Master of Strange Dao

"Governance is important."

"Your Majesty, in fact, there are not many pressing matters of governance that must be dealt with now. Everything is on the right track. If your servant takes a few days off, it won't do any harm."

"Well then, that's fine."

Zhang Quli could even speak of taking a few days off, how could he say you shouldn't rest?

In the end, Yu Ziqing left the palace with Zhang Quli and Jia Shisi.

The three of them quietly left the city without a specific destination in mind, as Yu Ziqing randomly selected one.

Heading west, they chose a city as far from Dingmao City as possible.

Moreover, the first place they went to was not a city, but the villages below the city.

This was the place where imperial edicts arrived last and where the benefits of policies were enjoyed the latest.

Especially many new measures, according to the requirements, had to be first tested in a small place.

If considered to be generally viable, then they could be expanded to include one city, several cities.

Once expanded and still considered viable, a comprehensive promotion would be considered.

The small village that Yu Ziqing had chosen now would only be included in such a comprehensive promotion.

And the whole process would take at least five to ten years at the quickest.

This was one reason why Yu Ziqing felt that after ten years it was time to come and have a look.

Zhang Quli and Jia Shisi did not interfere throughout the journey. Wherever Yu Ziqing said to go, they would lead the way.

On their way to a small mountain village, before even seeing the village, they first saw the wheat fields lush and green, with people laboring hard in the fields.

In Yu Ziqing's view, the wheat was planted too sparsely.

But this was the norm. In an era without chemical fertilizers and relying solely on farm manure, planting too densely would mean none would grow well.

"Has the filth bucket been put to use?"

"Yes, it can produce excellent fertilizer.

It's just that here it should still be in the promotion stage, and the farmers dare not try rashly.

Moreover, the fertilizer produced is not quite enough to meet the demand."

Yu Ziqing nodded. Before the effects on harvest were absolutely confirmed, indeed, farmers would not dare try anything that might affect their yield.

They are not looking to gamble on a surge in yield but to ensure a guaranteed harvest.

This matter, indeed, is not so easy or quick to spread.

They need to see the effects with their own eyes before they dare to use it.

"I'll send some more later...

Forget it, the production of the artifact embryo for the filth bucket, I'll leave that to you guys.

Make it cheap, easy to use, focusing on practicality.

Also, has anyone begun to study the use of the new fertilizer?

How to apply the new fertilizer, how much to use, and when to use it—if there are verified results, compile them into a book and distribute it.

Different areas should adapt to local conditions and comprehensively consider them.

Don't expect a huge increase in harvest, but certainly don't allow for a decrease; at the very least, the basic food supply must be preserved."

Zhang Quli listened and took out a Jade Tablet to record everything.

"Your Majesty, many in agricultural studies have gathered, and whatever there is, it will be spread through the Jade Tablet.

The very first channel we opened was dedicated to agricultural studies.

This is of utmost importance."

While they were still talking, Zhang Quli waved his hand, concealing the three of their figures.

In the distance, a young cultivator who looked to be in his teens, riding on a Paper Crane, flew over sluggishly.

The Paper Crane struggled to flap its wings, making creaking noises as it slowly descended near the fields.

After landing, he looked at the Paper Crane with a pained expression.

"My good brother, hang in there a little longer, your new brother won't be in my hands until the month after next, you have to hold on."

With a breath, the Paper Crane shrank continuously, turning into a small origami figure and falling into his hand.

He no longer flew, instead relying on his legs to travel.

Passing by a field, he took out a Storage Bag, inverted it towards the sky, and poured out a small hill's worth of Black Soil.

One by one, small black mounds appeared along the path.

Soon, a large group of villagers rushed out to meet him.

Leading them was a burly middle-aged woman with quick legs and feet who charged forward and grabbed the young man's arm.

"Young man, I've just finished building a toilet at my house; all the waste is stored up, nearly overflowing.

The droppings from the chickens I raise are all being kept as well.

You go to my house first; it's time to fertilize, and any later will be too late."

"Erwai's mother, have some shame. The dung from my cow was still warm when you snatched it away. Why should you go first? Isn't everyone in a hurry to apply fertilizer?"

With a troubled face, the young man waved his hands.

"Don't be impatient, everyone, don't be impatient.

The court's edicts also have to be carried out step by step. Last year, when I came to deliver fertilizer,

you all said you didn't need it. The court's Magical Treasure is limited, and we currently only have one functioning talisman here.

The County Magistrate has said, if it's not sufficient, then we can only distribute less. Everybody has so much.

Last year you didn't want it; this year you do, so naturally there won't be enough."

"As an uneducated old woman, I don't understand anything, how could I dare to experiment with my family's yearly food supply?" The big mother spoke with rightful indignation, but then she lowered her voice, "What do we know? We've been listening to the Jade Tablet every day in the village, and slowly we've come to understand. Young man, my land is poor, give more fertilizer to me."

"You old women, what are you clamoring about, grabbing and pulling each other, looking so unsightly."

From behind the crowd, the deeply wrinkled village chief shouted a few times.

As people dispersed and the village chief arrived, he looked around, spitting as he spoke.

"The court has a plan; they didn't charge you for this Magical Treasure. They've already said, for the first three years, fertilizer is free of charge.

Taxes are also less than before.

You refused it last year, and when harvest time came, you watched the next village's granaries overflowing, and every one of you went green with envy like a bunch of rabbits."