After the Double Ninth Festival, the villagers of Zhuangzi started sowing winter wheat.

  Mr. Chen led the way, digging open the piled-up fertilizer with his hands, feeling it dry and comfortable, with a suitable temperature, he smiled in satisfaction, "The fertilizer is ripe, we'll apply it today, nurture it for two days and then plant."

  This year they have accumulated a lot of fertilizer, which can be spread once to nourish the soil, and then spread again when sowing, so there is no need to worry about insufficient fertility.

  And from now on, even poor land can be fertilized. Mr. Chen is very satisfied with the fertilizer method provided by Dongjia.

  The heavens also gave face, and as soon as the fertilizer was scattered, a moderate rain fell, just enough for the fertilizer to penetrate into the soil.

  The cattle that can be cultivated on the other side of the pasture are driven over, and when the cattle are tired, people change shifts. Everyone takes turns to plow the land, burying the fertilizer deep in the soil before starting to open up the ridge and sow seeds.

  After a year of reclamation, the 30 hectares of wasteland have been basically opened up. The 10 hectares of wasteland on the mountain side were taken out and made into a pasture. The pasture was divided into blocks for grazing, and areas with little grass growth were dug up by workers who brought in grass seeds or turf from other places to spread around.

  Grass is a very stubborn plant. As long as there's a bit of soil or grass, it can grow up. After raising for less than a month, the blank land has sprouted green grass.

  The northern merchants hadn't had time to bring over the grass seeds they'd collected, but fortunately their place was vast and could easily support these cattle and sheep.

  The remaining two mu were divided into paddy fields and wheat fields according to the water and soil conditions, while other drier and more barren plots were used for planting beans and mulberry trees.

  On this side, the twenty mu of land were further divided into orchards, mulberry gardens, ponds, wheat fields, rice paddies and rape flower fields.

  Now it's time to sow all the planned wheat fields and rape flower fields, hoping that next year the old heaven will be as kind as this year, giving them a bumper harvest.

  The seeds of cauliflower are self-retained. There were not enough in the village, so Lin Qingyuan exchanged some with relatives from the old house on the other side, and they just made up for it.

  But the wheat seeds were not enough, as many fields had been allocated this time and most people only kept some leftover seeds for their own use, so she had to buy wheat seeds from a grain store.

  Lin Qingwan attaches great importance to this planting, and selected several old farmers who are good at crop rotation from the tenants to go to the city together to select seeds.

  In less than half a day, the whole city of Suzhou knew about it. Some people ridiculed, "Unexpectedly, after Lin Gong left, Lin Junzhu became a rustic bumpkin."

  "Some also praised, 'Agriculture is the foundation of a country, Lady Lin is not afraid of hard work, willing to take personal action, far above us.'"

  Lin Qingwan doesn't care what others say, but the seed is the first crucial factor in sowing. Now she's having a big fight with Zhao Sheng, if someone takes advantage of her on the seed, then she'll be delayed for a whole year, and that loss is too great, she doesn't want to bear it.

  So she raised her vigilance, step by step, and when the selected seeds were delivered, it was necessary to pour them out again for re-examination.

  As long as it doesn't meet expectations, they won't be collected. Such strict inspections made several grain merchants complain bitterly, because in just two days Lin Qingwen had inspected and found two bags of seeds mixed with inferior wheat.

  Lin Qingwan didn't care whether it was the merchants' own problem or Zhao Sheng's doing, once a problem arose, she would not accept any grain from that grain merchant.

  After selecting carefully, it was not until mid-September that all the grains were selected, and then the seeds were sown.

  The seeds had just been sown when it started raining, and even Lin Qingyan couldn't help but exclaim that the heavens were indeed smiling upon them.

  The autumn rain usually doesn't last long, but this time it's a bit unexpected. It started raining on the 23rd and hasn't really stopped since. The roads are starting to get muddy.

  The Lu family suspended classes, asking students to stay home and study diligently, and not to go out unnecessarily. Lin Yubin returned with a book box, and Lin Qingwen was surprised, turning her head to look outside: "Although it's raining and inconvenient, it shouldn't be a long holiday, should it?"

  Lin Yuhong's face was solemn, "Mr. Shi said that things have been unstable lately, and it's not safe for students to come out of the city to attend school. Auntie, Cui Rong said that refugees from the south have arrived, and I'm afraid Suzhou will be affected."

  "What's going on in Southern Han?" Lin Qingwan furrowed her brow, feeling somewhat uneasy. "What happened over there? Why are refugees entering the borders of Daliang?"

  Lin Yuhbin was also worried, "Cui Rong didn't know much either, just occasionally heard Lu's elders mention a few words, it seemed that something had happened in the court of Southern Han, Auntie, Suzhou is not far from Southern Han, you say..."

  "Don't be afraid," Lin Qingyu comforted her: "Jiangnan is a major tax-paying region for the Great Liang, with many troops stationed here, nothing will happen."

  Although it was said, after Lin Yuhu left, Lin Qingwen still called Lin Guanjia and Zhong Daguanshi to discuss, "The winter wheat and rape have been planted, let the short-term workers go back, and the long-term workers stay. Except for the pasture and farm on this side, people are left to guard, and everyone else is withdrawn. The teahouse at the intersection will send two more people from among Fang Datong and others. They have military experience and are quick-witted, if something happens, they can also quickly notify us."

  The two were shocked, "Auntie, what's going on?"

  Lin Qingwan sighed and told them about the Lu family's school being closed, "If it wasn't serious, they wouldn't have closed school."

  "Where did those refugees go?"

  Lin Qingwan shook her head, "I've decided to go back to the old mansion for a look, and then I'll make another trip to the Ci Shi Fu. If possible, I'll also visit the Shang family again, maybe they have more information than us."

  Zhong Daguan immediately stood up, "Then I'll go settle the accounts and pay the temporary workers."

  Nowadays, apart from their daily work, the main task of workers is to dig holes, planning to plant fruit trees and mulberry trees in spring.

  Lin Guan's family also stood up, "I'll go arrange a horse carriage for Grandma."

  Lin Qingwan nodded, and took Bai Mei and Bai Fen back to the old mansion first. Old Zhongbo was both surprised and delighted, "The sea peach blossoms in the manor have bloomed, I was just thinking of sending two pots over to you and the young mistress."

  Lin Qingwan smiled, "Old Zhongbo is getting more and more formidable, he can even make the begonia flowers bloom at this time. Have someone pack them up for me, I'll take them away later. Pack a few more pots for me, I'll give them to others as gifts."

  Lao Zhongbo happily agreed and personally went to the flower house to supervise. Lin Qingwen then went to find Lin Run in the clan, but ended up running into him as soon as she stepped out of the door.

  Lin Run's breathing was a bit hurried, and when he saw her, he smiled and said: "I was just about to go find you, and here you are."

  Lin Qingwan took a step back and said: "I also came to find Fifth Brother, let's talk inside."

  They arrived at the flower hall, and everyone quietly retreated. The room was left with only two people, Bai Mei and Bai Fen, while Lin Run's attendants stood guard outside the door.

  Lin Run turned his head to see his younger sister's calm face, holding a teapot and pouring tea for him in a leisurely manner. He couldn't help but sigh and say: "You're here because of the matter in the south, aren't you?"

  Lin Qingwan nodded slightly and put down the teapot, saying: "I heard some rumors, so I came back to ask for confirmation from Fifth Brother."

  Lin Run's face turned serious, "Something has happened in the south, we just received the news, Lü Jing has rebelled!"

  Lin Run sighed, "Now that the Southern Han is in great chaos, the army is pressing on the border, and the world will be unstable again. Moreover, a large number of refugees are pouring in, and although Jiangnan is still some distance from the Southern Han, it is rich and prosperous, making it the first destination for refugees, and it will definitely be affected. Wanyi, do you still remember what your second brother said when he was seriously ill?"

  Lin Qingwan was perplexed, "What's going on?"

  Lin Run said helplessly: "Have you forgotten why Second Brother donated all of our family's property to the imperial court?"

  What else could it be? Isn't it because you're afraid of fighting with the Shang family and hurting Yu Bin?

  Lin Qingwan's expression changed slightly as she thought of Lin Jiang and the excuse their clan had given.

  Lin Run's face was serious, "At that time, second brother hinted that the south would be chaotic, and we should stock up on food. Last year and this year, our clan's grain has not been sold. Originally, more than a year had passed, and we thought nothing would happen again, but who knew it would come true at this time."

  Lin Qingwan looked at him with a serious expression (her face was expressionless), silently apologizing to Lin Jiang in her heart.

  She thought it was just an excuse and didn't know it would really happen.

  "No matter whether this matter will affect Suzhou or not, we must make early preparations. Wan Jie and Yu Ting, you two move back home to live, it's safer living in the clan, and everyone can take care of each other."

  Lin Qingwan lowered her eyes in contemplation.

  Living in a clan is naturally safer, after all, there are many clansmen, and refugees will generally subconsciously avoid the gathering place of large clans. Even if they really surround us, the strength of the family is greater, and it's also safer.

  If someone were to attack her from within, she would also be powerless to resist.

  Lin Qingwan had not forgotten the greed of Er Fang and Ba Shu, they really joined forces with their clansmen to do something, Lin Qingwan brought Lin Yuhong and a group of old servants who could hardly resist.

  Lin Run has not fully grasped the clan yet, and he's probably unable to help them.

  Moreover, the old house is located on one side and is not surrounded in the middle. If the long workers of other courtyards are willing to stay, they will jointly guard the courtyard with the farmers who rent the land from the Zhuang family, and its safety will not be lower than that of a small clan.

  "Let me think about it," said Lin Qingyan, leaving her sentence unfinished.

  Lin Run was somewhat disappointed, "Wen Jie, no matter what, our clan will protect you and Yu Ting."

  Lin Qingwan smiled, "Fifth brother, don't misunderstand me. I'm worried about the other estate. You also know that all my family's property is over there now. There are hundreds of tenant farmers, household servants and long-term workers. So many people, I can neither abandon them nor bring them all here."

  Lin Run furrowed his brow, "Leave them in another courtyard, that's all. No master accompanies a servant to take risks."

  Lin Qingwan shook her head, "There are too many people in the Lin family's other courtyard, and this year's autumn harvest is too eye-catching. If no one is in charge, I'm afraid it will be chaotic."

  "Didn't you sell those grains?" Lin Run asked unexpectedly.

  "We sold some and kept some," Lin Qingyan said: "I have so many people under my care, I need to keep more grain, but money is also indispensable, the wages given, the things bought all require copper coins and silver."

  Lin Run nodded, estimating that she wouldn't have much food left either. After some thought, he still reminded her: "Don't put all your eggs in one basket, take advantage of the time to transfer some, in a chaotic world, food is the most important thing. If something really happens, life is precious, and things like money can be abandoned."

  Lin Qingyan nodded, "Fifth brother, rest assured, if there's any other news from the south, please send someone to inform me."

  "Definitely."