By the time Han Jianming arrived in Suiyuan, Ye Shi had already regained consciousness. However, she was still too weak to get out of bed. ...
By the time Han Jianming arrived in Suiyuan, Ye Shi had already regained consciousness. However, she was still too weak to get out of bed.
After examining Ye Shi, Physician He diagnosed, "This lady's body is very weak and must be carefully nourished and recuperated, otherwise, her lifespan would be shortened…" He did not dare to say outright that this could lead to an early death.
Upon hearing this, Qiu Shi hurriedly intervened: "We will definitely take good care of her from now on." Now that they had reached the northwest, there would be no more running around, and Ye Shi could finally recuperate in peace.
Ye Shi looked at Han Jianming and smiled. "My Lord, why have you come?" Seeing that Han Jianming had brought a physician with him filled her heart with comfort.
Han Jianming held Ye Shi's hand and said, "You've suffered because of me." Her poor health was also the result of being tied to this household.
Seeing this scene, Qiu Shi stood up and left, giving the couple some privacy. After leaving the room, she told Lu Xiu, "Xiu, you should pack up and go to Haocheng with Ming-er." She knew very well that her son would not be able to stay long and would probably return to Haocheng the next day. She planned to stay and look after Ye Shi, and they would depart to Haocheng together once her health had improved.
Lu Xiu was greatly startled and exclaimed, "Mom, what are you saying? How could I leave you and my Dasao1 behind and take the children away by myself?"
No matter what Qiu Shi said, Lu Xiu refused to leave. Qiu Shi herself was not in good health, and her Dasao1 was seriously ill. Under such circumstances, what would Yuxi think if she took the children and went to Haocheng?
Just as Qiu Shi had anticipated, Han Jianming stayed in Suiyuan for only one day before returning to Haocheng. He had only just begun to make progress in his new role at the Surveillance Commission; if he abandoned it now, all his previous efforts would be wasted.
Yuxi was also someone who could not sit idle. When she got up in the morning and saw that no one had come to report anything and that the weather was good, she unexpectedly suggested visiting the farm in the countryside. Even when Xu Wu objected, it was useless.
She took Zaozao with her and went to the experimental potato farm. As there were not many high-quality seeds, only two fen2 of land were used for trial planting each season.
Looking at the lush green expanse, Yuxi felt greatly relieved. Farming really did require skill — unlike her earlier attempts, where everything she planted had died.
Yuxi entrusted all matters of the farm to Han Ji. She did not consider this a secret; she just felt it was inappropriate to involve others before confirming whether potatoes could grow on the land.
When An Bo and the others working there learned of Yuxi's identity, they all knelt on the ground and kowtowed to her.
Yuxi waved her hand, signalling for everyone to stand up.
Han Ji reported, "Madam, more than half of what we planted has survived. An Bo says it can be harvested at the start of the eleventh month. By then, we'll know how much yield one fen2 of land can produce." An Bo was one of the four people hired for their expertise in growing potatoes.
Yuxi, however, was not so optimistic. "It won't be too late to talk after the harvest comes in." Although the crops were growing well now, there were still many uncertainties. Like wheat and millet, potatoes were susceptible to disease and natural disasters, both of which could greatly affect the yield.
After learning of Yuxi's concerns, Han Ji said, "Madam, Uncle An says that potatoes cannot be planted in the same plot of land repeatedly; they must be rotated with other crops."
Yuxi was very interested and asked, "Oh? What happens if they're planted continuously on the same plot?" She already knew that peanuts could not be grown repeatedly on the same land—otherwise, the second harvest would yield much less, and the yield would keep declining if this practice continued.
Han Ji repeated what he had heard from Uncle An: "The crops will get sick, and by then you won't even be able to recover the seeds you planted. Madam, these experiences they've accumulated over time can't be wrong."
Yuxi nodded. "Write all of this down. If we promote it later, we must inform everyone of these precautions."
After saying this, Yuxi muttered, "I've read so many books, yet not a single one explains how to farm." This could be considered a kind of omission.
Han Ji's brow twitched slightly, but he dared not respond—this was not something he could comment on. Sometimes, when he thought back on it, it all felt rather miraculous. Back then, when the Duke had chosen him to accompany Madam to the northwest, the other people in the residence had either pitied him or mocked him. Yet now, he was becoming increasingly respected, while those who had once pitied or laughed at him were nowhere to be found.
When Yuxi saw Uncle An, she noticed that he was cutting a potato into several pieces. She asked, "What is he doing?" With such limited seed potatoes, Yuxi did not believe they were cutting them for fun—there had to be a reason.
After the potatoes had been planted, Yuxi paid close attention to them. However, she was most concerned about their survival rate, their growth, and whether they had developed any diseases.
This question was something Han Ji knew the answer to without asking. He picked up a potato and pointed to the buds on it. "Madam, look—these are called 'eyes'. No matter how many eyes there are, we can cut the potato into that many pieces. Once planted in soil, they can all survive."
Yuxi asked the question that mattered most to her. "Will these bear fruit?"
Han Ji replied with a smile, "I've already asked—yes, they can. They'll grow into lush, thriving plants and produce an abundant harvest of potatoes."
While they were talking, they heard a sudden cry. Yuxi glanced over and saw Zaozao chasing after a little lamb. Unfortunately, she was too small and failed to catch it. Instead, she fell flat on her face.
Yuxi's gaze rested on the little lamb as she asked Han Ji, "Are there any nearby households that raise sheep?" The sheep kept on her farm were all meant to supply the Governor-General's residence, and there were only a few dozen of them.
Han Ji shook his head. "A single sheep isn't cheap—only wealthy households can afford one." The prices for cattle and sheep were both quite high.
Yuxi said nothing, but she took the matter to heart. Developing agriculture alone was not enough—animal husbandry also needed to grow. However, they could not achieve this with just a few words.
After lunch, Yuxi took Zaozao back. In the carriage, Yuxi held her and asked, "Did you have fun today?"
Zaozao replied happily, "So fun, let's come again!" The estate had not only little lambs, but also chickens, ducks, geese, and dogs. Zaozao had thoroughly enjoyed herself today.
Yuxi smiled and gave Zaozao a gentle pat on her little bottom. "You may have had fun, but the estate was filled with chickens flying and dogs jumping3 today."
Zaozao tugged at Yuxi's sleeve, tilted her head, and opened her big eyes wide. "Chicken flying, dog jumping3?" She looked as if she were asking what 'chicken flying and dog jumping3' even meant.
Yuxi smiled and patted Zaozao on the head. Before she could speak, however, she noticed that the carriage had stopped. She lifted the curtain and asked, "What's going on?"
Xu Wu quickly came over to explain. "A carriage broke down in the middle of the road and is being cleared away." The road was narrow, so no one could pass without clearing it first.
Yuxi didn't ask any further questions. After a while, the road was cleared.
Back in the rear courtyard, Momo Quan noticed that Zaozao's clothes were different from when she had left the house. Momo Quan said, "They say the Grand General spoils Zaozao—I'd say you're no less indulgent."
Yuxi smiled. Zaozao's future path was destined to be different, so it was only natural that Yuxi indulged her a little more. While she was still young, she could play as she pleased—once martial training began, there would be no time left for play.
Momo Quan understood what Yuxi was doing and did not pursue the topic. "Oh, by the way, Madam Feng and Madam Du sent invitation cards today."
Yuxi smiled and asked, "They're probably here about Xu Wu's marriage, aren't they?" Xu Wu's marriage had become a long-standing problem.
Momo Quan felt Yuxi was worrying too much. "You're so busy you barely have time to drink water, and now you're even managing your subordinates' marriages—do you think you have three heads and six arms4?" She was worried that Yuxi's body wouldn't be able to withstand such strain.
Yuxi laughed helplessly and said, "The General spoke to me about Xu Wu's marriage two years ago, and I agreed. One must keep one's word, so I really do have to see this through properly." Xu Wu was the only exception—she wouldn't get involved in anyone else's marriage.
Gancao entered and announced, "Madam, An Daren5 has arrived and is waiting in the study in the front courtyard." Since Yuxi had taken charge of external affairs, Momo Quan had been responsible for household matters—only major issues required Yuxi's attention.
An Zike gave Yuxi a detailed report on tax revenues, then brought up land reclamation. "Madam, it's not advisable to let the people continue clearing land without restrictions. Otherwise, it will lead to serious long-term consequences."
An Zike had raised this issue before, but Yuxi hadn't responded at the time. Now, after a thorough investigation, she had reached a decision. "Once the General returns, we'll issue an official directive." There was still plenty of unused land in the northwest, but it was located in desolate, uninhabited areas. In densely populated regions, little reclaimable land remained.
An Zike was fairly satisfied with this response.
Yuxi recalled something from the estate and said, "The government wants to lend breeding sheep to the people to develop animal husbandry. What do you think of this approach?"
An Zike had worked with Yuxi for some time. In the beginning, he was often startled by her sudden ideas, but he had grown used to them. "Madam, the idea itself is good. But if everyone raises sheep, where will they be sold?"
After a brief pause, An Zike continued, "Madam, lending breeding sheep to ordinary farmers isn't very appropriate. But lending them to herders would work."
Yuxi smiled. "Then draw up a set of regulations for me first." Yuxi had her flaws; she was overly cautious. Fortunately, she wasn't responsible for military affairs or warfare, as she needed to consider every dragon's coming and the veins' path6 before making a decision.
After finishing official business, An Zike hesitated briefly before asking, "I heard that Madam is currently looking for a potential spouse for Xu Daren5. Is that true?"
Yuxi smiled. "Why? Do you have a good candidate, An Daren5?" It wasn't a secret that Chang Shi (Madam Feng) and Bao Shi (Madam Du) were helping to screen eligible young women, so it was no surprise that An Zike knew.
An Zike did have someone in mind: a young woman named Ling Ruoyun. Her father was like a brother to him, so he had always been very concerned about her marriage.
Yuxi smiled when she heard the name. "Ling Ruoyun🔗—hmm, that's a very pleasant name. If it's convenient, please ask Madam An to bring the young lady to visit the residence tomorrow." In the capital, such matchmaking would usually be arranged through banquets, but Yuxi was far too busy to host one.
Footnotes Full List
- 大嫂 (dàsǎo): eldest brother's wife; sister-in-law
- 分 (fēn): a traditional unit of area, equal to 0.1 mu (市亩) and equivalent to 0.667 acres, or 79.73 square yards
- 鸡飞狗跳 (jī fēi gǒu tiào): total chaos; everyone running around in disorder
- 三头六臂 (sān tóu liù bì): superhuman ability; being able to handle an impossible workload
- 大人 (dàren): title of respect toward superiors
- 来龙去脉 (lái lóng qù mài): the full background; causes and development of a matter
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