BDSMST -Chapter 110 New Crops—Cotton and Chili Peppers

After the joy of the Harvest Festival, Woniu Village entered a brief lull in farming.

But Jiang Suisui did not rest.

She locked herself in her study for three full days. No one knew what she was working on. Gu Yan had only given one order: no one was to disturb her.

On the fourth day, when Jiang Suisui emerged, her face showed traces of fatigue, but her eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.

She summoned Gu Yan, Uncle Fu, and several of the most capable stewards of the estate to the council hall.

On the table lay two small cloth bundles.

“Uncle Fu, take a look—what is this?” Jiang Suisui opened the first bundle.

Inside were fluffy, snow-white fibers, interspersed with some black seeds.

Uncle Fu picked up a handful, squeezed it, then brought it close to his eyes for a careful inspection, his face puzzled.

“Madam… is this… willow fluff? No, it’s sturdier than willow fluff. Feels warm to the touch.”

“This is called cotton,” Jiang Suisui said. “It’s a crop we’ve never had here before. After the flower blooms and withers, it produces a fruit. When mature, the fruit splits open and releases this white fiber.”

She took a small pinch of cotton fibers, rolled it between her fingers, slowly stretching it into a fine, delicate thread.

“This fiber can be spun into yarn and woven into cloth. Cotton cloth made from this is much softer than the coarse linen we wear now, far warmer, and even comparable to some lower-quality silk.”

Everyone present widened their eyes in amazement.

For the common people of the Great Xia Dynasty, winter clothing was a major problem. Poor families could only wear rough linen garments, stuffed with reed fluff or willow down, which offered little warmth. Every winter, countless people froze to death.

The wealthy wore brocade, silk, or fur coats—expensive beyond the reach of ordinary folk.

If cotton really could be grown here, its significance for the people of the land was obvious.

“Madam, can this… really be cultivated?” one steward asked excitedly.

“Yes,” Jiang Suisui replied firmly. “I’ve already studied it. Its growth habits are well-suited to our climate and soil. I’ve already planned it—we’ll start experimental planting on the newly reclaimed sandy land south of the village this spring.”

She carefully put away the first bundle, then opened the second.

Inside were small, red, dried, conical fruits.

“And what is this?” Uncle Fu picked one up curiously and sniffed it.

A sharp, pungent aroma made him sneeze uncontrollably.

“This is called chili pepper,” Jiang Suisui said with a sly smile. “A completely new kind of seasoning.”

“Seasoning?” Everyone was confused. Their usual condiments were limited to salt, sauces, vinegar, or spices like Sichuan pepper or cornus fruits.

“Its flavor is very unique. It can make food spicy and appetizing,” Jiang Suisui explained. “More importantly, it has excellent preservative qualities. Using it to pickle meat or vegetables greatly extends their shelf life. For soldiers on the march or people traveling long distances, it’s incredibly useful.”

She looked at Gu Yan. He immediately understood her meaning.

Military rations were bland and monotonous. In winter, soldiers were often reduced to simple salted vegetables and dried meat. With chili peppers, not only would the flavor improve, boosting morale, but it would also provide an option for preserving provisions.

“How do you eat this?” Gu Yan picked up one of the dried chili peppers, examining it with curiosity.

“You can either dry them and grind them into powder, or make them into a sauce,” Jiang Suisui said, looking at Gu Yan’s eager expression. “But be warned—the flavor is very strong. You’d better be prepared.”

Gu Yan was unconcerned. After all, he was a general who had endured countless hardships on the battlefield. How could a tiny fruit faze him?

Following Jiang Suisui’s demonstration, he broke off a small piece, no bigger than a fingernail, and put it in his mouth.

At first, it was just a hint of spiciness.

But then, an intense, explosive heat erupted in his mouth. The fiery wave surged down his throat and burned all the way to his stomach.

Gu Yan’s usually calm face instantly flushed crimson. He tried to stay composed, but his body betrayed him. He began to cough violently, and tears pricked the corners of his eyes.

“Water!” he gasped out, each word a struggle.

Jiang Suisui stifled a laugh and handed him a cup of cooling tea she had prepared in advance.

He drank it in one gulp, finally feeling the fiery sensation ease slightly. When he looked at the bright red chili peppers on the table again, his eyes held a note of respect.

Everyone else in the council hall, witnessing the lord’s “suffering,” was too scared to try, each still shivering at the memory.

“Cough… cough…” Gu Yan cleared his throat and regained his composure. “This… is indeed potent. But the aftertaste is… exhilarating.”

Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, yet his body felt warm and thoroughly comfortable.

“This is truly a remarkable thing,” he finally pronounced.

With Gu Yan’s personal test and approval, no one doubted the value of chili peppers.

“Cotton concerns the warmth of the people’s clothing. Chili peppers can change the taste of food across the land, and even affect military rations,” Jiang Suisui summarized. “These two crops are the core of Woniu Village’s next stage of development. This must be strictly confidential. Anyone involved in planting or cultivating them must sign a secrecy agreement. Until production reaches scale, not a single seed may be distributed.”

“Yes, Madam!” everyone responded in unison.

After the meeting, Jiang Suisui handed most of the remaining chili peppers to the kitchen.

“Let the cooks experiment. Make chili oil, chili sauce… first, we’ll introduce it here in our estate, so people can gradually get used to the flavor.”

That very evening, a new dish appeared on Woniu Village’s dinner table—Sichuan-style boiled pork slices.

Tender meat floated in a fiery red broth, the aroma rich and pungent, making mouths water.

The bravest villagers reached for their chopsticks first.

“Wow… ha… delicious!”

“Incredible! So spicy and satisfying! I feel all warm inside!”

Soon, everyone joined in, and the dish was devoured to the last piece.

Gu Yan ate a fair amount too, sipping cooling tea to ease the heat while still reaching for more.

Jiang Suisui watched him, amused at how he couldn’t stop eating despite his reddened lips, and smiled warmly.

She suddenly realized that making the world “vivid and flavorful” could also be deeply rewarding.

She turned to the window, looking out at the land soon to be planted with cotton and chili peppers, serene and full of promise in the moonlight.

She knew that when spring came next year, these tiny seeds would bring about a transformation as profound and decisive as any war—gentle, yet far-reaching.

And she would be the guiding force behind that transformation.