Li Shaozhong also knew that mulch was still a rare commodity. After all, it was an additional expense. "I'll go back to the city and look for some," he said.
The supplies in the northwest region are much scarcer and more backward than in Kyoto and the south. Li Shaozhong feels that it must be difficult to buy plastic film here.
To save time, Guyucheng wouldn't go home at noon. After all, twenty miles wasn't close. During the day, Guyucheng would bring his own lunch and eat it in the office at the base.
Li Shaozhong did not invite Guyucheng to have dinner with them. He didn't want his wife to cook for others, nor did he want someone else to be a third wheel around them.
Guyucheng had no complaints about this. Food was rationed these days, and most people wouldn't easily eat at other people's homes. Li Shaozhong's behavior was actually quite normal.
However, Ye Shuning would help Guyucheng heat up the lunch box he brought with him in the pot so that he could eat hot meals, and she would also provide him with hot water.
Since there are often outsiders around, Ye Shuning usually makes lunch simpler to avoid suspicion.
Ye Shuning always makes a sumptuous dinner so that she can get enough nutrition every day.
In the evening, Li Shaozhong received a call from his elder brother, "Shaozhong, how are you guys doing over there?"
Li Shaozhong replied, "We're in a good situation here. There happened to be a vacant weather observatory here, so the county allocated it to us. We've taken over 100 mu of surrounding land and compensated the village. We've built four greenhouses, and the mushroom grass has been planted and is thriving. The first batch we planted has already grown to almost a meter tall."
Xiao Ning also brought some sea buckthorn saplings suitable for cultivation in the Northwest, as well as some cotton seeds and wolfberry branches. We plan to try growing these cash crops alongside the Juncao plant.
Cotton is a commodity that has always been in short supply in our country. If we can cultivate high-yield cotton, it will be a great contribution to the country. Xiao Ning said that sea buckthorn berries and wolfberries are both highly valuable medicinally and naturally have high economic value. Planting these in areas unsuitable for growing grain can not only help control desertification, prevent sand from sanding, and restore vegetation, but also create certain economic benefits, achieving multiple goals at one stroke.
The sea buckthorn saplings are now alive, and Xiao Ning plans to plant cotton next. However, we're currently short on plastic film for mulch. I asked the staff here, but they don't sell it in the county. I'm planning to ask around in the city or provincial government.
Li Shaoting was very happy to hear that his brother was making good progress and had discovered several new crops. However, when he heard about the lack of mulch film, he frowned slightly and said, "I'll ask the provincial government about the mulch film for you. If they have it, I'll have someone send it to you."
Li Shaozhong was overjoyed when he heard that his elder brother could help. "Thank you, elder brother. Then I don't have to ask specifically."
Li Shaoting asked again, "How's Xiao Ning? Are you having any problems adapting to the climate there?"
Li Shaozhong turned his head to look at his wife standing next to him and said, "Xiao Ning is very good. The two of us can adapt perfectly."
Li Shaoting asked some more questions before hanging up the phone.
Li Shaozhong put down the phone, turned around and smiled at Ye Shuning, "Xiao Ning, Big Brother asked us to ask if there's any mulch film in the province, and if there is, have someone deliver it to us. Big Brother must know someone here, so let's just wait for news."
Ye Shuning was also very happy. "Now that we can successfully purchase the plastic film, let's start planting cotton. I think those seeds can be used to plant three mu of land, so we won't need too much plastic film."
The next day, Li Shaoting called his brother and told him he had found some ground film for him. He said he would deliver it to his home the next day and asked Li Shaozhong to prepare the payment.
Li Shaozhong didn't expect it to go so smoothly. "That's great, big brother! We can plant cotton as soon as the plastic film arrives. Xiao Ning said she had a hard time getting a good variety of cotton seeds in Nangang. I have a feeling this cotton will have a high yield."
Li Shaoting also held high hopes after hearing this. "I hope it's just as you said. Our country is in dire need of cotton. People are starving right now, and we can't afford to use too much arable land to grow cotton. If the Northwest region can successfully grow high-yield cotton, your contribution will be significant."
I have a few comrades in Province N. I'll give you their unit phone number. If you need anything, you can call them for help. Just mention my name. I've already told them about your situation, and they will definitely help if they can.
Li Shaozhong didn't expect that his elder brother would support them so much. Now he feels more confident.
The next day, a truck delivered mulch film to Li Shaozhong and his team. Also arriving was Li Shaozhong's former comrade, Lu Jianmin.
Lu Jianmin introduced himself to Li Shaozhong after meeting him. Li Shaozhong shook Lu Jianmin's hand and said, "Thank you so much, Brother Lu. Otherwise, I would have had a hard time finding this mulch."
Lu Jianmin said, "Actually, I received a call from your eldest brother a few days ago. He said you've built a test base here to grow some kind of mushroom grass. It's specifically for research in the Northwest region. It's something that benefits both the country and the people, so of course I have to support it. I've wanted to come see you for a long time, but I've been too busy with work recently, so I haven't been able to come."
Yesterday, your brother called me and told me you needed mulch film. The provincial government happened to have some, so I personally delivered it to you and came to see you. I work at the Provincial Commerce Bureau. If you need anything in the future, just give me a call. I'll definitely help if I can.
Our leaders also received a call from higher-ups, asking us to give them more support. It seems your base has a significant impact, and they've even issued specific instructions."
Li Shaozhong waved his hand modestly and said, "It won't have much of an impact. We're just doing a small experiment. Let's see if it works first. If it does, it will be a great boon for the Northwest region."
Lu Jianmin said, "Your eldest brother also asked me to buy you some food. He sent me money and tickets before. This time I bought some food and sent it to you. So don't refuse."
Ye Shuning saw her husband holding someone's hand and talking at the door, so she came out.
Li Shaozhong saw his wife coming over and said, "Brother Lu, let me introduce you. This is my wife, Ye Shuning. Xiao Ning, this is Brother Lu. Brother Lu is here to bring us some mulch."
Ye Shuning greeted him with a smile, "Hello, Brother Lu. You must be tired from the journey. Come in and have some water."
Lu Jianmin waved his hand and said, "Don't bother, sister-in-law. I have to go back soon. Let me move the things for you into the house first."
As Lu Jianmin spoke, he unloaded several sacks from the car. "I've packed all the things in several sacks. You can sort them out later."
Li Shaozhong and Lu Jianmin carried the sacks into the house together. Lu Jianmin was also left in the house to drink a glass of water.
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