Rebirth Farmhouse

Chapter 84

Old Liutou asked curiously: "Is there another theory?"

Xiuyao nodded, "Yes, I read it from the book." Now that she can read some characters, she can be regarded as a half-baked reader, and her grandpa doesn't doubt anything if she relies on books for everything.

Old Liutou really boasted again: "It's really good to study, the tuition fee is not wasted at all."

Later, Lao Liutou still found time, and went to Shahe Village to find them in person. Qi Feng's ten acres of land is indeed his, and it has nothing to do with his brothers. Now everyone is in peace, there is nothing wrong. Sure enough, Old Liu was completely relieved.

In a blink of an eye, it was Hanshi. Mrs. Li led the daughters-in-law to make pancakes, fried spring rolls, and bought roasted pork, ready to start spring planting.The land of Lao Liu's family was planted together with the third grandpa and other families. There are three men in the family, and the hard work in the field is enough, so there is no need for women to be burdened.

The eldest uncle took his second uncle and Liu Sheng to farm together, the eldest cousin Liu Qi helped grandpa and Xiuyao plant sweet potatoes, and the second aunt Yao led Liu Qi's daughter-in-law, Xiao Chen, to drive the donkey and continue to grind. Doing housework with Mrs. Chen as usual, Liu Xu and Liu Yun's affairs will not be delayed.

Liu Fei and Qin Yang also took leave of absence, working at home during the day and going out to study at night.

Lao Liutou led a few children to plant sweet potatoes on a few acres of land by the river, and set aside a piece of land to build a mill. When it was time to build a greenhouse to raise pigs, the sweet potato fields in the north could be used.

After this busy spring, Xiuyao also found out that the grandpa's family is not at all breezy than the Qin's family, but everyone is happy, and when they are tired during the day, they relax when they come back. No one will compare who doesn't work.

For example, the eldest concubine really doesn't do hard work, so she helps grandma with housework at home, and helps out in the mill when she is too busy, but the second concubine doesn't think so at all.Because when it comes to busy farming, the mill is almost in charge of the second concubine Yao, who is busy inside and outside. Although it is much easier now, she still has to watch inside and out. Cleaning up every day is not easy at all, but the second concubine has never compared .And the eldest sister-in-law will also take the initiative to leave delicious food for her sister-in-law to eat, and her mother-in-law, Li Shi, will make delicious food for everyone in different ways.

Xiuyao thinks that maybe her grandpa's family has a good foundation and is not in decline. On the contrary, she is hardworking and willing to make the family harmonious, so the good life is getting better and better.

And the grandfather's family had a good foundation, but when they encountered some financial problems, they fell into ruin. Although they were hardworking and willing to work, the family was not harmonious, and everyone was not in the same mind, so the days would get worse and worse?

If things go on like this, naturally there will be more of what is there, and less of what is not.

After working for more than ten days, everyone was chilling in the yard that night, talking about some new things about the family's shortcoming and other villages.

A few days ago, I heard from a gold seller that it didn’t rain in the north. I’m afraid that this spring planting will have to carry water. The most fearful thing is that it will not rain when the spring planting is used, and all the rainwater will be accumulated when the wheat is harvested. Come down, then it will be very troublesome.

Liu Fei and Qin Yang each recited a passage for everyone, and then asked their grandfather to tell nonsense and tell stories. Everyone was very happy.When Qin Yang stopped pestering Xiuyao to tell stories and play games, Xiuyao went to discuss farming with her grandfather.

She packed a bag of cigarettes for Lao Liutou, and lit the fire king for him. Lao Liutou took a puff of cigarettes and said with a smile: "Girl, what good idea do you have?"

Xiuyao smiled and said, "Grandpa, we can't just wait for the few acres of sandy land by the river, let's plant some trees."

Old Liutou was surprised and said: "Plant trees? What kind of trees? Can trees be planted in the field? Will they kill the crops?" Old Liutou said that the scorpions meant that the trees were big and would rob the crops of nutrients and light. leading to the death of crops.

Xiuyao said: "Grandpa, we are not planting some crops in the woods." She went to get a pen and paper to draw, there are several acres of land between the newly bought and the original ones, where paulownia, ginkgo and jujube trees can be planted .

Paulownia can be planted by the river, so that it will not block the sunlight of the sky and the earth, but it can block the wind for the mill. Moreover, Paulownia grows fast and matures early. It is a common wood for making furniture.

Jujube trees can be planted in the field, and about ten trees can be planted in an acre of land. Ginkgo biloba can be planted on the edge of the field or in the field. At that time, it can be directly used as a hedge to build a pig shed.

Jujube trees can collect dates, which can be exchanged for money for personal use, not to mention ginkgo, the whole body is a treasure.Ginkgo fruit, bark, and leaves are all Chinese medicinal materials. Ginkgo trunk is a high-grade wood for making musical instruments and furniture. Ginkgo itself is also an excellent tree for beautifying the environment. Purify the air, etc.

Xiuyao explained to her grandfather carefully, and Old Liutou listened very carefully, asking a few questions from time to time, but he was still afraid that the trees would be affected by the farmer's harvest if they were planted together with the farmer.

Xiuyao also explained to him the benefits of forest-grain intercropping in detail. Planting trees and crops together at a certain distance between rows can not only make rational use of the land, but also adjust the temperature and humidity, protect the land from water and soil erosion, and form a mutual relationship. Dependence, inhibit the growth of weeds and pests and so on.

These old willow heads were confused and didn't understand much, but he automatically attributed it to the book. He said: "If it's really that good, then let's plant it. Anyway, those few acres of land were not expected to be planted." crops."

Xiuyao didn't suggest him to plant normal crops. After all, everyone's fields are next to each other. If the Liu family planted it, other families would definitely have opinions.

When he was sleeping at night, Old Liu asked Liu Fei, "Xiao Feizi, do you also teach farming in your book?" Now this book teaches accounting, improving mills, making spinning wheels and weaving cloth. Machine, do you also teach farming?

Liu Fei said: "Grandpa, that's right. The master said that there are actually secretaries of the three religions and nine streams, but many people study for the sake of fame and fame. They don't like those ones, thinking that they are low-ranking and low-ranking."

Old Liutou said with a smile: "That's because they don't know the benefits, what's the bottom line, they think that anyone can be the number one scholar? There are so many people in the world who study a lot, but how many of them can pass the exam, it's better to be honest like us I'm farming and running a mill." Telling Liu Fei to go to bed early, he went to bed too.

The next day, Xiuyao and the others continued to plant sweet potatoes, while Lao Liutou wandered around the market to see how the saplings were doing.After wandering around, there are saplings for sale in the market, but most of them are fruit trees, peaches, plums, apricots, and persimmons. There is no shortage of these at home. Some people in the village have them.After looking around, there is no ginkgo tree.

When he came back home, he went to Lizheng's house again. There was no ginkgo tree in Lizheng's house, but he gave a few small saplings from his own jujube tree.He went around the third grandpa's house and asked for two small peach trees, the sixth grandpa's house asked for two small persimmon trees, and the seventh grandpa's house gave him a small apricot tree and a small pear tree.

Generally, farmers will plant a fruit tree at home, so that they can have a fruit to chew on without spending money every year, which can not only entertain the children, but also give gifts to relatives and friends. Grandpa’s house planted a pomegranate tree.

Every spring, occasionally someone goes to someone else’s house to order a small sapling, and the owner of the fruit tree will prepare it in advance, help to layer the strips, or just give away the small ones directly. .

The pomegranates at Grandpa’s house are big and sweet, the peaches at Grandpa’s house are authentic fat peaches, the persimmons at Grandpa’s house are fruitful and sweet, the apricots and pears at Grandpa’s house, and the jujube trees at Ren Lizheng’s house are also A must.In order to maintain the good varieties of fruit trees, we generally use layering, cuttings, grafting or branching, and rarely use seeds for sowing, because seeds will reduce the quality of fruits.

Xiuyao saw that her grandfather had collected such a pile of fruit saplings when she bought the saplings. There was no place to plant them at home, so they took them to the field where the mill was going to be built and planted them in the designed positions.There are sycamore trees everywhere. Generally, small sycamores can be divided next to the big sycamores, and a dozen can be easily collected and planted.

After planting the saplings, Old Liutou said to Xiuyao: "Tomorrow, let's take a donkey cart to Chakou Village to have a look. There is a family named Sun there, and their family has a large fruit forest. Let's go and buy some jujube trees."

Xiuyao's heart skipped a beat. Isn't Chakou Village the village of my aunt's future son-in-law?Last year, the matchmaker Sun came to propose a marriage. My aunt seemed to disagree at first, but after my grandmother didn't know how to persuade her, my aunt agreed, and the engagement was to wait until my cousin Liu Yun got married.

At night Xiuyao asked Liu Xu, "Auntie, we are going to Chakou Village tomorrow, do you have anything for me to do?"

Liu Xu's pretty face turned red, and she glared at her, "What are you talking about, little girl?"

Liu Yun smiled and said: "Yaoyao, you and my grandpa will go back to have lunch before coming back."

Liu Xu suddenly got up and tickled them both, Xiuyao and Liu Yun partnered to tickle her back, and the three of them got into a mess.Li Shi heard it and shouted: "Go to sleep, Yaoyao will have to go out with your grandpa in the morning."

Xiuyao stuck out her tongue, "Auntie, please forgive me, go to sleep."

Liu Xu scolded with a smile: "You little hoof, I've provoked you. You and your grandfather will go to Wuligouzi tomorrow to see if there are any saplings. It's best to stay for two days."

Liu Yun's cheeks were hot, and she hurriedly said, "Yes, I'm going to stay at Dagu's house for two days."

Liu Xu sneered and said, "Of course she went to her brother-in-law's house."

Liu Yun's future husband's home is Wuligouzi, which is in the same village as Aunt Liu.

Liu Yun refused, "Sister-in-law, you are so bad."

Liu Xu smiled and said, "Don't dare to mess with me, I can tell you, I have a strong desire for revenge." Several people covered their mouths with the quilt and laughed again.

The big and bright moon climbed up, shining brightly on the window sill, and the moonlight fell into Xiuyao's eyes. She stared at it for a moment, feeling like a dream, as if she was born as Qin Xiuyao, not Fu Yao, that Fu Yao was getting farther and farther away from her.

At dawn, Xiuyao got up early habitually, put on the new dress made by Liu Xu and the embroidered shoes made by Liu Yun, and was teased by her aunt and cousin, who said she was a villain in the painting Son.

Liu Xu said, "Come on, I'll comb your hair." First, she combed her hair, tied her in a bun, tied it with a red string, and cut two of the peach blossoms that were picked up yesterday and put them in a vase for her. superior.

When eating breakfast, they all praised her for being pretty, and praised Xiuyao so badly that her little face was blushing until she went out with the master in a donkey cart.

"Grandpa, they will make fun of me in the future, you have to help me order." Xiuyao sat on the other side of the car and discussed with her grandpa while eating the hawthorn slices her grandma bought her.

Old Liu smiled happily, "My Yaoyao is just beautiful, I'm not kidding." Looking at the new clothes she was wearing, he said with a smile: "I will ask your aunt to make you two more clothes, so that you can have them all year round. change."

Xiuyao felt warm in her heart, "Grandpa, let's wait until our conditions are better. The clothes are too nice and flamboyant now."

Old Liutou didn't take it seriously, "Adults should be simple, and children should dress festively. How can it be considered publicity?" The grandparents and grandchildren talked and laughed along the way, talking about the plan of the mill for a while, and the arrangement of the fields for a while, or just Old Liutou told her something new, and she arrived at Chakou Village without knowing it.

Chakou Village is located at the junction of Daqing River, Chawen River and Sha River, with fertile land and rich water resources.The confluence of the three rivers created a large lake, and then continued westward.

The lake is full of lotus, water lilies and water chestnut grass, and because the river flows more smoothly than Yangliu Village and other villages, it is richer in aquatic products, such as carp, crucian carp, silver carp, grass carp, etc., as well as river shrimp, clams, Clams, etc. In addition, because fish and shrimp are abundant here, and ducks are rich in food, a kind of sesame-skinned duck eggs are abundant, which are especially delicious after being marinated into salted duck eggs. The yolk can hear the rustling sound, which is very popular.

To the west of Chakou Village is a mountainous area, where there is an orchard, and Lao Liutou led Xiuyao to buy saplings in the orchard.The orchard belongs to a family surnamed Sun, the third eldest, known as Sun Sanlang.

But this trip was to buy saplings, and Lao Liutou didn't want to visit Sun's house, so the two drove the donkey cart straight to the orchard in the mountains.

There was an old grandson in the orchard looking at the garden, and old Liutou went to explain why he came, so the old grandson asked someone to go back and talk to Sun Sanlang, and then invited the grandparent and grandson to go in, and then took out some preserved fruits stored last year for Xiuyao to eat. .

Xiuyao likes to eat preserved apricots and preserved peaches, which are sweet and sour. While eating, she listens to her grandfather chatting with the man about the harvest in the orchard.

After waiting for half an hour, Sun Sanlang came over in a hurry, introduced Lao Liutou first, and exchanged a few greetings, "What kind of saplings does Father Liu want to buy?" Some saplings were also cultivated in the orchard and sold for money. Some are grown by branching plants, and it is a pity to throw them away. I can’t grow them all at home, so I take them to the market to exchange for money.

Old Liutou said: "I want twenty or thirty jujube trees. In addition, if there are jujube trees that grow well and almost bear fruit, they can be used for grafting." Sixth grandpa is very good at grafting.

Sun Sanlang smiled and said: "It's easy to say, there are a lot of orchards, and you can give some to Dad after you buy them. Anyway, we have to thin the orchard every year."

Old Liutou took Xiuyao to visit the orchard with him, and asked Xiuyao to pick some more fruit trees. Xiuyao picked a few cherries, hawthorns, and yellow peaches. There were a few honey apricots, fat peaches, pomegranates, and persimmons at home. Adding these are basically enough, and she will let her grandpa buy jujube trees for the rest.There are also several kinds of jujube trees, such as candied dates and golden silk jujubes, which are slowly loaded into a cart.

Seeing that they bought a lot, Sun Sanlang didn't want to bargain much, so he said: "Father Liu, you can see that he is an honest person. I am not in business, I just plant an orchard. Selling fruit trees is a scourge of reluctance. Miaozi, since you like it, I will give you some more, whether you keep it for planting or grafting is fine.” Another dozen plants were sent, and some fruit branches that were pruned and suitable for grafting were also given away. Give them back to be grafted.The incisions of those fruit branches have been treated with plant ash, and they can be used after a little cleaning and cutting off a small section.

Old Liu saw that it was not early, so he said goodbye to Sun's orchard and took Xiuyao home. Before leaving Chakou Village, Xiuyao saw a man running towards them while waving his hands, and shouted loudly: "Uncle Liu! , Uncle Liu, stay a step, stay a step!"

(End of this chapter)