Chapter 159 Standing on the Shoulders of Our Predecessors
Gu Yuexuan looked at Tu Subo and said seriously, "Tu Subo, I have an idea. To increase grain production, the key lies in the quality of grain seeds. This problem is not just faced by us, but by the entire era."
Tu Subo frowned, looking a little confused. "I understand what you're talking about the quality of the grain. But why build a greenhouse? Is it just for testing?"
Gu Yuexuan smiled slightly, a determined glint in her eyes. "Tu Subo, the greenhouse is my experimental field. I want to use it to improve the crops. You know, in ancient times, Yuanqian Village had fertile land and abundant grain production. But today, the difficulties we face are precisely because of the lack of good crops."
Tu Subo was still a little confused, but seeing Gu Yuexuan's serious look, he decided to listen patiently.
Gu Yuexuan walked to the window, looked out at the fields, and continued, "Tu Subo, did you know that greenhouses can simulate various climatic conditions, allowing crops to grow in the most suitable environment? This way, we can select the best crops and increase yields."
Tu Subo nodded thoughtfully, but still a little worried: "What if the experiment fails? We have invested so much manpower and material resources, what will we do if it all comes to nothing?"
Gu Yuexuan turned and looked at Tu Subo, her tone firm: "Tu Subo, I believe our efforts will not be in vain. The experimental field is to demonstrate the potential of the land and let the world know that the land is the source of miracles. As long as we work hard, we will succeed."
Tu Subo was silent for a moment, then said seriously: "Since you are so confident, then I support you. Let's work together for food security in this era."
Gu Yuexuan smiled. She walked over to Tu Subo and held his hand tightly. "Thank you, Tu Subo. With your support, I am more confident."
Tu Subo sighed and said to Gu Yuexuan solemnly, "The main source of tax revenue for the court is the farming tax. The people have paid heavy taxes, and there is very little grain left. If you can find a way to increase grain yields per mu, those poor people will definitely regard you as a savior."
After hearing this, Gu Yuexuan frowned slightly and pondered for a moment before slowly speaking: "Tu Subo, I know the hardships involved, but I'm not the kind of person who can save people from suffering. All my achievements are based on the shoulders of those who came before me."
Tu Subo looked at Gu Yuexuan, with a flicker of approval in his eyes, but he still couldn't help asking, "Then how do you plan to do it?"
At this moment, they were sitting in the courtyard of the ancient Yuanqian Village. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on them, making them look particularly peaceful.
Gu Yuexuan raised her head, looked at the sky, and said slowly: "I will first learn about the experience of our predecessors, and then combine it with the actual situation of our village to try to improve the planting method. Perhaps this can increase the grain yield per mu."
Tu Subo was silent for a moment, then said, "Then where do you want to start?"
Gu Yuexuan smiled slightly, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes: "Start with land improvement. The soil in our village is quite alkaline, which is not conducive to the growth of crops. I want to try using green manure to improve the land and increase soil fertility."
Tu Subo looked at Gu Yuexuan worriedly: "This is not an easy task. Can you do it alone?"
Gu Yuexuan smiled, her eyes full of confidence: "Of course not alone. I will find young people in the village to participate. If we work together, we will always find a solution to the problem."
After saying that, Gu Yuexuan stood up and walked to the stone table in the courtyard. She picked up a piece of paper with a picture of a piece of land on it. She pointed at the land on the paper and explained to Tu Subo, "Look, this land, we need to deep plow it first to make it softer. Then, we need to spread green manure so that the land can slowly absorb nutrients. After the green manure has rotted, we will deep plow it again to make the soil more fertile."
Tu Subo listened to Gu Yuexuan's explanation with a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He hadn't expected Gu Yuexuan to know so much about agriculture. He sighed, "I didn't expect you to be so familiar with agriculture. I really underestimated you."
Gu Yuexuan smiled and said, "This is all because I admire those who came before me. They were trying to do something big, and I'm just building on their foundation and moving forward."
Gu Yuexuan glanced at Tu Subo, pacing back and forth while pinching her chin and guessing, "I heard that our predecessors have achieved a lot of success in increasing per-acre yields. Look, that piece of abandoned land, maybe it's where their predecessors conducted their experiments."
Tu Subo's brow furrowed slightly as he looked at Gu Yuexuan, a hint of doubt in his eyes. Although he had some doubts about Gu Yuexuan's guess, he didn't say it directly. He just sighed softly and said slowly, "Xuanxuan, you may not know that increasing per-acre yield is not that easy."
Gu Yuexuan's heart tightened when she heard this. She knew Tu Subo was a cautious person, and his words clearly showed his doubts about her guess. She stopped and looked at Tu Subo, smiling slightly: "I know this is not easy, but if the predecessors have really succeeded, why don't we give it a try?"
Tu Subo looked at Gu Yuexuan's smiling face, and his heart couldn't help but waver. But he suppressed his doubts and asked, "Then how do you know that the predecessors have succeeded?"
Gu Yuexuan's eyes flickered slightly. She knew she had to make up a story to convince Tu Subo. She took a deep breath and said, "I heard from the elders in the village that a mysterious old man once lived on this land. He had been researching how to increase per-acre yields. Before he died, he told others that he had found a solution."
Tu Subo listened to Gu Yuexuan's words, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes. He looked at Gu Yuexuan and said slowly: "Xuanxuan, you know what I'm suspicious of. Who would believe such a thing?"
Gu Yuexuan's heart tightened. She looked at Tu Subo with a glint of determination in her eyes. "I know no one believes it now. But if I can succeed in the experiment, everyone will believe it."
Tu Subo looked at Gu Yuexuan's determined eyes and couldn't help but waver. He looked at her deeply and said slowly, "Well, since you're so insistent, let's give it a try. But you have to remember, the experimental field is our livelihood, and we can't afford any mistakes."
Gu Yuexuan was delighted when she heard this. She looked at Tu Subo and smiled slightly: "I know, I will be careful."
Tu Subo's eyes lit up, and he confidently said to Gu Yuexuan, "Xuanxuan, you said greenhouse cultivation can achieve two rice harvests a year, and even double the yield per mu. This is really great news! However, I have a question. If it is true as you said, what will happen to the grain after the harvest?"
Gu Yuexuan smiled, her eyes gleaming with determination. She gently held Tu Subo's hand and said, "Tu Subo, I've already thought about this. If the harvest is good, we will first ensure the food supply for our village. The surplus can be sold to neighboring villages or even further afield. This will not only improve our lives, but also help more villagers escape poverty and become prosperous."
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