Chapter 363 - Chapter 363: Chapter 363 Going to the Provincial City with (1/2)
Chapter 363: Chapter 363 Going to the Provincial City with
Second Brother 1
The former was Wei Ruo’s original suggestion to Madam Yuan, allowing everyone in Taizhou Prefecture to maintain this year’s agricultural yield by switching to late rice and sweet potatoes; the latter was an initiative led personally by Wei Ruo to accommodate refugees by expanding farmland through clearing activities.
Now, both have made substantial progress, giving everyone in Taizhou Prefecture hope.
Madam Yuan couldn’t help but exclaim, “Ruoruo, all of this is your doing. If Taizhou Prefecture sees a grain harvest this year, you are indeed the life-saving benefactor of countless farming households and refugees in Taizhou Prefecture!”
Wei Ruo replied, “I appreciate your praise, Madame, but let’s save these words until later, when the grain is in the barn, and then we can celebrate with joy.” Wei Ruo didn’t dare to be too jubilant when the situation remained uncertain. “Alright, alright, let’s not bring it up now,” said Madam Yuan hurriedly. She was only excited and couldn’t resist talking to Wei Ruo about it, but she was indeed afraid that trouble would arise at the last moment.
Madam Yuan subsequently asked Wei Ruo, “By the way, Ruoruo, I heard from Aunt Qin that you want to build a dam across the river? Have you drawn the relevant diagrams?”
“Yes, I do have such a plan. Taizhou Prefecture receives ample annual precipitation, but the distribution is uneven. There is abundant rainfall during the rainy season, but there will be a period of drought after summer which is extremely unfavorable for the growth of rice. This summer was fine, but if it is like the past few years, even if we cultivate more wasteland, without water for irrigation the crops will not grow well.” explained Wei Ruo.
“Yes, that makes sense. Constructing a reservoir, however, is not like other endeavors,” said Madam Yuan, thinking that Wei Ruo made a lot of sense.
Wei Ruo understood what Madam Yuan meant: “Building a reservoir not only requires a significant amount of labor and resources but also requires an exceptionally long period. Even constructing a small reservoir would require at least three to five years. A large-scale reservoir could take ten to twenty years to complete.”
“Exactly, this is the biggest issue in building a reservoir. While it benefits generations to come, during construction, there is no doubt that it strains the people and drains wealth,” said Madam Yuan.
Wei Ruo analysed, “If it’s a situation like today, it is indeed not suitable. We don’t have enough grain to support the construction of the reservoir- but if the granary is full and refugees keep flooding in, arranging for the construction of projects like reservoirs could be a good way to settle the refugees and maintain public morale.”
“Ruoruo, your point is well made,” Madam Yuan agreed with that statement. Wei Ruo continued her analysis, “Indeed, reclaiming wasteland directly addresses the food issue, but it does carry risks. Relying on increasing cultivation area, improving soil fertility, and the excellent traits of crops for withstanding natural disasters is still too weak, and improving the tolerance from more dimensions is preferable to ensure grain yield.”
“In that case, Ruoruo, do you still intend to proceed with building a reservoir?” Madam Yuan asked.
“If there is a grain harvest this year, the granary is full, and refugees from other regions continue to flood into Taizhou Prefecture, arranging for the extra refugees to construct the reservoir could be a good solution,” explained Wei Ruo.
After giving it some serious thought, Madam Yuan said, “I understand. We will discuss this further, depending on the various circumstances at the end of the year.”
Then, Madam Yuan, holding Wei Ruo’s hand, said, “You are a blessed child. Your father has a good chance of being promoted again this time, and the fortune of the Wei Family will only get better.”
Wei Ruo smiled, unsure how to respond to these words. Whether her father’s promotion was considered good or bad news was ambiguous.
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Wei Ruo stayed at the Yuan Residence until dusk, resolving all the issues that had accumulated over time, while also organising upcoming land reclamation work.
Upon completion, Wei Ruo returned to the Military Prefecture to prepare for her journey to the provincial city the next day.
Wei Ruo planned to visit the provincial city under the pretext of delivering supplies to Wei Yichen, but the real intention was to scout for a new shop location.
Accompanying her the next day would be Wei Jinyi and Xiaobei. When Wei Jinyi said he wished to go along with her, Wei Ruo happily agreed.
With this, Wei Ruo’s reasons for leaving became even more sufficient, and her safety was more secure.
In regards to Wei Ruo’s journey to the provincial city with Wei Jinyi, Yun did not ask further questions.