Chapter 1038 - 1035: He Is Stupid

But the rice harvested was uneven in quality, and the experienced elders knew that to achieve high yield, one must have fertile fields and favorable weather, as the rice variety was difficult to control.

Years of experience had taught them this.

Master Sanhai touched his Buddha beads, “You might not believe this, but the facts prove that this year’s high-yield rice plot indeed produced a higher average yield than the rice varieties of previous years.”

“Did Donor Chu notice that?”

Only when reminded did Chu Lin suddenly remember that indeed there was such an instance.

He stared blankly and nodded, “It seems that it really was.”

Madam Zhang clapped her hands, “Where it seems, it definitely was. I was just talking in the village about how this year our family’s rice ears are better than others’, and everyone came to see it.”

“Since that’s the case, I and Master Sanhai will go to Xingshui Village to see.”

“Your Honor, I’ll lead the way for you,” Chu Lin realized that if this rice variety truly could yield high, it would be great news for both his family and the imperial court—it was a significant achievement.

He asked Madam Zhang to stay at the county’s shop.

He then took the keys to the old residence and hurried to drive the ox cart, leading the way.

County Magistrate Xu’s people also had the carriage ready, and County Magistrate Xu along with Master Sanhai went to Xingshui Village.

Most of Xingshui Village’s inhabitants were in the village.

Seeing Chu Lin return, they all greeted him.

As Chu Heng had passed the imperial examination and become a high official, Chu family now held a very high status in the village, virtually no one dared to offend them.

Chu Lin returned each greeting; by now, Chu family was quite well-liked in the village.

They finally reached the Chu family’s old residence.

Chu Lin got down from the ox cart and hurried to wait in front of the carriage.

Just then, Madam Qian heard the news and came over.

“Fifth Aunt, just right, you’ve come back. Hurry and help me to notify the Clan Leader, the County Magistrate has come.”

Madam Qian was startled by Chu Lin’s words, “The County Magistrate?”

Just as County Magistrate Xu and Master Sanhai were alighting from the carriage, Madam Qian, startled, hurriedly stepped forward to greet, “Greetings, Your Honor.”

“Hello.”

County Magistrate Xu didn’t know who Madam Qian was, but knowing she was a Chu family member, naturally maintained a gentle attitude.

Madam Qian, hearing County Magistrate Xu speak so kindly, was somewhat overjoyed.

Luckily remembering the urgent matter, after greeting him, she hurriedly turned around to relay the news to the clan.

After the Clan Leader heard the news, he quickly came to Chu Lin’s house with clan members.

Suddenly, the courtyard was full of people.

County Magistrate Xu was organizing the bailiffs to measure the stock in Chu family’s warehouse.

Just as Clan Leader Chu Yonghua arrived, while waiting for news, he asked, “Clan Leader Chu, how much of this high-yield rice did you plant this year?”

“Your Honor is too polite. This year, our clan planted quite a bit of high-yield rice, roughly around thirty-five acres.”

“However, this does not include Brother Heng’s household; it’s only what our clan members planted.” Actually, Chu Yonghua was a bit embarrassed saying this, as the reason there were thirty-five acres was because Chu Lin and Chu Cai, the two brothers, already accounted for twenty acres, of the remaining fifteen acres, fifth room had eight acres, and the remaining seven acres were divided between second household and Third household with two acres each; his household, having the most land, had only three acres, and crucially, those three acres were all because his eldest, An’er, wanted to plant them.

He thought back to his initial words, utterly disbelieving that Ye Muyu would farm at all, and thus didn’t join in the folly. Now, it seemed he was the foolish one.