Chapter 386: Persuade

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation     Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Jiang Chuan looked at everyone, his tone resolute, “We can plant rice.”

After hearing this, there was a stunned silence from the crowd. After a moment of quiet, they started discussing amongst themselves again, “Rice can’t be grown! Have you forgotten how poor the harvest was last autumn? This is a waste of effort!”

Someone retorted, “Right, in my whole life, I’ve never heard of rice not filling the husk! If not a single grain grows in the ear, it must be because our village’s land simply can’t grow rice! Let’s not delay our efforts.”

Jiang Chuan explained, “The poor rice harvest is due to lack of water…”

Someone immediately countered, “So are you saying that by next spring, when you plant the rice, there won’t be a water shortage?”

Jiang Chuan was momentarily unable to answer this question. Indeed, he couldn’t guarantee the solution to the water shortage, but there was one thing he was sure of—the water from the girl’s interspace realm could definitely make the rice grow strong! But he couldn’t share these thoughts with the villagers.

So Jiang Chuan thought of a roundabout explanation, “The canals are lying empty anyway, we might as well use them to plant rice. It won’t delay us much, and what if next year’s harvest improves? Are we not going to eat rice in our village for the entire next year? Or are we all expecting to trade flour for rice? We should always grow our own.”

Speaking of rice, Tian Zao suddenly remembered the rice she tasted at Jiang Chuan’s house last night. The grains were full and the flavor sweet, indeed the best rice she had eaten in years. At the time, she even asked Jiang Chuan where this rice came from.

Jiang Xia told her that the rice was grown in the village. This proved that the village was capable of growing delicious rice.

Therefore, Tian Zao felt that Jiang Chuan’s method was worth trying, so she stood up to speak for him.

“Everyone, please quiet down and listen to me,” Tian Zao said. “The state has decreed that the grain planted this winter belongs to us individually. However, the rice we plant in spring, regardless of its condition, must be handed over to the state. I understand everyone’s concerns; you’re worried that if the harvest fails, our hard work will be for naught. But since the rice will be planted after next spring, it’s as if the state is bearing the consequences for us, offering us protection. Why not be bold and give it a try? Besides, the area we’re planting is not large—our village’s canals total only four, covering just twenty acres of land, which is less than one-tenth of the land we cultivate. If everyone is willing to try planting rice, then we’ll allocate work points for the canals, two points for every fifteen square meters.”

People are always swayed by their interests, and Tian Zao’s words had them intrigued. The promise of more work points was tempting, and since there would be no punishment from the state even if the crops failed, why not give it ago?

Furthermore, if the rice did grow well, and the harvest was decent, even after the state took its share, there would still be enough left for the entire village.

The meeting room fell silent for a moment as everyone pondered the feasibility of this plan.

The first to stand up in support of Tian Zao was Old Zheng from the neighboring village.

The first person to stand up and support Tian Zao was actually Lao Zheng from the neighboring village.

Patting his belly, Lao Zheng stood up and said, “Our village has three canals, not as many as yours, but I think Captain Tian’s method is feasible. I am willing to support it.”

With Lao Zheng leading the way, others also felt encouraged and began to express their support, until gradually, the meeting room was filled with voices of agreement.

After the meeting, Jiang Chuan waited until everyone had left, leaving him alone in the meeting room with Tian Zao.

He walked over to her and expressed his gratitude. “Captain Tian, thank you for helping me persuade the villagers today.”

Tian Zao replied courteously, “Don’t mention it. This is for the good of the villagers. We all need to do our part; you don’t need to thank me.”

Jiang Chuan sincerely showed his admiration, “Captain Tian, thank you for always considering the villagers. I believe with you leading Pushan Village, the villagers will have better lives. I apologize for any misunderstandings before.”

Tian Zao responded generously, “I’ve also had many misunderstandings about you and didn’t recognize your capabilities. I take this opportunity to apologize and hope that from now on, we can work together wholeheartedly for the betterment of our villagers.”

“Yes!” Jiang Chuan nodded earnestly..