Chapter 125 Free? Impossible

The Spring Festival requires offering pigs, sheep and chickens as sacrifices, and the village chief burns incense and worships the village land on behalf of the entire village.

In addition, you should also take a ladle of spring water from the thawed river or mountain spring in the village in advance.

A pair of boys and girls randomly picked up a handful of soil from the village.

Offering every drop of water and every drop of soil to the gods implies that the villagers will never forget that every meal and every drink comes from the local water and soil and is blessed by the gods.

Gu Xixi followed the local customs and stood quietly among the crowd.

It was not until the village chief Lao Qian announced the end of the Spring Festival that the devout people began to move around.

Mrs. Qin had already spotted where Gu Xixi was and immediately walked over through the crowd.

"Xixi, what do you think about our big event?"

Since before the New Year, Gu Xixi asked Mrs. Qin to wait, but today is the beginning of spring.

Before long, everything will grow, and when it comes time to plant trees and sow seeds, it will be too late to discuss what to plant.

Gu Xixi patted Sister-in-law Qin's hand with a smile, "I know Sister-in-law is anxious, and so am I."

"It's better to do it today than today. Let's talk about it now."

"Ah?" Mrs. Qin was surprised, thinking she had heard it wrong.

Gu Xixi shouted to the dispersing crowd, "Dear neighbors! If you are willing to listen to me, please stay!"

Everyone stopped in their tracks, out of curiosity. It didn’t cost any money to listen!

Among them, Mrs. Qin, Lao Qian and others were the most excited. They had been looking forward to this moment for a long time!

Seeing this, Gu Xixi continued, "I know that from the end of autumn last year until now, many neighbors have been curious about what we will plant next year and how we will plant it."

“Today I will discuss this matter with you in detail.”

Someone asked loudly, "What on earth are you going to plant?"

During the winter when farmers are idle, this topic has been the subject of much speculation but has never been resolved.

Now it’s finally going to be revealed, who wouldn’t be excited?

Gu Xixi smiled and said, "Fruit tree."

Before she could continue, someone else asked anxiously, "What kind of fruit tree? A peach tree, a pear tree, or an apricot tree?"

The common fruit trees in the local area are nothing more than these three.

The villagers were somewhat bored by this point.

Fruit trees are not to be eaten or drunk.

Just like children eating candies, only those who have spare money in their pockets will buy them to satisfy their cravings.

Isn’t it ridiculous to grow fruit trees instead of crops?

Several older people were already shaking their heads and turning to leave.

Gu Xixi said, "Compared to the three types you mentioned, the soil and climate in our village are more suitable for growing pinellia."

"You could even say it's a unique opportunity and the perfect fit."

Pinellia fruit? What is this? The villagers were curious and talked about it.

Old Qian raised his hand and gestured to Gu Xixi, "Niece, can I talk to everyone about this for you?"

Gu Xixi nodded, "Uncle Qian, please."

Lao Qian still has a lot of authority in the village.

When he was about to speak, several people who were about to leave stopped.

Old Qian cleared his throat and said with full energy, "Pimba fruit is a kind of fruit tree introduced from the Western Regions. It has been planted in our Daye territory as early as ten or twenty years ago, especially in the north."

The villagers were skeptical, "If they are planted, why haven't we seen them?"

Old Qian said with a straight face, "Why are you in such a hurry? Just listen to me!"

"The nursery of the Pinellia fruit is controlled by merchants from the Western Regions. Not everyone can buy the seedlings! And the price is not cheap. Only dignitaries and wealthy families plant them in their mansions or farms."

Master Gu said disappointedly, "I thought it was a good way out!"

"What does this kind of thing have to do with ordinary people like us? What do you think?"

Everyone responded in agreement.

Gu Erye is Gu Xixi's second grandfather. He has said so.

Seeing more and more people about to leave, Mrs. Qin became anxious, "Xixi, everyone won't listen, what should we do?"

Gu Xixi was not surprised by this situation.

"I have already reserved the supply of Pinellia trees, and the saplings will be delivered to the village in a few days."

“People who want to plant fruit trees with me this year don’t have to spend their own money to buy the seedlings.”

Free is a temptation of equality for human beings.

Sure enough, someone stopped and asked, "If it doesn't cost any money, then it's free, right?"

Gu Xixi chuckled, "For free? How is that possible?"

"If I give you the sapling, and you sell it or chop it up for firewood, wouldn't I be at a big loss, and you will get all the profit? There is no such a fool in the world."

The man who asked the question touched his nose, feeling embarrassed as if he had been exposed.

Gu Xixi took a deep breath and said, "What I am going to talk about next are all details about tree planting. Whether you are interested or have doubts, you can stay and listen."

"For those who really don't care about this matter, I won't waste your time. Please go back."

As soon as this was said, about one-third of the people left.

Of the remaining two-thirds, at least half are bored and curious.

Aunt Zhang looked at Gu Xixi worriedly, but said nothing.

Since late spring last year, she has watched Xixi overcome many seemingly impossible difficulties.

No matter how difficult this matter seems to be, she just needs to firmly support Xixi.

Aunt Zhang looked at Mu Nanzhao again and saw that he was calm and had not spoken a word yet.

Aunt Zhang's heart was completely settled.

Anyway, nothing bad will happen!

Gu Xixi waited patiently for the number of people at the scene to stabilize before making a formal explanation.

Planting Pinellia is roughly divided into two parts.

First, families who want to plant trees need to meet the conditions listed by Gu Xixi himself and sign a contract with Gu Xixi according to the number of seedlings they receive.

Secondly, Gu Xixi provided full guidance on the planting of Pinellia fruit trees, and after the trees bore fruit, she collected a share of the net profit per kilogram of Pinellia fruit for five consecutive years.

The villagers also have many problems.

Question: "It is very difficult for fruit trees to bear fruit. Even if we follow your conditions and only use half of our land to plant fruit trees and interplant multiple crops, we will still have some income."

"But so many fruit trees take up land and need people to take care of them. If they don't bear fruit for three or four years, isn't that a loss?"

Gu Xixi said, "What if I say I can make them bear fruit in two years at most?"

"And I can ensure that the fruits are delicious, in large quantities, and have a beautiful and symmetrical appearance?"

The villagers were in an uproar.

Even the people who were hiding outside the land temple gasped in surprise.

They are all farmers. Although they have never planted fruit trees, they know that whether the fruits of that year will be big and sweet or crooked and uneven depends entirely on God's will.

Could it be that this girl, Gu Xixi, thinks she is a god?

Gu Erye didn't leave. He shouted, "Can you promise everyone that it will be as you said in two years?!"

I thought Gu Xixi would hold on for the sake of face.

But she smiled and said, "I can't guarantee it."

Everyone was stunned, and then booed.

Even Lao Qian and Mrs. Qin couldn't figure out what Gu Xixi's intention was.

Only Mu Nanzhao looked at Gu Xixi with the corners of his lips raised, as if he couldn't help laughing.