The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1648 - 1642: Taking Precautions Before Trouble Occurs
If this goes unchecked, I’m afraid that in the future, within a hundred miles around Jing County, it might predominantly shift to flower cultivation.
By then, every household will face a grain shortage, which won’t be a minor issue.
Even if grain can be bought, what happens if prices soar because they rely solely on purchasing?
Either the common people won’t be able to afford grain, leading to widespread chaos.
Or the grain production shrinks year by year to the point where the Imperial Court takes notice. Remember, the current court still prioritizes agriculture, and most of the people toil all year just to get by and fill their bellies. If the court discovers that due to Hongxiu Tianxiang, people aren’t growing grain but flowers and grass, it would definitely not bode well.
Even if Hongxiu Tianxiang is backed by the Empress, I’m afraid it won’t work.
It might even be used as leverage against the Empress.
Others involved, such as the Du Family, Wang Yongzhu, and Ninth Master Lee, might also not fare well.
Prevent issues before they arise!
Therefore, the old couple pondered for a long time and decided to reduce the production share of Hongxiu Tianxiang in Jing County and transfer the production base to the Capital City.
Now, with Ninth Master Lee backed by the Empress, and the Empress having given birth to the Ninth Prince, barring any surprises, their position is secured for at least the next ten years.
With the Empress around, even if Hongxiu Tianxiang is near the Capital City, no one would dare to meddle with it.
More importantly, the estates and mountain lands near the Capital City mostly belong to officials and noble families, and on their estates, the proportion of grain production is not significant.
Using it for flower fields wouldn’t affect the livelihood of the common people; it would be more appropriate.
Moreover, producing Hongxiu Tianxiang near the Capital makes transportation to other regions more convenient and swift.
However, this is just the old couple’s idea; it definitely needs Wang Yongzhu and others’ consent.
They originally planned to write to Wang Yongzhu. Now Wang Yongzhu is back, just in time.
After hearing this, Wang Yongzhu didn’t say anything yet.
It was Old Granny Zhang who quickly nodded: "You’ve thought this through well. Aside from those wealthy families, anyone with some farmland wants to produce more grain. To have the family well-fed and warm is a blessing from heaven!"
"Although flower cultivation can earn money, it’s only a minor supplement for daily living; it can’t be the family’s main business. Good weather is fine, but if a disaster year comes, where would you buy grain even if you have silver? What then? As the saying goes, a family with stored grain doesn’t panic! Only those who haven’t experienced disaster are blinded by the small amount of silver at hand. When hard times hit, they’ll understand the severity!"
She turned to Wang Yongzhu: "Dear, you must properly thank your master and mistress! They only have your best interests at heart! Otherwise, if anything were to happen, it would be terrible—"
Old Granny Zhang, having lived so long, mostly experienced years when prospects weren’t too bad or good; everyone worked hard all year to avoid hunger, thanks to heavenly favor.
To encounter a year of favorable weather and raise more grain, everyone would be delighted, giving thanks to the heavens by year’s end.
She also experienced disaster years, whether floods or droughts, those days were dreadful to recall.
Qilidun is near Dahei Mountain, so even in disaster years, relying on risky ventures into the mountain for food was still an option.
But she has seen refugees, in large groups dragging family members, begging all the way from hundreds of miles away.
Each person was so starved they looked skeletal, and they saw food with glowing eyes.
For a few pounds of grain, they could sell a young maiden of about ten years.
For a bite of food, family members could turn against one another.
Qilidun is remote enough that refugees rarely reach them.
But she once saw it in Shitou Town.
The streets and alleys were filled with refugees, lying on the ground, male and female alike, their eyes blank and spiritless.
The refugee children either lay dying in their parents’ arms or approached kind-looking people, begging pitifully for food.
If someone softened and gave food, before walking ten paces they’d be surrounded by a swarm of refugees and wouldn’t escape without a heavy toll.
It’s said that some refugees were kindly sheltered and given grain to tide them over.
This should have been a grand favor, yet some heartless ones not only lacked gratitude but conspired together to murder an entire village one night that had sheltered them.
After word spread, each time refugees came to town, everyone remained highly vigilant.
Later, when Qilidun’s people heard that refugees were coming, the women were forbidden from going to town.
Several nearby villages joined forces, dispatching sturdy young men from each household to set up checkpoints on the mountain paths, watched day and night.
Thus, hearing Old Doctor Du and Lady Qi speak, Old Granny Zhang shuddered recalling those days.
If, in the future, everyone in Jing County stops growing grain to plant flowers, what will they do during a disaster year without grain?
Will everyone have to become refugees, begging everywhere?
Then, if the cause is traced back, wouldn’t it be her daughter’s fault?
Not knowing anything else, but in plays, it’s said that those who harm the people, regardless of rank, would be executed by the imperial envoy wielding the Imperial Sword!
Old Granny Zhang couldn’t sit still anymore.
Wang Yongzhu, seeing Old Granny Zhang so worried, quickly comforted her: "Mom, relax, it won’t be that serious."
"Firstly, with Master and Mistress’s plan to shift the focus to the Capital, decreasing demand here means not buying flowers from outsiders anymore; they will naturally uproot flowers and grow grain again."
"Moreover, Mom forgot why I was titled Lady Dingguo?"
Old Granny Zhang recalled the matter of increased wheat production and sighed with relief.
Old Doctor Du and Lady Qi had also heard mention of it in letters from the Capital and were quite interested.
They grabbed Wang Yongzhu, asking for half a day; after understanding the situation, they felt relieved, too.
"With the method for increased production, it’s even better. Next year, after the Minister of Agriculture tests it personally without error, it’ll start to be promoted. At the latest, by the year after next, it should spread to Jing County. If the Minister of Agriculture is considerate, perhaps it’ll reach Jing County next year!"
"By then, Jing County’s people, our Great Chu’s people will have you to thank!" Old Doctor Du was immensely thrilled.
Wang Yongzhu quickly said: "It’s all due to His Majesty’s grace!"
Old Doctor Du immediately understood and quickly echoed her, brushing it aside.
Regarding Old Doctor Du and Lady Qi’s decision, Wang Yongzhu naturally didn’t object.
But they felt it was inappropriate for them to bring it up to Ninth Master Lee and the Empress, so naturally, she was the best suited to do so.
Immediately, she wrote a letter and had it swiftly sent to Ninth Master Lee without further mention.
Due to these matters, their plan to return to the old courtyard after lunch was delayed to the evening. Though Old Doctor Du intended to stay for dinner, Lady Qi stopped him: "Yongzhu came ashore to visit us first; her family hasn’t even seen her yet. They won’t be able to stay long, and her family is still eagerly waiting!"
Only then did Old Doctor Du desist.
They bade farewell to Old Doctor Du and returned to the small courtyard from before.
Nearing the door, the courtyard appeared much like it did before, except that the roses inside seemed to have crawled out, clinging to the alley walls and filling them.
Blooms, fragrant, swayed in the breeze, filling half the street with their scent.
