""Sixth Master, to promote corn, should we start from our Liaodong Prefecture?" Lian Manman asked.
"Hmm." Shen Liu nodded, "In addition to the edict of reward, there is another official docunt for promoting the planting of corn, which I expect will arrive in the next few days."
"What’s it about? Sixth Master, give us so hints." Lian Manman urged.
Shen Liu leisurely... sipped so tea, then stood up.
"It’s ti to go."
Lian Manman really wanted to roll her eyes at Shen Liu, but she still had to smile and see him out.
As she did, they ran smack into Steward Zhong and Lian Shouxin, who had just finished surveying the terrain.
"...The location has been chosen." The official in charge of the survey hurriedly reported to Shen Liu.
The site for the construction of the Imperially Bestowed Archway was selected in front of the gate of Lian Family’s New Residence, facing north and south, directly towards the creek in front of the village. There was to be more than a yard of open space between the archway and the gate of the Lian family. In the future, anyone visiting the Lian family, after coming off the official road and walking along the path next to Lian’s Shop, could go directly to the front of the archway.
To enter the main gate of the Lian family, one must dismount from their horse or carriage and kneel to pay respects before entering. Of course, if one only used the two side gates of the Lian family’s courtyards, they could bypass the Imperially Bestowed Archway.
Steward Zhong was entrusted by his master and had developed a friendship with Lian Shouxin through many interactions, thus he considered the interests of the Lian family in his actions. The official in charge of the survey, having received a big red envelope from Lian Shouxin, was happy to do a favor for the Lian family.
The choice of this site was extrely clever, at least Lian Manman was very satisfied.
Shen Liu left the house, looked at the plot of land that the officials had marked out, and nodded. Clearly, he also thought it was a good selection.
"When will construction begin? When will it be completed?" Shen Liu asked.
"Reporting to your Excellency, the subordinate will mobilize materials and craftsn imdiately today, and we can break ground the day after tomorrow," said the official, sneaking a look at Shen Liu’s expression, "For the Imperially Bestowed Archway, the subordinate wouldn’t dare to be sloppy... Working day and night, it can be completed in forty days."
Most officials had already left with the imperial envoy, but so who hadn’t left encircled Shen Liu as soon as he ca out.
Lian Manman and Xiao Qi moved to the back, turning with Lady Zhang to head inside the shop.
No sooner had they sat down in the shop than they saw a servant boy happily carrying two pastry boxes.
"...My na is Quan Fu, and I serve beside Sixth Master. Sixth Master instructed , since he didn’t bring much this ti, just these pastries made in the manor’s kitchen, for the young lady’s family to try," the servant boy Quan Fu said with a bow and a smile.
Lady Zhang hurriedly invited the servant boy to sit, repeatedly expressing her thanks and served him tea, pastries, and fruit.
Quan Fu smilingly declined, saying that Shen Liu would be leaving shortly and he needed to attend to him. Though he said this, his feet didn’t move.
Lian Manman recognized this servant boy; he had accompanied Shen Liu on several visits to Thirty Mile Camp. Shen Liu intended to leave pastries for them to eat, having not done so earlier but now had sent a servant boy over.
Lian Manman looked at the boy, her mind suddenly stirred.
"Brother Quan Fu, you serve Sixth Master personally; you must know things that others don’t." Lian Manman spoke, while she covertly made a gesture to Lady Zhang.
Lady Zhang then stuffed a bulging purse into the boy’s hand.
"If Brother has things to do, we won’t keep you. Use this money to buy so fruit for the road," Lady Zhang said.
Quan Fu hesitated for a mont, then accepted the purse openly.
"Brother Quan Fu, that official docunt about promoting corn..." Lian Manman quickly seized the opportunity to probe.
Quan Fu looked around discreetly.
"Xiao Qi." Lian Manman hurriedly made Xiao Qi go to the door to watch for others.
"As for that matter, this servant isn’t very clear, just heard a phrase or two, nothing certain. If the young lady wants to know, I can’t refuse to talk. But whatever I say, it might not be true, so please just listen and don’t take it seriously," Quan Fu said.
"Of course." Lian Manman nodded and smiled.
Quan Fu, noticing only Lady Zhang and Lian Manman were in the room, lowered his voice and said a bunch of things.
...
After sending off Shen Liu and his party, Lian Manman’s family was bustling again, and once everyone left and returned to the shop, Lian Manman began to recall what Quan Fu had said.
The place chosen to promote corn was Liaodong Prefecture. The Governnt Office would distribute corn seeds, choosing good fields for planting. The fields selected for corn planting would be exempt from that year’s taxes, and in the autumn harvest, every mu of land had to deliver 600 jin of top-quality corn to the Imperial Court, with the remaining part belonging to the landowner themselves.
Those chosen to plant corn could not eat or sell the crop at high prices before it was fully mature.
To ensure that corn beca a staple for the general populace, the Imperial Court would regulate corn prices. Depending on the quality and moisture content of the corn, prices would be set at four to six Wen Money per jin.
Soon, this official docunt would be published throughout Liaodong Prefecture.
Shen Liu took away 16,380 jin of top-quality corn from Lian Manman’s family. If they were all used as seeds, distributed downwards, and assuming two jin of corn seeds per mu, taking into account so losses, these seeds could be used to cultivate approximately eight thousand mu of good land.
And in the next autumn harvest season, these eight thousand mu could yield 4.8 million jin of top-quality corn, and the remaining corn would be enough for those landowners’ food supplies. With the Governnt Office setting the price for corn, this could effectively prevent hoarding and facilitate circulation.
It must be said, this was a very good governnt order.
"Sister, what you said earlier about Brother Xiao Jiu becoming an official, what rank is he?" Xiao Qi, holding the kitten Da Hua, ca over to Lian Manman and asked.
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First update sent, begging for pink.
There might be a second update tonight.
Stuck on writing, could it be due to the so-called doomsday magnetic fields?! (To be continued. If you like this book, we welco you to qi dian (qidian) to cast your recomndation votes, monthly tickets, your support is my biggest motivation.)
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