At Chen Kaishan’s question, Cheng Zongyang’s eyes shifted. He calmly picked up his cup, finished the wine, and asked in return:
"Are you interested in this rice? Also, let’s eat. It’s already Noon, and the food will get cold. We’re all familiar with each other, so there’s no need for such formalities."
As he spoke, he picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.
At his side, Zheng Tianhai simply smiled at the words. He too picked up his cup and drained it, still showing no intention of joining the conversation.
Seeing this, Chen Kaishan also began to eat as he spoke, "We are indeed. That’s why I’ve co to ask about it. Is it a unique variant from Tianduan Mountain?"
Cheng Zongyang shook his head. "Where it cos from is a secret. But if your Comrce Association is interested, cooperation isn’t out of the question. Care to hear about its yield?"
Chen Kaishan’s hand paused. He nodded. "I’m all ears."
"Depending on the three cultivation thods, the lowest yield is about 1,000 jin, the dium yield is 1,500 jin, and the highest is 2,500 to 3,000 jin."
Instantly, both Chen Kaishan and Zheng Tianhai stared at Cheng Zongyang in shock. Then, their expressions gradually turned to suspicion.
They seed to doubt Cheng Zongyang’s claims.
’They had seen it; the amount of grain on each stalk was indeed substantial, but could a single mu truly produce that much?’
Cheng Zongyang knew they weren’t convinced, but he offered no explanation and simply continued to eat.
Chen Kaishan stared at Cheng Zongyang for a mont. ’He’s probably not lying,’ he thought. ’The rice is almost ready for harvest; we’ll find out for sure then.’ So, he said:
"If the yield is really that high, bringing this back to the Da Yi Comrce Association would be a great accomplishnt. I wonder, could you sell us one or two hundred jin? Of course, if you’re willing, the Comrce Association can also purchase the harvest."
However, Cheng Zongyang shook his head and smiled. "Apologies, but that rice isn’t the master seed stock. If you take it back, you won’t be able to use it for planting—only for cooking and eating. As for us selling the harvest, not for now. We don’t even have enough for the County Town yet."
They didn’t particularly care about not being able to purchase it, but they couldn’t plant it? Disbelief filled their eyes. ’A viable seed that can’t be planted?’
Seeing their reaction, Cheng Zongyang knew they had misunderstood. He laughed and said, "Oh, you can plant it, but it won’t produce any grain... How about this? The harvest is in a few days. Why don’t you both co and watch? I can even give you a hundred jin to take back and plant. You can see for yourselves what it produces."
’They don’t believe . Explaining further would be a waste of breath. It’s better to let them take so back and try it for themselves.’
’All they’ll end up with is a field of rice stalks that bear no grain. Then, they’ll have no choice but to believe , and we can discuss a partnership.’
’As for them getting greedy and trying to steal the master seed? Well, they’re welco to see if they can.’
’I brought this rice out into the open because I’m not afraid of anyone trying to steal it!’
Seeing his confidence, Chen Kaishan and Zheng Tianhai exchanged smiles. If what he said was true, grain cultivation was about to be completely revolutionized!
With such a high-yield seed available, who would bother planting the old varieties?
The three continued to eat and chat. From their conversation, Cheng Zongyang learned where they had been for the past year, so details about the situation in Da Liang, and so basic information about the Da Yi Comrce Association.
Chen Kaishan, however, still hadn’t given up. He would periodically ask Cheng Zongyang to reconsider, much to Cheng Zongyang’s exasperation.
Finally, the topic turned to Martial Arts Cultivation. Cheng Zongyang could sense from Chen Kaishan’s aura that he was no Martial Artist of the Lower Three Grades, so he was curious about his level as well.
Chen Kaishan didn’t hide it, stating directly that he was at the Fifth Grade. Cheng Zongyang, in turn, said he was approaching the Sixth Grade.
This revelation left both Chen Kaishan and Zheng Tianhai silent for a long ti, unsure how to respond.
In one year, to go from a farr’s son to this level of Cultivation, it would be impossible without so fortuitous encounter. Chen Kaishan’s thoughts turned to the matter of the Giant Python Hide he had sold back then.
Zheng Tianhai was even more speechless, and remained so for a long while.
He wasn’t as familiar with Cheng Zongyang, but he knew of him. The information ca from his cousin, Zheng Yan, who had told him a few things about Cheng Zongyang’s past.
’Intelligent, opinionated, shrewd, and worldly... Those were the reasons his cousin had wanted to take him on as an Attendant. With the right training, he could have easily managed a section of the Celestial Fragrance Tower on his own.’
Yet now, after less than a year, everything had changed. The man’s Cultivation had even surpassed his own!
’All I can say is, we underestimated him back then.’
Currently, he himself was rely a Martial Artist who had just entered the Seventh Grade. It was only by a chance encounter with Chen Kaishan that he had been recomnded to join the Comrce Association, and for the past six months or more, he had been following him, traveling from place to place.
Cheng Zongyang didn’t want to elaborate, and they knew better than to press him further. Everyone has their secrets.
「Half an hour later」
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Cheng Zongyang had also learned their temporary lodging arrangents. Since they planned to stay for a few days to wait for the harvest, Cheng Zongyang invited them to co and witness it outside Tiantuan Village.
At the entrance, Cheng Zongyang watched the two of them walk away, heading down the main street toward the eastern part of the city.
"Young Clan Leader, were those two your friends?" Just then, Cheng Yuanli from the restaurant ca out and asked, standing beside Cheng Zongyang.
Cheng Zongyang glanced down at the booklet in his hand and smiled. "You could say that."
He then turned and asked, "Yuanli, how are things going with the restaurant?"
Cheng Yuanli gave a wry smile. "Hardly anyone is coming to eat or drink at the mont. As for the rest, I’m still learning from the Shopkeeper."
Cheng Zongyang smiled, his gaze following the two distant figures. "Don’t worry," he said. "Things will pick up soon."
’As a large, neutral, and transnational Comrce Association, they have their own considerations for setting up a branch. But for the County Town, the benefits are nurous.’
’If nothing else, it will attract nurous families and rchants to make purchases here. That will generate spending, create jobs, and naturally increase the County Town’s prosperity.’
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