Chapter 334: Kudzu root powder

Song Tan didn't think it was impossible, but felt that this was the last piece of mountain land left by Zhang Zhang Wangjia, and he might want to keep it as a reliance.

However, with these 30-plus mu of sloping land from Zhang Zhang Wangjia, she counted the inner and outer circles completely, and there were almost 280 mu of land!

Thinking about it this way, I'm actually feeling quite stirred up!

Moreover, since Zhu Jun was so certain, she didn't delay either. She simply asked directly while Zhang Wang's family was up on the mountain helping to pick peaches:

"Uncle Zhang, I plan to contract more mountain land next year. Since your plot is right next to mine, would you like to just rent it to me altogether?"

"As for the rent, we can listen to the village's opinion; it's easy to negotiate."

Zhang Wang's family was stunned, then nodded without hesitation: "Fine! I'll let you farm it! How much work can a cripple like me do anyway! But..."

He looked at the lush, verdant green of the neighboring mountain with some hesitation, feeling a bit reluctant:

"When will you rent it? Can it be after the beginning of next year? I still have kudzu planted on this mountain, and I want to dig them up in the winter to dry some kudzu powder..."

Every household in the village has this kind of mountain land, but most families haven't even made much use of it. At most, they go up in the winter to cut some firewood, or pick a few good logs for the main beams when building a house in the past...

It's not that they lack courage or vision, but sometimes, poverty is truly a shackle.

Because of poverty, they cannot afford the risk of losing money, so playing it safe is far better than taking many risks.

Also because of poverty, they cannot risk their family's livelihood and their children's tuition fees.

The cost of trial and error for farmers is too precious. So precious that they would rather endure hardship and exhaustion than change.

Therefore, these mountain lands just stay green day after day, and remain idle.

Like the hillside in front of Zhang Wang's house, the area is quite large, but to him, it is truly like a chicken rib—tasteless to eat but a pity to discard.

If it weren't for accidentally digging up wild kudzu from the mountain a few years ago, and earning some money after washing, pounding, and drying it, the old couple wouldn't know how much longer they would have left it idle.

And for something like kudzu, without mechanical assistance, it all depends on brute force. Not only is it tiring to make, but small-scale production doesn't fetch a good price.

Young people can still help promote it online, but honest folks like Zhang Wang's family only know how to take it to town and wait for people to come and buy it.

This kind of pure wild kudzu powder is usually sold by peddlers for 80 to 100 per jin.

When it's his turn to sell, it's only about 30-40, and only occasionally will friends or acquaintances buy a bag through someone's introduction.

Since the two of them are thin-skinned, they find it hard to ask for more money, and in the end, they are overjoyed if they can get 50 yuan in hand.

Because of this, they haven't specifically planted the wild kudzu on the mountain; they just pile up some prepared fertilizer after digging it up every year, and that's enough.

Now that his wife is gone and his children don't want it, there's no use for him to keep such a large mountain top by himself.

Song Tan wants to rent it, and Zhang Wang's family is actually happy about it, but he applied fertilizer to this kudzu last year, and it looks like a lot more has grown this year.

If he digs it now, the kudzu vines are sturdy and the leaves are shiny; it's not the right time yet.

If he waits until spring when Song Tan clears the mountain land to dig it up, it would be a waste of these kudzu roots.

That is why he asked this question.

"Sure!"

Song Tan was also extremely straightforward: "But Uncle Zhang, don't dig it yourself in the winter. With such a big mountain top, when would you finish digging?"

"I'll have the guy driving the excavator dig it all out for you when the time comes, and you can slowly process it."

There are too many wild weeds, vines, shrubs, and small trees on the mountain. Compared to them, the kudzu is struggling to grow. Without a thorough pass with an excavator, this mountain cannot be handled later.

Zhang Wang's family became happy:

"Fine, if you have time, you can start clearing the kudzu and the mountain land in the autumn, so you won't be too busy to handle it in the spring."

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That is true.

If the contract is really negotiated with the village, next spring will truly be a race against time.

Song Tan nodded readily: "Fine."

After thinking for a moment, she added: "Uncle Zhang, I think the quality of your kudzu is good. When you dig it up to make kudzu powder, I might as well have Song Qiao Song Qiao livestream it and help you promote it."

"But the price will be based on the market rate, maybe even a little cheaper. I can't put my family's label on it."

Zhang Wang's family was already overjoyed!

At this moment, he nodded repeatedly: "Good, good, good!"

Then, carrying his basket with an uneven gait, he walked toward this side while excitedly saying:

"I watch people livestreaming and selling things on Douyin, and it sells like crazy. I don't have that ability... I still have over ten jin of kudzu powder at home. I'll just bring it all to your place for everyone to taste first! Then you can set the price!"

He sighed again: "Kudzu is good to drink; it nourishes yin and reduces internal heat. It's suitable for all four seasons."

Song Tan knew this.

Seventh Master once came to the mountain for a stroll and praised this patch of kudzu for growing well, teaching Song Qiao Song Qiao that kudzu can sober one up, soothe the throat, and also moisten dryness and prevent cancer...

Song Qiao Song Qiao memorized it and summarized it once, and everyone heard it.

Song Tan looked at Zhang Wang's family's nervousness and their eager look, and originally felt it wasn't necessary.

But at this moment, her heart stirred, and she simply nodded in agreement:

"Fine, our Song Qiao Song Qiao has some fan base now, so he should be able to promote it. How about you treat these ten-plus jin of kudzu powder as Song Qiao Song Qiao's promotion fee? We can discuss the specific selling price later."

"Fine, fine, fine!"

At this moment, on Zhang Wang's dark and thin face, it seemed as if the red glow of the sun was reflected.

When going down the mountain, Zhu Jun also asked Song Tan with a smile:

"You're letting Song Qiao Song Qiao promote goods for Zhang Wang's family. If the quality of their goods is average, won't it affect your own reputation?"

"It won't." Song Tan shook her head: "I will specify in the livestream that this is ordinary kudzu powder and not our family's product. If the fans are willing to try it, they can buy some; if they don't want to, we won't force them."

However, based on her analysis of the current market, this kind of livestreaming where they dig up kudzu and make powder on the spot for everyone to see will actually be more trustworthy.

Besides, the amount that Zhang Wang's family can produce isn't so much that it can't be sold, so it should be fine.

She just looked at the lush mountain forest and the scattered fields at the foot of the mountain, and sighed deeply at this moment.

"What's wrong?"

Zhu Jun looked at her curiously.

Song Tan shook her head: "I just suddenly understand you a bit."

Nowadays, everyone shouts slogans, and Zhu Jun often recites them.

But what exactly is rural development?

Is it making the firewood piles in the village neater, the houses more beautiful, having every household no longer need to work in the fields, or having roads built to their doorsteps?

For these elderly people left behind in the village, it is none of these.

What they want is a tangible change in their lives, and hope for the future.

Zhu Jun also turned her head to look at her, suddenly patting her shoulder like an old-fashioned cadre, and then said earnestly:

"Do it well."

"You must know that there will be a wave of people returning home for the New Year. Whether the labor force for next year will be there, and whether the village can retain people, depends on your performance this year."