Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 393: Capable Minister (Part 2)

Cui Jin watched this scene with great interest, feeling an indescribable sense of pride.

His Commandery Princess is truly formidable, effortlessly handling the cunning Doctor Tan with just a few words.

Chief Historian Chen coughed lightly, smiling to ease the situation: "Prime Minister Wang, Doctor Tan, it’s your first time at the field manor. Why not take a look inside the sheds? Mr. Cui, please take good care of Prime Minister Wang and Doctor Tan."

Cui Du agreed with a smile.

Doctor Tan found an easy way out and immediately laughed: "Commandery Princess, please go first."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and nodded slightly, casually instructing: "Lu Sheren is familiar with Doctor Tan; today, accompany Doctor Tan and take good care of him. Don’t neglect Doctor Tan."

The Commandery Princess wanted him to keep a close watch on Doctor Tan.

Lu Cong, being clever and astute, immediately understood and agreed with a smile.

Everyone followed Jiang Shaohua into the white shed.

In early winter, the cold wind howled outside. Inside the shed, it was extremely warm. Many green and vibrant vegetables and fruits, which should not grow in this season, appeared before their eyes, thriving.

Wang Jin was completely stunned, repeatedly exclaiming: "It’s incredible that so many vegetables and fruits can be grown in winter!"

"Are these all grown by Mr. Cui?" Doctor Tan, also shocked, blurted out: "Mr. Cui is truly talented!"

Such a genius should not be hidden away farming in Nanyang County! He should go to the Capital City, work for Prime Minister Wang, and shine brightly in the court.

Lu Cong seemed to hear Doctor Tan’s inner thoughts, discreetly glanced over: "Mr. Cui has been in Nanyang County for over three years, soon four. The Commandery Princess took in the solitary Mr. Cui, and it was her discerning eye that recognized his talents."

Doctor Tan responded with laughter, but couldn’t help staring intently at Cui Du.

Cui Du, being straightforward and careless, hardly noticed Doctor Tan’s eager gaze, and began introducing the various vegetables and fruits grown in the shed to Wang Jin with a smile.

In the second warm shed, it was filled with cabbages, much larger than the typical ones, with crisp and thick leaves.

In the third warm shed, new varieties of radishes were being cultivated. Cui Du picked one and turned to Jiang Shaohua with a grin: "Commandery Princess, look! The improved radish variety is more than twice the size of ordinary radishes."

Jiang Shaohua leaned in for a closer look, delighted: "Indeed, they’re much larger. I wonder how they taste."

Cui Du immediately said: "I’ll make a radish stew with meat tonight for the Commandery Princess to taste."

Jiang Shaohua nodded happily: "Alright."

The two stood close, speaking casually and familiarly, with an obvious intimacy in their demeanor.

Wang Jin felt a sudden bitterness, struggling to maintain his smile.

Cui Du whispered with the Commandery Princess for a while, then turned to Wang Jin with a smile: "Prime Minister Wang, in that other warm shed, there’s a new wheat variety developed this year that can yield thirty to fifty percent more than regular wheat. Next spring, Nanyang County can promote it throughout the county."

Wang Jin’s eyes lit up, invigorated, and he replied without hesitation: "Such a high yield! If this can be promoted throughout the northern states, the people will have enough to eat and won’t suffer from famine anymore."

Doctor Tan, unnoticed until now, stepped forward and laughed, joining the conversation: "Prime Minister Wang is absolutely right. Mr. Cui’s improved seeds will alleviate the people’s suffering and earn great merit. The court should reward him generously."

Cui Du responded: "My life was saved by the Commandery Princess; everything I have, comes from her. Whether it’s the new grains I grow or the improved seeds, they all belong to the Commandery Princess. Whatever she arranges, I’m happy to comply."

Doctor Tan was silent for a moment, then hesitantly laughed: "Mr. Cui is not only capable but also loyal, no wonder the Commandery Princess regards him highly."

Cui Du, although clever and sharp, usually acts carefree because he doesn’t like to worry about trivial matters. Yet at this moment, he suddenly became perceptive, smiled and replied: "Talented officials are easy to find, but a wise leader is rare. First comes the talent scout, then the thousand-mile horse. With a wise leader like the Commandery Princess in Nanyang County, it’s only natural that capable ministers and officials abound."

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes were relaxed, her black pupils filled with laughter.

Chief Historian Chen mentally gave Mr. Cui a thumbs up.

Wang Jin watched the eloquent Cui Du talk about the Commandery Princess, his face shining, and fell into silence once more.

"Commandery Princess, shall we go to that warm shed to check the new seedlings?" Cui Du, still oblivious, flashed a radiant smile at the Commandery Princess.

The Commandery Princess nodded with a smile.

...

After spending half a day at the field manor, Wang Jin became increasingly amazed and delighted.

This delight even overshadowed his jealousy of a powerful rival. He actively approached Cui Du to learn about crop improvement.

Cui Du never kept secrets; when farmers usually asked him questions, he shared his knowledge without reservation. Now with Prime Minister Wang’s inquiries, he was just as forthcoming.

Wang Jin listened intently, nodding repeatedly, though how much he actually understood was uncertain.

Doctor Tan also pricked up his ears, secretly resolved to find a way to recruit such a capable official.

In the evening, the field manor prepared pigs and chickens, with vegetables and fruits picked directly from the warm sheds. The dishes on the table were not particularly fancy, but they were extraordinarily fresh.

Wang Jin praised them repeatedly as he ate.

Doctor Tan also ate with satisfaction: "In the past few months, I haven’t had a proper meal. Tonight, I can truly indulge."

Especially the dish of radish braised with meat, tender and flavorful, with the radish having a faint sweetness.

Wang Jin put down his chopsticks and glanced at the adjacent table.

Seated there were only two people.

Jiang Shaohua sat properly, eating sweetly. Cui Du, sitting at the lower end, occasionally picked up dishes for the Commandery Princess: "Commandery Princess, how’s the radish?"

"Delicious, the cabbage is also good."

"Braised with meat, the taste is surely wonderful. Without meat, just boiling with salt is also good."

"Yes, it’s not easy for the people to have a meal with meat. Radishes and cabbages are easy to store; come winter, they’ll have vegetables on their table."

Cui Du nodded with a smile: "The Commandery Princess is right; next year, they’ll be trial planted in each county."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and asked: "You’ve been in Li County for so many days, is the soil problem solved?"

"Improving soil isn’t a quick fix; I’ve taught the people the methods, and after half a year, when the Commandery Princess inspects, you’ll see the results."

Cui Du laughed: "I also answered County Magistrate Cai’s request to survey all the wasteland in Li County and selected two suitable plots for cultivation. Together, they add up to thirty thousand acres, enough to keep County Magistrate Cai and the people busy for a year or two." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Jiang Shaohua chuckled: "County Magistrate Cai really knows how to use people; he’s put you to work."

Cui Du also laughed: "Thanks to my quick wits, otherwise, I’d be dragged by County Magistrate Cai to check medicine fields."

Jiang Shaohua chuckled endlessly; her chopsticks never stopped.

Wang Jin watched silently.