plumnovel Chapter 33 This is possible
Chapter 33 This is possible
Lu Xingzhou, who works for a state-owned enterprise, is accustomed to planting the phoenix tree first, then attracting the golden phoenix.
And what they want might be even more than just suicide bombers.
But there's no way to explain it to Feng Zhu.
If he were to say that the farmhands and laborers were his golden phoenixes, Brother Yu would probably take him straight to a mental hospital.
The only recourse is to downplay the issue and respond with the nonchalant indifference of a saint:
"I just feel that if they work barefoot in the fields, they are prone to developing rheumatism, joint diseases, and other ailments, and won't live long."
Yu Fengzhu was even more speechless.
Are you just burning money, or do you think your second brother is a fool?!
"Haven't things always been like this? Besides, your reasoning is completely flawed. How many of them actually live long enough to develop the disease?"
The average lifespan of people inside the pass is no more than 35 years. Outside the pass, the land is abundant and the people are prosperous, but the climate and environment are harsh, and not many people live to be 50.
Most people die before they even have a chance to be tormented by the illness.
Seeing his second brother's distressed expression, it was Lu Xingzhou's turn to sigh.
"Sigh~~~~!"
Zhu Kaishan belonged to the small landlord or rich peasant class, while the Yu family father and son were members of the second-highest class of society, and both were people who rarely showed compassion for ordinary people.
They couldn't understand why Lu Xingzhou gave his long-term workers such generous benefits; one can imagine how much resistance those people would face in the future.
"Second brother, our ancestors said that a gentleman should live in harmony with heaven and earth, and only seek to have a clear conscience."
"I grew up in the United States, and I've heard the ancestors of Westerners say, 'Let others talk, follow your own path!'"
"How long these farmhands live is their business; what I do is my business!"
Seeing his resolute attitude, Yu Fengzhu felt that he was being irrational, but it was not convenient for her to persuade him further.
"Okay, I'll buy all the things you and Fengyi need the day after tomorrow and send them to you."
"Thank you, Second Brother."
The two chatted for a while longer before Yu Fengzhu let him leave.
He buried himself in his writing until dark, then packed his things and went home. At the dinner table, he shared with his father and sister the things Lu Xingzhou had asked him to do, wanting to hear his father's opinion.
Something unusual must be going on; Yu Fengzhu wasn't as dull as he seemed.
Whether Lu Xingzhou was being overly kind to the farmhands was of no concern to Yu Fengzhi: "Brother Lu even knows to hold a wedding ceremony for Sister Fengyi. When is it scheduled?"
Yu Fengzhu wasn't angry when the topic was changed.
"How can a concubine's wedding be a sloppy affair? It's just a celebratory banquet, and I'll send the gifts over in two days, and that'll be it."
"I want to go! I want to attend Sister Fengyi's wedding banquet!"
Yu Wendou didn't stop his daughter: "Go and have a look. The cold snap of early spring is over. It's okay for you to stay for a few days. Just think of it as a spring outing."
"Mmm~! Thank you, Dad! I want to go horseback riding and dig for wild vegetables!"
"Okay, let your sister-in-law take you there."
The spring and autumn breaks that were once only available to students from ordinary families more than 100 years ago were already enjoyed by aristocratic and wealthy families hundreds of years ago.
Yu Wendou looked lovingly at the excited Yu Fengzhi and advised his son, who was still puzzled:
"Although our family can't do what he did, we still waived rent for tenants on 35 mu of land this year. You're not much worse than him. If you can't understand it, then don't think about it anymore. What Xingzhou is going to do is beyond your comprehension."
No one knows a son better than his father; Yu Fengzhu is incapable of doing anything earth-shattering.
Yu Fengzhu seemed to be deep in thought, but couldn't figure it out, and mumbled an agreement:
"Okay, Dad."
Yu Wendou then instructed the steward: "Send a message to all the fleets and spread the word that the boy was shaving his beard a couple of days ago."
"Sir, won't this make Young Master Lu's enclosure even more dangerous?!"
"Didn't you realize that's exactly what he wants? Go do it!"
"Yes, sir."
The setting sun shines on layers of thin white clouds, and the scattered rays of light, set against the backdrop of the vast, verdant black earth, resemble a churning furnace, waiting to forge a fiery giant.
Lu Xingzhou, who had left Zhengjiatun, saw that it was still early and was not in a hurry to go home.
It's more than 240 miles; it's not appropriate to make a round trip in less than a day.
Seeing Wangjiadian in the distance, I decided to go and chat with Boss Wang, whom I hadn't seen for many days.
In the farmland outside Wangjiadian.
Wang Tieshan, who was inspecting the growth of the crops, saw Lu Xingzhou approaching from afar and his face fell.
Lu Xingzhou's horse was fast, giving him no time to hide his face and leave, so he could only greet him with a forced smile:
"Young Master Lu, where did you visit today? Why don't you come over for a visit sometime?"
Lu Xingzhou reined in his horse and stopped in front of him.
"I just came back from Grandpa Wu and Grandpa Yu's house in Zhengjiatun. Since Boss Wang is so hospitable, I'll condescend to come and sit at your humble abode!"
Holy crap, does anyone speak like that?!
Forget it! I'll give Commander Wu face and not stoop to your level, you little brat.
"Yes, yes, thank you for your presence, Young Master Lu. Please come in!"
Lu Xingzhou led the horse ahead, subtly using his Qi to examine the crops in Wangjiadian's fields, his expression shifting slightly.
Once they sat down in Wang Tieshan's living room, they started talking about farmland.
"Boss Wang, I see you've planted wheat, potatoes, and corn in your fields. Soybean prices have been so high these past two years, why don't you try planting some soybeans?"
Influenced by factors such as the scarcity of international oilseed crops and the gradual acceptance of soybean oil by various countries.
Over the course of more than two decades, from 1908 to 1929, soybean prices steadily increased year by year.
During this period, Northeast China accounted for more than 80% of the world's soybean production, earning hundreds of millions of silver dollars in export revenue each year, making soybean farming a very profitable business.
Lu Xingzhou couldn't understand why Wang Tieshan wouldn't follow suit with such a reliable way to make money.
Wang Tieshan grimaced at the mention of this.
"My dad said that if you honestly and diligently grow grain, you'll definitely get rich. But if you follow the trend and plant valuable crops, you might rise quickly, but you'll also die quickly!"
"Beans have low yields and are difficult to manage. If the price drops one day, those who jumped on the bandwagon will suffer huge losses!"
It seems that Lao Wang, or even Lao Lao Wang, has learned his lesson from following the crowd.
But to Lu Xingzhou's dismay, Wang Tieshan didn't listen to his father either!
You might call him radical, but he's incredibly hardworking at farming. You might call him conservative, but he works as a kiln manager for a man with a beard.
Lu Xingzhou had no intention of helping him out; they decided to talk about grain production instead.
"Soybean yields are low, so what about wheat, corn, potatoes, and the like? What were the yields per acre in previous years here?"
His location is only about 60 li (approximately 30 kilometers) from Lu Xingzhou's enclosure, so the yield there is a valuable reference point.
This data isn't some secret that can't be told.
"The wheat weighs about 180 jin, the corn more than 360 jin, and the potatoes are about 1,000 jin. If we add more manure, the yield will increase."
"This... this is surprisingly low!"
No wonder everyone thought he was crazy for treating his farmhands so well.
Although Lu Xingzhou works in foreign trade, he also needs to pay close attention to the company's internal grain trade data.
Compared to the grain output of Northeast China over the past 25 years, potatoes barely reached one-third of the average yield, while wheat and corn only reached one-fifth.
Based on the yield of the demonstration fields, it is less than one-tenth.
This is still the black soil of Northeast China. I can't imagine what kind of life people in the barren southwest and northwest border regions live, a life worse than that of pigs and dogs.
I'm also somewhat relieved that my work style, honed over many years in Chinese companies, prevented me from immediately resorting to the [Yi Yang Ding] to create a miracle.
Otherwise, he would be dead this autumn.
"Low?! This is already the best land we have, and you still think the yield is too low? Then you shouldn't be farming! Go back to Fengtian and open an opium den; that stuff makes money fast!"
Wang Tieshan looked a little angry.
Three generations of his family were landlords. You can question his ruthlessness, but you can't question his farming skills.
Lu Xingzhou chuckled and said, "Brother Wang, don't get excited, let's talk about something else."
As they were talking, the servants brought in the food.
The meal included stewed potatoes and eggplant, pickled cabbage with boiled pork, stewed green beans with vermicelli, and stewed old hen with hazel mushrooms, along with a large bowl of steamed buns mixed with cornmeal and two jugs of liquor.
It's not even close to the Yu family's level, but it's definitely the most respectable hospitality Boss Wang has ever given.
They were all served in basins, and even if Lu Xingzhou was stuffed, he wouldn't mind.
This fine folk custom in Northeast China has been passed down very well. No matter how bad a person is, they will never be stingy when it comes to food and drink.
Even if a beggar comes to your door asking for money, an ordinary family can still provide him with a full meal.
While enjoying a meal that wasn't lavish but was very flavorful, Lu Xingzhou brought up the topic of gangs again.
"Boss Wang, which gang of outlaws have you contacted this time to come after me?"
"Uh, cough cough cough~~~"
Wang Tieshan almost choked on his steamed bun, giving him a big eye roll.
Even the best food and wine can't shut your mouth!
"No, absolutely not! My family, Wang Tieshan, and my descendants have been honest farmers for three generations. How could we do such a heartless thing?"
Lu Xingzhou's words weren't meant to be sarcastic; he genuinely hoped for it.
After Yu's second brother did the math and combined it with the grain production figures, he realized that building the employee dormitories he envisioned in this era would indeed cost a considerable amount.
Unwilling to live off their savings, they wanted to earn some extra money to supplement their household income.
"Boss Wang, this is a good option!"
"Young Master Lu, we really don't have that!!"