It was the second night watch, as they sought the rosy hues of dawn.
...
At the edge of the field, Lian Manman and Wu Lang got off the cart with baskets in their arms. Lian Shouxin untied the Little Yellow Ox from the cart and began to harness the plow. Lian Manman walked a few steps into the field, crouched down, and grabbed a handful of soil. Due to the recent soaking rain, the soil was very moist.
Such moist soil was suitable for direct sowing. In the words of an experienced farmer, it was like heaven was showing them kindness. If there wasn't enough rain during spring planting, the tenant farmers would have to carry water to the fields bucket by bucket. Even a strong laborer would find such arduous work too much to bear.
Lian Shouxin finished harnessing the plow and drove the ox into the field. Then, inserting the iron plow blade into the center of the furrow and adjusting the depth, he cracked his whip and urged the little ox forward.
