Without giving Song Zhang and the others any chance to rest, Qin Yao waved her hand and led the group into her own muddy field.

First, she taught how to harvest the seedlings.

The vigorous seedlings, already grown to calf-high, were pulled out in bundles, tied with straw rope, then placed on a dustpan to be transported to the field where they would be transplanted.

These fields already had water, with the height reaching above the ankles, and were pre-treated with natural farm fertilizers.

The transplanted seedlings need to be arranged neatly, horizontally and vertically, row by row, ensuring a certain distance.

Bending and straightening repeatedly made Song Zhang exclaim he’s had enough.

Qin Yao wasn’t bothered by any of this; once the lesson was over, she stood by the bank giving instructions, answered every question, with an attitude that was seriously responsible.

Song Zhang thought: If it weren’t for just hearing from the village chief that this field belonged to her.

More people really help; less than half an afternoon was needed to finish planting five acres.

She led everyone to the riverbank to wash their hands and feet and let them have some farm food at Liu Dafu’s place at Liu the carpenter’s home. After a brief rest, they resumed learning.

The group entered the seedling nursery, where large wooden boards with racks were already set up, and Qin Yao graciously invited Liu Gong and Mrs. Qiu, the first-generation seedling growers. Qin Yao drew while they explained, hand-in-hand guiding everyone on how to select and cultivate seeds.

This was truly without reservation; afraid individuals wouldn’t remember everything, Qin Yao gathered the young men brought from each village.

Everyone received a piece of wood and red stones picked from the river to copy the diagram drawn on the large wooden board and take it back. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Increasing crop yield relies on selecting and cultivating superior plants that resist lodging and insects,"

Qin Yao pointed at the diagram of quality varieties with a small wooden stick, "Before every harvest, examine your own fields carefully, selecting plants meeting these traits for seed preservation..."

Qin Yao concluded: "Practice brings true knowledge. Even with generations of cultivating superior rice, the results aren’t always good. Thus, I hope everyone tries different combinations if capable, drawing conclusions and summarizing optimal selections to provide diverse results for the public to reference."

"Why, even with the same pear, some are bigger and sweeter, while others are smaller and more astringent? We should carry these questions into our explorations."

"With Heaven giving us such abundant and expansive natural forests, we shouldn’t betray its intentions with laziness!"

Qin Yao set down the small wooden stick, facing the audience, deeply moved by her speech, bowed deeply, "Thank you all for listening patiently, may everyone greet a bountiful harvest next year!"

She opened the flask and drank two mouthfuls of cool water to moisten her parched throat, waved her hand to end the meeting, it’s adjourned!

She let out a long sigh, picked up her flask, straightened up to leave, took two steps and turned back to witness everyone still staring dazed at the drawings on the large board, lost in wonder.

Qin Yao’s lips curved slightly, just a small scientific shock!

But her ability only stuns common folks, better to slip away quickly.

The sky was dimming, many villagers still busy in the fields, they wouldn’t return home until it was completely dark.

Lord County Magistrate had come to join the lively scene for quite a while, a considerable delay; if not seized quickly, the weather wouldn’t be as favorable days later.

"Manager Qin!"

Suddenly called, the sneaky Qin Yao paused her steps, turned calmly.

Wearing an apron, Yin Le smiled, "I’ve already learned eighty characters."

His gaze was resolute as if ready to join a party, "I will learn a thousand characters!"

Qin Yao’s expression turned cold, she left.

Internally shouting: How is she learning so fast, who’s giving her special guidance!

Soon, Qin Yao found the answer.

Returning home, Sanlang who already came back from school immediately rushed to greet her, followed Mother closely, whispered: "Mother, I have a secret to tell you."

He had many secrets—like his second brother sneaking honey or Si Niang clashing with the teacher at school.

Qin Yao acknowledged with an ’oh’, washed her hands clean, squatted to ask: "What secret?"

Offering full respect, showing she heard him.

Sanlang immediately tiptoed to her ear and said: "Uncle Ah Wang borrowed a book from me, the Thousand Character Classic, and gave it to Sister Yue Niang."

After saying so, the child didn’t forget to add: "Mother, don’t you also think Uncle Ah Wang is strange?"

Hearing the first part, Qin Yao wondered why Ah Wang borrowed a book.

He was literate, and not lacking that beginner’s Thousand Character Classic.

Unexpectedly, Sanlang’s later words soon answered her doubts.

Qin Yao’s brows furrowed, she raised her eyes scanning the courtyard, Ah Wang wasn’t there, but noise came from the backyard garden, he must be tidying the vegetable plot.

"Ah Wang!"

Qin Yao shouted.

A response quickly echoed from the backyard, "I’m at the garden."

No quick appearance?

Qin Yao gave Sanlang a firm nod, "Your Uncle Ah Wang is indeed strange."

Sanlang had a face saying "See, I told you," quietly reminded: "Mother, don’t tell it was from me, I’m not a tattletale of a bad child."

With Qin Yao nodding in agreement, Sanlang happily ran outside to play with his siblings.

He stayed at home deliberately, waiting for Mother to return, then tell her about Uncle Ah Wang’s secret he wasn’t allowed to tell her.

Now task completed, he could play freely.

Father said, whatever isn’t allowed to be told to Father or Mother is evil and should be told to them!

Ah Wang would never have thought that the family’s big master had created such a pit for him.

If he knew earlier, he wouldn’t have told Sanlang not to disclose.

He couldn’t hide it anyway, just discovered sooner or later.

During Qin Yao’s pause to pour tea, Ah Wang washed his hands and came in, standing before her, proactively explained:

"Madam, you always say encouraging learning is good, so I lent the book to Yin Le."

Villagers called Yin Le Yue Niang, since Yue Niang was easier to remember, more fluent, they didn’t care about a name’s special meaning.

Qin Yao squinted her eyes, "Ah Wang, you seem off."

Ah Wang with clear eyes returned her gaze, earnestly: "I’m not off."

He didn’t think borrowing books was off.

Directly remarked: "Madam, you’re overthinking."

Against those straightforward black eyes, Qin Yao’s heart was stuck—it’s her! Her heart was troubled, seeing everything as troubled!

Yet she still felt suspicious, asked again: "Are you two very familiar?"

Ah Wang answered: "Average."

Qin Yao: "What does ’average’ mean?"