The house is ancient, and was taken home by a rough man and spoiled

Chapter 173 Government Rewards

It’s a pity that he couldn’t answer this question either.

This is what was said in the notice issued by the imperial court. Perhaps it was just to let him keep the refugees a little longer and prevent them from moving south.

It was impossible for the higher-ups to tell him whether this was a rumor or not.

Shen Yuan saw his expression and knew that he didn't know either, so he analyzed:

"If the rain is real, these sweet potatoes can last until the rain in June. If it's not, it doesn't matter. To be honest, the pond in the village will automatically replenish water after daily use. Maybe this is the last chance God has given us to survive."

Shen Yuan considered it for a while and naturally would not let the sweet potato matter go.

Su Wanwan remained calm.

She and Shen Yuan had already discussed this, and she would replenish the pond water every day.

But she couldn't add too much. If the water level dropped by three inches, she would add two inches. She just regarded it as God's mercy on all living things, but she didn't want people to think that the water in the pond was inexhaustible.

At the same time, the sweet potatoes will not die with this water.

"My god, it's true when you say that!"

Liu Daping slapped his forehead, wondering if his village was blessed by God.

The water level in the pond had dropped a lot yesterday. When he and the county magistrate went to check it out today, he felt something was strange. The water level seemed to have risen a little again.

But he didn't dare say more.

"Really? There's no spring underneath, but it can replenish water automatically?"

Everyone was shocked.

"We have only observed it for one day. We need to see whether it can replenish water automatically. If it cannot replenish water and it doesn't rain in June, I'm afraid the sweet potatoes... can't be guaranteed."

Su Wanwan replied.

Xu Huaiyuan frowned slightly, and Zhao Qinghai was even more heartbroken.

If such good crops die due to drought, it is better not to plant them. You can plant them again after the drought is over.

But now, if it doesn’t rain, then everything will be over. What a pity.

"In any case, to preserve these sweet potatoes, first use the water from the pond to hang them. If there is no rain, I will send people south to fetch water."

Xu Huaiyuan has made the decision that these sweet potatoes must not be ruined.

Su Wanwan was delighted. With the county magistrate's words, they could use the pond water openly.

She usually watered the fields secretly, always afraid of being discovered.

"The sweet potato vines cannot be wasted. They can be used to plant fibers again. Brother Shen, Madam Shen, can I bring some more back?"

Zhao Qinghai had other plans.

The more we plant this time, the more seeds we will have in the future, and there will be no shortage of seeds after promotion.

"Yes, I can, but I wonder if you have enough water?"

Su Wanwan was a little hesitant.

It’s not her fault. The rivers in Tongxu County have dried up now, and it’s not certain whether it will rain in June.

"That's true. Our agriculture department has run out of water. How can we plant crops?"

At this time, Shen Yuan suddenly said:

“Why not mobilize the villagers of Daliushu Village to plant sweet potatoes? There is water in the pond here. Even if we need to go south to get water in the future, this place is closer to the south, so it is easier to plant and manage it in a unified way.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Daping couldn't help but nodded a few times.

Shen Yuan’s suggestion is very good.

It is obvious that the county magistrate and Lord Zhao are particularly interested in sweet potato cultivation. They are both planting it in Daliushu Village. This will only benefit the village, not harm it.

Zhao Qinghai thought about it for a moment, and finally felt that this was the only way.

“Brother Shen is right, Lord Zhao, you should send people to Daliushu Village to assist the head of Liuli and the villagers in planting sweet potatoes. By the way, you can also study the methods of planting sweet potatoes and keep good records.

Brother Shen, Madam Shen, you have discovered sweet potatoes. If this batch of sweet potatoes is successfully planted in the future and the yield is really as the head of the village said, one mu can produce ten stones, I will definitely recommend you for merit."

Su Wanwan and Shen Yuan didn't think about competing for any credit. It would be best if they could preserve the sweet potatoes and let the whole village grow them together.

"The villagers of Daliushu Village have made great contributions in planting sweet potatoes. I will make a ruling that for those who plant sweet potatoes, the wheat tax will be reduced by half this year."

As the county magistrate, he was ordered by his superiors to pay one-third of the taxes, but he still had the right to reduce the amount further.

It is really impossible to exempt them all. After all, so many refugees are running out of food, and they are counting on collecting some tax grain from the wheat harvest this year to provide emergency relief.

"Whether or not the sweet potatoes are productive, the sweet potato fields are exempt from taxes during the autumn harvest, but the sweet potatoes must be sold to the government."

Xu Huaiyuan thought for a moment and introduced several policies at once. Liu Daping almost cried with joy.

In other words, whether the crops can be grown or not, it is a good thing for the villagers.

Of course, he hopes to grow it!

Su Wanwan and Shen Yuan also looked at each other, and they were very calm, but they were also glad that the current county magistrate of Tongxu County was Xu Huaiyuan.

This young county magistrate has a promising future.

"Thank you, sir. I will definitely mobilize the villagers to protect the sweet potatoes and actively plant them."

Liu Daping immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Don't thank me, thank Shen Yuan and his wife instead."

Xu Huaiyuan whispered, looked at Shen Yuan and his wife, and suddenly thought of something important.

"Let's all go out and tell the villagers about this. By the way, Lord Zhao, please also announce the reward for Madam Shen."

Zhao Qinghai nodded immediately. He was so focused on eating the sweet potatoes that he almost forgot about the reward.

"Yes, sir. Starting tomorrow, I will personally lead people to station in Daliushu Village and plant sweet potatoes with the villagers."

Zhao Qinghai was a little excited.

For the Agriculture Department, discovering a new crop with extremely high yield is also a great achievement.

Su Wanwan looked at the old man's energetic expression, as if he had discovered a treasure, and was also in awe.

She had seen this spirit of pursuing new things and tireless research in Doctor Liu before, and seeing it again now, she was still in awe.

It’s great that the government is in good order and the people are in harmony. Not only is the atmosphere in Daliushu Village harmonious, but the officials in Tongxu County are also sincerely working for the people.

The group returned to the wheat field. Su Wanwan received praise from the Agriculture Department for making farm tools and was directly rewarded with 100 taels of silver plus ten acres of good farmland.

The Daliushu Village was in an uproar. This was the first time that someone from their Daliushu village had received praise from the government.

Only then did everyone realize that the Agriculture Department also gave rewards for improving farm tools.

However, the drawings of the agricultural tools will also be made public by the Agriculture Department to encourage farmers to create new agricultural tools and promote them.

Zhao Qinghai also looked at the two farm tools and secretly felt that this young peasant woman was smart.

When Liu Daping told the villagers that growing sweet potatoes could reduce taxes, Daliushu Village became increasingly excited.

This excitement continued until the county magistrate left.

Duoduo was reluctant to leave, and the three children were inseparable after playing for half a day.

Su Wanwan simply took them back to her home to take a look.

It just so happened that Old Mrs. Xu didn't want to go back so early, so they could go back with the tax collectors in the afternoon.

Zhao Qinghai wanted to stay and assist. According to the policy of the county magistrate, they only needed to pay one sixth of the tax grain, so the payment went smoothly.

They also have to plant sweet potatoes, which mature in July and August. Together with the food they have stored previously, they can almost last until then.

Here, Su Wanwan brought Grandma Xu, Duoduo and a few children back home first.