Chapter 672: Chapter 444: Jiang Wei
The wild rabbit was almost cured, and Jiang Wei came back, carrying a bunch of potatoes in his shirt hem. This sight was already expected by Xiaomi.
Seeing the potatoes strung by Xiaomi, Jiang Wei repeatedly praised this method, saying that it could cook them quickly and wouldn’t burn them.
Thus, one roasted the rabbit, and the other roasted the potatoes.
The tower-shaped potatoes cooked first. Jiang Wei sprinkled five-spice powder and fine salt on them, tasted them first, and said they were delicious, encouraging Xiaomi to try as well.
Xiaomi took a bite; indeed, they were cooked, but without oil, the taste was a bit off, and they were somewhat dry and hard.
Nonetheless, apart from that, they were good. At least the two could be sure the potatoes were edible!
However, compared to these, the directly roasted small potatoes were even tastier, with a charred and fragrant skin and a soft, starchy interior.
"Sis, I think we’ve found something good, but we have no idea how to plant it."
The two ate all the potatoes and a wild rabbit, cleaned the oilcloth on the grass, and put the potatoes on it, ready to carry them back this way.
"You’ve found so many around here; there must be more on the nearby mountains. Why not go back and tell Commander Yang and see if we can spare some hands to look elsewhere?"
Xiaomi thought of lines she should say a few days later.
"Even though winter is upon us, we can set up a sturdy straw shed in the yard and try planting it. Since you discovered it, think about the planting methods and figure out how to grow it."
Winter here is colder than Cheng County, but potatoes are hardy. A straw shed would suffice.
As long as Jiang Wei is ready to plant, she plans to get some potato pieces with sprout eyes. Then, it would naturally become clear how best to plant them.
By the way, she could water them with Spiritual Spring water, letting everyone assume the potatoes grow better because of it.
As Xiaomi spoke, she was calculating the time in her mind. If the experiment starts now, they could harvest in February or March next year.
By then, the climate will be just right, perfect for large-scale potato planting.
Plant in February or March, harvest in June or July, just perfect—not too hot nor too cold, with a sure high potato yield!
Leave all of next year’s potatoes for seeds, wait another year, and by then, potato harvests will be plentiful!
The more she thought, the more it seemed suitable!
Of course, while thinking about this, Xiaomi showed no sign on her face.
Instead, Jiang Wei, holding one end of the oilcloth, listened to Xiaomi’s words and seemed deep in thought.
Seeing his expression, Xiaomi didn’t say more. Her only advantages in farming were perhaps the space and the Spiritual Spring, along with the experiences summarized by farmers in her previous life.
But she herself lacked planting experience, even if she had learned a bit following her parents in this life.
However, compared to Jiang Wei, who wished to be in the fields every day, she was definitely outclassed.
Now seeing Jiang Wei seem to have ideas, Xiaomi naturally said no more, letting him figure it out himself.
Just from tasting a couple of potatoes, he could tell if they were toxic or not, and from looking at a potato fruit, he could estimate a good yield.
With this ability, surely he could figure it out without her saying much.
Thinking this way, Xiaomi indeed left it alone, turning to mutter to herself, wondering if there were others around.
Jiang Wei nodded: "There must be. Nothing grows suddenly alone like that. Even if not nearby, surely farther away."
Birds might carry seeds to grow elsewhere, but they can’t suddenly grow just one plant alone.
As they were talking, the siblings arrived home.
Recently, there wasn’t much to do in the fields. A lot of land had been cleared, what needed planting, had been planted, and every household in the village raised chickens, ducks, and geese.
Although except for the ones from the Jiang family, others were still young and hadn’t started laying eggs, the village was thriving, moving towards good development.
With winter arriving, the days became colder. It was rare to have a sunny day, so Jiang Yu moved a chair outside to catch some sun.
It was sunny in the yard too, but soon blocked by the eaves, less comfortable than outside.
The sunlight was too bright; after reading a few pages, it became blinding, so he half-reclined on the chair, shielding his face with a book for a nap.
Anning Village was indeed more comfortable than Xiangmu Village, at least quieter.
If it were Xiangmu Village, going to the county to study was alright, but at home, there always seemed to be something to do.
At least, in Xiangmu Village, there wasn’t the leisure opportunity to sun comfortably outside the yard.
While enjoying himself, he heard Xiaomi and Jiang Wei’s voices.
Putting down the book: "Back already? You insisted on going to the mountain to eat but returned without spending more time there."
After speaking, he noticed they carried something back, slightly surprised: "What have you brought? Weren’t you just camping? Or went shopping instead?"
This time, Xiaomi quickly answered: "Big brother, Jiang Wei found something edible and said it yields well. We dug some up."
Jiang Wei nodded: "Yes, it tastes pretty good. We just don’t know what it is, big brother. You’ve read many books, see if you recognize it."
Now the two were before Jiang Yu, who unsuspectingly got up to examine the oilcloth they unfolded.
Round knobs, some as large as pears, others smaller than pigeon eggs.
Jiang Yu picked a large one, quite heavy.
However, after examining, he shook his head: "Never seen it, perhaps let the Court’s agricultural officials check."
The Court’s agricultural officials are responsible for grain matters, and concerning crops, not entirely clear but recorded in books.
As for their dad, though titled Marquis of Agricultural Affairs, but regarding these...
Shaking his head, it’s better not to hold out hope.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Wei directly said: "Asking is useless, this thing can be eaten, is filling, and yields well. If those officials knew, they’d have promoted it long ago."
Jiang Yu was slightly surprised: "Filling? High yield? How do you know?"
Jiang Wei casually pointed to potatoes on the oilcloth: "I dug them all. With just four or five, got so many, ate some, and I’m still full."
As Jiang Wei spoke, he rubbed his belly and burped to prove he was telling the truth.
Jiang Yu instantly frowned: "Eating anything you find, aren’t you afraid of poisoning?"
While saying this, he stood up, grabbed Jiang Wei’s wrist, and began checking his pulse.
Meanwhile, he glanced at Xiaomi.