In front of us, the dark, regular fields slid away like ladders, and water flowed down from above, soaking through the cultivated land, forming a small waterfall in rows.
Wen Shanchu looked at this strange land in surprise. It was rare that fields were made like this. Is this?
"Did you think of all this?" He looked at the little girl next to him in surprise, with disbelief in his eyes.
"Yes, sir." Tian Minyan pursed her lips and smiled: "These are called terraced fields. They are not only beautiful, but also convenient for irrigation. Do you think it saves a lot of trouble for irrigation like this?"
"Well, what a wonderful idea, where did you get this water?" Wen Shanchu looked up and saw that the top ground didn't look like this.
"Sir, please go this way." Tian Minyan quickly led the way and said: "I intercepted the stream from the river beach on the mountain side, and dug a pond on it..."
Climbing up the specially opened wide road, we can see that the road is flat and neatly repaired. Wen Shanchu saw it with his eyes, listened with his ears, and nodded secretly.
Arriving at the highest point of the hillside, Tian Minyan and other farmers who had been working in the fields all year round were all blushing and out of breath. She took a sneak peek and saw that Mr. Wen was not even out of breath either. There was just a slight sweat on his forehead, and his heart was full of sweat.
I think Mr. Wen probably has a job as well.
On the other hand, those gentry and tycoons were all red-faced, covered with sweat, panting like a puppy sticking out its tongue, the luxurious silks on their bodies were like pickles in their hands, and the satin boots on their feet were covered in mud.
Does it look like it used to be rich and majestic?
Tian Minyan looked at it and laughed secretly. These people eat and drink every day. They have clothes to stretch out and food to open their mouths. They sleep when they are full, and their bellies are full of fat. They do not move at all. They are so tired after climbing such a small hill. If it were higher, it would be better.
, what’s more?
"This, am I right? It's a well?" Wen Shanchu pointed to a newly dug well built with stones at his feet. He looked down and saw his own head reflected in the well.
"Sir, you read that right, it is indeed a well." Tian Minyan smiled.
"You dug a well in the land? What's the reason for this?" Wen Shanchu was very surprised.
"Sir, there is not just one such well. There are three in total in this hundred acres of land. Our second girl said that even if the river bank cannot supply water, with this well, crops can be planted on the land without fear of drought.
Yes." Xie Gouzi, who had been following him, interrupted in a hurry. When he saw Tian Minyan's squinting eyes, he shrank his neck and took another step away.
"Oh, what's this?" Wen Shanchu became interested and looked at Tian Minyan.
"Sir, as the saying goes, there are unforeseen circumstances. Although our county has not had severe droughts or floods in the past ten years, it does not mean that the weather will always be smooth in the future. Look, sir." Tian Minyan stood on the high slope and pointed downwards.
Her fields, her wasteland, are separated by a river embankment. Below are the fields of the villagers of Yangmei Village. There are sandy fields and paddy fields, a huge area, among which the water supply is another river beach.
"Sir, you can also see that the river bank I intercepted is not big and there is not enough water. If there is a drought, there will be no supply. If there is no water, then..." Tian Minyan frowned and said: "I
This is why wells are built. If there is a drought, even if there is no water on the riverbank, this well can save a life or two. If there is enough water, it can also irrigate the fields of the villagers below, benefiting yourself and others. It is a win-win situation.
.”
"I can't tell you are young and have a lot of ideas." Wen Shanchu raised his eyebrows after hearing what she said.
"Sir, I'm just taking precautions." Tian Minyan pursed her lips and smiled softly.
"It's a good precaution. If the folks think like you, then Qingping County will be the first to do so." Wen Shanchu chuckled.
"Miss Tian, the sandy soil on your land is semi-infiltrated. Have you thought of what crops to plant? What's your estimate of the yield per acre?"
Next to Wen Shanchu, a middle-aged man wearing a dark blue robe and a beard asked. After Li Zheng introduced him, Tian Minyan recognized him as the boss of the county, whose surname was Dai.
"Master Dai, this land has just been opened. It needs to be cultivated. I haven't seriously thought about what to plant. I just use it as a test field to plant some new things in the future." Tian Minyan laughed.
Master Dai narrowed his eyes and said, "Miss Tian, although your family bought the land, if you can't grow crops and let it fall into disrepair, there are laws in the South that will take it back."
There is a law in the South. If you buy wasteland and do not clear it, plant it, or grow nothing within five years, the county government can consider taking it back and let those who are able to cultivate it. And those who bought the land want to take back the purchased land.
Money? That's impossible. The county government will only compensate you one-tenth of the money.
When Tian Minyan learned about this law, she almost didn't jump up and scolded it for being too dark.
But after thinking about it carefully, I realized that this law has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that it can prevent the gentry and local tyrants from forcibly buying land, and it can also give an opportunity to those who have the ability to open up wasteland. The disadvantage is that it will discourage people who are willing to open up wasteland.
Back off, after all, no one wants to lose.
When Tian Minyan wanted to buy wasteland, several uncles who were familiar with her told her about this law. However, since Tian Minyan knew the opportunity beforehand, and also found wealth in danger, her efforts may not necessarily be rewarded, but if she doesn't work hard, she will definitely be rewarded.
There was no hope, so she insisted on buying it.
"Don't worry, Lord Dai. In less than five years, I will be able to plant crops even during this autumn's harvest. And next summer's harvest, the output of these 100 acres of wasteland will definitely be 400 kilograms." Tian Minyan raised her chin and smiled, with confidence shining in her eyes.
of light.
"The yield per mu is four hundred catties?" The money owner was not surprised, and his voice became shrill. Not only him, but also Wen Shanchu and others were shocked.
It is the current fertile land in Yangmei Village, which can produce two stones per mu. It is recognized that Tian Minyan, this wasteland, cannot grow anything. Even if he is well cared for, a few dozen kilograms can be considered a blessing from God.
But she said, this wasteland can produce four hundred kilograms of grain? Or next year?
The little girl really doesn't know how high the sky is and she doesn't brag like this.
"Girl from the Tian family, you have to be down-to-earth in this kind of land. How can you boast?" The owner smiled softly, then looked at Tian Huairen who had been silent and said: "Tian family, you are also brave.
You are so fat that you dare to boast in front of the magistrate." At the end of his words, there was a hint of warning.
Tian Huairen was also stunned by his daughter's words. When he heard Master Dai say this, his face turned pale with fright. He pulled Tian Minyan and was about to kneel down: "My lord, she is a kid. Do you have any
It’s a large amount, don’t take it to heart.” He took Tian Minyan’s hand and said, “Nanny, quickly admit your mistake.”
"Dad, what are you doing?" Tian Minyan rolled her eyes, this dad is too timid.
It’s no wonder that Tian Huairen is nervous and timid. He has lived for decades and has been living in Yangmei Village. Where has he seen big shots? When he heard that the magistrate came to see his land, he was so frightened that his legs went weak. He thought it was land.
Something had happened there, but thanks to Li Zheng's explanation that he was just here to see the situation of land reclamation, his mind finally calmed down.
Although the magistrate had a serious face, he was also very amiable. He asked him a few pleasant questions, and he answered excitedly. Seeing that it was not a bad thing, he really calmed down.
But now, my daughter actually said such big words, that the yield per mu is four hundred kilograms, which is an amount that their family's fertile land cannot produce. If she said such big words, if she didn't in the future, she would have to go to jail?
That's why Tian Huairen was so nervous because he was afraid that his daughter would offend the county magistrate. Who could they afford to offend?
The ancients worshiped officials in every possible way, not because of any glory, but because they controlled the power of life and death for the people. If they were not careful, it would be a matter of losing their lives.
Wen Shanchu waved his hand and asked Tian Huairen to stand up with a smile. He looked at Tian Minyan and saw that there was no fear in her eyes. Instead, she was confident and serious. He couldn't help but ask: "Girl, are you really sure that you can produce four hundred per mu?"
A pound of grain?”
"Of course." Tian Minyan raised her chin with arrogance.
"Tell me, what do you want to plant?"
"Sir, I can't decide what to plant right now, so you don't have to worry about what I plant. Next summer, if the weather is good, this hundred acres of wasteland will definitely have a good harvest." Tian Minyan answered vaguely, could she say that I want to grow cotton?
No one knows what it is.
"Okay!" Wen Shanchu clapped his hands and said, "Girl, do you dare to high-five me and swear an oath?"
"Sir..." Master Dai frowned and stepped forward. Wen Shanchu waved his hand and looked at Tian Minyan intently.
"Why don't you dare?" Tian Minyan smiled brightly and stretched out her small, white palm.
"Nanny." Tian Huairen was so shocked that his eyes were red.
Li Zheng also stepped forward and said, "Second girl from the Tian family, don't make any random promises. You will be put in jail."
Xie Gouzi also walked up behind her and reminded her in a low voice: "Second girl, please think carefully."
Tian Minyan seemed to have ignored everyone's persuasion and only gave Wen Shanchu three high-fives.
Tian Huairen sat down on the ground, as if his whole body had been shaken, thinking it was over.
"Dad." Tian Minyan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She helped him up and whispered: "There are many people here. Please cheer up."
"You, you kid is a mess." Tian Huairen stretched out his finger and poked her forehead hard, and finally sighed helplessly and said: "That's all, whether it's good or bad, it's all up to our family to accompany you.
You are."
"Dad." Tian Minyan felt helpless and funny, but more moved, she hugged his arm and said, "Don't worry, I have a sense of propriety."
"Haha, from the Tian family, you can't compare to a daughter like you." Wen Shanchu took in the expressions and words of his father and daughter, laughed and said something, patted Tian Huairen on the shoulder, and left with his hands behind his back.
Drive away.
Tian Huairen and Tian Minyan looked at each other, both of them showing a dumbfounded expression.
