Chapter 178 Different Rice Seed Samples
The old grandfather smiled slightly, turned to Tu Subo who was sharpening his knife and said, "Bo'er, listen, listen, this is your credit, the result of your careful care."
Tu Subo stopped what he was doing, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said with a smile, "Grandfather, this isn't my achievement; it's all thanks to your guidance. But these seedlings are growing really well, and I'm very happy too."
The old grandfather nodded, his eyes full of approval. "Well, I'm satisfied too. Now, we have to start preparing to plant the rice. Go get ready and chop some firewood."
Tu Subo responded and prepared to carry out his mission. He looked at his grandfather's wrinkled face and felt a surge of respect. Though old, the old man was vigorous and possessed a unique understanding and love for farm work.
Tu Subo picked up the machete and was about to leave when his grandfather called him back: "Bo'er, remember, when transplanting seedlings, be careful not to damage them. This is our hope, our future."
Tu Subo nodded, his heart becoming more resolute: "Grandfather, don't worry, I will be careful."
After Tu Subo left, the old grandfather sat alone in front of the shed, looking at the thriving seedlings, his heart filled with anticipation. He thought that these seedlings, like his offspring, needed careful care to thrive.
As night fell, the grandfather sat on the kang, watching the flickering firelight, and couldn't help but think of the past. He looked at Tu Subo beside him and remembered his own youth. Back then, he was just like Tu Subo, full of energy and hope.
He looked at Tu Subo and said, "Bo'er, do you know that the reason these seedlings are growing so well is because of the kang that is kept warm day and night? This is our secret, the wisdom passed down by our ancestors."
Tu Subo looked at his grandfather, his eyes flickering with confusion: "Grandfather, why does the kang path help the seedlings grow better?"
The old grandfather smiled and said, "This is because the temperature of the kang promotes the growth of the seedlings. This is the experience of our ancestors over many years and the essence of our agriculture."
Tu Subo suddenly understood, and his respect for his grandfather deepened. He looked at his grandfather and said, "Grandpa, I understand. I will continue to work hard to make these seedlings grow better."
The old grandfather smiled, with a satisfied glint in his eyes: "Okay, okay, Bo'er, you are my best assistant."
Late at night, the grandfather lay on the kang, watching the flickering firelight, his heart filled with anticipation. He looked forward to the arrival of spring, the growth of the rice seedlings, and the future harvest.
The old grandfather looked at Gu Yuexuan, opened his mouth, and hesitated. His eyes revealed a complex emotion, a mixture of anticipation and worry. Finally, he sighed softly and changed the subject, "Xuan'er, do you know about the wild rice growing outside the village in front of the courtyard?"
Gu Yuexuan smiled slightly, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes: "Grandfather, I heard from the villagers that wild rice has strong vitality and can grow naturally in the wilderness. I have always wanted to go and see it for myself."
The old grandfather nodded, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "You're right. Those wild rice plants do have extraordinary vitality. They thrive in the wilderness, untended by humans, yet they manage to grow tenaciously in such a harsh environment. However, do you know the hardships they endure during their growth?"
Gu Yuexuan shook her head slightly, her eyes full of curiosity.
The old grandfather sighed and began to explain, "Wild rice is different from the rice in our fields. It has no human care and has to face wind, rain, insects and birds. Especially in Yuanqian Village, the land is barren and rain is scarce. If they want to grow, they have to work harder than other rice."
Gu Yuexuan listened with a glimmer of sympathy in her eyes, but she still asked doubtfully, "Why didn't Grandpa transplant them to the fields and take good care of them?"
The old grandfather smiled bitterly and said, "Xuan'er, you don't know that although wild rice is very resilient, its growth cycle is extremely long and it's difficult to produce fruit. The rice in our fields, as long as we take good care of it, will yield a good harvest. But wild rice, even if transplanted into the fields, may not grow well."
Gu Yuexuan nodded thoughtfully. She looked at her grandfather with respect in her eyes. "Grandfather, you know so much. Do you know why I'm interested in wild rice?"
The old grandfather shook his head, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.
Gu Yuexuan smiled and said, "I want to study this wild rice to see if it can be hybridized with our rice and cultivate rice varieties that are more suitable for the environment of Yuanqian Village."
After hearing this, the grandfather's eyes flashed with surprise, then turned into admiration: "Xuan'er, your idea is very good. However, this wild rice is difficult to grow. Are you sure you want to spend the effort to study it?"
Gu Yuexuan nodded firmly: "Grandfather, I believe that as long as you work hard, you will definitely reap rewards. Moreover, I want to do something for Yuanqian Village to make our lives better."
The old grandfather looked at Gu Yuexuan with his eyes full of satisfaction. He patted Gu Yuexuan's hand and said, "Well, since you have this intention, then I support you. However, you must also take care of your health and don't overwork yourself."
Gu Yuexuan smiled and nodded, with a hint of determination in her eyes.
Gu Yuexuan looked at her grandfather and said seriously, "Grandfather, I plan to buy rice seed samples from different places so that I can observe and select them in the greenhouse."
The grandfather listened to his granddaughter's words, a faint smile on his face, a flicker of relief in his eyes. He gently stroked his beard and spoke slowly, "Well, that's a good idea. Since ancient times, agriculture has been the foundation of our lives. Researching rice varieties and increasing yields is a major undertaking. Since you have this idea, go for it."
Gu Yuexuan's eyes flashed with determination, and she continued, "Grandfather, I estimated the time, and I expect the seedlings to be ready for harvest in three months. By then, I also plan to look for wild rice to see if I can find some new varieties."
The old grandfather nodded slightly, a glint of anticipation in his eyes. "Wild rice is a good thing. If we can find a new variety, perhaps we can improve the rice in our village. However, you must remember that while experiments are important, safety must also be the top priority."
Gu Yuexuan nodded, a determined glint in her eyes. "Don't worry, Grandfather. I'll pay attention. Oh, and I have another idea. I want to buy rice seeds from different places and try planting two batches of different varieties a year to get more data."
The old grandfather frowned upon hearing this, seeming a little worried: "Two batches a year, isn't that too much work? Can you handle it all by yourself?"
Gu Yuexuan looked at her grandfather, a determined glint in her eyes. "Grandpa, I know this will be hard work, but I think it's worth it. Only through extensive testing and data collection can we find the most suitable rice varieties for our village, increase yields, and help villagers live a better life."
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