NFBE Chapter 102: A Bountiful Harvest
Chapter 102: A Bountiful Harvest
As the days passed, the effects of the composting method became increasingly apparent. Seeing the millet growing significantly better than in other areas, Ying Wuyou, Xu Xing, and the others smiled with satisfaction. They knew their efforts had not been in vain; the composting method was indeed highly effective.
Looking at the lush greenery, Ying Wuyou was filled with emotion. She understood that this was just the beginning. Only after the composting method was expanded next year would more people benefit.
With a smile on her face, Ying Wuyou walked briskly into Zhangtai Palace. She respectfully bowed to the King of Qin and said, "Jiayang greets Father!"
The King of Qin sat upright on his throne, his gaze fixed on Ying Wuyou. A slight smile played on his lips, and a hint of doting affection flashed in his eyes. He said softly, "No need for formalities. Jiayang, what brings you to see me today?"
Ying Wuyou sensed the sourness in the King of Qin's words and couldn't help but laugh. She said coquettishly, "Father, I have indeed been quite busy lately, but I have been thinking of you constantly. Please don't be angry, I have some good news for you today."
The King of Qin looked at Ying Wuyou with curiosity, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, and asked, "Oh? What good news is it? Tell me quickly!" His voice was full of anticipation, as if he couldn't wait to know what this so-called good news was.
Ying Wuyou smiled slightly, her face radiating confidence and excitement, and slowly replied, "Father, the composting method I researched has been successful! I would like to invite you and all the ministers of the court to go to the farmland to see it for yourselves. This will allow everyone to witness the effectiveness of composting firsthand, which will greatly promote its large-scale promotion after the autumn harvest." Her tone was firm and powerful, as if she could already see the scene of a bountiful harvest.
The King of Qin nodded slightly in agreement, and said with satisfaction, "Hmm, your idea is very good. Then I will take them with me to take a look tomorrow."
Ying Wuyou smiled and said, "Then I will wait for you outside the palace tomorrow."
The King of Qin smiled and said, "Alright, if there's nothing else, you can go now."
Ying Wuyou bowed and said, "Then I shall take my leave." He then turned and left.
The next day, as the sun rose, golden sunlight fell like a veil over the vast land of Qin. King Ying Zheng of Qin, dressed in solemn attire, led a large contingent of civil and military officials, guided by Ying Wuyou, to the field where the composting method had been used.
Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to the scene before them. On this land, which had been treated with compost, the millet was lush and verdant, growing vigorously. The emerald green leaves swayed gently in the breeze, as if displaying the vitality of life. The upright stalks were strong and resilient. In contrast, the millet on the adjacent land was growing much worse, with shorter plants and slightly yellowed leaves, creating a stark contrast.
King Ying Zheng of Qin gazed at the vibrant field, his eyes filled with surprise and admiration. He turned slightly to look at Ying Wuyou beside him and asked, "Is this the land you used the composting method for?"
Ying Wuyou nodded firmly and said, "Father, this is the millet that I irrigated using the composting method." Her voice was clear and strong, full of confidence.
At this moment, Prime Minister Wang Wan, unable to contain his curiosity, stepped forward and asked, "Princess, can this composting method be widely promoted? And what are the specific steps involved in this composting method?"
Ying Wuyou smiled and replied, “Prime Minister, this method of composting is very simple and suitable for widespread promotion. To compost, you simply need to collect livestock manure, withered grass and fallen leaves, and other household waste. Place these in a dug pit, layering them. Then sprinkle in an appropriate amount of water to maintain moisture. Next, cover it with soil. After a period of fermentation, this mixture will transform into fertile fertilizer that can be used to irrigate fields.”
Just as Wang Wan was pondering, Li Si heard Ying Wuyou's words and hurriedly spoke up before Wang Wan, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe that the princess's method of composting fertilizer is remarkably effective and should be vigorously promoted. This is a good strategy to benefit the people and strengthen the Qin Dynasty."
Wang Wan was slightly displeased that Li Si had stolen his lines, but he also understood the importance of the matter, so he said, "Your Majesty, I also agree with vigorously promoting the method of composting throughout Qin. If this wonderful method can be popularized, it will surely fill the granaries of our Qin and make our country stronger."
As King Ying Zheng of Qin listened to his ministers' discussions, a surge of joy welled up within him. He slightly raised his hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down.
"This method of composting is simple and suitable for widespread promotion. It is a blessing for our Great Qin." King Ying Zheng's voice was steady and powerful. "Issue my decree that all Qin officials in various regions learn this method of composting, and after the autumn harvest, it should be widely promoted throughout the Qin territory. Make sure that the people know about this method."
All the officials responded in unison, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Ying Wuyou looked at her father's decisive decision and felt gratified. She knew that her efforts had not been in vain; this method of composting would bring the people of Qin a bountiful harvest and lay a solid foundation for Qin's prosperity and strength.
After returning to the palace, King Ying Zheng of Qin immediately summoned officials from relevant departments to discuss how to better implement the composting method.
Time flew by, and the autumn harvest season finally arrived. The land where Ying Wuyou had used the composting method yielded a staggering 400 jin per mu, while the adjacent land that hadn't used this method yielded less than 200 jin per mu. This news spread like wildfire throughout Xianyang City. The people were astonished; they had never imagined that such a simple method could bring about such a tremendous change.
People were talking about it in the streets and alleys. "I heard that Princess Jiayang's method of composting fertilizer more than doubled the yield of the land!"
"Yes, it's amazing. We've never seen anything like this before."
When this news spread throughout Xianyang, the King of Qin, in order to encourage the people to use the composting method, issued a series of reward policies. He ordered the establishment of special composting guidance agencies in various places and dispatched experienced agricultural officials to guide the people in making and using compost. At the same time, those people and officials who performed outstandingly in promoting the composting method were given generous rewards.
With the King of Qin's decree issued, officials from all over the country sprang into action. They dispatched special envoys to Ying Wuyou's fields to investigate and learn the specific procedures of composting. Ying Wuyou instructed Xu Xing and others to teach the composting method in detail to those who came to learn.
"This composting method sounds really good. It seems we should all make good use of it from now on," said one of the villagers.
“Yes, yes, I can’t believe there’s something this amazing,” another villager replied.
As the news spread, more and more people gained confidence in the composting method. They expressed their intention to actively adopt the composting method in their farming next year, hoping to achieve a bumper harvest as well.
With the strong promotion of the King of Qin, the method of composting fertilizer quickly spread throughout the Qin territory. Seeing how this miraculous method could make crops grow so robustly, the people responded enthusiastically.
In the fields, busy figures could be seen everywhere. Some were collecting livestock manure and weeds, some were making compost, and others were carefully applying the compost to the land. In the village, people exchanged composting experiences and shared their hopes for a bountiful harvest.
As time went on, the effects of composting became increasingly apparent. On the land of Qin, millet production increased dramatically, with plump, golden grains. The lives of the people gradually became more prosperous, granaries were full, and faces beamed with happiness.
King Ying Zheng of Qin was overjoyed to see all this. He knew that the Qin Dynasty was about to usher in a new era of prosperity.