Chapter 58: A Sage of the Present Age

The primary reason acidic soil is unsuitable for cultivation is its excessively high concentration of aluminum and manganese ions.

The simplest and most effective remedy is to use quicklime to neutralize the acidity.

However, this approach only improves soil quality to a limited extent and does not yield the most profound results.

As a time-traveler, Qin Xuan was naturally familiar with the traditional organic fertilization method.

This technique was quite straightforward: a layer of rice straw, crop stalks, weeds, or even fallen leaves was laid upon the ground, followed by a covering of animal manure, such as that from cattle, sheep, or horses.

This process was repeated in layers to form a compost heap, which could reach a height of over a meter.

Crucially, the pile needed to be periodically turned over during the decomposition process to achieve optimal results.

Qin Xuan explained this traditional fertilization method in detail to all the gathered peasants.

Upon hearing this, many seasoned farmers began to exchange excited, glowing glances.

While they might never have devised such a method themselves, decades of tilling the land allowed them to instantly grasp its inherent brilliance.

"Your Highness, you are truly a merciful and living Bodhisattva!"

"Old as I am, the moment I heard your method, I knew it was entirely sound."

A lean, weathered elder slowly stepped forward, supported by the surrounding crowd.

Liu San immediately hurried over in great excitement, calling out, "Elder Huang, you've arrived!"

The newcomer was none other than Huang Hansheng, recognized as the finest farmer in the Class-A wasteland district.

Qin Xuan quickly stepped forward and said, "Elder Huang, there is no need for such formalities. Since I have taken you in, I will never let you starve."

"Your Highness, will this method you spoke of allow us to catch the spring plowing?"

Huang Hansheng asked, his cloudy eyes growing slightly red with emotion.

"Using quicklime to improve the soil takes only about two months. If everyone is willing to endure the hardship of an extra turning of the soil, the time will be even shorter," Qin Xuan explained with a smile.

"What hardship is there to speak of? In times like these, simply staying alive is a blessing, let alone the fact that we are born farmers. Exerting a bit of effort won't cost us our lives."

"That's right, Old Huang is right. We have plenty of strength to spare."

"As long as it can be turned into fertile fields, we are willing to dig this earth upside down."

"..."

The common folk all shouted in unison, their faces brimming with hope and excitement.

Qin Xuan nodded and instructed Qiu Xingzhi, "Sir, I will write down this method so you can teach it to them later."

"Additionally, I've observed that both Elder Huang and Liu San possess fine character and capability. You may assign them some responsibilities accordingly to ease your own burden."

"Your Highness, Xingzhi receives your command."

Qiu Xingzhi nodded emphatically.

That very day, Qiu Xingzhi began organizing the workforce, swiftly launching a large-scale implementation of the organic fertilization method across the North Wasteland District, following the instructions Qin Xuan had provided.

As for the existing fertile fields within the city, Qin Xuan suggested that the process could be carried out concurrently.

After all, the organic fertilizer produced through this method could improve soil quality and increase crop yields in both barren lands and fertile fields alike.

Every single day, momentous changes took place in Beining City, sometimes seeming utterly miraculous even to Qin Xuan, its master.

Every resident here radiated a fierce passion for life.

Though their clothing might be thin and their faces gaunt, not a single trace of despair or despondency could be found in their eyes.

At noon that day, Qin Xuan stood before the regional map, his gaze firmly fixed on Quyang Bay along the middle reaches of the Snow Mountain River.

Though the river was broad here, very few boats traveled its waters.

In reality, however, Quyang Bay served as a hub connected in all directions.

Heading north, one could travel directly to the Khan Kingdom, Goryeo, and other states; heading west led into the Tianyin River basin of the Jurchen Kingdom; and heading south provided access to the Yellow River basin of the great Daqi Empire.

However, the Snow Mountain River featured a steep terrain and numerous turbulent rapids, making navigation impassable for many vessels.

Decades prior, Daqi had attempted to utilize the Snow Mountain River to develop river transport.

Yet, due to frequent merchant vessel accidents caused by turbulent currents and hidden reefs, commercial navigation had gradually ceased altogether.

"Your Highness, you have been staring at this regional map for nearly an hour. You ought to take a rest."

Zhao Luoying approached with a bowl of lotus seed soup, urging him with a blend of resignation and playful coquetry.

Qin Xuan snapped out of his trance and offered an apologetic smile, "I was so lost in thought that I ended up neglecting you."

As he spoke, Qin Xuan gently pulled Zhao Luoying into his embrace. "Things have finally settled down of late; shouldn't we start considering that matter as well?"

Hearing this, Zhao Luoying immediately blushed, saying shyly, "Oh, drink your lotus seed soup first."

"Then let's make it tonight!"

Qin Xuan said with a hint of eagerness.

Though the two had long since shared a husband-and-wife bond, constant military campaigns had left them with little opportunity for intimate affection.

Now that Beining City was gradually getting back on track, Qin Xuan naturally hoped to spend some quality, intimate time with Zhao Luoying.

"Talking about such things in broad daylight, it's utterly embarrassing."

Zhao Luoying squirmed and gently broke free from Qin Xuan's embrace, though her eyes fluttered with a wave of stirred affection.

Just as the two were wrapped in tender intimacy, however, an announcement shattered the moment.

"Your Highness! Your Highness!"

Zhuge Xuan's urgent voice echoed from outside. Qin Xuan quickly composed himself before stepping out of the side chamber and entering the council hall.

"Military Counselor, what has you so flustered?"

"Your Highness, Master Qiu's prized star pupil has finally arrived, and he has brought news of monumental proportions."

At that moment, Zhuge Xuan's face was flushed and his breathing rapid—clearly the result of running all the way out of sheer excitement.

"Oh, Cui Yu has arrived? Then we truly must have Master Qiu arrange a banquet tonight."

Qin Xuan smiled slightly.

Qiu Xingzhi had previously mentioned Cui Yu, praising him as absolute prime material for officialdom.

"Your Highness, aren't you the least bit curious about the monumental piece of good news I just mentioned?" Zhuge Xuan asked, growing somewhat impatient when he saw Qin Xuan focusing solely on Cui Yu.

Qin Xuan chuckled dryly and waved his hand, signaling Zhuge Xuan to continue.

Zhuge Xuan, who had intended to keep him in suspense, suddenly found the interaction thoroughly anticlimactic and muttered, "Your Highness, you are far too boring."

"Must I put on a display of frantic urgency just to satisfy your ego?"

Qin Xuan was deliberately teasing Zhuge Xuan to get back at him for interrupting his romantic moment with Zhao Luoying.

Zhuge Xuan shook his head helplessly, though he instantly perked back up and announced, "The preeminent sage of our era, Master Kong Ru, announced three days ago that he will unconditionally publish the masterwork of his later years, *Confucianism*, binding it into volumes to edify the world."

"However, he stipulated that booksellers must not price any copy of *Confucianism* above one silver tael. Such noble character has caused countless scholars to bow in profound reverence."

In Daqi, books were exceptionally costly items; scholars from ordinary families often had to borrow texts to read or painstakingly copy them by hand before studying.

Kong Ru's action was intended to enable as many scholars as possible to read this very volume of *Confucianism*.

"At the same time, Master Kong Ru declared that whichever bookseller is willing to bestow this blessing upon the realm, he is willing to travel to their locale and lecture freely for three months."

"Your Highness, this is the only living Confucian sage in the entire world! If we can invite him here, why should Beining City ever fear a lack of scholars?"

The Confucian Sage?!

No wonder Zhuge Xuan was beside himself with excitement.

What Qin Xuan did not yet know was that this Confucian sage was an transcendent figure whom even the Emperor of Daqi had to greet in person.

Even nomadic states like the Jurchen Kingdom held Kong Ru in the highest regard, having once invited him to lecture in the Jurchen imperial palace for three days.

The reason it was limited to three days was simply because Master Kong Ru refused to teach any longer.

Had he been willing, the Jurchen Emperor would likely have surrendered his very imperial study to him.

"Indeed, this is monumental news, but it still requires careful deliberation."

A flash of sharp insight crossed Qin Xuan's eyes as a thought suddenly occurred to him, prompting him to mutter softly to himself.