"Yes, they are all using the iron plow! Therefore, we must not be too arrogant. We should learn more from them. They have survived and thrived here for hundreds of years, so they naturally have some unique insights, not to mention their thorough understanding of everything here!" Cato said solemnly.
Unlike Volenus, who was once a Roman citizen and viewed the Gauls and Celts as barbarians, in his previous life, he had read about the Gauls and knew that their civilization level was not low, with high standards in agriculture, animal husbandry, iron smelting, and woodworking.
"Leader, you’re right!" Volenus nodded in agreement. "Since the soil is already fertile enough, I think we don’t need to apply more fertilizer. Besides, we don’t have time for composting right now."
"I have a suggestion," Cato said. "I noticed that in the fields around the two villages to the east, there are many piles of wheat straw. I estimate the Segestica people might want to use them as backup for replacing thatch roofs, but that’s quite wasteful. Instead, we could burn this straw, collect the ashes, and mix them into the soil to increase its fertility."
"Using straw ash to fertilize the soil?!" Volenus was surprised because he had never heard of such a method and couldn’t help but be skeptical.
Cato continued, "Not just wheat straw, other weeds, including ash from burned wood, can also be mixed into the soil to enhance fertility. The darker the ash, the better the fertility it provides. Additionally, the bones left after we eat livestock and poultry can be ground into powder and mixed into the soil to add another type of fertility."
"Another type of fertility?" Volenus was even more puzzled.
So Cato vaguely explained to him, "Generally, for crops to grow well, the soil needs at least three things. Planting legumes can add one, mixing plant ash another, and mixing bone meal the last one... it seems you don’t quite believe it."
"I believe it! Leader, I believe everything you’ve said!" Volenus hurriedly replied.
Cato glanced at him and continued earnestly, "I suggest that your Agricultural Department designate a plot of land as your department’s exclusive field to experiment with various new farming methods and implement new tools. If the trial results are good, then you can promote it to other tribesmen.
The methods I just mentioned for enhancing soil fertility, you can let your subordinates try it in the Agricultural Department’s field first to see if the beans and vegetables that grow are better than those in other fields."
"Leader, this is a great idea! I’ll go back and implement your method right away!" Volenus said happily.
Although he was accustomed to following orders, he also had his concerns, such as farming. The fertilization methods Cato mentioned were unfamiliar to him, so he naturally had doubts but had to comply. Now, the problem was solved with the experimental field approach.
He couldn’t help but ask again, "Since these methods can enhance soil fertility, do we still need to apply manure as before?"
"Of course, it’s needed," Cato replied without hesitation. "Manure can comprehensively improve soil fertility and transform barren soil. Combined with the methods I mentioned earlier, we won’t have to worry too much about a significant decline in soil fertility after years of farming. And if we can combine it with the three-field rotation system, that would be even better!"
"What is the three-field rotation system?"
"It’s a system where the land is divided into sections, and different crops are grown in rotation according to the season. This ensures a good harvest, maintains soil fertility, and avoids overworking the laborers..."
Cato recalled the information he had studied in his previous life for game illustrations about the civilization’s struggles: "Didn’t you read the agricultural book written by Cato before? It also mentions crop rotation methods for farmland. The three-field rotation system is more detailed, complete, and better than what he wrote!"
Vorenus immediately became excited and eagerly asked, "Leader, can you explain in detail how to implement this three-field rotation system?!"
"Of course," Cato, who loved to teach, was just about to elaborate when Casius entered the tent to report, "Leader, Emmerich requests an audience and has brought a Segestica prisoner."
Cato changed his tone and said, "Vorenus, first arrange the tasks for plowing across the river. Once you have some free time, I’ll explain the three-field rotation system to you in detail."
"...Alright, Leader." Despite feeling somewhat reluctant, Vorenus dutifully left.
Emmerich entered the tent, followed by a young man with a sorrowful expression and restrained movements.
"Leader Cato." Emmerich saluted and said, "As you instructed, I found a warrior willing to return to the Segestica Territory to gather intelligence on the enemy for us."
As soon as he finished speaking, the young man dropped to his knees with a thud and shouted, "Honorable Leader, as long as you... you promise to destroy the Brochi Tribe and reclaim my wife, I am willing to be your servant and do anything for you!"
"Are you trying to bargain with me?" Cato’s face slightly darkened. His voice wasn’t loud, but it startled the young man, leaving him unsure of how to respond.