Way of making a living
After Shen Yanbei put ducks in his own paddy field. Because of Aunt Li's bighorn, within an hour the whole village knew about it. The village chief, Shen Dezhong, rushed out when he heard the wind. He originally wanted to persuade Shen Yanbei to not being impulsive. But when he arrived at the fields, Shen Yanbei, Gu Changfeng, and Zhou Yu were sticking wooden stakes in the periphery of the paddy field and then surrounding them with fishing nets.
It seemed like this was not a joke. Shen Dezhong muttered to himself. He hurriedly walked over to take a look. Oh my heaven! A group of tender yellow ducks in the field was pecking around in the seedlings. Seeing that the fish seeds in the water were about to fall into the duck's mouth, Shen Dezhong was so distressed that he could only pat his thigh.
"Too foolish! Too foolish!"
"Uncle Zhong? Why are you here?" Shen Yanbei clapped his hands and walked over.
"Shen Yan, even if you raise fish in the fields, why do you still put the ducks in?" Shen Dezhong said angrily, "If you want to raise ducks, there are so many bamboo forests next to the village. You also are not short of that few taels of silver. It's better to buy a piece of that land and raise it there!"
Shen Yanbei was stunned. He asked Shen Dezhong, "How big is the forest? How much does it cost per mu?"
Shen Dezhong said unhappily, "It's very cheap! One or two silver an acre!"
There were so many unowned bamboo forests around the village. Villagers usually went there to dig bamboo shoots or cut bamboo. No one was stupid enough to spend money to buy a piece of bamboo land that couldn't be planted at all. That was why the price of bamboo land was very cheap.
Shen Yanbei pondered. He said with a smile, "Then I really have to buy a few acres. If Uncle Lao Zhong has time, take me there to see."
Shen Dezhong said, "There is no need for another day, I will take you there now. So you can raise the ducks there!"
Shen Yanbei shook his head. "For this bamboo grove, I have other uses. This duck is raised here."
"You kid..." Shen Dezhong was so angry that his beard was blown.
"My husband doesn't play around. So you don't need to worry, Village Chief."
The man's calm voice rang in his ears. As soon as Shen Dezhong turned his head, he met Gu Changfeng's dark eyes, which were full of trust in Shen Yanbei.
Shen Dezhong frowned, thinking of the piles and pieces that Shen Yanbei had made these days, and seeing Shen Yanbei's calm and relaxed appearance, he sighed and said, "Shen Yan, tell me, what are you going to do?"
"Nothing. Just fight for a time difference."
Shen Yanbei asked Shen Dezhong to look at the field. Those finger-thick fish seeds occasionally swam by the ducklings, and the little ducklings pecked it excitedly. But due to the big mouth of the ducks, the little ducks couldn't eat it at all.
Shen Dezhong's eyes widened slightly. He understood in an instant. He was worried that the duck would eat the fish, but these little ducks actually couldn't catch the fishes. While the ducks were growing up, the fishes were also growing...
"The water in the fields is from the Dongjiang River. So there will always be small fish, shrimps, snails, and crabs in the water. If these ducks are kept in the fields, they do not need to be fed. They can eat the pests in the fields. Also, they can help to loosen the soil for the rice. Their feces can also add fertilizer to the rice fields."
Shen Dezhong suddenly realized, but he still had doubts in his heart. "What about the paddy? The ducks can eat the rice too..." Then he stopped suddenly and laughed. "At that time the duck had grown up enough to be slaughtered!"
Shen Yanbei smiled slightly. "Yes. At that time, I'll sell the ducks. After the rice is harvested, release the water, and then fish..."
"The fish raised in this rice field is tight, heavy, and delicious, while the duck is plump and sweet. Whether it's grilled or boiled, it's a good choice!"
Shen Dezhong was completely convinced. His eyes turned to be different when he looked at Shen Yanbei.
How a scholar whose every word he said hit the nail on the head could do farming so well?
But……
It might sound exciting. But whether it would really work depended on the harvest.
At this time, a group of people slowly walked over from the ridge. The one who led looked young and gentle. He was wearing an azure long shirt with narrow sleeves. A broad-brimmed sapphire silk ribbon with auspicious cloud was tied around the waist, with a black jade tied on it. Next to the young man was a middle-aged man with a Confucian hat, a folding fan, and an ink-colored robe. The two looked around and talked as they walked. An elderly man with a respectful manner followed them, answering the young man's questions from time to time.
When the three of them arrived in the field, the old man saw Shen Dezhong at a glance and called out from a distance. "Lǎo Zhong!"
Shen Dezhong looked back. The fine lines on the corners of his eyes squeezed when he smiled. "Lǎo Guo, you are here?"
The old man said something to the young man before answering Shen Dezhong. "Just come out for a walk!"
Shen Dezhong smiled and glanced at the two people beside him. When he glanced over the middle-aged man, his eyes changed slightly. Then he looked at the cultured young man, his eyes flickered.
"Borough Chief." Shen Yanbei approached, smiled, and joined his hands together in salute. He was Guo Changmao, the head of these ten miles and eight townships. Last time, he and Shen Dezhong went to the county government to complete Gu Changfeng's household registration.
The old man stroked his beard, nodded in response, and turned to introduce him to the young man. "This is Shen Yan, a Master Xiucai of Shenjia Village." He also introduced them to Shen Yanbei and others. "This is Li Gongzi. Li Gongzi wants to appreciate the farmland scenery. So I will show him around."
The visitor was full of demeanor and prestige. Shen Yanbei smiled and gave a literati greeting by joining his hands together in salute. "Li Gōngzǐ."
Li Gōngzǐ nodded slightly. His eyes fell on the lively ducks in the fishing nets, he asked with interest, "Why are ducks put in the fields?" Upon closer inspection, there were still fish in the rice fields.
"Li Gōngzǐ, you may find it new!" Shen Dezhong smiled with a proud tone. "This method of raising fish, rice, and duck together is Shen Yan's idea!"
He immediately explained the principles of putting fish, rice, and duck in one place together. His plausible appearance seemed to have proved that this polyculture method had successfully increased production and achieved a good harvest.
Shen Yanbei raised his eyebrows, feeling strange in his heart. This village chief was just half-trusted, why did he boast him up now?
Li Gongzi nodded as he listened. "This method is promising!"
"No." Shen Yanbei smiled embarrassedly.
Li Gōngzǐ looked straight at Shen Yanbei. "This is a good method. But have you ever thought about how to solve so many ducks?" The duck here was small in size, and the meat was too firm, and still smelled ugly. So it wasn't delicious. That was why most local farmers preferred to raise chickens.
What the other party meant that it would be useless if they raised these ducks but couldn't sell them.
Shen Yanbei sternly said, "These ducks are selected white ducks, which are better than the domestic ducks. Also, the ducks that are raised in the rice fields have better taste and more fleshy. Besides that, they grow so fast and can lay eggs in three months. Those eggs also can be marinated."
"It means that we can sell these ducks! Even if it can't, he still can bring them to the restaurant!" Shen Dezhong added.
"Oh?" Li Gōngzǐ was a little confused.
Shen Dezhong continued, "The Tongfu restaurant in the town actually was opened by Shen Yan and his Fu Lang."
Li Gōngzǐ frowned slightly. The borough chief Guo Changmao looked at Shen Yanbei in surprise. "You run that restaurant?" In the past few days, many villagers who went to the town to do business said that there was a new restaurant in the county named Tongfu Restaurant. They described the taste exaggeratedly, which made him also want to try.
Shen Yanbei turned his head to glance at Gu Changfeng, who still put the fishing net in. He gave a reasonable explanation.
"That was for my husband. When we got married, we didn't do any ceremonies. I felt guilty about it so I wanted to compensate him."
Borough chief Guo followed his gaze and looked at Gu Changfeng, wondering in his heart. Rumors about Shen Xiucai that had changed his temperament and even her preferences had been changed were really true!
Li Gōngzǐ raised his brow, with an appreciation in his eyes. "You have a good idea." He and his wife ever came to Tongfu Restaurant for drinking tea, and the environment and food were indeed very good.
"You value me too much. I just don't want my husband to work too hard." Shen Yanbei smiled shyly.
Li Gōngzǐ wondered what kind of Fu Lang that could make Shen Yanbei so affectionate. So when Gu Changfeng walked to Shen Yanbei and talked to him, Li Gōngzǐ was stunned and couldn't help but look more at Gu Changfeng.
"It's done."
"Thank you." Shen Yanbei smiled and said to Gu Changfeng, "This is Li Gōngzǐ."
Gu Changfeng nodded lightly.
Li Gongzi didn't say a word. But the look in his eyes was a little puzzled when he saw Gu Changfeng.
Why did it feel like he had ever seen this person?
But where exactly was it?
"Why don't we go now?" Borough Chef Guo asked.
Li Gōngzǐ retracted his gaze and nodded.
When Li Gōngzǐ and others left, Shen Yanbei directly asked Shen Dezhong, "Uncle Zhong, where does Li Gōngzǐ come from?"
Shen Dezhong was surprised, "How do you know?"
Shen Yanbei smiled without saying a word. Shen Dezhong had to say, "Last time I went to the county, I saw the man next to Li Gōngzǐ at the county government office. It is said that he is a new secretary..." He praised Shen Yanbei in such a way because he hoped that Shen Yanbei could make a name in front of these nobles.
He was accompanied by Elder Li and the new private assistant. Also, his surname was Li.
"The new county magistrate is named Li." Shen Yanbei thought to himself. This county magistrate did unannounced visits to the civil society after he took the position. He didn't look like a corrupt official...
Li Zhiyuan, who was walking in the front, asked the assistant in a low voice. "What do you think of Shen Xiucai?"
"Clever, humble, and polite. It's just... easily be immersed in love."
Li Zhiyuan smiled and shook his head. "This is not a bad thing."
Thinking of Li Zhiyuan and his wife’s ups and downs in love history, the secretary sneered and nodded hurriedly.
"Not judge people by appearance, true feelings between husband and wife, and young with ideas..." Li Zhiyuan suddenly stopped speaking.
He finally remembered! When he encountered a robber on his way to the capital to rush for the exam, a tall young man saved him!
But this village was more than a thousand miles away from the capital, also he was a Shuānger...
Perhaps they only looked similar?
Li Zhiyuan was thinking of it with emotion. It was all thanks to that young man's help, otherwise, he would not be able to catch up with the exam, nor could marry his beloved. Also, he probably couldn't be here.
Since he didn't know where the benefactor was, he couldn't thank him.
Zhou Yu stayed in the field to watch the ducks. Gu Changfeng packed up the tools and went home, while Shen Yanbei followed Shen Dezhong to see the bamboo forest.
This bamboo forest's edge couldn't be seen at a glance. The young green and dark green intertwined, tier upon tier. The wind whizzed by, and the bamboo leaves surged like a wave. Each wave pushing at the one ahead, to place faraway. The warm spring sunshine shone into the bamboo forest, the scattered leaves fell on the shoulders. Shen Yanbei raised his eyes to look around. The bamboos were vigorous and steady. Thick fallen leaves fell to the ground, which left a creaking sound when they were stepped. He looked down at the ground, there were a lot of insects in the rotten leaves, and the soil was moist and dark. When he dug it, he could see earthworms.
"Uncle Zhong, I want to buy ten acres of this bamboo land."
"Do you really want to buy?" Shen Dezhong's eyes widened. He just said it casually, but he didn't expect Shen Yanbei to be so serious.
"Of course. This bamboo forest is pretty good." Shen Yanbei said, touching a thick bamboo. It was a pity that he didn't bring a hatchet, so he couldn't make a bowl of bamboo rice for his wife to taste at noon.
Shen Dezhong looked at him doubly. "What did you buy for?"
"To raise chickens." Thinking about the tender and smooth taste of bamboo chicken, Shen Yanbei was about to start wriggling to make trouble.
"Raising chickens?" Shen Dezhong's face darkened. "Shen Yan, Enke will be opened next year. You are a scholar. Why are you always thinking about earning money instead of putting your mind on studying?"
"Uncle Zhong, pen, ink, paper, and inkstone are so expensive. If I don't have money, how can I buy all of it?" Shen Yanbei expressed helplessness.
"This..." Shen Dezhong didn't know what to say for a while. It was true that it spent a lot of money on studying. Besides that, there was no elder in his family now... But it still couldn't be acceptable if he always thought about that all the time.
Seeing that the old man's complexion was not so good, Shen Yanbei quickly comforted him. "Uncle Zhong, I understand your painstaking efforts. Don't worry, I will study hard."
"It's good if you understand." Shen Dezhong said earnestly, "Once again, don't be reluctant to tell your Uncle Zhong if you need something. The villagers are also happy to help."
"Then I won't be reluctant. If I really raise chickens, my Fu Lang will be too busy if he manages it alone. Uncle Zhong, help me find two honest villagers to help raise chickens!"
Shen Dezhong. "..."
Gingers: Secretary is the Shiye~
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