Flowers in full bloom

Chapter 732 Uncle Han Arrives

In the yard, Hua Lei ran into Rong Jin who came in hurriedly from the study. Obviously, he knew nothing about the sudden visit of Han's second uncle.

Chengze Prefecture and Xichang Prefecture are about ten days away. The brothers also knew that Hualei had taken up the post of prefect of Xichang Prefecture in the first half of this year.

Therefore, apart from the congratulatory letter she received from the two brothers of the Han family not long after Hua Lei arrived in Xichang Prefecture, there was no other communication between them in the past six months.

Soon, Qingqi led people into the yard.

"Second uncle." Rong Jin and Hua Lei stepped forward to greet him. The man was Madam Han's second brother, Rong Jin's second uncle, followed by seven or eight guards and servants.

Mr. Han looked exhausted, with a lot of dust on his body and messy hair. He looked much older than in previous years.

Being a local official was indeed much harder than being in the Imperial Academy in the capital. However, judging from his spirit and energy, he seemed to be doing well, and his clothes were all brand new.

After welcoming the guests into the house, serving tea, and talking about the past for a long time, Uncle Han finally explained the purpose of his visit. It turned out that Uncle Han came here at the request of Uncle Han, and he wanted to borrow corn seeds from Hualei.

After Hua Lei arrived in Xichang Prefecture, he vigorously built water conservancy projects, dug ponds and wells, and promoted the planting of corn. Several surrounding prefectures had heard the news to varying degrees.

At the end of last year, when Uncle Han followed his immediate superior to the Xining government office to attend a meeting, no one knew whether he did it intentionally or unintentionally.

In front of the Xining prefect, he revealed that Xichang prefect Hua Da and Pei Tongzhi were his nephews and nephew's wife.

Therefore, Prefect Cheng of Xining Prefecture asked Uncle Han to write a letter to Hua Lei and Rong Jin, wanting to ask Hua Lei to borrow some corn seeds just like Prefect Bao did.

Originally, Uncle Han was thinking of writing a letter, but after careful consideration, he decided to ask Uncle Han to come in person.

In addition to sending some New Year gifts, the greater hope was to bring back the corn seeds from Xichang Prefecture directly by horse-drawn carriage.

After understanding the situation, Rong Jin looked at Hua Lei, feeling a little embarrassed, and sat in his seat without saying a word.

Hua Lei, who was sitting in the main seat, saw that Rong Jin didn't speak, so she asked Mr. Han, "Second uncle, I wonder how many corn seeds my eldest uncle wants."

"The more the better. This corn is particularly high-yielding, and Prefect Cheng also wants to promote its cultivation throughout Xining Prefecture." Master Han said directly.

After hearing what Uncle Han said, Rong Jin's face suddenly became a little ugly, and Hua Lei also frowned in embarrassment.

Because his corn seeds had been lent to Bai Liyun and had already been delivered. Earlier, he had signed an agreement with Xi'an Prefecture's Bao Zhifu to exchange corn seeds for sorghum seeds, and the corn seeds there had also been delivered.

Therefore, the corn seeds in Xichang Prefecture are in short supply now. Tian Xiaofu did send a batch of corn seeds.

However, Xichang Prefecture is also going to promote it on a large scale this year, so a small amount of corn seeds may be enough, but if it is a large quantity, it will not be enough.

Uncle Han did not write the letter in advance, so even if he asked Uncle Han to make a personal visit now, it would be too late as he no longer had any extra corn seeds.

Moreover, according to Uncle Han, the more the better. For a moment, Hua Lei was silent, not because she was making fun of Qiao, nor was she deliberately making things difficult for him.

Although the Han family's aunt-in-law had asked a matchmaker to propose marriage to me, which made me feel uncomfortable, there was nothing else fishy about it.

Moreover, Han Wenbing had his legs broken by Rong Jin and had been lying in bed for several months, so what happened was over and done with. Hua Lei didn't want to dwell on this matter.

However, Prefect Cheng and the two brothers of the Han family were too rude. It was understandable that they wanted corn seeds, but it did not mean the more the better. Xichang Prefecture also needed to plant corn.

Moreover, it was borrowing, not exchanging or purchasing, which was a bit too much. However, now Uncle Han had come to visit.

If I don't give anything, I won't feel good. No matter what, I have to give Rong Jin a face. Looking at Rong Jin with an ugly face, Hua Lei didn't know how to speak for a moment.

Just now, when reminiscing about the past, Uncle Han said that a few years ago, when the two brothers first arrived in Anping County, they were very uncomfortable.

Whether it was the climate or the habits, he suffered a lot and took a lot of detours. However, with his hard work, Uncle Han has been promoted from the seventh rank to the sixth rank.

This time, revealing his relationship with them by marriage in front of Prefect Cheng was nothing more than to please his superiors so that he could live a better life in the local area and his path to promotion would be smoother. There is nothing wrong with that.

"Second uncle, this is not the capital city. You can have as many corn seeds as you want. If Prefect Cheng wants to promote planting on a large scale, why doesn't he personally ask the Ministry of Revenue in the capital city for approval?" Rong Jin said.

"Isn't it inconvenient because the journey is far? Moreover, even if you apply, it may not be approved. You also know that Xining Prefecture has never grown corn and has no experience." Master Han smiled awkwardly and said.

"Since you know it's inconvenient, why do you still want to ask Xichang Prefecture to borrow as much corn as possible? How can my uncle ask for it?

Last year, Xichang Prefecture only tried to plant some corn, and Sister Hua had her own ship deliver the corn seeds. Even if the planting was successful last year and the tax grain was paid, the amount of corn seeds was limited. "

Rong Jin said, his tone a little heavy, "Besides, this year Xichang Prefecture will also vigorously promote corn planting. Where will we get a large amount of corn seeds for Xining Prefecture?"

"Didn't you lend a thousand kilograms of corn seeds to the neighboring Xi'an Prefecture? Your uncle said, why don't you lend a thousand kilograms to Xining Prefecture as well?" Master Han said with a stiff face.

"Prefect Bao did not lend us money but exchanged it. He gave us sorghum seeds and compensated us with silver for the difference. What about Xining Prefecture? Did Prefect Cheng give you the silver and asked you to bring it?" Rong Jin asked.

As for the subsequent matter of Magistrate Bao helping Hua Lei introduce the royal merchant of liquor, Rong Jin did not say anything.

"This..." Mr. Han was a little speechless. He looked at Hualei, then at Rong Jin, who looked a little gloomy, and blushed.

This time, Uncle Han revealed his relationship with Hua Lei Rong Jin in front of Xining Governor Cheng, and he originally wanted to buy corn seeds from Hua Lei.

However, when Prefect Cheng heard about it, he only told Han Da to write a letter to ask Xichang Prefecture to borrow corn seeds, the more the better. He did not mention purchasing them, and did not take the initiative to allocate money.

The two brothers of the Han family were also short of money. Although their eldest brother was the Tongzhi of Chengze Prefecture and had a fixed salary, it was not much.