Since Wen Shengjun arrived in Yunning County, he has almost lived in the fields.
He even asked his craftsmen to build him a small shack in the open space at the edge of the field. They guarded his land day and night, watching the sugarcane seedlings being planted and irrigated, and personally supervising every step of the operation.
This shocked Yuan Xingzhi.
Not only him, but also officials at all levels in Yunning County were dumbfounded.
Is this a high-ranking official from Kyoto?
He is also the minister of two ministries and the emperor's brother-in-law! Just no airs or authority at all?
He lives in a shack in the fields...then where do they, officials of lower rank than him, live?
Just lie down on the ground in the open air?
The magistrate of Yunning County tactfully conveyed the wishes of officials at all levels to Wen Shengjun.
Wen Shengjun smiled and said, "I haven't thought about it that much. This matter is something that the Emperor and the Empress attach great importance to."
"It's already early September, so it's supposed to be a little late to plant it. Autumn sugar cane should also be planted in August. So, I don't dare to be careless!"
"When the harvest comes in December, the Queen will collect the sugarcane according to its quality, and will also give dividends to the landowners and long-term workers."
"It involves the interests of so many people, and I dare not take it lightly!"
"So, only by living in the fields can you feel at ease!"
Seeing his stubbornness, officials at all levels persuaded him to go back and let him stay at the county magistrate's house and entertain him with fine wine and beauties... but they couldn't be tempted.
I simply stopped trying to persuade him.
"Let him go! It's not like we didn't persuade him!"
"If he refuses to listen, who can bring him back?"
"Huh, sweet pole, just give it a new name and change your life? Sugarcane? Italy? Bah!"
Tianjuzhaner is the common name given to sugarcane by local officials.
Wen Shengjun knew that these local officials were not optimistic about growing sugar cane.
There was contempt and disdain in their words.
But Wen Shengjun had tasted the sugar cane, and he also remembered Wen Jin describing to him what happened after the sugar cane was sold as fruit and used to make sugar.
It can be said that even if it is not for the purpose of building a school, the value of sugar cane itself is worthy of his devotion.
Wen Shengjun is a young scholar and a high official from Kyoto.
Like an old farmer every day, he often walks in the fields with his hands behind his back and a book in his hand.
There was mud on his shoes and clothes, but he never found it objectionable.
But when he saw that the sugarcane seedlings were alive and the leaves were green and shiny, he could see a warm smile reaching his eyes...
The common people liked this Beijing official very much.
The long-term workers also love to listen to him.
His tone of voice was gentle, not like the nostrils of high-ranking officials, nor was he difficult to understand.
Wen Shengjun has gained many "fans" in less than a month since he arrived.
"He is different from the officials here! He is so handsome and handsome!"
"He looks fair and delicate, but he doesn't dislike us old farmers who face the loess and back to the sky at all!"
"He has such good shoes, but he doesn't mind them even if they get dirty!"
"He was giving a lecture yesterday! He said that during the off-season, whoever wants to listen can just go and listen! If you have any questions, you can ask!"
Wen Shengjun set up a simple "school" in front of his small shack, with the sky as the roof and the ground as the seat.
He used folk stories as an introduction to teach the common people the classic Confucian culture of benevolence, justice, etiquette, wisdom, and trust.
He is kind-hearted, has a brisk tone, and his stories are lively and clever...
Soon, more and more people came to listen to his lectures.
During the break, many "students" who were not permanent workers also followed him, rolling up their sleeves and going to work in the fields for free.
"Sir, please don't force me to practice. Just think of us using our physical strength to force you to practice!"
When Sheng Tianyue came to look for him at the end of the field, she saw this scene...
The local people brought him food and drinks and worked with him.
There are also many women who spontaneously clean up the housework for him, and they rush to wash the dirty clothes he puts on.
Sheng Tianyue couldn't help laughing.
But she suddenly noticed one of the girls.
Almost every time she came, she would meet that girl.
Every time the girl listened to Wen Shengjun's lectures, she held her cheeks and stared at him with stars in her eyes, forgetful and lost in thought.
Sheng Tianyue couldn't help but wonder, was she listening to Wen Shengjun's lecture? Or did you see the magic in Wen Shengjun?
At this moment, the girl carried the teapot and a tea bowl, chased him into the field, and poured water for Wen Shengjun.
When Wen Shengjun took the tea bowl and thanked him, the girl actually took out a handkerchief and wiped Wen Shengjun's sweat.
Wen Shengjun hid for a moment.
The girl giggled with joy and was not shy at all.
Sheng Tianyue couldn't help but frown, and she walked towards the girl.
"Oh, it turns out to be Miss Yuan Si!" Sheng Tianyue recognized her. She was the fourth daughter of Yuan Xingzhi's family.
Her three older sisters have all found husbands.
It's time for her to get her haircut this year.
Miss Yuan Si squatted towards her, "Miss Sheng!"
"Miss Yuan Si comes here very often? Have you stopped studying recently?" Sheng Tianyue asked casually.
Yuan Hanjun said, "Reading! I've been reading very hard recently! Brother Wen's teaching is much better than the teacher my father found for me!"
"I've been studying at Brother Wen's place recently!"
Sheng Tianyue twitched her lips, her smile a little stiff, and she didn't even notice it.
"Brother Wen? He calls your father 'Brother Yuan', and you call me 'Big Brother'. Isn't that confusing the seniority?" Sheng Tianyue said.
Yuan Hanjun smiled and said, "It doesn't matter, let's discuss it ourselves!"
Sheng Tianyue clasped her hands behind her back and looked at Wen Shengjun who was busy in the fields, speechless for a moment.
There was a moment of silence between the two girls.
Yuan Hanjun whispered, "Does Miss Sheng also like Brother Wen?"
Sheng Tianyue's heart beat fiercely, and she stared at Yuan Hanjun sideways.
also? like?
"you……"
Before Sheng Tianyue finished speaking, Yuan Hanjun nodded.
"I like Brother Wen! I like his scholarly temperament and his kind-hearted character!"
"My father said that he is a high-ranking official, but he is still willing to do it personally... Such a person is really admirable and admirable!"
Sheng Tianyue laughed dryly, "Hehe, hehe... Then have you told him?"
Yuan Hanjun shook his head, "No. How can I ask for such a thing? My father won't ask for me!"
"Hey, by the way! I heard that Miss Sheng and Brother Wen are old friends? How about Miss Sheng help me ask?"
Sheng Tianyue shook her head repeatedly, "No, I can't even ask!"
"Besides, he is an official from the capital. He was only temporarily deployed here for the sugar cane matter. He will have to return to Kyoto sooner or later."
"Are you willing to go back to Kyoto with him?"
Yuan Hanjun frowned and thought for a while, then she raised her head suddenly, her eyes sparkling, "I do! I haven't seen the prosperity of Kyoto yet!"
"I have three elder sisters above me, and they have all married in-laws. My parents still have sisters and brothers-in-law who are filial to me! I don't have to worry about anything when I go to Kyoto!"
"I do!"
Sheng Tianyue: "..."
It’s not like she wants to marry her. If she is willing, there’s no need to say it so enthusiastically, right?
"I heard that Miss Sheng is the eldest daughter in the family. I can leave, but I'm afraid Miss Sheng can't leave, right? You can't go back to Kyoto with him, right?"
"It seems that you two are not destined to be together! Then can you help me ask?"
Sheng Tianyue: "..."
