Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne-Chapter 1011 - 92: Zhao Yao’s Plan

After the trade fair concluded, Zhao Yao busied himself by going into the fields to inspect, because in a short time, it would be time to harvest the early rice. He needed to carefully examine the conditions of the early rice before the harvesting began.

The general condition of this year’s early rice was quite good. This was because, under Zhao Yao’s suggestion, the people of Swamp Prefecture started raising fish in the rice fields, resulting in remarkably well-grown rice this year. Naturally, the fish had grown plump as well.

Initially, when Zhao Yao proposed this idea, the people of Swamp Prefecture couldn’t understand it and thought it was ridiculous. How could fish be raised in rice fields? The fish would eat the rice seedlings.

Seeing the people’s disbelief, Zhao Yao began raising fish in his own rice fields. The people of Swamp Prefecture thought that Prince Han had lost his mind and were waiting to see him make a fool of himself. However, they waited and waited, but the rice seedlings in Prince Han’s fields were never eaten by the fish.

Not only were the rice seedlings in Prince Han’s fields not eaten by the fish, but they grew better and better. Moreover, the fish in the fields grew bigger and bigger. The people found this very puzzling.

Why don’t the fish eat the rice seedlings?

How can fish survive in the rice fields?

Zhao Yao explained to the people that fish do not eat rice seedlings nor bite the roots, so the seedlings naturally remain unharmed. As for why the rice seedlings grow so well, it’s because of the fish droppings. As for why the fish become so plump, it’s because they feed on pests and weeds in the fields.

Actually, raising fish in the rice fields also improves the ecological environment of the fields. The fish’s activities in the fields enhance water quality and oxygen levels, benefiting the growth of rice. Fish droppings serve as organic fertilizer, improving rice quality. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Raising fish also increases the people’s income. Once the fish grow large and plump, they can be sold.

Raising fish in rice fields is a four-benefit win.

The people of Swamp Prefecture didn’t understand concepts like oxygen levels or improving the ecological environment, but they understood that raising fish made the fields fertile and rice grow well. Most importantly, raising fish could bring money, even if only a little, any amount of money was still money.

Seeing the benefits of raising fish in rice fields with their own eyes, the people no longer questioned Prince Han’s words and hurried to raise fish in their own fields.

During the trade fair, the fish in the people’s rice fields grew very plump. The people sold the fish to the inns and made quite a profit.

The fish from the rice fields had exceptionally tender meat, and the inn guests loved eating it. As a result, innkeepers purchased these fish in large quantities from the people, making them very happy.

Besides raising fish, Zhao Yao also suggested that the people raise ducks in the rice fields. The benefits of raising ducks were similar to those of raising fish. Upon hearing this, the people did not hesitate and obediently raised ducks in the rice fields.

The people of Swamp Prefecture, or more accurately, the people of Lingnan, weren’t fond of eating ducks because duck meat had a fishy taste. Compared to duck, the people of Lingnan preferred chicken.

When Zhao Yao learned about the people’s aversion to ducks, he specifically posted a notice detailing a hundred ways to cook duck.

The people and inn cooks followed the recipes provided by Prince Han and found that duck meat became very tasty, not fishy at all, especially the roast duck.

Roast duck became extremely popular, particularly during the trade fair. Foreign guests liked eating it very much.

In fact, many years ago, Zhao Yao had introduced roast duck. Back then, it became a famous dish in the capital. Later, roast duck spread to other prefectures and became very popular. However, it hadn’t reached Lingnan.

People from countries like Annan and Johor had loved eating roast duck when they visited the capital for homage. Unfortunately, their cooks couldn’t make good roast duck, so they could only come to Great Zhou to eat it. They originally thought they had to go to the capital of Great Zhou for roast duck, but to their surprise, they could find it in Swamp Prefecture.

During the trade fair, the foreign guests ate up all the ducks in Swamp Prefecture, forcing Zhao Yao to send people inland to buy more ducks.

Through fish and duck farming, the people of Swamp Prefecture made quite a lot of money, deepening their trust in Zhao Yao as Prince Han.

After the trade fair ended, the people of Swamp Prefecture had even more unwavering faith in Prince Han’s words. They regarded Prince Han not only as a "living Bodhisattva" who saved them but also as the "God of Wealth."

Going back, with the early rice harvest approaching next month, Zhao Yao was very concerned about the state of the early rice, which is why he specially went to inspect the fields.