Free Web NovelChapter 186: Chapter 186
Chapter 186
"This is just the first plan for you and the association. In the future, other research initiatives must be organized and promoted to improve productivity. There are many ways to proceed."
"For example, take the cultivation method I proposed. Everyone rushed to follow it because there was no time. However, can it increase productivity? How can we enhance it? Or even bring in new seeds to increase our produce in Red Earth City."
"Up to this point, do you understand the concept?" Yueqian looked at Chan Gui and the others. However, they were still processing their own thoughts. Some were still mulling over Yueqian’s words that Red Earth City would no longer be inferior to anyone.
The beautiful woman sighed slightly. She didn’t expect them to grasp the development process immediately. But once they saw the results of their cultivation experiments, particularly the first project of the Ming Fa flowers, they would understand what needed to be done moving forward.
In the future, more workers might be recruited. And, of course, they might need to hire those knowledgeable in cultivation or have studied in this field to have competitive examinations for such positions.
All these were future goals Yueqian aimed to achieve. Moving forward, whether it was an institute or a unit, all of them were government departments. She would instill a sense of competition. The benefits they would receive had to be higher than others, making people aspire to join them.
She looked at the initial group members with a faint smile. Although they lacked extensive knowledge, that knowledge could be developed through experience.
"Alright, let’s start with the first task. Tomorrow, I will check the progress. Oh, this research institute will also receive a budget like other units, and you must keep detailed records and receipts for all transactions. If the money runs out and the work is not complete, your salaries will be docked to cover the expenses."
When the merciless Yueqian said this, everyone’s faces to turn pale immediately.
It was heard that there was one department that received a large sum of money. They secretly spent some of it on food and entertainment, but the next day, they were severely punished. Some had their salaries docked, forcing them to work until the next month because their pay was gone.
For others, it was even worse because their salaries weren’t enough to cover the deductions. They were sent to prison. It’s said that when they were released, they cried heavily because working in prison, there were strict guards. If they stopped working, they would be beaten.
This harshness instilled fear in people, making them work cautiously. Just like the Agricultural Research Institute, when they received their budget, they immediately thought about how to spend it as frugally as possible. Some even suggested cutting their own wood to save money.
Fortunately, purchasing through Red Earth City’s central store, which was actually the private store of the governor’s furen, provided receipts and summaries of expenditures. This evidence allowed the governor’s furen to understand where the money was spent.
While the research institute members were busy setting up their workplace, the 50 soldiers divided up their duties. They dug the soil to create ridges, dividing the cultivation area into five plots as instructed by the governor’s furen. They installed bases for placing wood and planting trays, ready for the research institute members to record the details.
In just one day, Yueqian saw that the research institute building was completed. Initially, it was just a simple open room with handmade wooden tables and chairs. There was one decent-looking document shelf, and the 25 members were already seated, waiting.
When Yueqian arrived, they presented her with a report summarizing their minimal expenses. Yueqian wasn’t heartless; if they didn’t spend all the money, she planned to distribute the remaining funds as a reward, dividing it equally among them. The amount they would receive would have to wait until the end of the year to finalize it.
She had also noted this expenditure. Although Yueqian initially paid out of her own pocket for anything that would become Red Earth City’s property later, she planned to reclaim the money once the institutes had generated substantial profits. The remaining funds, after deducting the expenses she had initially covered, would be used as capital for future projects—all for the development of Red Earth City.
"As for the expenses, I understand. Keep the remaining money for future needs, such as purchasing additional fertilizers and if necessary. However, you must submit a summary of expenses to the governor’s manor every morning. Understood?"
“Understood,” Chan Gui acknowledged. This task wasn’t too difficult. Even though they were unfamiliar with making records, the central store knew how to do it. Since everything was purchased from there, all the documents were complete from the start. As long as there was no corruption, the money wouldn’t go missing.
"Alright, this is the first project, so I will outline the research plan. As you saw yesterday, the soldiers already helped prepare the plots. The equipment, I believe, has already been accounted for in the expense report, so today’s task is for all of you."
"The cultivation plots are divided into five sections, each 25 rai. Since there are 25 of you, each plot will be overseen by five people. You can either memorize or take notes. The next day, report to my designated record-keeper who will stay here with you. You may refer to him as the institute’s advisor," Yueqian introduced a literate man, also middle-aged, who had just moved from a nearby city. So, integrating with others was still a bit challenging for him.
However, as Yueqian brought in knowledgeable people from other cities directly like this, in the future, they would eventually work well together and seamlessly become part of Red Earth City.
"The first plot uses liquid fertilizer number 1, one cup for the first two weeks. Then, apply liquid fertilizer number 2, one cup, in the third week, along with spraying treatment number 1 to promote flowering. Once flowering, allow a two-week gap before harvesting to ensure the fertilizer and treatment effects have worn off."
"The second plot uses liquid fertilizer number 4 first, one cup for the first two weeks, followed by liquid fertilizer number 2, one cup..."
Yueqian explained the specific use of fertilizers and treatments for each plot in detail. She chose from growth-accelerating fertilizers to flowering-promoting ones and treatments to ensure pollen adhesion and further encourage blooming. Finally, she covered the harvesting process. The entire cultivation period was approximately five weeks, which was quite fast for plants in this era. Letting them grow naturally would likely take over two months.
Fortunately, the cost of fertilizers and treatments in the system was relatively low compared to gold taels. Otherwise, Yueqian wouldn’t be selling them so openly. Of course, in the future, she planned to stop having them buy supplies from her own department store’s system. With the research institute established, they should be able to find and use various fertilizers and treatments independently.
"Governor’s Furen, why do we have to cultivate the same plants using different methods?" One man couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity. He had heard all five methods, and they were all different. He had listened to all five methods, and they were all different. It was not like the governor’s furen had taught him how to cultivate vegetables, where he just followed them. Having him do this made it even more confusing. frёeωebɳovel.com
Ultimately, which method did the governor’s furen want them to use for growing herbs? Wouldn’t doing so many different methods lead to confusion and mistakes?
"That’s a good question." Since people in this era didn’t understand the concept of experimentation for optimal results, Yueqian intended to explain to them.
"The reason I’m doing this is also the future role of the research institute. Your job is to find and promote the best cultivation methods. You can’t know if my cultivation method is the best unless you compare it with others."
"It’s like cultivating these five plots. Just by listening to which method is the best, can you tell? Of course, you won’t know, until we see the results of the cultivation, right?"
"Perhaps in just two weeks, some plots might result in all the herbs dying. If I used only one cultivation method, everything would be lost, right? But now, there are still four other plots that can continue growing."
"Or even if all five methods succeed, some plots might yield better results than others. So, instead of knowing only one method that gives a lower yield, why not find the one that increases the yield the most?"
"In the future, you can further refine these methods through record-keeping. For example, in the initial phase, when different fertilizers were applied, which fertilizer was best for the Ming Fa flowers? When combined with the second phase fertilizer, which combination is optimal? Eventually, won’t you have a perfected method?"
"Originally, the Ming Fa flower might be as big as your palm. In the future, it might be as big as your face. When sold, which size fetches a higher price? Which makes more money even with the same cultivation effort?"
Yueqian explained the benefits and helped them visualize the advantages. Ultimately, for them, money was the most important. Once she mentioned this point, they immediately understood the purpose.
The governor’s furen’s approach was to find the method that would generate the most money...
The process of understanding science wasn’t as important to them as making money. Yueqian knew this well. As long as they were struggling, how could they embrace lofty ideals? The first things they needed were a good night’s sleep, a full stomach, and a life free from hardship.
"If you understand, then let’s start the work this morning. Please record the times carefully. Applying fertilizers must be done on schedule; otherwise, the results may not be as good." Although she knew that other factors, such as weather, could affect the research outcomes, controlling certain variables under the same conditions would still yield noticeable differences.
Even if Plot 1 was hit by strong winds, Plots 2, 3, 4, and 5 would be similarly affected, for instance.
After assigning the tasks to the Agricultural Research Institute, she exchanged a few words with the scholar from another city who had moved to Red Earth City, then took her leave. As the governor’s furen, Yueqian seemed to be the only one without an escort, which would be quite frightening for most women. However, for her, nothing could harm her if she wasn’t willing.
Even this time...
Whoosh!! fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Thud!!!
Since the research institute was quite far from the governor’s manor, with the 100 rai of land, it would take a long time to travel there. Therefore, this made it an ideal spot for someone with ill intentions to attempt an attack, just as it happened this time.
The beautiful woman dodged the attack easily. Seeing that his attempt had failed, the assailant prepared to flee. However, before he could turn around, he was struck hard by the strong foot of a young man.
Thud!
The bulky figure hit the ground, raising a cloud of dust. Quickly, a figure as swift as a monkey jumped on top of him, his face full of disdain.
"What a waste of a man. Aren’t you ashamed, attacking a woman like this?" The young boy shouted with contempt. The middle-aged man wanted to get up but couldn’t match the boy’s strength.
"Yapo? Have you finished today’s work?"
"Huh! Finished today’s work? Have you forgotten that I’ve already completed all my tasks? Today is the last day, and tomorrow I’m returning to my tribe!" The young man crossed his arms defiantly. He noticed that Yueqian, who had caught him sneaking around, didn’t seem to be watching him closely to see where he was going to sneak around and gather information in the city, letting him wander freely. Now, she even seemed to have forgotten that he was supposed to return to his tribe the next day.
"Ah, is that so? Has it been that long already? Well, before you leave tomorrow, stop by the manor. I’ll make some good pastries to send with you," Yueqian thought for a moment. In the end, she planned to prepare some buns as a farewell gift. However, Yapo’s expression grew increasingly distorted."You strange woman! The thing you should be concerned about right now is this criminal, not some good pastries" Despite his words, Yapo’s mouth watered. If he hadn’t tasted those delicious pastries before, he wouldn’t have cared. But having tried them and knowing how good they were, he couldn’t completely dismiss the idea.
