Chapter 685: Chapter 457: It’s New Year’s
Actually, the things given to the three brothers are quite simple.
For Jiang Wei, it is all the information recorded in the space regarding various edible plants and animals, from breeding and planting to consumption and usage methods.
He has now directly given up on studying, reading books only about agriculture, determined to carry forward and glorify the title of Marquis of Agriculture.
So these things are absolutely the most suitable for him.
For Liu Ze, it is a thousand and one ways to consume potatoes, and not only that, but also references to fast food restaurant management models.
Although he hasn’t said it, everyone is together every day. Recently, he has even left a caravan under his own name, clearly preparing to travel around with the Jiang family while figuring out a way to make a living.
As long as the fast food restaurant is run well, it is also very convenient to manage, especially if their family is going to plant a lot of potatoes; they certainly won’t lack supplies.
For Jiang Yu, it is a small number of articles recorded in history books, preserved by big figures from previous dynasties, such as the Book of Songs and others, as well as some materials transcribed from various political books.
Some are ancient, and some are post-modern, anyway, all found by flipping through the books in the space, things that might be useful.
Of course, whether they are usable or not depends on Jiang Yu himself; giving him these things is just a reference.
All these materials were selected and organized with the help of Ling’er, then recorded on blank xuan paper, filling the boxes of both Jiang Wei and Jiang Yu.
Liu Ze’s box is slightly better, not so full.
As for why the box is locked, just like Xiaomi said, these things seem trivial, but actually shouldn’t be exposed on the surface.
Others weren’t really curious either, after all, this wasn’t Xiaomi’s first time doing something surprising.
Probably next time, even if she says she wants to take everyone to ascend and become immortals, people would only consider whether to bring a few extra clothes.
After taking each of their items back to their own rooms, everyone returned to the table and continued to leisurely drink and eat.
As soon as the second aunt sat down, she asked, "By the way, Xiaomi, you gave gifts to everyone, why didn’t you prepare anything for Ziang?"
Xiaomi paused and suddenly realized, "Oh right, I forgot about big brother."
Because these things were chosen with big brother, she forgot about it, just like she didn’t prepare a gift for herself either.
Jiang Yu raised his eyebrows, "Mom, why are you worried about this? Xiaomi just didn’t prepare a gift this time, but she definitely won’t forget Ziang."
This sounded strange to Xiaomi, but Wei Ziang liked it, and he happily poured a cup of wine for the elder brother.
"Big brother just loves to joke, but Xiaomi did give me a gift."
Moreover, for him, it is absolutely more cherished than these tangible gifts.
Jiang Yu thought he looked like he got a bargain and was acting silly.
But during the New Year, he couldn’t show a bad attitude, especially with the parents there, he couldn’t say anything, and only secretly rolled his eyes.
He always knew that Wei Ziang was absolutely impossible to let himself lose face with Xiaomi.
However, thinking of Wei Ziang’s attentive manners towards Xiaomi, he felt it was actually quite alright.
After all, apart from Wei Ziang, up until now, he hasn’t found anyone else who could match Xiaomi; only Wei Ziang barely qualifies.
Thinking this, Jiang Yu’s mood improved a bit.
"It’s good as long as there’s nothing to worry about. Seeing you two get along well makes mom happy too. Come, have some more soup before it gets cold."
After lunch, everyone chatted and laughed, then went out for a walk. With no outsiders in Anning Village, they went to the fields to have a look.
They checked how the wheat was growing, looked at how the rapeseed was doing, and inspected the cabbages and radishes in the fields, which were not only for themselves but also to feed the pigs and chickens, so they planted a lot.
At a glance, apart from a hundred acres of vacant land on the back mountain, there were over a hundred newly reclaimed fields in front, with many close-to-river paddy fields.
The paddy fields have been tidied up and are now left to dry, waiting for the third and fourth lunar months to grow seedlings and May to plant them, all ready for cultivation.
There are also some vacant lands that need to be planted with sweet potatoes, sorghum, corn, and the like after the new year.
Coarse grains are not planned for planting since the yield of rice, wheat, and corn has increased, while crops like buckwheat still have low yields.
When compared, it’s naturally preferable to plant more refined grains.
The family took a walk in the field, planning what was to be done with the land. When they got tired of walking, they went home to start preparing dinner.
Although nominally they are marquises, their life hasn’t really changed much from before; it’s still a family living happily together.
The reunion dinner in the evening was even more sumptuous. Even the family’s cats, dogs, and foxes were so full they lay by the fire unwilling to move.
After eating, tidying up, they brought all sorts of food into the main hall, eating and chatting, keeping vigil until midnight. Several men in the family went to fetch the fireworks.
’Crackle, crackle,’ it was lively, not only at their doorstep, but other places also echoed with the sound of fireworks.
All were bought by the Jiang family and distributed to everyone. After all, it’s New Year; what’s important is the vibe.
On the first day of the New Year, some children came to the Jiang family to pay respects. The second aunt took out pre-prepared red envelopes, and Xiaoxue also used small pouches to package a variety of treats for everyone.
On the second day of the New Year, it was supposed to be the day to visit the daughter’s family, but it seemed the people of Anning Village didn’t really have anywhere else to go, so everyone continued eating and drinking.
On the third day, Wei Ziang took the prepared New Year gifts for General Song and others, ready to pay them a visit.
Xiaomi, having nothing to do, said she wanted to go too, so the two of them went together and returned on the fourth day.
Then until the eighth day of the new year, Wei Ziang was preparing to return to the camp. Lord Xie and others from the camp went back to the Capital City before the New Year and were expected to return in half a month.
As for the craftsmen and soldiers, they were still diligently working; it seemed only during this year’s New Year could they possibly go home to see their families.
However, as their salaries and wages increased, they expressed no objections.
Commander Yang was also preparing, for in a few days, the changing of the guard would come, and it would be their turn to go home to visit family, meeting up again by this time next year.
Although there’s reluctance, no feast under the heavens lasts forever; besides, it’s only a year, and they can meet again next year.
The busiest thing for everyone now is determining the items to take away; eggs and duck eggs are fragile, and with the distance, they would likely break.
Thus, everyone was busy making preserved eggs these days, perfect to eat when taken home.
In addition, there was leftover meat from the New Year, which had started curing a few days ago since leaving it too long would spoil.
These two days, everyone was busy smoking the meat.
Also, there were radish strips dried before the New Year. Although these may seem worthless, they make a deliciously fragrant stew with meat.
Commander Yang and the villagers discussed that by winter this year, everyone should plant more radishes and dry more radish strips, as they could sell them next year.
When everything was pretty much ready, even a lot of carriages were booked for the journey home. Pack all their belongings in a big sack, and they have it all set!