Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey
Chapter 38: Spring Plowing (Part 2)

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Spring Plowing (Part 2)

There is a row of houses at the edge of the field. Jiang Shaohua entered the first one, took off her heavy, beautiful ceremonial dress, and changed into prepared everyday clothes. The exquisite pearl crown was also removed, and her long hair was braided into a long braid hanging down her back.

Simple and neat, easy to move around, suitable for plowing the field.

The court officials waited quietly for a moment, and once the Commandery Princess came out, they each went to change clothes.

The trusted aides were all wearing martial attire, so they didn’t need to change. Meng Sanbao turned and spoke to Qin Hu, then turned again, only to find Cui Du missing, which startled him.

Looking over again, he saw Cui Du crouching by the field, reaching out to touch the black soil.

Meng Sanbao found it both amusing and irritating. He strode over, grabbing the back of Cui Du’s collar like he was lifting a little chick: "The soil here is everywhere, it’s all black, what’s so nice to touch? Stop wandering off and stick with us."

Cui Du was helplessly lifted away, his eyes reluctantly sweeping over the area. It was all black soil, top-quality fields!

When the Commandery Princess’s figure came into view, Cui Du’s gaze couldn’t shift away again.

The Commandery Princess’s previous attire was grand and elaborate, making people feel it was disrespectful to look too much. Now she was like a girl next door, beautiful, amiable, and approachable.

The Commandery Princess seemed to notice his gaze, turned her head to look, and gave him a slight smile.

The sun was a bit hot, and his face felt warm.

Meng Sanbao glanced at the blushing, silly-smiling mute young man and discreetly rolled his eyes.

The spring plowing ceremony had begun, better watch the ceremony obediently!

As the Chief Steward, Qiu Yuanshang had to work hard as long as he was on duty. At this moment, he loudly proclaimed: "The workshop presents the plow."

Shen Mu responded solemnly and turned to call over a few craftsmen. Two of them carried a long straight plow, a tool everyone was familiar with. The other two carried plows of a different design, much more compact.

Mr. Zhao became interested immediately, smiling as he asked, "Commandery Princess, I’ve never seen this style of plow before, could it be a new innovation from the workshop? Is it any good?"

Shen Mu, being straightforward, was just about to say it was Cui Du’s design when the Commandery Princess spoke with a smile: "Exactly. Today there are two plows, let’s try them both."

Shen Mu closed his mouth but felt slightly uneasy inside.

It wasn’t his contribution, so why was the credit being piled on him?

That young boy named Cui Du was surely getting a raw deal.

Shen Mu’s eyes sought out Cui Du’s figure but did not see any disappointment on his face; instead, he was smiling at something, looking completely lost in thought.

The craftsmen placed both plows in the field.

Jiang Shaohua stepped forward, first holding the long straight plow, using three parts strength, moving steadily and slowly forward. As it passed, the field soil was turned over, releasing the scent unique to spring soil.

The court officials followed behind the Commandery Princess, secretly praising. The Commandery Princess plowed the field with grace, not the least bit delicate.

One round trip equaled the time it took for an incense stick to burn. They were sweating slightly, while the Commandery Princess was calm, neither flushed nor panting, and moved on to the new style plow.

As soon as she took it, Jiang Shaohua noticed the difference. The new plow was not only light and labor-saving but also remarkably agile in turning, plowing much faster with the same three-part strength.

Calculating this way, for the same field, using the new plow could save at least one-third of the time. For spring plowing, saving a day means saving a day’s labor.

Jiang Shaohua felt great joy in her heart, completing a round trip with the new plow without saying anything more, only saying, "Chief Historian Chen, try the new plow too."

Chen Zhuo, having watched eagerly all along, could hardly wait to try it himself; he responded and held the new plow. After plowing one round trip, Chen Zhuo was extremely excited and joyful, repeatedly exclaiming, "Good, good, good! This is excellent! If the common people can use this new plow, it will save them several days of hard work."

"Old Feng, you try it."

Feng Wenming was just about to step forward when the fragrance wafted past, and the charming figure of Mr. Zhao rushed over: "I couldn’t resist watching, let me try it first."

Chen Zhuo, of course, would not offend Mr. Zhao, smiling as he replied, "I was negligent just now; I should have invited Mr. Zhao first. Please forgive me, Mr. Zhao."

Mr. Zhao’s charming gaze landed on Chen Zhuo’s face: "No need to stand on ceremony with me, Chief Historian."

Chen Zhuo, once the handsome man among his cohort of Advanced Scholars, was now in his fifties, with wrinkles on his forehead and white hair starting to sprout. Yet, his face was still dignified and handsome.

Chen Zhuo secretly shrugged off the goosebumps over his body, giving orders with an unchanged expression: "Chief Steward Qiu, accompany Mr. Zhao to plow the field, and don’t let Mr. Zhao get tired."

Qiu Yuanshang: "..."

Qiu Yuanshang, feeling somewhat resigned and indifferent, responded and stepped forward.

Immediately, Mr. Zhao called out: "I’m not strong, Lord Qiu, give me a push."

As soon as Qiu Yuanshang placed his hand over, Mr. Zhao’s hand eagerly groped over. Mr. Zhao’s eyes were affectionate, and Qiu Yuanshang endured the nausea to plow the field with him. Soon, he noticed the brilliance of the new plow and couldn’t help but exclaim, "Oh?"

Mr. Zhao’s eyes glittered.

When the plowing ended, Mr. Zhao ignored the handsome and manly Lord Qiu and quickly went to Jiang Shaohua, his voice enthusiastic and excited: "Commandery Princess! Presenting this new plow to the court is a great achievement."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and replied, "I was just about to ask Mr. Zhao, when you return to the capital, to bring this new plow and present it to the Empress Dowager."

Mr. Zhao smiled brightly and immediately accepted without any formalities or refusals.

The court officials, aroused by curiosity, all took turns plowing the field. By the time it was Shen Mu’s turn, he was so excited, his eyes were red.

As a craftsman, creating a new plow that benefits agriculture is a great honor.

...

Because of the new plow, during this spring plowing ceremony, everyone was scrambling to plow the field. One round after another. Later, even Song Yuan and the trusted aides joined in. After half a day, a large field was entirely plowed.

The Manager Pei of the field manor watched eagerly, seeking a respectful appearance, and also plowed one round trip.

Jiang Shaohua, feeling delighted, instructed Manager Pei, "It’s already noon, have the kitchen prepare the meal."

Manager Pei quickly replied with a smile, "Yes, I’ll have the kitchen set the meal right away."

The field manor had fresh vegetables, pigs, sheep, cattle, and a flock of chickens, ducks, and geese. The two cooks in the kitchen had been busy slaughtering pigs and sheep since early morning, and after half a day, they prepared two tables of dishes.

Jiang Shaohua, Mr. Zhao, Chief Historian Chen, Chief Historian Feng, and Commander Song sat at one table, while several other court officials sat at another table.

The fifty trusted aides had a rather sumptuous meal as well, with four large plates of meat dishes on the table, braised pork piled high, and the lamb soup emitting an enticing aroma.

Cui Du originally sat next to Meng Sanbao, and before he even touched his chopsticks, Yin Zhu came over with a cheerful smile: "The Commandery Princess invites Mr. Cui to sit at that table."

Meng Sanbao: "..."