Chapter 133: A Thirty Percent Increase in Yield, The Sage’s Fury

Chapter 133: A 30% Yield Increase and the Emperor's Fury

"You don’t know?" Bing Wengu leaned closer to Nan Jinping, his warm breath brushing against her flushed face. She couldn’t meet his scorching gaze, which seemed capable of setting her aflame, and instinctively averted her eyes, her gaze darting nervously.

But the next moment, Bing Wengu’s fingers gripped her chin firmly.

"My lord, do you have a guilty conscience?" Nan Jinping saw her own reflection in Bing Wengu’s eyes, clear and vivid, and for a moment, she was dazed.

It seemed that in Bing Wengu’s eyes, she had always been crystal clear.

As if under some enchantment, Nan Jinping planted a kiss on Bing Wengu’s lips. "This is my answer."

The smile on Bing Wengu’s lips widened, and the warm bed curtains promised a night of passion.

In the days that followed, Bing Wengu and Nan Jinping were each occupied—one with official duties and the development of Ji County, the other with teaching at the school.

Before they knew it, the autumn harvest season arrived again. This time, for Bing Wengu, Nan Jinping, and even the entire Ji County, it was a crucial milestone. Everyone held their breath in anticipation.

"My lord, one shi, three dou, and four sheng (traditional Chinese measures)!" The man weighing the grain trembled, nearly dropping the scale. "That’s over 30% higher yield per acre than last year!"

"My lord, over 30%, not just 20%!" Cong Lin’s voice trembled with excitement, his entire body buzzing with excitement. He couldn’t contain himself. This was the harvest from his own family’s land.

"My family has eight acres of land, and this year we harvested ten shi, seven dou, and two sheng!" Cong Lin shouted joyfully. "Almost three shi more than before!"

It wasn’t just Cong Lin’s family cheering. Nearly every family who had planted the hybrid seeds cheered.

"I told you following Lord Bing’s lead was the right choice! Hahaha, a 30% increase in yield—not 20%, but 30%!"

Another farmer, who had also reaped a bountiful harvest thanks to Lord Bing’s hybrid seeds, laughed heartily. "I’m certain Lord Bing knew the yield could increase by 30%, not just 20%. He must have deliberately understated it!"

The farmers celebrated, reveling in their abundant harvest.

But not everyone celebrated.

The Wang family burned with resentment. By all accounts, their harvest this year was the same as last year’s—nothing to complain about.

But without comparison, there was no pain. Their fellow villagers who had planted the hybrid seeds had all seen at least a 30% increase in yield. Some households, who had tended their fields diligently, even managed an extra three dou and four sheng per mu.

Da Lang was furious enough to swear. "If our family didn’t qualify, fine! But we did—our boys and girls all attended the county school. Lord Bing himself delivered the hybrid seeds to our door! And yet, you let the golden opportunity slip!"

Old Man Wang, who had always held unquestioned authority at home, sat hunched, not daring to utter a word. The entire family was blaming him now, and he knew his stubbornness had cost them dearly.

Erlang fumed, "Not long ago, you were still grumbling at home about how useless it was for girls to study, saying they should just marry early.

Have you not seen the world beyond your doorstep? Look at Master Wuwei—she’s a *shuang er* (androgynous person), but because she’s literate, she avoids manual labor. She writes storybooks and earns a fortune! Not long ago, she even compiled a dictionary, and the Emperor himself praised it as a book that educates the masses.

Now she’s even teaching history at the county school. Even future scholars bow and call her ‘teacher’ when they see her!"

Erlang’s wife couldn’t hold back any longer. "Even if our Third Sister isn’t the best student, she’s learning embroidery at the county school.

In just a year, her needlework has improved tremendously. She even earned a scholarship for her embroidery!

The embroidery teacher said if Third Sister keeps studying, she’ll surely achieve great things in needlework.

I’ve heard that one fine embroidery can be worth a fortune. And yet, you keep insisting she should come home and marry—and to that idle layabout, your sworn brother’s son!"

She’d held this in too long.

"That layabout hasn’t even read a single book! How does he deserve her? She’s a literate girl—she should at least marry an educated young man. Now that’s a fitting match."

Wang Erlang said, "Pa, from now on, don’t say things like telling the women in our family not to study."

Wang Sanlang added, "Studying definitely has its benefits. If it didn’t, would someone as wise as Lord Bing let his wife study? We small-time farmers can’t possibly have the foresight Lord Bing does. If we can’t even see clearly what’s right in front of us on our own little plots, we shouldn’t question Lord Bing’s decisions—just follow his lead."

This harvest season inadvertently overturned the authority of many old patriarchs. Their stubborn refusal to follow Bing Wengu’s policies had led to their families missing out on the hybrid seeds, resulting in significant losses. Some villagers even began demanding to split the household.

"Split the household—I don’t care, it must be done! Back then, I said we should send our daughters to school to qualify for the hybrid seeds, but you two old folks refused. I begged and pleaded, and it was useless. And now look—how much harvest did we lose this year?"

Meanwhile, Zheng Liulang’s family, who had exchanged seeds with Guo Sanlang’s household, enjoyed a bumper crop this year, with everyone praising Zheng Liulang’s cleverness.

In stark contrast, Guo Sanlang’s family was far from celebratory.

Their harvest hadn’t decreased compared to last year, but the problem was—everyone else’s had increased.

Guo Sanlang’s wife couldn’t help but nag, "What were you thinking? For just a bit of money, you gave away the hybrid seeds. And now look where we are!"

Under the weight of his family’s reproach, Guo Sanlang couldn’t take it anymore. He shot to his feet. "Fine, I’ll go to the yamen and sort it out!"

On his way, Guo Sanlang encountered Bing Wengu and Cong Lin, who were out inspecting the fields. He explained the situation to Cong Lin.

"My lord, this farmer claims his fields were planted with last year’s hybrid seeds, yet there was no increase in yield—same as last year’s harvest," Cong Lin reported to Bing Wengu.

Bing Wengu glanced at Guo Sanlang and almost immediately recognized him. Wasn’t this the man who had protested against Madam Wu’s appointment as project lead and was subsequently dismissed?

Madam Wu had clearly recognized Guo Sanlang too and wanted to report it to Bing Wengu. But she was too far away to approach discreetly, so she quietly informed Nan Jinping, who then relayed it to Bing Wengu.

Bing Wengu said coldly, "This man has a shady character. Let this be a lesson for him—an example to others."

The group went together to Guo Sanlang’s fields. The Guo family grew nervous at the sight of Bing Wengu and his team.

"Sanlang, why has Lord Bing come in person? Someone as sharp as him—won’t he figure it out?"

Guo Sanlang’s stomach churned. He hadn’t expected such a small matter to draw Bing Wengu’s attention. He had planned to grease some palms to settle things, but with Bing Wengu here, that plan was ruined.

After walking through the fields, Bing Wengu immediately understood the situation. Without exposing it outright, he turned to Madam Wu. "As the project lead, go inspect and identify the issue."

Madam Wu carefully examined the fields and returned with certainty. "My lord, these are not the hybrid seeds we distributed."

Guo Sanlang hadn’t expected to be exposed so quickly. Clenching his jaw, he insisted, "These are the seeds I received from the yamen officer!"

Madam Wu replied firmly, "I developed these seeds—I know what they look like. These don’t look like this."

Bing Wengu turned to Cong Lin. "Are there other families in this village who didn’t receive the hybrid seeds but still saw increased yields?"

Cong Lin immediately sent men to inquire and brought Zheng Liulang forward.

Zheng Liulang, no fool, exposed Guo Sanlang’s scheme without hesitation.

"My lord, I broke no laws. My deal with Guo Sanlang was voluntary—no coercion involved."

"Guo Sanlang," Bing Wengu pinned him with a glare, "I distinctly remember stating when distributing the seeds that they were for personal cultivation only—no resale, and certainly no refusal to plant. Violators must repay the seed cost and forfeit their entire harvest."

Guo Sanlang’s knees buckled, and he dropped to his knees before Bing Wengu. Having crossed him before, he knew how merciless the man could be.

The Guo family had to repay the seed cost and had their entire harvest confiscated.

The hybrid seed incident sent shockwaves throughout Ji County and its surroundings, drawing swarms of farmers scouting for information.

Bing Wengu promptly opened a government-run grain store, selling the hybrid seeds harvested by the people—seeds viable for next year’s planting.

At the same time, a law was enacted: "Residents of Ji County who wish to purchase hybrid seeds must ensure that all boys and girls in their households attend school, and adults must participate in literacy classes organized by the village. Only then can they buy hybrid seeds, with each peck costing three extra coins compared to regular seeds. For buyers from other counties, there are no literacy requirements, but each peck of hybrid seeds costs ten extra coins compared to ordinary seeds. Additionally, hybrid seeds are not for human consumption. Violators will be fined ten times the price of the seeds consumed."

Bing Wengu did this solely to ensure that every household in Ji County could plant hybrid seeds as quickly as possible.

The newly appointed prefect of Jicheng naturally received the news. A shrewd man, he didn’t presume to summon Bing Wengu arrogantly but instead personally visited Ji County.

"Lord Bing," the prefect greeted. Bing Wengu now held a fifth-rank official title personally conferred by the emperor, higher than the prefect's position, so the latter had to bow to him.

Bing Wengu accepted the courtesy with ease, and the prefect showed no discomfort, remaining as composed as Bing.

"Lord Bing, that’s hardly fair," the prefect joked amiably. "After all, Ji County is part of Jicheng, and we’re practically family. Why charge our own brothers ten extra coins for hybrid seeds?"

Bing Wengu replied frankly, "I need results. Once every household in Ji County can plant hybrid seeds, I will no longer control their price."

The prefect was not offended but instead burst into laughter.

"This is another major feat after the airplane and artificial rain. Lord Bing need not worry about lacking outstanding results. With these two feats, you’re bound for a capital posting after your term ends."

Bing Wengu nodded slightly but said no more.

The prefect continued, "Such a remarkable achievement warrants a petition to the emperor requesting honors for you."

"Thank you," Bing Wengu replied casually.

Of course, Bing Wengu would not wait for others to petition for his merits. In fact, he had already written and sent his own petition to Bianjing.

Originally, Bing Wengu had no direct right to submit petitions, but after his last achievement, the emperor granted him the privilege. His petitions now bypassed review and went straight to the imperial desk.

The prefect had come for the hybrid seeds but left with nothing, failing to negotiate a better price.

On the way back, his advisor asked, "My lord, weren’t you too deferential to Bing Wengu? He’s just a county magistrate under your jurisdiction. You could have ordered him to lower the seed prices."

The prefect glanced at him. "You’re smarter than that—why talk like this? Bing Wengu is now the emperor’s golden boy, and no one can take credit for his achievements. Fortunately, he is under my governance, so his wins count for me too. That’s enough. As for the rest, I have no desire to follow in my predecessor’s footsteps."

At the morning court, Zhan Yu ripped into the officials, leaving them quaking in their boots, unsure of what they had done wrong.

After venting his anger, Zhan Yu finally explained.

"You good-for-nothings! A mere Ji County has troubled you for years, and none of you could solve it. You acted as if the sky were falling, making me issue that humiliating self-criticism decree."

Zhan Yu hadn’t forgotten that insult.

"Now open your eyes, big and small, and see for yourselves! Yuan Ting went there and immediately built an airplane, achieved artificial rain. This year, he even improved the seeds, boosting yields by thirty percent—thirty!"

The entire court erupted in shock, some unable to believe their ears.

"By your own words, compared to Yuan Ting, are you all just leeches who freeload off the state?!"

Zhan Yu grew more incensed as he berated them. "Since you’re all useless, from now on, sit quietly and stay useless! Quit yapping like stray mutts!"