Chapter 160 Sweet Potato Harvest: Witnessing a Miracle

At this time, throughout the Liaodong region, people everywhere were spreading the word about the upcoming harvest of sweet potatoes and potatoes.

Even in the bustling streets, storytellers recounted many interesting anecdotes about Liu Fu's efforts to promote sweet potatoes and potatoes.

In an open-air teahouse, a down-on-his-luck schoolteacher was making a living by his quick wit.

The schoolteacher picked up his teacup, downed the tea in one gulp, then slammed the wooden mallet in his hand, brandished his folding fan, and suddenly became impassioned, saying:

"Gentlemen, let's talk about the stories that happened when the Eighth Prince strongly recommended the planting of sweet potatoes and potatoes. Everyone knows that the sweet potatoes and potatoes have been planted and are about to be harvested, but no one knows how much determination and effort the Eighth Prince put into this matter."

"I told everyone that the Eighth Prince was under a lot of pressure back then."

The storyteller lowered his voice at this point and quietly asked:

"Do you all know how much effort the Eighth Prince put into promoting this matter?"

Of course, there were also some people who had only heard rumors, but their knowledge was incomplete and consisted only of a portion of various rumors.

But the storyteller, with his sharp tongue, embellished the story, making it incredibly exciting:

"Let me tell you, you have no idea how much effort and pressure the Eighth Prince put into promoting potatoes and sweet potatoes."

"You may not know this, but when the Eighth Prince came to our farmland and saw that we were only harvesting a little over 100 jin (about 50 kg) to less than 200 jin (about 100 catties) of millet per mu (about 0.16 acres), he was heartbroken. He felt sorry for everyone. At that time, the Eighth Prince thought to himself, 'If we could grow more grain in the fields, so that everyone could have enough to eat, that would be great.'"

"Later, it is said that the Eighth Prince received a dream from a deity that night, telling him about one or two magical things. One of these magical things turned into potato seeds, and the other was these sweet potato seeds. The Eighth Prince initially thought it was just a dream, but when he woke up, he found sweet potato and potato seeds everywhere in his palace. This was as if he had divine assistance. The Eighth Prince's sincerity moved heaven and earth, and even the gods in the sky began to help him."

Despite how outrageous Mr. Talk's words seem and how he makes up all sorts of lies, the people below believe him without a doubt.

Firstly, when Liu Fu summoned the giant beast, there were rumors that he was the son of the Jade Emperor in heaven, a reincarnation of a god. So everyone believed it without a doubt and thought it was normal for a god to help him. After all, Liu Fu was the son of the Jade Emperor.

Now, with the storyteller's further embellishment, this matter is even more certain.

The storyteller immediately continued:

"At that time, Liaodong had just been established as a feudal state, and the Eighth Prince was poor, without a single penny. But he still dared to pat his chest and guarantee to the people that if the yield of potatoes and sweet potatoes was not high, he would be willing to compensate for all the losses. Just think how much the Eighth Prince cared for the country and the people, and how much risk he took."

"There are tens of thousands of households now, whose entire land is planted with potatoes and sweet potatoes. If they all lose money and these crops can't be grown, just think how much money the Eighth Prince will have to pay?"

This storyteller made things up on the spot, but many people still believed him.

The news spread quickly, and in the days leading up to the potato and sweet potato harvest, the doorsteps of families who had planted these two crops were practically worn down by visitors. Every day, people would come in to ask when they would harvest their potatoes and sweet potatoes, and everyone wanted to come and see for themselves.

After all, Liu Fu had mentioned the yield of potatoes and sweet potatoes, saying that the yield per mu could reach more than 2,000 jin or even 3,000 jin, which was an astonishing amount. Everyone was very curious and hoped that they could really witness such a miracle happening right in front of them.

After many days of waiting, that day finally arrived.

Based on the estimated dates, it should be around potatoes and sweet potatoes by now.

It's harvest season.

People who planted these two crops tended to them day and night, working harder than they would their own fathers, hoping that they would produce more than 2,000 or even 3,000 catties of fruit.

The day finally arrived, and the place was packed with people digging potatoes everywhere.

Especially around the eastern city, surrounded by a vast expanse of land, King Liu Fu has arrived here today, leading his officials and the people to witness the digging up of potatoes and sweet potatoes.

As soon as Liu Fu arrived, a commotion immediately broke out below.

"Look, look! The Eighth Prince is here! That's the Eighth Prince getting off his horse."

"The Eighth Prince is here. Today we're going to dig up these potatoes and sweet potatoes. Do you guys think we can dig up more than 2,000 or even 3,000 jin of fruit? Do you believe in the Eighth Prince?"

Some people believed it, while others still had their doubts.

"I believe it, but my wife doesn't."

"I believe it too."

"Logically speaking, I should believe him, after all, the Eighth Prince has been incredibly kind to us, how could we not believe what he says? But 3,000 jin is just too much, how is that possible?"

"Yes, I also think it's impossible. Our black soil is already very fertile. Growing millet only yields 100 to 200 jin, which is already an amazing yield. If it were in another place, where the soil is slightly worse, you could only grow 100 to 120 jin of millet, which would be the best you could get."

"But potatoes and sweet potatoes can yield 2,000 or even 3,000 jin per mu, which is ten, twenty or even thirty times that of millet. I still can't believe it. It's simply amazing."

"Who says otherwise? Although I want to believe it all, the number is just too big, and I'm starting to have doubts."

…………

Amidst the lively discussion of the common people below, Liu Fu looked at those who were already eager to try and finally stood up to issue his orders:

"I'm sure many people don't believe any of this. You might have doubts about whether potatoes and sweet potatoes can produce more than 2,000 or even 3,000 catties. But today, I'm going to show you with my actions that it's all true. In the Later Han Dynasty, you can trust me, you can trust His Majesty, you can trust everything."

"I will absolutely not let you down. Now, let us witness the miracle together!"