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“Mother, even the most capable cook can’t make a meal without rice. Soil fertility comes down to two things: inorganic matter and organic matter—plus aeration and moisture. If the heavens cooperate and give enough sunlight, with favorable weather, the crops will grow well. The straw ash and farmyard manure I mentioned are already the lowest-cost options I can think of for improving the soil.”
Improving soil wasn’t like reclaiming saline-alkali land—it didn’t involve profound techniques. Many farmers already knew these methods; they simply couldn’t bring themselves to spend so much, or they didn’t have enough money on hand to invest so heavily upfront.
Yun Shi couldn’t understand everything Wei Ruo said—terms like “organic” and “inorganic” fertilizer meant nothing to her.
But even so, she wasn’t satisfied with the solution Wei Ruo offered.
Seeing Yun Shi frown and hesitate for a long time, Wei Ruo didn’t say more.She had already fulfilled her promise to come, evaluate the soil, and give her advice. Whether she chose to follow it was entirely her decision.
After a long while, Yun Shi finally said, “I’ll arrange for a few cartloads of sheep manure to be purchased in advance for one round of fertilizing.”
From her tone, Wei Ruo could hear the unspoken meaning. Yun Shi intended to fertilize, but not at the amount Wei Ruo recommended. She would apply fertilizer only once, and use just a few carts of manure for all two hundred mu.
Wei Ruo said nothing more, respecting her choice.
“Also, that rice seed I asked you about last time—it shouldn’t have any issues, right?” Yun Shi asked again.
“No problems,” Wei Ruo replied.
“Good. With that rice seed, it should grow well even in soil that isn’t very fertile, right?” Yun Shi placed more of her hopes on the quality seed.
“I wouldn’t dare guarantee that,” Wei Ruo replied. “No matter how good the seed is, it still requires good soil. You can’t have one without the other.”
Yun Shi then told Wei Ruo, “I’m planning to plant some sweet potatoes in the manor at Xingshan County this year. I heard they’re easy to manage, not as delicate as rice. Last year, the family who planted sweet potatoes in Xingshan County not only had enough for themselves but even sold a good amount.”
She didn’t know that the family she referred to was actually Wei Ruo’s.
“Mm.” Wei Ruo wasn’t surprised. This year, many households in Xingshan County were switching to sweet potatoes to secure their food supply. It was a good thing.
Although eating sweet potatoes long-term wasn’t as enjoyable as eating rice, in years with poor harvests, people cared more about having enough to eat than about eating well.
Yun Shi then talked to Wei Ruo about various matters concerning the family’s estates. Wei Ruo listened carefully but rarely commented.
Yun Shi’s overall planning for the estates was sound. Aside from being unwilling to spend money on early-stage investment, there wasn’t much to criticize.
###
On March 20th, after a month had passed, Taizhou Prefecture received imperial commendation for successfully controlling the epidemic.
The city specially posted an announcement from the Prefectural Office, listing the names of those who made outstanding contributions.
Wei Ruo’s two names both appeared on the notice.One was Xu Heyou, listed alongside Doctor Cheng, Doctor Cai, and the others in the most eye-catching, prominent position.The second was Wei Qingruo, appearing under the reason of assisting Princess Jingmin and working tirelessly for the people.
Such honor came not only from Wei Ruo’s own efforts but also from Madam Yuan’s special support, which played a decisive role.
During the rewards and commendations, the Prefectural Office sent the imperial rewards to the Colonel’s Residence.
Because Wei Ruo was a daughter of the family lineage, the merits were recorded under the Colonel’s Residence. It was written that the Colonel’s Residence had contributed to the people of Taizhou Prefecture, and one merit was recorded under Wei Mingting’s name.
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