Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Turning wasteland into farmland was an unspoken secret in Anqiu County.

Everyone knew about it, yet no one dared to mention it.

For the county’s wealthy families, it was a troubling matter; for ordinary villagers, even more so.

Last year, they were forced to pay triple the grain tax, a burden no household could bear.

It was only because County Magistrate Ji had a good reputation that no one came to shout curses in the streets.

Not only the rural farmers, but even the wealthy gentry in the county town whispered about it behind closed doors.

Earlier efforts to promote fertilizer production and use were well-received.

Providing farming tools and oxen for rent at low prices was also welcomed.

But asking them to cultivate wasteland?

As the farmers said, if one acre of wasteland was counted as two acres of farmland, what would they do?

Everyone wrestled with this dilemma.

On one hand, they trusted Magistrate Ji.

On the other, they feared a repeat of past hardships.

Therefore, only a few in Anqiu County responded actively, while most remained silent.

The pamphlets on "Rapeseed Cultivation Techniques" sent out were met with little enthusiasm.

There was already little rapeseed planted locally, and it involved wasteland to boot.

Ji Chu knew that to dispel the county’s doubts, he had to take action.

As they spoke, the spring wheat seeds for this year had arrived.

These seeds were mostly top-grade varieties, sold to the people at nearly cost price, with no profit sought.

When households came to buy seeds, Ji Chu summoned several prominent local farmers.

They held sizable land holdings and were among those burdened by the wasteland cultivation policy.

They had visited before the New Year and raised concerns about poor seed quality, barren land, and burdensome land taxes.

Ji Chu looked at them seriously. “We discussed these issues earlier, and now only the land tax remains unresolved.”

In the magistrate’s study, Ji sat at the head while seven or eight landowners gathered below.

Their expressions turned startled at his words.

They had merely grumbled casually before—had the magistrate taken them seriously?

Now, reflecting on it, it did seem to make sense.

Complaints about seed quality were addressed by purchasing better seeds in the county’s name.

Barren land was tackled through fertilizer promotion.

They even added provision of farming tools.

“Sir, your dedication to Anqiu County is truly commendable,” one landowner respectfully said.

But no one dared mention their own involvement in planting rapeseed on wasteland.

Ji Chu spoke plainly: “Tell me, why am I so eager to promote rapeseed cultivation?”

“To fill the gap left by the wasteland.”

Everyone knew the answer.

After all, this issue was a heavy burden weighing down Anqiu County, threatening to crush everyone beneath it.

And it existed in a dozen border counties; leaking the secret would be disastrous.

Ji Chu’s answer made their faces change drastically.

“To guard against years of disaster.”

“People say three years of plenty, three years of famine. This year’s heavy snow suggests a year of abundance.”

“But what about next year? The year after? And the one after that?”

“If disaster strikes, the wealthy can live off their reserves, but what about ordinary villagers?” Ji Chu said bluntly. “When that time comes, I will not stand idly by while they starve.”

“There is only one way.”

Li Shiye, Fan Shiye, and Ji Zhen looked on curiously.

“What way?”

“To help each other,” Ji Chu smiled and cupped his hands. “When disaster strikes, I will personally visit each of your homes to ask for disaster relief. We will open the granaries and distribute grain together.”

“What?!”

“What are you saying?!”

The landowners could not sit still; some slammed the table. “Magistrate Ji, are you threatening us?!”

“Not a threat, just an early notice of what I intend to do,” Ji Chu said meaningfully. “As for whether I can follow through, you all know me well.”

Not only were the landowners shocked,

even Ji Chu’s close aides had not expected this approach.

They had thought the meeting was to persuade them kindly.

Instead, he presented a scenario:

If disaster comes, if the people have no food,

the magistrate will command you to open your granaries; no one can protect their own interests alone.

And such a disaster was highly likely.

Again, the question remained:

What if disaster strikes?

Disasters were not rare.

“If we can stockpile grain before the calamity, enrich the people’s granaries, and ease their burdens, it won’t trouble you so much later,” Ji Chu concluded decisively.

By these words, he effectively treated the granaries of those present as open to all.

The landowners exchanged glances.

They saw the answer in each other’s eyes.

This magistrate truly would do as he said.

They recalled how swiftly he had confiscated the Zhao family’s holdings; the same would happen when their granaries were opened.

Should they band together to remove him?

To get rid of him?

But so far, Ji Chu had done nothing wrong.

He even worked with them to improve crop yields.

Those casual words spoken earlier were etched deeply in his mind.

“Sir Ji, you really won’t count the rapeseed fields as farmland?”

Someone cautiously asked.

Ji Chu chuckled. “Everyone knows our local taxes well. If those plots counted as farmland, each person would have over ten acres.”

No matter the age or strength, no one could farm so large an area.

“This is an extra income, a little compensation for before,” Ji Chu spoke frankly, then reasoned.

Everyone present had to listen.

And the more they heard, the more sense it made.

Ji Chu explained, “Planting rapeseed on wasteland in April, harvesting by September, with little care required.”

“No matter the yield, it’s a bonus.”

“Beehives can also be placed in the fields—to aid pollination and collect honey.”

The landowners, who all had farmland, listened carefully.

Ji Chu seemed to have considered every detail, nearly ready to teach them personally.

He truly wanted to help ease their land tax burden.

“Rapeseed is just rapeseed; I won’t count it as farmland,” Ji Chu assured them. “Rest assured, and set an example for the county.”

“You start first, then others will follow.”

“Otherwise, what will happen in years of famine?”

“In those years, you will open your granaries and share your grain.”

The landowners silently repeated this in their minds.

Weighing the pros and cons, recalling Ji Chu’s character,

Why not plant?

If the promotion succeeds, life here will improve.

The key point: their granaries won’t be eyed covetously.

While they pondered, dozens of village volunteers from Luoyu Village gathered outside the county office.

They asked the gatekeeper, “We want to plant rapeseed and keep bees, but where do we get the supplies and at what price? Does Magistrate Ji have any guidance?”

Led by Gong Chunrong, the villagers were determined to set an example.

They trusted Magistrate Ji.

Even if only a faint hope, they believed.

They were neither foolish nor ignorant.

They simply wanted to eat, to survive.

Therefore, they must trust Sir Ji!

Ji Chu stepped out of the office, looking at the landowners behind him, then at the volunteers before him.

He knew the rapeseed cultivation initiative had succeeded.