The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1675 - 1669: Going Too Far

Wang Yongzhu nodded, knowing that this was Song Chongjin’s good intention.

Of course, such an important place naturally needs to be controlled by one’s own people to be more suitable, and Gu Zikai is the best choice.

Not only did it provide Gu Zikai with a path to success, but it also tied their interests with the Gu Family together.

This is a relationship closer than friendship.

"Then I will write to my uncle and cousin tomorrow, telling them to prepare early!"

Wang Yongzhu did not refuse, and immediately agreed.

As for how the Gu Family will consider, whether to let them participate, depends on the Gu Family’s plan.

After discussing business, Old Granny Zhang sent someone over to call them for dinner.

The two seized the opportunity to wrap up the conversation and went to join Old Granny Zhang for a cheerful meal.

In the days that followed, it wasn’t until the wheat harvest ended that the officials from the Minister of Agriculture returned from the estate.

Along with them came the harvest of that acre.

These wheat grains would be brought back to the Capital City and presented to the Emperor for viewing.

Selected seeds from these grains will be tested in the Imperial Estate next year, and if the yield remains, the seeds will first be promoted in the Capital City and Zhili by the end of the year.

Then gradually spread nationwide.

Of course, these people also have a plan, in Wang Yongzhu’s estate, apart from leaving a small portion of the wheat, they plan to take the rest to the Capital City along with the harvest from that acre.

Otherwise, if spread nationwide, there may be insufficient seeds.

Wang Yongzhu didn’t mind, as long as enough is left to make seeds for next year.

After all, who she sells the rest of the wheat to does not matter?

However, she never expected the officials from the Minister of Agriculture to demand requisition without compensation!

This wasn’t fair play!

Wang Yongzhu immediately refused! She had provided the method for increased production, which was already a great credit for the country and the people, yet the Emperor only gave her the Grant of Lady Dingguo, which was already advantageous for him.

Isn’t he taking advantage enough? Her estate yields several thousand pounds of wheat from a hundred mu, forcibly requisitioning it means her entire year’s work would be wasted, and she would have to buy grain from elsewhere, because she couldn’t let the tenant farmers starve!

Harvesting wool can’t be focused on a single sheep!

Several thousand pounds of wheat may not be a big deal, but things shouldn’t be done this way.

These officials from the Minister of Agriculture stayed in her estate for half a month, enjoying her hospitality. She provided them with good food and drinks, meeting their requests, yet they became demanding?

Immediately, Wang Yongzhu’s face turned stern, and she firmly rejected. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

The leading official of the Minister of Agriculture was stunned to hear Wang Yongzhu’s refusal, feeling incredulous and heartbroken: "Lady Dingguo! This is a beneficial act for the nation and people, a legacy for future generations! How can you refuse and be unworthy of His Majesty’s grace?"

Wang Yongzhu sneered: "Sir, I think you must have forgotten! This method for increased production was tested by me. If not for Great Chu and the people of the world, I wouldn’t have contributed it to His Majesty."

"This is a beneficial act for the nation and people! But is the nation and people’s benefit solely reliant on me, a mere woman? I come up with the method, provide the seeds, then what are you supposed to do? You take the Imperial Court salary, enjoy the people’s gratitude, yet what have you done? Just followed me to Chicheng County, enjoyed good food and drinks, stayed for half a month, then took my estate’s annual harvest to report back?"

"I wonder if you, gentlemen, have thought, if you take away all my estate’s grain, how will the tenant farmers survive? Did you gentlemen forget this is not the Imperial Estate?"

Several officials from the Minister of Agriculture suddenly realized their mistake, showing remorse.

Their dealings are always with fields and crops, always experimenting in the Imperial Estate, all supplies provided by the Royal Family and Imperial Court.

Naturally, anything needed is directly taken, reported back through the Imperial Estate steward.

They were used to this procedure and forgot this isn’t a royal estate but a private estate belonging to the lady before them.

This trip to Chicheng County, though on public expense, the Minister of Agriculture is a clean government office, they traveled well thanks to Lady Dingguo’s generosity, enjoying ample ship space, proper arrangements, and carefree accommodation and meals, exceedingly comfortable.

Even in Chicheng County, on her estate, they only had to make requests.

The food and accommodation did not differ much from the Capital City.

The main point being, not a single penny was spent, all borne by Lady Dingguo.

Now they audaciously demand her estate’s annual harvest, no wonder Lady Dingguo was angered.

The younger officials realized their mistake, showing their apology.

Only the leader stubbornly stood his ground, dissatisfied: "Under the whole heaven, all land belongs to the king; within the sea’s bounds, all subjects belong to the king, you and I are both subjects of Great Chu. Lady Dingguo is deeply graced by the Emperor, granted the First-Rank Enjoin, and received many rewards, not to mention several generations of ministers in the Duke Weiguo Residence. These thousands of pounds of wheat might be crucial for others, but for Lady Dingguo, they are as trivial as a hair from nine oxen."

"Whether for public or private reasons, donating would both honor the Emperor’s grace and enhance the reputation of Lady Dingguo and the Duke Weiguo Residence. Why not?"

Wang Yongzhu raised her eyebrow, closely scrutinizing the leader, before suddenly asking: "Sir, your words make sense, but after traveling together these past weeks, I still don’t know your esteemed surname?"

The leader’s lips curled up, bowed respectfully, and said: "I am Guo Mian—"

Wang Yongzhu silently repeated the name twice before smiling and saying: "Sir Guo indeed is loyal to the monarch and country, exceptional indeed! I wonder if Sir Guo is a descendent of the Guo Family in the Capital City?"

Guo Mian bowed, concealing his pride: "I wouldn’t dare claim such, I am indeed the third son of the fourth household of the Guo Family, Madam praises me too much!"

Slowly Wang Yongzhu said: "If so, why doesn’t Sir Guo lead by example, donate his years of salary and half the family assets first? According to Sir Guo, the Guo Family also benefited greatly from the Emperor’s grace, received many rewards over the years, not to mention generations of old ministers."

"The promotion of these wheat seeds will require considerable silver; with the patriotism of the Guo Family and Sir Guo, I assume you wouldn’t refuse, correct?"

Guo Mian was dumbfounded.

Several officials who held grudge against him couldn’t help but burst into laughter.