Chapter 531: Chapter 533: Autumn Harvest

Jin Qianqian wasn’t angry that Prefect Nan had taken a side. After all, they were little more than acquaintances. To be blunt, there was no deep friendship between them.

It was only natural for him to weigh the pros and cons for the sake of his career. That was perfectly reasonable.

But what infuriated her most was Mrs. Nan Wang. In her letter, she had all but explicitly told Qianqian to bow her head and go apologize to the Tian Family.

Wenheng tried to soothe her. "She probably meant well. The head of the Huang family is a First-Grade Minister, after all, and our own foundation is still too shallow. It’s no wonder they made such a choice."

Jin Qianqian replied, "I understand all that, but I just can’t stomach this. I thought the Huang family would have learned their lesson after what happened last time. It seems I was too naive."

"Do they think they can humiliate us as they please just because we aren’t going to Shangjing anymore?"

Wenheng patted her back. "They’re just inconsequential people. Let’s not waste our anger on them."

"After the last incident, you saw it clearly yourself—the Huang Mansion is divided. This might just be something the second branch did on their own."

"The first branch of the Huang family are all intelligent people, but they can’t control the troublemakers in their midst. You could write a letter to Madam Huang."

"I’m sure that, being as smart as they are, they’ll make a choice quickly."

"As for the Tian Family, they’ll get what’s coming to them."

Jin Qianqian took a deep breath. "I understand all that. It’s just... I thought Prefect Nan and his wife were dependable people. I can’t believe I misjudged them so badly."

"The man is a pure opportunist. It seems we can’t associate with him too closely from now on."

Wenheng squeezed her hand, playfully fiddling with her fingertips. "It looks like my dear wife is about to use some of her ’pillow talk’ influence."

Qianqian pulled her hand away and rested it gently on his chest, speaking in an uncharacteristically saccharine tone, "Well, my dear husband, will you listen to me or not?"

A smile played on Wenheng’s lips as he covered her hand with his own. "That depends on how powerful this ’pillow talk’ is. If you make a good case, this humble official just might comply."

Just then, Qianqian’s fingers tensed, and she gave his chest a firm pat. "So you actually fall for that routine! Should I find you a beautiful female companion to keep you company, then?"

Wenheng cried foul. "My lady, you wrong me! I’m an innocent victim here, don’t take your anger out on me! My devotion to you is as constant as the sun and moon..."

"Stop," Qianqian cut him off before he could continue his dramatic performance. ’What a drama king.’ "I’ll write to Madam Huang immediately. If Minister Huang really let this happen and doesn’t give me an explanation, then it looks like it’s time to do something with those vacant shops of mine."

"Besides, I’m a bit short on cash right now. It would be a shame not to take the Silver that’s practically being handed to me."

Wenheng cautioned, "Just take it easy."

"What? Are you afraid of Minister Huang, too?"

Wenheng shook his head. "Minister Huang is a man who cares immensely about his reputation. If we handle this openly, he won’t dare to move against us directly, even if he’s furious."

"Your husband isn’t completely without backing in the court. My achievements here in Lu City are plain for all to see. As long as he’s not a fool, he won’t make an enemy out of me."

"Besides, the Tian Family are only distant relatives. It’s not worth it for him to make an enemy over them."

"We can earn Silver anywhere in the country. There’s no need to crowd into the Capital, which is crawling with high-ranking officials."

"Of course, I know that," said Jin Qianqian. "The best way to get rich is to do it quietly. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have sublet those shops in Shangjing."

"I hope Madam Huang remembers the lesson from last time and resolves her family’s internal problems herself. It would save me the trouble of getting involved."

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"As for the Tian Family, I have no intention of letting them off so easily. They tried to completely ruin my reputation. If I don’t strike back, people will think I’m an easy target."

Wenheng knew she needed this release. "They won’t be causing trouble for much longer. Just you wait. Your husband will settle this score for you."

But Qianqian shook her head. "You’re busy enough as it is. I won’t trouble you with such trivial matters. I just need to borrow a few of your men."

"There’s no ’yours’ or ’mine’ between a husband and wife," Wenheng said. "Whatever you need, just tell them to do it. If they dare to disobey, you let me know."

"Have Ming Qin help me with something..." said Qianqian.

...

Autumn Harvest

Heaven was on their side this year. That, combined with the help of Wenheng’s new agricultural tools and the fact that the Eastern Yi people—who usually came to raid during the harvest—were now prisoners with neither the ability nor the energy to cause trouble, made all the citizens of Lu City beam with joy.

Wenheng had also been taking his men to inspect the various counties. Every County Magistrate was striving to make a good impression on their new superior. They all knew the saying about a new official’s ’three fires,’ and since the first ’fire’ was aimed at agriculture, they had all been managing it with particular diligence this year.

Not only had they reclaimed as much wasteland as possible, but the county government had even subsidized the first batch of new tools, selling them to the people at a discount so that every household could cultivate a few more acres of land.

The harvest season was always a time of both hustle and joy, especially amidst the fields of a bountiful crop.

Though the sun was so bright it was hard to keep one’s eyes open, the common folk seemed not to notice, tirelessly swinging the sickles in their hands.

"Everyone wants to get the grain into their storehouses as soon as possible," said County Magistrate Liu, who was accompanying them, a smile fixed on his face.

’This new Lord Prefect... I can’t tell if he genuinely loves the people as his own children or if he’s just putting on an act.’ He watched as Wenheng once again emphasized to the farmers that they should balance work with rest and avoid laboring under the scorching midday sun.

County Magistrate Liu had come along to the fields expecting to see the magnificent sight of the year’s bumper harvest, but he hadn’t thought people would already be out working under the blazing sun.

"Even though Li Qiu has passed," Wenheng said, "the ’autumn tiger’ is still fierce. I’m afraid people will easily suffer from heatstroke if they work under this blazing sun."

"It’s better to start early and work late, but they must rest more during the middle of the day."

Wenheng understood that these people’s livelihoods depended on the weather. They wanted to take advantage of the fine autumn days to dry and store their grain as quickly as possible.

But under this scorching sun, getting heatstroke would be a real setback.

County Magistrate Liu replied, "This subordinate has already sent men to inform everyone, but some people just won’t listen. After all, everyone has cultivated more land this year. They won’t feel at ease until the grain is harvested."

"Lord Prefect, look over there. That’s all newly-reclaimed sandy soil, where they’ve planted peanuts."

"They look quite good," Wenheng commented. "It’s just a pity..."

"A pity?" County Magistrate Liu was confused. ’A pity about what?’

Wenheng remained silent. ’It’s a pity that potatoes and corn haven’t appeared yet. A major reason I’m pushing for sea trade is so I can send people out to see if they can find these drought-resistant, high-yield crops.’

’Qianqian has them in her spatial inventory, of course, but we don’t dare to just take them out.’

He changed the subject. "It’s a pity it’s not fertile land, otherwise it could be used to grow much more grain."

County Magistrate Liu suggested hesitantly, "Perhaps we could have them try planting rice next year?"

"We can’t be reckless about this," Wenheng cautioned. "Matters of agriculture are best left to the experienced farmers themselves."

"The fertility of newly-reclaimed land varies, and only the people who work it truly understand what it can grow."

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