"This is a new variety of corn I developed, called sweet corn," Xu Kuo explained casually.
Upon hearing that it was corn, Tan Wang immediately became anxious and stepped forward, unable to resist trying to dissuade him.
"Brother Kuo! You can't do that! It's almost the beginning of winter, the weather is freezing cold, how can you plant corn in winter? Wouldn't that be a waste of seeds and effort?"
"Besides, everyone has just finished harvesting and storing their corn. Even if we plant it now, who would want it? We wouldn't get a good price!"
Tan Wang's concerns were not unfounded, as this completely violated the common sense of agricultural seasons.
Xu Kuo smiled confidently and patted Tan Wang on the shoulder.
"Tan Wang, you're talking about the coarse corn we usually eat. But my sweet corn is different!"
He emphasized, "This kind of corn tastes sweet and sticky! It's completely different from what we eat now! Just imagine, on a cold day, what would it feel like to eat hot, sweet corn on the cob? I guarantee it would sell like hotcakes as soon as it comes out!"
Niu Erbao swallowed hard, imagining the taste, and asked innocently, "Is it really that delicious?"
Tan Wang's brow remained furrowed, his reason telling him this was unreliable: "But...but it's so cold, Brother Kuo! The seeds will freeze to death if planted, they won't sprout at all!"
"Who said we should let it freeze?" Xu Kuo smiled mysteriously. "I have a brilliant plan!"
Seeing their still bewildered expressions, he stopped being coy and said, "As for the cold weather... I have a solution! Erbao, Tanwang, go and run another errand for me and find me some more sturdy, long bamboo poles or wooden sticks, straight ones, the more the better!"
He added, his tone leaving no room for argument: "Also, go to the supply and marketing cooperative or the scrap metal collection station in town and ask if they have any of that transparent plastic sheeting, also called agricultural film. Bring me as much as you can! Money is no problem!"
Bamboo pole? Plastic sheet?
Niu Erbao and Tan Wang were completely dumbfounded and looked at each other in disbelief.
What kind of operation is this?
However, the two still went out to find materials, since Xu Kuo always managed to give them unexpected surprises.
Niu Erbao and Tan Wang were indeed very helpful. In less than half a day, they had obtained a lot of thick and straight bamboo poles and some wooden sticks as Xu Kuo requested, and piled them up on the open ground next to the warehouse.
As for the "agricultural film," they searched all over the town's supply and marketing cooperatives and scrap metal collection stations, but only found some scraps of wrinkled transparent plastic sheeting. They bought it all anyway.
Looking at the mountain of materials in front of him, Niu Erbao wiped his sweat and asked earnestly, "Master, can all this stuff really make corn grow in winter?"
He still had some doubts; this operation was too far-fetched in terms of his decades-long understanding of farming.
Tan Wang also frowned, staring at the bamboo poles and plastic sheeting, his eyes filled with doubt.
Planting corn in winter? If word got out, people would laugh their heads off.
Xu Kuo patted the two men on the shoulder, his face full of confident certainty: "Don't worry, I have a brilliant plan! Tomorrow morning, call up the brothers we trust and let's get to work!"
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.
Xu Kuo then led Niu Erbao, Tan Wang, and several other young villagers who had been recruited by them and who usually followed Xu Kuo and trusted him, to the open space behind the warehouse.
"Listen to my command!" Xu Kuo said confidently, pointing out, "First, put these long bamboo poles into the ground according to the lines I drew. Make sure they are deep and stable!"
Although everyone was full of doubts, seeing Xu Kuo's unquestionable expression, they obediently began to fight.
Bamboo poles were erected and secured, and soon, square frames began to take shape in the open space.
"Next, use shorter bamboo poles or wooden sticks to connect the top and sides of these frames to create a sloping roof!" Xu Kuo continued to instruct.
The commotion from this large-scale construction project quickly attracted many villagers who were out working or visiting each other.
"Hey! Erbao, what are you setting up? Is it a stage for a play?" An old farmer with a pipe in his mouth asked curiously as he approached.
While busy securing the bamboo poles, Niu Erbao mumbled, "Master told me to build a shed..."
"Build a shed? What's the point of building a shed in this freezing weather? To keep the ground warm?" Another villager couldn't help but sneer. "I think Xu's son has gone stupid from studying too much. The ground can't be afraid of the cold?"
Immediately someone chimed in, "That's right! I heard he's going to grow corn in this shed! Haha! That's hilarious, who grows corn in winter? That's just ridiculous!"
"What?! Planting corn in winter?!"
"My goodness, this is the first time I've ever heard of this!"
"What a spendthrift! What a waste of talent! Such good seeds and strength, just squandered like this!"
Various voices of discussion, ridicule, and regret were heard, and people looked at Xu Kuo with incomprehension and pity.
Xu Kuo ignored these discussions and focused solely on directing everyone to work.
But the young men who worked with him, including Niu Erbao and Tan Wang, were somewhat embarrassed.
They feel even more uneasy when they hear people say "spendthrift" or "waste things".
It's worth noting that Niu Erbao and Tan Wang even leveled their own private plots according to Xu Kuo's requirements, preparing to plant this "sweet corn" together!
If, as everyone says, there is no harvest at all, then they will suffer a huge loss!
Tan Wang couldn't help but lean closer to Xu Kuo and whisper worriedly, "Brother Kuo... everyone says so... can we really do it?" He was unsure, and his movements slowed down.
Xu Kuo glanced at the villagers pointing and whispering around him, then looked at the undisguised worry on the faces of Tan Wang, Niu Erbao, and the others, and smiled faintly.
He stopped what he was doing, raised his voice, and made sure everyone around him could hear him.
"Don't worry, everyone! When have I, Xu Kuo, ever let my brothers suffer a loss? This is called a 'greenhouse,' a new method! I guarantee that this sweet corn will not only grow but also fetch a good price! When the time comes, those who work with me can just wait to get their share of the profits!"
His voice was resolute and full of confidence, as if he was not afraid of losing money at all.
The young men who were working with him were spurred on by Xu Kuo's imposing manner, and their worries dissipated considerably. They then buried themselves in their work again.
The villagers who were watching, though still skeptical, laughed less when they saw Xu Kuo's certainty, but their doubtful and amused gazes remained unchanged.
Meanwhile, at Zhang Zhihe's home.
Yang Zijie, known in the town as "Dr. Yang the Miracle Doctor," walked into Zhang Zhihe's house as usual, carrying his signature old medicine box.
He was carrying a bag of freshly prepared herbs, his face bearing the dignified air of a physician.
"Old Zhang, I've brought you the medicine. Use the same method as before: boil three bowls of water down to one bowl, and give it to your wife while it's still hot."
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