Zhao Haozheng spoke in a somewhat pitiful tone. "But things got better after two years. Our family's textile factory received a large order, and the farm gradually started to generate profits, which made our lives easier."
"Mom, let me tell you, during the hardest times, Dad and I lived at the textile factory, and Dad even went down to the workshop to work himself. If I hadn't eaten at school back then, I probably wouldn't be this tall now."
Zhao Hao was holding Wang Xinyi's arm as they walked and talked. Zhang Hongmei, however, was drawn to the combine harvester in the distance.
"Aunt Wang, let's split up. I need to go check on the harvester."
Wang Xinyi knew that this girl had always wanted to study this, so she smiled and nodded.
Zeng Zhongkang would never stray too far from Zhang Hongmei, so wherever she went, he followed.
Zhang Hongmei had seen combine harvesters in her previous life, but that was in the 1990s, when combine harvesters were constantly being researched and improved. She didn't know what combine harvesters were like in this era; she couldn't imagine them just by looking at blueprints.
Zhang Hongmei was disappointed after seeing the harvester in operation. It wasn't that it had no effect at all, but the corn stalks might be used as feed, so they had to be broken off manually, and then the harvester would just lay the corn stalks down.
This isn't the kind of crop that grows directly from the cob in later generations, which would save the work of digging up the straw.
"What's wrong? Is something the problem?"
"No, it's just that I feel the harvester isn't being used very efficiently. It would be better if it could just split the corn cobs off directly. Actually, I think it's just an extra step. I can't really explain it."
"You can talk to a professional about this."
Zhang Hongmei: Wasn't it you who asked?
"Is there anything else you want to see? Your expression reveals deep disappointment." Now that it was just the two of them, Zeng Zhongkang became a little more talkative.
"I was just trying to make things easier for everyone, but it seems like reality won't allow it. Let's go, let's go look somewhere else."
There were vast, interconnected cornfields, so the two of them had no choice but to return to the road they had come from. They could no longer see Wang Xinyi and the other person, so they didn't bother looking for them and simply strolled over to the car.
Zhang Hongmei looked at the corn here and found that it wasn't very big. The yield was probably around 600 jin per mu. With the current productivity, such an output was already quite good.
I wonder how my corn crop is doing? If it's successful, it will at least bring in some extra income.
Zeng Zhongkang quietly followed beside Zhang Hongmei, without disturbing her. They arrived after walking for about half an hour.
"Hongmei, look how big this potato is!" Wang Xinyi smiled and held up a large potato in both hands for Zhang Hongmei to see.
"It's really big, about the size of two of the ones from our area."
“That’s right. When we went to dig them up just now, there were six or seven potatoes under each vine. Although some were small, they were all as big as the ones back home. You can take some seeds back with you.” Wang Xinyi winked at Zhang Hongmei at the end.
Zhang Hongmei laughed, "Yes, when I see something good, I want to bring it home."
"Hehe, it's only because you're so thoughtful. Others have gone back, but I haven't heard of anyone bringing back seeds. The onions from last time should have arrived by now."
"Hehe, I just wanted to enrich my meals, but their corn cobs aren't as big as ours. No need to bring these. I haven't checked the soybeans yet, but I guess they're about the same size as ours."
William and his wife had already met Wang Xinyi, but they hadn't seen Zhang Hongmei. The couple were so captivated by the beautiful young girl that they didn't want to let her go.
In the end, it was Zhao Haozheng who stepped in and told them that they would have dinner there, and that he specifically requested roast goose. This finally put Zhang Hongmei at ease, as she couldn't accept such excessive hospitality.
"Zhang Hongmei, let me show you around our ranch!"
Zhang Hongmei shook her head. "Next time I have the chance to go, I'll first take a look at the farm, your warehouse design, and the irrigation design."
"Hehe. You've come here to do some research?"
"Yeah, who told you to be more advanced than us now? Of course we have to learn from you and then find a way to surpass you."
Zhao Hao gave a thumbs up. He had gained a new understanding of this delicate young girl.
"Mom, can you ride a horse? We can ride horses and carriages here. Zhang Hongmei, can you?"
Both women shook their heads. Zhang Hongmei had never experienced this kind of entertainment, which was considered a luxury for the wealthy in her previous life, while Wang Xinyi disliked these kinds of activities, so neither of them knew how to play. In the end, they decided to use a horse-drawn carriage—the kind without a canopy, large carriage used for hauling goods.
Zhang Hongmei didn't think anything of it, but Wang Xinyi found it very strange.
"Hongmei, have you ever ridden in a horse-drawn carriage before?"
"No, there are no horses in our village, only oxen. I've ridden in an oxcart before."
Wang Xinyi helped Zhang Hongmei adjust her hat, and then tugged at her own. "But I think riding in a carriage is quite comfortable."
"Aunt Wang, I think the oxcart is more comfortable. Horses are faster than oxen, so it feels bumpy. In the morning, I feel like the oxcart should be like a cradle. Next time, let's try the oxcart. I think I can drive it myself."
"Is that so? Then let's try it next time."
"Mom, we have cows on our ranch, but I don't know if they can be used to pull carts."
"Then we can ask the zookeeper. If it's possible, we'll give it a try."
Looking at the cotton plants on both sides, Zhang Hongmei thought they were growing really well. The seedlings weren't tall, and there were quite a few cotton bolls. Moreover, the cotton bolls had all opened, revealing the snow-white cotton.
"Zhao Haozheng, your cotton seeds are pretty good, they should be quite productive, right?"
"Of course, these are cotton seeds that my dad bought from J country at a high price. Our family owns a cotton mill, so of course we need a lot of cotton. Although our own stock is not enough for most things, if we get new varieties, we can cooperate with other farms."
"Hehe, Mr. Zhao really has good judgment." Zhang Hongmei genuinely thought Zhao Tiancheng was very intelligent, and from what she could see, he was also an upright person. Otherwise, Zhang Shouyi wouldn't have sought him out. She didn't know what benefits Zhang Shouyi had given Zhao Tiancheng, or what promises he had made, but given Zhao Tiancheng's character, he probably wouldn't have gone too far.
"Yes, my dad is talking about a farm again. We don't want to be controlled by others anymore."
No one brought up the topic again, but Wang Xinyi was tempted. She had money, but she wondered if she could buy a farm herself, so she could feel more at ease.
Once I had this idea, I couldn't stop it.
"Hongmei, do you think I can buy a farm?"
"Of course you can. If you don't have enough money, just tell me, I have some."
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