Chapter 271 How can such a large farm only sell grain?
On the edge of a field designated for ginseng cultivation, Sang Zhixia rubbed the mud in her hands and said, "Of course, the caravan we're going to form will be different from what Third Uncle is doing. After all, we don't plan to leave the border."
"I think we should use the products on the farm as the foundation, expand the variety according to the farm's output, and use the power of caravans to transport these products to the northwest and sell them elsewhere."
Due to seed limitations, the farm’s output is still far from Sangzhixia’s goal.
But seed cultivation cannot be rushed and progress cannot be made quickly.
The advantage of farms nowadays is that they cover a large area, so the total output is very considerable.
As the scale of farms continues to expand, the current methods of production and sales are too simple and are not good in the long run.
How can such a large farm only sell grain?
Xu Yu nodded and waited quietly for her to continue.
Sang Zhixia rubbed her fingertips and said, "Most of the rice produced on the farm is supplied to the Northwest Camp. This situation will not change much in the next three to five years."
"But there are many other things on the farm besides rice."
The eggs laid by various types of poultry, the chickens, ducks and geese that can be released in batches after hatching, the soybeans that can be pressed for oil, and the sorghum and wheat that can be used to make wine, these are all things that give us something to think about.
Sang Zhixia patted the ridge beside him and motioned Xu Yu to sit down and talk.
Xu Yu raised his hand to take off his coat and spread it on the ground, then pulled Sang Zhixia to sit down: "Go on."
"Take the chickens, ducks, and geese in the pen as an example. The eggs we have can be given to Uncle San to take out of confinement, but we can't eat all the eggs that can't be laid."
Sang Zhixia picked up a small stone and scratched it on the muddy ground, saying as she did so, "Living creatures can't withstand long-distance travel, and they're prone to getting sick in large numbers."
"But we can turn all of this into non-perishable jerky, or smoked chicken, nutmeg, duck, bacon, and sausages, so that we can turn the extra meat into silver."
"There's also duck and goose down. I had someone try it this year. The fine down can replace cotton and keep you warm. When stuffed into a cotton-padded jacket, it's lighter and warmer."
"We can work with Second Aunt's embroidery shop and use the down to make warm shawls and sleeves."
Sang Zhixia drew a pig's head on the ground and counted on his fingers, saying, "After the pigs are slaughtered, half of the fresh pork is sold and half is made into bacon. The pig hair is made into brushes, and the fat is made into soap flowers."
"There are all kinds of grains produced in the fields. Sorghum can be used to make wine, soybeans can be used to open an oil press, and barley and wheat can be used to open a flour mill. Fine flour and fine flour can all be sold together."
"I also want to plant some fruit trees. If the fruits don't keep well, I can make them into dried fruits and preserves. If they do keep well, I can add them to the caravan's shipment list."
"There are also cold-resistant tea trees. We can try growing our own tea and making tea balls. Tea is also a good business."
Seeing Xu Yu's thoughtful expression, Sang Zhixia smiled and said, "In addition to the various grains, the livestock in the pens, fruits, medicinal herbs, cotton clothes, tea, and even the various furs that Uncle San bought from outside the Great Wall can all be goods from the caravan."
"There are too few varieties of things we can sell on the farm right now, and the quantities are small. So it's not a problem right now, but it won't work in the long run."
The scale of the farm will continue to expand, and when the output of the farm exceeds the consumption of the area, the development of the farm will inevitably be restricted.
Then just look outside from the beginning.
Try to get the stuff out and sell it.
Xu Yu pondered for a moment and nodded slowly. He held Sang Zhixia's restless hand, which kept picking at her nails, and said thoughtfully, "The caravans travel from north to south. They can sell the goods they bring with them, and then buy various silk fabrics, tea, and spices that are in short supply here in the south. On their return journey, they can bring them back to the northwest shop to sell them?"
"That's what I mean!"
Sang Zhixia happily swung her feet and squinted her eyes as she said, "With more things to do, the farm will need more and more manpower. That way, those who can't pay the farming tax or can't afford to work in the fields can get a wage based on their ability as long as they're willing to put in the effort."
Selecting duck down and goose down and using pig hair to make brushes are easy tasks that can be done by anyone, young or old, once you get the hang of it.
The more people you attract to the farm, the more you can produce in a limited time.
Xu Yu raised his eyes to gaze at Sang Zhixia's profile and whispered, "You mean, even if everything is set up, we'll still follow the farm's original profit-sharing system? Weren't we going to hire any servants?"
"What do you buy people for?"
Sang Zhixia said with a smile, "Having tangible benefits and being grounded is better than being bound by a piece of paper indenture, isn't it?"
"The Northwest has just been hit by a famine, and countless people are homeless and have no food to eat. If our family can provide a bowl of food to survive at this time, and then deliver on the benefits and bonuses we promised, more and more people will want to come to the farm and work. There will be absolutely no need to spend money to buy people."
Sang Zhixia wanted to expand and improve the farm, and also wanted to use it to provide a way to survive for those who couldn't make a living.
It’s possible to be a big landlord.
It is unnecessary for a wealthy man who holds countless indentures to do so.
After all, no one would be willing to sell themselves into slavery unless they really couldn't survive.
Sang Zhixia was too lazy to take advantage of such an opportunity.
Xu Yu's eyes flickered silently, and he curled his lips and said, "Okay."
"I've taken note of what you said. I'll go back and think about what to do about the caravan. I'll let you know once I've made the arrangements."
Sang Zhixia nodded: "Okay."
"Shall we go back now?"
Xu Yu stood up and reached out to pull her: "Didn't you say you wanted to go home and try the freshly made salted eggs? They're probably cooked now, let's go home."
When Sang Zhixia and Xu Yu arrived home, the salted eggs that were cooking in the pot had just been taken out.
Xu Mingyang was always impatient. He cracked the eggshell and couldn't wait to let it cool down. He opened his mouth wide and bit off most of the duck egg in one bite. His bulging cheeks moved up and down, and his eyes widened immediately.
Sang Zhixia turned her face to the side behind Xu Yu, trying hard to hold back her laughter, as if she was enjoying a good show.
Xu Mingxu, who was slowly peeling an egg, asked curiously, "Third brother, is this so delicious that you're staring at me?"
Xu Mingyang wanted to throw up, but he couldn't bear to waste his food, so he swallowed it down in a few mouthfuls and quickly rushed out to grab the water bottle: "Ahhh! It's so salty!"
After gulping down half a pot of water, Xu Mingyang rolled his eyes and said weakly, "It's salty..."
“So salty!”
"Hahaha!"
Sang Zhixia, who had been holding it in for a long time, could no longer hold it in. It was only thanks to Xu Yu's support with one hand that she did not squat on the ground laughing.
Xu Wenxiu, who was cooking salted eggs, also curled her eyes in amusement: "I'll make you anxious."
"Your sister-in-law said that this salted egg is made by boiling it in salt grains. It's very salty and you can't eat it plain."
But before she could say anything, Xu Mingyang had already stuffed it into her mouth.
Xu Mingyang was so salty that he couldn't open his eyes. He looked so sad and miserable that no one at the scene could help but feel miserable.
Amidst the roar of laughter, Sang Zhixia, who had finally had enough, cleared her throat and waved at Xu Mingyang: "Do you know why salted duck eggs don't taste good to you?"
Xu Mingyang blinked blankly: "Why?"
Sang Zhixia raised her index finger and shook it left and right, saying seriously, "The process is wrong. You are missing something very important."
Xu Mingyang opened his mouth wide and was even more confused.
The three relatively quiet children beside them all turned their heads. Xu Jinxi blinked and asked crisply, "Sister-in-law, what is the important thing?"
Sang Zhixia walked to the stove, took something out, and put it on her back. She walked towards the little ones who were looking out, and said mysteriously, "A chopstick."
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