Another year passed in the Book of a Hundred Lives.
During his years in Xueyang Prefecture, Xiao Mo built irrigation works, tilled the fields himself, and redesigned the plow, replacing its straight shaft with a curved one.
The curved-shaft plow took less effort to use and worked in both paddies and dry fields.
Drawing on his own experience, Xiao Mo then wrote the Book of Northern and Southern Agriculture.
Taking account of the differences between northern and southern soils, he emphasized "intensive cultivation," "three rounds of plowing and three of harrowing," "sowing while the soil held moisture," and "turning green crops under to enrich the land." He wrote everything as thoroughly as he could.
Xiao Mo was also the first to promote these methods in Xueyang Prefecture.
The following year, the people of Xueyang Prefecture reaped a bountiful harvest.
Xiao Mo then presented the book to the reigning Ruler of Qi.
She was delighted.
At court the next morning, the King Qi discussed the matter with his ministers. They ultimately decided to print the book and distribute it throughout the realm.
Every official was required to study it closely, and knowledge of it became part of their evaluations.
The following year, Xiao Mo received an imperial decree.
He was to return to the Imperial Capital and take up the post of Vice Minister of Works.
The promotion did not surprise Xiao Mo.
He had regularly exchanged letters with Zhang Qianzhi and had gathered that Zhang and the Prime Minister wanted to bring him back.
On the day Xiao Mo left office, the people of Xueyang Prefecture brought cups of water to bid him farewell and escorted him for miles.
As soon as he returned to the Imperial Capital, Xiao Mo entered the palace to report on his work to the