After Qi Xiuwen went out, Qi Sheng planned to check his younger son's homework again.
Ten-year-old Xiao Douding speaks with a rigid expression, like a little old man.
"Father, this is the homework my son did in school the day before yesterday, please help."
Qi Sheng took a few glances at the little man with a straight back and lowered brows, a tender face and a tender voice, no matter how you look at it, he thinks it is cute, Qi Sheng suppressed his smile, and took a closer look: "Yes, yes, yes progress!"
The child was overjoyed, but suppressed his joy, and replied sternly, "It's all because of the good teaching of my father and my husband!"
Qi Sheng raised his fist to cover the smile on his mouth, and also pretended to be serious: "Study is like sailing against the current, if you don't advance, you will retreat! You know in your heart that you can just study hard every day, but since today is the school holiday, I will let you relax." One day off, free to arrange!"
The child's eyes widened. Unexpectedly, his father not only praised him today, but also agreed to let him rest for a day. He couldn't hold back his smile and narrowed his eyes: "Thank you, father!"
After Qi Sheng left, Qi Xiuli dared to act coquettishly to Mrs. Liu: "Mother, Daddy praised me just now and allowed me to take a day off today!"
Mrs. Liu lovingly patted her precious son's head: "Well, my son is working so hard, the master naturally likes it, take a good rest today, and study hard in the future to get a good name in the exam."
The child nodded obediently, and couldn't help asking: "Then... Mom, can I go out to play today? I want to go to Dongjie to play with Qin Yu."
Qin Yu is Qi Xiuli's classmate. He was born as a businessman. Although he is not as good at reading as he is, he is well-informed and has traveled to several places with his father who is a businessman. Qi Xiuli envies him the most. Unfortunately, his father doesn't like him running around. Agree that he can leave the house at will.
Looking at her poor son, Liu's heart softened, thinking that the master had already agreed to his son's rest today, so it should be no problem to go out to play, if the master got angry, she would bear it, and it would only be a reprimand, but she really didn't want her son to grow up in the future. Cheng has the same serious and rigid temperament as the master.
Mrs. Liu scratched her son's nose: "Go, bring safety, and be careful outside."
Qi Xiuli cheered happily, but was a little worried about his father.
Liu looked amused: "I'll tell your father, don't worry."
So when Qi Sheng was buried in the study to deal with official business, he was greeted by his beautiful concubine.
Mrs. Liu made tea by the desk, but after serving it to Qi Sheng, she didn't say anything, and quietly stood aside to serve the tea.
It was rare for Qi Sheng to enjoy the service of a beautiful woman, and seeing that she was really sensible and quiet, he ignored her and continued to deal with a lot of official duties.
Until it was time for lunch at noon, Qi Sheng had almost finished his official business, looked at the person who was still playing the fan and asked, "Where is Lier? He is resting today, why didn't he fulfill his filial piety by your side?"
Liu Shi smiled slightly: "I am young, so I don't need him to stay by my side. Although I am resting today, Li Er has always been well-behaved. He may be gathering with his classmates and friends to discuss knowledge at this moment."
Qi Sheng raised his eyebrows: "Oh? Then when he comes back, I'd like to hear what they can discuss."
Liu's complexion remained unchanged, and she continued to smile and said: "They have only read a few books, what results can they discuss, didn't the master allow him to rest today, how can they suddenly test again?"
Qi Sheng didn't make things difficult for her any more, and pretended to agree: "Well, then let him go today."
**
When the chili grows out, Qi Sheng will keep the seeds for storage. Now it is August, and it is the most suitable time to plant chili. Qi Sheng is overjoyed and specially opens up a vegetable garden in Qi Mansion. Xun actually guides her how to plant it. Apart from the rarity of peppers nowadays, it is just a common vegetable.
Mammy Zhang anxiously finished planting the chili peppers, and ran to the vegetable garden several times a day. Fortunately, the pepper seedlings grew well after a month, so she relaxed her mind and tended them meticulously.
Now it is the slack season, Qi Sheng thought about it, and ordered the yamen servants to go to each village to inform Lizheng, and report the latest household registration and population, the situation of the land being planted and the wasteland within ten days.
As soon as the news came out, all the squires in Yuping County came to visit the next day.
This move by Qi Sheng almost clearly informed the people that the normal taxation would resume. The people dared not refuse to pay, but begged the famous local gentry to go to the county magistrate to intercede, at least to wait until the soybeans were harvested before paying. .
All the gentry came to Qi Sheng after discussing it, so they sent a representative Liu squire to report to Qi Sheng.
After Liu Xiangshen saluted, he asked: "My lord, can the grassroots dare to ask, whether this year's tax should be paid according to the normal standard?"
Qi Sheng nodded and didn't say much.
Although everyone had guessed it, they couldn't help but sigh in their hearts.
Liu Xiangshen continued: "My lord, on behalf of the people of Yuping County, the Caomin would like to thank the court and your lord for their benevolence over the years, it's just...but now that the people have just collected their food, there are still many people who can't make up enough food except for their own food. Plead for them, can we wait for the soybeans to be delivered before paying?”
Qi Sheng pondered for a moment and finally nodded in agreement. In fact, he had thought about it a long time ago. He also knew the harvest of the people. He just got over it. He thought he could save some surplus food this year, but once the taxation resumed, he still had to eat a meal. A full day.
Everyone wanted to stand up and say goodbye when they had achieved their goals, but they heard Qi Sheng say: "Everyone, the weather in Jeju has been relatively smooth in the past two years, but I still can't make everyone in Yuping County have enough to eat. Haven't you thought about how to make it so Can the people of Yuping get out of this predicament?"
Everyone smiled wryly, Yuping is located in a remote place, the transportation is inconvenient, and the local people are not as talented in business as those in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Now they only hope that God will be safe for a few years, so that they can all breathe!
Qi Sheng didn't say any more, he wanted to take this opportunity to discuss with them about road construction, but now the pepper is still in the cultivation stage, and no actual effect can be seen, even if he is the boss of Yuping County, no one will be willing listen to him.
However, Qi Sheng's words also caused everyone to discuss in private. They thought that the county magistrate would have a new policy soon, but they didn't know Qi Sheng's plan until October.
A few days later when Qi Xiuwen returned home, he first came to Qi Sheng to say hello.
Qi Sheng looked at the older son who was more stable, and asked: "How is it? How have you improved during this time?"
During this period of time, Qi Xiuwen really learned a lot, and he felt the joy of meeting his parents for the first time, so he told them what he saw and heard when he went out.
Qi Sheng listened silently, nodding his head from time to time, which made Qi Xiuwen feel more at ease.
In the evening, Qi Xiuwen came to the study alone again.
"Father."
Qi Sheng looked at his son bowing his head and asked curiously: "Why, do you have something to say?"
Qi Xiuwen replied: "Didn't you order me to think about ways to solve poverty in our county? I have also noticed a lot along the way. There are not many wealthy businessmen in our county, and there are few people who go out to do business. The flow of goods is too little, like some must-haves. Some of the supplies are even more expensive than those in rich counties. After thinking for a long time, my son found out that there are too few merchants here. First, there are too few official roads. It is inconvenient for merchants to travel, so naturally they don’t want to come. Second, there are no goods that can be traded. , Like wheat and soybeans, they can only meet the rations of the common people, and there are too few of them to trade. Small caravans here can only sell but not buy, and there are not many buyers, so naturally they cannot attract."
Seeing that Qi Sheng nodded in approval, Qi Xiuwen continued: "Nowadays, there are regular sellers of several major necessities in Yuping County, but their business scope is very small, and they almost only move around in the two neighboring counties, and most of the goods are from It was shipped from Jeju Prefecture, in my son’s eyes, it is like a source of water, if it doesn’t flow continuously, it will be trapped in one side like a jar of stagnant water.”
Qi Sheng was very satisfied that his son could find the problem, "It is true, so how do you think to solve it?"
Qi Xiuwen replied: "My son thought for a long time on the way back, and he thought that the most important thing right now is to build roads. There are only two roads in the major towns leading to the county town that can pass carriages. My son thinks that we can build a few more roads. "
Qi Sheng asked back: "Building roads is indeed a good idea, but now the money that the government can provide is limited. Although a few wealthy businessmen in the county can respond to some, it will not be too much. So, what should I do?"
Qi Xiuwen scratched his head: "My son has also thought about this problem. Now the land can harvest almost a certain amount of food. My son met a family during his travels. His family has little land. In order to support a large family, the whole family has to pay attention to it. He has raised a lot of poultry and livestock, and his life is worse than that of some landed people. The son thought that although there are people in Yuping who raise them, but they keep them for their own food, it is better to encourage some villagers, especially those with large families and land If there are few, increase the amount of breeding, and the government will take the lead to persuade some merchants to purchase and sell them uniformly, which can also give the people an extra income."
Qi Sheng nodded in satisfaction, and found that he was really looking for a way to break through the predicament these days, and he couldn't help but sigh with emotion, if the eldest son becomes an official in the future, even if he doesn't rely on external force, he can make a difference!
Qi Sheng came to the elder son's side, patted his shoulder with satisfaction, and praised with a smile: "That's right, you can think of these, I'm very satisfied as a father."
Qi Xiuwen was a little excited, since his first failure, his father never praised him again.
I also heard my father say: "Wait for this idea, and it will be the time of busy farming again. The people are busy with the autumn harvest for a while and don't have time to make these. You have worked hard outside during this period, so you just have to take a good rest. Three days later, I will take you to this place." The experience and insights gained during this period of time were made into an article and handed over to me."
Qi Xiuwen hadn't received Qi Sheng's affirmation for a long time, so at this moment, he was naturally full of joy in his heart, and happily accepted his orders and left.
**
Now it is mid-October, the wheat has been sown, and most of the people in Yuping County are at leisure except for a few people who go out to work.
Qi Sheng ordered people to pick some fresh chili peppers to use in cooking, and everyone in the Qi family began to taste the taste of chili peppers for the first time.
Liu's taste is a bit heavy, and he was pleasantly surprised to eat spicy food for the first time. He asked, "Master, what kind of dish is this? It tastes really unique. It's more spicy than ginger and garlic, but it's more delicious!"
Qi Sheng told them how they got the peppers, and Wang exclaimed: "My lord, no one has tried this before, so you dare to feed it to your family."
Qi Sheng shook his head indifferently: "No way, I've already had someone test it out, and it's absolutely fine."
Everyone did not doubt him, the Qi family is not a person who likes to eat light food, now that chili is added to the dish, everyone is very satisfied with the food.
Qi Xiuwen's eyes brightened. Using chili as a seasoning dish will definitely attract many people. Many people in the south and other places like to eat spicy peppers. Chili is delicious, and no one will like it!
After lunch, Qi Xiuwen followed Qi Sheng to the study.
"Father, did you plan to promote peppers as a crop?" Qi Xiuwen guessed. Father has never ordered the implementation of policies to encourage breeding, and he has never mentioned the matter of road construction. Today, he deliberately moved peppers out for fear. I have already thought of a way out.
Qi Sheng nodded: "Well, since I learned about this vegetable, I have a plan. Yuping County is the first county to grow peppers. Before it is widely grown, it is rare and expensive. Let the people of Yuping County increase their income."
Excited, Qi Xiuwen planned carefully with Qi Sheng, and then left the study room full of satisfaction.
A few days later, Qi Sheng invited the gentry and wealthy merchants from Yuping County to come to discuss important matters.
Everyone didn't know what was important, and they were all a little uneasy. When they arrived at the county government, they saw four soup pots set up. The soup pots were cooked by charcoal pots. The soup in the pots was a little dark red, with some red floating Everyone wondered, should the adults invite them to dinner? But this pot is too unrefined!
Today's hot pot is mostly popular in the military, and it is convenient and delicious to cook, but for arty people, some of them can't be put on the table.
Qi Sheng sat in front of the hall, at the same table with the county magistrate and the master, and motioned for the servants to serve. The soup was ready, and upon seeing this, Qi Sheng picked up a plate of prepared mutton slices and poured them into the pot.
Seeing that the magistrate had done it himself, everyone followed suit. It was almost cooked, Qi Sheng said: "Come on, everyone, I accidentally got a unique dish, and I will share it with you today."
Everyone bowed their hands to thank them, feeling inexplicable and somewhat curious, picked up some mutton with serving chopsticks, just like Qi Sheng, put it into the small bowls in front of which the seasoning had been prepared, and tasted it.
Those with heavy taste immediately fell in love with it, and regardless of their dignity, they asked bluntly, "My lord, what did you put in it? It's so delicious!"
Some of them are full of curiosity even though they can't eat spicy food. Most of these people are human beings. Such a unique thing must be a good thing.
Qi Sheng didn't answer either, letting them eat with peace of mind.
Everyone was sweating profusely while eating, while scratching their heads, wishing to force them to ask what the county magistrate had put.
It wasn't until the meal was over and tea was served on the table that Qi Sheng satisfied their curiosity.
Someone was curious: "My lord, I wonder if this pepper is easy to grow, and what is the yield?"
Qi Sheng answered them one by one, and took them to visit the chili garden in the backyard.
"This batch of peppers must be able to leave a lot of seeds. At that time, they will be divided into two acres of land for concentrated planting. It must be multiplied enough to distribute seeds to every household in Yuping County."
Everyone was delighted to see the plants covered with fruits, their eyes glowed green, and they were more excited than seeing gold.
Seeing that he had successfully seduced him, Qi Sheng invited him back to the living room, and began to express his thoughts: "Yuping County is poor, and if you want to develop into a wealthy county, you need to work together, everyone. What do you think?"
Everyone was envious of the chili pepper in Qi Sheng's hand, and now they all calmed down after hearing what Qi Sheng said. Everyone guessed that Qi Sheng had something to do, but when they thought of the chili pepper just now, they still lamented Qi Sheng's selflessness. In Pingxian County, every household will have enough money in two years.
The richest businessman Shen in Yuping County first complimented Qi Sheng for a long time before expressing his loyalty: "My lord said that it is a blessing for my county to have a parent official like your lord who cares for the people. The Shen family has a little money. , I am willing to do the work of a dog and a horse for my lord!"
All the businessmen responded one after another, and the gentry also expressed their willingness to relieve Qi Sheng's worries.
After exchanging compliments with everyone, Qi Sheng told them about the plan.
"Road repair?"
"My lord really cares about the people!"
"That's right, you still have the foresight, Yuping County should have built roads a long time ago!"
…
Everyone unanimously supported it. At first they thought Qi Sheng wanted them to donate money, but after thinking about the unique chili peppers nowadays, they all planned to perform well.
Qi Sheng took a sip of tea and said with a smile: "I intend to build six more roads leading to Yuping County, but Master has calculated before and after. If this plan is implemented, it will cost a lot of money, and I don't want to occupy you. It's cheap, let you suffer from this stupid loss, everyone just saw that the seeds left this year can grow at least two acres of peppers, and it has not yet been decided who will sell these peppers. , I plan to pre-sell some of these peppers to you, I wonder if you are interested?"
Everyone was overjoyed when they heard this, compared to donating money for nothing, it is not a big deal to get such a rare chili pepper. Nowadays, chili peppers are rare, and they go to the capital or the wealthy Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas to sell them only to those dignitaries, not because they want to sell them at a high price As much is as much!
Some impatient businessman Wang quickly asked: "How many catties of peppers are expected to be produced here, my lord, so we can all place an order."
Qi Sheng said: "What you ate just now were all sun-dried chili peppers, which are easy to store and convenient for you to carry and transport. Judging from the current production, it is conservatively estimated that one mu can harvest 600 to 1,000 catties of fresh chili peppers." It is estimated that two acres can be planted now, and at least 200 catties of dried peppers can be harvested next summer, so I will pre-sell them at the price of 200 catties, what do you think?"
Qi Sheng was talking about the most conservative catty, but in order to build roads in the early stage, he had to let these people taste the sweetness first. There are still chili seeds in his space, and when he mixes some in, it will definitely be more valuable than these chili peppers. !
However, Qi Sheng will not hand over all of them to sell. Now that chili peppers are rare, he will naturally pay tribute to those above. Now that the Qi family has no backing, and his political achievements will not be significant in a short time, it is natural to put these things first. Giving rare items as tribute to the court is also a good way to show face to the emperor.
Don't blame him for flattering the superiors, after all, if there are good things that are not paid immediately but are handled privately, they will definitely not leave a good impression on them, even if what Qi Sheng is doing now is for the benefit of the entire Yuping County.
Thinking about pepper, which was comparable to gold in the past, now that pepper is rare, it will naturally cause some competition among the upper class.
Everyone lamented that there were too few, and looked at the several wealthy businessmen around them, and couldn't help but lament the magistrate's kindness.
You don't need to get the reputation of forcing people to pay money, and you can get the desired results. How did you never see that Lord Qi has such a city before! Sure enough, these officials are not easy to mess with.