"Lord Wan, did half the land in Chentang Pass really fail to produce any grain?"
Bo Yi frowned. Wan Nian had traveled the realm on King Zhou's orders, yet even a man of his caliber had made a mistake.
Chentang Pass had begun planting rice and wheat last year, then expanded cultivation on a large scale at the beginning of this year. Who could have imagined it would fail?
Chao Lei also stared at Wan Nian with his tiger-like eyes, finding it hard to believe.
"Chief Commander Li hadn't intended to plant them on a large scale. Was that your recommendation, Lord Wan?"
Chao Lei kept raising his voice. He had launched a surprise attack on the Eastern Yi, won astonishing military honors, and pulled off a raid that emptied them of the wealth they had accumulated over centuries. He had accomplished all of this with Li Jing's support.
As a result, he and Li Jing were on very good terms. With nearly half the land in Chentang Pass producing no grain, Li Jing would have to shoulder half the blame. Public resentment was boiling up everywhere, and the reforms might fail as well.
Wan Nian said, "Some places succeeded, while others failed. It was indeed an oversight on my part. Clearly, I still need to travel more. Nothing can be accomplished in a single leap. Few people grow wheat, and the common people aren't familiar with its growing habits. That was what led to the failure."
Wan Nian paused, then continued, "But wheat yields more than foxtail millet. That much is certain. Steamed buns made from wheat are also more filling. Still, I'm afraid it will take another year or two to fully master its cultivation before we can produce it successfully on a large scale."
Chao Lei said