Chapter 127

Self-sacrifice for others, Gu Xixi admitted that this is a noble phrase.

Accordingly, leading the villagers to plant fruit trees while also profiting herself, Gu Xixi did not consider it shameful.

Gu Erye saw that Gu Xixi was not buying it, and in a fluster lowered his voice, "Look, listen. What I say is the will of the whole village, Xixi lass, are you really going to oppose everyone?"

Gu Xixi gave a half-smile, "Everyone? I just don't believe nobody is on my side."

Gu Erye anxiously said, "Then let's not say all, at least a majority, right?"

"More than half of the villagers don't support you; you've offended so many people at once, aren't you afraid you won't get by?"

Gu Xixi gave a contemptuous smile, bypassed Gu Erye directly, and walked out of the Tudimiao.

Just as she stepped over the threshold, she saw another familiar figure, Gu Daye.

Gu Daye walked with a cane in the opposite direction, his steps appearing somewhat flustered.

Zhang Shen said, "This old thing! He was just hiding outside eavesdropping."

"He's full of bad ideas, and who knows how he'll sabotage us later!"

Since Gu Daye's younger son Gu Youqing was exiled, Gu Daye's and Gu Xixi's families have practically severed ties; when they meet on the road they act as if they don't know each other.

At this moment, seeing Gu Daye, it's no wonder Zhang Shen would think the worst.

Zhang Shen pulled Gu Xixi and walked a stretch; seeing no one else around, she nervously said, "That shameless Gu Lao Er is specially stirring everyone up to force you."

"What if these people take it to heart, resent you for not teaching them the secret to growing grain, aren't you afraid of causing trouble?"

Gu Xixi laughed, "What's to be feared is certainly not me."

Zhang Shen was stunned.

Mu Nan Zhao, who had been silent all along, said lightly from the side, "What's to be feared is that in the end, no one in this village follows Gu Xixi in planting trees."

"Before long, they will regret it."

That afternoon, Lao Qian and his wife, along with Qin Dasao, went to Gu Xixi's house to sign the contract.

In the evening, two more families came one after another; they were those whose fields had been burned by fire and who had tasted the sweetness of growing water spinach.

After the contracts were signed, Gu Xixi then told each family the more detailed plan.

Everyone who heard it nodded excitedly, as if they could see the road of light about to be paved beneath their feet.

Qin Dasao said, "Otherwise, I could take what you just said and go persuade them again?"

"If they hear it, they should be able to bring in a few more families."

Gu Xixi refused, saying, "No need; the contract also states that after signing, what I tell you must not be divulged for three months."

"We would rather lack than have excess; those who cannot make up their minds are not wanted."

Qin Dasao, thinking, said, "If we later produce good fruit, they'll look on with envy and come to you asking to join?"

Gu Xixi took a sip of hot tea, "Accept as appropriate."

"Teaching person to person may not work; only the impact of facts can force them to make up their minds, and they must understand it themselves."

She paused, the corner of her mouth curling into an arc, "However, the price to be paid later will not be just these."

Qin Dasao looked at Gu Xixi, feeling ever more certain that she had made the most correct decision.

At the same time, another undercurrent surged in Huachi Du Cun.

At Gu Erye's house, the people filled the large kang in the main hall, and the floor was packed with people sitting or standing.

The old bachelor, indignant, waved his arms, "What gives Gu Xixi the right to be so arrogant? She loves to work hard and hates to shirk! I think it's just that the village elders are too easy to talk to! They've spoiled her!"

Several people nodded in agreement.

Also, some clever people spoke with sarcasm, "What's with the arrogance? Arrogance comes from having capital. What do the villagers want now? Gu Xixi knows exactly what's in her mind; the secret to increasing millet yield is in her grasp, and we still have to beg her!"

Gu Lao San was also among them; hearing Gu Xixi now so pleased, and thinking of his own situation, he couldn't help but clench his fists in resentment, "What else can be done? Do you dare to rob us by force?"

"'Or are you going to threaten her with a knife to teach us how to farm?'"

The old bachelor sneered, "Gu Lao San, you say that because you don't dare; you want us to send someone else?"

The villagers had long been discussing how Gu Lao San and the shrew Liu Shi had had their courage broken by Gu Xixi.

Even though they hated Gu Xixi to the core, they dared not take revenge.

So the old bachelor's words were clearly mocking Gu Lao San.

Unfortunately, after Gu Lao San lost all face and dignity, he had already given up completely.

He put on a stern face and chuckled, "I don't dare go; committing robbery and banditry lands you in jail—why should I alone sacrifice myself while you all reap the benefits?"

"Today I want to see who dares to take the lead; when the time comes, I, Gu Lao San, will surely risk my life to accompany them."

"Old bachelor, do you dare?"

Gu Daye shouted, "He's just trying to get everyone to work for her!"

Someone said, "Is Gu Xixi giving it away for free? Didn't you hear her say that after bearing fruit, she'll take a share by the pound! The trees won't belong to us for five years after they bear fruit—isn't that just hiring us to work for her!"

Being intercepted, the male lead took action.

Some were waiting to see Gu Xixi's joke; she's planted so many fruit trees, if we don't plant, I'd like to see what she'll do!

However, when spring came, the few families planting trees—Gu Xixi didn't beg anyone; those few families all planted trees.

Someone asked, "Where did the rest go?"

When the saplings arrived, the love rival appeared.

Are you willing to go with me?

Starting to write in the morning, I must quickly finish two sheets. Don't you want to make money?

Receiving the banknote, the female lead said no, she wanted a promise from the general: if the fruit trees fail to grow, just lend her a few mu of land.

Large-scale planting of alfalfa grass, oats, and saline-alkali land, to improve it.

Encountering wild wolves, they discovered medicinal herbs.

Three-times Fruit Cooperative, An Qinghe came to deliver the goods; because the female lead was too busy, she sent a letter asking An Qinghe to deliver the goods. When An Qinghe saw the female lead again, his beard was gone, he had become a handsome guy, and the female lead recognized him from his eyes.

Shitou's family's fruit trees are put to use.

1 She also brought up the matter; Gu Xixi had her invite everyone to show their cards, the fruit-tree cooperative was established, the grain cooperative was established.

2 Hawthorn grafted with apple bears fruit in two years; intercropping medicinal herbs in the orchard, it bears fruit extremely fast in two years, tribute fruit.

3 In cooperation with the General, as a trade for help with grain planting, tea is grown in the Northwest.

The General said, tea and salt are both controlled by the Imperial Court, although not as strictly as salt.

The female lead says I want to do it; if grain is the foundation, tea symbolizes money.

4 Oats, sorghum, ways of eating oats; part of the sandy land is suitable for planting alfalfa and tubers.

Shitou proposed planting fruit trees.

Someone asked the female lead whether she wanted to grow vegetables; they gathered together and established a cooperative.

Time span: plant fruit trees in early spring, expand planting.

Male green tea Mu Nan Zhao. Shitou.

4 At dawn, the female lead discovered a medicinal herb growing there; it turned out to be an important medicinal material that the old doctor said was lacking. Previously, this was the fated bond between the male and female leads.

5 In early spring, go to the Northwest to reclaim wasteland, technical guidance, spring wheat. The female lead judged it suitable for spring wheat.

After spring, Gu Qingye was let go; she silently married and left the village.

After surveying, land water resources are scarce, soil is saline-alkali, suitable for spring wheat; after spring there is more rain.

Consider irrigation, fertilization, etc.

Serve as the female lead's backing, let her help with garrison farming and planting to increase grain; also provide grass for warhorses, which the female lead will handle.

Snowy day,

Grafting speeds up reproduction and fruiting; in early spring plant tea trees, peach trees, pear trees,

4 Little Shitou said he wanted to work for the female lead to support himself and the trees at home; the female lead proposed buying fruit trees, to be transplanted next spring.

1, the female lead braved the snow to rush; the Northwest Army was changing defenses, so she had to go find someone to rescue the male lead. The male and female leads met; the male lead said I know it's not you. The female lead was very worried.

2, actually the male lead set a trap; the male lead deliberately let himself be captured, in order to dispel suspicion and lure people to identify the male lead.