Chapter 115: A Delightful Conversation with Lady Yuan

"Are there also tracts of land in the prefecture that cannot be cultivated?" Wei Ruo inquired.

"There is nothing as completely barren as the coastal regions of Xingshan County, but the majority of the soil is quite infertile and compacted, making crop yields a cause for concern," Madam Yuan replied.

This made it clear that the thousand acres of fertile land Madam Yuan had gifted to Wei Ruo were truly rare and precious.

"That is easily addressed. Once you take me for an on-site inspection, I can likely devise a method to enrich the soil. Once the land is improved and planting commences, crop yields can be increased to a certain extent," Wei Ruo stated.

Improving infertile soil is much easier and takes less time than reclaiming saline-alkali land. It is not overly difficult; the key is to apply the right remedy after identifying the root cause.

Madam Yuan’s face lit up with joy. "That would be wonderful!"

"Furthermore, I have noticed over the past few days that there are many hillsides in the prefecture that have not been terraced. I presume the cost of reclamation is too high," Wei Ruo added.

"That is correct."

"In that case, I highly recommend the sweet potatoes that are already being grown in Huzhou Prefecture," Wei Ruo suggested.

"Sweet potatoes?"

"Yes, they are a new type of crop brought back by merchant ships from the South Seas. Some households in Xingshan County have already begun planting them, and they have had a bountiful harvest this year."

"That is indeed a good idea, but I worry whether those who already have them would be willing to share their cuttings with us," Madam Yuan said with concern.

"Madam need not worry about that. I am acquainted with the household in Xingshan County that grows them. I can ask them to donate the vine cuttings to the prefectural office for free, so that they may be distributed to the people of the city," Wei Ruo replied.

"If that is truly the case, then both you, Miss Wei, and that household are models of righteousness and selflessness who deserve everyone’s respect," Madam Yuan exclaimed in praise.

"In truth, these sweet potato vines cannot really be kept secret. They are propagated by planting cuttings from the vines that sprout from the tubers. As long as one has a piece of vine, they can be propagated. Moreover, for many crops, the more people who grow them, the higher the overall benefit; there is no need to hoard them," Wei Ruo explained.

For tuber-based crops like sweet potatoes, which do not rely on pollination, it is relatively straightforward. For crops that do require pollination, having everyone grow high-quality varieties is certainly more conducive to producing superior yields.

"That is excellent!" Although Madam Yuan did not understand agriculture, she felt heartened by Wei Ruo’s words.

"Can these sweet potatoes be planted immediately?" Madam Yuan asked.

Wei Ruo shook her head. "Everything has its season; we must wait until next spring to plant them."

Madam Yuan then asked, "Is there any method that yields faster results? I worry that the people may not be able to hold out until then."

Wei Ruo pondered for a moment. "There is the method I am currently implementing in Xingshan County: start planting wheat immediately, and once the wheat is harvested next year, plant rice. In situations where we cannot alter the weather, multi-seasonal planting is a viable strategy, though it will be hard on the farmers."

"Though it may be arduous, if it means they can have enough to eat, the joy will surely outweigh the hardship for them," Madam Yuan said.

"Additionally, I am aware of a variety of rice seeds with better cold resistance. If we switch to these next year, it will, to some extent, mitigate the drop in grain production caused by poor weather," Wei Ruo added.

With this series of strategic measures, Wei Ruo could improve yields for Taizhou Prefecture from multiple angles.

Madam Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. "If this succeeds, I will certainly have my husband report your contributions to the Imperial Court. I want everyone to know that even a young lady sheltered in her boudoir can provide relief to the world and secure the well-being of the people."

Wei Ruo and Madam Yuan enjoyed a pleasant conversation, after which they shared lunch and admired the various flowers Madam Yuan had cultivated in her courtyard.

Afterward, Madam Yuan personally saw Wei Ruo off and arranged to meet the next day to inspect the barren land near the prefecture.

Before leaving, Madam Yuan had her servants prepare some dried seafood, such as dried scallops and abalone, for Wei Ruo, and also gifted her two pots of precious chrysanthemums: one "Jade Phoenix of the Jade Terrace" and one "Painted Lips."

Since the Wei family would inevitably see the bags of gifts, she could not send anything too extravagant. Dried goods and flowers were reasonable; they appeared more like tokens of appreciation for a promising new acquaintance.

***

After discussing matters with Madam Yuan, Wei Ruo returned to the Xie family's villa.

As she stepped out of the carriage, Wei Ruo leaned on Xiu Mei for support, appearing quite weak, as if the day's travel had exacerbated an underlying illness.

Seeing the large bags of dried seafood and the rare flowers Wei Ruo had brought back, Lady Yun could roughly guess that Wei Ruo had performed well and won the favor of Madam Yuan, hence the rewards.

Lady Yun stepped forward, intending to ask for details about the day, but before she could speak, Wei Ruo cut her off.

"Mei, I have a headache. Help me back to my room to rest."

The memory of yesterday's argument was still fresh, and Wei Ruo had no desire to engage with Lady Yun. Thus, she resorted to her old tactic.

Lady Yun could not persist with her questions and watched as the maid helped Wei Ruo into her room.

Xiu Mei closed the door, shutting out the prying eyes from outside.

She then smiled and said, "Miss, your method really works!"

"We will continue to eat in our room tonight and not join the others. Regardless of anything else, I need two days of peace before returning to Xingshan County."

"Very well. What would you like to eat tonight, Miss? I will make it for you!" Xiu Mei said.

"Use some of the dried goods to make me a seafood porridge. Since I am supposedly ill, it is only logical that I drink porridge," Wei Ruo replied.

"Understood! I will go soak the dried goods now."

Upon learning that Wei Ruo was dining in her room again, Lady Yun could not say much.

Wei Qingwan, meanwhile, remained confined to her room; she could not even step outside. Her dinner was delivered by Cui He, and perhaps because Lady Yun wanted to keep the peace for Wei Ruo, the meal consisted only of white porridge and salted vegetables.

Wei Qingwan asked Cui He, "What is my sister eating tonight?"

Cui He looked embarrassed and stammered for a long time before saying, "It is seafood porridge. When the eldest miss returned this afternoon, she brought back quite a bit of dried seafood, which seemed to be a gift from Madam Yuan."

It was both porridge, yet she was eating plain rice with salted vegetables, while Wei Qingruo was eating seafood porridge! The difference was not insignificant.

Looking at the white porridge and salted vegetables before her, a surge of resentment and grievance welled up in Wei Qingwan's heart.

"Take it away. I won't eat it," Wei Qingwan pushed the tray aside.

"Miss, please just eat a little; don't let yourself go hungry," Cui He urged.

"I won't eat it. Take it away. If my mother asks, tell her the truth," Wei Qingwan commanded.

She wanted her mother to know that she had not eaten anything for dinner.