Chapter 51: Personal servant

Fu Tian’s question truly stumped the four men.

It wasn’t that the question was too difficult for them to answer, but rather they didn’t know whether they should tell the truth or not.

The insufficient irrigation of the farmland was naturally because the Sihu River only had one branch; the fields closer to it had ample water, while those farther away couldn’t draw enough water, causing drought.

This was something anyone who had long lived facing the yellow earth knew well, but the Dongjia might not understand it. Some overbearing Dongjia might even think it an excuse for laziness, accusing them of not properly irrigating the fields.

The Steward cautiously watched Fu Tian’s expression, deliberated for a moment, but didn’t dare to deceive him.

In the end, he honestly said, “The lack of irrigation is because the fields farther away are difficult to draw water to. If the water is fully released to the back fields, the fields in front would get flooded.”

Fu Tian understood the Steward’s reasoning well. The fields were all connected, and during irrigation, they would open gaps on the ridges between fields and start water from the higher fields.

The water would flow through the gaps to the neighboring fields, so after a few days, most of the fields could be irrigated, then the gaps would be closed.

But this method also had drawbacks. The farthest fields might still not be irrigated.

If the water was released for too long, while the distant fields might get enough water, the closer fields would be flooded. No matter how it was done, one side would suffer.

Fu Tian pondered for a moment and said slowly, “What if we dig irrigation channels? Dig through to the distant fields and draw water directly from the Sihu River.”

“Th-that…” The Steward was surprised. Digging channels could solve the problem, but such a large piece of land and drawing water all the way from the Sihu River would require a lot of manpower and resources.

No one would be foolish enough to waste so much effort on this, and besides, it should be something the government would take charge of.

“This is a huge project; it would cost a lot of silver,” he cautiously reminded.

Fu Tian lowered his eyes, his fingers tapping on the redwood armrest, and said in a deep voice, “Later, go find Fu Ji and gather the experienced old farmers in the village.”

“First, discuss and draw a map of the channels. I’ll review it before making a decision.”

The Steward was shocked in his heart. He hadn’t expected Fu Tian to really mean it. Hastily agreeing, his mood was complicated but tinged with joy.

If the Dongjia was willing to invest silver in digging channels, it would be excellent news for the village. More grain production meant the tenants could receive more as well.

“There’s one more thing…” Fu Tian continued, “I read in a book that some people once produced 500 to 700 shi of grain per mu…”

Two hundred taels.

“If anyone has a way to increase grain yield, they can report to me. If it’s truly feasible, they can receive a reward of one hundred taels at the account office.”

The three old farmers behind the Steward’s back all stirred, finally raising their heads to look at Fu Tian. Their eyes shone with eager light.

That was a full hundred taels of silver!

After Fu Tian finished giving his instructions, the Steward excitedly led the people away in a hurry.

With no one else around, Fu Tian straightened his back, then immediately slumped into the circle chair.

Chu Xiangtian poured him a cup of tea, his gaze admiring. “You’re getting more and more like the head of a family.”

Fu Tian held the cup, took a sip to soothe his throat, and proudly swung his leg. “Of course.”

Like a little kid proud after being praised, Chu Xiangtian twirled his fingers, placing a palm on Fu Tian’s head and gently rubbed it. “Want me to carry you back?”

“Alright, I’ll go back and read for a while.”

Fu Tian opened his arms instinctively. Chu Xiangtian smiled and squatted in front of him, and Fu Tian promptly jumped onto his back, wrapping his arms around his neck.

The two sat close together intimately.

“Hold on tight.”

Supporting Fu Tian’s bent legs, Chu Xiangtian carried him steadily towards the inner courtyard.

Chu Xiangtian’s back was broad. Fu Tian lay on him, feeling the firm muscles beneath the clothes. Although it pressed uncomfortably on his hands, it was reassuring.

Resting his chin by Chu Xiangtian’s neck, Fu Tian swung his legs happily, eyes half-closed with contentment.

Once back in the inner courtyard, Chu Xiangtian intended to send him to his room but was stopped by Fu Tian near a large tree in the yard. “Just here, you can put me down.”

The tree was old, with a wide canopy spreading like an umbrella, casting a generous shade. Stone tables and benches were arranged beneath it, truly a perfect spot for tea and reading.

Chu Xiangtian set him down on the bench, then went inside to fetch a large cane chair. The chair was lined with soft cushions covered in silk fabric, smooth and cool to the touch—a perfect summer relief.

Placing Fu Tian on the chair, Chu Xiangtian also brought out two of his favorite books and set them on the stone table.

Fu Tian picked one up, flipped through a few pages, then smiled up at him. “You finished all of Dai Fu’s work.”

“Hmm? How about I serve you closely from now on?” Chu Xiangtian teased, deliberately emphasizing the words “serve you closely.”

Fu Tian was caught off guard and retorted with a kick to his calf, “Nobody wants someone as disobedient as you.”

Chu Xiangtian arched an eyebrow playfully. “I’m not disobedient enough? You’ve ridden me several times already.”

Fu Tian paused, then, realizing what he said, blushed fiercely and threw the book at him. “Pervert!”

How could this guy never act serious when needed? So annoying!

Catching the book, Chu Xiangtian chuckled deeply, his gaze lingering on Fu Tian before he left with satisfaction.

Fu Tian’s eyes returned to the book, but his thoughts wandered elsewhere.

He sneaked a glance behind the book to make sure the annoying person wasn’t there, then tossed the book aside, took off his shoes and socks, curled up in the cane chair, and soon fell asleep.

Chu Xiangtian stepped out from behind the tree, tidied the books, draped a thin blanket over Fu Tian, and finally left.

***

Fu Tian’s reward proved effective. With such a huge sum of silver on offer, within two days, someone came to see him privately.

Fu Tian received the visitor directly in the empty study.

Dai Fu led the man in. The old farmer trailing behind wore coarse linen clothes, his exposed skin rough and tanned, shoulders slightly hunched.

Fu Tian sized him up and felt a sense of familiarity growing stronger.

When the old farmer finally looked up, Fu Tian smiled. “Are you the one who came with Steward Zhang last time?”

The old farmer nodded and grinned, revealing a small basin he was cradling.

“This… this is what I planted. It’s easier to take care of than the fields, and it yields more grain.” The old farmer’s voice trembled, his gaze fixed downward, avoiding Fu Tian’s eyes the entire time.

Fu Tian had Dai Fu take the clay basin. Holding it in his hands, he examined the seedling—a perfectly ordinary seedling, except it looked exceptionally healthy and vividly green, very appealing.

“Hmm!”

“What’s different about this rice compared to the others?” Fu Tian gently touched two long slender leaves of the seedling.

“Why are you grabbing me?” a somewhat annoyed voice asked Fu Tian.

His hand trembled slightly, almost dropping the basin. The seedlings inside swayed, making the old farmer even more displeased. “Don’t shake it, you’re making it dizzy.”

Silently, Fu Tian set the basin down on the table. No need for the old farmer to explain further—he already knew this seedling was different from the others he had seen.

Previously, when visiting the fields, Fu Tian saw seedlings that wouldn’t “talk” so clearly; at most, they signaled thirst from lack of water. But the seedling the old farmer brought had a kind of “spirit.”

“Have you planted it yourself?” Fu Tian asked.

The old farmer hesitated, then nodded. His family were tenants in the village. Most of the grain produced in the fields had to be handed over to the village; what they kept was barely enough to feed themselves.

So, he had been toiling secretly, bringing his son to cultivate a small patch of distant wasteland, furtively taking some rice seeds from the village stock to plant on his own land.

The reclaimed land was far less fertile than the village fields. Even with wood ash fertilizer and hauling water by the bucketful, nearly half the seedlings died, and those that survived were not very strong.

But even a little harvest was enough for his family’s subsistence for half a year, so he continued to secretly farm.

Over the years, whether from the harsh land or other reasons, the rice grew stronger.

Not only were the roots and stems thicker than normal rice, but it was also drought-resistant, with yields far surpassing those in the village.

Afraid the Steward would find out he hadn’t turned in the grain from the reclaimed land, he kept this secret carefully. But when he heard Fu Tian mention the one hundred taels reward, he was tempted.

“I tried planting it myself; the harvest was better than the others…” The old farmer spoke vaguely.

Fu Tian didn’t press for details—these tenant farmers were tough to deal with, and since they had brought the seed to him, Fu Tian didn’t want to pry into smaller matters.

“Do you still have any rice seeds or seedlings left?”

The old farmer shook his head. The seedlings had all been planted. He hesitated. “Only last year’s stored grain can be used as seed.”

Fu Tian pondered a moment.

“I’ve already bought the seeds. The account office will settle the payment with you. As for the reward, I’ll give you fifty taels first. If the harvest is truly as good as you say, I’ll pay you the remaining fifty.”

The old farmer was overjoyed, lips trembling as he repeatedly thanked the Dongjia.

Dai Fu led him to the account office to collect the silver while Fu Tian carefully examined the seedling, considering how to process the seeds he had bought from the old farmer.

If what the old farmer said was true—that the seeds were more drought-resistant and higher-yielding—it would be good news not only for the Fu Family but for all of Sifang Town.

But now the problem was where to plant them.

The seedlings in the village fields were already mostly planted. They had to find more people and more land…

Suddenly, Fu Tian’s eyes lit up. He remembered there was another village with quite a bit of vacant farmland. As for people…

Fu Tian stood up, limping as he went to find Chu Xiangtian.

Close to the West Mountain peak, there indeed was a village. Because of the West Mountain Stronghold’s notoriety, few tenants were willing to live there; the village was almost deserted.

That village had been given by Fu Tian to Xiao Qiao. She had wanted the stronghold residents to move down to live there but had since stayed in Shangming Town to manage the rice shop and hadn’t found time to come.

But now this matter could be handled by a certain bandit leader.

“Move the people from West Mountain Stronghold down to the village?” Chu Xiangtian pondered. He had suggested this idea before but it had never been put into action.

Now that Fu Tian proposed it, he thought it was a good plan.

“That works. I’ll go back and talk to everyone.”

Although they were fond of the stronghold, the environment down below was definitely better, and besides, carrying the bandit’s reputation could cause trouble. It was better to move down sooner.

That same day, Chu Xiangtian took Zhou Chuanqing and rode to West Mountain Stronghold. It wasn’t far from the village Fu Tian was at; it took them half an hour on horseback to reach the stronghold.

The people inside were curious and gathered when they saw the leader and strategist return.

Since the leader left, the strategist Xiao Qiao and Chang Xi had descended the mountain one after another.

Without a firm leader, the residents had been quietly farming. Seeing them now, they excitedly crowded around.

“Leader, strategist, where have you been?”

“Yeah, yeah, why haven’t Xiao Qiao and Chang Xi come back yet?”

Questions came one after another. Chu Xiangtian raised a hand to hush them, then explained his plan.

“Fu Family Young Master gave Xiao Qiao a village, and she wants everyone to move down from the mountain to live.”

The crowd was stunned for a moment, and someone foolishly asked, “So we won’t be bandits anymore?”

Chu Xiangtian kicked the man and snapped, “Addicted to being bandits? Don’t you know there’s a new County Magistrate? If you keep banditing, you’ll be wiped out sooner or later.”

What he said reflected the villagers’ worries. If they could be law-abiding citizens, who would want to be bandits?

“What about after we move down? Can we still farm up the mountain?”

Someone whispered. There was a large piece of land up the mountain, not fertile but enough to feed everyone.

Chu Xiangtian said, “The village has more than a hundred mu of fertile land. You can divide it amongst yourselves. As for more land, you can reclaim the surrounding areas. Whatever you manage to cultivate is yours.”

Hearing this, all worries on their faces turned to joy.

To be law-abiding citizens with land to farm was a windfall!

But some hesitated. “Leader, strategist, will you come with us?”

Chu Xiangtian shook his head. “If we’re not bandits anymore, you don’t have to call me leader. Zhou Chuanqing and I will probably work for the Fu Family.”

Everyone looked at him with envy. The Fu Family! Their wages would be high!

And Fu Family Young Master was truly a good man. They had tied people up in the mountains before, but Fu Young Master not only bore no grudge but was willing to give them a village to live in.

What a kind man!

After Chu Xiangtian finished, the crowd dispersed to pack, preparing to move with their leader.

They spent a whole day packing. Early the next morning, the group loaded their belongings onto ox carts and descended the mountain in a grand procession.

Though they still felt reluctant to leave their mountain homes, their future life would undoubtedly be better. After a brief moment of melancholy, they happily went down the mountain.

The village Steward had long received Fu Tian’s orders and knew the village had a new owner. Early in the morning, he was waiting.

Seeing the large group arriving, he was surprised but quickly went out to welcome everyone inside.