Six weeks later - Early morning in the experimental fields
The transformation was unmistakable. Where struggling, waterlogged plots had once yielded sparse, stunted growth, healthy legume crops now stretched toward the morning sun in neat, organized rows. Ptolemy knelt beside one of the test sections, examining soil that had become noticeably darker and richer since the planting began.
"Your Highness," Seneb called, approaching with obvious excitement barely contained beneath his usual practical demeanor, "you need to see the drainage sections."
Following the master farmer through the experimental plots, Ptolemy felt growing satisfaction. The engineered channels had performed exactly as designed during last week's heavy rains—areas that would have flooded completely remained perfectly drained, while traditional adjacent plots still showed muddy damage.
"Look at this," Seneb said, stopping beside a comparison area where experimental and traditional methods met in stark contrast. "Same rain, same timing. Your drainage saved the entire crop."
The difference was dramatic. Traditional plots showed the telltale signs of water damage—yellowed leaves, stunted growth, and patches where standing water had killed plants entirely. The experimental sections remained healthy and green.
[Divine Appraisal - Active]Soil Analysis: Nitrogen content increased 23% in legume plots. Drainage systems functioning at 94% efficiency. Overall crop health 67% above adjacent traditional areas.
"Seneb, how do other farmers view these results?"
The older man's weathered face broke into what might have been the first genuine smile Ptolemy had seen from him. "Your Highness, word is spreading faster than Nile flood water. Farmers from districts we haven't even contacted are asking about drainage techniques."
"And the legume crop rotation?"
"Still seems strange to grow beans instead of grain," Seneb admitted with characteristic honesty, "but the soil feels different. Richer. Even my wife noticed when she came to examine the plots."
As they walked, Ptolemy noticed increased activity throughout the experimental areas. More farmers were present than had originally signed up for testing, and many were bringing family members to examine the improved techniques.
"Your Highness!" Itet ran toward them, her earlier desperation replaced by obvious excitement. "The corner plot that never grew anything—look!"
She led them to a section that had been completely barren at the start of implementation. Now, healthy legume plants covered previously useless ground, their roots visibly improving soil structure that had been compacted and lifeless.
"My grandmother said this corner hasn't produced crops in living memory," Itet continued. "The soil was too hard, too salty. But your ash treatment and the new plants..."
"The legumes break up compacted earth while the wood ash neutralizes salt content," Ptolemy explained, though internally he marveled at how well the system's agricultural knowledge translated to real conditions. "In two seasons, this should support grain crops."
"Two seasons?" Itet's eyes widened. "Your Highness means permanently productive land, not just temporary improvement?"
"That's the goal. Transform unusable areas into permanent agricultural assets."
The enthusiasm was infectious. Around them, farmers were examining soil improvements, discussing drainage construction, and comparing crop health with obvious professional interest. The royal guarantee had eliminated their risk, but results were building genuine excitement about systematic enhancement.
But success was also attracting unwanted attention.
"Your Highness," Apollodoros approached with two scrolls, his expression mixing satisfaction with concern, "reports from Alexandria. First the good news—King Ptolemy II is impressed by initial results. He's requesting detailed documentation of all techniques for potential expansion to Cyprus and Cyrenaica."
Ptolemy felt warmth at his father's approval, but the governor's expression suggested complications. "And the concerning news?"
"Roman merchants have intensified their activities. They're no longer just asking questions—they're offering substantial payments for samples of improved seeds, detailed drainage plans, and..." Apollodoros paused meaningfully, "access to Egyptian agricultural experts willing to demonstrate techniques in Roman territories."
The threat was escalating beyond intelligence gathering toward active recruitment.
"Anyone accepting their offers?"
"Not yet. But the payments they're suggesting would change a farmer's life permanently." Apollodoros gestured toward the bustling experimental fields. "Success here makes Egyptian methods valuable enough to tempt people facing genuine economic hardship."
Ptolemy studied the farmers working enthusiastically around them. Most showed loyalty and excitement about the improvements, but economic desperation could override loyalty if Roman offers became substantial enough.
"Governor, we need to accelerate expansion before Rome can build competing systems with stolen techniques."
"Agreed. But how quickly can we scale without compromising quality?"
Before Ptolemy could answer, Khaemwaset hurried toward them with urgent news. "Your Highness, we have a problem. The northern drainage section is failing."
They rushed to the affected area, where Ptolemy's heart sank. One of the primary drainage channels had partially collapsed, causing water to back up and flood several experimental plots. Worse, traditional farmers from adjacent areas had gathered to observe the failure.
[Divine Appraisal - Active]Engineering Failure: Channel wall undermined by underground seepage. Affects 8% of experimental plots. Repair requires 3-4 days, during which affected crops may suffer significant damage.
"What happened?" Apollodoros demanded.
"Underground water flow was stronger than initial surveys indicated," Ptolemy said, examining the collapsed section. "The channel wall couldn't handle the pressure."
Around them, he could hear murmurs from watching farmers. Not malicious, but concerned about the reliability of new techniques when problems emerged.
"Can it be fixed?" Seneb asked, but his tone carried worry that hadn't been present in weeks.
"Yes, but it requires reinforced construction that will take several days." Ptolemy met the farmer's gaze honestly. "These plots will suffer some flooding damage before repairs are complete."
"And if the repairs fail too?" another farmer called out.
Fair question. One that deserved a direct answer.
"Then we learn what doesn't work and build better systems." Ptolemy raised his voice so all watching farmers could hear. "Innovation requires testing limits. Some tests reveal weaknesses that need improvement."
"Easy words when it's not your crop flooding," someone muttered from the crowd.
The criticism stung because it was partly justified, but it also crossed a line. Royal guarantees protected farmers from financial loss, but challenging royal competence required a different response.
"You're right to be frustrated," Ptolemy said, his voice carrying the quiet authority that reminded everyone exactly who he was, "but understand this: these fields remain yours only because I want Egyptian farmers leading Egyptian innovations. I could hand them to the crown's engineers tomorrow and eliminate your input entirely. Work with me, and you'll keep both your land and the rewards. Every failure teaches us how to build more reliable systems—but my patience for cooperation has limits."
His honesty seemed to defuse some tension, but doubt had entered the experimental program for the first time since the initial seed rot issues.
As repairs began on the damaged drainage, Ptolemy found himself balancing multiple pressures. Success was building momentum, but failures reminded everyone—including himself—that innovation carried real risks. Roman interest was intensifying, creating urgency to expand before techniques could be stolen and replicated.
Most challenging was the growing sense that his father's trust and approval depended on continued success. The drainage failure was minor in the context of overall improvements, but it represented the kind of setback that could undermine confidence in systematic innovation.
"Your Highness," Itet approached as evening light painted the fields golden, "despite the flooding problem, most farmers are still excited about the techniques."
"Despite the problems?"
"Because you fix problems when they happen," she replied simply. "Traditional methods fail too, but nobody takes responsibility or offers solutions. You do."
"Good," Ptolemy said quietly, but his voice carried the unmistakable weight of future kingship. "Because my patience for petty doubt is limited. We're building the future of Egypt here—and that future has no room for those who fear progress more than they fear stagnation."
Looking around at farmers working to repair drainage while maintaining their experimental plots, Ptolemy felt complicated satisfaction. Success wasn't perfect or automatic, but it was real and growing—and built on a foundation of respect that came from both earned trust and clear boundaries.
The Roman threat remained serious, the drainage failure required immediate attention, and his father's expectations continued rising. But foundation was solid—built on genuine agricultural improvement rather than royal decree.
[Quest Progress: First Harvest Phase - Mixed Results. Significant improvements demonstrated, but engineering setbacks require attention. Roman pressure intensifying. Farmer confidence maintained through honest problem-solving.]
Innovation was messy, imperfect, and challenging. Exactly as real agricultural development should be.