquis nodded in understanding.

"All manure needs to be decomposed for a period before it can be used as fertilizer." Shen Chengyao added, which is known by many experienced farmers.

"The Emperor has not misjudged you. With a devoted and responsible Minister of Agriculture like you, the agriculture and animal husbandry of our dynasty will surely thrive." The Marquis fondly said while stroking his beard.

"I am just doing my best, and even if I achieve something, I have to rely on the Emperor’s trust and promotion. I certainly don’t have such a big influence on my own."

Upon hearing this, the Marquis nodded. This was a well-informed person who did not take credit for their achievements, carried out their responsibilities diligently and kept their feet on the ground.

Shen Chengyao then took the Marquis to visit the orchard and vegetable field, and explained the benefits of the grafting technique.

"Not only fruit trees can be grafted, but vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes can also be grafted. In fact, flowers can also be grafted. If you graft several varieties of flowers on one rootstock, a single pot of flowers can show multiple colors, making the flowers more valuable," Xiao’er supplemented.

"Really? I must try it myself to see how this grafting is done. Xiao’er, you have to teach me!"

"Sure, it’s actually not difficult, quite simple. When I breed new varieties in my flower field, I will explain to you." Xiao’er readily agreed.

"Deal."

The three of them originally planned to have lunch at the villa before returning to the mansion, but Mrs. Liu sent someone to inform them that Young Master Zhuge had come to visit.

Shen Chengyao and Xiao’er immediately returned home.

By the time the couple got home, the three brothers had already returned from school.

After the necessary courtesies, everyone took their seats.

"I apologize for the rushed visit and not being able to bring anything. You have done us a great favor which we deeply appreciate. In the future, if you ever need my help, just ask. I’ll do everything I can to assist you. Please keep this jade pendant. If there’s any need, take it to Jade Forest Scenery at the east gate. The shopkeeper there will inform me," Zhuge Xin said, handing the jade pendant to Shen Chengyao. His face turned a little red.

Taking a child back empty-handed after others had raised him for so long was rather embarrassing.

Giving silver directly seemed insincere.

But this situation arose suddenly. As soon as they heard the news that Brother Ri had been stabbed, they left everything behind and rushed over.

"Young Master Zhuge, you are too polite. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Brother Ri. We always consider him as a part of our family, so there is no need to talk about gratitude," Shen Chengyao replied, not accepting the pendant.

"Brother Shen, please accept it. This pendant is merely a tool for us to contact each other."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chengyao accepted.

"Is it safe for you to take Brother Ri back?" Mrs. Liu asked worriedly.

"Lady Shen, rest assured. They are like grasshoppers in the autumn. They won’t be hopping around for long."

"Oh." Mrs. Liu didn’t know whether to feel relieved or disappointed after hearing this.

She didn’t want Brother Ri to leave, but there was no excuse left for him to stay.

Seeing this, Brother Ri kneeled in front of Shen Chengyao and Mrs. Liu.

"What are you doing, Brother Ri? Get up quickly." Mrs. Liu hastily stood up and helped Brother Ri.

"Brother Ri, it’s not appropriate." Shen Chengyao also hurriedly intervened.

"Please accept his gesture. It is his duty," interjected Zhuge Xin.

Upon hearing this, both of them sat down.

Brother Ri gave three deep kowtows to Shen Chengyao and Mrs. Liu.

"Thank you, Uncle Shen and auntie, for the kindness of raising me. Brother Ri will definitely come back. I hope that by then Uncle Shen and Auntie will consent to my proposal to marry Yun’er."