Even in times of abundance when the prices are lower, grain remains a necessity.
Yet, even though the Great Chu appears prosperous, it is not militarily strong, and many civilians are struggling to find enough to eat.
She could afford to wait until a true golden age to research better-tasting grains and sell the produce at higher prices to the wealthy families. After all, buying land to grow grain would not lead to losses.
Other crops include coarse grains like sweet potatoes, corn, and potatoes. All the sweet potatoes from her family's manor were made into flour, which wasn't even enough to supply the commandant under the Shen family's army, leaving no surplus.
The corn was ground up to feed chickens and ducks.
All things considered, she didn't have much grain at her disposal.