Chapter 227: Going to the Prefecture to Teach Farming
It was entirely a corn-themed feast. Wen Yao had prepared almost everything she could make using corn; even the beverage on the table today was corn juice.
It was truly a feast of corn in every sense.
Li Fu had also been greatly enlightened. If something like this could be promoted, it would truly benefit the people.
During the meal, Li Fu did not forget to ask about various aspects of corn, including its planting time and its requirements for climate and terrain. Upon learning that this crop was not only unpicky but grew well everywhere—even in mountainous regions—he was amazed.
One had to know that in the Annan Kingdom, there were countless such mountainous areas where the people were exceptionally impoverished, forced to rely on the mountains for their livelihood simply because the mountainous terrain was unsuitable for planting grain.
This corn, along with the potatoes, could be said to have completely solved this problem.
Li Fu now felt somewhat impatient to return to the capital to discuss this matter properly with his Imperial Brother.
That night, Li Fu drank more alcohol than he ever had since arriving at the Wen family residence. Once drunk, Li Fu hugged Wen Xiuyi and sobbed loudly, repeatedly saying that he was a blessing to the people of the Annan Kingdom and that his greatest fortunes were yet to come.
Wen Xiuyi was left feeling incredibly awkward by his buddy’s behavior. What kind of propriety was there in two grown men hugging and holding onto each other? However, given that the other man was drunk, Wen Xiuyi didn’t have the heart to push him away. He could only coax him with kind words and help him back to his room to rest.
As for the things Li Fu said, Wen Xiuyi simply took them as the ramblings of someone in an emotional state; they went in one ear and out the other.
Three days later, people from the magistrate’s office suddenly arrived to request Wen Xiuyi’s presence at the yamen, even bringing a carriage and telling him to change his clothes and leave immediately.
This urgent, fiery manner left the members of the Wen family feeling puzzled and worried.
Fortunately, the bailiffs who came to pick him up were quite sensible and explained to everyone that it was a good thing. Only then did the group sigh in relief and allow Wen Xiuyi to go with them.
Along the way, the two bailiffs were incredibly courteous toward Wen Xiuyi, leaving him feeling completely bewildered. By the time they arrived at the yamen, Magistrate Chen explained the situation.
“Your Honor, are you saying that the Prefectural Governor wants me to go to the prefecture seat to teach the farmers there how to increase yields and cultivate the land?” Wen Xiuyi thought he had misheard. How did a matter like this reach the ears of the Prefectural Governor?
He had been to the prefecture seat many times, yet he had never met the Prefectural Governor, nor did he even know which way the main gate of the prefectural office faced.
Why had they sought him out?
Magistrate Chen sat in a chair on the other side, nodded, and smiled. “This—this official also only just received the letter from the Prefectural Governor. The official document is right here; Brother Wen might as well take a look for yourself.”
As he spoke, Magistrate Chen handed over the document sent from the prefecture to Wen Xiuyi.
Wen Xiuyi opened it and saw that it first praised Magistrate Chen, and then heavily commended the harvest of Gutong Village under his administration, which had increased by thirty percent compared to previous years. Although it was only thirty percent, it was a feat not seen in many years.
Therefore, the Prefectural Governor had personally written an official document, instructing Magistrate Chen to bring along the talented person from Gutong Village mentioned in the county annals to the prefectural office, so that he could look into the matter for the people of the prefecture as well.
“Brother Wen, when do you think you would be convenient to depart?” Magistrate Chen asked directly.
Wen Xiuyi’s mouth twitched—did he not even bother to ask if he was willing?
However, Wen Xiuyi knew in his heart that in a matter like this, he had no room to refuse. How could a commoner dare to fight with an official?
“Your Honor decides. This commoner will cooperate,” Wen Xiuyi said as he handed the document back.
Magistrate Chen pondered for a moment before saying, “Then let it be tomorrow. Brother Wen knows that for the people, food is the heaven. Matters like this are best handled quickly. Today, you should take the time to settle things with your family; I’m afraid it will take some time before you can return from this trip.”
“Understood. I will go back and inform my family. Does Your Honor have anything else?” Wen Xiuyi asked.
“No. Oh, by the way, Brother Wen, that design for your waterwheel is truly incredibly ingenious. If applied properly, it could solve the water usage problems in many places,” Magistrate Chen suddenly added.
Wen Xiuyi understood instantly. “Your Honor, rest assured. This commoner will bring the blueprints for the waterwheel when I return home.”
Magistrate Chen felt gratified—he was indeed a sensible man.
“Then I shall have someone send Brother Wen back.”
Wen Xiuyi expressed his thanks but declined; he needed to stop by the Jishitang Medical Hall first.
He did not know much about the affairs of the imperial court and officials as a modern person. Although he had the original owner’s memories, they were not of much use; he still needed to consult with Manager Qiu.
After leaving the yamen, Wen Xiuyi headed straight for Jishitang.
“Father? Why are you here?” Wen Jun was now able to sit in the hall and conduct diagnoses himself, treating simple ailments, while Dr. Jin stayed in the backyard researching the things Wen Jun taught him, only coming out if there was an illness Wen Jun could not handle.
There were not many patients today, so Dr. Jin had gone to the backyard to slack off, leaving Wen Jun to attend to the hall.
Wen Xiuyi looked left and right. “Are your Master and Uncle Qiu not here?”
“In the backyard.” Wen Jun pointed toward the back and asked, “Father, are you looking for them for something?”
Wen Xiuyi waved his hand. “Go about your business, I’ll find them myself.” With that, he lifted the curtain and entered the backyard.
“Old Qiu, Old Qiu!” Wen Xiuyi started calling out as soon as he entered.
Manager Qiu came out of the study and looked at him. “Yo, how come you have time to run over here today instead of farming?”
Wen Xiuyi sighed. “Sigh, let’s go inside to talk.”
The two returned to the study. Dr. Jin was there too. Wen Xiuyi froze for a moment when he looked up, seeing Dr. Jin wearing a pair of spectacles and looking right at him. He almost thought he had returned to his own time.
These spectacles had come about because Wen Jun noticed Dr. Jin would always squint when reading books. He made a visual acuity chart, and Wen Yao purchased a pair of reading glasses from her space. Dr. Jin treasured them immensely; he wouldn’t even let others touch them during normal times.
As for how they came to be, the credit went to Wen Jun’s mysterious master.
Earlier, to give his medical knowledge a legitimate source, Wen Jun simply fabricated a master. The key was that this pair—master and apprentice—were both bold enough to speak and believe the lie, muddling their way through it.
Wen Yao’s explanation for this was that when the original author wrote this book, they provided them with this exact setting; it just so happened to benefit their family of three in their fabrications.
Wen Xiuyi was dazed for only a second before snapping back to reality, greeting Dr. Jin: “Dr. Jin, busy, I see?”
Dr. Jin gave a grunt and asked why he had come.
Wen Xiuyi then explained the situation to the two of them.
After hearing this, Manager Qiu and Dr. Jin exchanged a glance. Both guessed that the Prince of Fu must have had a hand in this, so they comforted him: “This is a good thing. Doesn’t it align with your wish to let more people have enough to eat?”
Wen Xiuyi nodded. “That is the logic, but I have never dealt with these officials before. I came here to seek advice from you two.”
Manager Qiu thought for a moment. “I have some friendship with the Prefectural Governor. I shall write a letter for you to take with you.”
With that, Manager Qiu walked to the desk to grind the ink and write the letter.
