The Daily Life of Farming and Raising Children in Ancient Mountain Residences

Chapter 240: The Remarkable Woman

In the fifth year after crossing over, Sang Luo put on the grandest show of her two lifetimes.

Despite feeling as if her heart was about to leap out of her chest, she managed to maintain her composure in the midst of the crowd. Her responses to the officials at the entrance of the county office were steady and composed. The slogans were passionate, but now was the time to display humility after a grand and lively arrival.

What Sang Luo didn’t know was that with so many young and strong villagers from the estate following behind, the village head on one side, and a young man in scholar’s robes on the other side, all eyes were on her. As a young woman taking the lead in front of so many officials, and given her gentle and graceful appearance, despite her plain clothes and simple hairstyle, her poise, manners, and confident responses made her the center of attention.

This contrast, even more striking than if she had been dressed in luxurious garments, captivated the crowd’s gaze and left them unable to look away.

After that day, once the curved plow was unveiled, it was likely that half of the people in Shezhou City would know of Sang Luo.

Chu Qichang watched as Sang Luo explained the differences between the new and old plows to the governor, Chief Official, and other officials. He was truly impressed, with his admiration written all over his face.

Wise, dignified, and gracious, she was just a person, yet how could she make a plow that seemed so extraordinary?

Chu Qichang didn’t yet know if the plow was truly labor-saving, but he had witnessed the practical benefits of adjusting the depth of plowing. The court was eager for talent, and if she were a man, the governor would surely have recruited him immediately for the county office.

Ah, impressive!

But then Chu Qichang sighed, thinking, wasn’t she a woman?

He looked at Shen Lie, who was demonstrating the plow’s operation alongside Sang Luo, and couldn’t understand why, in such a great time of unity under the Da Qi dynasty, it was a woman who was making such a significant impact with the curved plow.

What could a woman gain from such prominence, other than reputation?

For Shen Lie, it was different. Being admitted to the state academy was already a mark of education. Even if he didn’t pursue the imperial examinations, the development of the yam and the curved plow, combined with the opportune timing, was like stepping onto a ladder to success. It wasn’t just Shezhou; other counties also had many vacancies.

Hmm.

He wondered how to describe his younger brother Shen Lie. It was puzzling, but perhaps this was Shen Lie’s ambition—refusing to overshadow his wife’s achievements, confident in his own future success?

No matter how one looked at it, the Shen couple was truly impressive. It had only been a month since the last time the governor visited Daxing Village. Last time, the former governor had given them a book, and now the commotion was even greater.

The highest official in Shezhou—so many people would love to even glimpse him. Look at the Shen couple; their success was only a matter of time.

Chu Qichang pondered this and realized that merely calling out to his brother wasn’t enough. He needed to make an effort to get involved and find opportunities.

As he was thinking this, he noticed that the governor’s wife, with two personal maids, had arrived. Sang Luo looked up and saw Concubine Fan, and she gave a slight smile and a nod of greeting.

Chu Qichang: ???

Had they already met?

Just as he was thinking this, Concubine Fan’s face showed surprise: “It’s you?”

Sang Luo performed a curtsy. “Sang Luo greets the lady.”

Concubine Fan, not waiting for her to complete the gesture, helped her up with a smile: “I’ve heard my husband mention a fellow townswoman from Shezhou. I’ve long admired your reputation. The other day, I was looking forward to meeting you. It turns out we had already crossed paths on the street.”

So, she did recognize her! What a warm reception.

Not only was Chu Qichang and the officials present surprised, but even Former Governor Zeng was taken aback that they had already met. However, with so many onlookers, he didn’t ask further and said to Sang Luo and Shen Lie, “The plow looks good. Whether it’s truly labor-saving will have to be tested in the fields.”

Shen Lie smiled and said, “Of course, sir, you may have someone give it a try.”

He had already tested it twice himself and was very confident in it.

Seeing the expressions of the couple, Former Governor Zeng knew it must be good, but there was no need to find someone else to test it: “I will test it myself.”

With this statement, everyone was stunned, including the onlookers who were momentarily confused. The next moment, murmurs of surprise began to spread among the crowd.

This was the governor.

In the past, county magistrates would demonstrate farming by wielding a few whips in the spring. But a governor testing a plow?

Chu Qichang quickly reacted, “Sir, that’s not necessary. I’ll handle it.”

Former Governor Zeng said nothing more and simply stated, “Let’s go, outside the city.”

He called over several strong young men from Daxing Village who were carrying the plow: “Please carry it a little further.”

With that, he headed out of the city.

Sang Luo glanced at Concubine Fan and saw that she did not object. Smiling, she asked, “Lady, will you also come to see?”

“Of course. With such a grand occasion, how could I not? Let’s go together, Mrs. Sang.”

“Please.”

“Please.”

The two women then followed Former Governor Zeng out of the city, with Sang Luo tactfully walking half a step behind Concubine Fan.

The slight difference in their pace seemed insignificant, and Concubine Fan occasionally waited for Sang Luo, asking her about her journey to Shezhou, how she avoided disaster in the mountains, how she taught the villagers to grow crops, and even discussed the konjac tofu she bought in the East Market.

Sang Luo responded calmly, and their conversation grew quite pleasant. Shen Lie and Zhou Cunzheng consciously kept their distance, leaving space for Concubine Fan’s two personal maids, the county officials, and the two plows.

The elderly women and children from Daxing Village were astonished.

Mrs. Chen’s heart was pounding with excitement. Gripping Qin Fang’s hand, her legs felt weak. In a voice only audible to the two of them, she said, “Oh my goodness.”

How could Sang Luo be so capable?

Was that the governor’s wife? She had seen her among the convoy.

Oh my god?

If not for holding her daughter-in-law’s arm, Mrs. Chen’s hand would have been shaking.

Xu Wenyin, Shen Ning, Chen Xiaoya, and Shi Qiao’er, who often gathered together, were also present. They watched as Sang Luo talked with the governor and then saw her chatting and laughing with the governor’s wife. Their hearts were full of admiration.

Shen Ning, with Chen Xiaoya on her left, said, “An Ning, Sister-in-law Luo is so amazing.”

Chen Xiaoya, next to her, nodded vigorously.

Xu Wenyin, on the right, kept moving to the side, stretching her neck to look ahead. After a while, she whispered, “An Ning, when I grow up, I want to be someone like your sister-in-law.”

Becoming someone like her sister-in-law?

Shen Ning looked at her sister-in-law’s figure ahead, occasionally catching sight of her talking to the governor’s wife. Whether it was the spring sunlight on her profile or something else, Shen Ning felt her sister-in-law was radiating a brilliant aura.

Yes, becoming someone like her sister-in-law, even if this entire procession was mostly men, no one could overshadow her sister-in-law’s brilliance.

Shen Ning’s eyes also sparkled.

…

Outside Shezhou City.

Several hundred people came out to watch, and the Zheng, Lin, and Wang families quickly spread the word to their clans. Soon, people from various prominent families were rushing to the city outskirts.

Chu Qichang had already rushed ahead, instructing his staff to borrow an ox quickly and selecting the nearest uncultivated field.

As soon as Former Governor Zeng and his party exited the city gates, Chu Qichang had made arrangements. The officials stood by the field, and the ox was almost in position.

Before Chu Qichang could act, Former Governor Zeng lifted his official robe, tied it around his waist, and jumped from the higher official road down to the field ridge below. The height of the road and the ditch beside the ridge made the spectators gasp in surprise.

“Sir!” Chu Qichang lifted his robe and jumped down as well. The young men from Daxing Village moved quickly. Shen Lie led the way, followed closely by Shi Erlang. They exchanged the two plows and set them down.

Chu Qichang was about to help attach the plow to the ox when Former Governor Zeng waved him off: “How would the ox know if it’s labor-saving? Can the ox tell me? I’ll do it.”

Chu Qichang’s face fell.

He had expected the plowing test to involve the ox pulling the plow while a person guided it. But now… Former Governor Zeng was going to pull the plow himself?

Was he planning to act as the ox?

Chu Qichang, who was quite adept at maneuvering, was momentarily stunned, with his eyes welling up.

The nearby onlookers who had heard but could not believe it were now in shock.

“The governor is pulling the plow!”

“The governor is personally pulling the plow!”

Among them were many seasoned farmers, some of whom were elderly and could no longer pull plows themselves. The work had been passed down to their sons and grandsons, and they only did lighter tasks like guiding the plow.

But now, seeing the young governor rolling up his sleeves, taking off his shoes, and stepping into the muddy field with bare feet, those with a bit of sensitivity, especially those who had just borrowed oxen and seeds from the government, were visibly moved.

“Good official, such a good official.”

Those who couldn’t find a spot on the edge of the road or arrived later could only stand in the outer layers and were puzzled by the commotion. They kept asking those in front what was happening, and someone eventually informed them that the governor was personally plowing the field.

Emphasizing that he was plowing, not just guiding the plow!

Plowing himself!

The Zheng, Wang, and Lin families also arrived one after another. Their servants made a path through the crowd for them to stand in a good viewing position, while keeping a respectful distance from Concubine Fan and the others.

They were stunned by the scene before them.

Sang Luo looked on and saw that Former Governor Zeng showed no sign of reluctance. She then turned to glance at Concubine Fan.

Concubine Fan watched Former Governor Zeng with eyes full of admiration and affection, showing no discomfort or displeasure.

Sang Luo smiled and shifted her gaze back to the two men testing the plow.

…

Former Governor Zeng had studied with the old Zeng family patriarch since childhood and had also practiced martial arts. He had a martial teacher hired specifically for him from a young age.

However, practicing martial arts and plowing were entirely different things. As a young man from a distinguished family, he had never encountered such tasks before becoming the governor of Shezhou. Despite his martial arts background, he found the plow quite heavy after only a few steps.

He was young and strong, yet he still felt the weight. He wondered how the farmers, who worked in such poor conditions this year, managed to do this heavy work day in and day out. Some might even have to rely on foraging for wild vegetables to make do with just two meals a day.

He didn’t stop after a few steps but continued plowing until he reached the end of the field and then tried to turn around.

The old plow couldn’t be turned easily and had to be lifted and repositioned by hand.

Chu Qichang had quickly brought the new plow over, followed by the Chief Official and a few others who had involuntarily followed.

The Chief Official approached and said, “Sir, you’ve tried the old plow. How about trying the new one?”

We can’t just keep using the old plow. After all, what kind of distinguished young man is this? Maybe it’s his first time in the field, truly treating himself like an ox?

Former Governor Zeng wasn’t in a hurry. He called Shen Lie and said, “You take the old plow. I’ll try guiding it.”

He asked about the technique for guiding the plow.

The two quickly swapped roles.

Guiding the plow is not just about having strength. Initially, the plowed land was far from satisfactory. As the old farmer Chen watched from the side, he couldn’t help but offer a few pointers. Former Governor Zeng was pleased and asked several questions, gradually getting the hang of it.

After plowing with the old plow for a while, they switched to the new plow, with Former Governor Zeng starting to plow.

After only a few steps with the new plow, Former Governor Zeng immediately felt the difference and his eyes lit up: “It’s much easier! Much easier! How’s the guiding?”

Shen Lie smiled, “Guiding the plow is also easier. Sir, you might want to try it yourself.”

Chu Qichang was speechless.

The Chief Official with the long beard gave the young man another look of admiration.

Former Governor Zeng smiled and continued, not stopping after just a few steps. He plowed a full round, adjusting the plow from shallow to deep tillage, and tried turning. After completing the round, he was very pleased. He inspected the land he had plowed deeply and compared it with the old plow’s results.

It was different—so different!

He was excited and, after finishing with the plow, called Shen Lie over: “Come, come, you take the plow and let me guide it.”

The second round began at the starting point, and Former Governor Zeng was elated. The two plows were carried up to the road by Old Man Chen and his team. They knew this was what everyone was eager to see, and Old Man Chen’s group used water from the ditch to wash the plows a bit before moving them up to the official road.

The crowd was tightly packed around the small area, with many unable to get closer.

Former Governor Zeng climbed up to the road and, ignoring the surroundings, focused on examining the new plow and its advantages. The plow blade was visibly sharper and narrower, which reduced resistance and improved efficiency—something a martial artist could appreciate.

As for the rest, Former Governor Zeng didn’t fully understand.

That was for Sang Luo to explain, using the simplest terms to describe the principles.

Not only did Former governor Zeng listen intently, but so did Concubine Fan, the Chief Official, Chu Qichang, and the other officials from the governor’s office.

Even the prominent families who had initially stayed away moved closer, including several scholars from the prefectural school who listened attentively.

Among Shezhou’s notable figures, some were dazzled by the insights, some grasped the general idea, and others were completely baffled.

But it didn’t diminish their admiration. How did they figure all this out?

And then there was Sang Luo, a woman.

A woman!

Former Governor Zeng thought to himself—truly a remarkable woman!

He couldn’t help but recall the imperial decree for recommending talent from various regions. If Sang Luo were a man… He lowered his gaze and asked Sang Luo, “This plow, which you presented to the government, is indeed a great achievement. Is there any reward you wish for? If you have any requests, just let me know, and I can recommend them for you.”

Sang Luo shook her head and replied, “I am just a humble woman. After years of chaos, I’ve only just begun to live peacefully with the country’s stability. Moreover, the court has granted land and resources, allowing us to have homes and fields, and we have enough food and clothing. Improving the plow and presenting it to the government is just my duty as a citizen of the Da Qi. There’s no need for any reward. If you ask if I have any wishes, I do have two.”

Former Governor Zeng raised his eyebrows, “Speak.”

“The farmers work hard, and as a humble woman, my wish in presenting this plow is twofold: First, I hope that the governor will do everything possible to ensure that the people quickly learn about and use the new plow, which will alleviate their labor and increase their yield, providing more abundance in their meals. Second, I cherish the stability of our current life, which has not come easily. I am delighted to contribute my modest efforts and wish for the prosperity of the Da Qi, the longevity of the nation, and the flourishing of the era. This is my sincere wish.”

She spoke each word clearly and steadily. At the end of her speech, she brought her hands together at chest level and made a slight bow.

The scene fell silent.

In that small area, despite the presence of hundreds of people, it was eerily quiet. No one made a sound until Former Governor Zeng’s voice broke the silence.

“I will fulfill your wish. Not only in Shezhou but also in the capital, I will send the new plow to the Emperor, so that the people of the Da Qi can quickly learn about and use the new plow.”

Voices began to stir in the crowd. Someone shouted approval, and applause erupted from various points. The atmosphere became lively with cheers.

Wang Maolin, observing from the crowd, noticed the Shen couple standing beside Former Governor Zeng and his wife, and his eyes flickered with interest.

As for the Zheng, Wang, Lin families, and the scholars from the prefectural school, some were quietly asking who the woman was, while others instructed their servants to find out more.

Sang Luo ignored the commotion and took out the rolled-up drawings from her sleeve, handing them to Shen Lie to present to Former Governor Zeng.

“This is the design for the curved plow. The drawing is crude; please see if it is useful.”

As Former Governor Zeng unrolled the drawing, the scholars from the prefectural school noticed Shen Lie was dressed as a student. Someone whispered, “Is he one of the students enrolled this year?”

Two of the scholars who had taught the students yesterday nodded. The one with a better memory said, “His name is Shen Lie. The student list shows he’s from Daxing Village, and his younger brother was also recruited this time.”

“Daxing Village.”

Someone murmured, noting this information.

Subsequently, Former Governor Zeng publicly announced that new plows would be produced soon and detailed the process of exchanging old plows for new ones. He also recruited carpenters on the spot for later registration at the government office.

Sang Luo stepped back and stood beside the people from Daxing Village.

The new plows from the Shen family would be sent directly to the capital, while their own plows would be delivered to their home first.

Upon hearing that new plows were available, the people cheered, and the applause grew even louder.

The event at Daxing Village, which started with a few dozen people, had now attracted at least four to five hundred spectators from near and far, creating a bustling scene.

After the successful presentation, Shen Lie asked the scholars for leave, explaining he needed to return home to organize things before heading to the prefectural school.

The scholars, particularly kind, encouraged him to take his time and offered their best wishes before he left.

Former Governor Zeng, along with the other officials, returned to the prefectural office. Covered in mud, he naturally had to go to the inner quarters to clean up. As the couple headed inside, Former Governor Zeng sighed, “It’s a pity that Sang Luo is not a man.”

Concubine Fan, having witnessed the event and understanding the constraints women face in this world compared to men, could deeply empathize with her husband’s words.

However, having grown up in a prominent family and being close to the top tier of society, Concubine Fan knew how difficult it was to break the entrenched rules and constraints formed over thousands of years.

“When Zeng presents the plow, it would be good to mention Sang Luo’s identity as a woman in the memorial.”

As for embellishing the words, Concubine Fan felt it unnecessary. Sang Luo’s two wishes, as they were, should be written in the memorial. In the context of a unified Da Qi, this reflects the people’s true sentiments.