I trade in both worlds

"What are you thinking now?" Xu Jizong asked.

"I want to try planting it." Xu Xu said, "I asked, and we should be able to plant two seasons here, one season in the spring and one season after the summer harvest, so I want to determine as soon as possible how much to plant so that I can find someone to order seeds."

"Two seasons?" Xu Jizong asked in surprise, "How long will it take to harvest?"

With this output, we can still grow two seasons, and after paying taxes, it will be enough to solve the problem of hunger. Who will worry about hunger in the future?

Seeing Xu Jizong fidgeting with the potatoes, Xu Xu knew that he was already tempted, and immediately put his heart at ease. He replied, "There are many varieties of potatoes. Early-maturing varieties take about 60 to 70 days from seedling to harvest, mid-maturing varieties take 85 to 120 days, and late-maturing varieties take more than 120 days."

"So short?" Xu Jizong's slightly drooping back straightened instantly.

Xu Xu nodded and continued, "What I mean is that we should plant some of the three varieties and try to see which variety can best adapt to our environment and has the highest yield. Then we can promote it in the village in the future."

"It would be great if we could produce as much here, so that no one would have to go hungry anymore." Xu Jizong said expectantly.

"It is said that the worst production overseas is 25 shi, and the best can reach 35 shi." Xu Xu said with a smile.

"35 dan?" Aunt Xu was so shocked that her voice split open. "We only have 2 dan of rice. I can't even calculate how many times this is."

"35 shi, I can't even think about it." Xu Youliang said softly, "It would be nice if we could grow 25 shi."

Xu Youyin nodded and said in agreement: "I can't imagine the output of 35 shi, but can this really be eaten as food? How to eat it?"

Xu Xu pointed at the basket and said, "I brought these here for you to try. We'll have this for lunch later. You'll know once you try it."

"Okay, how do you do this? Let me help you." Xu Youyin said as he was about to pick up the vegetable basket.

Second Aunt Xu slapped him and said, "Go away, go away. You just finished breakfast and you're already thinking about lunch. You're not that active in your work. Go to Xu Xu's house and pick up tiles. Finish it as soon as possible so as not to affect the potato planting."

"Okay, Xu Xu, give me the key." Xu Youyin looked up at the sky and estimated that the people who had agreed to do the work would be almost here.

Xu Xu handed over the key and asked, "I have silver. Have you used up the money I gave you before? How about I give you some more?"

"No need. If the tiles we bought are enough, there should be more with the money I gave you before. Let's pick them up first." Xu Youyin took the key and left.

After watching her walk out of the courtyard, Xu Xu suddenly said, "Second Uncle, do you think we should talk to Second Grandpa about this?"

"Why..." Xu Jizong realized halfway through his speech, paused and continued, "We should tell him about this."

Food is a major issue concerning people's livelihood. If the grain output can really reach more than 25 shi, it would be a great merit. The imperial court would then reward him. That is to say, there is no one in Xu Xu's family who is an official, otherwise it is possible to be granted a title of nobility.

For now, forget about being granted a title or an official position, but if you handle things properly, you can get some rewards, and you can also protect Xu Xu and the others so that they can live a safe life for the rest of their lives, and no one will dare to bully them.

In addition, potatoes need to be promoted after they are grown, which is also an opportunity for the tribe. But based on this one benefit, the tribe leader will definitely agree to grow potatoes and will even use his connections to seek some benefits for the tribe.

"There is food. Go and call the clan leader over. If he asks, don't tell him yet. Just say we have something urgent to discuss with him." Xu Jizong ordered.

Xu Youliang stood up, brushed off the bamboo chips on his body, nodded, and went out.

After seeing him leave, Xu Jizong continued, "Xuxu, we should discuss this matter with the clan leader. After all, it concerns people's livelihood. After the crops are planted well, we should also try our best to gain some benefits. However, it is difficult to operate if we don't have any connections or relationships. But it's different for the clan leader."

Xu Xu also knew that in this world without power and influence, some people would destroy an entire family for a small profit, not to mention the new breed. The contribution was so great that anyone with a little ability would want to get a piece of the pie. If he relied on his own family alone, he would be afraid that not even a bone would be left.

Thinking of this, Xu Xu shuddered. It would be enough for him to just take some nominal rewards and get some protection. The rest should be left to those powerful people to fight for.

Xu Xu said to Xu Jizong seriously: "Second Uncle, I know that we ordinary people just want to have enough food and warm clothes. There is no need to fight for other things."

Xu Jizong nodded and said solemnly: "It's good that you understand. Nothing is more important than your own life. Those are external things. If we have the ability to fight for them, we will try our best to fight for them, but no matter what we do, we must protect our family first. You have to remember that you have four children who depend on you for survival."

"I know, don't worry, uncle." Xu Xu said.

Xu Jizong nodded with relief. Second Aunt Xu was a little confused. It was just planting potatoes, why did it involve her life and property?

"How can growing potatoes endanger your life?" asked Aunt Xu.

Xu Xu glanced at Xu Jizong and saw that he was bending down to split bamboo strips and had no intention of speaking, so he explained: "Increasing grain production is a big deal in the court, let alone a new and improved variety. If you grow it well, you can be made a marquis and appointed as a prime minister. If you were an official, would you want such a credit?"

Second Aunt Xu was stunned: "You can become a prime minister and a marquis just by farming?"

"Yes, you see, even a jade pendant passed down from ancestors may lead to the annihilation of the entire clan, let alone such a great achievement." Xu Xu continued to explain.

"Exterminate the clan?" Second Aunt Xu was frightened. She had never thought that farming could be so dangerous. Her face turned pale as she said, "Then...then you...you guys still...still farming, or we won't do that."

Xu Xu quickly comforted her, "Second Aunt, don't worry. We won't fight for the credit. We just farm the land. If they want the credit, they can take it. That's why we have to discuss it with Second Grandpa."

The clan leader is scheming, upright, thoughtful, and smooth. Since he became the clan leader, everything he has done has been based on the clan. As long as it is beneficial to the clan and does not violate morality, the clan leader will do his best to do it. He will not sacrifice his clan members for the benefit of the clan.

Aunt Xu still asked worriedly, "Are you really okay?"

"It's really okay." Xu Xu said, "If there was any problem, my second uncle wouldn't let me plant it, right?"

"That's true." Aunt Xu was finally relieved a little, and she would listen to the clan leader's opinion later.

As they were talking, Xu Youliang came in with the clan leader and Xu Qinglin. Xu Jizong asked them to sit down in the main hall. Lin Erya brought tea and went out with Chen Lihua.