Ding Youtian wasn't a master at farming, but that didn't mean he didn't understand it. When Jian Ning mentioned pollination, he immediately thought of hybridization. He spoke calmly, but Jian Ning's face flushed, feeling that the words he uttered had a certain allusion.
Turning her head and seeing his calm expression, she knew she had been overthinking it, and her heart also calmed down. She said, "I seem to remember them talking about hybrid rice, and that all grains can be increased in yield through artificial assistance. I only remember that stick beans were used in this way, and I don't have any other impressions."
Ding Youtian thought about it briefly and felt that what she said might be feasible. He said, "I'll go find my third uncle and the village head and see what they think."
After saying this, he hurried away.
Food is the most important thing for the people. Uncle Ding Sanye and the village head were thrilled to hear that production could increase. They had all experienced war and famine in their youth and knew the importance of food.
If the yield can be increased, one acre of land can yield thousands of kilograms of grain. They won't have to worry about going hungry in the future. It will also be a great thing for future generations. The two of them actively discussed the possibility of sowing in stages to adjust the flowering period.
Ding Youtian was unusually excited. He thought that if grain production could truly increase, it would benefit both the present and future generations. On a smaller scale, the villagers would have a surplus of grain, allowing them to brew their own wine without worrying about a shortage of food. On a larger scale, Dayan State surrounded at least a dozen countries, large and small, as well as numerous nomadic tribes. Simply by selling grain, Dayan State could become the first to prosper.
He also came from a farming family, and he joined in the discussion with the two of them with great interest. The head of the village and Mr. Ding Sanye were both experienced farmers, and they both agreed that this method might work.
"That's right, Old Four. After all, you have received some education, so you have a lot of ideas." The head of the village smiled so much that the wrinkles on his face smoothed out.
Ding Youtian smiled and said, "This isn't something I came up with. My wife told me that this is how they increase grain production back home. They say that all crops can be increased through artificial manipulation. But she was still young when she left home, so she only remembers this for beans and doesn't know anything else."
Uncle Ding San said "Oh", then continued: "It's all farm work. We have been doing it for most of our lives. If others can figure it out, we can just think about it more. Can a living person be suffocated to death by urinating?"
The village head nodded, then thought of asking Ding Youtian, "Did you come here specifically for this matter?"
Ding Youtian shook his head. "There's something else going on. We have a lot of orders coming in, and several companies are pressing for goods. My wife and I have discussed it and decided to add three more stoves. I'm thinking of asking your two families to contribute three people. We're also planning to expand the yard, dig a cellar in the backyard to store the wine, and build a shed in the front yard. I'm also asking you two uncles to help me find some help."
The village head and Mr. Ding Sanye were delighted when they heard this. The village head immediately said, "Manpower is easy to find. There are plenty of people in the village during the off-season. Leave it to us two old guys. We promise to do it clearly for you, and you don't have to pay for it. We are fellow villagers. Just give us two meals and some wine. As for help, my eldest daughter-in-law Cui Gu is quite capable. Although she is not as skilled as the Tian and Chang sisters, she is hardworking and not lazy. How about letting her go?"
"Okay, I know how Sister Cui works." Ding Youtian nodded and looked at Master Ding San.
Ding Yang, the eldest son of Mr. Ding Sanye's family, married a woman from Xiaoshui Village, the hometown of Tian's mother. Tian's mother had told her sisters that her daughter was making wine with her son-in-law's savior and earned eighty cents a day. So Mr. Ding Sanye also knew that Tian and her family earned eighty cents a day.
Eighty wen, that's more than one tael of silver a month. He slapped his thigh and said, "Brother Gaoshan, the fourth family pays a hired worker eighty wen a day, and also provides meals. Are you really only sending one person? If your family is only sending one person, then my family will send two. I only have two boys, let them both go. If they dare to be lazy, I will break their legs!"
The head of the village said, "This is a long-term job. Your two sons are helping out. Aren't you going to farm after the New Year? I dare not delay the affairs of the fourth son's family. Otherwise, they will go to farm after the New Year and leave them alone."
Mr. Ding San said, "That's impossible. I can cultivate the land by myself, but there are so many jars and pots for making wine. Women are weak after all, so we need two men to help carry the tools."
Ding Youtian frowned when he heard him mention eighty wen. His family didn't offer eighty wen, but wages were always based on individual ability. His sixth son's wages at Zhang Mazi were half of the other workers' at the beginning, and that was gradually increased. Moreover, they had to buy expensive grain to make wine, so the wages of new employees had to be reduced as appropriate, and it would not be too late to increase them later.
So he didn't say anything else, just said to Mr. Ding Sanye: "Uncle San, my family is planning to buy a carriage, and my wife is planning to ask you to help drive the carriage to pick up the kids from school."
"That's okay." Mr. Ding San didn't expect such a good thing to happen. His facial muscles twitched with excitement. He was worried about not being able to buy food with money. He said, "I can rent the land to others to grow crops and collect some rent myself."
Yes, rent it to Ding Erdan's family to farm. Don't they have many sons? They'll work that bastard to death! From now on, his family will rely on their skills to make a living, and let that old dog lead his sons to do the hard work facing the loess and back to the sky!
The village head was more concerned about food production. His wife had weak legs and feet, and his other two daughters-in-law were also unable to work. He was satisfied that one of his family members could earn a little money to help support the family. Farmers still had to focus on tending to the crops. If everyone else was doing other things to earn money, who would take care of the crops?
Without crops, there’s nothing to eat!
The head of the village has a good sense of the overall situation.
"It's settled then. I'll go get you some help right away, and we can start work tomorrow morning. It's better to get it done sooner rather than later. The sooner we get it done, the more secure we'll be. Otherwise, if it rains and we have to stop work, which would delay your work."
Uncle Ding said, "There are three of us, my father and I, and we already have three. If we can get ten more, we'll be almost there. Digging a cellar is a physically demanding job, and it won't be done without enough people. Let's split up and do the work. I'll go find my eldest brother and ask the clan to lend some strong laborers. Thanks to the fourth brother's family, we all have meat to eat every day. It's time for us to contribute when it's our turn."
The two of them went to make arrangements separately. Ding Youtian returned home and talked to Jian Ning about hiring people and wages. He suggested that before the research on increasing grain production was developed, they would have to buy grain at a high price and the wages could be reduced appropriately.
This was also what Jian Ning meant. Tian and Chang were the first batch of employees, and they were both very capable. What's more, Tian was the first to lend a helping hand to their family. Now that the raw materials for brewing wine are in short supply, the wages will naturally have to be increased or decreased as appropriate.
She never hides anything when doing things, and she also knew that Tian was afraid that her mother would ask her for more money, so she said eighty cents a day. When Ding Yang, Ding Jian and Cui Gu heard the news and rushed over, Jian Ning called them together for a brief meeting.
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