Chapter 244: Chapter 244 Majority Chose to Sign the

Contract_l

Translator: 549690339

Concerning the yield of the late rice variety, Wei Ruo did not elaborate, knowing that the villagers might not believe her immediately, assuming it as part of her sales pitch for the late rice variety.

Hearing Wei Ruo’s proposal, the crowd immediately quieted down.

This plan was more feasible to them. It required no immediate payment yet could solve their current problem.

Exchanging five pounds of future rice for one pound of current rice seed, this trade-off was also worthwhile.

Just as they were hesitating, many more villagers arrived after hearing the

news.

Xiumei explained the sale rules of the late rice variety to the new arrivals, then heard someone shout out for a sign-up.

Once someone started, those who were hesitating promptly followed: “I want

to sign too, I want to sign too.”

The crowd began clamoring to sign up, afraid that they would be left out if the rice seeds were snatched up by others.

Everyone knew that many farmers were affected this time, and they did not know if Xu Heyou’s rice seeds were enough. It was better to arrive early and secure the seeds.

Wei Ruo asked everyone not to worry and wait in line. Once the magistrate arrived, they could start signing.

All of these affected villages are located near the Government City of Taizhou prefecture, falling under the jurisdiction of Xianlin County. Therefore, Wei Ruo invited the magistrate of Xianlin County to be the official witness.

Hearing that Wei Ruo was offering late rice varieties for the people, the county government of Xianlin County agreed enthusiastically and promptly to her request.

The problem caused by the vicious seedling disease was troubling the county government. From the magistrate to the clerk, everyone worried about its impact on their performance and feared being held accountable by the Magistrate.

Although Wei Ruo’s action is business, it is indeed a means to help Xianlin County solve the problem.

After the clerk arrived, not only did Wei Ruo have extra assurance, but the villagers also felt more at ease. With the government’s witness, they were not afraid of being deceived by Xu Heyou.

The sale started and continued until dusk.

Most of the villagers chose to sign the agreement, returning five times the rice grain at harvest time in the autumn, with only a small number of villagers paying cash on the spot.

All the rice seeds Wei Ruo prepared in the warehouse were sold out, replaced by a box of contracts.

Wu, the clerk of Xianlin County, happily told Wei Ruo, “Xu Heyou truly has the people’s interests at heart.”

“You’re too kind, I’m just a business person.” Wei Ruo replied.

“Not at all. If you were just a business person, Xu Heyou would only sell for cash, and not use the second method, which is much more troublesome than the first,” the clerk Wu evaluated.

Wei Ruo smiled. She didn’t deny it, but she also knew that without the second solution, many villagers would be forced to give up purchasing due to concerns or objective conditions.

This is beneficial not only for her personally but also for the farmers affected by the disease, and even the agriculture of Taizhou prefecture.

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TWO days later, Agui brought a cart full of sweet potato vines to Wei Ruo’s manor.

The sweet potato vines for propagation this year were mainly grown on Xiaoyang Mountain. Once the vines were well grown, Agui was responsible for transporting them here.

Whilst the workers were unloading in the manor, Agui reported the situation

on Xiaoyang Mountain to Wei Ruo.

“Miss, this year’s vines are growing very well, more than enough! We’ve planted almost everywhere on Xiaoyang Mountain, and there are still several acres of vines left to be taken.” Agui reported to Wei Ruo.

“I might trouble you to make another trip in a day or two, to bring me three more carts of well-grown vines.” said Wei Ruo.

“Miss, don’t talk about trouble. It’s part of my job!” Agui happily replied.

If it wasn’t for Miss’s mentoring, he and Xiaoba would still be mere workers on the Wei Family’s farm in Xingshan County.

Under her mentoring, while the Colonel’s Manor was relocating to the Government City, he and Xiaoba left their jobs at that farm to work on Xiaoyang Mountain, which Wei Ruo purchased. They became managers and devoted themselves to helping Wei Ruo.

Today, not only has their monthly pay increased, but they also have a future to look forward to.

“How has everything been on Xiaoyang Mountain recently?” Wei Ruo asked. “Miss, rest assured, everything on Xiaoyang Mountain is fine. We’re carrying out tasks as instructed. We’ve mostly grown sweet potatoes and also sowed some vegetables at the foot of the mountain, and they are all growing well. Everyone on the farm is working hard and is confident about this year’s harvest.” Agui explained.

“That’s good. And what about the situation in the south of the city?” Wei Ruo asked.

Wei Ruo is no longer responsible for the south of the city, but it developed from a wasteland based on her suggestion. Wei Ruo still hopes that the people there can live well.

“The wheat in the south of the city is growing very well, and it’ll be ripe soon. Everyone is full of anticipation.” Agui replied.

“What about the settlers who are reclaiming the land there? Can they still afford to eat?” Wei Ruo asked.

It was still some time before the wheat would be ripe, and many of the settlers who went to the south of the city had no savings. Wei Ruo wondered if they could hang on.

-Miss, don’t worry, they are still able to eat. Lord Qian arranged for them to offset part of their wheat harvest to the county government, and the county government advanced them some silver coins. This allows them to buy food, so they’re doing okay for now.” Agui answered.

“That’s good.” With this, Wei Ruo could be relieved.

“The people in the south of the city all miss you, Miss. They’ve asked me several times when they might be able to see you again.” Agui said.

Wei Ruo smiled and nodded. As for when she would visit Xingshan County again, she wasn’t sure.

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After receiving the sweet potato vines, Wei Ruo had them transported to the sandy land she had purchased and handed them over to the villagers of Stone Village to begin cultivation.

The villagers were quick and efficient. In just a few days’ time, they had mostly cleared the sandy area of wild weeds and rocks. With the arrival of the vines, they could start planting right away.

Wei Ruo was very satisfied with the work of the Stone Village villagers. With their attitude towards their work, she didn’t have to worry about the progress of the sandy area.

Wei Ruo also brought sweet potato jerky, and Xiumei distributed some to each person.

After tasting the sweet potato jerky, the villagers said it was delicious. As farmers, they rarely had the chance to eat sweets. This sweet potato was both sweet and glutinous, a delicacy they seldom tasted.

“If it’s delicious, then grow it well. After you harvest the sweet potatoes, I’ll teach you how to make this sweet potato jerky, which is easy to store and not easily mouldy.” Wei Ruo said to everyone.

Hearing this, everyone was even more motivated, as if they could already envision the sweet potato field full of sweet and glutinous yams..