The next day, Qiao Chuan's house was surrounded by villagers, all covered in mud and with muddy pant legs, looking for Qiao Chuan to sign written agreements.
"Villagers, please go home and rest for a while. I need to ask them if they want the newly reclaimed land. If they rent it, we'll all be happy. If not, don't be discouraged, just go back. I'll ask them, and then I'll find you!"
"Village head, hurry up and ask. We're not leaving, we'll wait right here!"
"Yes, we'll wait for you!"
Everyone was anxiously waiting for the result, no one wanted to go home. This was a matter of money.
The village head sighed a long, helpless sigh and walked dejectedly to Zhao Jiaqi's house.
Qiao Chuan explained the previous night's events to her: "I tried to persuade them, but they wouldn't listen. This is why they sent me to ask, if you want to rent the newly reclaimed wasteland? It's okay if you don't, I'll tell them when I go back!"
"Go back and tell the villagers that I'll also take the newly reclaimed land!"
"Ah, I'll go back and tell them now!" Qiao Chuan happily nodded at Zhao Jiaqi while backing towards the door, a wide grin spreading across his face.
With a reassured heart, Qiao Chuan's steps back home quickened, wishing he could fly.
Land reclamation began that afternoon. They had never done anything like writing agreements and signing contracts, nor did they know how to do it.
Zhao Jiaqi dispatched some guards to help. The entire day was spent measuring land and signing contracts. As for the rent, it would be distributed the next day.
The main issue was that the money shops in town didn't have enough silver to disburse. Shi He had to go to the county town to retrieve it. The round trip would take at least half a day. By the time he returned, it was already dark, and they couldn't possibly distribute silver in the dark!
The villagers were filled with excitement and anticipation all night. Before dawn the next day, they were already waiting outside Zhao Jiaqi's main gate, just waiting for it to open so they could line up to receive their silver.
After breakfast, Zhao Jiaqi did not disappoint these people. Based on the written agreements, she paid out silver according to the mu of land each family had rented.
Although the villagers couldn't read, they were quick with calculations and had already tallied their accounts beforehand. Receiving money was the most satisfying thing.
The heads of households lined up to collect their silver, while their wives and children waited nearby. The entire village gathered outside Zhao Jiaqi's gate.
Before noon, the villagers had collected their silver and taken it home. For dinner that night, every household had a few stir-fried dishes and some stewed meat. The aroma of cooked meat wafted through the entire village.
This was the first time Pingting had seen her sister-in-law operate like this. She was almost thrilled, "Sister-in-law, what do you mean go farming? I'll go with you!"
Fan Xudong nudged his foolish wife. Farming was bitter and tiring, something others avoided. Yet, here she was, eager to do it. If she wasn't foolish, what else could she be!
"Behave yourself and don't stir up trouble!"
Pingting put her hands on her hips. She couldn't understand why she wasn't allowed to do things she liked. They all called her foolish.
"I'm not causing trouble, I'm serious. Mind your own business, either join me or shut up!"
The domineering Pingting wouldn't listen to Fan Lao Er's explanations and issued him an ultimatum.
Fan Xudong admitted defeat and lightly slapped his own mouth. Why did he have to say anything? Now he had found himself extra work!
Alas, she was his wife, he had to pamper her.
"You're right, I'll listen to you!" Fan Xudong was utterly defeated and immediately softened his tone, smiling as he uttered these insincere words.
Pingting was magnanimous and not angry. She waved at him, "That's a good husband. Starting tomorrow, we'll work hard together!"
Zhao Jiaqi stifled a laugh, almost to the point of internal injury.
She quickly pulled her husband away, afraid that if they stayed any longer, Pingting might assign Fan Xudong even more tasks.
She had no bottom line when it came to tricking her own husband.
Escaping from the situation, Fan Zehao took his wife to the fields. Looking at the more than a thousand mu of land, he felt uncertain.
"Wife, have you thought about how to manage this fertile land?"
"I've thought about it. This saline-alkali land may look unusable, but if it's properly managed, we can still grow things here, and it will earn more than growing grain."
Fan Zehao was surprised. He was now curious about what this land was suitable for, that it could earn more than grain!
Zhao Jiaqi looked at his slightly parted lips and knew what he was thinking. She didn't keep him in suspense and said directly, "This place is suitable for growing medicinal herbs. Tomorrow, I plan to visit other villages. If the entire prefecture is like this, then we'll make this place the Herb Prefecture, mainly selling herbs. What do you think of this plan!"
Medicinal herbs!
Everyone gets sick and needs medicine. If this place truly became a hub for medicinal herbs, selling them to various parts of the Yun Kingdom would be a considerable income.
"It's not good, it's too good! It can perfectly complement other prefectures. It's indeed a very good plan!"
Zhao Jiaqi was still very happy to receive her husband's approval. She felt a little proud, glancing aside and humming softly.
Didn't he even ask who she was!
Could her ideas be bad?
The next day, Zhao Jiaqi hired sixty long-term laborers, paying them monthly. Based on the notes he left behind, she had Fan Xudong lead them in managing the saline-alkali land.
She followed Fan Zehao to inspect other areas. Pingting didn't go this time, instead declaring that she would stay and share hardships with Fan Lao Er.
When they went out, Fan Zehao rode his horse with Zhao Jiaqi. They visited several counties in a day, and everywhere they went, the situation was exactly the same as the land in Qingshan Village.
After six days of touring Lu'an Prefecture, there were no surprises. The culprit that prevented crops from growing on the land was the saline-alkali soil.
"Husband, since we need to improve the land here, we can't just change one place!"
Fan Zehao thought her words made sense. He asked, "Wife, have you thought of a solution?"
Zhao Jiaqi nodded, "Yes, I plan to have every managed village in Lu'an Prefecture send two people to Qingshan Village to learn from me how to improve saline-alkali land, so that these abandoned lands can be utilized again."
This was a good idea!
"After they learn, they can all go back and manage their respective villages' land. This way, we won't waste time teaching them again. This method is excellent. However, to be safe, it's best to have the government find a few skilled farmers to learn alongside them. When we leave, with these experienced farmers to teach, we can be at ease!"
Zhao Jiaqi curled her lips, her beautiful eyes narrowed, smiling sweetly, "Okay, let's do as you say. Then let's go see the prefect!"
Without a word, Fan Zehao scooped her onto his swift red horse and headed straight for the prefect of Lu'an Prefecture.
Prefect's Yamen.
Two yamen runners stood guard outside. The street was bustling with people, but not too many. Fan Zehao dismounted with Zhao Jiaqi, holding one hand on the horse and the other on his wife's arm, walking directly towards the prefectural yamen.
"Who are you? This is a restricted area of the prefectural yamen. You cannot loiter here without reason!"
A large sabre blocked their way. The yamen runner's face was stern, though tinged with a slight solemnity.