Upon hearing this, Shen Tingzhou's eyes flashed with surprise: "Are the methods you mentioned feasible?" Although he did not understand agricultural technology, he trusted Lin Wanqiu's judgment. From founding the food workshop to leading the villagers to grow cash crops, Lin Wanqiu always came up with unexpected and ingenious solutions.
“It’s feasible.” Lin Wanqiu nodded emphatically, her tone firm. “I’ve seen similar records in an ancient book. With a few adjustments based on our current conditions, we’re sure to succeed. Besides, there are some special fertilizer formulas for improving soil in the space. We can make our own, which is both economical and effective.” She paused, gazing at the once-dormant land, her heart filled with anticipation. “Look, this place is flat and vast, perfect for building a standardized planting base. We can divide it into wheat, grain, and vegetable areas, and even build a seedling shed to cultivate high-quality seedlings. Once the base is built, it will not only meet the raw material needs of the food workshop but also absorb the village’s idle labor force, giving the villagers an extra source of income.”
Shen Tingzhou followed her gaze and seemed to already see the bountiful harvest on this saline-alkali land: golden wheat swaying in the wind, plump grains hanging from the branches, and lush green vegetables looking fresh and delicious, with the villagers' faces beaming with the joy of a bountiful harvest. He gripped Lin Wanqiu's hand tightly and said solemnly, "Okay, then let's do it your way. We'll divide the work. I'll be responsible for contacting the construction team to dig drainage ditches and build terraced fields, and you'll be responsible for researching fertilizer formulas and developing planting plans."
Back in the village, Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou immediately convened a village meeting to announce their plan to contract saline-alkali land in the suburbs and establish a planting base. The news sparked a flurry of discussion among the villagers; some were excited, some questioned, and some hesitated.
"Late Autumn, that saline-alkali land is notoriously barren. Can you really turn it into fertile farmland?" an elderly man with white hair asked with a worried expression, leaning on his cane.
“Yes, Mr. Lin, we’ve heard that some people tried to improve it before, but they all failed and lost a lot of money!” A middle-aged man chimed in, his eyes full of doubt.
Standing on the earthen platform, Lin Wanqiu's gaze swept over each villager present, her tone sincere and firm: "Fellow villagers, I know you have concerns. That saline-alkali land is indeed difficult to transform, but I have found a practical and feasible method, and Tingzhou and I will dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to it, and we will definitely not let you down." She paused, then continued, "After the planting base is built, it will require a large workforce. Whether it's digging irrigation ditches, building terraced fields, or sowing, fertilizing, and harvesting, we will give priority to hiring villagers, and the wages will definitely not be lower than the market price. Once the base is profitable, we will also share a portion of the profits with everyone, so that everyone can enjoy the benefits brought by the planting base."
Shen Tingzhou added, "Don't worry, we will cover the land contracting costs, and Wanqiu will be in charge of the technical aspects. All you need to do is put in the effort and you will receive real wages. Even if there is no profit in the early stages, we will pay everyone's wages on time and will never delay payment."
As the villagers listened to their promises, their murmurs gradually subsided. Everyone had witnessed the practical things Lin Wanqiu had done for the village over the years: renovating the village primary school, establishing a food processing workshop, and encouraging everyone to grow cash crops—each of these initiatives had greatly benefited the villagers. Gradually, more and more people put aside their doubts and expressed their willingness to support their plans.
"Late Autumn, we believe in you! Just tell us what to do, and we'll do it!"
"Yes, with President Lin, we're sure to live a good life!"
"I'm willing to work at the plantation, even if it's tiring!"
Looking into the trusting eyes of her fellow villagers, Lin Wanqiu felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She knew this trust was hard-won, and she was determined to run the planting base well and live up to everyone's expectations.
In the days that followed, the saline-alkali land on the outskirts of the city came alive. The construction team that Shen Tingzhou had contacted moved into the site, and excavators and bulldozers worked day and night, their roar breaking the silence of the saline-alkali land. The villagers also joined in, some digging drainage ditches, some building terraced fields, and some leveling the land. Everyone was full of energy, their faces beaming with anticipation for the future.
Lin Wanqiu was extremely busy. During the day, she supervised the construction on the site under the scorching sun, checking whether the slope of the drainage ditch was reasonable, whether the height of the terraces was appropriate, and whether the soil improvement was in place. At night, she returned home and studied fertilizer formulas under the kerosene lamp. Based on the information in her space and combined with the local soil conditions, she repeatedly experimented and formulated a special fertilizer suitable for saline-alkali land.
Shen Tingzhou felt sorry for her because she was working too hard and always advised her to rest more: "Wanqiu, I'll keep an eye on the construction site. You can stay home and study the fertilizer formula. You don't need to go every day."
Lin Wanqiu shook her head, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and smiled wearily but contentedly. "No, the planting base is the result of our collective hard work. I have to oversee it myself to feel at ease. Besides, only by seeing it in person can I adjust the improvement plan according to the actual soil conditions." She paused, looking at Shen Tingzhou's bloodshot eyes, and felt a pang of heartache. "As for you, you should also take care of your health and not overwork yourself."
Shen Tingzhou held her hand, his eyes full of doting: "I'm fine, you don't need to worry. Just seeing you working hard towards your goals gives me so much energy."
Days passed, and under the leadership of Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou, and with the joint efforts of the villagers, the construction of the planting base progressed steadily. Drainage ditches crisscrossed the land like silver ribbons, continuously draining salt from the soil; the terraced fields stood neatly, like steps, providing a good environment for crop growth; salt-tolerant alfalfa seeds were sown in the soil, gradually sprouting tender green shoots, adding a touch of vitality to this grayish-white land.
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