Farming was both a job that required no skill and one that demanded a great deal of technical know-how.
Some people would toss down a couple of handfuls of seeds and call it farming.
Then they would add some fertilizer and leave the rest to the weather.
Others, however, cultivated their fields with great care.
If you really looked into farming, you would find all sorts of knowledge involved.
But that knowledge could only be taught in academic environments like colleges.
Trying to teach it to illiterate people who knew only a few characters—or to people who couldn't read at all—
was practically impossible.
But that was also why the elders were so respected.
They knew a lot, while the young knew little.
It was as simple as that.
But at this planting site,
there was no need for careful instruction at all.
Everything was being planted using methods that were both thoroughly scientific and considerate of illiterate workers.
Looking at the plots marked out by the taut ropes, Rick, who had no idea how to farm and was holding a hoe, asked, "Sir, do we just mark out the plots using these ropes and then start digging trenches?"
Paul nodded. "Yes, that's right. The scholars made these ropes to help everyone. They mark out the plots. Simple, right?"
"According to the instructions, first we clear away the weeds, then we till the soil deeply and turn it over."
"Then those plots need to be—"
"Sir, I know. We pile up the soil and make raised beds," Tile chimed in. "But that's hard work. We don't have any plow horses here. Do we have to turn the soil by hand?"
Paul nodded. "That's right, we make raised beds."
"But the way we farm isn't so primitive anymore. We don't need