Last year, Song Yi brought back some seeds and planting methods. After Xie Xiuwen reported them to the Holy Emperor, he simply tried planting them in a small area in his village, mainly to see the yield, and then to see if they were edible. , can we directly make staple food, or can we barely make ends meet.
The final result is pretty good.
The corn has been grown successfully, and the tender corn still has a hint of sweetness when eaten. If you are a woman, you will usually be full after eating two tender corns.
Of course, after the corn has grown, they grind it into powder and cook it into porridge according to the instructions above. It is indeed edible, but it is a bit rough and some noble people are not used to it.
In addition, it can also be made into steamed buns, but it is yellow in color and looks good, but it tastes a bit harsh when eaten.
Xie Xiuwen presented all these prepared foods to the emperor, and also said that these things could be used to make food for ordinary people, and the nobles would definitely not be used to eating them.
What Emperor Jingwen cared about the most was whether he could wrap his belly tightly and produce a high yield.
Emperor Jingwen was happy after learning that this crop only needs to be planted after wheat is harvested, which is similar to planting sorghum.
Song Yi's caravan brought back not only this kind of seeds, but also seeds of several rare medicinal materials. In the past, they relied on merchants to sell these medicinal materials from outside. The price was naturally high and they were still in short supply. Now With the seeds and even the planting method figured out, Emperor Jingwen was naturally happy.
However, Emperor Jingwen did not give many rewards at that time, just some gold and silver as usual.
But for businessmen, are they short of money?
Until this year, there was a bumper harvest of potatoes, and several medicinal materials were successfully grown. Emperor Jingwen was so happy that he directly issued a decree to give Song Yi a plaque: The world is a benevolent merchant!
This praise has to be said to be quite high, and it will make Song Yi's business life more smooth in the future.
Even some local officials did not dare to embarrass the Song family at will.
Those Song family members who had only seen petty profits and made a fuss about splitting up clans now felt so regretful that their intestines were green.
But what's the use?
Without the burden of blood-sucking tribesmen like you, Song Yi's life is getting better and better now.
Song Yi also knows how his current life came to be, so he is even more grateful to Xie Xiuwen's family.
But on New Year's Day, or when it's Grandpa's birthday or Grandma's birthday, the Song family will definitely prepare a generous gift.
Song Yi also knows some of the relationship between Xie Xiuwen and the Xie family, but no matter what, Xie Xiuwen is an official and always pays attention to reputation, so every time when Song Yi gives a gift, he will add an extra sentence: Mr. To take care of him, or to pay respects to Mr. Xie in the capital a few days ago, and to be entrusted by him to bring back these gifts and so on.
As a result, although Mr. Xie failed to go to the capital as he wished, he still felt that his son was not in vain and he kept them in mind. Moreover, the cost of food and clothing was the best in Gaoyang County. , what else do they want?
Grandma Xie and the people in Dafang wanted to move to the county before, but Grandpa Xie was not willing, and the clan members also hoped that they could always live here. After all, this is where the Xie clan lives. Whatever the matter, just say hello directly, there is no need to trouble other people.
This time, it's May Day, which is the Dragon Boat Festival, and Song Yi brings people here again.
However, this time they brought a lot of people.
Today's Xie family's old house is much more spacious than before. There are also many servants in the house, but most of them are maids and there are fewer servants.
This time, Song Yi brought a dozen strong-looking men, who looked like they were from the north.
"Junior, please pay your respects to the old man."
Grandpa Xie likes this junior the most, because as long as he is in Gaoyang County, he will definitely come to visit him, which gives Grandpa Xie enough face.
"No, no, when did you come back? I heard that you went outside the customs again this time?"
"Yes, I went to the outside of the customs, and then stayed in the capital for a while. These people were all brought back from the north. Their families were in trouble, so they sold themselves into slavery. Oh, let's not say a word, they all Mr. Xie bought them in the capital. He learned that I was coming back this time, so he ordered me to bring these people back. He said that he was worried about you being in your hometown, and he would specially look after your home and nursing home."
Grandpa Xie was startled, and then looked at the people standing in the yard outside. There were about ten men. Not to mention anything else, just for food and clothing, they would need a lot of money in a year, right?
"Master Xie made an agreement with them when he was in the capital to send them to Gaoyang County. They can also farm. If you have any work at home, you can assign them. I know you have servants here, but the number of people Too little."
Mr. Xie thought the same thing. His son is now a third-rank official. As for the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, you must know that there are many first- and second-rank officials in the Great Governance Dynasty, but few of them actually hold real power. Most of them hold false positions. Even if it sounds nice, it doesn't have any rights.
As for the third-rank official, he is definitely an official with great power. Besides, he is in charge of the staff department. Which local official would dare to offend him?
Now that he is respected as an old man, and there are more servants to serve him at home, it is naturally normal.
"That's good, he's thoughtful."
"By the way, is Third Master at home?"
Just as he was talking, Xie Laosan came in carelessly. Before he could sit down, he asked: "What do these people outside do?"
Song Yi repeated what he had said before, and Xie Laosan nodded. He didn't think there was anything wrong. As long as the second brother ordered him, he would do it.
"By the way, Master Xie asked me to deliver this to the old man, along with a letter."
Song Yi handed over a small box with a letter on it.
Grandpa Xie didn't avoid him either. He opened the letter and read it first. By the end, his eyes were wet.
"My son is so filial!"
As soon as Xie Laosan heard this, he knew that the second brother's letter was definitely another beautiful article.
Xie Xiuwen's letter was not very long, but it was very affectionate. It not only mentioned all the difficulties he had faced in the capital, but also mentioned some achievements. Of course, he also specifically mentioned that he wanted to ask his grandpa to teach Mr. Xie more. For the children of the clan, it will definitely not be a problem for the Xie family to prosper in the future.
This big cake painting made the old man very excited.
Song Yi looked at Mr. Xie and said, "I wonder if I could ask Mr. Xie to invite the elders of the clan?"
"Ah?" Xie Laosan didn't react and was still a little confused.
"Master Xie asked me to send some things to the clan, and there is also a letter for the clan leader. I am an outsider after all, so it is more appropriate for the third master to send someone to invite him."
