Xiao Ying asked, “How are the prices calculated?”
“Superior farmland is still eight taels per mu, while inferior farmland and land are four taels per mu,” Chen Jie replied.
Everyone wanted superior farmland because it was fertile and yielded higher grain production, while inferior farmland and land were far inferior, hence the significant price difference.
“I’ll take them all.”
Xiao Ying didn’t mind the inferior farmland; it would be perfect for planting potatoes, and she also had ways to enrich the soil.
“That will be twenty-four taels of silver.”
Chen Jie stated the amount directly, wondering if she could actually produce it.
He had heard that yesterday she bought an ox cart, a large pile of goods, and even redeemed Chen Xingyue. Even if she had sold the Sika deer, she probably didn’t have much money left, right?
Xiao Ying took out thirty taels of silver, which surprised Chen Jie and made him very curious about where it had come from.
However, it wasn’t appropriate to ask such things, so he immediately fetched his tools and divided ten taels of the silver into two portions, one of which was exactly four taels.
“Let me take you to see the fields first.”
After pocketing the silver, Chen Jie’s attitude improved significantly, and he spoke with a smile.
The transaction still needed to be registered with the authorities; only then would the fields truly belong to Xiao Ying.
“Thank you for your trouble.”
Chen Jie first took her to see the two mu of superior farmland. These two mu were adjacent, and Xiao Ying recognized them.
Surrounding these two mu were many other fields. Some had already been planted with rice seedlings, while others were being vigorously worked by villagers.
When they heard that Xiao Ying had bought the fields back, the villagers were very surprised and whispered among themselves that she seemed to have genuinely changed.
Then they went to see the two mu of inferior farmland. On the way, they happened to meet Chen Xinghai.
“Mother.” Chen Xinghai immediately came over to greet her.
“What are you doing here?” Xiao Ying asked.
“Didn’t you tell me to ask Uncle for help plowing the fields?” Chen Xinghai smiled and pointed to the right. “Uncle and the others are planting rice seedlings over there today. I was just about to go.”
Xiao Ying glanced over and indeed saw several familiar figures, including Chen Afu and Chen Zhangshi, whom she had met before.
“Then go ahead quickly. The village chief is taking me to see the fields.”
Xiao Ying patted his shoulder, and Chen Xinghai, feeling encouraged, went on his way.
Chen Jie nodded slightly. It seemed that Mrs. Xiao had truly turned over a new leaf and was determined to live properly now. That was good.
The two continued walking and reached their destination after nearly a quarter of an hour.
These two mu of inferior farmland were in a relatively remote area. It was unclear how long they had been left uncultivated, as they appeared quite barren.
“These are the two mu of inferior farmland. They might be a bit troublesome to clear.”
Xiao Ying wasn’t concerned about that; instead, she was worried about security. Would the potatoes planted here be stolen? She would have to keep an eye on them.
On the way back, they unexpectedly found Chen Jin and Chen Xinghai waiting there.
Chen Jin was only thirty-five this year but looked over forty, likely due to years of labor under the sun, which had left his skin rough and dark. He appeared to be a very dependable farmer.
“Sister-in-law, Xinghai said you bought some fields and wanted me to help with the plowing?” Chen Jin asked proactively with a smile, very enthusiastic.
“Brother.” Xiao Ying addressed him gently. “I bought four mu of fields from the village chief. I plan to use two mu for planting rice and the other two for something else.”
“All four mu are currently empty, so I’d like to ask for your help with the plowing. Xinghai should have told you—twenty wen per mu. I won’t let you help for free.”
Unexpectedly, Chen Jin’s expression turned stern as he said unhappily, “We’re family—why talk about money? Your household lacks labor, so I’m happy to help where I can.”
“I know you have a good heart, elder brother, but if you won’t accept payment, I’ll have to hire someone else.”
Xiao Ying stood her ground. Plowing was physically demanding work, not something to be taken lightly, and she didn’t want to owe such favors.
Chen Jin glared at her, surprised by her persistence, and remained silent for a long moment.
Xiao Ying smiled. “There will be many more occasions to ask for your help in the future, elder brother. Please don’t fuss over this small wage.”
“Alright then.” Chen Jin reluctantly agreed. “I heard you bought an ox—that makes things easier. I can plow all four mu of land for you in one day.”
“That would be a great help. Will it interfere with your rice transplanting?”
“Not at all. We only have two mu left at home, and the family can finish that in a couple of days.”
Only then did Xiao Ying feel relieved.
Chen Jin added, “But planting rice this late might be problematic—you’ve missed the seedling period.”
While other villagers were already transplanting seedlings, Xiao Ying hadn’t even prepared hers yet. How could she possibly catch up?
“It’s fine. I’ve obtained a new variety of rice that can grow even when planted later.”
Xiao Ying had complete faith in the Spiritual Rice from the Xianfu—not only was it high-yielding, but it also wasn’t particular about planting seasons.
Chen Jin remained skeptical but had to accept the situation for now.
Within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Chen Jin began plowing. With the Crooked shaft plow already available, the work proceeded quite efficiently.
Chen Xinghai stayed nearby to assist. Seeing she wasn’t needed, Xiao Ying returned home first.
She carried a basket into the mountains, hoping to hunt larger game.
Now that she was out of money again, she needed to focus on earning more.
However, her luck wasn’t good that morning—she only managed to catch a few wild rabbits and pheasants.
On her return, she filled her basket with potatoes and deliberately let others see, sparking curiosity among many villagers who asked what they were.
Xiao Ying simply said she’d found them in the mountains, discovered they were edible and tasty, so she’d gathered more.
The villagers were envious, making mental notes to explore the mountains themselves when they had time.
In the afternoon, Chen Xinghai continued helping Chen Jin with plowing. Before heading back to the mountains, Xiao Ying asked her son to bring the ox cart at dusk to collect the potatoes, which he promptly agreed to.
He knew perfectly well the potatoes weren’t foraged from the mountains, understanding his mother was gradually introducing them this way to avoid suspicion.
Chen Jin worked efficiently, finishing all four mu of land before 5 PM—only leveling remained before planting could begin.
“Uncle, this is the wage mother asked me to give you.”
Chen Xinghai handed over the prepared eighty copper coins. Chen Jin felt somewhat embarrassed to accept—the amount was overly generous.
“I’ll take it this time, but don’t do this again.”
Chen Xinghai thought to himself that such decisions were entirely his mother’s to make.
As it approached the agreed time with his mother, he hurried back with the ox, hitched it to the cart, and headed for the woods.
Xiao Ying was waiting at the forest edge beside a large pile of potatoes.
Her afternoon harvest had been better—she’d caught a river deer, which, though small, could fetch one or two taels of silver.
“Mother, am I late?”
Chen Xinghai was astonished by the massive potato pile—it must weigh over a thousand jin.
“Not late. Let’s load these onto the cart first. I’ll store whatever doesn’t fit.”
She was even worried the ox might not be able to pull such a load.
Chen Xinghai swiftly loaded the potatoes onto the ox cart, a cheerful grin spreading across his face.
“How does Mother plan to use these potatoes?”
He guessed they wouldn’t all be kept for eating, otherwise there wouldn’t be such a fuss.
“In a couple of days, I intend to make some snacks to sell in town and see how they do.”
Potatoes could be made into many things. For snacks, Xiao Ying planned to start with two types.
One was Potato and Egg Pancake, the other was Tiancan Potatoes. She could make them tonight to sample the flavors first.