29 Chapter 29

◎ Planting rice seedlings and harvesting wheat around Grain in Ear

While the land along the Santou River was being plowed intensively, the grain seeds from County Magistrate Huang were delivered. Along with the grain seeds came a mixture of rice husks, straw, bran, etc. left after husking the rice, which Cheng Mi had asked him to collect. These were good things that Cheng Mi wanted to use to make nutrient soil.

Sixty mu of land required three shi of grain seeds. County Magistrate Huang gave all the grain seeds that were to be distributed to Zhaojia Village for free to Cheng Mu. Cheng Mu made a guarantee to the villagers that each family would receive three dou of grain seeds in the autumn harvest.

Taking advantage of the opportunity of germinating and raising seedlings, Cheng Xi changed the seeds.

The grain varieties bred in the space have good disease resistance and stress resistance, and are especially resistant to salt and alkali. Even if County Magistrate Huang's water diversion and salt washing is unsuccessful, it will not affect her rice.

People in Zhaojia Village used to grow rice by scattering seeds, and rarely rolled up their pants and went to the fields to plant rice seedlings.

Broadcasting has disadvantages. The seeds may not germinate due to insufficient temperature in the paddy field, causing them to rot due to waterlogging. Alternatively, the grown plants may have shallow roots and fall over in windy weather.

Taking the actual situation into consideration, Cheng Wei chose to sow half of the seeds and plant seedlings half of the seeds.

Whether sowing or raising seedlings, they need to be germinated first.

The seedling raising period is quite long, about 40 days, so she started working almost as soon as she got the seeds.

She raised seedlings in a greenhouse and made special seedling trays. She first spread a layer of homemade nutrient soil, then evenly spread the rice seeds that had been soaked for three days and turned white on it, and then sprinkled a thin layer of nutrient soil on it.

The temperature in the greenhouse is higher than that in the paddy field, which is conducive to seedling emergence.

Over there, the land on the hill behind has been almost cleared. The next step is to cultivate the gentle slope into terraces. Since there is not much rain in this area and the soil is thin, if you want to grow crops on the slope, you have to retain water and soil, and cultivating it into terraces is the best way.

Each layer is surrounded by stones to block water and soil, and several water tanks are dug on the slope to store rainwater.

We need to build a warehouse and a platform first, so we can't plant potatoes for the time being and won't plow the soil yet.

It's the busy farming season now and there are no extra workers to build the house, so we can only wait.

Cheng Mu told Qi Song about the general plan there. There were still two months left before wheat harvest, and she was a little worried that there would be nowhere to store the wheat after it was harvested.

Qi Song followed the progress of the terraced fields for two days, calculated the time, and said to Cheng Mu that it was indeed a bit rushed. Otherwise, they could borrow Zhao Datian's house to store the wheat. Even if the granary on the hill behind was built, people would have to be assigned to look after it. It would be better to wait.

Two spring rains fell before sowing, and some water accumulated in the rice fields. Cheng Mi directed people to draw more water from the well, soak it for a few days, and then drain it away.

The drainage ditch drained water very smoothly. Cheng Mu then discovered the ingenuity of Huang Xiancheng's design. If distant lands also needed water to grow rice in the future, this ditch could be used. When not in use, a dam could be built to block it.

The fields where the seeds were sown directly did not receive much water. On the day of sowing the seeds, County Magistrate Huang also came. People from all over the village, from remote mountain villages, young and old, came in groups to watch the sowing.

However, when the seeds that had just sprouted were sown, nothing could be seen.

Everyone knew that the government was converting land in Zhaojia Village into rice planting, and many families also knew that Boss Cheng was buying land and recruiting workers. Some people were curious, some people joined in the fun, and some people were looking at the legendary Mrs. Cheng.

"The one with the soapy yarn fluttering on her straw hat is Madam Cheng."

"That's not the way to work."

"You are a wealthy family, cultivating over a hundred acres of land. Why would you need to work in the fields yourself? Isn't your son Er Gou working on the hill behind the mountain? If someone buys the land there, they will also come to farm there."

"Did her husband die?"

…

Cheng Mu was inaudible to the words of curiosity she was hearing. She was telling County Magistrate Huang, "We'll plant the rice seedlings in a month. Come back and see us."

County Magistrate Huang nodded, and then he went to check on the seedlings in the greenhouse and no longer underestimated Madam Cheng.

A month later, the seeds sown in the paddy fields sprouted into seedlings.

The seedlings grown in the greenhouse can also be transplanted and planted.

This time, the crowd was also onlookers. When Cheng Mei ordered people to bring the rice seedling trays from the greenhouse, everyone was whispering, "This is growing well."

"The seedlings in the seedling tray grow better than those in the field."

The villagers couldn't take their eyes off the rice seedlings, repeating over and over again, "They're growing so well..."

Cheng Mi arranged to plant one acre of seedlings in two seedling trays.

The people who were transplanting rice seedlings rolled up their trousers and went into the paddy fields, and the ridges of the fields were filled with people watching them transplanting rice seedlings.

Three or five seedlings were planted in one place. Cheng Mei had requirements for the depth and spacing, three inches apart and six inches between rows. People in Zhaojia Village seldom planted rice seedlings and were not very skilled, so this planting was much more interesting than the last time they sowed seeds.

Step back in a straight line and plant the rice seedlings in rows.

Someone was backing away and sat down in the paddy field, causing everyone to laugh.

"It's crooked!" The farmers' eyes are their rulers, not to mention there are so many pairs of rulers.

The children ran around barefoot on the ridges of the fields, shouting, "It's rising! It's floating!"

Some of the seedlings were not planted firmly, and when people walked away, they floated up by themselves, causing laughter and ridicule.

Some were eager to try their hand and couldn't wait to help. "A bunch of young people are working for nothing!"

The water shimmered, and the green reflected people. Unconsciously, the people planting rice started singing. The paddy fields were covered with green, and the seedlings trembled gently in the slanting wind.

Mr. Zhao Ba reminded Cheng Mu to ask for good luck by picking up a bunch of rice seedlings and throwing them back at the door of her home. "This is called the rice seedlings recognizing the home, and a good harvest will come in from there."

Cheng Mu received instruction.

After watching for most of the day, County Magistrate Huang was very satisfied. He asked Cheng Mu, "How is the wheat growing?"

"Your Excellency may wish to see it for yourself."

Cheng Mu and Mr. Chen Ba took County Magistrate Huang to her land for a walk. The green wheat fields gradually turned yellow, with wheat ears pointing to the sky, a magnificent sight.

County Magistrate Huang picked up a few grains and white paddles came out from the wheat grains.

Cheng Mu: "The wheat is currently in the grain filling stage. The weather has been hot recently, which is good, so the grains can grow very full."

County Magistrate Huang nodded and said, "We can harvest the wheat in a few days."

Cheng Mu also asked County Magistrate Huang whether he would come to see the wheat harvest.

Seeing it once a month, every time it comes, it makes people excited. Why doesn't County Magistrate Huang come? "Come, I must come. If the wheat grains can grow as full as you said, this acre can produce a lot. I must come to see how much it can produce per acre."

Mr. Chen Ba was very proud of it. "Sir, this acre can produce one dan. You see, only half of it is wheat."

Oh, it would have been great if we had planted wheat in the first place. Mr. Chen Ba felt a little regretful that he had come to persuade him in person. If it weren’t for Boss Cheng’s courtesy, would he have only planted half of the wheat?

County Magistrate Huang said solemnly to Cheng Mu, "Boss Cheng, your wheat seeds are excellent. They are not afraid of salt and brine, can withstand drought, and are resistant to disease and insects. Have you ever thought about using all the wheat seeds after the harvest?"

"Master Huang loves the people like his own children. What he said is absolutely right. I will certainly obey him," Cheng Mu thought. "No matter who wants this wheat seed, as long as they bring wheat in exchange, I will exchange it for a bushel of wheat."

"This rare commodity is worth keeping. Can you exchange it for another one?"

"A bushel for a bushel, I will never break my promise."

"Boss Cheng is very kind." County Magistrate Huang was deeply shocked and bowed sincerely.

During the Grain in Ear Festival, people are busy harvesting wheat, and men, women, young and old go to the battlefield.

Before and after the Grain in Ear Festival, every farmer's family is busy, not only planting rice seedlings and harvesting wheat, but also because the survival rate of crops will become lower and lower after this solar term, so they cannot miss the right time.

As the old saying goes, if you don't plant during Grain in Ear, then later planting is useless. During Grain in Ear, everyone plants everything. Therefore, during this time, everyone rushes to plant all the autumn crops, and there are few helpers in every village.

The wheat needs someone to watch over it recently. If you are not careful, someone will secretly pull away a handful of it. Only Mrs. Cheng's wheat grows well, and everyone nearby can rely on this family to pull the wheat.

So Gui'er, Muyun, Zhao Shitou and others wandered around the fields every day. Zhao Shitou made a few slingshots and would scare any movement from a distance.

Mu Yun didn't use the slingshot. Wouldn't this be a better opportunity to practice the locust stone that Qi Song taught him?

Sometimes he used stones, sometimes he used mud directly. He was able to do it steadily, accurately and quickly. When he hit people, he used mud. The mud would scatter when it hit the person and was not very aggressive. When he shot birds, he used stones. Tits would come to steal wheat, and cuckoos as well. The birds had to be hit hard, and after knocking them unconscious, they would be picked up and taken back for a snack.

Gui'er was very envious of his miraculous skills. After thinking about it, she decided not to use the slingshot and practiced secretly. One day, she finally hit a sparrow.

She picked a handful of wheat ears, picked up the bird, and skipped home to tell Cheng Mu the good news.

"Madam Cheng, I finally shot down a bird!" Madam Cheng had encouraged her before. If she shot down a bird, she could pick a handful of wheat ears and roast them to eat.

There was a fire burning in the stove, and Gui'er hummed a tune while roasting the wheat ears on the fire.

Yu scolded, "You are just greedy."

"Mom, this is delicious."

The fire burned off the wheat awns and the wheat husks until they turned yellow. When they were taken out, they were still hot. Gui'er blew air on them with her mouth, ignoring the heat and rubbed them hard with her hands.

The wheat grains fell down, blowing away the husks. Guier picked up a handful and stuffed her mouth with it impatiently.

"delicious!"

She took another handful and held it up to Yu, "Mother, try it."

"I won't eat." Yu glared at her. "You're showing Madam Cheng the thief, and now you're the thief?"

Gui'er's rough hands were burned red, and her round face was covered in black and white. She laughed, "It's different. This is a gift from Madam Cheng."

Gui'er got a handful for Cheng Mu.

Cheng Xi asked her, "Is it delicious?"

Guier nodded vigorously and asked her to try it too.

Gui'er's palms were covered with black dust, and the wheat grains in her palms were green and round.

Cheng Mu picked up a few and put them in her mouth. A smoky smell rushed in first, and a few wheat grains rolled between her teeth. When she bit them, they were smooth and sticky.

What overflows between the teeth is the aroma of wheat, which is light and refreshing with a sweet aftertaste.

Gui'er was still waiting for her comment with her mouth open. Cheng Xi smiled and nodded, "It's delicious."

It's just a little dirty.

Gui'er ate in front of Xiaoliu and Xiaoqi, pretending to enjoy her food. "Xiaoliu, you have four teeth, but it's a pity you can't eat Shaomaizi."

Xiaoliu was lying on his stomach, half of his body raised high, with saliva dripping from his mouth. He probably realized that he couldn't eat it, so he slammed the kang with his hands.

Cheng Mu repeatedly reminded Gui'er that except for things that melt in the mouth, she should not stuff hard, round things into their mouths, as it could cause choking to death.

"I understand, Madam Cheng." Gui'er teased Xiaoliu to crawl forward, "Why is Xiaoliu able to crawl, but Xiaoqi can only lie down and eat his feet?"

"Boys and girls are different."

"How is it different?"

Gui'er's question seemed unintentional, but Cheng Mu knew she was asking on purpose. Perhaps because she had been eating well for the past six months, Gui'er had her period last month.

Everyone would be curious about their own body and development. Guier wanted to know, but Yu was too shy to speak up.

In ancient times, Guishui was regarded as a signal. As long as Guishui came, it was believed that the woman was able to have children and could be arranged to get married.

Shang Yueguier asked Cheng Mu why she became an adult when her menstrual period came?