Ch 107: The Regent’s Farmer Husband

Jiang Ji remained in the locust disaster region for two full months before finally bringing the adult locust infestation completely under control. The villagers continued searching for locust eggs, and whenever they found any, they dug them up and threw them to the chickens and ducks to eat.

The chickens and ducks had played an enormous role in this battle against the locust plague. They ate most of the eggs and newly hatched larvae, their combat ability astonishingly strong, so the number of adult locusts that later hatched was greatly reduced.

Now the mountains and valleys were full of chickens and ducks, and the villagers looked at them with eyes full of affection.

Jiang Ji had spent two months catching locusts alongside the villagers and had become deeply tanned from the sun. Only his eyes and teeth remained strikingly white.

Fortunately, this locust plague had been contained within three counties and had not been allowed to spread further. They had even managed to salvage some grain.

But the locust plague, combined with two months without rain, had caused many crops to die. Looking at the farmland and vegetable fields ravaged by locusts, Jiang Ji truly felt heartache.

Fortunately, rain had fallen a month earlier, easing the drought, and the weather had finally returned to normal.

With the locust plague resolved, the remaining larvae could gradually be eliminated by the villagers and the chickens and ducks continuing their work.

But what about the next crops?

This region primarily cultivated rice. Sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn had not yet been introduced here.

Now it was already autumn. Original translation at HololoNovels dot com. They had missed the second rice season as well, meaning there would be no harvest at all this year. They would have to wait until next summer’s harvest before obtaining rice again.

Even the vegetables in the fields had dried up and died.

How were the common people supposed to survive the next half year?

The people had to plant vegetables and crops again. At this season, rice, sweet potatoes, and corn could no longer be planted. The best option was autumn potatoes. They could be harvested before the end of the year and at least support the people for several months.

Before that, they could only rely on court disaster relief.

Jiang Ji had already thought of this issue a month earlier. He wrote home and had Lu Huaizhou send people south to purchase the earliest harvested batch of potatoes.

The southern potatoes had already been harvested two months ago. By now they had gone through a period of dormancy and were suitable for sprouting and planting.

Over the past few days, large quantities of potatoes had gradually been transported over under military escort, simply waiting for the locust plague to be fully controlled before sprouting and planting could begin.

The court had also distributed potato planting manuals. Based on Jiang Ji’s original writings, Minister Chen had later reorganized the material and added illustrations for every stage. Many of the diagrams inside had originally been drawn by Lu Huaizhou.

Minister Chen had also persistently tracked the growth stages of the new crops, continuing to supplement the book.

The disaster-stricken areas across the three counties all distributed potatoes for planting, ensuring every household received some seed potatoes.

Jiang Ji checked his system points. In order to exterminate the locusts, he had exchanged for huge quantities of sticky insect boards, insect-catching nets, and fishing nets, spending a great many points.

Fortunately, the viewers had all learned about the locust disaster and had been extremely supportive, sending large quantities of seeds as rewards. Every day, many people also watched how they caught locusts, contributing a large amount of points.

Jiang Ji exchanged for many autumn and winter vegetable seeds suitable for this region and had the county offices distribute them. Once autumn arrived, the vegetables could be sold to other counties in exchange for grain.

He also wrote to Lu Huaizhou requesting that all the planting manuals for the new crops be printed and sent over.

Thus, for the following month, Jiang Ji busied himself teaching people across the various counties how to grow potatoes and how to cultivate new autumn and winter crops like broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, and onions.

He traveled from village to village across the three counties, teaching the people for an entire month until his throat became completely hoarse. Only after he had explained everything necessary and told them what to do going forward did he finally stop.

The day he left for the capital, he departed from Chen County, the very place he had first arrived at.

During his time here, Jiang Ji had stayed in military camps alongside the soldiers. Somehow, news that he was returning to the capital spread out. The moment he rode out of camp, he was startled by the common people lining both sides of the road.

The moment the people saw Duke Chang emerge, they all knelt down.

“Many thanks to Duke Chang for your great kindness and virtue!”

An elderly man, trembling but using all his strength, shouted first, and the other villagers immediately followed.

“Many thanks to Duke Chang for your great kindness and virtue!”

For these past months, Duke Chang had led everyone in crafting tools and catching locusts, always fighting at the very front. He taught everyone how to exterminate the insects, destroy the eggs, and prevent future infestations.

He had also taught everyone how to plant potatoes and vegetables. They had heard those vegetable seeds were precious new varieties personally provided for free by Duke Chang, varieties that had not even yet spread throughout the capital before being given to them first.

Moreover, with Duke Chang present, the disaster relief grain truly reached the disaster victims. No one dared embezzle grain or steal disaster relief funds.

The people were deeply grateful.

Jiang Ji was shaken by their actions. He immediately dismounted and helped the elderly man beside him to his feet, speaking in a rough, hoarse voice.

“Everyone, please rise. I came on behalf of the court.”

His voice had become so hoarse that only breathy sounds remained.

Hearing this made the surrounding people even more moved. Just look at how exhausted Duke Chang had become.

The elderly man held Jiang Ji’s hand and said, “Your Grace, there’s no need to speak. It strains your throat. Please take care of your health.”

Jiang Ji nodded and gestured for a nearby guard to speak for him. Even Lu Jiu and Lu Wen had become hoarse, because after Jiang Ji lost his voice, he had the two of them relay messages constantly.

The guard shouted loudly:

“Fellow villagers, Duke Chang has lost his voice. He asked me to tell everyone this: Please rise. I came on behalf of the court to help everyone. If you wish to thank someone, thank the court. Over these past months, everyone worked very hard. Duke Chang thanks all of you for cooperating, which is why we achieved victory. From now on, you must continue searching for locust eggs and remain vigilant until the locust plague is completely eradicated. Duke Chang is returning to the capital now. Everyone, take care of yourselves. We shall meet again someday!”

The elderly man knelt again.

“Many thanks to the court and Duke Chang! We respectfully send Duke Chang back to the capital!”

The common people still did not rise and shouted in unison:

“Many thanks to the court and Duke Chang! We respectfully send Duke Chang back to the capital!”

Jiang Ji sighed helplessly. Not wanting the villagers to kneel too long, he simply mounted his horse. After leaving the crowd, he turned back and waved toward them before urging his horse forward and quickly departing.

The people gradually rose and watched him leave from afar.

Later, before the end of the year, the potatoes and new vegetables planted in those three disaster-stricken counties were harvested. Selling those potatoes and vegetables to other counties earned them considerable silver, which they exchanged for grain. Together with the court’s disaster relief grain, they managed to endure until the next summer harvest.

The following year, the people of all three counties together erected a living shrine for Jiang Ji in Chen County to express gratitude and commemorate what he had done for them and the hope he had brought.

But that is a story for later.

Returning to the present, after being away from the capital for more than three months, Jiang Ji finally returned with his people, dusty from travel and carrying a deeply tanned face.

When they entered the capital, even the gate soldiers almost failed to recognize him.

Everyone in the capital had heard about Jiang Ji going to help combat the locust plague. He had been gone for over three months, and the soldiers could tell from his appearance alone how hard things had been.

“Welcome back to the capital, Duke Chang!” the soldier shouted respectfully with a salute.

The surrounding soldiers all hurriedly saluted as well.

Jiang Ji nodded and led his people into the city.

The common people heard the commotion and all looked over while discussing among themselves.

“Ah, Duke Chang has returned.”

“I heard Duke Chang went to control the locust plague. It must have succeeded, right?”

“It succeeded! I heard he later stayed there teaching the people how to grow vegetables and potatoes, which is why he came back so late.”

“So that’s what happened.”

“Thankfully Duke Chang went. I heard those locust-control methods were all devised by Duke Chang himself.”

“He’s incredible. My neighbor’s younger brother is a soldier. He said Duke Chang not only knows how to farm, he also knows how to create new weapons. Extremely impressive!”

“Ah? Duke Chang even knows how to make weapons? Truly skilled in both civil and martial matters!”

“Exactly. Though that younger brother didn’t say what kind of weapons, he said they were extremely formidable.”

Jiang Ji returned all the way to the Regent’s Residence by late afternoon.

When the gate attendants saw them, they froze for a moment. Everyone had become much darker from the sun, almost unrecognizable.

“Duke Chang, you’ve returned!”

After the gate attendants confirmed it was really him, one of them shouted toward the residence before running out excitedly to greet him.

“Mhm.” Jiang Ji dismounted and handed over the reins. His voice was still a little hoarse, not yet fully recovered. “Everything at home has been alright?”

The gate guard froze for a moment. “Everything’s been good. Everyone just missed you very much. Madam, Miss, the young masters, and His Highness all missed you terribly. Duke Chang, your throat…”

“It’s fine. It’ll recover after some rest.”

Steward Zhong heard the commotion and hurried outside. When he saw them, he also froze for an instant before exclaiming joyfully, “Duke Chang has returned!”

“Uncle Zhong.” Jiang Ji smiled and greeted him before heading inside.

Steward Zhong quickly instructed the two young servants beside him, “Quick, you go inform the Honored Lady. You go into the palace and inform His Highness.”

The two servants happily sprinted off.

“Where’s my mother?” Jiang Ji asked as he walked toward the inner courtyard. His voice remained raspy, though slightly better than before. At least some sound could come out now.

“Duke Chang, what happened to your throat? Did you catch a cold?”

“No, I just talked too much. It’ll recover in a few days.” Jiang Ji asked again, “My mother?”

Steward Zhong smiled. “The Honored Lady is weaving cloth. Since autumn is arriving, she said she wanted to make you new clothes. I’ll have someone fetch a physician to examine your throat.”

Jiang Ji smiled and nodded before heading toward the weaving courtyard.

After hearing the news, Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei ran out from the courtyard where they studied and immediately threw themselves into his arms.

“Big Brother! You finally came back!”

“Big Brother! Are you alright? Are you healthy?”

Jiang Ji hugged the two younger boys before rubbing Jiang Xia’s head. “I’m back. I’m fine. Go back and attend class properly. Don’t skip lessons.”

Jiang Nan: “……”

Jiang Bei obediently nodded. “Alright, Big Brother.”

Jiang Xia led the younger brothers back to class.

When Jiang Ji reached the entrance of the weaving courtyard, Zhao Ru had already heard the news and was hurrying outside. The two met face-to-face.

“Mother, I’m back!”

“Xiao Ji!”

Looking at the son she had not seen in months, Zhao Ru’s eyes immediately filled with tears of joy. Original translation at HololoNovels dot com. Holding his wrist, she looked him up and down several times.

“It’s good that you’re back. Good that you’re back. You’ve gotten darker and thinner too. Is your body alright? You must’ve exhausted yourself.”

Jiang Ji shook his head. “I’m fine. My body’s perfectly healthy. I’m just a bit tired.”

Hearing his voice, Zhao Ru asked worriedly, “What happened to your throat? It’s become this hoarse. Did you get sick?”

“It’s nothing. I talked too much.” Jiang Ji explained for the fifth time. “Don’t worry.”

“My poor child has worked hard.” Zhao Ru nodded and patted his arm before turning toward Lu Jiu and the others. “Lu Jiu, Lu Wen, are all of you alright too?”

Lu Jiu grinned. “Honored Lady, we’re all doing well too. Other than getting darker, everything’s fine. Don’t worry.”

“That’s good, but why is your voice hoarse too?”

Lu Jiu: “Talked too much.”

Zhao Ru looked confused. “? What exactly were all of you doing over there that required so much talking?”

“Teaching them how to grow potatoes,” Jiang Ji answered.

“……” Zhao Ru immediately turned to Steward Zhong. “Uncle Zhong, quickly have people prepare hot water and food. Everyone should wash up, eat something, and rest properly.”

“Yes.” Steward Zhong happily went off to arrange it.

Zhao Ru accompanied Jiang Ji back to his courtyard. She wanted to talk with him, but feared putting more strain on his throat, so she simply began telling him about the happenings at home instead.

Just as the hot bath water was carried in, Lu Huaizhou rushed back to the courtyard.

Seeing that he had returned, Zhao Ru quietly left to continue weaving.

The moment Zhao Ru left, Lu Huaizhou strode forward and wrapped Jiang Ji tightly in his arms. One hand held Jiang Ji’s shoulders and back while the other pressed against the back of his head, embracing him firmly.

After such a long separation, Jiang Ji had missed Lu Huaizhou terribly as well. He wrapped both arms around Lu Huaizhou’s waist, buried his face against his chest, breathed in that familiar cool scent clinging to him, and affectionately rubbed against his neck.

After embracing for a while, Lu Huaizhou loosened his hold and raised a hand to touch Jiang Ji’s darkened face.

“You’ve gotten darker.”

“Mhm.” He spent every day under the sun. Of course he got darker.

“And thinner.” Lu Huaizhou looked pained. “You’ve worked hard.”

Jiang Ji smiled faintly. “It was alright.”

That voice truly sounded hoarse, rough like a broken bellows. Lu Huaizhou frowned. “What happened to your throat?”

For the sixth time, Jiang Ji explained, “Teaching them how to grow vegetables. I talked too much.”

He had never mentioned this in his letters.

Lu Huaizhou frowned and called outside, “Xiao Liu, go invite Imperial Physician Li.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Before leaving, Xiao Liu reminded him, “Your Highness, the hot water is prepared. Let Duke Chang wash up first.”

“I know.” Lu Huaizhou nodded.

Xiao Liu withdrew, and Lu Huaizhou pulled Jiang Ji into the room.

The moment the door shut, Lu Huaizhou cupped Jiang Ji’s face and kissed him.

The two had not seen each other in over three months and had missed one another desperately. They held and kissed each other for a long while, pouring all their longing into the kiss.

“Wash first. I’ll wash your hair and scrub your back.” Lu Huaizhou released him and led him into the bathing room.

Jiang Ji’s eyes curved warmly. “Alright.”

Jiang Ji removed his clothes and stepped into the tub. Lu Huaizhou loosened his hair, scooped water to wet it, applied the shampoo Jiang Ji had exchanged from the system, then carefully washed his hair and massaged his scalp.

Leaning comfortably against the tub, Jiang Ji sighed contentedly. “Home really is the best.”

Back in the disaster regions, water had been scarce due to the drought. He had not properly bathed once. Even during the return journey, he had only managed two decent baths at relay stations.

Lu Huaizhou’s heart ached for him. He carefully washed Jiang Ji’s hair clean before massaging his shoulders, scrubbing his back, and wiping down his arms.

Jiang Ji had lost a great deal of weight. Looking at his increasingly pronounced shoulder blades, Lu Huaizhou felt waves of pain in his chest.

Jiang Ji turned to look at him. “Why are you so quiet?”

Lu Huaizhou looked back at him before bending down to kiss his lips softly. “I feel sorry for you.”

Jiang Ji’s heart trembled. Turning around fully, he looped his arms around Lu Huaizhou’s neck, pulled his head down, and kissed him.

The two shared a gentle, lingering kiss. Stroking Lu Huaizhou’s face, Jiang Ji comforted him softly, “It’s alright. I’ll recover after some rest.”

“Mhm. I’ll have the kitchen prepare more nourishing food for you,” Lu Huaizhou said.

“Okay. I’ll leave it to you.”

After finishing his bath, Jiang Ji felt his whole body relax. Back in the disaster regions, he constantly felt like he smelled of locusts and sweat. Now, finally smelling the familiar scent of his body wash, he felt completely soothed.

It truly felt like returning to the human world.

Lu Huaizhou led Jiang Ji out and dried his hair. Before long, both the physician Steward Zhong had invited and Imperial Physician Li arrived.

After examining Jiang Ji’s pulse, they confirmed there was no serious issue. He simply had excessive internal heat and some nutritional deficiencies. They prescribed medicine to soothe his throat and instructed him to improve his nutrition.

“Lu Jiu and the others should be checked too,” Jiang Ji said.

Lu Huaizhou then had Imperial Physician Li examine Lu Jiu and the others as well and prescribe medicine for them.

When they heard Jiang Ji had returned, Madam Lu and the others also came over. After fussing over him with concern and seeing his throat discomfort, they refrained from asking further questions. There would be time to talk later.

That evening, everyone ate together. Each person kept adding food into Jiang Ji’s bowl, especially Zhao Ru, Madam Lu, and Lu Huaizhou, urging him to eat this and eat that until his bowl resembled a small mountain.

Even Minister Lu, for once, placed a piece of chicken into his bowl. “Eat more. You’ve become too thin.”

Jiang Ji’s lips curved gently. “Alright. Thank you, Father.”

Feeling the love and care of his family, Jiang Ji said nothing more. Smiling softly, he lowered his head and ate heartily.

It had also been a very long time since he had eaten such delicious food. Jiang Ji ate until his stomach became completely round.

After the meal, he pulled Lu Huaizhou along for a walk through the garden before Lu Huaizhou led him back to the courtyard and insisted he lie down and rest properly.

Lu Huaizhou also washed up early before climbing into bed and holding him as they slept together.

After the lights were extinguished, Jiang Ji waited for a while. Seeing Lu Huaizhou make no move, he slipped a hand into Lu Huaizhou’s sleep robes. After only touching him twice, Lu Huaizhou grabbed his wrist.

Jiang Ji lifted his eyes in confusion and hummed softly. “Hm?”

Lu Huaizhou kissed his brow. “No rush. You’ve worked hard for months. Wait until you’ve rested properly first.”

Jiang Ji bit down lightly on his chin and nibbled at it. “Don’t want to?”

How could Lu Huaizhou possibly not want to? But he felt sorry for him. “Be good first. Rest properly, alright?”

“……” Jiang Ji refused. He deliberately hooked a leg against him while kissing his lips. “I’m not that weak, okay? I can still handle it once or twice.”

Lu Huaizhou’s body instantly stiffened, practically on the verge of exploding. He raised a hand and rubbed Jiang Ji’s knee. After a moment of silence, he finally stopped restraining himself and pinned Jiang Ji down with a fierce kiss.

Jiang Ji happily wrapped his arms around him and thought to himself, this was more like it. This was the proper way for newly reunited newlyweds to behave after a long separation.

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