Chapter 392 - 391 Letter from the Capital City
Lady Han, while regretting her past actions, did not forget to complain about how each branch of the family ran their own businesses within the same household. Qi Dagen had only been listening on the sidelines but spoke up seriously to warn her when he sensed things were amiss, making it clear he would not allow her to trouble his elder brother and sister-in-law after they had caused so much hardship for the adults and children.
Now that Lady Han had no authority over her children, she dared not stir up trouble. Mumbling a few words in private to satisfy her urge to complain was all she could do. There was no way she would dare instigate something overtly.
The cattle farm had been operating normally since the beginning of the year. Not only were young, weaned bulls being sold, but as the number of dairy cows increased, some that produced less milk and were not worth the investment also began to be culled by the farm. These cows, although not sufficient milk producers, were otherwise without problems. They could be sold to farmers who could use them for labor, breeding, and propagation.
The oxen market, which had almost been bought out by the cattle farm’s mass purchase, gradually recovered.
Spring plowing is different from autumn harvesting, with oxen playing a more vital role. The cattle farm’s rental oxen provided great benefits to Clear Water Village and the surrounding areas. Previously, families poured their blood, sweat, and tears into their work and still could not thoroughly till all their land; now they simply needed to cut more grass and pre-sell the straw from the autumn harvest to the cattle farm in order to rent oxen.
Everyday, some farmers would deliver fodder to the cattle farm or spend several tens of coins to rent oxen for plowing new fields. The farmland around Clear Water Village was quietly expanding, and the manure and straw waste cleaned out daily by the cattle farm became a sought-after commodity. The manure, mixed with debris and after fermentation, could significantly improve the soil quality.
The agricultural affairs of Qingyuan County, with Clear Water Village at its center, were gradually flourishing. Land and tax revenue both increased, and with the opening of a major road that had already won accolades last year, it was no problem for Know County Jiang Yifan to be honored for two consecutive years.
Jinrong had been extremely busy this year. He often had to visit the newly built garden, and the second cattle farm located in the southern part of Yuyuan Prefecture was also starting up. Although it would be handed over to Ye Xinyan eventually, he was deeply involved with the construction work initially managed by his own estate, which also required his attention.