Chapter 489 – Spring Plowing (Seven)
The impact of the announcement was immense.
Watching a group of female soldiers hold their breath while training, Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow and silently adjusted the training to increase the intensity.
Another ten days passed, and as the ice and snow melted, the previously reclaimed wasteland could be prepared for farming.
Plows, agricultural tools, plow oxen, and good seeds had all been distributed, and Xiangyang County gradually became lively, filled with bustling scenes. In the fields, farmers could be seen working hard, as they had been taught early on how to use improved tools, which made their tasks much easier.
Using the improved equipment, the common people were pleasantly surprised to discover that farming efficiency had increased significantly.
After plowing an acre of land, it didn’t feel as tiring as before.
In the current tense situation on the northern battlefront, such a prosperous scene was enough to evoke feelings of nostalgia in many hearts.
Perhaps this was the only place in the entire North.
Before the spring plowing, a spring plowing ceremony was traditionally held, presided over by the county magistrate.
Jiang Pengji had done considerable research and carefully noted all the processes. Originally, she only needed to go through the motions and strike a pose, with others taking care of the other steps, but her stubborn personality didn’t like to act superficially, so she took part in the ceremony personally.
Finishing the plowing of an acre in meticulous detail, whether it was the depth of the plow or other aspects, she proved to be just as skilled as the old farmers with rich experience, and the onlooking common people burst into enthusiastic applause for Jiang Pengji.
“Our Lord is always so earnest and meticulous…”
Xu Ke had changed out of his formal scholar’s robe and donned a simple homespun tunic, rolling his trouser legs up to his knees, looking much like a farmer.
Feng Jin, dressed impeccably, was the host of the spring plowing ceremony. He raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile, “How come I didn’t know my lord was so good at farming?”
Changsheng had come out to observe the spring plowing ceremony with her mother. Spotting her father, she vaguely called out, “Dad.”
She was bundled up tightly, looking like a lucky charm from the New Year.
“Cool! Cool! — Dad! Daddy!”
The little girl raised her chubby little hands and pointed at Feng Jin, calling out with drool hanging at the corners of her mouth.
The clever Changsheng was calling her dad for the first time since the New Year’s banquet, and her words were becoming clearer.
Wei Jingxian chuckled softly, walking with her increasingly heavy Changsheng toward Feng Jin.
“When Lord was in Hejian, he learned from the old farmers,” Xu Ke replied, turning his head to add, “Huaiyu, your daughter is calling for you.”
Feng Jin smiled, “I’ll go check on her.”
Watching the happy family scene and thinking of his beloved wife far away in Hejian, Xu Ke felt a slight twinge of envy.
After the spring plowing ceremony, this year’s spring plowing officially commenced, and the training intensity surged.
The plan to send troops to Fengyi County to tackle the Green Garment Army had been established since last year.
Once their lord firmly established themselves in the North, he might be able to bring Xun Mei over.
At that moment, Jiang Pengji, barefooted, climbed up from the fields. Just as she was about to wipe the sweat off her forehead, a messenger soldier ran towards her from a distance.
She wiped her sweat but accidentally spattered some mud onto her face and inquired of the soldier, “What’s happened?”
The messenger replied, “Reporting to the lord, over two thousand people are outside the west city gate, claiming to come from Hejian and are your lordship’s trusted associates.”
From Hejian?
Over two thousand people?
Jiang Pengji’s eyes lit up, her smile deepening. Without even washing her feet, she slipped on a pair of wooden clogs.
“You lead the way ahead; it must be Nong Qin and the others coming.”
She quickened her pace, calling back to the dazed Xu Ke, “Xiaoyu, take care of things in the fields; I’m going to pick someone up.”
Xu Ke was momentarily shocked.
“Huh?”
Just as he was about to ask for clarification, his lord took off with long strides, causing the messenger behind to have to run to keep up.
“It’s indeed Nong Qin—what a timely arrival!”
Jiang Pengji had the city gates opened, her face beaming with a radiant smile.
She had been keeping track of Jiang Nongqin’s progress over the years, and with the female camp entrusted entirely to her, Jiang Pengji felt very assured.
Not only her, but the viewers in the live stream also hadn’t seen Jiang Nongqin for a while.
The viewers had witnessed this ancient girl’s transformation from frail to strong, evoking sentiments of “Our girl has finally grown up.”
Upon hearing that Jiang Nongqin was finally making her way north to join the streamer, the live stream began a wave of donations, celebrating her return to the team.
However, they never expected that it wasn’t just Jiang Nongqin who had come—a surprise friend was also present.
A figure dashed towards Jiang Pengji like the wind.
If it weren’t for the fact that the other party’s aura bore no hint of malice, she might have restrained them right there.
“Brother Lanting—Wan’er misses you so much—”
Jiang Pengji hurriedly stepped out of the city, and Shangguan Wan enveloped her in a bear hug, radiating joy and words laced with profound longing.
“Wan’er? How did you end up here…”
Jiang Pengji was momentarily taken aback, raising her hand to steady Shangguan Wan to prevent them from falling together.
The messenger soldier observed this with a look of astonishment but quickly remembered something, immediately reverting to the state of watching like an observer.
Oh, was the lord’s fiancée chasing after him from miles away?
The messenger soldier discreetly shifted his gaze, stealing glances at Jiang Pengji and the clingy Shangguan Wan.
Not just this messenger guy, but many viewers in the live stream were baffled—who was the girl in the streamer’s embrace?
【All Great Lords, Please Let Us Go】: Wait, is there anyone knowledgeable here? Can someone enlighten me on this girl?
【Nuts and Puddings】: Hey—where did this little fairy come from? Let go of my godly character; where do you think your hands are going?
In reality, Shangguan Wan was not only hugging Jiang Pengji at the waist; she was also snuggling close.
【Night Dance Ling】: #Nose Picking, clearly she’s my goddess; pesky commoners upstairs, trying to rob me?
【Stowaway Non-Money】: I shook my head and took a while to remember who this girl was. In case any ancient deities are around, let me enlighten you: Shangguan Wan, a pure and adorable girl, the most favored noble girl of the Shangguan clan, and I recall she’s quite reliant on the streamer; the streamer looks at her with much fondness.
The most favored noble girl of the Shangguan clan?
This demeanor?
Many viewers were puzzled. Having watched the live streams for so many years, they knew that homespun was worn only by lower-class people.
Shangguan Wan’s attire resembled a rough homespun robe. In their memories, noble ladies usually wore silk and satin, dressing beautifully with cloud-like hair and adorned with jewels, showcasing subtle luxury, right?
This Shangguan Wan looked more like a refugee who had just escaped from disaster.
“Brother Lanting doesn’t welcome Wan’er anymore?”
Jiang Pengji chuckled helplessly, “What you said really cuts deep; you can be unwelcome to anyone, but how could I ever turn away Wan’er? I heard you married someone before; now, instead of being at home as the principal wife, enjoying riches and glory, why did you come to this remote Xiangyang County? Tell me, can’t I be surprised?”
