The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 182

Li Er nodded with a hint of appreciation on his face.

"So you really want to go to the fields?" the old man asked Xu Tian with a smile.

"Yes," Xu Tian replied firmly.

Since Xu Tian was so adamant, the old man simply waved his hand and said, "Since that's the case, then come in. But if you get your clothes dirty, don't expect me to pay for them."

"Of course not."

As Xu Tian answered, he lifted his shirt, took off his shoes, and started walking into the paddy field.

Li Er stood quietly by, watching, feeling that his choice of Xu Tian was truly excellent.

He had originally come to inspect how Xu Tian's wheat was growing, but he didn't see Xu Tian there. So he came here and heard Xu Tian's words and saw him personally going into the paddy field.

Many ministers in the court consider themselves scholars, or people who have practiced martial arts since childhood and will one day become great generals. They all consider themselves extraordinary. How can they be as down-to-earth as Xu Tian, ​​who goes directly to the fields?

Li Er watched for a long time and saw Xu Tian chatting with the farmers about many things, including how to grow rice and how to produce it in large quantities.

"If we can find some high-yield rice varieties, then we won't need to keep cultivating wasteland, and we won't need so much manpower and resources to support our food supply," Xu Tian told the farmers, sharing his thoughts directly.

"Then where do you find this high-yield rice? I've been growing rice for so long, and I've rarely seen rice with extremely high yields."

"If we find them, we can peel off the water-soaked seeds, record the planting process, and give it a try. It will save us the money of buying seeds," Xu Tian suggested.

Afterwards, Li Er heard Xu Tian finish making this suggestion, and then discuss many things with the farmers, and also tell them all the tips he knew about planting other crops.

They had always worked diligently in rice cultivation, working from sunrise to sunset every day, and had never thought about so much. Therefore, when they heard Xu Tian's knowledge about rice cultivation, they were slightly taken aback.

They never imagined that grain could be grown this way.

Now, when they looked at Xu Tian in front of them, there was no longer any awkwardness in their eyes, but rather enthusiasm, surprise, and admiration.

The old man laughed and said, "I didn't expect you to know so much at such a young age."

Xu Tian smiled but didn't say anything.

At this moment, Li Er walked up to Xu Tian.

He smiled and looked at Xu Tian, ​​nodding approvingly, and said to him, "Master Xu, you are truly remarkable."

Upon hearing this, Xu Tian nodded slightly, then instinctively bowed, but suddenly realized that Li Er was now calling him Master Xu instead of Grand Tutor Xu, which proved that Li Er did not want to be too ostentatious. Xu Tian then stopped bowing and said, "Master Li, you flatter me."

"It's not that I'm flattering you, but you're only in your twenties and you already have experience that no one before you has been able to summarize. You're a talent, a talent indeed." Li Er laughed heartily, his laughter was very cheerful.

Xu Tian laughed along, "I wonder what important matter brings you here today, sir?"

He walked out of the paddy field as he spoke, his lower body now covered in mud.

Seeing this, Li Er did not show any disgust, but instead talked to him about other things while walking a long distance away.

When the farmers huddled together behind him, Li Er's worried expression became apparent. He said helplessly, "The border is often short of food. Once war breaks out, the border will inevitably collapse due to food shortages."