At this moment, Qian Pan, the Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, stood beside Zhang Jian, with the respectful steward Zhou Song on his right.
The steward was essentially the warehouse manager.
Although Zhou Song had once been punished under Zhang Jian’s command, he now stood respectfully.
Qian Pan, the Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, observed this scene and was secretly vigilant in his heart.
Seeing more and more people approaching, Qian Pan couldn’t help but ask.
"Minister of Agriculture, since you wish to distribute these experimental seeds, why not just give them away directly? Wouldn’t that be faster?!"
Zhang Jian observed his expression and casually responded.
"Free things are often looked down upon. If these seeds were given to the people for free, they might harbor doubts and be unwilling to allocate precious land to plant them!"
After a brief pause, he added casually.
"Now, however, these seeds have been earned through a morning’s labor, making them more cherished and free from doubt. Once they see how useful these seeds are, they will naturally replace the low-yield, non-resistant seeds with these next year. This will save our Great Nong Temple a lot of effort in promotion. It will also facilitate the introduction of new seeds in the future!"
Upon hearing this, Qian Pan’s face was full of admiration.
"So that’s it!"
"It seems I was not thorough enough in my thinking. The Minister of Agriculture not only cares for the common people of the world but also handles matters with such sophistication. It’s truly admirable!"
Zhang Jian glanced at the subordinate officer.
Qian Pan and others were experienced and savvy, well aware of the intricacies involved.
This old man intentionally asked the question to have an opportunity to flatter, thereby crafting a ’show-off’ moment for his superior.
But honestly, such approaches are usually welcomed.
Zhang Jian was too lazy to argue with Qian Pan, as his attention was entirely focused on the citizens at the gate.
This time, following a snowfall in Haojing City, he distributed many seeds he had researched.
By spring, there should be results.
His improvement of seeds was not entirely self-interested.
In Zhang Jian’s view, while he could enjoy longevity and freedom, he would not hesitate to use his abilities to change the fate of some poor people through minor efforts.
These vegetable seeds were the first batch, mostly optimized for cold resistance, drought resistance, or pest resistance.
The next step was to find ways to directly increase their yield.
Eventually extending to other fruits and varieties, as well as the staple grains of the people.
Zhang Jian thought this would establish his virtue and achievements.
Perhaps such actions could not gain mainstream scholars’ recognition, but as long as he felt it was right, that was enough.
Of course, perhaps a hundred years later, some people would still remember him, but even if they didn’t, it would be okay.
Meanwhile, beside the Great Nong Temple, many scholars had heard the news and rushed to help, including some students who usually listened to Zhang Jian’s lectures.
These academy students were full of energy and not afraid of the cold.
Seeing this, after distributing the seeds, Zhang Jian called them into the office of the Great Nong Temple to first warm themselves up and dispel the cold.
At that time, the office was stocked with various vegetables, and though many students were of noble birth, unaccustomed to earthly matters, some scholars could clearly see that the vegetables were noticeably larger than those sold by villagers.
One scholar, dressed in a cloth shirt, upon seeing this, couldn’t help but ask.
"Teacher, are these vegetables and fruits tributes from various places?"
This was a student surnamed Kou, named Kou Huai Sheng, a scholar of humble beginnings but with outstanding talent. His articles were as vibrant as a blooming garden. He was now studying at the West Altar Academy in Haojing City, where he was among the outstanding ones.
Another scholar, dressed in a blue shirt, also looked and laughed.
"Perhaps they were sent from the Capital Suburb Government Manor or the Royal Manor. They look quite nice, much better than the cabbage and radishes our old servant buys. After all, the teacher is the Minister of the Great Nong Temple, no shortage of vegetables and fruits!"
His silk attire was the finest northern brocade, intricately crafted, clearly showing his extraordinary background.
In fact, he came from a prestigious family, his father being one of the Nine Ministers of the current court.
He was Wang Xiao, son of the Minister of Justice, Wang Wan!
Zhang Jian did not speak, and Zhang Fu at the side quickly said.
"Mr. Kou, Young Master Wang, both of you guessed wrong. These vegetables and fruits were planted by our lord this autumn, including not only these seasonal vegetables but also various crops from small barbarian lands. You young masters are lucky today!"
Upon hearing this, a dozen scholars were somewhat surprised.
At this time, Zhou Song also walked in and, hearing this, smiled.
"You young masters might not know that these crops were personally improved by our Minister of Agriculture. You young masters are indeed lucky, as most of these vegetables are here except for a portion sent to the palace!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiao’s eyes lit up.
"Then we must try it today!"
Beside him, a tall and handsome young man pondered slightly and couldn’t help asking.
"Teacher, could the seeds we just distributed be these improved vegetable seeds?"
Zhang Jian stood to the side, smiling but not speaking.
After listening to several scholars, he waved his hand slightly, and Zhou Song followed him into the back hall.
The students were moved.
Even though Zhang Jian didn’t take the opportunity to boast, they could all imagine the impact this action could have on the common people.
These improved crops were noticeably larger and more abundant, a tangible benefit.
The tall young man couldn’t help but exclaim.
"Teacher is benevolent; such an act can save many people!"
He was Song Yingzhen, a concubine’s son from Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion, not highly ranked but equally accomplished in literature.
The expressions of the young scholars changed noticeably.
Soon, Zhou Song and several Zhang family servants came from the backyard with several large pots, already filled with rich broth exuding a strong aroma.
"Smells delicious!"
Around this time, as the aroma filled the room, everyone gathered around. When the servants opened the pot, a strong meat fragrance spread, though the broth inside appeared red.
Just a slight whiff conveyed a spicy aroma to their nostrils, surprising them and making their mouths water.
Song Yingzhen gazed at this scene with some surprise in his eyes.
He had recently had a fortuitous encounter, stepping into the cultivation realm, and sensed the aura of a fire attribute spiritual object inside.
Zhang Jian smiled and said, "This is hot pot, a new type of dish. It’s more suitable for eating in cold weather to drive away the cold, especially with this sliced lamb!"
Unhesitatingly, Zhang Jian took a pair of bamboo chopsticks, picked some vegetables into the pot, and after slightly cooking them, put them into his mouth.
At this moment, Zhang Jian’s eyes showed a hint of reminiscence.
It was about seventy to eighty percent of what he remembered.
"Quite good!"
Zhang Jian hadn’t found chili peppers, but he found similar substitutes in the cultivation realm, which could produce spiciness and contain some fire attribute medicinal herb spiritual mechanisms, extremely warm and nourishing.
The other scholars eagerly crowded around the large pots, particularly Wang Xiao, who, after tasting a bite, was immediately bright-eyed.
The spicy flavor suited his palate.
Song Yingzhen, knowing the value of the red herbs in the pot being spiritual medicine, directly scooped them into his bowl, ignoring their spicy taste and directly refining them within his body.
Beside him, Kou Huai Sheng also grabbed one but quickly turned red-faced, shaking his head: "Yingzhen, your taste is quite strong!"
His red-faced appearance caused everyone else to erupt into laughter.
Zhang Jian also smiled gently.
His gaze fell on these students, feeling somewhat gratified. These dozen students were considered the backbone of his future ’Zhang’s School’.
Though not all were exceptionally gifted, with proper nurturing, they could surely become seeds, thoroughly rooting in the Daqian Scholarly Forest.
His gaze mostly focused on Kou Huai Sheng, Wang Xiao, and Song Yingzhen.
Among these three, two have bright prospects of establishing themselves in the Court.
Another, whom Zhang Jian valued more, possessed a Star Fate.
And it was a very special Star Fate.