The rotational tillage system is not a concern for villages or small towns with low population density, but in the context of land scarcity around major cities, this method would amount to wasteful land use. Areas such as Yinguang City, Zhui Longling, and Wangdu require substantial monthly grain imports from other towns.
The first step in utilizing human and animal waste is to collect it. This is why Roland decided to establish public toilets early, as it not only reduces disease transmission but also improves the living environment—a win-win solution. By the time the remaining batches of workers arrived, the toilets were nearly completed. As for composting and farming techniques, he planned to select a group of experienced farmers to provide specialized training in a few days. After all, the land was still being leveled and cleared, and at least a week would be needed before plowing could begin.
After finishing his tasks, he decided to visit the leaf experiment field in the back garden.
Since Ye Zi began researching various seed improvements, all flowerable areas in the garden have been planted with crops. Following Roland's suggestion, she divided the flower beds into multiple sections and assigned numbers to compare the developmental outcomes of two experimental crop groups.
Roland was dazzled by the golden wheat fields as soon as he stepped into the courtyard.
"Your Highness." The leaf, crouching by the flower bed, rose to gather her hair near her ears and bowed in greeting upon seeing the Prince.
"Is this all your improvement work?" He waved his hand dismissively, gesturing for no formalities. Then he walked over, excitedly picking up a heavy ear of wheat and feeling its plump grains with his fingers.
He had no idea what wheat would grow into, but when he compared it to the memories of the wheat fields in the royal capital from his childhood, the ears were not only smaller than those in his hands, but also much more shriveled.
Leaves nodded. "First, I enlarge the wheat ears to accelerate seed maturation. After harvesting the seeds, I plant them in flower beds to grow these ears. But... after repeating this process two or three times, it becomes nearly impossible to produce large, elongated ears. I don't know why." Roland thought, regretting his inability to help. Based on his rudimentary middle school biology knowledge, it might be due to inbreeding defects. The South grows rice, which is vastly different from wheat. To boost yields, seeds are bought. However, maintaining two generations is already practical. A single wheat plant can produce over 130 seeds. The first batch is modified by Leaves, then farmers use it as seed stock, ensuring at least two years of supply.
"Why is this patch empty?" Roland noticed a flower bed with only a few withered wheat stalks.
"I planted them there from the start—maybe because I did it too many times," Ye Zi mused. "The wheat grows fast when I cast Magic Power, but with the spell gone, they wither instantly." The Magic Power-modified plants still needed soil for nutrients, and certain trace elements remained crucial. Roland reached the final flowerbed, where wheat grew in bizarre shapes. A stalk as thick as an arm bore clusters of green ears, with branches sprouting from the center and leafy tendrils hanging down. Each plant was quite large, and only two were planted in the bed.
This is the modified version of the 'Wheat Tree' that Roland had Ye Zi try out.
His vision was to transform wheat into a banana tree-like plant, producing fruits from its branches that could be harvested annually. This would eliminate the hassle of plowing and sowing while fostering denser foliage to boost photosynthesis and reduce land requirements. However, the thick stalks and branches currently seemed somewhat bulky, and the idea of only bearing ears at the tips didn't quite align with his original plan. Perhaps he should try adapting the leaves to resemble grapevines? Roland thought, since he'd never seen a real banana tree, and grapes weren't rare in Graycastle—making them easier to emulate through comparison.
"These three wheat seeds are not suitable for planting," Yezi explained. "I've tried them, and the grains failed to germinate. But they do produce successive crops—the ear you see is already the second batch." The inability to germinate means each wheat plant is unique, requiring Yezi's personal cultivation, making them currently of limited practical value. "You've done well. Let's name this barley variety 'Golden No.1'. I'll reserve a test plot on the southern bank of the Chishui River, enclosed with fences and partitions. You must accelerate its ripening to produce a batch of Golden No.1 for this year's spring planting," Roland instructed. "As for the garden, continue improving new varieties—I've just come up with several ideas. Not only wheat, but grapes also deserve experimentation." Unfortunately, Yezi could only grasp a crop's characteristics at a macro level: abundant fruit, sweet taste, dense branches, etc. If she could understand the microscopic level, could she directly manipulate genes for precise adjustments? For instance, enabling plants to absorb light beyond visible spectrum—such as ultraviolet, X-rays, or even ionizing radiation—for photosynthesis, directly producing energy-storing substances like starch, glucose, and sucrose. That way, crops could be grown directly in culture tanks.
By evening, the Fourth Prince had lit a bonfire by the Chishui River, summoning Carter and the royal guards to gather all the serfs. The serfs carried large pots to the site, where they were placed on makeshift clay stoves to cook porridge over the fire.
The serfs looked at their new master, who stood with his back to the bonfire, his figure cast a long, narrow shadow by the flickering flames, and lowered their heads in fear. Some of the bolder ones still occasionally stole glances at Prince.
Roland stood before the bonfire and announced the rules he had set for the group of over a thousand people.
"Behold, I am Roland Wimbledon, Lord of Graycastle, the Fourth Prince, Lord of Border Town, and Master of the West!" "I have summoned you here to proclaim that your arrival in this realm is a blessing! Through diligent labor, you shall rise above your current status!" "And so, I shall grant you the chance to shed your serfdom and become free men!" The serfs erupted in clamor. They knew well what freedom meant—no more cruel abuse from their masters, no more endless toil, no more tribute of every harvest, and no more bondage for their children.
After a brief pause, Roland continued: "Starting tomorrow, each of you will be allocated a fixed plot of land, with guidance on farming techniques to maximize wheat yields. In the first year, you may keep 30% of your harvest while contributing 70% to Border Town. The top performers will be granted freedom!" "Once freed, your families will be exempt from serfdom. Whether to continue farming or seek alternative livelihoods in town is entirely up to you. Those choosing farming must pay 20% of their harvest as rent, retaining the remaining 80%. Those seeking other means will have their land returned to the Lord, with no grain obligations." The room fell silent as everyone gasped. Suddenly, someone cried out, "Your Highness, is this true?" "Absolutely," Roland affirmed, "As a Lord, I never deceive my people." "Your Highness, be merciful," someone murmured, the voice soon rising in a triumphant chant: "Long live Your Royal Highness!" A serf in the front row knelt, followed by the second, the third...
The crowd knelt in unison, their voices rising in a deafening chorus—growing louder and more intense. The chorus eventually merged into a single rhythm: 'Your Highness, mercy!' 'Your Royal Highness, long live!' Prince thought. With the echo now present, he realized he no longer needed a torch.
He clapped his hands and called out to the guard behind him, "Let's eat!"