The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 185

He sighed, unsure how to plant the wheat, since there was more silt than soil here.

Even the soil where the border troops' camps are located is much better than here.

As he was thinking this, he led his men forward. With a troubled expression, he saw a broad-shouldered figure.

As the figure gradually appeared in the yellow sand, Xu Tian recognized it as the border guard general.

The two had only been separated for a short time, and now they met again in Ningcheng. They smiled at each other as they faced each other.

"Grand Tutor Xu, Grand Tutor Xu, it's been a long time since we last met. You still look as refreshed and energetic as ever," the border general said with a hearty laugh.

"General, it's been several days since we last met. How have you been?" Xu Tian said with a smile.

In reality, both of them knew that they had only been apart for such a short time, and their current conversation was just teasing each other.

After the banter, the border general got down to business with Xu Tian: "Grand Tutor Xu, I heard you intend to plant grain here?"

Xu Tian nodded and said to the border general, "General, that's right. You've become the most food-scarce place among the border cities. Only by letting the people grow their own food can they become self-sufficient, instead of always waiting for the imperial court to send grain. And the grain sent is often not enough, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, the border general knew that the only way to fundamentally solve the problem was to let the people of Ningcheng grow their own food. But this was extremely difficult, especially in Ningcheng, a border city where the situation was the worst and droughts were frequent. How could they possibly cultivate the land?

Thinking this way, he felt how arduous the task on Xu Tian's shoulders was.

Xu Tian could still laugh. He said to the border general, "Since you don't believe me, let's make a bet. If I can't grow wheat in Ningcheng, I will return to the capital to plead guilty and let the emperor punish me. But if I do grow it, you will have to be my assistant for a while."

The border general laughed heartily and said helplessly, "Grand Tutor Xu, I am just a rough man, how would I know how to farm? It would be difficult for you to make me your assistant."

"Just do whatever I say," Xu Tianle said with a chuckle.

“Since that’s the case, and there’s nothing much going on in my army lately, and His Majesty has even issued an order for me to help in any way I can, then it’s no problem to make this bet with you,” the border general said with a smile.

"Alright, then the bet can be made."

After the two finished laughing, Xu Tian asked, "General, are there any decent fields in Ningcheng? Even a few are fine."

Before Xu Tian arrived, the border general had sent people to investigate Ningcheng thoroughly. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "There are indeed some fields in the area north of the city, but they are covered with mud and sand on the surface. Now the mud and sand are mixed with the fields, and the soil quality is very poor. There is no vegetation around them."

"Please lead the way, General. I would like to go and take a look."

The border general readily agreed and then led Xu Tian to the area north of the city.

The people Xu Tian encountered on the road were all extremely thin and had sallow skin. In the Tang Dynasty, which valued plumpness and fair skin as beauty, such people were truly rare.

Xu Tian sighed inwardly.

After being led to the north of the city by the border general, he saw fewer and fewer people until he could only see a few scattered thatched huts on the road. In front of the huts sat two or three old people, and there were only two or three of them.

Not only that, the old man was also pale and emaciated, like skin and bones.