Proportion

Chapter 16: Proportion

Zhao Hai threw the spring water and water ball into the Space, conveniently using the water from the spring. The water was not poisonous and had good quality, so it was a good source to use.

Then Zhao Hai looked at the pile of untreated Black Soil. There was not much of it, just a pile half a meter high. Zhao Hai knew that he could transform this Black Soil using the Space earth and Spatial Water, but he didn't rush to do so. He wanted to conduct some experiments to find the best transformation plan.

After looking at the pile of Black Soil for a while, Zhao Hai solemnly said, "Shovel, divide it into tenths."

As soon as Zhao Hai gave the order, the shovels automatically took action and divided the ground Black Soil into tenths. Zhao Hai looked at this scene and couldn't help but feel happy. It seemed that everything in this Space could be controlled according to his will. It was truly fantastic.

With this thought in mind, Zhao Hai decided to conduct an experiment. He said solemnly, "Space, calculate the best proportion for improving all the Black Soil using Space earth and Spatial Water."

The prompt responded, "Beyond the jurisdiction, it is imponderable!"

Zhao Hai couldn't help but criticize, "I rely on, it's better to do it yourself than rely on others. I can take care of myself and have abundant food and clothing." He criticized the prompt for not being helpful in this situation.

Zhao Hai packed up the spring water and carried it near the spring bucket. He picked up the small iron spade and started shoveling the Space earth. He needed to calculate the proportion because he was afraid that using too much Space earth would deplete the earth in the Space, resulting in a net loss.

The Space was Zhao Hai's biggest advantage now. If anything were to happen to the Space, all his plans would be in vain, and he would return to a state of poverty and helplessness. That's why he wanted to calculate the best proportion for improving the Black Soil, so that he could make the most efficient use of the Space earth and Spatial Water.

Zhao Hai first sprinkled Spatial Water onto the Black Soil and carefully observed the changes. At the same time, he calculated the proportions. The Black Soil immediately underwent a transformation, changing from a petroleum-like black color to a unique color that was fertile soil.

After the small pile of Black Soil was completely improved, Zhao Hai carefully considered the results. The best proportion was approximately 15:1, which meant that 1/15th of the volume of water could transform a pile of Black Soil.

Zhao Hai was very satisfied with this result. It showed that the improvement ability of the Spatial Water on the Black Soil was strong. Then he sprinkled the Space earth on another pile of Black Soil. The transformation of this Black Soil was slightly different from when Spatial Water was used. After the Space earth transformed the Black Soil, it seemed even more fertile. The proportion of Space earth to Black Soil used was 10:1.

Zhao Hai repeated the process with a third pile of earth, using a proportion of 9:1 with the Spatial Water and Space earth. The result was successful, and the improved Black Soil was no different from the one improved with Spatial Water.

He continued with proportions of 82, 73, and 46, and finally found that proportions of 55 and 64 yielded the same result. Zhao Hai concluded that using a proportion of 64 was the most reasonable with the Spatial Water and Space earth. It wouldn't result in excessive waste, and the soil quality after improvement was the best.

Satisfied with the test results, Zhao Hai returned to his room, sat quietly, and reviewed the achievements of his exploration of the Space. He had leveled up the land and found the best formula for improving the Black Soil. He realized that it was time to start preparing and improving the Black Soil. It was currently April, and if he didn't start now, he would miss the farming season.

Although Zhao Hai didn't have much knowledge about farming, he understood the basic principles. Spring was the time for sowing, and autumn was the time for harvesting. Since it was the beginning of spring, he needed to get started.

In his Space, Zhao Hai had 200 gold coins, six bags of forage grass seeds, two bags of cabbage seeds, two bags of corn seeds, and two bags of wheat seeds. In the Warehouse, he also had stored eighty thousand jin (0.5 kg) of radishes, which were his current assets.

The good thing was that all the seeds could be used in the Space, which meant that as long as he improved the land outside, he could plant the seeds produced by the Space.

While thinking about these things, Zhao Hai walked outside. He needed to measure the land as soon as possible to start the improvement process. As he stepped out, he saw Blockhead and Stonehead standing in front of the door, guarding it. It seemed that no one had come to see him.

Zhao Hai nodded and said, "Blockhead, find a bunch of ropes and a ruler. We need to measure the land." Although Blockhead and Stonehead didn't know what Zhao Hai was planning, they complied and went to fetch the requested items.

As they needed to go to the Black Wasteland, where there was nothing, Green had already prepared everything they might need. Most of the supplies were grains, seeds, and other necessities. Rope and a ruler were among the items prepared.

Blockhead didn't rush to find the items, but turned to Zhao Hai and said, "Young Master, it's time for lunch. Grandma Merine has come back and is preparing lunch for you. After we finish eating, we can go."

Zhao Hai was surprised and looked at the weather. It was indeed already noon. Upon hearing Blockhead's words, he realized he was feeling a bit hungry. He nodded and said, "Well said, Blockhead. Let's have lunch first." Then he led the two to the castle's restaurant.

When they arrived at the restaurant, they saw Merine and Meg setting the tableware. Merine noticed Zhao Hai's arrival and quickly bowed, saying, "Young Master, you're up. I was just about to ask Meg to call you for lunch."

Zhao Hai smiled and replied, "I'm up, Grandma Merine. We don't need to clean the cave in the afternoon. Let's wait until tomorrow. Since Blue Eye Rabbit can't be shipped for now, there's no rush. In the afternoon, prepare the ruler and rope to measure the land outside the Black Soil. We'll allocate ten mu (6,667 square meters) for each piece and mark them. It's almost time for spring plowing. We need to make good use of our time."

Merine's complexion turned ugly as she replied, "Young Master, these lands outside with Black Soil are untillable. Although we've bought many seeds, they're meant to be planted on the mountain. It's a waste to plant them in the Black Soil outside. Measuring the land would be useless."

Zhao Hai smiled and reassured her, "Don't worry, Grandma Merine. I have a method to improve the land outside. I can make these lands fertile and cultivable. Your only responsibility is to mark out the good land."

Merine's eyes lit up, and her voice trembled as she asked, "Young Master, are you serious? Do you really have a way to improve the land outside? Can you make these lands cultivable?" She was overwhelmed with excitement. Black Wasteland was the largest area in the entire Aksu Empire, covering one-third of the empire's total area. However, it wasn't counted as part of the empire's land because it was considered a deadly wasteland.

If these lands could be cultivated and crops could grow on the Black Soil, what would happen? It would turn into the richest and most coveted place in the entire Aksu Empire.

Although Ark Continent was a civilization centered around magic, martial arts, and magical crystal ores, agriculture was still the foundation of any country. Food was vital for the people. Magic and martial arts couldn't replace food, and even a rich country couldn't rely on imports alone. A country's grain production was directly related to the livelihood of its people, and if a country gave away its grain to other countries, it would inevitably perish.

If all the lands in Black Wasteland could be cultivated, it would undoubtedly become the granary of the entire continent. There was no other place on the continent with such vast and fertile land like Black Wasteland.

But the most important reason for Merine's excitement was that this improvement would ensure Buda Family had no chance of turning back. With the testimony of the Divine Palace's messengers and other national messengers, Aksu Abo, the current emperor, expressed his intention to cooperate with Buda Family. Under the divine witness, Black Wasteland would become Buda Family's permanent fiefdom.

This cooperation agreement should not be underestimated. With the testimony of the messengers and the approval of the Divine Palace, it had obtained the endorsement of the gods. Anyone who dared to violate this agreement would be disrespecting the gods and would face the attacks of all forces on the continent.

Moreover, this agreement had a special characteristic. Because of the messengers' testimony, even if Aksu Empire were to perish and other countries took control of these lands, Black Wasteland would still belong to Buda Family. No empire had the power to take it back, not even the Divine Palace.

Can you imagine what the land would look like after Zhao Hai improved it? He would obtain the largest fiefdom on Ark Continent, and it would be permanent. No one had the power to take it back!

Wasn't it natural for Merine to be excited? If Zhao Hai could really improve the land, then Buda Family would become the wealthiest and most powerful clan on Ark Continent.