The Lucky Heiress

Wei Ruo first took Xiumei to the wet nurse’s place, where they had already purchased a batch of wheat seeds for Wei Ruo. These were now stored in the warehouse previously used to store sweet potatoes.

In recent days, due to the large shipment of sweet potatoes, a lot of space had been freed up in the warehouse.

Wei Ruo asked Xiumei to stand guard at the door, and took a long time inside the warehouse before she emerged.

“Meimei, you take Agui and Xiaoba to get these bags of rice seeds to the south side of the city and distribute some to each household. Be sure to tell them that these are high-quality seeds. The amount here might not be enough to plant all the rice fields, so the remaining fields can be filled with ordinary grain varieties from there.” Wei Ruo instructed.

The amount of space rice seeds that Wei Ruo could acquire in such a short span of time was limited. She feared that if she waited any longer, the patience of the townsfolk would wear thin.

Wei Ruo could very much empathize with their anxious feelings. If they miss this year’s planting season, it would mean a year without any grain supplies for them.

“Alright.” Xiumei, on receiving Wei Ruo’s command, ordered Agui and Xiaoba to help load up the cart with the grain seeds.

Agui and Xiaoba were somewhat reluctant, especially the slightly older Agui. After moving things for a while, he spoke in frustration: “Lady Xiumei, our miss has been working so diligently on matters regarding the south side of the city. But when it comes to rewards, our miss is left out. It’s infuriating.”

Apparently, both Agui and Xiaoba knew about the government’s decision to distribute rewards based on the merits of developing the southern wasteland. Following Wei Ruo these days, they earned wages, got recognition, and enjoyed plenty of benefits.

If Wei Ruo was wronged, they naturally would not be pleased.

Xiumei sighed, “We have to be fair. Miss initiated this work not to garner credit, but to enable the suffering populace to access abundant food. If people are unjust to our miss, should that affect the innocent people in the south side of the city?”

Agui and Xiaoba shared a glance and were persuaded.

Xiumei continued, “Don’t worry too much. As long as you’re concerned for our miss, she would certainly be pleased. While others may not understand our miss or even ridicule her for her futile efforts, we, who belong to her, should understand and support her.”

Agui replied, “I understand. Xiaoba and I will serve our miss wholeheartedly.”

With no further objections, the two efficiently loaded up the cart with all the rice seeds from the warehouse.

The bullock cart holding the rice seeds left the city’s southern gate in tandem with Wei Ruo’s carriage.

Outside the city gate, Qian Magistrate was also present. Seeing Wei Ruo, he was both surprised and awkward.

After hesitating for a moment, Qian Magistrate still approached Wei Ruo’s carriage. Through the carriage curtain, he asked Wei Ruo, “Miss Wei, are you here to deliver rice seeds to the townsfolk?”

Wei Ruo replied, “Not delivering, selling.”

Although she originally intended to give them away, as Qian Magistrate asked, she instantly switched to selling them.

“Um…” Qian Magistrate’s smile appeared somewhat stiff.

“I heard the honorable magistrate has received a good deal of rewards and that, once the harvest is bountiful next year, a promotion can be expected.” Wei Ruo seated herself in the carriage, speaking unhurriedly through the curtain.

“Thanks to Miss Wei’s kindness.” Qian Magistrate was well aware that if it hadn’t been for the young mistress of the Wei Family, his promotion wouldn’t have come so quickly.

“In that case, why don’t you do another favor for the townsfolk of Xingshan County? Why not buy these grains from me and distribute them among the townspeople who are developing the southern wasteland? What do you think?” After hesitating a moment, Qian Magistrate stoically replied, “Yes, indeed. Tell me how much silver Miss Wei wants for the seeds, I will buy them without any negotiation.”

Qian Magistrate felt guilty toward Wei Ruo. He benefitted from her actions; it was indeed unjust to have her spend money and effort to boost his accomplishments.

Wei Ruo did not engage in further conversation with Qian Magistrate, giving a straight quote: “Two hundred taels of silver.”

“Two hundred taels?” Qian Magistrate was clearly shocked by the price.

Selling a few carts of wheat seeds for two hundred taels felt excessively expensive!

“If Magistrate Qian finds it expensive, you can choose not to buy. However, I would like to remind Magistrate Qian that the timing is past the window for normal wheat sowing. Given the cold weather setting in early, growing this batch of wheat won’t be easy…”

We Ruo left her words hanging for Qian Magistrate to finish in his own mind.

Upon hearing her words, Qian Magistrate’s heart dropped.

If the wheat growth is successful, he can report to the higher officials by the middle of next year. Conversely, if the wheat does not grow, and the subsequent rice crop is affected as well, resulting in a failure to achieve a large-scale harvest, then his hopes of promotion may be dashed!

Qian Magistrate quickly amended his reaction: “Two hundred taels is not expensive; I will arrange for the silver to be brought immediately!”

“I trust that Magistrate Qian is a man of his word. So, on behalf of the people of the south side of the city, I thank Magistrate Qian. I will have these wheat seeds distributed immediately,” Wei Ruo replied.

“Alright, and thank you for your hard work, Miss Wei.” Qian Magistrate expressed his gratitude with a look of gratitude on his face.

Of course, the Young Mistress of the Wei family need not worry about him going back on his word, as he is not merely buying the grain with two hundred taels but also Wei Ruo’s expertise.

After Wei Ruo left with her team, Qian Magistrate heaved a long sigh: sigh, it isn’t appropriate to blame Miss Wei. If he were in her place, he would not be pleased either.

However, he felt completely puzzled about the matter. He had no idea what actually transpired at the higher levels of the government.

Wei Ruo, along with Xiumei, Agui, Xiaoba, and others, distributed the wheat seeds to the people of the south town. She instructed them on relevant agricultural matters and asked them to use the drilling method, use fertilizer intensively, and maintain consistent seeding depth.

This method of seeding requires considerable labor but is beneficial in increasing yields.

The townsfolk remembered Wei Ruo’s instructions well and dared not slacken in any way.

Their hopes of a plentiful harvest next year depended entirely on the Young Mistress of the Wei Family! Whatever directions she gave, they were sure to be accurate!

Wei Ruo wrapped up her work and received the two hundred taels of silver delivered by Qian Magistrate.

After managing matters concerning the south town, Wei Ruo returned to the main city. Finding some time on her hands, she first went to Four Treasure House.

The wet nurse presented a new account book, bringing Wei Ruo some good news.

Though Wei Ruo had used a great deal of supplies for relief work during this difficult period, overall, there were still profits.

The commodities bought in advance expressly to sell to the privileged class fetched a good price, enabling Wei Ruo to make a considerable profit.

“Miss, this is the account book of Xu Ji Grain Shop. In these days, business in the grain shop has been much better than Four Treasure House, with rice and charcoal selling especially well. Other than the sweet potatoes that you, Miss, took for disaster relief and those you required to be reserved as the emergency provisions, the rest of the stock has been sold out.”

Under the current circumstances, even the initially rich families started to economize. The practical products sold in Xu Ji Grain Shop were more popular than those in the Four Treasure House, leading to better business..