Chapter 222: Surplus Value Squeezed
After the vigorous autumn harvest, sweet potatoes and potatoes soon entered the harvest period.
Liang Lizheng was really worried. He kept telling the villagers not to worry about the harvest and to wait for notification. But in fact, he went to the fields two or three times a day, squatting down to observe the condition of the sweet potatoes and potatoes, trying to see if there was anything different from yesterday.
After a day, have you become a little more mature?
Then, every day without fail, he would run to Xu Zhichun and ask, "Zhichun, I see that the sweet potatoes haven't grown many leaves or sprouts yet. Many of the leaves are slowly turning yellow. Are they ready to be harvested? And the potatoes, too. They look almost done, aren't they?"
After Liang Lizheng did this, Xu Zhichun also became nervous.
To be honest, she had no experience in growing sweet potatoes and potatoes. All her experience came from "having seen pigs run even though she had never eaten pork" and from books. When it really came to this point, she didn't dare to make any rash suggestions. She just dealt with Liang Lizheng vaguely first, and then secretly dug two plants in her own field to try.
After waiting for a few more days, it seems to be OK!
The output is indeed very encouraging.
Her fields were covered with a thick layer of nutrient-rich and evenly distributed organic fertilizer, and the sweet potatoes and potatoes grew particularly large and of excellent quality. Even if other people's crops were not as good as hers, they would probably not be much worse.
Suddenly thinking of something, Xu Zhichun hurriedly said to Liang, the village head, "Uncle head, I see that every household has planted a lot of sweet potato vines, and they're about to be harvested. Our chickens, ducks, and pigs won't be able to eat all of them in a short time. You can harvest the vines, cut them into small pieces, dry them in the sun, and store them. You can feed them slowly when needed."
It's hard to get grass for pigs in winter, and how can there be enough vegetables in the vegetable garden to feed the pigs? With dried sweet potato vines, it can save a lot of trouble.
Liang Lizheng was overjoyed. "Is this possible? Great, great, that's a good idea. I'll tell everyone right away."
There's no need to ring a gong to announce good news like this. Just tell everyone you meet, and within half a day, the whole village will know about it.
Sure enough, the whole village went out that day and started harvesting the sweet potato vines vigorously.
Some people also asked, it seems a pity to waste the branches and leaves of potatoes. Can they be used to feed pigs, chickens and ducks?
Xu Zhichun quickly looked up a book and it seemed to be possible?
It just needs to be cooked.
So everyone harvested the potato branches and leaves together.
This made everyone think, taro should also work? In the future, we should harvest the leaves and stalks first and then dig the taro. Then the fat leaves and stalks at home will not be eaten by the pigs in a short time and will have to be used to pad the pigpen or compost, which is a waste. It is better to chop them up, dry them, and feed them to pigs, chickens and ducks. At worst, we can cook them and add a few handfuls of rice bran to make them better. It's very simple.
On the day of the official sweet potato and potato harvest, County Magistrate Lu, Lawyer Shao, and County Magistrate Zhao all came, bringing with them a team of about ten yamen runners. Lu Xiaoyue and Nanny Ji also came to watch the fun.
When the villagers received the news in advance that the county magistrate would come in person to inspect the sweet potatoes and potatoes, they were shocked again.
"Is this true? County Magistrate Lu? He wants to come and see us harvest sweet potatoes in person?"
"Of course it's true! When has our village head ever made such a joke?"
"Our village is really proud of itself, hahahaha!"
"Then I will dig carefully and try to dig the biggest one to show Magistrate Lu."
“.”
Liang Lizheng, the fourth grandmother, the sixth grandfather and other village elders were both happy and nervous. When the news reached the village, they held a meeting that night and specially invited Xu Zhichun, the young wife, to attend the village's high-level core meeting to discuss how to receive County Magistrate Lu.
"Lord Lu is a good official. Our village is law-abiding. As long as we treat him sincerely and honorably, everything should be fine, right?"
"Zhichun, your family is quite familiar with Lord Lu's family. Does Lord Lu have any taboos?"
"Also, County Magistrate Zhao and Mr. Shao should not be underestimated. As for the messengers who are coming, they will definitely be treated to delicious meals. When they leave, do you want to give them a red envelope as a token of your appreciation?"
"Tell everyone to take good care of their children and not to run around or bump into them."
"That's right. Also, let's teach those gossipy women like Aunt Hua a lesson and stop talking nonsense. Fourth Madam, go and tell them."
"OK."
"I think the roads in the village need to be repaired and cleaned. They need to be kept clean. Every household should tidy up the front and back of their house. I will personally keep an eye on the lazy ones. No one can slack off!"
"Yes, that's a thing too."
“.”
There is still some spare money in the village public account. Even if there is not, the families present are all well-off and are very happy to contribute.
After all, this is a glory that other villages cannot buy even if they want to!
Later on, when we talk about how the county magistrate and the county magistrate personally came to our village to harvest sweet potatoes and potatoes, who wouldn't be filled with awe and respect?
Everyone discussed the matter at length, finally deciding to prepare a table of home-cooked farm-style meals for the county magistrate and his companions. They would kill two chickens, one stewed in a mushroom soup and the other braised with fresh potatoes. They would have two people go to the creek near the village to catch some small river shrimp and fry them in oil. They would have someone go to the city early in the morning to buy pork and spare ribs. They would make the spare ribs sweet and sour, and Aunt Zhu'er would make braised pork belly. They would place the braised pork and a sweet potato in a bowl and steam them in a steamer. They would also make a tomato and egg dish, a stir-fried lettuce dish with garlic sauce, and a dish of hot and sour shredded potatoes.
Xu Zhichun suggested letting Aunt Zhu'er take charge of the cooking. "Aunt Zhu'er's cooking is really delicious. It's definitely a good idea to let her take charge."
Previously, Xu Zhichun's family had set up several tables for banquets and invited Fourth Grandma and others to eat. Everyone praised the dishes. At that time, they knew that it was Aunt Zhu'er who helped make them. Now that Xu Zhichun brought it up again, Fourth Grandma and others recalled the taste. Although it was also because Xu Zhichun was willing to spend money, it would probably not work if he didn't have good cooking skills.
Although Aunt Zhu'er is a little young, maybe she can do it?
With Xu Zhichun as a guarantor, everyone agreed.
The meals prepared for the officers were simpler, just stewed chicken with potatoes, tomato and eggs, and stir-fried pork belly with mushrooms and dried bamboo shoots.
When the county magistrate and his men were leaving, they were given two baskets of sweet potatoes and potatoes, and each of the officers was given ten cents, and that was all.
The next thing to discuss was how to lead County Magistrate Lu and his men to harvest sweet potatoes and potatoes, and who would come forward to do so.
Everyone wanted to show their face, of course; Liang Lizheng and Xu Zhichun were well aware of this. Especially the Fourth Grandmother, the Sixth Grandfather, and the others, who were already quite old and could easily die one night. Being able to show their face before the County Magistrate, and even get to say a few words, was truly worth their life.
Liang Lizheng was very understanding and gave them all the opportunities that were suitable for them to show themselves. Everyone was very satisfied with the discussion and had a great time.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
