Chapter Fourteen: Expanding the Cultivated Land Area

With the invention of the pulley system for drawing water, there was no longer any concern about irrigation even if the terraced fields were expanded. Thus, Fang Han planned to enlarge the terraces from the original design.

However, his poor drawing skills meant he could only manage to sketch from scratch with some control over the proportions. When it came to copying others’ work, he struggled to maintain accurate dimensions. Reluctantly, he sought help from Lin Qingwei.

As a princess, Lin Qingwei was well-versed in all the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—and replicating a topographic map was effortless for her. When Fang Han entered her room with the terraced field map, he noticed she was painting something. A pile of leaves lay on the nearby table.

One leaf, in particular, caught his eye; it seemed strikingly familiar.

“What kind of leaf is this?” Fang Han asked.

Lin Qingwei put down her brush and looked at the leaf in his hand. “I don’t know either. Hongye collected these. I heard that the mountains in the southern border region are rich in medicinal herbs, possibly including treatments for diseases, so I had her gather some.”

“Why do I feel like I’ve seen this before?” Fang Han wondered aloud.

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingwei’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Is this the herb that cures the Raksasha illness?”

Fang Han shook his head. He recognized the herbs used for making sunscreen, but this leaf seemed more familiar the longer he looked at it—as if he had encountered it countless times before.

Having no immediate clue, he simply placed it back and took out the topographic map he had brought.

“This map was drawn by Fang Yuan. I plan to expand the terraces and need to revise the original layout. Could you ignore the parts I marked and redraw a copy for me?”

Lin Qingwei examined the map carefully. Fang Han prepared himself for the possibility that she might not be able to replicate it perfectly. If that happened, he would have to ask Fang Yuan to redraw it.

Lin Qingwei picked up her brush and focused intently on the task. Meanwhile, Fang Han sifted through the pile of leaves, searching for the raw materials for sunscreen. He understood Lin Qingwei’s dedication to finding cures for the Raksasha illness, and making sunscreen was not a difficult endeavor. Besides, early experimentation would help him gain valuable experience. In the future, he could even produce cosmetics for sale, generating income. When war came, it would be a contest of resources and wealth.

After some searching, he indeed found several medicinal herbs. Soon, Lin Qingwei finished the copy of the map.

“Fang Han, I’m done. Take a look.”

Fang Han took the newly drawn map and couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration. The new map was nearly identical to the original, just without his markings.

“How is it? Usable?”

“Of course. It’s exactly the same. Thank you, Qingwei.”

Lin Qingwei smiled contentedly. “I’m glad I could help.”

“By the way, keep an eye on these herbs and have Hongye dig up a few to cultivate.”

Lin Qingwei carefully took a few leaves and put them away. Then Fang Han asked her to copy another leaf he had seen earlier. His intuition told him it was important, though he couldn’t recall exactly what it was. He wanted to keep it close for frequent reference.

Back in his own room, Fang Han began redesigning the terraces on a larger scale. After some work, the new terraces were more than twice as large as before, which meant more labor would be needed.

Over the next few days, Fang Han had Fang Yuan continue surveying the terrain while leading the servants to learn how to build the terraces. Soon, a small-scale terraced field was completed, and the servants had mastered the process.

Early one morning, Liu San arrived with a report: the three county magistrates had already arrived in the city, ready to follow orders.

Fang Han thought their timing was perfect and ordered, “Have them join the team to observe the terrace construction.”

Su Zihuan was uncertain of Fang Han’s intentions. He wanted to ask but hesitated. The new protector-general was young but no fool. Ultimately, he decided to wait and see.

Before the largest terraced field, the combined area already exceeded fifty acres. From the mountain top down to the foothills, huge piles of earth were everywhere, creating a striking scene.

At Fang Han’s command, construction began. Hundreds of villagers hoisted hoes and started repairing the hillside.

By noon, the slope was nearly restored.

Su Zihuan and his companions finally understood Fang Han’s plan—he intended to carve fields out of the mountain!

The southern border region was naturally mountainous with little arable land, so mountain farming was not unusual, but they had never seen it done so swiftly—repairing the mountainside in just half a day.

Although the quality of the work was mediocre, the speed was astonishing.

Su Zihuan exclaimed, “Sir, are you planning to create farmland?”

Fang Han gave him a sidelong glance. “What do you think? If we weren’t making fields, would I have brought you all here to starve on the northwest wind?”

Chen Xingshi looked puzzled. “Sir, why not just eliminate the bandits? Then there’d be no need to make new fields.”

When Fang Han relocated them here, Chen Xingshi assumed he would use their troops to suppress bandits and reclaim farmland for cultivation. He hadn’t expected Fang Han to personally lead the people in making new fields.

Having served in government for years, he knew how difficult mountain farming was, especially since the water source was a bit far. Even if they made the fields, irrigation would be a challenge.

Fang Han looked helpless. When he first brought them here, he had assumed the fields beyond the mountains were free to farm. But it turned out they were all occupied by mountain bandits.

In the officials’ eyes, Fang Han was an imperial envoy with substantial military backing expected to arrive soon. But in truth, he had none, so he dared not act rashly.

The bandits hadn’t targeted him, and just managing to unify the forces in the southern border was already fortunate.

In response to Chen Xingshi’s question, Fang Han said, “The farmland is barely enough while held by bandits. Even if we defeat them and reclaim the fields, can you guarantee the grain output will support the southern border’s development?”

Chen Xingshi couldn’t answer and fell silent.

Fang Han continued, “In my opinion, building new fields will yield faster results than reclaiming old ones.”

Su Zihuan frowned. To him, making new farmland was no easier than expanding territory. Otherwise, he would have advanced to officialdom in the capital by now on the strength of his agricultural achievements.

“Sir, with all due respect, though your construction speed is fast, these fields won’t withstand the rain erosion.”

Fang Han smiled. “Don’t worry, it’s not over yet.”

When Liu San reported that all preparations were complete, Fang Han gave the next order.

Several water plows were brought up and placed on the hillside. A few men pulled at the plows, and as they rolled across the land, deep furrows were carved into the soil.

The three men on the slope watched in astonishment.

“What… what is this?”

Ignoring his status as magistrate, Su Zihuan eagerly ran forward to inspect. The other two followed him down the hill without hesitation.

Upon reaching the water plows, Su Zihuan even had the farmer stand aside so he could try operating one himself.