Chapter 227

Chapter 227

"Recommend him?" Emperor Wuping straightened, his expression unreadable.

The Minister of Agriculture knelt, stating, "This humble official recommends him not for the Ministry of Agriculture, but for the millions of people suffering from disaster. This man is exceptionally skilled in agriculture; if he joins the Ministry of Agriculture, he will surely achieve great things!"

In truth, Wen Yanping's visit today was somewhat impulsive. Yesterday, Liang Boqing had called on him, carrying a basket of items, and mysteriously asked him to guess their contents.

Initially, Wen Yanping thought it was cassava—a dull, gray item, as if dug from the earth.

Liang Boqing smiled, shook his head, and had a servant steam them. The two peeled and ate them. The sweet, delicious flavor instantly widened Lord Wen's eyes.

"What exactly is this thing?"

"This is called a potato, something my disciple’s male spouse cultivated."

"The taste is quite good, but I wonder if it’s easy to grow and what its yield is like?"

Old Liang waved his hand. "I don’t know that. If you’re curious, why not ask him yourself?"

With nothing else pressing, Wen Yanping accompanied Old Liang to the Chen family.

He had long wished to visit Wang Ying, but his status prevented him from sending a formal invitation. After all, the other party was a male consort, and gossip would be undesirable.

He had already read Wang Ying's second agricultural book. Its composting methods were highly practical, especially for barren mountainous land, though less effective for already fertile soil.

The methods for treating pests and preventing late spring frosts were also innovative—all things they had never encountered. He was eager to learn where this Wang Langjun had acquired such extensive agricultural knowledge.

Upon arriving at the Chen family’s backyard, they found Wang Ying tending his vegetable garden. He often brought vegetables from the experimental field, which was too conspicuous, so he maintained a smaller plot outside to avoid drawing attention.

The garden was modest in size but contained six or seven types of vegetables, all thriving. However, due to this year's severe drought, he had to water them daily.

"A Ying."

"Ah, Master, you’re back." Wang Ying straightened, holding a water dipper, and noticed someone accompanying his master.

"And this is…"

Liang Boqing introduced, "This is Minister of Agriculture Wen Yanping. He was the one who helped present your wheat seeds to the Emperor back then."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ying immediately stepped forward and bowed. "This junior, Wang Ying, pays respects to Lord Wen!"

"No need for such formalities. It was your own ability. I merely acted as a messenger and even received praise and rewards from His Majesty. There’s no need to thank me."

"I must thank you. If not for your assistance, my husband wouldn’t have been able to regain his imperial examination status and become a *jinshi*."

Wen Yanping smiled. "That’s also because Lord Chen possessed the ability himself. For others, even with their status restored, passing the exams might not have been possible."

Liang Boqing grew impatient with the pleasantries. "Enough with the formalities. If you have questions, just ask."

Lord Wen cleared his throat slightly. "I came today indeed to ask you something, young friend Wang. I’ve read your two books. The second book’s content is easier to grasp, but the first contains many breeding methods I’ve never heard of, like grafting. Could you explain them in detail?"

"Of course. Feel free to ask anything, my lord. I will share all I know."

"Let’s go inside. Standing here is tiring." Old Liang led the way with his hands behind his back. The two smiled, shook their heads, and followed him into the house.

Wang Ying retrieved his book and handed it to Lord Wen, who expertly flipped to the page he wished to discuss. It was evident he had read the book many times in private.

"What’s the difference between self-pollination and cross-pollination? I see both methods are used in cultivating rice and wheat seeds. Are there any particular considerations?"

Wang Ying explained patiently, "First, self-pollination is when pollen from the same flower falls onto its own pistil. This method maintains genetic purity, but unfavorable genes are also more likely to be inherited. Over time, this leads to crop degeneration. It’s akin to humans—those sharing surnames avoid marriage, as close relatives marrying are more likely to have children with illnesses."

Wen Yanping stroked his beard, a look of understanding dawning on him. "I see! So plants are like people in this regard."

He asked a few more questions, and Wang Ying answered each one, leaving Wen Yanping thoroughly convinced. "May I ask, Wang Langjun, where did you acquire all this agricultural knowledge?"

Wang Ying had prepared his answer. "To be honest, when I was young, I herded cattle in the mountains and met an elderly man. He said we were fated and taught me many farming methods. But I was young and illiterate at the time, so I couldn’t write them down. Later, after learning to read and write from my husband, I recorded them."

"Could it have been a master agricultural scholar, or perhaps Shennong himself…" Lord Wen believed it, as there was no other way to explain how a rural male consort knew so much that others didn't.

Liang Boqing coughed, interrupting their conversation. "Weren’t you going to ask about the potatoes?"

"Ah, yes! Wang Langjun, what exactly are these potatoes, and how are they planted?"

"Well, this goes back to when we were in Shanzhou. Once, while visiting the county, we accidentally came across an old woman selling them at a market stall. She said she dug them up from the mountains and that they could be eaten boiled to fill the stomach. I bought some, took them home, and studied them. I found they’re very easy to grow and require simple conditions—they can even thrive in the poorest lower-grade fields.

However, conflict erupted shortly after, so we couldn’t promote them. If you like them, my lord, I can have someone bring you some more."

Wang Ying’s ability to fabricate stories had grown stronger; he delivered the tale effortlessly.

"This is a wonderful thing!" As the Minister of Agriculture, Wen Yanping immediately recognized its potential.

Wang Ying added, "But it has its drawbacks. For example, it has poor storage qualities. Since potatoes have high water content, their storage time is much shorter compared to millet, wheat, or rice. In ordinary conditions, they can last up to a month at most. If stored in a cellar, they can last three to four months."

Wen Yanping held the potato in his hand. "From this perspective, it’s indeed not suitable for large-scale cultivation. Otherwise, if we collect them in tax revenues, they’ll rot before we can even distribute them."

"Precisely. This crop is suitable for people to grow on wasteland they’ve cleared themselves, as a supplementary food to prevent shortages during famines."

"How are these potatoes planted? Can you give me some seeds?"

Wang Ying said, "Potatoes don’t have seeds. They’re planted by dividing the tubers. Look at these small spots—if you leave them for ten to twenty days, sprouts will grow. Once sprouted, potatoes can’t be eaten, as they contain toxins that can poison people."

Wen Yanping frowned. "This thing is poisonous?"

"Yes, but only the sprouted parts are toxic. If you cut off the sprouted section, the rest is safe to eat. The cut-off sprouts can be planted in the ground, and new potatoes will grow in about three months."

Wen Yanping felt he couldn’t remember all this just by listening and wanted to take notes. Abruptly, he slapped his forehead. "Let’s set this aside for now. I’ll visit again in a few days." With that, he cupped his hands and hurried off.

Wang Ying was left puzzled. "Master, what exactly did Lord Wen come for?"

The old man smiled knowingly, as if his plan had succeeded. "Just wait. Perhaps there will be good news in a few days."

*

Emperor Wuping rubbed his temples. "I’ll discuss this matter further. You may go back for now."

"Yes." Wen Yanping left the palace with mixed feelings. He had spent his entire life in the Ministry of Agriculture, working with the land.

In recent years, the Ministry of Agriculture had seen a decline in talent. Fewer people were dedicated to research, with most treating it as a transitional post, performing basic duties while awaiting promotions or transfers.

A few years ago, while inspecting tenant-farmed fields in Zhengzhou, he encountered someone who couldn’t even distinguish between foxtail millet and broomcorn millet. It was laughable.

Now, with such a talented individual, how could he not be tempted? If Wang Ying could join the Ministry of Agriculture and promote these potatoes, they could feed at least three-tenths of the population.

With the current drought in the north, the winter wheat had already failed. Now, as the season for planting beans approached, there was still no sign of rain. If they missed the planting window, the beans would also fail, and countless people would starve...

Emperor Wuping naturally shared these concerns. Wang Ying was indeed talented, but his special social status posed a problem. This matter needed to be discussed with the Grand Secretariat members before a decision could be made.

A few days later, after the morning court session, Emperor Wuping summoned the six ministers and other Grand Secretariat members to his study to discuss the matter.

When Liu Yaozhi heard Wang Ying’s name, his brow furrowed. Why was the Emperor suddenly bringing up that Chen lad's spouse?

Then he was stunned by the following words, "I want to recruit this person to serve in the Ministry of Agriculture."

As soon as these words were spoken, they struck like a thunderbolt; the ministers immediately erupted in protest.

The Minister of Rites was the first to voice his opinion, "Your Majesty, this must not be allowed! There's no precedent for a male consort serving as an official in our dynasty. Once this door is opened, I fear that wives and male consorts from inner households will all aspire to become court officials!"

The Minister of Justice chimed in, "This matter is of great importance. I urge Your Majesty to consider it carefully."

However, the Minister of Revenue stroked his beard and said, "It's only the Ministry of Agriculture, gentlemen. There’s no need to make such a fuss. It’s a tough and tiring place that no one wants to go to."

"Even so, it cannot be allowed. Once the precedent of male consorts serving as officials is set, there will be endless troubles in the future! What if male consorts and women start clamoring to study and become officials?"

"What nonsense are you speaking? Are you afraid that your own descendants will be outperformed by male consorts and women?"

"Such reckless talk!"

A group of elderly ministers, all over half a century old, argued like fishwives, each shouting over the other, making Emperor Wuping's head pound.

"Enough, stop arguing. Minister Liu, what is your opinion?"

Everyone stopped quarreling and turned to look at Liu Yaozhi. "There has indeed been no precedent for male consorts serving as officials in this dynasty. However, during the previous dynasty, there was a famously prominent prime minister who was also a male consort. The Wei Dynasty even had a female general. I believe it is simply a matter of appointing those with ability—it shouldn't be made into such an issue."

Emperor Wuping nodded, as these words aligned with his thoughts.

"Your Majesty could first appoint this person to the Ministry of Agriculture. If he performs well, he can stay. Given the current drought in the north, his skills could be put to good use."

"So be it, Minister."

Others still wanted to object, but the Emperor waved his hand and dismissed them, leaving them no choice but to retreat in frustration.

What no one could have anticipated was that these brief words would determine the future direction of the Wu Dynasty.

In early July, Wang Ying received his letter of appointment. Due to his expertise in agriculture, the Emperor specially appointed him as a junior seventh-rank clerk in the Ministry of Agriculture.

Wang Ying never imagined he would one day be appointed as an official—this was truly a first in the Wu Dynasty!

Chen Qingyan was also astonished. Although his husband was highly skilled in agriculture, he had never expected him to be appointed as an official. Though it was only a low-ranking position, it genuinely broke the precedent of the Wu Dynasty!

For a time, the two of them became the talk of the town in the capital.