Era: Starting from cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi

Chapter 291 Build a greenhouse!
Sun Xiangyang also wanted to find something for everyone to do. After all, only by doing work can you make money.

In this era, it is not the time to talk about enjoyment.

Those who don't work are called lazy people and will be despised.

Like many elderly people in later generations, when they saw the grain dropped from the fields during the harvest, they stamped their feet in pain, and then, regardless of their children’s objections, picked up a bag and picked up the grain from the fields.

At that time, no family was short of food.

The fruits of half a day's work in the fields are not worth two bottles of mineral water.

But those old people have all gone through the era of food and clothing shortage, and they know the importance of food. A handful of food or a steamed bun can save a life.

Deep down, I have an almost greedy desire for food.

It is precisely because of this that even though the coal mines in Shuangshuiwan now make more money, there are still many people who cling to the crops in the fields and prefer to choose farming.

Because the heavy food can make them feel at ease more than anything else.

The older you get, the more this is true.

Therefore, Sun Xiangyang has never thought of stopping farming in Shuangshui Bay. Even if Shuangshui Bay truly develops in the future, some land will be set aside as a thought.

But suddenly, Sun Xiangyang was stumped when asked to find something for everyone to do.

After all, it was winter, and the ground outside was still covered with heavy snow that had just fallen.

What can be grown in winter?
And what is missing from Shuangshui Bay?
Thinking of this, Sun Xiangyang's eyes suddenly lit up.

Who says you can’t farm in winter?

Ordinary land certainly won’t work, but what if it’s covered with plastic film?

This is what later generations called a greenhouse!

The key point is that Shuangshuiwan is not short of charcoal, so it is entirely possible to build a few high-temperature greenhouses. It is definitely not cost-effective to use them to grow grain. With the current price of grain, no matter how much you plant, you won’t be able to get back your original investment.

But you can grow vegetables.

In this winter, the only vegetables are cabbage and radish.

Even so, many people are reluctant to eat it.

Although from the perspective of profit, even if you grow vegetables, it is far from enough to cover the cost, and you may even lose as much as you grow.

But does Shuangshuiwan, or in Sun Xiangyang's eyes, really need that little money?

He grows vegetables not for the purpose of making a profit, but also as a form of experiment.

In addition to growing vegetables, we can also find experts from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences to cultivate jujube trees. With the existence of greenhouses, we can cultivate the jujube trees earlier and speed up the progress of high-end health-preserving jujubes in the county.

We can also reserve a greenhouse for Professor Qian so that he can continue to improve soybean varieties.

Growing vegetables or some watermelons is just a side job.

In this way, wouldn’t the height be increased?

Those members of Shuangshuiwan who are idle at home can also have work to do and earn work points.

Moreover, Sun Xiangyang was not doing this for his own selfish reasons. He was considering things from the county's perspective, helping the county solve its problems. He was cooperating with the Academy of Agricultural Sciences on a cooperative project, and it could even be reported in the newspapers.

Look, isn’t this killing three birds with one stone?

All the difficulties were solved.

"Secretary, is there really a solution?"

When Sun Enguo came to find Sun Xiangyang, he actually didn't have much hope, because he racked his brains but couldn't think of a solution. It's not that he thought he was better than Sun Xiangyang, but his years of experience taught him that when it snowed heavily in the winter, there was no work suitable for doing outside except in the mine or indoors.

As for snow clearing, it is basically voluntary labor.

Otherwise, there wouldn’t be the saying of hibernating.

"Yes, let's clear two plots of land and build a greenhouse."

Sun Xiangyang waved his hand vigorously and said with great pride.

"Build a shed?"

Sun Enguo was unable to react for a moment.

Greenhouse?

What the hell?
A shed for raising chickens, ducks, or pigs?

Don't we have cave dwellings? Why do we need to build a shed?
"Yes, high temperatures, or greenhouses, can be used to grow crops and vegetables even in winter."

Sun Xiangyang explained.

"Greenhouse? To grow vegetables and grains in the winter?"

Sun Enguo's eyes widened.

He knew and understood every word Sun Xiangyang said, but when they were put together, he didn't understand.

How is it possible to grow crops and vegetables in winter without freezing to death?

Although even an elementary school student in later generations knows about greenhouses and various off-season vegetables and fruits, in this era, these words are undoubtedly still quite unfamiliar.

No rural production team would build a greenhouse, as it would waste both money and land.

"Yes, I was in Beijing before and saw this kind of greenhouse at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences. On the north side, a thick layer of soil was made to block the north wind, and then it was supported by wooden pillars and bamboo poles, at least one person tall, and then covered with a layer of plastic film. During the day, the sun can shine through the plastic film to the land in the greenhouse, and at night, straw curtains can be used to cover the greenhouse film.

If all else fails, you can light a stove inside to keep the temperature inside at a level suitable for plant growth. In this way, no matter how cold it is outside, the greenhouse will be as warm as spring, and crops and vegetables can all grow.”

Sun Xiangyang broke it into pieces and explained it to Sun Enguo bit by bit.

"Do we need to light a stove in the greenhouse? And how much does the plastic film cost?"

Sun Enguo was not stupid either, and he immediately thought of the cost.

If you calculate it by cost, it's not worth it at all.

"Money is just a small matter. I plan to cooperate with the Academy of Agricultural Sciences to help the county improve the date tree varieties. Planting grains and vegetables is just a byproduct. By then, our Shuangshuiwan can hang a sign of the Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences Experimental Base. This is something that cannot be bought with any amount of money, so I think it is totally worth doing.

And this way, doesn’t everyone have work to do?
Especially for those members who farm the land, they earn little to begin with, so if we let them work in greenhouses, they can earn more.”

Sun Xiangyang's words finally convinced Sun Enguo.

Although, even if Sun Enguo disagreed, he would not reject Sun Xiangyang's proposal, but it would be far less effective than persuading him.

Although in fact, Sun Xiangyang's word is law in Shuangshui Bay, and it is not an exaggeration to say that he has the final say.

But this was not actually Sun Xiangyang's original intention.

In most cases, he would rather everyone work together and work towards the same goal.

"Secretary, do it."

Sun Enguo took a deep breath and said forcefully.

"Well, then you call everyone here, and we'll have a meeting and listen to everyone's opinions."

Sun Xiangyang said.

"Okay, I'm going to call someone now."

Although Sun Enguo believed that holding a meeting was totally unnecessary, as long as Sun Xiangyang said so, everyone would definitely agree.

But he also understood Sun Xiangyang's style. Holding a meeting to listen to everyone's opinions was probably secondary. The main thing was to assign the work.

Not long after, everyone rushed over and gathered in the office. "Secretary, what's the meeting?"

Sun Enguo did not tell them about building the greenhouse, he just asked them to come to the meeting, so except for him, everyone else was kept in the dark and confused.

"Is it time to prepare New Year's goods?"

Sha Zhaoliang said with a smile.

Although the Chinese New Year is still some time away, the snow makes it feel like the New Year is approaching.

What is the most anticipated thing during the Chinese New Year?
Without a doubt, it is New Year's goods.

Even last year, Sun Xiangyang bought so many New Year's goods, let alone this year.

Although everyone has made a lot of money this year, strictly speaking, they are not short of New Year's goods, but the New Year's goods distributed by the brigade give people a different feeling.

The main thing is to have face and be proud!
When outsiders see this, they think, wow, Shuangshuiwan is still the best. They have distributed so many New Year goods this year. I am so envious.

This feeling of being envied by others and having face cannot be bought with your own money.

"Captain Sha, you want to distribute New Year's goods now, but it's a bit too early. I see that the branch secretary and Captain Sun are very happy. It must be a good thing to have a meeting today, right, Secretary?"

Yu Xiulian joked.

As the director of women's affairs, she has now completely established herself. Even though some people thought she was not as good as Jin Xianglan before, the series of things she has done since she became a real director of women's affairs have made people give her a thumbs up.

No matter what kind of conflicts arose in the production brigade, whether between neighbors or within families, as long as she stepped forward, nothing could be unresolved.

There was even a time when people would go to her for advice after a quarrel.

No matter how fiercely a couple quarrels, they can always make peace in the end.

This is Yu Xiulian's ability.

"Secretary, what great news do you have with Captain Enguo? Tell us quickly."

Sun Qingyu couldn't help but ask.

"When I asked him, Captain Enguo was still hiding it. Secretary, please tell me quickly."

Soon, everyone's eyes fell on Sun Xiangyang.

Sun Xiangyang did not hesitate any longer and directly told Sun Enguo what he had just discussed.

When people heard about building a greenhouse, their reactions were mixed.

Fortunately, this time Sun Xiangyang did not keep the audience in suspense and explained the various benefits of building a greenhouse, and everyone immediately became excited.

Experimental base of the Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences, what a great honor!
Even Sun Qingyu, who has always been obsessed with money, didn't feel sorry at all. His attitude was the same as everyone else's: just do it!

I'm not going to say I'll sell everything I have to do it, but I'll definitely try my best.

Especially now, Shuangshui Bay is not really short of money.

Even though the wages were paid to the members every month, there was still a lot left in the brigade's account.

Moreover, having learned from previous lessons, every month, as soon as the coking plant transferred the money to the account, Sun Qingyu would bring people to take it back, and would keep complaining that the money had been distributed to the members.

But in fact, the remaining money is lying in a large safe placed behind the accounting office next door.

Nowadays, there are people on guard at the brigade office 24 hours a day, and the puppies we raised before have now started guarding the door.

The patrol team's eyes were bigger than light bulbs.

Whether it is day or night, as soon as there is any sign of trouble, it will immediately appear from nowhere.

It would be impossible to steal the money again.

"That's the thing. The next thing is about the division of labor among everyone."

As Sun Xiangyang spoke, everyone immediately sat up straight.

Both Sun Qingyu, the accountant, and Yu Xiulian, the women's director, felt the heavy pressure.

"I will contact the county and the provincial academy of agricultural sciences myself, but Director Xiulian will go with me then."

Sun Xiangyang’s first target was Yu Xiulian.

In terms of how she treated people and things, the other party gave people a feeling of being bathed in spring breeze. Taking her along would undoubtedly save Sun Xiangyang a lot of trivial matters.

"Yes, Secretary."

Yu Xiulian stood still without any hesitation.

"Captain Sha is in charge of the farmland, so the arrangements for mobilization, site selection and construction will still be handled by Captain Sha. The construction team will also be allocated to you."

Sun Xiangyang then turned his attention to Sha Zhaoliang.

"Ok."

Sha Zhaoliang nodded happily as well, and he even looked a little impatient.

"Regarding the greenhouse, you can go find Professor Qian and listen to his opinions. The initial plan is to build three greenhouses, one for the Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences, one for Professor Qian to use to improve soybeans, and one for Shuangshuiwan. No matter what we grow, we have to keep one."

Sun Xiangyang gave another reminder.

"no problem."

Although the extra one seemed a bit wasteful, neither Sha Zhaoliang nor anyone else mentioned it at this time.

They all believed in one thing: if Sun Xiangyang did this, there must be a reason for him to do so.

"When the coal mines need to provide coal support, remember to list this part, don't mix it up."

Sun Xiangyang looked at Sun Enguang third.

In fact, even if the three greenhouses burned coal day and night, it would be just a drop in the bucket for the coal mine and there was no need to mention it at all, but Sun Xiangyang still said it.

Sun Enguang hummed and nodded, indicating that he remembered it.

"The materials for building the greenhouse are the responsibility of Accountant Sun Qingyu and Team Leader Sun Enguo, especially the plastic film. If the county does not have the right material, we will go to the district or province to buy it."

Sun Xiangyang then turned his gaze to Sun Qingyu and Sun Enguo.

Once a matter is broken down, naturally everyone can find a place to put their skills to use, no matter it is big or small. There is no one who cannot be used, only people who don't know how to use them.

By doing this, Sun Xiangyang can also mobilize everyone's enthusiasm.

"no problem."

Sun Enguo and Sun Qingyu also answered readily.

At this point, Sun Qingwu was the only one in the entire office who had nothing to do, but he was not in a hurry. Compared with others, he, the captain of the militia, was actually not bad at all and had already shouldered a lot of tasks.

"The militia team should continue to carry out daily patrols and other tasks. When the captain and the accountant go shopping, you can pick two people from the militia to follow them. I will also leave the jeep to you.

If I go to the province with Director Xiulian, it will probably take more than a day or two for us to come back. We can discuss family matters with whoever is home at the time. If that doesn’t work, we can go find the old branch secretary and the Sha branch secretary.”

In the end, Sun Xiangyang didn't even let go of the two old guys who had already retired.

The main thing is that they are not given anything to do. Sun Xiangyang is sometimes really worried that they will get sick from being idle.

Although they have joined the disciplinary supervision team, they cannot find faults every day. Besides, there are not so many problems in Shuangshui Bay today.

What can be found has been found long ago.

Just like that, with Sun Xiangyang's order, Shuangshui Bay, covered with heavy snow, began to boil again.

(End of this chapter)