Chapter 121: You damn good thing, it's way too fast!!

About potatoes, in modern times on Earth, the yield per mu is normally three thousand to five thousand catties.

Like in the Great Zhou Dynasty, one mu of potatoes yields only eight hundred catties.

This is because the agricultural technology here and so on is inadequate.

It's due to the potato variety.

Like on Earth, basically, as long as you cover the ground with film, the potato yield is normally five thousand catties per mu.

And in some special places with fertile soil, a yield of eight thousand catties per mu is not unheard of.

Even more, there are places where the potato yield reaches ten thousand catties per mu!

Lu Yuan suddenly recalled the various cultivation techniques in the Shennong text and thought of trying to cultivate them.

This potato is absolutely a good thing.

From now on, it's not just for normal-season planting; it can also be grown in winter greenhouses.

As long as the potato yield increases.

Then the good days of the Great Zhou Dynasty will surely flourish!!

Once grain production increases, labor force will increase as well!

Moreover, the most crucial point is that this matter is not just about potatoes.

Now the Great Zhou Dynasty urgently needs a crop with enormous yield.

This potato is not just a matter of feeding people.

It's not that once planted, every household will be able to eat potatoes and be full.

What's important is that potatoes can be exchanged for many other things.

For example, raising pigs!

Why is pork so expensive now? Why is it as hard for the common folk of the Great Zhou Dynasty to eat a bit of pork as climbing to heaven?

One reason is that the Great Zhou Dynasty has just recovered from war in recent years.

But the problem is that it wasn't good before either.

Why is that?

It's not because pigs are hard to raise!

Pigs aren't like chickens; you can feed them melon fruit scraps and they'll survive, even if you ignore them and just toss them into the mountains, chickens won't starve to death.

But pigs just won't do that.

Although pigs can eat swill, they must be fed proper feed to gain meat and fat!

How are we supposed to feed them under the current conditions of the Great Zhou Dynasty?

Never mind pigs.

Just look at Qiu Qiu Village now: this village has over five hundred households, and only the village head's family has a dog.

In this village, even finding a dog is difficult.

Why is that?

What else could it be? Rural people sometimes can't even afford coarse grain flour, and when hardship hits or a natural disaster strikes,

Forget what dogs eat—people end up having to eat dogs.

If even dogs are like this, how are we supposed to feed pigs?

But if we manage to produce a high-yield crop like potatoes, then could we feed pigs?

If people can eat pork, wouldn't that give them more strength?

When people aren't constantly worrying about their empty grain bins, but can eat their fill and drink enough, wouldn't they be able to do more other things?

When young people aren't always fretting over high housing prices, but have energy and dreams to pursue other things, wouldn't the country then have more hope?

It's the same principle.

And if potatoes can achieve a huge increase in yield, what they can bring is not just the issue of people having enough to eat, but also the issue of people being able to eat meat.

The benefits that would bring are countless!

If Lu Yuan can cultivate a potato yielding ten thousand catties per mu, the Great Zhou Dynasty building him a temple would not be excessive.

Those without money want to be rich; those with money want fame.

And those who seek fame want their names to be remembered in history.

All mortals are like that.

Of course, that's digressing, and given the conditions of the Great Zhou Dynasty, wanting a yield of ten thousand catties per mu is truly extremely difficult.

The agricultural level is really low.

Even if Lu Yuan went directly to modern times to get a potato variety that yields ten thousand catties per mu, in the Great Zhou Dynasty he still couldn't expect to grow it to that yield.

No why—just ask and the answer is that the agricultural level can't keep up.

The fertilizer of the Great Zhou Dynasty relies entirely on the bit of manure from village toilets; what hope is there of a ten-thousand-catty yield?

However……

A yield of ten thousand catties per mu is very difficult, but……

Wanting a yield of three thousand or five thousand catties per mu.

That's still possible with some effort.

Even a yield of three thousand or five thousand catties per mu would merit building a temple for Lu Yuan!!

Currently the Great Zhou Dynasty's potatoes yield only eight hundred catties per mu; achieving five thousand catties per mu would be how many times greater?!

Of course, this cannot be accomplished overnight.

It mainly requires time.

This isn't something Lu Yuan can just pull an all-nighter, work overtime, and instantly draw up like a thresher, a bicycle, or something similar in one night.

Lu Yuan wants to do various cross-breeding, to cultivate.

No matter how smart you are or what you are, you still have to wait for the potatoes to sprout, right?

When the time comes, if there's nothing to do, you'll have to go stay in the test field and wait.

Anyway, no matter how you say it, first make a start.

It just so happens that recently I can't do anything.

By then, if my wife gets pregnant, I still won't be able to do anything.

So I need to find something to do.

Otherwise, looking at Su Liyan who's so alluring every day, Lu Yuan would practically starve from longing.

After chatting a while longer, Lu Yuan suddenly coughed.

And Su Liyan, who had been happily chatting with Zu Wanling, was startled; the next second she immediately stood up and looked at Zu Wanling, saying:

"Zu Wanling, we're heading back first; my husband might be cold."

Su Liyan said while walking over to Lu Yuan's side.

Zu Wanling was startled, then nodded somewhat regretfully.

In this village, all the young women her age have married off; only Zu Wanling remains staying in Qiu Qiu Village.

Her old friends have all left; it's rare to meet an old good friend, and she definitely wants to chat more.

However, it's also fine; everyone will be back tomorrow, the second day of the lunar new year.

Lu Yuan also stood up, then directly spoke:

"Um… Zu Wanling, right? Your potatoes are really delicious; do you have more at home? I'll buy a few from you."

Zu Wanling was startled, then laughed and waved her hand, saying:

"Ah, a few potatoes don't need money; I'll get them for you right away."

Everyone in the room also laughed and said no money needed.

This thing isn't worth any money.

Although they said no money, Lu Yuan still left five coins.

When I manage to grow those potatoes yielding five thousand jin per mu, won't Zu Wanling deserve a quarter of the credit?

A good lottery slip, why is it a good lottery slip? Because…

Finally, Lu Yuan had his hands in his pockets, Su Liyan with one hand linked to her husband's arm and the other holding a bag of big potatoes, they left Zu Wanling's house.

They had been outside for over an hour, and it was indeed cold.

After returning home, Lu Yuan went straight to the kang; the potatoes can't be cultivated now, so he'll wait until he goes to find Lin Fusheng.

Have Lin Fusheng approve a dedicated greenhouse for me, and then I'll research.

The greenhouse used in the previous experiment was a great success; next, on the wasteland around Huangcheng, we'll be setting up greenhouse after greenhouse.

In the evening, the second uncle's child also came back; Lu Yuan saw that, although he said the child is two years older than Su Changliang.

However, he isn't as tall as Su Changliang, but he's quite sturdy.

He's a bit shy, not very talkative, just like Su Changliang before.

He looks like a capable worker.

With this eldest son helping, the second uncle will have things much easier in the city.

The second day is the day when the wife leads her husband back to her parents' home.

Lu Yuan simply let his wife go out to play.

Anyway, at home he's also being ordered by his mother-in-law to do odd jobs.

Aren't those odd jobs supposed to be done by Su Changliang?

Those old friends haven't been seen in a while; surely I should let my wife go visit them and chat.

Originally Lu Yuan planned to sleep until late night on the second day before heading back.

But Lu Yuan is still preoccupied with the potato matter.

Besides, it's not convenient to go fishing while returning home for the New Year.

Lu Yuan can't stay put here.

After eating lunch, he prepared to head back.

Su Changliang also prepared to take the ox cart back to the city; he starts work tomorrow.

"Mom, we're heading back now; people will come on the third day."

When it's time to build houses, you can see whether to squeeze into my second uncle's place or my third uncle's place; you decide.

Lu Yuan rode on horseback, holding his obedient wife, and said to the Su clan members at the courtyard gate:

Su's father and mother also nodded, smiling repeatedly.

Then Lu Yuan looked at his second uncle and smiled, saying:

"When I have things settled over there, I'll send you a letter; you can just go, and when the time comes I'll meet you at the East City Gate."

"When your restaurant is about to open, we'll all go into the city to have fun, everyone will have a place to stay, don't worry."

Lu Yuan thought his big estate was empty anyway, so he let the Su clan members stay there for a few days.

Staying a few days, would the Su clan feel embarrassed to stay for free?

Then shouldn't I tidy up?

Once these people tidy up, won't my wife feel more at ease?

Otherwise, given my wife's restless nature, she'd want to go clean the big estate whenever she's idle.

Upon hearing they could enter the city, everyone immediately nodded excitedly.

Then Lu Yuan finally flicked the reins, and off they went.

Today my wife again gave the Su clan a good ransacking, and she also brought a pile of stuff.

This horse won't go; if we don't leave early, we won't make it back by night.

By the time Lu Yuan got back to the city, it was already about six in the evening.

Every household was just sitting down to eat.

Conditions in the city are much better than in the countryside.

During the New Year, every household has something good to eat; the courtyards are filled with the scent of vegetables and meat.

Upon entering the courtyard, Lu Yuan twitched his nose.

Hmm...

To be honest, Lu Yuan isn't usually fond of large cuts of meat, but he does like a bit of stinky fish and rotten shrimp.

Upon entering the courtyard, Lu Yuan caught the smell of steamed salted fish.

After that bumpy ride of over five hours, Lu Yuan felt a bit peckish.

Looking around, Lu Yuan handed the horse's reins to his wife and said:

"Wife, go home first; I'm going to the Gao residence to get some things."

"Going to the Gao residence to get some things?"

Su Liyan stared, a bit confused.

"What does that mean?"

It's obvious Su Liyan doesn't really get it.

However, Su Liyan didn't ask; with all this stuff, she needed to head home, sort everything out properly, and hurry to cook for her brother.

At once, Su Liyan obediently nodded and said:

"Brother, what would you like to eat tonight? I'll head home and cook for you first."

Lu Yuan blinked and said:

"First heat up the steamed buns from home; I'll tell you about the rest when I get there."

Su Liyan nodded and said:

"All right~"

Thereafter, Lu Yuan set off for the Gao residence.

No need to knock; through the window you could see the Gao family inside eating.

After Lu Yuan pulled the door open and stepped inside,

Seeing Lu Yuan, Chen Taohua sprang up with a smile and said:

"Elder Brother Lu, happy New Year!"

Lu Yuan also smiled and nodded, saying:

"Happy New Year!"

Gao Tingyu, who had been eating with his head down, upon seeing Lu Yuan, grudgingly offered a New Year greeting.

Lu Yuan glanced around and saw many items placed on a nearby table.

There were mountain produce and salted fish.

Especially the salted fish—there were more than a dozen.

What Gao Tingyu was eating at that moment was steamed salted fish.

Sure enough, I wasn't wrong—it's exactly the scent of the Gao family's salted fish.

For a moment, Lu Yuan felt a bit of saliva rising.

At that moment, Gao Xushi emerged from the kitchen; upon seeing Lu Yuan, she also offered a New Year greeting.

These days, whenever Lu Yuan had free time, he came to teach his daughter-in-law how to use the sewing machine.

Needless to say, Lu Yuan may be a scoundrel, but he really knows how to work a sewing machine, and he truly teaches.

Now, upon seeing Lu Yuan, Gao Xushi actually gave him a somewhat pleasant expression, unlike before.

Of course, no matter how much she dislikes Lu Yuan, during the New Year she can't act rudely to his face.

Lu Yuan gazed at Chen Taohua and smiled, saying:

"Taohua sis, how's your sewing machine practice? Any questions left? After the New Year I'll be getting busy."

"When the time comes, free time will be limited, so I can't come every day; I think if you still have any questions today, I'll teach you first."

Chen Taohua nodded repeatedly, too preoccupied to eat, and hurriedly said:

"Elder Brother Lu, there's still one thing I can't quite do."

Lu Yuan promptly nodded and said:

"Come on, I'll teach you."

Gao Tingyu glanced at Lu Yuan somewhat oddly, wondering how this guy could be so kind.

Gao Xushi didn't think much of it.

The main thing is… these days, Lu Yuan really teaches wholeheartedly.

Before, my daughter-in-law couldn't do anything; now she can make little shirts, socks, and the like.

While teaching halfway through, Lu Yuan gazed at the pile of stuff not far away and suddenly asked with a smile:

"Taohua, did you bring these things from your parents' home? Did you go back to your maiden home?"

Chen Taohua blinked, then, while treading the sewing machine, she laughed and said:

"No, my home is too far; I didn't have time to go back—this is what my parents had sent over."

Lu Yuan nodded, then silently approached the items, picked up two salted fish, gave them a sniff, and broke into a grin.

"This salted fish tastes pretty good; you dried it yourselves, right?"

Lu Yuan knew that Chen Taohua's family had a fish pond.

And Chen Taohua, who was stepping on the sewing machine, also looked up at Lu Yuan and smiled, saying:

"Yes, Big Brother Lu, if you also like to eat, just take two."

Lu Yuan nodded:

"Alright, I like to eat."

Gao Tingyu: "???"

Gao Xushi: "???"

"You, this 'alright' is also too damn fast!!"

Instantly, Gao Tingyu understood!!

"Just knew this despicable thing couldn't have come for nothing!!"

"This is probably not that as soon as he entered the courtyard he smelled the scent of the salted fish, and then came straight for the salted fish!!"

"One careless and still got caught by this guy's scheme!!"

(End of chapter)