Chapter 793: Spring Farming
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Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Binglan noticed her grandaunt was not around and asked, “Where’s Grandaunt Su?”
“She went to visit her family and her brother. She’ll be back tonight,” Chief Su said, “She misses her brothers and has wanted to visit for a while now. Maybe it’s because she knows she’s getting on in age and wants to visit her family more often.’
Su Binglan could understand those feelings.
Chief Su continued, “They have their lives to live, and your grandaunt’s younger brother has his family, too. Her parents are no longer around, so she feels a little sad going back there.
“But now, her nephews and grandnephews look forward to her return. She’s also more willing to visit them now that she can afford to buy them whatever they need. These are all the changes you brought us, Binglan. Your grandaunt and I are proud of you.”
Su Binglan was stunned. She knew her grandaunt was good and kind.
Chief Su’s family was not very well-off in the past. He could not take care of many things, and his wife could not bring much with her whenever she visited her family.
Most of the time, she would feel too embarra.s.sed to visit. However, things were different now that their conditions had improved. She could bring provisions to her family.
Even Grandaunt Su’s nephews and nieces loved her more. She felt more at ease when she saw her brother’s family doing well.
Su Binglan did not know what to say. She also did not know how many people she had helped and lives she had changed.
She asked, “Granduncle Su, you’re always so busy. Aren’t you tired?”
Chief Su waved and said, “No, of course not. The medicinal wine you have me is highly effective. I feel energetic after drinking it. Even so, I’ll sleep and eat well. You don’t have to worry about me.”
Still, Su Binglan was worried. “Here, let me check your pulse.”
Chief Su helplessly said, “You should take better care of yourself instead. You’re always running around.”
“Don’t worry about me, Granduncle Su. I’m young, so I should be running around.” She was relieved after checking her granduncle’s pulse and confirming he was healthy.
She had added medicinal herbs and spiritual spring water into the wine, making it highly beneficial to the body. The wine could even strengthen the body and prolong life.
Granduncle Su asked worriedly, “Binglan, do you really have enough seeds to go around? Several village chiefs have come to acquire potato and sweet potato seeds. That’s not a small amount, you know.”
Su Binglan smiled. “Don’t worry. I still have plenty. We can afford to give some to the surrounding villages.”
She continued to plant and harvest the potatoes and sweet potatoes in her pocket dimension. Those that she had kept in the family’s warehouse had even come from there. The two potatoes practically overgrew in her pocket dimension.
Chief Su sighed in relief at Su Binglan’s rea.s.surance. The latter said, “You can distribute the seeds to the villagers now if you want. Everyone can start farming when the waterwheel is ready.”
The older man was excited when he discovered what the waterwheel was. After talking for a while, Chief Su distributed the potato seeds to everyone. It was most people’s first time seeing such seeds.
Those who had eaten the two potatoes in hotpot restaurants and Drunken Cloud knew how good they were. The Su Teng villagers were thrilled when they got their share of seeds. They could not wait to plant them.
Chief Su said, “Don’t worry, everyone. Binglan will teach you all how to grow these seeds in a few days.”
Everyone was relieved to hear that and soon took their seeds home. They were full of grat.i.tude toward Su Binglan.
The Su family finished their dinner but was not in a hurry to sleep. Instead, they sat on the heated brick platform and chatted. They even lit candles on the table beside the platform.
Additionally, the moon was bright, and the stars were aplenty. The moonlight shined through the window, making the house brighter. The family enjoyed their warm moment together.
Su Wenzhe and Liu Yinyin told the family about their day at the noodle shop.
“We’ll give our employees a spring break when the farming begins. However, many foreign merchants have ordered various instant noodles from us.”
Su Binglan said, “Sign fewer orders to ensure you and your employees have time to farm.’
Shen Qiuhua added, “Farming is still important. The villagers won’t panic if they can grow as many crops as possible.”
She understood the villagers’ feelings well. Although their lives improved, they did not get complacent or take things for granted.
The Su family also hired people to work and farm. After all, the family needed
sufficient soybeans for the tofu factory. They had even made more tofu products, which required more soybeans.
Shen Qiuhua enjoyed eating tofu. Sometimes, she would use it in stews and stir-fried dishes. She felt it was fresh and delicious. Therefore, soybeans were crucial to Shen Qiuhua.
“I understand.” Su Wenzhe nodded. “Although we pay our employees handsomely, they still worry about their farms. They were relieved when Yinyin and I told them about their vacation.”
Su Binglan said, “Even though everyone earns a lot from the noodle shop, embroidery shop, and winery, crops will ensure they have enough to eat, especially for winter rations.”
Su Fengmao said, “There won’t be much food if there’s a blizzard. Even if we have tons of money to buy some, shops might close if the snow is too heavy. Food prices might rise, too.
“That’s why everyone must continue to grow food. Then we won’t have to panic if we run out because we’ll have rations.”
The Su family had plenty of land at home, so Su Binglan planned to hire workers to tend to their crops. She also did not want her parents to overwork themselves.
Nonetheless, Su Binglan agreed that everyone should continue farming. Moreover, Dingzhou’s crop supply would continue to pile up if the villagers continued to farm.
Su Binglan said, “That’s why we should give the employees vacations just for the farming season. We won’t deduct their wages, either. It will encourage everyone to continue growing crops.”
She paid her employees handsomely, so they would not feel conflicted if they took leave to farm..