The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 136

"Potatoes...?" The prefect chuckled helplessly. "I'm not very knowledgeable; what are these?"

Xu Tian then described it: "It's yellow and edible."

"That's... corn?"

Xu Tian shook his head. "No."

He then gestured to indicate the size and shape, but the prefect still didn't understand. "This, I really don't know."

Seeing this, Xu Tian had no choice but to stop asking, since even the prefect didn't know the answer.

Darkness fell quickly, and Xu Tian had finished his investigation, having thoroughly examined all the fields and crops that needed to be inspected.

He glanced at the sky and said to the prefect, "Then I'll head back now. Prefect, please get some rest. I was still a little worried about you when I came out with you."

The prefect smiled and nodded slightly, "Indeed, my health has been rather poor lately, which has caused the Grand Tutor some concern."

“It’s one thing for me to be worried, and it’s another for you to get well. Jinzhou can’t do without you, but you also have to think about your own health, don’t you?”

"Thank you for your advice, Grand Tutor Xu."

The two then chatted about other things, such as crop yields and food, before getting into their respective carriages and leaving.

The next morning, the prefect got up early to go to work, and Xu Tian remained silent upon hearing the news.

For an old man, this is really going a bit too far.

After washing up and putting on his shoes, he went outside and looked at the guard beside him, asking, "Where is the magistrate of this area?"

"Grand Tutor, please come with me," the guard said after thinking for a moment.

Xu Tian then followed him.

The prefect is a busy man, and there are some minor matters that I don't want to bother him with. Besides, he is getting old, and it would be really inappropriate to trouble him with small things.

The carriage was a little bumpy, but Xu Tian suddenly felt sleepy.

Before long, the carriage stopped in the bustling city. Xu Tian perked up, got off the carriage, and arrived in front of the county magistrate's office.

The soldiers didn't recognize Xu Tian at all, and immediately stopped him, asking, "Who are you? What brings you here?"

"My name is Xu Tian, ​​and I would like to discuss some matters concerning grain with the magistrate."

“We don’t store grain here,” the soldier said.

But as soon as he finished speaking, his expression changed slightly.

Xu Tian, ​​that name sounds so familiar. After remembering it, I realized that the county magistrate had mentioned this name not long ago, saying that the emperor had sent him.

The officer immediately changed his tune: "I'll go make a message, please wait a moment."

Xu Tian nodded and waited outside the door.

A moment later, the soldier ran out, his previous indifferent attitude changed, and he said respectfully, "Please come in."

Xu Tian stepped into the mansion, and as soon as he crossed the threshold, he saw the county magistrate rushing out.

He smiled obsequiously, "I had long heard of Grand Tutor Xu's name from the Prefect. Now that I have met you, you are indeed dignified and extraordinary. Grand Tutor, this way please come in."

Xu Tian followed him into the main hall, where hot tea had already been prepared.

The magistrate served him a cup and then asked, "I wonder what brings the Grand Tutor here today?"

"I'd like to buy some potatoes," Xu Tian said. "Do you know what they are?"

The magistrate was stunned for a moment, then showed a helpless expression, "What... what is this?"

“It’s a type of grain that came from the Western Regions, and it’s quite filling,” Xu Tian replied. “I think you should ask someone to inquire where it can be bought.”

Upon hearing that this was a minor matter, the magistrate immediately agreed: "I see. Very well, I will take care of it right away."

"Wait a minute." Xu Tian seemed to have thought of something. He had someone bring him paper and pen, then drew the shape of a potato on the paper and handed it to the county magistrate. "This is what the grain looks like."

The magistrate put the paper into his sleeve and said with a smile, "Good."