Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home

Chapter 1999: Mountain

At this time of year, the outdoors teemed with mosquitoes and various insects, especially in the mountainous regions where strange bugs and ants abounded. Anan, being fair-skinned and delicate, was a prime target for mosquitoes.

Staying within the confines of the manor provided a safer environment.

Anan remained captivated by the novelty of the surroundings. Spotting a pair of rabbits in the farmstead, she gleefully fed them vegetable leaves, her delight evident.

Qiao Xuan had purchased 100,000 mu of land in Liuhe Manor. However, developing such vast acreage required time and resources. Currently, they had successfully developed around 70,000 mu, but due to a labor shortage, their workforce had dwindled to just 40 individuals—down from a peak of 300.

Considering the challenges posed by the mountainous terrain—mosquitoes, snakes, ants, and rampant wild grass—Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan decided to halt further exploration for the time being and wait for autumn and winter.

Shao Yunduan agreed, noting, “Indeed! The mountains are overrun with mosquitoes, snakes, and ants, while the vegetation grows unchecked. It’s not conducive for exploration. We’ll wait it out.”

The risk of encountering hazards outweighed the benefits, potentially causing significant disruption if any mishaps were to occur.

Given their statuses as the Prefect and the Prefect’s wife, Qiao Xuan addressed Songshi decisively, “If that’s what Lord Shao wishes, then let it be so. Inform the workers to depart tomorrow. Make sure to remember their names, and when we hire more labor in late autumn, prioritize rehiring them.”

Songshi readily acquiesced, offering a smile as he pledged to convey the instructions to the workers personally. He had been tasked with the hiring process by Qiao Xuan herself.

Having overseen numerous hirings in the past, Songshi understood the intricacies involved. Wages, daily meal allowances, medical supplies, tools for cultivating the wasteland—each aspect required meticulous handling to prevent any mismanagement.

While it might have been tempting for others to exploit such opportunities for personal gain, Songshi remained steadfast in his integrity. Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan trusted his character, and he was wise enough not to jeopardize his position with any imprudent actions.

However, the same could not necessarily be said for all junior managers. Songshi recognized the potential for misconduct and ensured that strict oversight was maintained to prevent any mishaps.

The cultivated wasteland had been sown with a variety of herbs, including false starworts, gastrodia elata, King Solomon’s-seal, crow-dipper, Pseudoginseng, and Angelica, as per Qiao Xuan’s directives.

At this moment, the medicinal herbs had all reached maturity, easily recognizable with a single glance. However, the growth of the small seedlings was uneven, a common occurrence in cultivation.

Qiao Xuan diligently applied her wood power every time she inspected the area, a practice she continued today.

A significant portion of the land had been enclosed on the side of the col, as well as the opposite col. Additionally, two plots of land in another nearby forest had also been enclosed. Within these enclosures, tall and spacious wooden sheds and houses had been constructed, surrounded by a flat expanse of land adorned with lush grass, plentiful bushes, and several towering trees. Massive rocks adorned with various vines added to the natural beauty of the surroundings.

Observing from a distance, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan admired the scene.

Throughout the area, chicken farms dotted the landscape. Currently, one of these farms housed 500 chickens, consisting of 100 adults and 150 young chicks weighing less than a catty.

In the future, only two out of the four areas would raise chickens simultaneously, with a rotation every two years.