The fact that Old Man Ye's family could treat the poisonous roots had spread throughout the entire village.

The next morning, the old banyan tree was already crowded with villagers, including the elderly and children. The sounds of discussion and children chasing and playing were mixed together.

"Why hasn't the village head arrived yet!"

"Uncle Yutian and the others too."

"Hey, here it comes!"

The crowd peered excitedly, and from afar, they saw Ye Lizheng and Ye Caiping's family walking towards them.

Ye Li was walking to the large rock under the tree when, before he could speak, Granny Zhao said urgently:

"Village head, is that poisonous root really edible? Have you tried tasting it?"

Ye Lizheng choked, staring coldly at her: "I tried, but I didn't die."

The villagers burst out laughing. "Old Zhao really dares to say that? Is she using rats to test for poison?"

"If you can't speak properly, then shut up." Zhao Facai glared at Zhao Pozi.

Granny Zhao shrank back and dared not utter a sound.

Ye Lizheng coughed lightly: "The reason we're gathered here today is obvious. This poisonous root is really edible. It's actually called cassava, and if processed properly, it can be used as food."

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, the villagers were so excited that they buzzed with excitement and began to discuss it.

"These are all over the mountains, so we won't go hungry this winter."

"Let's go dig!"

Many villagers were so excited that they turned to run away, but Ye Lizheng said angrily, "Wait, what can you do after you dig it up?"

The villagers then realized what was happening and looked at Ye Lizheng sheepishly, saying, "Lizheng, quickly tell us how to remove the toxins."

Some looked at Old Man Ye and asked, "Uncle Tian, ​​how did you handle it?"

"Quiet down and listen to me," Ye Lizheng said loudly, and the crowd immediately looked at him.

Ye Lizheng said, "Processing cassava involves multiple steps. For safety reasons, let's dig and process it together this time. Then we'll distribute the labor according to the number of people, with children under twelve receiving half the amount. Each family will provide two laborers, one man and one woman."

The villagers were feeling uncertain, so they were overjoyed when they heard the suggestion.

"The men will come up the mountain with us to dig cassava. The women will stay here and start processing the cassava once it's brought down."

"Also, Brother Tian and Daquan are the most experienced in digging cassava. When we get up the mountain, everyone will listen to them. As for how to process the cassava, Caiping knows best. Everyone will listen to her then."

Then, Ye Lizheng had the laborers who had come to work stand up and divide them into two groups, men and women.

The men went up the mountain with hoes, sickles, and baskets, while the women stayed in the village to wait for the cassava to be brought down from the mountain.

After the assignments were made, the group of people set off up the mountain in a grand procession.

Because he needed to direct everyone on how to dig cassava, and fearing there wouldn't be enough manpower, all the men in Old Man Ye's family went together.

Along the way, many people asked Old Man Ye and Ye Daquan how they processed cassava. Old Man Ye just smiled and said they would find out later. He didn't say it now because he was afraid that people would try it on their own.

Soon, they arrived at the cassava forest on the mountain. The villagers were thrilled to see such a lush and green expanse.

Ye Peng, with his sharp eyes, pulled Old Man Ye aside and whispered, "Grandpa, look."

Following the direction he pointed, Old Man Ye saw several cassava stalks that had been cut down not far away.

Those weren't left behind when they dug up cassava yesterday. After they finished digging yesterday, they just piled the branches aside.

Old Man Ye and Ye Daquan would understand after a moment's thought.

Yesterday, news broke that cassava is edible. Although the villagers don't know how to process it, some savvy people have already gone up the mountain to dig it up.

If it hadn't been afternoon when the news broke, they probably would have dug up more than just these few trees.

"Alright. We can dig, and so can others. Let's not say anything more," Old Man Ye said in a low voice.

Ye Peng nodded and remained silent.

Ye Lizheng walked over and asked, "Brother, shall we start digging?"

"Alright, let's dig!"

Old Man Ye and the others then led the villagers into the cassava forest, explained the precautions Ye Caiping had told them, and began construction.

As soon as a cassava plant was dug up, someone immediately used a sickle to cut off the root and put it into a basket.

Some people even went to dig out the pieces that were broken in the mud.

Qinghe Village has 113 households, and all 113 people went up the mountain. In addition, some eager villagers volunteered to join in the work, and in less than an hour, they dug more than 20 baskets.

Immediately, villagers began carrying the loads down the mountain.

The entire cassava forest was bustling with activity, everyone was busy as bees.

...

Under the old banyan tree, a group of aunties and girls were sitting on the ground, chatting away.

"Oh, here it comes! Here it comes!"

An aunt suddenly shouted excitedly.

Everyone turned around and saw a dozen men carrying loads of cassava as they walked over.

As soon as the baskets hit the ground, the aunties rushed over to grab them. The strong laborers who had brought the cassava were jostled and nearly fell.

"This is mine!"

"Mine! My!"

Ye Caiping watched from the side, her lips twitching slightly.

The village head's wife said sternly, "What are you grabbing for! Can we eat it yet? Granny Zhao, why are you taking three by yourself? Do you think you can take them home just because you've taken them? Put them down! Put them down, or your family won't get a single pound!"

Granny Zhao was so frightened that she dropped the cassava in her hand to the ground with a thud.

The village women then sheepishly put down the cassava they were holding: "We just really like it."

"Alright, alright, you'll have plenty to enjoy later," the village head's wife said irritably. "Now, let's take lunch to the men first."

The village women brought the food early and piled it all up to one side.

Most of the time, they would put radish rice with pickled vegetables in a rough porcelain bowl, cover it with another bowl, tie it tightly with a cloth, and put it in a clean basket.

The men who had carried the cassava down the mountain carried their food and left with empty baskets on their backs.

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