Chapter 13
Chapter 13
In April, the weather in Anqiu County had already warmed considerably.
The winter wheat sown in September and October of the previous year was now heading.
Winter wheat, needing to endure the cold months, has a longer growing period, which generally results in higher yields and better quality compared to spring wheat.
Ji Chu and the magistrate’s clerks, all originally from the Central Plains where winter wheat is commonly grown, understood the growth cycle well.
Typically, winter wheat is sown before the new year, but the exact timing depends on the weather. If the cold comes early, sow earlier; if late, wait a little longer.
After sowing, the winter wheat is not encouraged to sprout upward immediately; instead, it must use the harsh winter cold to drive its roots deeper into the soil. As the saying goes, “Wheat cannot thrive twice; if it thrives in winter, it won’t in spring.” This means that if the winter is too warm and the crop grows too well, it will lack strength in spring, affecting the development of the ears.
This principle is similar to tending flowers or fruit trees. To bloom better flowers or bear larger fruit, one must prune branches appropriately to ensure nutrients are fully directed.
Last year, several heavy snowfalls blanketed the wheat fields like quilts, maintaining soil temperature and moisture, and killing pests in their eggs during the coldest thaw. Moreover, as the snow melted, it alleviated common spring drought conditions.
It is often said that successful farming depends on timing, location, and harmony among people—and this is absolutely true. A slight misstep can ruin an entire year’s labor.
Building on this foundation, after the new year, Ji Chu led the entire county in scientifically preparing fertilizer and applied appropriate fertilization to the wheat during February and March. Now, come April, the results were evident.
Different fields require different fertilizers. The varied conditions of the wheat called for tailored fertilization. Though identifying these differences was a bit complicated, careful cultivation always bore visible fruit in the fields.
Upon receiving a report from Officer Xie, Ji Chu immediately left the city to inspect the fields.
As soon as the weather warmed, the wheat changed noticeably each day. Today’s inspection confirmed what Officer Xie had said: the heavy, full ears of wheat were truly encouraging.
If the ears alone looked this promising, the eventual harvest would surely bring even greater joy.
Among the farmers in the fields, one marveled, “The county magistrate said fertilizer should be applied at least three times—base fertilizer during plowing, seed fertilizer at sowing, and top dressing during growth.”
“Doing these three well will surely increase the yield. This is not just trust in words but knowing how effective it truly is.”
“Our fields missed the base and seed fertilizers but followed the county magistrate’s advice for top dressing after the new year, and already the ears look bigger than in previous years.”
Hearing this, Ji Chu felt a bit embarrassed. The people remembered his words from the book so clearly. The fertilizer guide was written in plain language, so it naturally stuck with them.
Another farmer added, “I also planted spring wheat using high-quality seeds and followed the fertilization methods. Come August or September, we’ll see its yield.”
Nearby, some looked at him and couldn’t help but say, “You’re going to wear yourself out! Winter wheat and spring wheat plus two acres of rapeseed—what exactly are you trying to do this year?”
“Just to feed my family,” he answered carelessly. “If it keeps us from starving, I don’t mind working hard.”
Ji Chu looked at the wheat in the fields and then at the man who spoke.
His method was important.
But the local people were even more crucial.
No matter how good the method, if no one implements it, it’s worthless.
It was the farmers’ diligence that truly made these wheat ears different.
Perhaps because Ji Chu’s gaze was intense, the chatting crowd noticed the official nearby and looked again, recognizing him as a government clerk.
In the past, they would have been fearful, but now they boldly asked, “Is that an official’s assistant? Has the county magistrate issued another proclamation?”
Their tone carried clear anticipation. They hoped Ji Chu’s decrees would bring them good fortune.
Ji Chu caught their meaning and smiled, shaking his head. “Not at the moment.”
The accent was unfamiliar, not local.
As the crowd approached, recognizing how young the official in the middle was, they hurriedly bowed.
“Honorable Ji, please be sure to attend the summer harvest next month.”
“My family’s first bundle of wheat—I want to present it to you.”
“Looking at these wheat ears, they must meet your expectations, right?”
As everyone chatted excitedly, Ji Chu smiled and nodded. “They’re already very good. In less than a month, the harvest will come, and it will surely be bountiful.”
This was the hope of all!
Everyone also knew that much credit was due to the fertilizer.
Good fertilizer could double the results with half the effort.
And all this was thanks to Magistrate Ji.
Though he had been in Anqiu less than half a year, they trusted him completely.
From the winter relief efforts to the meticulous fertilizing, even helping with the rapeseed fields that barely counted as farmland, he was genuinely helping them put food on the table.
Many farmers in Anqiu County looked at the heavy wheat and the budding rapeseed with hope. If the harvests went well, they wouldn’t go hungry this year.
The entire border county, stirred by the promising wheat ears, seemed revived.
Some even sang local farming songs, all filled with hopes for a good harvest.
The farmers’ joy sharply contrasted with the county school’s dull atmosphere.
In the large county school, few students studied earnestly anymore.
If they couldn’t learn or pass exams, what use was it? Better to pack up and ask a tutor at home.
Hearing the farmers’ loud singing, they wished they could block out the noise.
It was a distraction to their studies.
When Li Wen, son of Magistrate Li, arrived at the school, his steps faltered.
Inside were mostly teenagers and young men, but the place felt so lifeless.
Fourteen-year-old Li Wen felt that entering here drained the spirit from people.
He too was somewhat drowsy; although his father was a scholar, he himself was not suited for study.
Since coming to Anqiu, he had procrastinated until now, finally willing to attend the county school.
Upon entering, many looked over, clearly aware of his background.
“Is the magistrate’s son studying here too?”
“In a place the county magistrate doesn’t even care about, and yet his close aide’s son comes here?”
These remarks were said with a strange tone, and even the tutor accompanying them did not reprimand the speakers.
It seemed the entire county school harbored great resentment toward Magistrate Ji.
As soon as class ended, these words reached Ji Chu’s ears.
Don’t ask why they reported it!
After all, his father was the magistrate’s trusted aide.
The changes in Anqiu County were visible to all. If these words reached the farmers, they would surely curse the school’s people directly.
“Is Magistrate Ji someone you can speak ill of?”
Ji Chu, calculating the distance for the upcoming prefectural exams, told Li Wen, “Don’t start conflicts. Just wait a while.”
Li Wen and his father, Li Shiye, were more like his mother, Lady Li, in temperament—somewhat spirited. Li Wen promptly agreed and grinned, “Fourth uncle, do you have any tricks up your sleeve? Can you share them now?”
“Go back to studying,” Li Shiye immediately dismissed him.
Calling him fourth uncle was truly disrespectful.
In recent days, Li Shiye had come to sincerely call Ji Chu “sir” and truly admired him.
If he were in charge of Anqiu, it would certainly be no better than Ji Chu’s work.
Ji Chu did not mind and smiled, “You’ll know after the summer harvest.”
Then he asked about the recent weather, noting how the days were growing hotter and the summer harvest drawing nearer.
Farmers had little idle time; May was a busy month.
As May progressed, the days seemed to rush by.
Looking out over the golden wheat, one felt both dizzy and joyful.
Ji Chu often went to the outskirts to observe, waiting for the right moment to begin the summer harvest.
Farming relies heavily on rain.
Yet, just before harvest, rain is most feared.
If a heavy downpour struck at this time, the ripening wheat could rot on the ground, sprouting mold or shoots.
Farming was truly difficult.
At sowing, farmers hoped for cold weather so seedlings would grow slowly.
During winter, they wished for heavy snow to kill pests, insulate, and store moisture.
In spring, they hoped for some rain but no late cold spells.
After enduring until the wheat was nearly ripe, they prayed for no rain to allow harvest and drying.
Any misstep could reduce yields and bring losses.
If severe, it meant hunger.
This was why Ji Chu was anxious: farming was too dependent on the whims of heaven.
Even now, with a bumper crop, a disaster year would leave them struggling.
Good weather allowed proper grain storage, which was essential to surviving future hardship.
But if heaven existed, it might well grumble at human demands: “You want snow when it’s time, cold when it’s needed, then rain, then no rain?”
Yet heaven has no will; nature is indifferent, treating all things as mere fodder.
It does not operate by human desires or expectations.
All these small but powerful humans could do was contest with heaven and earth, determined to survive in a world indifferent to their will.
May 16th.
According to the court’s Astronomical Bureau’s agricultural calendar and the experience of Anqiu’s farmers, the long-awaited summer harvest finally arrived.
How well the wheat, nurtured by the new fertilizer, would yield depended on the weighing after harvest.
The entire county was abuzz with activity.
At this moment, regardless of status or position, everyone watched the harvest closely.
As the main grain harvest of Anqiu County, the summer yield would determine whether they would borrow to get by, barely eat enough, or be fortunate enough to have surplus grain for the year.
Ji Chu could not help but feel nervous.
If the staple crop was stable, everything else would be stable.
If it faltered, all subsequent plans would have to be postponed.
Between the frantic rushes in various villages, reports came in continuously.
“In Luoyu Village! Third Uncle Luo’s family has finished harvesting! Their twelve acres yielded a total of 3,840 jin of wheat and 6,919 jin of straw!”
An average yield of 320 jin per acre.
Last year was also a good harvest year, with Qu Xia Prefecture averaging 280 jin per acre.
An increase of forty jin!
The officials took a deep breath, their eyes shining with excitement.
Many of them farmed themselves, so they understood what this meant.
They were restless, eager to return home to check their own fields.
“Magistrate Ji’s fertilizer knowledge really works!”
“It’s only the first year. Next year, with more refined techniques, the yield will surely be higher.”
“Still Luoyu Village, the Gong family’s twenty-seven acres yielded a total of 9,186 jin!”
An average of 340 jin per acre!
Sixty jin more than last year?!
Not only the officials but the entire Anqiu County was stirred by the news.
Sixty jin of grain was enough to feed a person for several months!
This year’s summer harvest in Anqiu County could not merely be called abundant—it was a true bumper crop!
Many also looked ahead to the summer wheat and rapeseed.
What about them?
What surprises would they bring?