Rebirth in Famine: She Thrives by Lucky Space

Chapter 797: 797 Pay Grain Tax

The thirty people didn’t even have time for breakfast. More than a dozen got on the truck, and the soldier instructed them to hold on tight, as the speed is fast and the road is rough, so they won’t be thrown off.

The remaining dozen or so had no choice but to walk, there was no other way.

Wei Kaiyun and Li Yunqiang rode their bicycles over.

How could bicycles catch up with the truck? But the truck wasn’t going fast either since there were people on board.

By the time Wei Kaiyun and Li Yunqiang arrived, the granary was already preparing.

After a quarter of an hour, it began. Peanuts were rated as second-grade, while soybeans were rated as top-grade, even better than corn.

”Wait, put these soybeans aside. These need to go to the seed station. Old Li, your village indeed has some good stuff.”

”It’s all thanks to Station Chief Wu’s insight. These soybeans are a new variety we planted this year. Good stuff.”

”Yes, truly good stuff. Keep them separate, and notify the seed station to come and get them in the afternoon.”

By this time, the dozen or so people walking also arrived; corn is the most tiresome.

Li Yungui knew that because the soybeans were rated as top-grade, even cotton was rated as first-grade. This was good news, as it could make a difference of tens of yuan.

By noon, the first truck was unloaded. Li Yungui rode back with the truck to continue loading, while the thirty-some villagers stayed to rest for a while. There was another truckload in the afternoon.

Wei Kaiyun and Li Yunqiang tallied accounts and the numbers matched with the granary’s.

Seeing that everyone was quite tired, Wei Kaiyun asked the granary if they could borrow a thermos. Everyone ate cold buns, but at least they could drink hot water. This made it a bit more bearable.

By two in the afternoon, the second truck arrived, loaded with sorghum, which was ultimately rated as second-grade. Li Yungui argued strenuously, but they had evidence; it’s not what you say it is.

There was no way around it. With thirty thousand pounds of sorghum, a two-cent difference per pound meant a total difference of six hundred yuan. Even with the price difference from soybeans and cotton, it was still a shortfall.

By this time, it was already dark. The two soldiers drove away without even having a sip of water or a bite to eat.

The Li Family Brothers were not in a good mood, but there was nothing they could do about it.

The granary issued a note stating that they could come to collect the money the next day, but not today.

The group still had to walk back, there was no other choice. Everyone was feeling quite down. Just as they left the granary, they saw Li Cunshan and others coming with carts to pick them up. After all, there were so many sacks, and Li Yunqiang was thinking of driving the cart over the next day to collect money and transport the sacks.

All three ox carts came, and everyone sat on the oxen, feeling low, and no one was joking or laughing. However, Li Cunshan took it in stride, saying, ”Don’t worry, every year our corn is rated as second-grade too, just let it go.”

”This year, at least we have the soybeans to support us. Xiao Wei, can you use your connections to find some new varieties of sorghum seeds? Next year we must grow first-grade ones.”

Wei Kaiyun, riding his bike, laughed and said, ”I can try. I’ll ask when I go out this time. Next year, we’ll plant more cotton and soybeans to substitute for sorghum.”

With what Wei Kaiyun said, everyone’s spirits lifted considerably. Yes, if we could use cotton to cover for sorghum, then even if it’s ten thousand pounds of cotton, it’s not impossible.

”Don’t be discouraged, everyone. I have some research on cotton. This time, I’ll find the best cotton seeds, and find a way to get fertilizer. Don’t just think of ten thousand pounds; even twenty thousand pounds is possible.”

Now, everyone felt much better. They eagerly asked Wei Kaiyun questions, and he patiently explained to everyone.

”Rest assured, with pesticides, there won’t be aphids in the cotton, plus fertilizer and good cotton seeds, we can definitely make it work.”

Everyone started animatedly discussing where to plant the cotton next year. The earlier disappointment and gloom were gone.

Li Yungui believed in Wei Kaiyun’s words, so he already thought about which plot of land to plant cotton on.

”Xiao Wei, come with me tomorrow.”

”Alright, no problem.”

”Gui Zi, the military camp helped us. How should we repay them?”

”I’ve thought about it. When the cabbage is harvested, we’ll send over a tractor full of it. That will be nice, after all, the army and the people are one family.”

”Sounds right. Let’s do it.”

With this small talk, everyone stopped fixating on the fact that the sorghum was rated as second-grade.

”Village Chief, when will we distribute the grain?”

”Soon, once we finish calculating the accounts, we can distribute money and grain.

Da Qiang, did your family get full work points this year?”

”Yes, it’s been so easy, how could we not get full work points?”

Everyone laughed heartily. Yes, it was indeed the easiest year.

”I’m looking forward to slaughtering pigs now, Village Chief. When are we handing over the pigs?”

”In a few days, we’ll slaughter one to eat, picking the biggest and fattest one.” Li Yungui still had a knot in his heart; since good things don’t get good grades, might as well keep the good stuff for themselves.

”Village Chief, is there anything else to do? Let’s finish it quickly so we can eat meat. We can finally satisfy our cravings.”

”We still need to dry the corn stalks and the stubs churned out by the rotary tiller, as well as the corn cobs. Once everything is sorted, we’ll slaughter pigs and eat meat, then go up the mountain.

This year, we need to prepare plenty of firewood. The children studying with Teacher Jiang must not be cold.”

”Of course, it must be warm.”

When they returned to the village, everyone’s mood improved, going home to comfort the others.

When Wei Kaiyun returned home riding his bike, he saw a sumptuous dinner, his wife’s smiling face, and the children’s caring words, feeling that life was comfortable.

While eating, he mentioned the sorghum being rated as second-grade. In general, such matters are discussed with the whole family; just because the children are young doesn’t mean they don’t get to know. Instead, they are allowed to participate and voice their opinions.

Jiang Xinyu knew this would happen. Everyone was dazzled by the first-grade corn. If everything was rated first-grade, what would happen to the other villages? This is a normal situation.

Wei Kaiyun and Jiang Xinyu talked about using cotton to substitute for sorghum next year, making the dinner table lively.

”Dad, we also want to go with you to see how others achieve high cotton yields; we also want to learn.”

”Alright, I’ll definitely take you, but your mom and little brother can’t go.”

”They will have a chance too,” Shi Jing said with a smile.

”Master Shang, you’ll come with us. Didn’t you say that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles? Let’s go together.”

”Sure, I’ll accompany you three on the journey.”

Lu Tiezhu, however, just focused on eating; he didn’t plan to go but could prepare knives for the three children for self-defense. After dinner, Lu Tiezhu specifically sought out Wei Kaiyun. He must ask the parents for their opinion, as giving someone a knife is not a trivial matter.

”Thank you so much, Master Lu.”