The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 262 The Eldest Sister is so Capricious (8)_1

Chapter 262: Chapter 262 The Eldest Sister is so Capricious (8)_1

"It won’t taste good once it’s cold!" Pei Qin, holding her chopsticks, picked up a piece first and threw it into her mouth, chewing while inhaling sharply because it was hot, "This candied sweet potato isn’t as delicious as the fried sweet potato balls! Next time, let’s make candied bananas!"

What do fried sweet potato balls have to do with candied bananas!?

"Why aren’t you all eating? It really won’t be good once it’s cold!" said Pei Qin, as she picked up another piece.

Candied sweet potato involved cutting sweet potatoes into chunks and frying them in soybean oil, making them crispy, fragrant, and sweet.

Urged by her, several people, attracted by the sweet smell and the appetizing color of the golden-brown sweet potatoes sprinkled with sesame seeds, picked up their chopsticks to try.

The taste upon the first bite was not just sweet and fragrant but also had the unique chewy texture of sweet potatoes.

Pei Qin had also sent a few pieces to Sun Lizheng. He had tasted them before but didn’t know sweet potatoes could be eaten this way. Picking up a piece, he pulled a long string of sugar, and felt embarrassed to eat it in front of the government officer.

After finishing the candied sweet potatoes, Pei Qin had already washed up and, without hurrying to hire a cart, simply rode with them to the county town.

Sun Lizheng worried that as a young girl she might feel intimidated at the County Government Office, and if something went wrong, it’d be good to have more people discuss it, so he kindly accompanied Pei Qin.

Upon arriving at the County Government Office, they indeed encountered Shen Song Ming, who came out to greet Pei Qin with a smile.

Sun Lizheng had a deep impression of Shen Song Ming; knowing that Pei Qin had bought land in his name and that he was an educated man, Sun Lizheng was somewhat amazed to see him sitting with the County Magistrate Sir. Thinking back to the speed with which he handled the deeds last time, Sun Lizheng began to speculate about Shen Song Ming’s identity.

Shen Song Ming glanced at Sun Lizheng, then leaned in to whisper to Pei Qin, "Didn’t I give you two name cards when I left? Why didn’t you use them? I asked Wu Dongsi, and it turned out that you had sent him sweet potatoes, yet he had no reaction!"

"I only cultivated a little more than an acre, what reaction should I expect?" Pei Qin countered with a sidelong glance at him.

Remembering that she had never relied on her family in her previous life, Shen Song Ming rolled his eyes, wanting to glare at her fiercely. But then, remembering who she was, he refrained and led her inside.

Wu Dongsi didn’t have any particular impression of Pei Qin. If it wasn’t for Shen Song Ming asking him about the sweet potatoes, he wouldn’t have given any special attention to the bag of sweet potatoes she had sent earlier. Seeing Shen Song Ming’s friendly attitude towards Pei Qin, Wu Dongsi also smiled amiably and inquired about the cultivation of sweet potatoes, "...what’s the method of cultivation? How much per acre? Can it really substitute for grain?"

"The cultivation method is simple; just raise the seedlings in advance and then plant them on the ridges. It doesn’t require much rain, just apply some extra manure beforehand. The yield could be from one thousand to two thousand pounds per acre. These sweet potatoes are staple food in the foreign country, and Sir Wu will understand after looking into it. As for the taste and how to eat them, Sir Wu can also give it a try!" explained Pei Qin.

Wu Dongsi was somewhat incredulous to hear that the yield could reach two thousand pounds per acre. What kind of grain could yield two thousand pounds per acre? If this were to be truly promoted, it would surely start from Yuanyang County, and then it would count as his achievement! Thinking of that bag of sweet potatoes, which had been carelessly thrown into the storeroom without knowing its use, he looked at Shen Song Ming.

Shen Song Ming really wanted to show off in front of him, but having already done so before Pei Qin arrived, he always felt conscious that he couldn’t quite boast in front of her. Disdaining himself for a moment, he said to Wu Dongsi, "Sir Wu! The sweet potatoes are highly adaptable and should be able to be cultivated in every prefecture of Chu Nation. If it starts from Yuanyang County, and Pei Qin receives a reward from the higher-ups, you, as the parent official of the county, will certainly not miss out on getting your name up there too!"

In the entire Chu Nation, there were thousands of officials of the Fifth Rank and above, not to mention small officials of the Seventh Rank like him. If he could get his name up there, his prospects for promotion would be hopeful! Wu Dongsi rejoiced at the thought but then considered his words. Does it mean that Pei Qin will receive a reward from the higher-ups, and Elder Shen will have to give her a boost too?

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