kingnovel Chapter 202: Change a way, change a practice
Chapter 202: Change a way, change a practice
"Master Kong, Jiaojiao will not hide it from you. I got the news a long time ago. I estimate that the Ministry of Revenue will issue the rice planting method to all prefectures and counties before the New Year."
Mu Jiaojiao saw that Kong Congjue also sincerely wanted to increase rice production. Although he had other thoughts, they were basically for the common people. Mu Jiaojiao did not hide anything.
When Kong Congjue heard the news, he was stunned. He really didn't expect that the court also knew the high-yield rice cultivation method.
Then he thought of his previous speculation. If Prince Jin was really with Mu Jiaojiao, it would be reasonable in Maple Leaf City.
Prince Jin guards the territory of Dayu and loves the people of Liming. If he had discovered this planting method early, he would have reported it back to the court as soon as possible.
Thinking of this, Kong Congjue couldn't help but admire Jiang Jin a little bit. Prince Jin cared about the world and did not disregard fame and fortune, which was something he could not achieve.
Kong Congjue was both happy and a little regretful when he heard the news. He was happy that this planting method was implemented, so that the people in the world could fill their stomachs even if they could not eat their fill. But he was regretful that it was unlikely that he would be able to get the credit for doubling the rice yield.
But overall, he was still happy. He came from a poor family and had a miserable life before he passed the imperial examination. He could understand how difficult it was to live without enough clothes to wear and food to eat.
"Madam Mu is righteous. This is a good thing that benefits both the country and the people. The people of Dayu will surely praise Madam Mu's kindness."
Thinking of this, Kong Congjue praised Mu Jiaojiao highly. Although Mu Jiaojiao did not say that she was the one who gave this method to the Ministry of Households, he still guessed it.
Besides, the fact that Mu Jiaojiao did not keep this planting method for herself or use it for personal gain was enough for him to appreciate it.
Upon hearing this, Mu Jiaojiao knew that this person had probably guessed Jiang Jin's identity. After all, the court associated her with a village woman from Maple Leaf City, a hundred thousand miles away from Yudu, so there must be a strong backbone force among them.
"This matter was initiated by the Ministry of Revenue in the imperial court, and naturally has nothing to do with me."
Mu Jiaojiao smiled, but still said, the meaning of her words was very clear, it would be best if this matter had nothing to do with her, Mu Jiaojiao, for the time being, so even if Kong Congjue guessed it, he had to pretend not to know.
When Kong Congjue heard Mu Jiaojiao's words, he was stunned for a moment, then he came to his senses. There was a flash of deep thought in his eyes, but an impeccable smile was on his face.
"Madam Mu is right. This matter has nothing to do with you."
Mu Jiaojiao picked up a piece of chrysanthemum cake on the table and took a bite. Seeing Kong Congjue talking like this, she leaned back in her chair and asked:
"Master Kong, can you taste what this cake is made of?"
"This cake is sweet but not greasy, and melts in your mouth. If you smell it carefully, you can smell the fragrance of autumn chrysanthemums. I would venture to guess that it's made with chrysanthemums. It's somewhat similar to the chrysanthemum cake served at the limited-edition 'Four Seasons Blooming' Cangju Banquet."
Kong Congjue was very distracted when he heard Mu Jiaojiao's sudden change of words. She also asked him an irrelevant question. He looked at the cakes on the table, took a piece and tasted it carefully, thought for a while and answered.
He was so patient because he saw that Mu Jiaojiao was calm and composed from the moment she sat down. She didn't seem like the kind of person who spoke without purpose, so what she said must have had some deep meaning.
"Master Kong is right. This cake is made from picked autumn chrysanthemums. It tastes great and can benefit the lung and liver meridians, improving eyesight and refreshing the mind."
After listening to Kong Congjue's words, Mu Jiaojiao took the chrysanthemum cake in her hand, nodded in agreement, and then talked about the benefits of chrysanthemum.
"I wonder what Madam Mu means by this?"
Kong Congjue felt that Mu Jiaojiao's words were not just to introduce chrysanthemum cake to him. This was something that anyone who had read some miscellaneous books would know, not to mention doctors with medical skills. Mu Jiaojiao didn't need to tell him again.
"In fact, chrysanthemums are ordinary things. But if you change the way you make them, or change the way you present them, you can put them on the table and sell them for a high price."
Mu Jiaojiao did not directly answer Kong Congjue's doubts, but spoke from the side.
"So, Madam Mu, what you're saying is that if you use other ordinary things in a different way or a different way, there will be unexpected results?"
How could Kong Congjue not understand after hearing this? This chrysanthemum has been prepared in a new way and is now served on the banquet of Cangzhou's most popular "Four Seasons Flowers Blooming".
This is rice that everyone who comes from a mulberry farming family can grow. If they change the planting method, the yield can be doubled.
Madam Mu's meaning was quite obvious. If he still couldn't understand it, then he would have served as the county governor for so many years in vain.
After hearing what Kong Congjue said, Mu Jiaojiao curled up the corners of her mouth into a smile. This Kong Congjue really lived up to his title of second place in the imperial examination. He was extremely intelligent.
As for why she knew that this person was the runner-up in the imperial examination, she had asked Yunyu before coming. Yunyu had been in the dark department for a long time and had close ties with the No. 1 Floor Under Heaven, so she was well-informed.
"I wonder what Madam Mu means by asking me to do it in a different way?"
Kong Congjue knew that he was right when he saw the expression on Mu Jiaojiao's face after he asked the question. He thought about it for a moment and then asked Mu Jiaojiao again.
At this moment, he was sincerely seeking advice and did not show any discomfort. Mu Jiaojiao was an intelligent and thoughtful woman, and he could see that from the conversation just now.
"I wonder if Master Kong knows what soybeans are?"
When Mu Jiaojiao heard Kong Congjue's question, she did not keep it a secret, but asked directly in return.
"Of course we know that eating soybeans can easily cause abdominal discomfort and flatulence. Over time, people stopped eating them. Most people use them to feed cattle and sheep in moderate quantities."
Kong Congjue grew up in a poor family, so he had eaten soybeans. After cooking, the soybeans not only tasted mediocre, but eating too much would cause abdominal bloating and discomfort.
He then thought about what Mu Jiaojiao had said before about trying a different method. Could it be that these soybeans could be eaten in another way?
"Madam Mu, do you mean that these soybeans can be eaten in another way?"
Kong Congjue thought so and asked this question out loud. His eyes were full of surprise and doubt. If these soybeans could be eaten in a different way, it would be incredible.
Cangzhou is located in the southernmost part of Dayu and has a relatively mild climate. Putting aside other things, soybeans are very easy to grow.
"Master Kong is wrong."
When Mu Jiaojiao heard what Kong Congjue said, she smiled lazily and had a devilish look in her eyes. She refuted Kong Congjue and then said, "Soybeans can be eaten in more than just one way. There are dozens of ways to eat them."
Kong Congjue first heard Mu Jiaojiao say that he was wrong, and he was just beginning to feel disappointed. Then he heard Mu Jiaojiao's next words, and he was stunned for a moment. Then he reacted and asked excitedly, "Madam Mu, are you serious about what you said?"