Forging Blades from Rice Ears: A Farming Journey by an Agricultural Doctor

My new book is out and pinned to the top of my profile. It's also a historical novel. I hope all my dear readers will give it a look.

[Crop breeding] [Filling the granaries] [Pure satisfaction] [No System] [One heroine] [Face-slapping] [No beheadings]

[Volume One: Yuan Destruction is complete. The next volume begins tomorrow, so stay tuned]

Jiang Lin, a PhD in agronomy, fell into a dry well and woke up as the most useless little Daoist on Wudang Mountain. He recited the Dao De Jing so badly that “very fragrant” came out, and nearly got beaten to death by his master with a bamboo switch.

With no other choice, he took up farming.

He improved the soil and bred better crops, raising yields from one shi per mu to three. Wudang Mountain's granaries overflowed, soup kitchens stretched all the way to the foot of the mountain, and disaster victims held their bowls and called him a “living immortal.” Farmers from a hundred li around begged for his advice, and even the Emei Sect came to ask for rice seeds.

His reputation grew so great that the sect leader wanted him to take over. Jiang Lin shook his head all night: “I just want to farm.” His master kicked him down the mountain. “Get out and gain some experience. Don't rot away up here.”

And so, a Daoist carrying rice seeds began an absurd journey through the Hongwu era. Wherever he went, the crops grew like crazy. When the news reached Nanjing, Zhu Yuanzhang slammed his hand on the table. “Bring that farmer to me!”

His first words upon meeting him: “If you can't fill the granaries, off with your head.”