Ch. 166..170: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 166-170

Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Instant Fame (2)_1

"Alright, let’s go now." Lin Changshu, suppressing his laugh, gave the order. The enormous stone Yu Shaohui was just playing with, weighing almost four hundred jin, was kicked aside by that youngster as if it was a toy, and the iron-willed man across was so scared his face turned pale, surely he won’t dare trouble us anymore.

With this, the number of people clearing the wild lands for the Lin Family had reached over a hundred. Even though they lived farther from Shili Village, the majority chose to bring their families along for the land reclamation because they were recruited at the market place.

"Wild bird eggs." As the land clearing progressed, many families frequently encountered duck eggs, chicken eggs, and bird eggs in the grasses. Some even caught fish and shrimps from among the reeds.

Those who found good things were too embarrassed to hide them. Initially, they would turn them over to Lin Ziyin, but Lin Ziyin was not the type to be ruthless. She decided, "All small fish less than a palm-sized must be thrown back into the river. As for the rest, whoever finds them, keeps them."

"Thank you, Miss Lin."

"Thank you, Ziyin."

"Thank you, boss."

Instantly, words of gratitude could be heard everywhere.

To the country folks, Heihe was a foreboding land of desolation. If their child was being noisy, parents would often threaten them by saying that the monster in the Heihe would take them away if they continued to cry. This would frighten the children into stopping their noise.

Many of the outsiders, if not for their livelihoods and the higher wages offered by the Lin Family, would rather die than come here alone. Thankfully, there were many people working on the land. After a few days fraught with anxiety and fear, everyone slowly adapted to the work of land reclamation. It turned out that Heihe was not so terrifying - they just needed to follow Lin Ziyin’s advice to first build a dam and then carefully avoid the muddy areas, slowly turning the land over from all sides.

"Ladies, you must be tired." With the hot weather, Lin Ziyin brought along Bai’s wife, Mrs Wei, and a few other women from the village to provide the workers with two servings of mung bean tea each day to dispel the heat. Some also brewed herbal tea and gave it out for free. Of course, those who came to make tea for a day were paid twenty-five copper coins.

The firewood was the reeds and grass stocked up from the wilderness, and the water was the clean water from the nearby river. It was very convenient. This job was a way for Lin Ziyin to take care of Bai’s wife and a few others. Those four or five people who were selected to make tea did their jobs very diligently.

Most of the people who came to work brought their own dry food. Every household brought similar things, either coarse grain cakes or soybean cakes. At noon, they could eat these simple foods for a meal, and the Lin family provided free tea water to solve a lot of problems for the workers.

Therefore, during the reclamation, there were not many households cheating or being lazy on the Lin family’s expense.

"Young Miss, it seems there is a group of people clearing some wasteland about five miles from here." The reclamation work was going smoothly until one day, Kong Yi’er came and nervously reported unexpected news to Lin Ziyin.

Upon hearing this, Lin Ziyin frowned. Wasn’t it said that Heihe was ominous and nobody was willing to accept the task of land reclamation? Why are people coming out to compete with her for land reclamation now?

"Young Miss, should we go and snoop around?" Seeing that she was frowning, Yu Shaohui asked in a low voice.

"Ignore them, let’s just focus on our own tasks." Lin Ziyin stopped them, "We won’t cross paths with them."

"Yes, Young Miss." Yu Shaohui responded.

The Lin family didn’t want to deal with the unidentified newcomers, but they took the initiative to show up at their doorstep.

The visitor turned out to be someone known to Lin Ziyin.

"This commoner pays her respects to Your Highness." Lin Ziyin saw Chu Suifeng stepping forward and was overwhelmed.

Seeing the legendary Prince Chu, the workers of the land reclamation project were so scared that they knelt directly in the mud without even finishing their work. Even those standing in water also knelt down with a splash.

Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Instant Fame (3)_1

Lin Ziyin frowned slightly.

Chu Suifeng and Si Jinhan, seemingly oblivious to her discontent, remained unperturbed. In particular, the grinning Si Jinhan, who flaunted a smile brighter than the sun itself.

Following these two imposing figures, a group of soldiers clad in armor, held their weapons at ready, stood in solemn array on both sides, each maintaining their gaze firmly forward.

All of the tillers were ordinary villagers. Never having seen such a grandeur, they were inwardly terrified and dared not let their eyes wander.

"Get up, you just go about your business," Chu Suifeng commanded, sparing a glance at the kneeling villagers.

The villagers, upon hearing this, swiftly stood up as though pardoned and resumed their work.

Lin Ziyin also stood up accordingly. She stared down at her toes, unwilling to speak unless Chu Suifeng spoke to her first.

Si Jinhan grinned at Lin Ziyin, "Little miss, wouldn’t it be quite impressive for you to be neighbors with the Prince?"

Impressive, my ass! Lin Ziyin inwardly cursed, she knew trouble was brewing with these two around.

"Does the Prince also have an interest in Heihe?" Lin Ziyin asked with a feigned smile.

"I’m here to cultivate this wasteland with you. Don’t disappoint me," Chu Suifeng said chillingly.

Lin Ziyin was shocked. What does this mean?

"I do not understand the intention of the Prince." She suddenly lifted her gaze towards Chu Suifeng.

"The prince means that whatever you grow here, he will grow the same on his plot. So don’t keep any secrets. When it’s planting season, there will be people from the Prince’s manor learning your agricultural techniques," Si Jinhan toothily grinned, attempting to "kindly" explain.

"Prince," Lin Ziyin’s voice rose unconsciously.

"No need to shout, my ears are not deaf, nor are yours?" Chu Suifeng shot her a displeased glance.

Lin Ziyin was deflated. She was only curious, thinking she could convince the Prince to assign this wasteland to her. As to what she could actually grow on it, she wasn’t sure. The certainty the Prince bore for her was embarrassing. If the project failed, she was afraid she would not be able to take responsibility.

At this point, Lin Ziyin was disheartened. It wasn’t that she was too weak, but she had too much to consider. After all, there were many people she cared about in this world. She couldn’t endanger her family and friends due to impulsivity.

In the end, it all came down to power and the unfairness of man. Being one of the powerless and common folk, any nobleman or even the Prince, could easily crush her.

Since resistance was futile, she had to compromise.

"I’ve said it, you can do whatever you want with this land. All you need to do is ensure that whatever you grow, I can grow the same on my plot," Chu Suifeng stared at her, "If you fail, it doesn’t matter. I’ll just penalize some criminals to do the hard labor."

"Your Highness, have you considered who I would sell my vegetables to if we both grow the same crop?" Lin Ziyin mustered up her courage to ask, "If all this work is just to scrape by, I’d rather give up now."

The tillers overheard their conversation and were instantly filled with anxiety. If the Lin family suspended the reclamation project, where would they find similar work?

As they continued to toil, everyone simultaneously perked their ears to their conversation, silently praying the prince would take mercy on the Lin Family. If the Lin family prospered, they would be able to share in their good fortune.

Chapter 168: Chapter 168: Instant Fame (4)_1

"As for vegetables, I don’t care about that. What I want is crops," Chu Suifeng said with a straight face. "Hei Yi, come here and meet Miss Lin. From now on, if there’s anything, you will obey Miss Lin’s instructions."

"Yes, Your Highness." A man in black armor stepped forward. Lin Ziyin raised her head and found that he only had one eye. The one-eyed, burly Hei Yi stood before her like a black tower, instilling a sense of fear.

"I am Hei Yi, nice to meet you, Miss Lin. I hope you will give me guidance in the future." His voice was low, and like Chu Suifeng, it carried a certain majesty.

"You’re too polite, Brother Hei." Lin Ziyin returned the courtesy politely.

Chu Suifeng was clearly forcing her into this. Could she refuse?

"Little girl, he’s in charge here. Just call him Manager Hei, and don’t go around arbitrarily recognizing brothers." Si Jinhan, for some unknown reason, started addressing the matter of proper titles.

"Third Prince is right. Miss, you better call me Manager." Hei Yi was somewhat embarrassed, but he dared not offend Si Jinhan and went along with his statement.

"You have helped me, so my offer to you is this: all fertile black lands are yours to cultivate. If there’s any problem, you can go to Hei Yi for solutions. If Hei Yi is not available, there’s also Hei Er." At this, Chu Suifeng interjected. As his words fell, a slim man in black armor emerged from behind him. "I am Hei Er. Miss, you may call me Manager Er."

"Manager Er, I’ll be counting on you from now on." Lin Ziyin smiled wryly and greeted him as well.

Since the matter was irrefutable, it would be better to develop good relations with him.

"Remember well how things are done here," Chu Suifeng commanded sternly, preparing to leave with his Black Armored Guards.

"Little girl, don’t hide anything," Si Jinhan leaned close and advised jovially to Lin Ziyin before leaving.

He was too close, and Lin Ziyin leaned her head back, feeling irritated. "Rest assured, Third Prince. Since I am a part of Feng City, I will faithfully execute the Prince’s orders. But the deed depends on heaven’s will, so do not hold out too much hope."

Who doesn’t know how to make vague remarks?

"I hope you can deliver as you promise," Si Jinhan left, laughing heartily.

Watching Chu Suifeng and his men leave, the villagers all felt a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Miss Lin agreed to continue the reclamation. Their jobs were secured for now.

"Miss, why do we need to intersperse the fields with canals?" Hei Yi was indeed a practical man. As soon as his lord, Prince Ling, left, he started earnestly learning from Lin Ziyin.

"Creating paths and canals between fields makes it convenient for people and carts to pass during harvest. The canals are for easy access to water and also to drain floods in case of heavy rain. In addition, we can raise some small fish in the canals as a source of income." Lin Ziyin did not withhold, nor did she dare to.

"Miss, you plan to raise fish in the canals?" Hei Er was surprised. It seemed not many people enjoyed eating fish, and there were not many cooks who were good at preparing it. Would fish farming be feasible?

"It’s just incidental, and we won’t spend too much effort on it." Lin Ziyin gave an awkward reply. She didn’t mention that she knew countless ways to prepare fish.

"After the wasteland has been sun-scorched and matured, it’s best to pave the roads around the fields with bluestone, which makes things more convenient." Lin Ziyin reminded them again.

Chapter 169: Chapter 169: Instant Fame (5)_1

"Many thanks, Miss," said Hei Er, bowing in gratitude. He then asked some more questions and even personally went to the field to inspect it before finally taking his men and leaving.

Upon seeing off a group of divine entities, Lin Ziyin breathed out a sigh of relief. Her days of peace were gone. Damn Chu Suifeng and Si Jinhan.

"That maiden must be cursing us behind our backs." Soon, Si Jinhan was chatting merrily with Chu Suifeng.

"As long as she keeps it to herself," Chu Suifeng said, casting him a glance.

"How could you believe that girl and follow her to reclaim this wasteland? Feng City isn’t lacking in farmers who can tend to fields. What could that little girl possibly know?" Si Jinhan said provocatively.

"Don’t you believe?" Chu Suifeng retorted.

"Believe, yes. Anyway, sending those city riffraff here seems like a relief," Si Jinhan replied, laughing heartily.

"Hurry up and follow." Chu Suifeng squeezed his legs, and his horse suddenly accelerated.

"Wait for me." Si Jinhan laughed and followed along, a group of black armored soldiers trailing closely behind him, stirring up clouds of dust in their wake.

By the end of the summer, Lin Ziyin had managed to reclaim almost a thousand acres of wasteland.

"Pause the reclamation work, let everyone sort out the freshly turned soil. Dig a deep trench, two forks deep, every ten acres in between," Lin Ziyin issued her instructions.

"Yes, Miss," Kong Yier agreed and went out to fulfill the commands.

"Most of these chillies have turned red. The seeds we’ve saved should be enough to plant a hundred acres," Cui Da happily sorted out the new chilies.

The ten or so acres left behind by the Lin Family were, at this point, doing extremely well.

They have harvested a good amount of chillies from the two acres, and the corn is also promising. Cui Da and Li Qing, who have never seen the rare plants grown by their master, are delighted by the high yield of corn and the benefits of chilis, so they spent almost every waking moment, save for eating and sleeping, in the fields.

"Brother, have you ever seen transparent oilcloth?" Lin Ziyin asked Lin Changshu, who was preparing to wash his hands for dinner, after writing and drawing on a piece of paper.

"No, I have never seen it." Lin Changshu answered honestly.

Upon hearing this, Lin Ziyin frowned, foreseeing that the absence of oilcloth might stall her plans.

"Miss." Madam Qian, who was preparing the meal, hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

She seemed uneasy, as if speaking out of turn was against her nature, especially when her mistress hadn’t asked her anything.

"Where did you see it?" At this, Lin Ziyin brightened up, lifting her gaze to ask excitedly.

"The master, during his travels north and south, saw the oilcloth you mentioned in Jiangnan. It was said to be used for making umbrellas," Madam Qian said more smoothly, seeing that her miss didn’t blame her for the interruption.

In Jiangnan? Hearing that, Lin Ziyin deflated.

"The umbrellas from the Ming Family in Jiangnan are famous everywhere. The oilcloth used is thin and transparent, yet it does not let in air or water - it’s their secret recipe. You might not be able to find such a thing here in the Northern Land," the old master chimed in after listening for a while.

"Grandfather, have you also seen the oilcloth of the Ming Family?" Lin Ziyin asked curiously.

"Yes, I saw it when I was a child," the old master said with a hint of nostalgia, "Our Lin Family originally hailed from Jiangnan. It was only due to some matters that dragged us down that we were driven by the main Lin lineage to settle here in the Northern Land."

"Grandpa, what happened back then?" Zige asked, confused.

"Those are all past matters, there’s no point bringing them up again," the old man seemed unwilling to delve into the past "Just remember, even though we bear the surname Lin, we no longer have any connection with the main Lin lineage."

 

Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Instant Fame (6)_1

"Yes, Grandfather." Lin Changshu dutifully agreed. It seemed like his parents held some resentment towards their ancestral Lin family. While they were alive, every time the Lin Family was brought up, they would change the subject. Now, even Grandfather was doing the same, and Changshu’s longing for his ancestral lineage completely dissipated.

"Grandfather, when our Lin family becomes successful in the future, we’ll reopen the family tree, then you’d be the first ancestral patriarch of the Lin family." Lin Ziyin jokingly said, trying not to remind the old man of painful memories.

"What do you mean by ancestral patriarch? There are still your great-grandparents above me." The old man was amused by their jest and finally burst into laughter.

"Then grandfather would be the second-generation ancestor." Zige chimed in with a laugh.

"Okay." Grandfather knew that his grandchildren were trying to cheer him up, so he chuckled along.

The family enjoyed their lunch in high spirits.

"Why do you want to buy oilcloth?" As a woman, Guo Huiniang has a keen sense of details. After lunch, she followed Ziyin around, trying to get some answers.

From Huiniang’s perspective, her younger sister-in-law was bold and smart, never making impulsive decisions.

"Yes, you have never seen the Ming family’s oilcloth, so what made you think of it?" Zige also curiously looked at her.

"I want to build a greenhouse." Lin Ziyin replied, "With a greenhouse, we could even grow fresh vegetables during winter."

"How could that be possible?" Wu Dayou blurted out, the rest of them also stared at Ziyin, taken aback.

Lin Ziyin merely grinned at their surprise, "The reason why plants grow astonishingly well in summer is mostly due to the high temperature. With a greenhouse, we could maintain a high enough temperature inside to support the growth of the vegetables. So, I believe this idea is feasible."

Guo Huiniang and the others exchanged looks, on one hand, they found Ziyin’s proposal utterly fantastic, on the other hand, they thought there may be some cogency behind her words.

"Even with an idea, without the Ming family’s oilcloth, it’s useless." The old man calmly looked at her and replied.

"Not necessarily." Lin Ziyin smiled calmly, "We might not be able to find the oilcloth, but it doesn’t mean others can’t."

"Are you thinking about asking someone from that manor?" Lin Changshu’s eyes lit up.

"Yes." Lin Ziyin nodded.

"The people under Prince Ling’s command certainly have the means," Zige voiced her concerns, "But Ziyin, can you guarantee building a greenhouse successfully if you get the oilcloth?"

Considering the extent of their involvement with Prince Ling, should anything go awry, it would certainly spell disaster. The Lin family believed they should think things through carefully.

Lin Ziyin had experience with greenhouses modern times, hence, she was confident about making her idea a reality.

Persisting with her proposal, Lin Ziyin soon had Hei Yi and Hei Er from Prince Ling’s manor ushered in by Yu Shaohui.

"Miss Lin’s request for oilcloth isn’t a difficult task. However, I was wondering how much you might need?" After a brief ponderance, Hei Yi asked.

Lin Ziyin did not want to rush things, "I plan to first cultivate two hundred acres of greenhouse vegetables. May I ask how much of these vegetables does your manor need?" she asked.

Two hundred acres of vegetables? Hei Yi exchanged a glance with Hei Er, then replied, "Perhaps the Prince’s manor should proceed as Miss Lin suggested."

"One more thing, I need five hundred chicks too." Lin Ziyin voiced another need, Chu Suifeng had mentioned before, Lin Ziyin was to help cultivate land and contribute ideas, while Hei Yi and Hei Er were responsible for logistics. So, Lin Ziyin felt no pressure in voicing her demands.

"Miss Lin wants to raise chickens as well?" Hei Yi and Hei Er asked in astonishment. This young woman was taking big steps, but wasn’t she afraid of running at a loss?