Farming and reading family

Winter is the hardest for the poor, and perhaps something this winter will determine the winner.

"There is also honeycomb coal." Xu Boyan's expression was a little solemn when he said this.

"What's the problem with honeycomb briquettes?" Gao E looked at Xu Boyan's expression.

"It's not a big problem, but it will be a bit troublesome for you if they find out the origin of honeycomb briquettes," Xu Boyan said frankly.

Gao E thought for a moment and said, "Then just haul the coal away."

"The smell of coal is too strong and can even cause poisoning." Xu Boyan has always believed that the honeycomb coal from Jiming Mountain has a secret recipe, and he doesn't want to ask Gao E about the secret recipe.

Gao E smiled and said, "This is a problem with the coal itself. It's not something that can be fixed by turning it into honeycomb briquettes."

She explained to Xu Boyan that as long as the coal dug was clean, it would be the same no matter where the honeycomb coal was made.

Xu Boyan suddenly realized: "No wonder."

In fact, the most lacking thing in winter is firewood. If you can't keep warm, you will definitely freeze to death.

Xu Boyan and Gao E discussed coming to get potatoes and coal and then left.

Gao E knew that it might be a bit troublesome to harvest potatoes at this time. After all, they had just been planted and tasted good. It was winter, and many people probably wouldn't want to sell them.

However, the tenants must pay their rent, and this time it is all paid to the government, so it will be easy to deal with Prince Bin.

Gao E asked Jin Gusheng and others to prepare fine coal, and she went to go find King Bin.

Prince Bin was also a man who knew how to enjoy life. Before the prefectural government office was built, he bought a big mansion. When Gao E came, he was roasting quail and potatoes at the same time, and brushing them with some oil. It was so comfortable.

The capital is packed with gourmets, and they have thoroughly studied all kinds of eating methods.

"You've come just in time. Try my roasted potatoes later. They're incredible." Prince Bin asked Ning Zhiyuan to move a chair for Gao E. "This barbecue must be greased, otherwise it will be dry. Finally, rub it with the secret sauce to bring out the flavor."

Gao E didn't expect Prince Bin to be so knowledgeable about food: "I thought that as a prince, he would at least want a beautiful woman to bake it for you personally."

Prince Bin glanced at Gao E and said, "You are a noble at least. You know your identity is just like that."

Gao E felt that Prince Bin had become a different person. The previous Prince Bin was very powerful. She lowered her eyes and said, "If it weren't for Prince Bin's status, those officials in Tanzhou wouldn't have obeyed him so well."

"That's right." Prince Bin chuckled.

He really hated being the prefect before, but he was in a good mood when things went smoothly, which was completely different from his previous life as an idle prince.

In fact, it is very tiring to carry it every day.

But he has to carry it every day.

He was an idle prince who relied on the royal family for his honor and had to consider the royal family's reputation.

But now there is no need for that. He is a prefect, a prefect who actually does his job. What can others say about him?

You know what, I feel a lot more at ease after doing something.

"I have something to discuss with the prince." Gao E didn't want to beat around the bush.

"explain."

"I want all the rent paid in potatoes by the tenants who rented land from the imperial court this year," Gao E said directly.

Bin Wang's hand trembled, and the potato almost fell into the fire. "Do you know how many people are eyeing this potato? You want it too."

"Why?" Gao E frowned.

Prince Bin smiled awkwardly: "I have already made a lot of promises in the capital."

Gao E was speechless. How could she possibly compete with those powerful people?

"But you definitely deserve some of the credit," Bin Wang said hurriedly. "Why do you need so many potatoes?"

Gao E was stunned by Prince Bin's question, and suddenly felt that she and Xu Boyan had fallen into a misunderstanding.

What they want is grain, not potatoes, but they think potatoes are easy to make because they have a high yield.

But potatoes are new to many people, and they are willing to pay for this newness.

"This thing has just been released, so the price must be high," Gao E said with a smile.

"I see." Prince Bin thought for a moment. "I'll write a letter to the Emperor asking for a reward for you. Your contribution to the introduction of potatoes will earn you a lot of reward, which is better than selling potatoes."

"Okay." Gao E thought as long as she had money, it would be fine.

After chatting with Prince Bin for a while and leaving, Gao E was already preparing to collect the grain.

This year's autumn harvest was a bumper one, so grain prices shouldn't be high.

Moreover, grain is easier to transport and easier to store than potatoes, making it a better choice than potatoes.

She hadn't walked far when Ning Zhiyuan caught up with her.

"Mrs. Chen, please stay." Ning Zhiyuan called out.

Gao E turned around and looked at Ning Zhiyuan in surprise.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Ning Zhiyuan walked aside.

Gao E followed him and said, "Guard Ning, just say whatever you want to say."

Ning Zhiyuan clasped his fists again and said, "My prince has made some achievements in Tanzhou now, and there are many people in the capital who want to win over my prince."

Gao E thought for a moment: "Are you afraid that I'll be involved?"

"After all, Madam Chen is now the wife of Marquis Zhengyong."

Gao E thought for a moment and said, "Thank you for the reminder."

Ning Zhiyuan clasped his fists and left.

Gao E thought about it over and over again and felt that the matter was rather complicated. It was possible that she was implicated by Prince Bin, or that she and Prince Bin were too close and someone was trying to persuade Prince Bin through her.

The thought processes of those people are beyond my comprehension.

Gao E didn't think much about it, just fighting against the enemy with soldiers and blocking the water with earth.

As for Ning Zhiyuan, he had accepted Gao E's sword before and never had the chance to repay her. Now the Chen family is no longer what it used to be, so he wanted to remind her.

Gao E didn't stay in Qinzhou City for long, and went directly to Jiming Village to find Xie Changyao.

Xie Changyao and his team have been to various counties in Qinzhou, so it would be most appropriate to let him lead people to collect grain now.

Gao E collected grain very frequently, and no one reacted when she collected grain again, except Xie Changyao who felt it was too much.

Now that the boss no longer employs so many farmhands, Jiming Mountain can be self-sufficient, and harvesting so much grain may have other uses.

"What's wrong?" Gao E looked at Xie Changyao.

"The boss collected so much grain because he wants to do grain business." Xie Changyao said tentatively.

Gao E knew that Xie Changyao had seen through her clues, so she didn't hide it: "There is a shortage of food in other places now, and I want to transport the food there."

"I'm afraid that others think the same way. If so, when the harvest season comes next year, there will be a food shortage locally," Xie Changyao reminded.

This food shortage was not caused by landlords hoarding food, but by a genuine lack of food.

Gao E would definitely save food herself, thinking that others would do the same: "Potatoes planted in spring can be harvested before wheat matures."

"Really?" Xie Changyao was surprised.

Gao E nodded: "But even so, you still have to leave some food in Qinzhou."

"Okay." Xie Changyao thought so too.

Gao E didn't tell her the specific details on how to collect the items. Xie Changyao was familiar with those places and should be better at it than her.

When Gao E returned to Batou Village and passed the entrance of Qingtan Gorge, she saw many horse-drawn carriages there. It seemed that Du Weiqing had been very busy recently.

When she got home, she saw many carriages in front of her house and started to worry.