Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 857: Ambush

The yield of soybeans in Great Chu is mostly two hundred jin per mu, with the highest being only three hundred fifty jin. A yield of six hundred fifty jin per mu of soybeans is something he hasn’t seen in his fifty years, and he is somewhat worried that the Gu Family might be reporting false numbers for credit.

Gu Jin’an said, "Actually, the highest yield per mu can reach seven hundred jin, but we were concerned that the soil in other places might not be as good, so when reporting to the county government, we reduced it by fifty jin, whereas the lowest yield per mu is four hundred fifty jin."

Yu Sinong was shocked, realizing the highest yield per mu could reach seven hundred jin, and they even reduced it by fifty jin. Meanwhile, the lowest yield is four hundred fifty jin, a hundred jin higher than directly sowing soybean seeds.

Not to mention Yu Sinong, even the five subordinates he brought couldn’t help their eyes from shining. If they learned the method of soybean transplantation and spread it throughout Great Chu, they could establish great merit and would be likely to advance.

"Sir, it’s getting late. Let’s follow the Gu Family People to learn how to transplant soybeans." urged a subordinate.

Yu Sinong knew they wanted to achieve merit. After all, it’s difficult to achieve merit at the agricultural office. They needed to seize the opportunity, "Sure, go ahead and follow the Gu Family People to learn well."

"Yes." The five subordinates responded and ran to find Gu Jin’an.

Gu Jin’an divided them into four groups, taking two himself, and assigned the others to Qi Kangming, Gu Dexing, and He Jinseng, letting them learn from these three.

Village Chief He couldn’t be happier, very thankful to Gu Jin’an. Good Brother An is kind-hearted and genuinely cares for his family Jin Sheng. Every time there’s a chance to stand out, he doesn’t forget to include their family Jin Sheng.

Gu Jin’an and the others were busy the whole morning teaching the people from the agricultural office until they finally learned.

Meanwhile, Yu Sinong followed County Magistrate Zheng to inspect the fields in Da Feng Village, observing the villagers planting soybeans. Yu Sinong asked many villagers about how much the yield was per mu using this method.

The responses were similar to what Gu Jin’an said, with some saying seven hundred jin, some saying six hundred fifty jin, and five hundred jin. In short, the yield per mu was only high, not low.

County Magistrate Zheng watched beside them and thought with a smile, "Old man, you still don’t trust Brother An? This has been planted for three years, and the yield per mu is increasing year by year. If it weren’t so, why would I report to the government office?"

After asking around, Yu Sinong was completely convinced. Gu Jin’an indeed did not deceive him.

Yu Sinong was very interested in soybean transplantation, continually walking around the fields. He even had lunch in the shed built in the fields, neither visiting the Gu Family nor Village Chief He’s house.

After eating, he continued to learn with the five subordinates from Gu Jin’an about how to soak beans and cultivate bean sprouts, staying busy until evening before leaving.

The next day, he came again with his subordinates, sitting on a mule cart, and continued for three days, learning how to transplant soybeans and cultivate bean sprouts.

On the third day’s departure, Gu Jin’an gave Yu Sinong bean sprouts for one mu of land.

Yu Sinong was delighted, "These bean sprouts have truly reached my heart. If by harvest time, the soybean yield per mu can indeed increase, you will be credited as contributors to Great Chu, and Lord Magistrate will report your achievements to the Capital."

Gu Jin’an smiled, "You are too kind. As Chu people, serving the court is what we should do."

Yu Sinong liked Gu Jin’an even more upon hearing this, feeling this young man not only had skills but also was good with words—a good fellow indeed.

Upon returning to the county, Yu Sinong inquired County Magistrate Zheng about Gu Jin’an’s marriage, "County Magistrate Zheng, Brother An is not young anymore. Is he engaged?"

County Magistrate Zheng instantly understood and thought silently: "Looking handsome is beneficial, isn’t it? Many who have seen Gu Jin’an end up admiring him, inquiring about his engagement status, wanting to recruit him as a son-in-law."

However, County Magistrate Zheng said, "Gu Jin’an is not yet engaged, though he is ambitious and aims to establish his career before marrying. He agreed with his father that he would only consider marriage after passing the scholar exams."

Yu Sinong knew Gu Jin’an was the county top scorer of Tianfu County and, considering the age of his little daughter, smiled, "Brother An is indeed ambitious. Quite admirable—a true man should establish his career first before marrying."

His little daughter was fifteen years old. If Gu Jin’an was skilled enough to pass the scholar exams on his first try, his little daughter could wait for him.

County Magistrate Zheng was worried upon hearing this, "You’re really considering it?’

He coughed twice, cleared his throat, and smiled at Yu Sinong, "Brother An is good friends with the legitimate heir of our Zheng Family’s legitimate line and knows Lord Zheng from the legitimate line. Lord Zheng greatly likes him and says a family whose daughter can marry him would truly be blessed."

Do you understand? This is the Zheng Family’s chosen son-in-law!

Yu Sinong understood and was very regretful, feeling how good youths seemed always admired by others, especially chosen by Lord Zheng of the Zheng Family’s legitimate line. His daughter’s hope was futile. The girl from Zheng Family’s legitimate line was more valuable than his daughter.

Yu Sinong felt it was a pity, took the bean sprouts and his subordinates, and returned to the Prefecture reluctantly.

...

On the official road from Prefecture to Tianfu County, it was raining in spring. Four mule carts toppled at the roadside. Elder Gu was holding Gu Youfu, crying uncontrollably, shouting to Zhu Wu, "Why are you standing there dumbstruck? Hurry up and get a doctor. If anything happens to my Youfu, I will surely have Lord Lai take your heads!"

Youfu was his most cherished son. Now injured, his heart ached to the point of dying.

He cursed God in his heart once again, wondering why God seemed to be working against the Old Gu Family. The mule cart was running perfectly well when suddenly all toppled.

Even the mule cart Youfu was in rolled directly into a pit, rescued now covered in blood and unconscious.

After hearing this, Zhu Wu’s face darkened. He scoffed internally: "Have Lord Lai take his head? Lord Lai doesn’t like Gu Youfu at all, hoping he would die. How could he ever take my head for a worthless Gu Youfu?"

Saving Gu Youfu from the pit was already going an extra mile. Elder Gu still dared to intimidate him—a fool sufficient to court death.

One Protector couldn’t stand it anymore and sneered, "What’s all this yelling about? Only your son is a person, huh? Aren’t we people too? We have brothers injured as well."

They were hurt while rescuing Gu Youfu and, after succeeding, received not a single kind word.

Elder Gu trembled, pointing at them and cursing, "You—you, what did you say? What do you think you are? You are merely servants of the Lai Family. A bunch of slaves, how could you ever compare to my Youfu? Youfu is my most-like son! Now hurry up and find a doctor to save him!"

"Bah! You damned old man! Who do you think you are? Our master is Lord Lai. What are you? Dare to curse once more, we’ll leave you here!" a Protector yelled angrily, directly cursing Elder Gu.

Fool! This damned old man can’t see that the carts flipping four times meant they were ambushed?

Indeed, they were targeted by those mysterious people or things again, and now they couldn’t dare to move, fearing they’d be shot with cold arrows.

Zhu Wu ignored Elder Gu, eyes scanning the surroundings, commanding the Protectors, "Get up, all of you, keep alert. Don’t fall for their trap again."