Chapter 238: Chapter 238: The Assignment (Part 2)
In private, when no one was around, Chen Jinyu spoke more freely in front of Jiang Shaohua: "I’ve long been thinking about promoting the new grain initiative. I didn’t expect to be a step behind Mr. Lu!"
Jiang Shaohua smiled: "You’re more than just a step behind. Mr. Lu pondered over this proposal for at least half a month."
Chen Jinyu was left speechless.
The proposal written by Lu Cong, she had also just read. It was indeed comprehensive and thorough, clearly well-thought-out and definitely not something that could be accomplished overnight.
"The task of promoting the new grain is very intricate, requiring interaction with each of the Fourteen Counties." Jiang Shaohua patiently explained, "Although Ma is shrewd and clever, he is too young and may not be able to control the situation. As for you, I can hardly be without you by my side. Therefore, this job is most suitably entrusted to Mr. Lu."
Chen Jinyu bit her lip, a bit disheartened: "No need for the Commandery Princess to say nice things to console me. It’s not that the Commandery Princess can’t be without me, but rather that I’m young and impetuous, and a woman at that. If I were to arrange these matters, I’m afraid it might cause unrest. Promoting the new grain is a big deal and cannot afford any mistakes. Mr. Lu was once a Prefectural Governor, rich in experience managing civil affairs, and is seasoned in speech and action. He is indeed the most suitable to handle this task."
Jiang Shaohua laughed: "You do understand, don’t you!"
"But still, the Commandery Princess needs to humor me a bit." Chen Jinyu muttered and then laughed as well. Thinking it over, she softly reminded, "Mr. Lu is quite close with Prince Consort Lu, the Commandery Princess should also be cautious."
Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly: "Of course. When Mr. Lu goes to carry out the task, I’ll just send some trusted aides to accompany him."
In the end, Lu Cong had no strong foundation within the Prince Mansion. With the trusted aides watching his every move, even if he had ulterior motives, he wouldn’t be able to stir up any trouble.
Moreover, a smart person like Lu Cong naturally understood the principle of "a wise bird selects a good tree to nest in." He eagerly took on the task, showing his loyalty to the Commandery Princess through his actions.
...
After Lu Cong accepted the task, he immediately busied himself.
The first step was to write fourteen official documents to be sent to each county. The documents only instructed the County Magistrates to select farmers to learn how to plant the new grain, without mentioning what the new grain was or its yield.
After sending out the documents, Lu Cong went to the field manor.
Qin Hu and ten other trusted aides accompanied, following the Commandery Princess’s orders.
Lu Cong understood the Commandery Princess’s intentions and felt more delighted than worried. The Commandery Princess was sincere in employing him by dispatching people to assist and monitor him. This time, he was determined to use all his skills to ensure the task was done properly.
In the fields, Lu Cong met Cui Du and respectfully cupped his hands: "Mr. Cui, I am here on the Commandery Princess’s orders to handle certain affairs and need to discuss some matters with you."
Cui Du was dressed in coarse clothing, his hair tied messily, and his handsome face was tanned red by the sun. He looked like a friendly and handsome boy from the neighborhood.
However, the over three hundred people in the field manor were very respectful and obedient to Cui Du. In their eyes, Mr. Cui, who could grow crops producing several dozen pounds per acre, was akin to a deity.
Even Lu Cong held deep respect for Mr. Cui from his heart.
Agriculture is the foundation of the nation. A person who can grow new crops to feed the people deserves everyone’s respect.
Cui Du responded with a smile and walked over from the field: "Is it about the promotion of the new grain?"
Lu Cong nodded in affirmation and presented his proposal: "This is a rough idea from me, I seek Mr. Cui’s guidance."
Cui Du chuckled: "All I know is farming, I’m not too familiar with other things. Since the Commandery Princess sent you, it shows she acknowledges your ideas. Just go ahead and do it. If there’s anything you need my cooperation with, just let me know."
Lu Cong felt a sense of relief.
Truly talented individuals often have a bit of pride. For someone like Mr. Cui, even at the court, he would at least be granted a fourth-rank official position. Mr. Cui’s easygoing and agreeable demeanor was indeed beyond his expectations.
Cui Du returned the proposal to Lu Cong, who picked out several important points to discuss.
Cui Du nodded: "I understand what you’re saying. The people sent by Fourteen Counties to learn how to plant the new grain need to stay at the field manor for one or two months. This will happen in the future as well. So, we need to prepare accommodations and provisions for them. Once they arrive, I’ll take them to the fields daily to teach them on-site."
It’s like a short-term training course!
This was something he was very familiar with.
Lu Cong eased up and laughed repeatedly: "Yes, yes, Mr. Cui is right. Mr. Cui will be responsible for teaching them to farm, and I’ll arrange all other miscellaneous matters."
Cui Du grinned: "Just in time, in a few days, it will be time to harvest the sweet potatoes. I’ve been worried about the lack of manpower."
Practical knowledge is best gained through practice. Agriculture, after all, is learned through experience, not armchair theorizing.
Lin Zhuangtou was quickly summoned. Upon learning that there would be one or two hundred people coming to the field manor, Lin Zhuangtou was visibly happy, evidently sharing the same thoughts as Cui Du.
However, accommodating so many people was indeed a problem. Offering food was simple, as the field manor had plenty of grain, but arranging accommodations required careful planning.
After discussing with Lin Zhuangtou, Lu Cong arranged for the families of the trusted aides to vacate twenty empty houses.
These trivial matters didn’t concern Cui Du. All his time and energy were focused on the soon-to-be-harvested sweet potatoes, and he didn’t have the leisure to worry about these minor details.
After four or five busy days, people from various counties gradually arrived at the field manor.
The documents stipulated five to ten people, and some counties, such as Bo Wang, Biyang, and Ye County, each sent five people, since they primarily had industries and didn’t focus on agriculture. Most counties sent ten. There was even a more outrageous case where one county sent twenty people.
Lu Cong looked at the twenty farmers from Wuyin County, finding it both amusing and frustrating, and said to County Magistrate Gao, who personally escorted them, "Why did County Magistrate Gao bring so many people?"
County Magistrate Gao smiled sheepishly: "This year, Wuyin County suffered from drought and poor harvests, leaving the people anxious. Having heard of the new grain with drought resistance and high yield, I brought more people, hoping that with more people learning quickly, it would be easier to promote when they return. Please understand, Mr. Lu."
The opportunity to learn how to cultivate new grain, along with provision of food and lodging, was indeed an irresistible offer!
Lu Cong, resigned yet amused, replied: "Oh well, just this once, no more after this."
County Magistrate Gao repeatedly thanked Mr. Lu.
In hindsight, Jiang Shaohua had indeed chosen the right person by sending Mr. Lu to handle this task. There were many like County Magistrate Gao who personally led people to the field manor. Mr. Lu, familiar with the bureaucracy, could handle these encounters with propriety. Had it been Chen Jinyu or Ma Yaosong, things might not have gone so smoothly.
The last to arrive at the field manor was County Magistrate Cai from Li County.
Upon seeing County Magistrate Cai, Lu Cong almost froze: "Why did County Magistrate Cai bring so many people?"