Walking into a cesspit, the best evil widow wants to stand up

Seeing that the rain was not going to stop for a while, Magistrate Xu waited until the rain was a little lighter and then told the village chief to ask everyone to walk down the mountain.

As for himself, Captain Li and two yamen runners took turns carrying him down the mountain. Before leaving, Dadong left him a straw raincoat, which was just right for him to put on now.

As for his injured leg, he wrapped it with a thick layer of waterproof oil paper to prevent it from getting wet. Fortunately, he used the oil paper to wrap the steamed buns at that time, and he didn't expect that this thing would come in handy at the critical moment.

The group hurried and finally got down the mountain before the next heavy rain came.

When they reached the foot of the mountain, it was almost dark. Everyone's clothes were soaked and they were shivering. The village chief told everyone to go back home and find their mothers.

As for County Magistrate Xu and his entourage, they returned to Zhang's house. When Shen Ping saw them coming back, she remembered that she had actually forgotten about the county magistrate. Fortunately, they arrived home before dark.

Seeing that they were all wet, Shen Ping found a few sets of Sanchun and Dachun's clothes and gave them some to change into.

Upon learning that Wu had safely given birth to a baby boy, County Magistrate Xu also sincerely congratulated her and bowed, saying:

"Madam Shen, today is such a good day. You succeeded in praying for rain, and now you have a grandson. It is truly a double blessing.

I will report today's rain-making event to the imperial court. You have performed a great service this time and solved an urgent problem. Just wait for the emperor's reward."

Shen Ping smiled slightly, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "I don't dare to expect a reward, I just ask for the cost of praying for rain today to be returned to me, it's not that I don't want to spend this money.

But, I can't be asked to contribute both money and labor. Besides, I'm not doing this for myself. But, if the court doesn't even give me this little money to pray for rain, it's a bit unreasonable, don't you think?"

Although she was rich and had no shortage of this little money, if she was too generous in this matter, it would inevitably arouse suspicion, and this was not like her character.

After hearing what Shen Ping said, County Magistrate Xu said seriously: "Of course, this is certain. I will report it to the court truthfully."

It was getting late and it was raining, so after dinner, Shen Ping arranged for County Magistrate Xu and his party to stay at Wuchun's house.

The next morning, there was still no sign of the rain stopping. County Magistrate Xu was concerned about his official duties and wanted to get back home, so Shen Ping no longer insisted on keeping him.

For breakfast, Cuihong made white flour buns, corn porridge, and fried two side dishes, spicy diced radish and fried pickles. County Magistrate Xu drank three bowls of them in one breath.

I still remember that when I was a child in my previous life and lived with my grandmother, I often ate corn porridge and fried diced radish. Later, when I moved to the provincial capital with my parents, I rarely ate these dishes.

I didn't expect to find the taste of my childhood here at Shen Ping's. Here, this chili is a new thing and he has only eaten it at Jufulou.

I heard from Shopkeeper Qiu that the peppers were also supplied by Madam Shen. I'm afraid she is the only one who grows this in the Dazhi Dynasty.

The development prospects of this chili pepper are good. Many delicious foods cannot be separated from it. Thinking of this, County Magistrate Xu said, "Madam Shen, I shamelessly ask you for some chili sauce and dried radish. I wonder if it is okay?"

She didn't expect that County Magistrate Xu, a dignified county magistrate, would actually ask her for this thing. Shen Ping smiled and said, "Of course, Cuihong, take two cans of chili sauce and diced radish to Lord Xu."

"Madam Shen, I have an idea. It's raining now. I wonder if we can still grow peppers in this season!"

Seeing that Shen Ping didn't say anything, County Magistrate Xu paused and continued, "We have missed the best time to grow rice. I wonder if there is anything else we can grow that can quickly solve the current problem of food and clothing for the people."

Shen Ping had also thought about the question raised by County Magistrate Xu, and she already had several good solutions in mind. Seeing that County Magistrate Xu brought it up, she did not hide it.

Shen Ping nodded: "To be honest, it is October now, and we can grow some coarse grains, potatoes, sweet potatoes and corn in our rice fields. As for vegetables, there are a lot of them to grow.

There are also peppers that can be planted. The growth cycle of peppers is short and they can be put on the market in less than two months. I can provide seeds and recycle them..."

"..."

Shen Ping and County Magistrate Xu talked a lot about potatoes and sweet potatoes. The seeds also became a problem because due to the previous famine, most of the seeds that people had saved were eaten up.

Although it is raining now, what should we do if we don’t have seeds?

Shen Ping can provide this, but she can't come up with so much at once. Then everyone will suspect her. As the saying goes, a tall tree attracts the wind, and then she will become the target of public criticism.

"Master Xu, don't worry. I will discuss with the village chief to see how much grain we have left in the village and how much can be used as seeds."

"Okay! I will report today's incident to the court when I go back, and try my best to help you get rewards and court funding." County Magistrate Xu stood up after saying this.

Although the carriage was waterproof, Shen Ping still asked Dadong to cover the roof of the carriage with a piece of tarpaulin and tie it tightly at the four corners.

As for Dadong and the two yamen runners, Shen Ping got them a few more sets of raincoats and packed some dry food for each of them.

Walking on the road, the soil was full of rainwater, and even some grass seedlings grew out overnight. Magistrate Xu looked at this scene and felt happy.

He was really glad that he had made the right choice. Now, the rain had finally come. As for this seed, he believed that Shen Ping would have a way.

Even if we cannot take care of other villages first, if this Kaoshan Village can take the lead in setting an example and take the lead in becoming a model village, it will definitely drive other villages.

As soon as I return, I must report all of this to the court and ask the court to allocate funds as soon as possible to solve the urgent needs of the people.

Now that the rain has come, we can plant things. As far as Shen Ping knows, the family has a total of eight acres of paddy fields and five acres of dry land.

But now, Dachun and Siya are running a shop outside, Sancun and Erya are running a workshop. Who should farm all the fields at home?

Let me plant it myself? You must be kidding! This is even more impossible!

While having dinner in the evening, the family sat together and discussed something. It was decided that Dadong should buy a few more young and strong slaves, and then all the rice fields would be managed by Dadong.

Dadong was born into a farming family, so farming was no problem for him. Now he could buy slaves and take care of them himself, so he was very happy.

The rain lasted for three days and three nights before it stopped. As soon as the rain stopped, Shen Ping took Dadong and several servants to identify the fields.

The soil was soaked in rainwater and became soft. Many villagers were turning over the fields of their respective households. When they saw Shen Ping coming with her servants, they all greeted her warmly.