Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1011 - 92: Zhao Yao’s Plan

Once the trade fair wrapped up, Zhao Yao headed straight to the fields for a thorough check, as the early rice harvest was just around the corner. He wanted to closely assess the crop's status right before reaping time arrived.

This season's early rice looked promising overall. Thanks to Zhao Yao's innovative idea, folks in Swamp Prefecture began stocking fish in their paddies, leading to exceptionally thriving rice this year. The fish, too, had become notably fat and healthy.

At first, when Zhao Yao floated this concept, the locals in Swamp Prefecture found it baffling and absurd. Raising fish right in the rice paddies? Wouldn't the fish devour the young plants?

Facing the crowd's skepticism, Zhao Yao decided to test it out on his own land by introducing fish to his fields. The Swamp Prefecture residents figured Prince Han must have gone crazy and eagerly anticipated his failure. Yet, despite their watchful eyes, the rice sprouts in Prince Han's paddies stayed completely untouched by the fish.

Far from being damaged, the rice sprouts in Prince Han's fields flourished more vibrantly than ever. On top of that, the fish swimming there kept getting larger and larger. This left everyone scratching their heads in confusion.

Why didn't the fish munch on the rice sprouts?

How could the fish even thrive amid the rice paddies?

Zhao Yao cleared up the mystery for the locals, pointing out that fish steer clear of rice sprouts and their roots, leaving the plants perfectly safe. The secret to the superior growth of the sprouts lay in the fish waste acting as natural manure. And the reason the fish bulked up so much was their diet of insects and unwanted plants in the water.

In truth, integrating fish into rice paddies boosts the field's natural balance. The fish's constant movement stirs the water, raising its purity and air content, which all aids the rice's development. Plus, their waste acts as rich natural fertilizer, enhancing the rice's overall quality.

By farming fish, the locals gained an extra source of earnings. When the fish reached a good size and heft, they could fetch a solid price at market.

Fish farming in rice fields delivers benefits on all fronts—a true quadruple win.

Folks in Swamp Prefecture might not grasp ideas like better air in the water or enhanced natural surroundings, but they got that fish made the soil richer and the rice stronger. Above all, it meant extra cash in their pockets, and even a small sum counted as real wealth.

Having witnessed the advantages of fish in the paddies firsthand, the people stopped doubting Prince Han's advice and rushed to try it on their own plots.

While the trade fair was on, the fish in the locals' fields had fattened up impressively. They sold them off to nearby inns and pocketed handsome returns.

Meat from these paddy-raised fish turned out incredibly soft and flavorful, delighting the inn patrons. Consequently, inn owners snapped up huge batches from the villagers, spreading joy all around.

In addition to fish, Zhao Yao recommended adding ducks to the rice fields. The perks mirrored those from the fish. The locals wasted no time and promptly started duck farming in their paddies without a second thought.

Residents of Swamp Prefecture—or Lingnan more broadly—typically shunned duck meat due to its off-putting fishy flavor. They favored chicken over duck any day.

Upon discovering this dislike for ducks, Zhao Yao took action by publishing a bulletin outlining one hundred duck-cooking methods.

Locals and inn chefs alike experimented with Prince Han's recipes and discovered duck meat transformed into a delicious treat, free of any fishy notes—roast duck stood out especially.

Roast duck quickly surged in popularity, exploding in demand during the trade fair. Out-of-town visitors couldn't get enough of it.

Truth be told, Zhao Yao had unveiled roast duck years earlier. It swiftly turned into a hit dish in the capital. From there, it spread across various regions, gaining widespread fame. Yet, it had yet to make its way to Lingnan.

Visitors from places like Annan and Johor had fallen hard for roast duck during their capital trips for tribute. Sadly, their home chefs struggled to replicate it well, so they traveled to Great Zhou just to savor it. They assumed a trip to Great Zhou's capital was necessary for the real deal, but surprisingly, Swamp Prefecture offered the authentic taste.

In the midst of the trade fair, overseas guests devoured every last duck available in Swamp Prefecture, compelling Zhao Yao to dispatch folks inland for more supplies.

Thanks to fish and duck rearing, Swamp Prefecture's people raked in substantial profits, solidifying their confidence in Zhao Yao as Prince Han even further.

Post-trade fair, the unwavering belief in Prince Han's guidance grew stronger among Swamp Prefecture's residents. They now viewed him not just as a lifesaving "living Bodhisattva" but also as their very own "God of Wealth."

Returning to the present, with the early rice ready for harvest come next month, Zhao Yao felt deep worry over the crop's health, prompting his personal visit to the fields for inspection.