BXBX NOVEL Chapter 25: Shanyang Small Spirit Seed (Seeking PP)_i
“What’s so great about the Shanyin Liu Family?” the Chen Clan grumbled, “They’re all so arrogant, constantly engaging in sly tricks and plots. In my opinion…”
The Shanyin Liu Family and the Shanyang Gongsun Clan are only separated by a single Longji Mountain. This mountain is rich in resources and minerals, so there are often frictions between the two families. Naturally, they can’t be said to have a harmonious relationship.
“Enough! You old hag, do you think you can recklessly discuss the marriage alliance between the Wang and Liu families?” Gongsun Mo couldn’t sit still any longer and quickly stood up to roar, “Gongsun Qiang, help your mother to rest. Shouzhe and I have some matters to attend to.”
Gongsun Qiang quickly helped the still babbling elderly woman to leave, and Gongsun Hui also said, “Zhe Er, keep your great-grandfather company for a while. I’ll go talk to my mother first.”
Gongsun Hui’s goal today, to stir up matters, has already been achieved. As someone of her status, it would be inappropriate for her to participate in the conversation between Gongsun Mo and Wang Shouzhe. Then, she leaves hand in hand with Wang Luo Jing.
Once everyone else had left, Wang Shouzhe saluted Gongsun Mo and said, “Shouzhe greets his great-grandfather.”
“Zhe Er, there is no need for formalities. Come, taste this spiritual tea grown by your great-grandfather.” Gongsun Mo was well-prepared for Wang Shouzhe’s arrival and immediately ordered his men to serve Spiritual Tea and Spirit Fruit. Spiritual Tea and Spirit Fruit are considered luxuries in the Profound Martial Clans as they must be grown in Spirit Fields, which are critical strategic resources for any family. Gongsun Mo just serves this spiritual tea and spiritual fruit, which are grown in his few acres of Spirit Fields, to entertain his honorable guests.
As for the Ping’an Wang Family, they currently only have enough Spirit Fields to grow White Jade Spiritual Rice, not even enough to meet the consumption needs of the clan. So naturally, they wouldn’t use the fields to grow lesser economically beneficial plants like Spiritual Tea and Spirit Fruit.
Thank you, great-grandfather.” Wang Shouzhe wouldn’t play coy when offered Spiritual Tea and Spirit Fruit. After taking a seat, he started to enjoy the offerings.
The glowing color in the tea cup made of Spirit Jade was enchanting, with a fragrance that was enticing. A sip of it filled his mouth with a tinge of bitterness. But in the next instant, a sense of coolness surged up to his forehead, making Wang Shouzhe feel refreshed. It swept away all the gloomy feelings and thoughts.
“Excellent tea.” Wang Shouzhe couldn’t help but praise, “This spiritual tea is robust and fragrant, leaving a lingering aftertaste. It also aids in calming down one’s mind and clearing its unwanted thoughts.”
“Ahaha, I didn’t expect Zhe Er to understand tea.” Gongsun Mo felt comforted and introduced proudly, “This tea is known as the Shanyang Small Spirit seed. I found this wild spiritual tea seedling accidentally in Longji Mountain’s depths when I was young. After nurturing it for several decades, it now yields over a pound every year. The two old ancestors in the family also like it very much. Here, let me give you an ounce every year.”
When it came to giving away an ounce, a barely noticeable twitch appeared on the corner of Gongsun Mo’s mouth, showing some reluctance. This, of course, was understandable. Growing Spiritual Tea was not like growing White Jade Spiritual Rice, which can be grown intensively.
In a Spirit Field of one acre, perhaps only a few Spiritual Tea plants can be cultivated, and daily elaborate cultivation and maintenance is essential. The processes of picking, kneading, and fermenting are particularly meticulous. Therefore, the cost of even an ounce of Spiritual Tea is extremely high. “Thank you, great-grandfather. If you insist, then I won’t hold back.” Wang Shouzhe knew that Gongsun Mo intended to support him, so he wouldn’t refuse.
In the current Wang family, only he, Wang Shouzhe, is worthy of Gongsun Mo’s investment, much like how Gongsun Mo once gave his daughter to Wang Ding Yue as a continuation of the marriage. If one day Wang Shouzhe were to ascend to the Spiritual Platform Realm, he would undoubtedly remember this great kindness.
More importantly, Gongsun Mo and his wife both adored Gongsun Hui. And Wang Shouzhe is Gongsun Hui’s biological son, which makes him her future support in the Wang family. Therefore, for the sake of his daughter, Gongsun Mo would try his best to allocate some resources to support his grandson-in-law, Wang Shouzhe.
Of course, all this is based on the fact that Wang Shouzhe himself has good potential, and he has a loving relationship with Gongsun Hui.
If Wang Shouzhe were an ungrateful wretch, Gongsun Mo would naturally not bother. If the Wang family were to completely decline, he could simply bring his daughter and granddaughter back to the Gongsun Clan.
After a round of pleasantries, the two finally got down to business.
After drinking a cup of tea, Gongsun Mo’s expression gradually grew serious: ‘Zhe Er, I initially had some doubts after receiving the message you sent this morning. After personally investigating the farm and conversing with the veteran farmers in our clan, I was finally convinced. Just as you said, there is indeed a possibility of an aphid plague, which may reduce the crop yield by more than 60% compared to last year. On behalf of the Gongsun Clan…” “Grandfather, let’s not say such formalities,” Wang Shouzhe interrupted, “Even if I didn’t issue a warning, each family will become aware of the rapid aphid outbreak either today or the day after tomorrow based on its progression over the past couple of days.”
The initial signs of an aphid infestation are not obvious, and crop yields are affected by aphids to some extent every year. Therefore, farmers would usually ignore the initial appearance of aphids. But once it breaks out, the aphid eggs buried in the soil will emerge in a very short time, catching people off guard. “Your statement is mistaken.” Gongsun Mo shook his head, “Our Gongsun Clan in Shanyang has a total of 16,000 acres of fertile land. The winter wheat yield this season is calculated at 15 copper coins per acre, which is a total of 240,000 copper coins, equivalent to 2400 Qian Gold. This is just the onset of the aphid outbreak, and even if we reduce the crop yield by 20%, we can save the losses of 400 to 500 Qian Gold. Besides, I have already sent clan members and the head of the household to the mountains to catch grasshopper insects and the Nine-star insects as per your arrangements.”
Grasshopper insects and Nine-star insects, regardless of whether they are insect kings, are still ordinary creatures and cannot even be considered as level one spiritual insects. Normally, no one would pay attention to them. But they can still be found in the deep mountains of Shanyang.
While the two were talking, a head of the household came to report that the first batch of caught grasshopper insects and Nine-star insects has been delivered.
“In that case, let’s not delay. I kindly request that you send your trusted household head to accompany us,” Wang Shouzhe rose to his feet, “In disaster relief, every moment counts.”
Soon, the maid went to summon Gongsun Hui and Wang Luo Jing. They rode horses together towards the largest farm of the Gongsun Clan. This was a massive farm covering a total of 7000 acres offertile land.
This obviously shows that the wealth of the Gongsun Clan of Shanyang far surpasses that of the Ping’an Wang Family.
The tenant farmers of the entire farm were all busily working. They used traditional lye from plant ash and mixed it with a double dose of insecticide powder to exterminate the insects. This method was quite effective. If they had enough insecticide powder, it seemed that they could also control the outbreak of this insect disaster.
Unfortunately, the Gongsun Clan had only stockpiled a small amount of insecticide powder, which was insufficient to control the overall situation.
“Fourth brother-” Wang Luo Jing had spent over an hour taming three grasshopper insect kings and a nine-star insect king, and she appeared very fatigued. “Due to the hasty preparations, these insect kings were only tamed in a basic way. They can barely be commanded to move. Let the heads of the household release all the wild grasshoppers and the nine-star insects.”
“Luo Jing, you’ve worked hard.” Wang Shouzhe tenderly stroked her head, took out a spirit fruit he had grabbed previously from his pocket, “You need to refresh yourself first, we can’t delay the disaster relief.”
Fourth brother, don’t worry.” Wang Luo Jing obediently nodded. After eating the spirit fruit, her strength had recovered considerably, “As long as we can control the insect kings, the grasshoppers and Nine-star insects won’t run around. But it’s not possible for them to summon small insects on their own and then fly back here.”
Afterwards, Wang Luo Jing commanded the insect kings and insects into the thousands of acres of wheat field as best she could. After a lot of hustling, it was already dark.
At this time, Gongsun Mo personally arrived at the scene, also bringing chefs and a lot of spirit food, cooking dinner on the spot. A room was cleaned up within the farm for the Clan Leader, the Young Clan Leader, a clansman named Gongsun Zhong, and his wife Wang Liuyu.
Wang Liuyu is a member of the Wang family. She now seems to be just over thirty years old, although she should be forty. However, due to good maintenance, she looks much younger. Judging by her dress and demeanor, she seems to be living a comfortable life.
“I pay my respects to aunt and uncle,” Wang Shouzhe was the first one to greet them with cupped hands.
“Ah, ah, Shouzhe, you are too courteous.” Gongsun Zhong, who was rather dark and stout, reportedly worked in the Gongsun Clan’s mines. Although his status among the direct members of the clan was not low, he was a simple and blunt person, not good at social interaction.
Wang Liuyu also quickly returned the courteous greeting, showing immense respect for Wang Shouzhe. Although her generation was older than Wang Shouzhe’s, Wang Shouzhe was nevertheless from the main lineage and the clan leader of the Wang family.
However, Wang Luo Jing instantly threw herself into Wang Liuyu’s arms, calling out adoringly, “Aunt.”
Compared to the blood relationship, Wang Liuyu was the second daughter of the grand elder Wang Xiaozhi. Being Luo Jing’s biological aunt, their relationship was naturally affectionate