Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

He gestured as he spoke, his excitement evident in his expression. He continued, "Look at how well the sweet potatoes are growing! This year's harvest is sure to be good! I plan to keep some for my family after the harvest, and as for the rest, if anyone wants to plant sweet potatoes, they can come to me and get the seedlings. In my opinion, next year every household in our county will be able to plant an acre of sweet potatoes! If next year's harvest is as good as this year's, then the problem of people in our county not having enough to eat will be almost completely solved!"

Qi Jianlin stepped forward and, smiling, whispered to Niu Dabao, "I don't think this is a suitable place for conversation. Would you be so kind as to lead us to your residence for a rest?" Niu Dabao glanced up at Qi Jianlin, then quickly turned his gaze to the county magistrate standing nearby. The magistrate nodded impassively, his expression impassive. Niu Dabao's face lit up with delight at the gesture, and he quickly replied, "How could that be inconvenient? Gentlemen, please follow me!" He then took the lead, and the others followed closely behind.

The group slowly made their way along the dirt road, which, while not wide, was relatively flat. Along the way, they chatted and the atmosphere was quite harmonious. After about a cup of tea, they finally arrived at the gate of a thatched cottage. The cottage was oriented north-south, with the main door facing south. Two wing rooms were built on each side of the courtyard, while five thatched houses were neatly arranged on the north side. Judging from its appearance, the cottage was not the most luxurious building in the village, but it was certainly not the worst either.

At this time, Niu Dabao had already stopped and turned to face the several important figures behind him. He clasped his hands together and bowed, respectfully inviting them again: "Sir, please come in!"

Niu Dabao's virtuous wife was busy with housework when she suddenly heard a loud noise at the door. She was curious and quickly put down her work and walked to the door to find out what was going on.

When she opened the gate, she was startled by the sight before her. Her old man, Niu Dabao, was smiling broadly, leading a group of people into the yard. Niu Dabao's wife took a closer look and saw that the leader was actually the county magistrate!

She was startled, and a smile of surprise instantly broke out on her face. She hurried forward and said enthusiastically, "Oh, County Master, how come you are so free today and have come to visit us, a commoner? It's such an honor! Could it be that today is a special day that has brought such an honorable person like you to our home?"

Hearing Niu Dabao's wife's cheerful and slightly playful words, the county magistrate couldn't help but throw his head back and burst into laughter, responding in a voice as resounding as a bell: "Haha, isn't it! Today is indeed a good day, so this magistrate specially brought these gentlemen to your house to sit and chat, and bother you for a while!"

When Niu Dabao's wife heard this, she couldn't help but nodded in response, "Gentlemen, please come into the main room. There are seats inside. Please sit for a while. I will go and make some hot tea to entertain you." After that, she turned around and ran towards the kitchen in a hurry.

Niu Dabao, who was standing by, saw this and hurried forward. He said to the county magistrate with a smile, "County magistrate, please don't take a shrew like us from the countryside. She was just so happy to see you that she spoke too quickly and without restraint. I hope you will bear with her and don't take it to heart!"

However, the county magistrate waved his hand nonchalantly, saying, "It's okay, it's okay. What's the big deal? There's no need to be so formal."

Several people filed into the spacious, bright main room. Looking up, they saw several stools neatly arranged in the center. Though plain in style, they were immaculately polished. Near the north wall, two main seats stood, their presence a star of the room. Between them sat a small, exquisite coffee table, upon which lay a fine tea set.

At this time, six simple chairs made of carefully woven bamboo were neatly arranged in a row on the east and west walls. These chairs were simple and elegant in shape, and exuded a faint bamboo fragrance.

Niu Dabao respectfully led the county magistrate to the main seat against the north wall. However, to his surprise, the county magistrate was not in a hurry to take his seat. Instead, he politely stood aside, waiting for others to take their seats. Seeing this, Niu Dabao couldn't help but secretly admire the county magistrate's humility and courtesy. He quickly bowed to Qi Jianlin and said, "Sir, please sit with me!"

Qi Jianlin smiled faintly and unceremoniously took the chair that symbolized his noble status. Seeing this, the County Magistrate slowly sat down on the other seat. Niu Dabao looked at the two men in confusion, not understanding why they were so polite. However, he didn't dare to ask further questions. He simply walked silently to the seat below the County Magistrate's and sat down calmly.

After everyone was seated, Niu Dabao bowed again and respectfully asked, "County Magistrate, I wonder what you want from me today that brings you here?"

The county magistrate remained silent, first glancing sharply at Qi Jianlin. Qi Jianlin stood there expressionless, neither attempting to stop him nor offering any response. After a brief pause, the county magistrate slowly spoke, "I'm here today, firstly, to see how the sweet potatoes you've planted are doing, and secondly, because several dignitaries have arrived from the capital, and they specifically want to see you."

Upon hearing this, Niu Dabao was shocked, as if struck by lightning, and his face turned pale in an instant. He trembled all over, and his legs seemed to have been drained of their bones, limp and unable to support his body. Terrified, he fell to his knees in front of the county magistrate, stammering and trembling, "County... County magistrate, I really don't know what crime I have committed to alarm the great men of the capital! I have always been farming honestly and living diligently. I have never done anything that violates the rules! I dare not get involved in any illegal activities!"

The county magistrate looked at the terrified Niu Dabao and found himself amused. But he maintained a serious expression and said, "Get up quickly! It's not what you think. We're just here to visit." However, Niu Dabao was so overwhelmed with fear that he dared not stand up. No matter how the county magistrate tried to persuade him, he remained kneeling on the ground like a wooden sculpture, showing no sign of rising.

Seeing this, the county magistrate frowned slightly, his expression growing increasingly serious. He raised his voice and shouted, "Get up! How can you answer properly while kneeling like this?" As Niu Dabao watched the county magistrate's expression turn from sunny to dark, becoming increasingly gloomy and terrifying, he suddenly felt an invisible pressure coming upon him. His already weak legs were now even more uncontrollable. He could only barely reach out to hold on to the stool beside him and tremblingly struggled to sit on it.

Seeing him sit up tremblingly, the county magistrate's face softened slightly, and he said softly, "Don't be nervous. I've only asked you a few questions this time. You just need to answer truthfully. There's no need to feel overly burdened." Upon hearing this, Niu Dabao's body trembled uncontrollably, and his voice trembled as he said, "I... I understand. I will tell you everything I know. I won't dare to hide anything."

At this moment, Qi Jianlin, who had been standing silently by the side, said: "My fellow villager, we came here today for no other important matter. We just want to ask you about the situation of sweet potato planting. For example, how is the harvest this year? And where do these sweet potatoes come from? Can they be successfully planted in our north?" Niu Dabao's originally anxious heart calmed down a little after hearing these questions. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and then slowly said: "My lords, speaking of sweet potatoes, it was a tortuous experience. Back then, I traveled across the ocean to make a living in Southeast Asia and worked on a farm. I accidentally discovered that there was a strange plant in the farmer's house, which was the sweet potato.

In that remote and unfamiliar place, I toiled diligently for years. After a long period of observation and experimentation, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a unique plant. This plant was not only resilient and easy to survive, but also grew incredibly fast, seemingly possessing endless energy.

They thrive exceptionally, with tall, sturdy plants, strong, robust stems, and broad, thick leaves. Even more delightful, both the stems and leaves are edible, offering a delicious and nutritious taste. Crucially, their rapid maturation cycle allows for up to two harvests in just one year! In the warmer, more humid climate of Nanyang, even three harvests are possible.

Fascinated by such a miraculous and precious plant, I summoned the courage to ask the local landowner if I could take a few seedlings with me on my return trip, so I could promote this excellent variety. However, the landowner, with a stern face, ruthlessly rejected my request. His attitude was cold and resolute, and he even beat me up without giving me any explanation.

After that incident, the landowner became even more cautious about the rice seedlings, fearing they might be stolen. He would have people search our bodies daily, closely monitoring our every move. Although I tried several times to evade his guard, I was unsuccessful.