Chapter Fifty-Four: Universally Praised

After careful observation, joy appeared on everyone's faces, even Chu Lan, who was usually aloof, was no exception.

County Magistrate Qian praised excitedly, "Lord Wei, you have truly raised a remarkable daughter! She has managed to cultivate crops in this barren land! With this, the arable land in Xing Shan County will increase significantly. This truly solves the urgent needs of our people!"

Lu Yuhong, who had come with Chu Lan, was even more direct in his praise. "This is amazing! There aren't even many weeds nearby, yet crops are thriving here! And these seedlings look even better than those elsewhere in Xing Shan County!"

Listening to their compliments and looking at his neatly dressed daughter before him, Wei Mingting was both happy and proud. "To be honest, all these abilities are due to my daughter’s own efforts. As her father, I haven’t fulfilled my responsibilities or taught her much."

He was not modest about their praise of his daughter, but when it came to his own guidance, he truly felt unworthy.

County Magistrate Qian responded, "Lord Wei, you need not be modest. Your efforts are for the safety of Xing Shan County’s people, and your daughter has braved danger and worked tirelessly for them as well. The love you both have for the people is the same."

At this moment, Chu Lan spoke, addressing Wei Ruo, "I have a question for Miss Wei."

"Please go ahead," Wei Ruo replied without hesitation.

"I see these are still seedlings, but ordinary rice should be heading by now. Isn’t it a bit late for them to still be in the seedling stage?" Chu Lan asked.

Everyone had been swept up in the joy of transforming barren land to grow seedlings and had momentarily forgotten this critical point. As Chu Lan spoke, both Wei Mingting and County Magistrate Qian looked to Wei Ruo, their eyes full of curiosity about this issue.

Wei Ruo explained, "Please rest assured, the seeds I sowed here are a new variety brought from Huzhou. They differ slightly from ordinary rice. They are sown in the sixth or seventh lunar month, have a growth period of about one hundred sixty days, and are harvested in November."

Upon hearing this, the three men before her were once again filled with delight.

Whether as an official parent like County Magistrate Qian, a royal like Chu Lan, or a military officer like Wei Mingting, all understood that with limited farmland, being able to plant rice at different times was equivalent to artificially increasing the arable land.

But, as they had yet to see mature rice, they dared not easily believe Wei Ruo’s words.

Chu Lan said, "When the rice Miss Wei is testing here matures, and it is confirmed that you can help Xing Shan County expand arable land and increase grain production, I will report this matter to the imperial court."

Hearing this, County Magistrate Qian was somewhat excited, for if the matter was reported, most of the credit would go to the Wei family, but he, as magistrate, would also share in it.

Wei Mingting’s reaction was more subdued, lacking great joy, but it was clear he anticipated the outcome.

Wei Ruo was not particularly pleased. Had it been someone else telling her these things today, she might have felt better, but as for Chu Lan, she truly did not wish to be entangled with him.

County Magistrate Qian then asked Chu Lan, "Sir, do you think the barren land south of the city can be handed over to the government office and the Commandant’s Office for large-scale development?"

Chu Lan’s intention was only for these people to know, not even their families, so Magistrate Qian immediately changed his form of address.

With the trial planting by the eldest Miss Wei successful, regardless of his motivation—personal achievement or the survival of the people—Magistrate Qian needed to find a way to expand the scale.

Chu Lan replied, "Xing Shan County is under your jurisdiction, Magistrate Qian. You may decide how the barren land is developed. No need to consult me."

Magistrate Qian said, "Understood, sir."

He then asked Wei Mingting and Wei Ruo, "Lord Wei, Miss Wei, would you be willing to take on all the barren land south of the city?"

Wei Mingting did not answer immediately, instead looking to his daughter.

The idea of developing the southern wasteland was her proposal and her effort. If the scale were to expand, the labor would fall to her, so the decision should rest with her.

Wei Ruo replied, "Father, I believe the area of barren land south of the city is vast. If all of it were entrusted to the Commandant’s Office, it might be overwhelming. Rather, let the people develop the land. Many citizens have lost their livelihoods, especially fishermen who cannot go to sea because of the pirate troubles. If some land were allotted to them and they were taught methods of improved cultivation, they would surely do their utmost."

Wei Mingting was deeply moved and turned to Magistrate Qian, "Sir, my daughter speaks truly. Such a vast wasteland cannot be reclaimed by the county office and Commandant’s Office alone. Better to give it to the people, so they may have land to till and grain to harvest!"

Magistrate Qian was troubled. "It is not that I am unwilling to distribute land to the people, but with pirates rampant, the south of the city is not safe. Though Mount Wangyue blocks the southern and eastern approaches to Xing Shan County, there’s no guarantee pirates won’t cross the mountain. Allowing too many people free access to the south might bring many risks..."

This was indeed a concern, and the very reason Wei Ruo’s nurse’s earlier request to the authorities for permission to reclaim the southern wasteland was rejected.

"That is not a difficult matter," Chu Lan suddenly interjected.

Everyone looked to Chu Lan, and Wei Ruo did as well.

Chu Lan’s gaze was deep. "The court will soon send more troops to Xing Shan County. When important points at Mount Wangyue and in the south of the city are fortified, the south will be secure, and the people can farm there with confidence."

After hearing Chu Lan, Magistrate Qian and Wei Mingting’s expressions were mixed.

More troops from the court would be a good thing, but it remained to be seen if the Wei family, unsuccessful against the pirates, and Magistrate Qian, unable to keep the people fed, would be held accountable.

Chu Lan then looked at Wei Ruo, "Miss Wei, if you wish the people to reclaim this wasteland, are you willing to share your methods for improving the land with them?"

"Of course," Wei Ruo answered without hesitation.

It was obvious; dividing the wasteland among the people and letting them come south yet not teaching them how to improve it—what else would they do there but idle and enjoy the scenery?

Chu Lan smiled with satisfaction. "With expanded scale, more manpower and resources will be needed. To help you reclaim more land, I will assign some men for your use. You may proceed freely."

"Thank you for your kindness, sir," Wei Ruo replied quickly, "but as a woman, propriety dictates we keep our distance."