Exile at the beginning: I rule the world by drawing cards

Chapter 53 Ragnarok Rice

It is now the end of July, and the autumn harvest in Sanjiang Village is only on its second day.

The villagers were busy in full swing. Although they were tired, they all had smiles on their faces thinking that this year's food would be available.

After Li Zheng came back from the city, he first sent the land deed to Qin Mengshang: "The land deed has been processed. According to the regulations, those who have land at home must pay taxes every year. However, Xiao Zhou is already doing hard labor on the river embankment. This year's You don’t have to pay taxes…”

Li Zheng couldn't help but sigh when he mentioned taxes.

Qin Mengshang asked curiously: "Uncle, what happened? You have been looking sad since you came back."

Li Zheng was standing in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, his old face full of furrows, "I went to the county government for a meeting today, and the superiors said that I would have to pay an additional [-]% tax this year. Last year, the tax was raised because of the severe drought and famine in Huainan. Who will bear the responsibility? I think it will increase again this year! The superiors think it is easy for us to grow food. It rained continuously for most of June and the rice fields were flooded. Which village can produce so much food to pay taxes? If we really can’t pay the food, then The only option is to send the children to the Western Mountains for hard labor."

Sending a child to do hard labor in the Western Mountains is the worst of the worst. Raising a child is not easy. Who is really willing to send a child to such a grueling place to suffer?

But if you can't pay taxes, the whole family will suffer.Now that the autumn harvest has just begun, isn't telling the villagers about the tax hike the same as telling them, 'This year's work has been in vain'?
Li Zheng sighed deeply, looking at the unharvested rice fields outside, feeling heavy with sadness, weighing his heart down.

Qin Meng Shang frowned. In ancient times, taxation was complicated and changeable, and it was the people at the bottom who often suffered.In the old days, food production was low, and there was not much left after paying taxes.If nothing else works, we can only replace taxes with work as Li Zheng said.

Li Zheng frowned, shook his head and sighed again: "That's all, the tax payment will not be until September, let's finish the autumn harvest first."

He patted his sleeves and walked away with his back bent.

Qin Mengshang stood still, still thinking about what Li Zheng had just said.

She has observed that the rice grown in the village has been soaked in water for too long, and the rice grains extracted are not full enough, and the yield will also decrease.

She remembers that there are often two rice harvests a year in the south. After the first season of rice matures, the lower plant and root system are retained, and fertilized and cultivated to make another season of rice grow.Lingnan has a mild climate and abundant rainfall. If rice stubble can be left for secondary cultivation, the yield will definitely be increased.
Lu Ximing came back from carrying water and saw her standing motionless in the yard, so he said, "Sister, what are you doing standing here?"

Qin Mengshang came back to his senses and couldn't restrain his excitement: "Xiao Ming, go get a pen and ink, I tell you to write!"

Lu Ximing was confused and didn't know what was wrong with her.

Taking out a pen and paper, Qin Mengshang sat down in front of the wooden table. While recalling the article about regenerated rice written by his teacher in his previous life, Qin Mengshang orally elaborated on the specific implementation matters.

Lu Ximing was confused after hearing this, and he hesitated every time he started writing. But when he raised his eyes and saw her energetic look, he suppressed all his doubts.

"Although the rice grains grown in the second season will be smaller, the rice ears will increase, which can also increase the yield."

After writing the last word, Qin Mengshang took over the charter with satisfaction.Lu Ximing's calligraphy is elegant, neat and neatly arranged, which is much prettier than her dog-like handwriting.

Lu Ximing couldn't help but ask: "Sister, can the regenerated rice you mentioned really grow ears of rice again?"

He followed his grandfather to practice medicine. Most of the rice fields only had one harvest a year. This was the first time he heard that the rice plants could produce rice again after harvesting.

"Of course," Qin Mengshang curled up his lips, picked up the things and walked out, "While the autumn harvest has just begun, I have to go to Uncle Li Zheng to discuss this matter quickly. You can cook the rice first and wait for me to come back. Stir-fry.”

"."

Lu Ximing opened his lips and wanted to say something more, but he was gone.

Jinbao chased Qin Mengshang out the door, and Yuanbao followed him to the door. He came back after a while, obediently got into the nest and stayed to look after the house.It was dusk now, with countless rays of light spreading from the sky, the breeze blowing through the dusk, and the ears of rice swaying in the fields.

The Li Zheng family is cooking at the moment, and the whole family is sitting in the courtyard.I guess they heard about the tax increase this year, and the whole family looked a little solemn.

Sitting on the small bench, Xiaocao looked at his grandpa and then his father. He was so silent that he didn't dare to speak.

It happened that Qin Mengshang came to the door at this time, and Xiaocao flew over happily: "Pretty sister!"

Old Mrs. Chen stood up first: "What happened? Are you leaving in such a hurry?"

Li Zheng's brows were still furrowed: "Is there something wrong with the land deed?"

"No," Qin Mengshang calmed down, "Uncle Li Zheng, I have something important to discuss with you."

Hearing this "big deal", Li Zheng immediately cheered up and said, "If you have anything to do, just say it."

Qin Mengshang handed him the charter of regenerated rice: "Uncle, after you told me about the tax increase this afternoon, I thought for a long time and came up with a way to increase grain production."

As soon as these words came out, all the other people in the yard looked over.

Chen Laosan had dealt with Qin Mengshang and was quite familiar with him. He was the first to speak: "Are you telling the truth?"

If it is true, there will be no need to worry about not being able to pay taxes this year, and everyone will not be afraid that their children will be called to serve in Xishan because they cannot pay taxes.

Li Zheng's heart was beating hard: "Daughter-in-law of the Zhou family, please tell me more specifically, I don't know the words -"

Qin Mengshang forgot this, so he explained the planting model and cultivation methods of regenerated rice in detail.

After listening, everyone in the Chen family was thoughtful and did not immediately express their opinions.Last time Qin and Meng Shang proposed digging ditches in the rice fields, they didn't believe it at first, but then it rained twice in a row, and they realized that they were looking down on others.

However, the idea of ​​leaving rice stubble to ear again sounds outrageous and is simply unheard of.

But the leader didn't speak, so even if they had questions, they couldn't speak out first.

Li Zheng pondered for a while and said: "The increase in taxes this year is a huge stone in front of us. If the rice can really grow a second season, then everyone will still have enough food to live a good year after paying the tax!"

Qin Mengshang said: "Yes, although the rice grown in the second season is not as plump as the first season, it can increase the yield by half, and it will be no problem to meet this year's tax payment."

"Daughter-in-law of the Zhou family, I think the method you mentioned is feasible!" Li Zheng stood up excitedly, "Boss and Second Brother, call everyone over for a meeting immediately. I want to tell everyone the good news!"

The father had already spoken, so the sons naturally had no objection and ran out to call for help.

Mrs. Fang hid in the kitchen and eavesdropped, disdainful of the idea of ​​leaving rice stubble and heading again.An exiled man just accidentally started digging ditches in a rice field, and then he bribed his parents-in-law into submission.

She didn't believe it, but she wouldn't say it explicitly, just waiting to see how Qin Meng Shang would end up if the rice didn't grow.

(End of this chapter)