Rice seedling cultivation is far more complicated than Chen Jingke imagined. In addition to indoor planting, the seeds also need to be soaked in warm water for a day.
"Tomorrow, take out the seeds and bury them in the soil. Don't cover them too thickly with soil, just use a thin layer."
Chen Jingke said gratefully: "Thank you, Mrs. Zhang. If it weren't for you, I really wouldn't know how to plant it."
"You're welcome, just think of it as your reward for treating me to dinner." Zhang Ping hesitated and asked, "Can these seeds really be planted in Liaodong?"
Chen Jingke said seriously: "Really, these rice seeds were specially bred by others. They are not only cold-resistant but also high-yielding and taste good."
"It's just because of unspeakable reasons that these rice seeds are the only ones left now. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother Mrs. Zhang."
Although Zhang Ping was still very suspicious, she didn't ask too much and said: "I see, then you have to take good care of them. I will tell you the subsequent planting techniques later, hoping it will be helpful to you.
"
"But... you'd better find an old farmer who knows about rice to take care of them, so as to ensure nothing goes wrong."
Chen Jingke said helplessly: "There are no people in the north who know how to grow rice. The farming season is about to pass. Let's plant them first. We will slowly find experienced farmers later."
Thirty-four seeds are enough in one pot, but because I was afraid that if they were put together and everything would go wrong and they would be destroyed, I planted them in three separate pots.
In this way, unless there is a problem with all three pots, you will always be able to harvest something. As long as one plant is successfully planted, you can harvest hundreds of seeds, and the subsequent things will be simple.
Chen Jingke plans to plant these rice in his small yard for easy care. There is a small pond in the yard with running water, so it is not a problem to create a small paddy field.
Zhang Ping helped him choose a suitable location, and told him how to make a suitable paddy field, how deep the water level should be in the paddy field at different times, etc.
Chen Jingke heard that it was a big deal, and he became more determined to find an old farmer who was good at growing rice.
But at the same time, he also looked at Madam Zhang with admiration. Knowing her so clearly could only mean one thing. She really knew about rice cultivation and had even worked in the fields herself.
Not to mention the ancient times, which were particularly class-conscious, even in the 21st century, many so-called city dwellers feel they are superior to others and are not even willing to touch the earth.
As if touching the ground would insult them.
Although the Zhang family of Longhu Mountain is not a powerful person, it is still a big family in the local area. It is too rare and rare for her to work in the fields in person.
At noon, in order to express his gratitude to her, Chen Jingke planned to send someone to Tiantianju to pick up some dishes. However, Zhang Ping felt that eating in a restaurant was too busy, so they went to Tiantianju.
She also showed due curiosity about those couplets and praised: "I have heard of the Tianranju couplets in Longhu Mountain, and I didn't know how to compare them. It's a pity that I have limited talent and knowledge and I didn't get them right."
"Oh?" Chen Jingke said with both pride and curiosity: "Do many of you know about this couplet?"
Zhang Ping tilted her head and thought for a while and said: "There are quite a few. Everyone knows that Tiantianju's couplets are a shortcut to becoming famous. If you are lucky, you will have the opportunity to meet the saint."
"So many scholars are trying to find ways to correct the second couplet, and some people even offer high prices to reward the second couplet."
Chen Jingke frowned. This was not his original intention. How about withdrawing the couplet? But he quickly gave up the idea.
Removing the couplets seems to block some people's space for cheating, but it also blocks an opportunity for scholars from humble backgrounds to become famous.
Although there are people who are just pretending to be a fool, there are also people who have real talent and knowledge who can do it right. Whether they have real talent or knowledge or are just idiots, you will naturally be able to tell in the exam.
The business of Tiantianju is very good, and the seats are packed during meals, especially the private rooms, which need to be booked in advance.
As the host, Chen Jingke naturally enjoys privileges, and one of the private rooms is specially set aside for him to entertain guests.
When the waiter saw him, he quickly came over to greet him, and they went upstairs together.
He is also considered a celebrity here, and many people eating in the restaurant also know him and say hello when they see him coming.
In particular, the scholars were even more enthusiastic towards him, and he responded politely one by one, which made it very lively for a while.
At this moment, a discordant voice sounded: "Hmph, even a man who is like a monkey can also go to the elegant hall to be praised by scholars. It is sad and the world is sad."
The huge restaurant suddenly became quiet, and everyone looked at the speaker. The expression on Chen Jingke's face froze and he also looked over.
I saw a young scholar in his twenties, who raised his chin proudly and looked down upon Chen Jingke.
The people at the same table with him were not so calm. They all laughed and wanted to break up with him.
There was only one scholar, also in his twenties, who stretched out his hand as if to pull him. However, his hand was halfway stretched out and he reluctantly retracted it. At this time, it was too late to pull him back.
Chen Jingke was angry in his heart, but after studying for such a long time, he had been able to control his temper very well. A sincere smile appeared on his face and he said:
"I wonder what this brother's name is?"
The man stood up and said proudly: "There is a certain profession that does not change its name but does not change its surname. Gan Yuanfeng of Hongzhou is the same."
Chen Jingke confirmed that he did not know this person. He had no scruples in his heart, but he said calmly: "If you dare to ask me if I have offended you in any way, please make it clear so that I can apologize."
"Huh, hypocritical." Gan Yuanfeng said disdainfully: "I just see people like you who are pretending to be gods and ghosts, but I am a scholar who has studied hard since childhood and wants to serve the imperial court but has no way."
"In order to show off one's ambitions, one has to come to a restaurant to do flattering things. It is really a tragedy for scholars all over the world."
The expressions of many scholars changed, and they looked at Chen Jingke with more distant and scrutinizing eyes, obviously affected by his words.
Zhang Ping's eyes flickered and she seemed to be struggling with something in her heart. She soon regained her composure, tugged at the corner of Chen Jingke's clothes and whispered:
"He is the legitimate son of the Gan family in Hongzhou. He is quite talented in Jiangnan Province. You have to be careful."
Chen Jingke glanced at her in surprise, not expecting her to wade into this muddy water, and said gratefully: "Thank you, don't worry, it'll be fine."
Then he said to Gan Yuanfeng with a smile that remained unchanged: "Oh? Mr. Gan Lang is not angry because I am a pretentious person who gained the trust of the saint, but a talented person like you wants to please me, so you are not angry?"
Gan Yuanfeng said proudly: "Yes, what, do you want to file a complaint? Go ahead. If I, Gan Yuanfeng, are afraid, I will be ashamed to be a scholar."
Everyone couldn't help but be impressed by his integrity and had a bit of contempt for Chen Jingke.
Chen Jingke was not angry and said with a smile: "It's not like I'm complaining. I'm just disappointed with your way of ridiculing."
"As a scholar, the most powerful weapon is the pen in your hand, and in the end you must use the pen in your hand to speak for yourself."
Everyone showed expressions of deep understanding. Indeed, literati will eventually have to speak with their pens.
"You are a famous talent in Jiangnan Province. When you see dissatisfaction, you should vent it with a pen. You can write an article or a poem."
"In this way, I can not only express my dissatisfaction, but also show off my talent and make a name for myself. Why not do it?"
"I'm disappointed that you didn't do this, but came over to bully me, an eleven-year-old boy. Is this what a gentleman would do?"