Chapter 608 - 378: Departure

Chapter 608: Chapter 378: Departure

Wei Ziang also placed two ginseng roots in the large trunk. He kept the dagger and multifunctional military knife close to him while locking away all other items.

This was his last day at home. In the morning, he received a travel permit from Liu Ze’s father, allowing him to journey directly to the border.

Upon learning of Wei Ziang’s abilities, Liu Hongcai even personally wrote a letter of recommendation. However, feeling uneasy about his remote combat skills, he compromised by selecting his prowess as an archer.

Thus, upon reaching the border military camp, it would be much easier for him. He could directly enlist without undergoing selection or trials.

After all, it’s the esteemed Lord County Magistrate who personally recommended him.

Moreover, in recent years, due to the abundance of food in Cheng County and their contribution of high-yield grain varieties, despite being merely a magistrate of a small impoverished county, Liu Hongcai had already been promoted to a proper sixth rank official.

Early the next morning, the carriage for Wei Ziang’s departure was prepared.

Everything necessary for clothing, food, accommodation, and travel was packed completely full.

Wei Ziang felt helpless. He initially planned for a light journey with merely a bundle and horseback riding, but now he almost couldn’t fit everything in a single carriage.

Yet these were all signs of concern from his family, and he couldn’t discard any of them.

Upon departure, the family escorted him all the way to the village entrance. Others in the village were unaware of the matter and seemed merely curious upon seeing them.

Seeing this, Wei Ziang stopped the carriage and jumped down, bowing his head several times to Jiang Hu and Second Mother amid the crowd’s confused and reluctant gazes.

He then stood up straight: "Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, Second Sister, Xiaowei, Brother Ze, don’t send me any further. Go back now. I promised to return safely, and I will keep my word."

Second Mother’s eyes were swollen, evidently having cried the whole night: "Okay, you must come back early."

Wei Ziang nodded forcefully, took one last look at Xiaomi, climbed back onto the carriage, and snapped the reins: "Go!"

The horse picked up speed, quickly disappearing from their view, and Second Mother finally couldn’t hold back anymore. She turned and buried her face in Jiang Hu’s chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

Though Second Mother hadn’t cried in front of the children for three days, her eyes were constantly swollen.

After Second Mother started crying, the other children couldn’t hold back either. Xiaoli and Jiang Wei directly shed tears, while Xiaomi held up a bit better but also had red-rimmed eyes.

Though Jiang Yu and Liu Ze appeared less forlorn, their worry was evident.

Despite lacking blood relations, living together for many years had fostered bonds akin to siblinghood.

Now, their brother was off to dangerous endeavors, and they were naturally worried.

The atmosphere in Jiang’s household remained somber for an entire month until they finally received the first letter Wei Ziang sent back home, slightly alleviating the gloom.

Meanwhile, in Jiang’s backyard, suddenly a few colorful ’phoenixes’ flew out, immediately capturing the town’s attention.

Countless people rushed to see them, including well-read and knowledgeable scholars.

Finally, someone recognized that these were not phoenixes, but peacocks, the bird of Juno, and the king of all birds!

Instantly, the news that Jiang’s house was raising peacocks spread throughout Cheng County and swiftly spread farther, even reaching Nanyang Prefecture a hundred miles away.

Moreover, rumors persisted about how Xiaomi found the young peacock, almost got lost in the mountains, and after bringing it home and raising it for several years, it transformed from a grayish large bird into a peacock.

Yet, by the time Xiaomi heard this tale elsewhere, it had transformed into a story where she stepped on a rainbow cloud, was guided by the peacock to the mountain, collected the young peacock, and was later transported back down.

Supposedly, one day in the heavens is equivalent to a year on earth, and by the time she returned home, three years had passed...

Nonetheless, that’s a story for another time, as Xiaomi was currently busy with the cotton seeds.

The first batch of cotton from the space had finally blossomed and matured under her fervent anticipation.

With Ling’er’s assistance, as each pristine white cotton bud emerged from the ground, the seeds detached and fell into a basin of Spiritual Spring water.

"Thank you, Ling’er. I’ll head to town and ask Father to find people to plant the cotton once I return."

Excitedly, Xiaomi withdrew from the space, informed her parents, and went directly into town.

Because of the groundwork Wei Ziang laid before, people knew Xiaomi learned some skills from him. Xiaomi showcased a little of it, allowing her family to be relatively unconcerned about her outings.

Anyhow, considering that Xiaomi could smash a rock with one palm, dealing with wrongdoers by smashing heads wouldn’t be an issue, right?

Returning from town, Xiaomi carried a bag of cotton seeds and some deliberately bought items for concealment.

Xiaomi wanted to cultivate cotton. Although Jiang Hu found the timing a bit off, he still sought people for assistance.

Fifteen kilograms of cotton seeds were planted across ten acres of land.

Fearing they might miss the window, Jiang Hu straightforwardly recruited thirty to forty individuals, accomplishing the planting across two days.

Eventually, after planting all the cotton seeds, he finally managed to arrange the land contract for the ten acres.

Some mocked him for heeding a child’s advice and buying so much land on a whim. Jiang Hu merely smiled and ignored such remarks.

Yet, by late summer and early fall, when the cotton bloomed in dazzling white clusters, envy arose.

However, Liu Hongcai gave no one a chance.

Nearly as the cotton started maturing, he directly dispatched ten government officials, overseeing the harvest as an official matter.

Indeed, it was official.

Due to the peacock event, the agricultural officer knew Jiang’s family had moved close by, scolding the County Magistrate and often roaming in Xiangmu Village thereafter.

This time, from planting to harvesting the cotton, he thoroughly followed the process, confidently declaring the cotton’s yield was exceptional, with an estimated production of over four hundred kilograms per acre!

Remember, ordinary cotton yields at most around two hundred kilograms per acre, effectively doubling the output!

How could the agricultural officer possibly let this opportunity slip?

Surely, he approached the County Magistrate, insisting on oversight, determined to purchase all the cotton and seeds!

Of course, the seeds for next year’s planting were to remain with Jiang’s family.

Additionally, the agricultural officer consulted experienced cotton farmers, confirming the cotton flowers were softer and whiter, undoubtedly top quality!

The agricultural officer even clearly expressed that if this cotton were presented to the imperial court, Jiang’s family could ascend rapidly.

After all, the County Magistrate’s eldest son had already passed the palace examination, and His Majesty held a favorable impression of him.

With Liu Qingfeng directly reporting to the emperor about this cotton and previous grain varieties, ensuring no meddling occurred, Jiang’s family would surely become significant contributors to the Xuyu Dynasty!