The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1671 - 1665: The Greatest Joke

Wang Yongzhu, however, was well aware that these experimental wheat fields used superior seeds. Wang Yongzhu had meticulously selected local wheat seeds, which had come from the Seed Cultivation Laboratory.

Moreover, these fields were managed by experienced, reliable, and obedient old farmers, all of whom strictly followed the guidelines provided by Wang Yongzhu. This ensured that the wheat was grown using the most standardized and highest-yielding methods.

It was entirely normal for the yield to be slightly higher.

When she developed these viable wheat seeds, suitable for the current era, in the Seed Cultivation Laboratory, she had already determined their yield increase to avoid arousing suspicion through exaggerated results.

Furthermore, the seeds retained their vitality, allowing the first batch of harvested seeds to also produce a second batch of superior seeds.

If the seed selection was done properly, the quality would not diminish. Unlike the time and space she previously inhabited, where various viable seeds required purchase each year to maintain high yields.

Naturally, if the seed selection was inappropriate or if there were slight deviations in cultivation methods, coupled with different climatic conditions and locations, the yields would vary.

These officials from the Ministry of Agriculture were delighted now, but once they conducted experiments in the Capital City and nationwide, they would come to realize the discrepancies, and their amazement would be tempered.

Therefore, Wang Yongzhu merely nodded, remaining perfectly composed.

Her demeanor also calmed the jubilant guard, who quietly waited for further instructions.

Wang Yongzhu thought for a while, then instructed the guard to return and inform them that they would follow shortly. She asked the guards to assist the officials in storing and guarding the harvested and threshed wheat, ensuring no one approached.

She and Old Granny Zhang caught up behind. The estate steward came up to report, saying these officials not only requested a warehouse for storing the wheat.

They also needed several rooms, as they would not be leaving soon, staying in the estate to participate in the autumn harvest daily until its completion.

The steward heard that these were high-ranking officials from the Capital City and felt uncertain. Refusing was obviously not an option.

However, properly hosting these Officials Masters was daunting.

Currently, it was the busiest time, with everyone laboring to gather the harvest, even children as young as two or three years old were in the fields picking wheat stalks. How could they spare anyone to care for these Officials Masters?

Even meals presented a significant problem. Today was the harvest start; combined with Wang Yongzhu’s generosity as the host, they slaughtered a sheep, killed a chicken, and even bought fish.

Such a feast was just for today; eating like this every day would deplete even a wealthy household, would it not?

Starting tomorrow, the meals certainly would not compare to today’s; providing some nourishment would already make them the most considerate hosts.

If those grand Officials Masters from the Capital City were dissatisfied, what could be done?

Therefore, upon seeing Wang Yongzhu, the steward immediately found reassurance.

Wang Yongzhu nodded, instructing the steward to follow their orders exactly.

The steward, having received the instructions, hesitated while voicing his concerns, considering the disgrace if his job was poorly done but also fearing being scapegoated by disgruntled Capital officials.

It was better to clarify everything in advance.

Understanding the steward’s concerns, Wang Yongzhu assured him, "Rest easy, these adults have spent most of their lives dealing with farmland and grain. They are straightforward and won’t demand much. Just be at ease; they understand the difficulties of this period and won’t be nitpicky."

The steward, half-convinced, hesitated but promised to go along with it.

He was called back by Wang Yongzhu, who added, "For these officials from the Capital City, providing an extra chicken or fish each day suffices. For the rest, whatever everyone else eats, they will eat as well."

With Wang Yongzhu’s words, the steward felt reassured and set out to make arrangements.

They cleaned several rooms in the estate’s front yard. With the weather warming up, they didn’t need thick bedding. The kangs were clean; putting down kang mats provided enough shared sleeping space.

After all, these were all grown men, and sharing a room or kang with three or four others wouldn’t be an issue. It would be cooler at night, so a few thin quilts would suffice.

The estate had no better accommodations available.

Even the quilts were collected from several families.

Once Wang Yongzhu saw the steward’s arrangements, she checked on the Minister of Agriculture officials. Apart from one person guarding the acre of harvested grain, the others had already blended into the fields to help.

From a distance, one couldn’t tell which dusty face in the field was a farmer and which was an official.

Seeing this, Wang Yongzhu felt relieved that they did not lord their status over others, which meant they might get along well with everyone here.

Therefore, she found someone to speak to the leader of those officials before she and Old Granny Zhang headed back to the County Yamen.

By the time they returned to the County Yamen, dusk was already falling.

They had only just entered the house, washed up a bit, and changed into casual clothes when Song Chongjin, drenched in sweat, came in. He quickly drank half a pot of warm tea to catch his breath.

Wang Yongzhu quickly sent Gu Yu to bring warm water for him to wash up and found a clean, casual robe for him.

Once Song Chongjin finished cleaning up and changing clothes, they saw it wasn’t time for dinner yet, so they finally had the chance to sit down and talk.

The other day, after picking up Wang Yongzhu, neither had time to converse.

Yesterday, unfortunately, Song Chongjin had gotten drunk. Only now did they have this moment of respite.

First, Wang Yongzhu shared about things in the Capital City. While reports continuously flowed back to Song Chongjin, it was nothing like hearing it narratively from Wang Yongzhu then.

This included the matters regarding the Gu Family and Gu Zikai’s plans to seek a position in this area.

Of course, the most significant topic was naturally concerning Lady Gao.

Initially, having heard about the Gu Family’s intentions, Song Chongjin was mulling over the positions suitable for Gu Zikai.

But then, hearing from Wang Yongzhu about such an important matter regarding Lady Gao’s plots, his expression turned grim.

Neither Wang Yongzhu nor he had ever suspected Lady Gao. Who could have imagined that the consistently gentle and magnanimous Lady Gao would have another side?

What shocked him even more was the aftermath. Not only did Wang Yongzhu detect clues that exposed Lady Gao, but Song Hong also found out. Consequently, Lady Gao was imprisoned, giving her assets and personnel to Wang Yongzhu rather than letting them fall into Song Hong’s hands.

This complicated his emotions. He once thought Lady Gao loved Song Hong to the point of losing herself, complying in everything. Unexpectedly, in the end, Lady Gao trusted Yongzhu the most.

What a colossal irony this was!

To be more trusted by the daughter-in-law of one’s enemy than by one’s beloved!

One can only wonder, upon learning this fact, how Song Hong felt and what his expression was?