12 Chapter 12

Chapter 12

With the support of prominent families in the county and the unanimous agreement of the villagers in Luoyu Village, the other four villages, after discussion, also consented to planting rapeseed.

The primary crop in Anqiu County was winter wheat, sown in September or October and harvested around May the following year. During other periods, farmers would grow some legumes or forage crops as supplements. The more diligent ones might plant fruit trees around their homes or cultivate vegetable plots for extra income.

Now, in late February, as the winter wheat began to sprout, there was little to do beyond weeding, fertilizing, and watering—making it an ideal time to break new ground for planting rapeseed.

Ji Chu had already marked out the land early on.

These wastelands had always been listed as farmland in official records, but until now, they had remained unused. This time, with the five villages and the county seat combined, the plan was to cultivate twenty thousand acres of rapeseed.

Moreover, all the farming tools needed would be provided free by the government. As for the rapeseed seeds, families who could afford them would purchase their own; those who couldn’t could issue IOUs to the office.

When the work truly began, everyone realized that County Magistrate Ji had long prepared a comprehensive plan, awaiting only their approval. The rapeseed cultivation manual was particularly detailed, explaining the local reasons for promoting large-scale rapeseed planting.

The reason was simple: it was easy to cultivate.

No need for meticulous tillage—just plow twice and scatter the seeds, and they would take root. If it were other staple crops, the fields couldn’t be treated so casually. With rapeseed, there was no need to worry. By making good use of this hardy, easy-to-grow crop, they could first open up the land. Regardless of whether the yield was good or not, at least it would provide an additional source of income.

As for refined cultivation, that would come later when sufficient labor was available.

The villagers delved into studying fertilizers and rapeseed planting techniques, gradually growing accustomed to Magistrate Ji’s approach. Whenever he spoke, it was never a random suggestion but a carefully considered method tailored to local conditions.

In truth, rapeseed was not unfamiliar to Anqiu’s farmers. Occasionally, they would scatter some seeds in their vegetable plots to grow rapeseed greens for food. Now that vegetables were plentiful, they could continue cultivating rapeseed for its golden blossoms and, once the seeds matured, to press for oil.

But this was the first time rapeseed was being planted so systematically.

Although the fertilizer preparation and application methods had already astonished them, the detailed cultivation techniques were unprecedented.

It was like a game.

Everyone could play, but the skill level determined success.

A new game had launched. Some jumped straight in; others studied the strategy guides first. Whose progress was faster was obvious.

Once everyone had a strategy guide, the overall level of gameplay soared.

This cultivation manual aimed precisely to elevate everyone’s rapeseed farming skills.

Where previously techniques had been passed by word of mouth and mutual verification, now everything was written down comprehensively.

It began with the history and development of rapeseed, followed by its advantages and disadvantages.

Then it explained the different sowing and harvesting times for spring and winter rapeseed.

It described the crop’s appearance at various growth stages, how to care for germination and seedling phases, what to do during the seedling stage, the duration and condition during the bolting phase, and so on.

It further detailed the flowering period and fruit maturation, the length of time required, and the ideal temperatures.

In short, if this were a game guide, it would be the most thorough, hand-holding tutorial on the forum.

Some seasoned farmers even remarked, “I feel like a child, being taught step by step.”

Any apprentice hearing that would probably laugh out loud.

How wonderful!

When you encounter a master who teaches you hand in hand, cherish it secretly!

Traditionally, agricultural manuals were mostly concise and to the point.

But those who farmed had little time or energy to grasp the deeper meanings.

A hand-holding tutorial was better—more suitable for promotion and learning.

Farmers, once hesitant, gradually changed their minds.

Learning to farm better would never cause a loss.

Even if the government changed its mind later, they could still plant secretly.

Such good methods were simply too precious to ignore.

As enthusiasm for learning soared, Ji Chu knew that this year’s twenty thousand acres of rapeseed fields would indeed be realized.

At the same time, beekeepers in Anqiu County received notice to add more hives, especially in the rapeseed fields, to ensure sufficient pollination, which was crucial for the September harvest of rapeseed seeds.

The extra hives would also be supplied by the government, payable later through IOUs to be repaid after honey sales.

Though the government office had been busy from the start of the year until mid-March, there was little complaint.

After all, monthly silver supplements were provided, and the county magistrate’s wife personally oversaw meals, ensuring at least one meat dish daily.

In the past, officials had to squeeze money from the people; now, working well was enough. No one was born evil, and most were well-fed and wouldn’t cause trouble.

Besides, anyone who dared to act tyrannically would find no mercy from Magistrate Ji.

Indeed, Anqiu County’s plans were orderly, but one crucial area was missing.

A meeting was held in the government office.

Ji Chu sat at the head, with Ji Zhen standing behind him.

Below were the advisors Li and Fan, the clerk Ma Tai in charge of finances and grain, and the household official Xie Mi.

Clerk Ma spoke first: “There’s still no news from Weijia Town. They say they’re uninterested in rapeseed planting and are preparing to invite an excellent scholar for lectures—they’ve been very busy lately.”

Uninterested in farming, only focused on imperial examinations.

Ji Chu nodded: “Have the county exam results come out?”

“Yes. The top five from the county exam can participate in the provincial exam, and they plan to depart by mid-March.”

“Three are from the county seat, two from Weijia Town.”

That meant the invited scholar was for next year’s county exam—preparing a whole year in advance, truly attentive.

Ji Chu asked, “Is it the Weijia Town Mayor who’s uninterested in rapeseed, or the local farmers?”

“Definitely the mayor.”

“But when we promoted fertilizer use bypassing him, he was already quite displeased.”

Since it was Mayor Wei’s territory, bypassing him again would surely cause problems.

Ji Chu smiled: “Ignore it, push ahead. We’re willing to teach, the people are willing to learn. We can’t change our plan for just one mayor.”

His subordinates agreed, but what about Mayor Wei?

Ji Chu continued: “Don’t worry; farming and studying aren’t mutually exclusive.”

By bypassing Mayor Wei, rapeseed planting in Weijia Town should continue smoothly.

If this year’s cleared land reached around twenty-five thousand acres, Ji Chu’s three-year term might significantly ease the local tax burden.

After the meeting, Ji Chu went to review the county exam papers.

Not only the top five but all participants’ papers were brought to his study.

The tea-serving maid, Tao Niangzi, was illiterate but clearly noticed the handwriting was far inferior to her husband’s.

Ji Chu shook his head while reading and recalled an earlier thought: “Niangzi, would you like to learn to read and write?”

Her? She hesitated briefly but said, “I want to, but I won’t delay your work, will I?”

“Not at all.”

No better time than the present, Ji Chu brought out an elementary primer: “Shall we start today?”

Tao Niangzi had a good memory; half an hour of lessons and then self-practice would suffice.

Later, as Ji Chu resumed reviewing exam papers, he found one decent script but realized its owner was not on the provincial exam list.

He frowned slightly and told Advisor Li, “You’re right, the county exam in Anqiu doesn’t reward true knowledge.”

“Find that student and tell him not to take exams elsewhere,” Ji Chu said. “If the county school continues like this, all the good students will run away; who would dare to take the exam?”

It was a vicious cycle.

The county school’s teaching resources were poor, and the selection system flawed.

They only chose good students from wealthy families—like picking the tallest among dwarfs.

What about poor but capable students? Or those with talent but no opportunity?

They had no chance, let alone advancement.

Talented or diligent students had only two options: quit studying or seek fairness elsewhere.

Sure enough, the next day, Advisor Li reported that the failed scholar had packed up overnight and gone to his maternal uncle’s home to prepare for next year’s county exam there.

It seemed the Anqiu County exam system had scared him off.

Good students left, leaving behind a bunch of mediocre ones quarreling among themselves.

If Anqiu County produced even one student who passed the provincial exam and became a scholar, it would be a miracle.

Ji Chu was speechless for a moment and turned his attention back to rapeseed promotion.

Yesterday, someone had gone to Weijia Town again, and today came good news.

The prominent families there were not very interested.

No matter how hungry they were, it wasn’t their heads on the chopping block. Like Mayor Wei, these gentry wanted to focus their efforts on their children’s imperial examination success.

They even harbored some resentment, thinking that Ji’s abilities would be better used supporting local exams, which would benefit them more.

However, ordinary farmers were very enthusiastic about learning rapeseed cultivation, worried about falling behind, and whether they could keep pace.

If they fell behind, they would have to plant winter rapeseed, which overlapped with winter wheat, and with insufficient labor, they might miss an entire year’s yield.

With such enthusiasm, the people of Weijia Town learned the fastest.

By mid-March, the estimated rapeseed planting area this year was about twenty-six thousand acres.

Regardless of whether the hastily cleared land was officially farmland—an extra income was better than none.

When each family received rapeseed seeds, they felt a surge of excitement.

After more than a month of learning cultivation techniques, they could finally put them into practice!

Passersby and merchants found it strange.

What were Anqiu’s farmers doing in April?

Why was the land so roughly plowed?

Were they lazy, or would nothing grow?

On the rough plots beside the wheat fields, rapeseed seeds had been scattered, waiting to sprout.

As long as it eased the tax burden, they were neither afraid of hardship nor labor.

Perhaps Heaven also sympathized with Anqiu’s people.

After rapeseed seeds were sown across the region, timely rains fell, moistening the earth.

“Truly, good rain comes at the right time,” someone sighed. “With extra rapeseed income this year, life should improve.”

Ji Chu stood under the rain, his eyes full of hope.

At that moment, returning from the countryside, Clerk Xie brought another piece of good news excitedly: “Sir, have you seen this year’s wheat ears? They’re heavy and plump. The fertilizing methods you provided are truly excellent.”