Grasp the farming script in the famous book

Everyone saw Jane's depression and was anxious in their hearts.

Elizabeth and Jane had heart-to-heart talks several times.The other sisters were very careful, trying to avoid mentioning words like "Mr. Bingley" and "Nesefield" in front of Jane.

Roland invited Jane to help take care of the flowers in her greenhouse. Jane had good taste and could make a beautiful bouquet with just a few clicks.

As a result, Jane was busier than usual, and there were rare smiles on her face.

Roland breathed a sigh of relief.

Unexpectedly, just after Christmas, when Uncle Gardner's family was preparing to leave for London, Jane suddenly asked Roland for advice:

"Little sister, do you think I should go to London with my uncle's family?"

When she asked this question, Jane was helping Roland in the greenhouse to prepare vegetable seedlings to be planted in the garden in spring.

Roland never expected that the elder sister would ask himself such a question, and he was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer it.

"Uncle and aunt are very busy. I can help take care of my cousins ​​in London. And... I can try and meet him..."

As Jane spoke, she stared at a lettuce sapling, as if she were staring at a windblown rose.Roland looked at her from the side, and saw that her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were moving, she was absolutely beautiful.

Roland was troubled in his heart: Mr. Bingley obviously did something wrong in this matter.

At the ball in Netherfield, Bingley and Jian Mingming were fine. The next day Bingley went to London, leaving Jane behind, as if he had never known her before—where did all the affection and hospitality go? Where are you going?

But Jane was obviously moved by her true feelings.

She thought about it, and asked Jane cautiously: "Do you think... Mr. Bingley, does it meet your standards?"

Jane was startled: "Standard?"

Roland quickly explained: "Mr. Bingley is a handsome gentleman, handsome, and from a good family... But he also has shortcomings, he... has softer ears..."

Mr. Bingley's biggest problem, as Roland said at the ball that day, is that he is too centrally air-conditioned, his stand is not strong enough, he doesn't have much of his own opinions, and he is easy to be led by the nose - and he is also relatively easy to be fooled by servants.

Jane sighed and said, "But I... I'm not a perfect person either!"

Roland bowed his head in silence.

Only now did she realize that Jane had already fallen in love with Mr. Bingley deeply, and her love was deeply rooted and irreplaceable.

But she still wanted to make sure again, so Roland reminded in a low voice: "Jane, if you're doing it for his five thousand pounds a year, then there's no need, you deserve better..."

Jane immediately lowered her head and smiled, and when she looked up again, her gaze was through the glass curtain wall of the greenhouse, and she didn't know where to focus.

"Wouldn't that friend of Mr. Bingley's be richer if it was just wealth?"

"But... people's feelings will not be influenced by money, at least I won't be like this..."

Roland heard the answer she wanted, and immediately said loudly: "Jane, go to London!"

"Go if you want! Follow your inner voice." Why is there any need to linger?

"Listen to me, Jane, you went to London, try to find a way to meet Mr. Bingley directly, don't go through Miss Bingley, she will definitely not connect you with her brother." Roland said quickly.

Jane suddenly became embarrassed: "This..."

Miss Bennett only has the contact information of Miss Bingley. In fact, as a lady who has not yet left the cabinet, she is only suitable for contacting Miss Bingley.It would be inappropriate to go directly to Mr. Bingley, or even to write to Mr. Bingley.

"Walk around more in London, go shopping more, look at the shop windows, look around the address that Miss Bingley left for you, and see if there is any chance of meeting you..."

Roland really didn't expect that the elder sister's emotions were so firm, but her action was so weak-it was indeed a model of a lady in the 18th century, but she was about to kill a young girl from the 22nd century.

"Not much else to say, I'll take you to see your uncle and aunt first, let's finalize the matter of going to London first—"

As soon as he left, Roland put down the small shovel and hoe in his hand, took off his gloves covered in mud, and pulled Jane out of the greenhouse.

The Gardners readily agreed to Jane's request, and Uncle Gardner looked grateful, as if Jane had done them a great favor by going to London.

Mrs. Gardner looked at Jane curiously, and then at Roland, as if she had realized something.

So, just after the new year, the sisters of Longbourne bid farewell to their uncle's family and their eldest sister.

After Jane left Longborn, Roland continued to work: she planned to replant the vegetable garden in the spring.

This season, in addition to the planar gardens with various shapes and patterns, Roland also opened up a large area of ​​trellises specially designed for vines.

The trellis has been planned out several large areas, which are mainly used to grow cucumbers, loofahs, lentils, and muscadines.

Wisteria, bougainvillea, and roses were planted on the edge of the trellis—on the one hand, it was for the sake of the beauty of the garden, and on the other hand, Roland had a selfish intention, planning to make some wisteria pancakes and other snacks to satisfy his hunger in the future.

Beyond the vegetable gardens at Longborn, tenant farmers are leveling, turning and breaking up the soil, plowing deep furrows in the fields for sowing.

And Roland has taken them to take soil samples from all the fields, and made a huge "crop rotation table".

The concept of "crop rotation" was not new to farmers in the mid-18th century.

In fact, after the 17th century, farmers in England have gradually abandoned the traditional practice of "fallowing" and began to try to plant other crops on the land that should have been "fallowed" to "supplement the soil."

But it was the first time that tenant farmers had met someone like Roland who analyzed the soil quality and made a detailed crop rotation plan.

I saw that Roland marked all the soil he took from the field, then poured it into a glass bottle, added water to soak it; then poured out the clear water in the bottle, and dripped various colored seeds into the water. reagent.

Then she recorded all the results of the color changes of these waters, and based on the results, she made a huge "crop rotation table", which marked the "cultivation plan" for each field this year.

Shareholders: ...Miss, what kind of spell are you doing?

Roland: ...?

She just tested the pH of the soil and the content of specific chemical elements to determine which crops are more suitable.

But this is difficult to explain to sharecroppers.

Roland understands the concerns of sharecroppers: Farmers are most concerned about maintaining soil fertility, and crop rotation increases the use time of the land, making it impossible for the land to rest.

As soon as her crop rotation table came out, the sharecroppers found that many lands were planted with crops almost all year round, and there was no chance for recuperation.In addition, this approach was proposed for the first time, so it was naturally difficult for tenant farmers to accept it.

In fact, "crop rotation" itself is a method of replenishing soil fertility, especially planting legumes and root crops, which are good ways to help soil nitrogen fixation.

But how can tenant farmers understand and accept this fresh planting method?

After some deep thinking, Roland invited the "scholar" Mary at home.

When she appeared in front of the sharecroppers, Miss Mary specially wore a pair of glasses with copper wire rims, and holding several thick books, she reached out to push up the frame on the bridge of her nose from time to time.

"Oh, crop rotation? Crop rotation appeared at the end of the last century!"

Mary heard the questions from the tenant farmers, and she held the book and answered solemnly: "In 1700, England already had the Norfolk four-field crop rotation system①. The first year was planted with winter wheat, the second year with turnips, and the third year with Sowing barley in the spring, planting alfalfa and ryegrass in the fourth year...it's all in the books!"

Shareholders: ...that's amazing!As expected of Miss Mary!

"but……"

Several young tenant farmers still couldn’t understand, “In the crop rotation table given to us by the young lady, some fields were planted in the summer for peas, nest beans and turnips, and some fields were planted in the spring and then planted with rapeseed, and then another season. Sowing in summer, planting winter wheat after summer sowing... This is different from the Norfolk you mentioned, isn't it?"

They were young sharecroppers who had been learning spelling for some time from Mr. Fletcher, the cleric.They can already read the "Crop Rotation Table" made by Roland by themselves.

"Oh," Mary stretched out her hand to support her glasses, and opened a large and thick book, "Norfolk did it a long time ago, according to the explanation in this "Introduction to Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Horticulture"②... "

Shareholders: All right, all right...Miss Mary, we hear you!With such a profound knowledge, it is enough for you and the little lady to understand it!

After the tenant farmers dispersed, Roland happily hugged Third Sister's arm to express his gratitude:

"Mary, you are the best and brightest of the Bennetts!"

is not that right?She just mentioned the concept of "crop rotation", and Mary actually found the relevant records from the classics.

Mary pretended to be serious with a straight face, and said lightly: "I just read a few books casually, and I remembered them when I found them interesting."

The "talented girl" turned her head, looked at her younger sister, and patiently told her: "The output of the field is very important to the tenant farmers, so don't mess around, you know?"

"Of course!" Roland assured her - she is very experienced in farming.

"Mary, I'm thinking, in the future, our fields in Longborn will grow better and better, and the garden will produce more and more vegetables. Can we also record our planting experience... just like the book "Farming and Animal Husbandry" It is the same as "Introduction to Agriculture and Horticulture", but ours can be called "Practice of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Horticulture"..."

Roland was full of thoughts on getting Mary into the group, and reached out to massage the third sister's shoulders and neck. At the same time, he suggested with a smile on his face: "Mary can write, and Kitty can draw illustrations—I will provide you with materials."

Roland's massage techniques are exquisite, and Mary is feeling comfortable. When Roland said this, she immediately smiled:

"Want me to help you spell-check? Just say it!"

Roland stuck out his tongue: She doesn't speak old English very well, and she really wanted to ask Mary to check her spelling, but she didn't expect Mary to see through her intention as soon as she opened her mouth.

But this idea is really good, Roland plans to start collecting materials right now.

Maybe in the future they can actually publish a "farm book" and write "by the Bennett sisters" on the signature, or to be more modest, use a pseudonym and mark it "from Longbourne" - with help The majority of farmers will thank them.

Just when Roland was preparing to prepare this "Agricultural Book" with great interest, Meryton suddenly sent a shocking news:

Parliament in London has passed a "toll road" bill, which will build a toll road between London and Birmingham, through Hertfordshire.

After the parliament passed the bill, it authorized the establishment of a trust company for the construction of "toll roads", arranged for land acquisition from the private sector and raised funds.

This is a great chance to drop from the sky.

Without further ado, as soon as Roland heard the news, he set off for Meryton.

Her Meryton uncle, Mr. Phillips, a lawyer, must have been well acquainted with the project.

"Lydia, did your father ask you to inquire?" Uncle Phillips thought Mr. Bennett was interested in this project.

"Indeed, this has something to do with your family."

The planned "toll road" has been planned to Meriton.

However, the road to the next town from Meryton to the northwest has not yet been determined.

The area around Meryton is private land. If roads are built on it, the trust company responsible for the development will need to expropriate the land and pay a large amount of compensation—this is something the trust company is unwilling to do.

What the trust would prefer to see is that the land-owning gentry nod and agree to build roads on their land, and pay a certain amount of the road cost.

In this way, these wise squires will have the power to obtain "toll" income from the "toll road".

The "toll" power given by the parliament to this road can last at least 100 years and can be inherited between generations.

Roland: That's great!

"Lydia, if Mr. Bennett is interested, please contact me as soon as possible. I know the sponsor of the Turnpike Trust Company, and I can connect him."

Uncle Phillips was glad that someone could deliver the news for him without having to go to Longbourn himself.

Unexpectedly, the little niece sitting in front of him shook her head and said, "No, it's not my dad who wants to build this toll road, it's me...our sisters!"

Participating in the construction of toll roads can obtain the income of "toll fees".

According to Roland's understanding, with the rise of the industrial revolution, the road usage rate from London to Birmingham will increase geometrically in the next few decades.

After the road is completed, the income will surely enter a period of rapid growth after the initial stable period.This income will never be less.

In addition, if this road is built on the land of the Bennett family, it will definitely promote the communication between Longborn and the big cities, which will be of great benefit to the development of Longborn.

But it cannot be held in the name of Mr. Bennett, otherwise it will fall into the pocket of Cousin Collins in the future - this loses Roland's original intention of being considerate of his sisters.

All she has to do is create an asset that can be held in the name of the Bennett sisters.

For this reason, Roland intends to invest all the more than 1000 pounds she has in hand, no matter what.

Uncle Phillips was stunned when he heard Roland's plan, and it took him a long time to realize:

"This this……"

Roland looked at his uncle very sincerely: "Do you think this is feasible?"

Uncle Phillips thought for a long time before answering: "It is theoretically possible..."

Roland was very happy, and clapped his little hands: Isn't that the end?

"But... to build this road, Mr. Bennett must agree." Mr. Phillips said "but" for a long time before he said this.

"Of course."

Roland thought about it and thought it was normal.After all, Mr. Bennett is the owner of this piece of land, and the development and construction of roads on this piece of land must be approved by him.

"In addition... In addition, even if Mr. Bennett agrees to join the Road Trust, he must pay at least [-] pounds as a share of the initial expenses."

Two thousand pounds...

Roland currently only has more than 1000 pounds of cash assets on hand. She still has some funds that have been put on seeds, seedlings and various goods, and some are liquid funds that are necessary for daily operations and cannot be used.

She was short of a thousand pounds.

How much is a thousand pounds? —the five sisters of their family, plus their mother, Mrs. Bennet, will inherit a total of five thousand pounds after Mr. Bennet.The share that Roland can inherit is less than a thousand pounds.

A thousand pounds, for the Bennet sisters, the total dowry they were likely to receive;

For many tenant farmers in Longborn, a thousand pounds was an astronomical figure that they could not reach in their lifetime.

If a penny is enough for a hero, where will she go to make up the difference of a thousand pounds?

Seeing Roland's embarrassed face, Uncle Phillips guessed that she would not be able to come up with the money, sighed, and said to his niece: "Lydia, it's not easy for you to have this kind of heart...others like you Girls that age don't think about that."

"Go home obediently and tell your father all the news—such a big decision should be made by the head of the family, right?"

Roland nodded and got up obediently.

She decided to go back to Longborn first and tell her father the news—it was an extremely important decision for both the family and the residents of the village of Longborn.

As for money, Roland thought to himself, there is no unparalleled road, and she can always find a way.

Thinking so, she hurried to the carriage parked by the side of the road.Before she boarded the carriage, a scarlet rose was suddenly handed over from the thorns in front of her——

"Mr. Wickham?"

It is said that the style of handing roses to everyone is quite in line with Mr. Long Aotian's personality.

Roland saw the roses growing in her own greenhouse at a glance, and she couldn't help but not give him face.Roland didn't get into the car directly, but wrapped the woolen shawl around his body tighter.

She turned around and greeted George Wickham, who was also a "player" with herself, with a smiling face.

"Are you short of money?" Wickham asked softly.

Roland raised his eyebrows: "How do you know?"

Wickham smiled, showing his neat and white teeth, and whispered to Roland, "If you want to get rich, build roads first. I knew you must be thinking about 'toll roads'."

Roland was guessed by Wickham, but he was noncommittal and did not reveal his true thoughts.

I saw Wickham leaning his body towards Roland, leaning into her ear and whispering:

"As long as you tell me, I'll lend you—"

"Isn't it just a matter of two thousand pounds?"

"Who made you Lydia Bennett?"