Enhanced Seeds

A pavilion resembling a tree suddenly appeared beside the threshing ground, immediately attracting the farmers working in the fields. Even the farmer's wife who was chasing her husband with a pitchfork stopped to watch the excitement before continuing.

Frederick sat quietly in the vine pavilion for a while, then asked Matthias, "Do you know what plants are the most profitable to grow?"

Matthias had a look that said, "I knew you'd ask that," and shook his head, saying, "Don't even think about expensive medicinal herbs. The active ingredients in many medicinal plants require years of accumulation. Those forced by magic are just like firewood."

"For example, I can make a grape seed grow and bear fruit in half a day, but those grapes won't taste like grapes at all, as bland as water. The grapes that grow the second year are normal."

"And forget about wheat. Growth is calculated per plant. Even I can only force two or three plants at a time. Even if I worked myself to death all day, I couldn't grow enough for myself."

Frederick raised an eyebrow and asked, "Can the wheat grown with magic be used for planting?"

Matthias replied, "The root systems of plants forced with magic are many times denser than those grown naturally, so they can absorb enough nutrients in a short time. If the soil isn't fertile enough, it's normal to have empty or shriveled grains. Very few wheat grains can be planted normally."

"I specialize in fruit enhancement. That's when the enhanced fruit gains certain characteristics under the effect of magic. At this time, the seeds are often affected by a large amount of magic power and lose their viability."

Frederick nodded. It seemed there were some issues with magic-induced growth when it came to fruits.

Matthias pointed to the Magic Array outside and continued, "Similarly, the seeds used for this vine were also magically enhanced, specifically for the strength of the vines."

"Letting the enhanced seeds grow naturally is different from magic-induced growth. They can grow like ordinary crops."

Frederick noticed a problem and asked, "If that's the case, why isn't this magically enhanced seed technology used by others? No one can resist the temptation of increased grain production. If I were king, I would definitely make you a duke."

Matthias started to boast, giving a few "hmphs" before saying, "Because I invented this magic."

"The first thing I used it on was the grape I just told you about. I made its fruits bigger and sweeter."

"Unfortunately, I hadn't even sold it yet when Constantinople started fighting. I don't know which bastard set up a battlefield in my manor. Now there's nothing left."

Frederick opened his mouth, unsure what to say to comfort him. He thought of someone from his past life's world whose doctoral graduation was ruined because the crops he cultivated were stolen.

He thought for a moment and said, "I think if this trial planting is successful, you can make a fortune just by selling the seeds."

Matthias said seriously, "That's what I was thinking too. I plan to collaborate with you in a few years when I have results."

Frederick naturally agreed and immediately said, "I have a manor east of Weissenburg. How about we establish a dedicated agricultural research company there to facilitate experiments?"

Matthias didn't agree immediately, but said, "But according to my theory, seeds that have been enhanced once will weaken back to their original state after two or three generations."

Frederick's smile broadened. He understood the importance of such a seed company better than anyone. On a small scale, it could make money, but on a large scale, it would be holding others by the throat.

"That's fine," he said. "It just means we can sell seeds every year and use the money we earn to research higher-yielding crops."

Matthias thought about it and quickly figured out the principle of squeezing toothpaste without being taught.

"Alright." The Plant Manipulator, whose eyes were gleaming with the light of gold coins, had an exceptionally bright smile on his face. "We'll talk in detail after you've finished settling the disaster victims. I'll put together a plan during this time."

Frederick naturally had no problem with that and then said, "I happen to have a priority project here that you can think about first."

Matthias immediately became energetic.

Frederick pointed to a patch of lush green farmland in the distance and said, "Right now I'm making a lot of money from Weissen Syrup, but there's a way to make even more."

"The Sweet Radish in that field is a bit sweet when eaten. That kind of sugar is much sweeter than Weissen Syrup."

"However, its roots have too low a sugar content and cannot be used to extract sugar."

"Think about if there's any way to increase the sugar content in its root tubers. If we can extract sweeter sugar from them, we'll make a fortune."

In this era, there was no plant taxonomy. Beets looked like radishes, and because they were a bit sweet, they were called Sweet Radish.

However, the sugar content of beets in this era was not high, so they couldn't be used to make sugar and were all eaten as vegetables.

Frederick made a lot of money from Maltose, but Maltose was far less sweet than white sugar. Once white sugar was mass-produced, it would be hard not to get rich.

Matthias thought for a while and said, "I'm not familiar with Sweet Radish. Its root is sweet. I can start with magic that enhances the root and design more plans for comparison."

Frederick didn't understand the technical details, so he left it to the professional.

The two chatted about the direction of cultivation for other crops for a while. Matthias went to inspect the Magic Array, and Frederick went to the pile of wheat seeds nearby to watch the fun.

Chestnut Village being chosen for the experiment wasn't without benefits. Weissenburg University signed an agreement with the villagers. If the grain yield was lower than the same period last year, the university would compensate the villagers. If it was higher, the villagers would benefit.

Because the Principal of Weissenburg University was Baron Weissen, the villagers agreed out of trust in the Young Master.

Frederick spoke with the village chief about the agreement, giving the villagers reassurance, while also examining the wheat seeds in the baskets.

By noon, the Magic Array was finally ready.

During lunch, while eating steamed buns made with bran and chestnut flour and pea and pork offal soup, Frederick asked Matthias, "Aren't you afraid of others stealing this Magic Array by just leaving it here?"

"It's fine," Matthias said mysteriously. "This Magic Array is just a tool, like a wand. What really works is my operation."

Frederick had an "I see" expression and also felt a sense of relief.

He ate a few bites of peas and pork offal. The taste wasn't too bad.

It was the busy farming season, and it was only during this period that farmers would eat lunch and have meat.

Since the advent of Steam Bread, people in Wessen Territory could steam everything. These wowotou were something they figured out on their own.

Now, there were people who specialized in selling steamers placed on top of soup pots. When cooking soup below, they would steam wowotou in the steamer at the same time. Flavor mixing was insignificant compared to saving firewood.

After everyone finished lunch, the farmers began moving the wheat seeds into the designated area within the Magic Array according to Matthias.

Matthias stood nearby and chanted. Soon after, the Magic Array was activated, and green magic elements continuously gathered above the Magic Array, submerging the baskets of wheat seeds. Gradually, they moved violently like a turbulent sea with giant waves.

After a few minutes, outsiders couldn't tell what was happening. The Magic Array stopped operating, and the magic elements quickly dissipated.

The baskets were quickly moved out. The wheat seeds inside emitted a greenish glow, which gradually faded after a while.

The farmers looked at each other, thinking, Is this all it takes to increase production?