Da Si Nong: I really don’t want to farm

Chapter 323 Growing Grapes and Making Wine

Han Lingxue had watched the academy set up its formation for a few days, but she didn't gain anything. Even though Guo Tianyou and the others didn't hold back, and Xu Yue even offered some pointers.

If you don't get anything out of it, there's no point in wasting your time.

If one's cultivation level is insufficient, premature contact may not be a good thing.

So after following her for a few days, Han Lingxue stopped going.

It would be better to follow the proper training methods and then stay in the laboratory to conduct experiments.

"sure!"

Xu Yue smiled and nodded.

We'll be moving there sooner or later, so we might as well move sooner to attract more people.

"There's a lot of land over there, aren't you going to make use of it?" Han Lingxue said. "Wouldn't that be too wasteful?"

“Of course we should make use of it!” Xu Yue nodded and said, “I plan to have Lao Tian recruit some villagers nearby to make use of it.”

As for what will happen to those villagers after school starts?

That would be too simple.

Then we can just contract out the land in the nearby villages, and there will be skilled workers available then.

Han Lingxue's opinion on this natural beauty.

The college's expenses are basically covered by Taoyuan Farm.

Of course, there are also funding allocations from above.

Can you eat your fill at Taoyuan Farm?

Xu Yue wasn't worried at all.

He didn't think it would amount to much.

The value created by those students is almost enough to keep the academy running, if not enough to sustain it.

As for the funding allocated by the government, it is mainly used for research.

Once those students graduate, there will be even less to worry about.

Students at the Agricultural Science and Technology College do not need to pay tuition fees, and their meals, accommodation, and job placement are all provided.

After all, you sign a contract as soon as you enroll.

After you graduate, you either have to work on the farm, or you can invest in the farm and go back to your hometown to start a business and build a farm.

Regardless of the type, it all falls under the category of expanding the farm's territory.

"The teacher said that the dryland rice in the desert is growing well," Han Lingxue said. "The survival rate of the dryland rice planted outside the farm is also quite good. If we use spiritual rainwater, they all survive. If we use ordinary water, the survival rate is about 70%."

"Seventy percent?" Xu Yue sighed and said, "That's too low. I estimate it's not just the survival rate that's low, but the yield is low too. What about the fruit trees?"

A 70% survival rate is actually quite high.

At least in Han Lingxue's eyes, that was already a miracle.

It's hard to imagine that 70% of the dryland rice varieties improved by farmers survive in the desert.

Even if the output is a little lower, it is perfectly acceptable.

However, planting fruit trees seems to be a better option than planting dryland rice.

“The survival rate of fruit trees is relatively high, at least 90%,” Han Lingxue said. “However, it’s hard to say how good the fruit will be.”

If the fruit is astringent and unpalatable, it would be better to plant trees with economic value.

Trees are clearly better for greening deserts.

However, the trees improved by farmers have shown amazing results in controlling desertification, and now the authorities are clearly preparing to cooperate with Xu Yue.

The results of Xu Yue's desert farm have amazed many people.

"What about the medicinal herbs?"

Xu Yue continued to ask.

In a desert farm, that goes without saying.

Xu Yue was asking about things outside the farm.

This is about widespread adoption.

"The survival rate is a bit low," Han Lingxue said. "Medicinal herb cultivation is inherently more difficult than other types of cultivation."

Xu Yue was naturally aware of this.

Many medicinal herbs can actually cause significant damage to the soil.

Moreover, it cannot be planted on ordinary land.

"The teacher said that potato cultivation is going well and the harvest should be quite good," Han Lingxue continued. "As for the quality, we'll have to wait until they're ripe to know, but the teacher said it shouldn't be bad, though of course it won't be as good as potatoes grown on a farm."

Potatoes can be grown in the desert.

For example, in places like the Mu Us Desert and the Kubuqi Desert, people have successfully cultivated potatoes in the desert using scientific methods and technologies, and achieved good harvests.

The potatoes tested by Academician Meng were clearly improved using traditional farming methods.

That is widespread.

These potatoes are clearly better than those grown in other places.

"It seems that Academician Meng has achieved a lot over there."

Xu Yue said with a smile, his tone filled with admiration.

Those people truly admire Academician Meng.

“After the start of the semester, the professor probably won’t give up on this research,” Han Lingxue said. “I reckon he’ll be heading to the desert from time to time.”

"Are you worried about his health?"

Xu Yue seemed to sense the worry in Han Lingxue's words.

Han Lingxue nodded; Academician Meng was, after all, getting on in years.

“When I last saw Academician Meng, he was in good health,” Xu Yue said. “His breathing technique is almost as good as yours. However, conditions in the desert are indeed more difficult.”

This wasn't about Han Lingxue's safety, but rather that when Xu Yue went to the desert last time and saw Academician Meng again, his health was even better than it had been before the Lunar New Year.

Besides the fact that it was partly due to cultivation, it was probably also related to being in a great mood.

People are in high spirits when they have good news.

For someone dedicated to agricultural research, what could be more gratifying than achieving countless successes?

"I heard Ruoxi said you accepted your brother's marriage proposal?"

After discussing business, it's natural to talk about personal matters.

Han Lingxue smiled and nodded.

She had previously listened to Xu Yue's advice and was preparing to take the initiative, but before she could even speak, that blockhead suddenly had a breakthrough and proposed to her.

Although there was no explanation and it wasn't romantic at all, he just said: Let's get married!
When he said this, he wasn't looking at her with a sincere expression; instead, he lowered his head and spoke in a low voice.

However, Han Lingxue was still very satisfied.

It's better than her having to ask herself.

She understands Zhang Ruoyu.

Later she learned that Xu Yue had given her some advice and then lectured Zhang Ruoyu.

The two of them took the lead in persuading him, and that's how the deal was made.

However, after some discussion, the two decided to hold their wedding at the end of the year.

By then, things at the college had been sorted out.

"Then I'll be waiting to attend your wedding," Xu Yue said with a smile. "Have you thought about where to hold the wedding?"

Zhang Ruoyu was from Yanjing, while Han Lingxue was from Shuzhou.

"It's not decided yet!" Han Lingxue shook her head and said, "I'll take him back when he has time later."

Xu Yue nodded.

The two are preparing to get married, but Zhang Ruoyu has not yet met Han Lingxue's parents.

As for Han Lingxue, she had never been to Yanjing; she had only met Zhang Ruoyu's parents in Taoyuan Village.

Zhang Ruoyu's grandparents and maternal grandparents are often seen.

The two sets of parents haven't met yet, and the wedding date has only been set in general; the specific time and location are still undecided.

After chatting with Han Lingxue for a while, Xu Yue went to find Tian Yizhi.

The main issue is the farmland near the college. "There are two large ponds over there. Should we raise fish in them too?" Tian Yizhi said. "If the fish fry are big enough, they might be sufficient for the students to eat when school starts."

The college has reserved land not only for aquaculture, but also for raising chickens, ducks, cattle and sheep.

Not to say self-sufficient, but the farm doesn't need to produce too much either.

After all, farms consume a lot of resources these days.

There were hundreds of soldiers, and they were all big eaters.

And by then, there will be even more faculty and students at the college.

That consumes a lot of resources.

However, the income from the students' planting can make up for the shortfall, and there may even be a surplus.

“Isn’t there already a lot of fish in that pond?” Xu Yue said. “Isn’t that enough for them? They don’t eat fish every day. But it would be good to raise some more. Let’s also prepare some cattle and sheep.”

"it is good!"

Tian Yizi nodded.

However, he suddenly recalled the expressions on the faces of those students who, after enrolling in school, found themselves turned into cowherds.

“The Forestry Bureau and Grassland Bureau want to cooperate with the farm on desertification control,” Tian Yizhi said. “It must be because the achievements of the desert farm have attracted the attention of higher authorities.”

Xu Yue had learned some of the results from his conversation with Han Lingxue about the desert farm.

I just didn't expect them to come knocking on my door so quickly.

Of course, the main achievement is still from Academician Meng.

Desert farms are not widely adopted.

If the drought-resistant rice from Xu Yue's lab has a high survival rate, then the fruit trees and potatoes are even more likely to survive.

The key is those fruit trees.

If fruit trees have such a high survival rate, what about using trees or shrubs that are commonly used for desertification control?

Wouldn't that make it easier to manage?
If the trees and shrubs are improved using traditional farming methods, the efficiency of desertification control will be increased, and the cost will be reduced.

"Your thoughts?"

Xu Yue asked Tian Yizhi for his thoughts, but did not immediately express his own opinion.

“Do it!” Tian Yizhi said. “Not only can you make money, but you can also accumulate merit.”

Money is something tangible and visible.

As for merit?

It may not be as fantastical as in the novels, but it still has great benefits.

Environmental protection companies are actually quite similar.

However, it is clearly not as significant as desertification control.

At least that's what Tian Yizhi thinks.

There are many environmental protection companies, and many of them have achieved results in pollution control and other areas.

But desert management is different.

Tian Yizhi had a sense of self-assurance.

Perhaps the country has already done a good job in desertification control, but if they were to participate, it would be even better.

This is different from environmental protection companies.

"How to do it?"

Xu Yue continued to ask.

Of course he has to do it; it benefits the country, the people, and himself. Why should he refuse?

But the key is how to do it.

Whether to establish a company to directly manage the desert or to participate in other ways is a question worth considering.

"We should establish a company to contract out the desert and carry out desert management," Tian Yizhi said. "Alternatively, we can sell improved products to aid in desert management!"

Provide trees and shrubs that have been infused with spiritual energy to increase the survival rate of plants used in desertification control.

Which one do you prefer?

Xu Yue asked, indicating that he preferred the latter.

Because he's lazy.

Managing deserts also requires experience.

Should we just charge straight in?
The desert farm's effectiveness is largely due to the two underground water veins.

Because there is enough water there.

"Why do we have to choose just one?" Tian Yizhi said directly, "Let's have both!"

Xu Yue smiled silently.

Makes sense.

“Desert management can actually be combined with farms,” Tian Yizhi said. “Desert farms are much easier to operate.”

Putting everything else aside, it needs to be convenient in terms of planning.

More suitable for mechanization.

Of course, that would undoubtedly be much cheaper.

Rent land in the village, 500 yuan per mu per year.

But you could rent ten acres of desert for that price, and not for one year, but for seventy years.

The farm doesn't lack that money, but why not save where you can?

And there's not much to do.

“However, turning a desert into an oasis and meeting the requirements for agricultural production is not so easy.” Tian Yizhi looked at Xu Yue, who did not object, and continued, “But even if it does not meet the requirements for a farm, it can still be utilized.”

“Then you can consider it,” Xu Yue said. “Once those students graduate from the academy, there will be more talent available. As for how to proceed, that’s up to you!”

Do you think we can do it?
Tian Yizhi didn't seem surprised at all.

He had expected it.

“If the fruit grown over there is good, we could actually consider making some juice or something,” Tian Yizhi said. “The desert is actually quite suitable for animal husbandry.”

The success of the desert farm sparked Tian Yizhi's interest.

"It's too early to say how the fruit is," Xu Yue said. "However, the fruit from the desert farm should be pretty good. As for the fruit from outside the farm, that's hard to say. We'll have to wait and see."

"What about the rice?" Tian Yizhi asked. "It's better if it's a bit worse than the rice here. Whether we sell it directly or brew it into wine, it won't sell well."

If it's slightly worse, then the price will be cheaper.

Especially for wineries, the production of rice is limited, and the yield is not high.

"It's definitely not as good as Taoyuan Village. As for the village we just rented, it's hard to say," Xu Yue said. "We'll only know when the rice is harvested. Does the distillery need grain? Didn't they grow a batch of sorghum and other crops suitable for brewing?"

“No matter how much, it’s not much!” Tian Yizhi said. “The wine made from sweet potatoes and corn is ultimately not as good as the wine made from rice. As for the wine made from sorghum, it should be ready in a few days.”

Xu Yue had tasted the wine made from sweet potatoes and corn, and found that its quality was indeed inferior to that made from rice.

However, the brewery's brewing techniques are constantly improving, and the quality of the wine should improve.

It's nice to change things up once in a while.

Therefore, Xu Yue's family also prepared some.

"How about we rent some more land in the desert to grow grapes?" Tian Yizhi said. "Then we can make some wine and beat those well-known foreign brands?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Yue was somewhat tempted.

Xu Yue might prefer baijiu (Chinese white liquor), but Zhang Ruoxi prefers red wine.

If we disregard the market, we could consider Zhang Ruoxi; this is something worth considering!
"I will think about it."

Xu Yue spoke up, explaining that the reason for his hesitation was simply because Zhang Ruoxi was pregnant and he didn't want to go to the desert.

"What's there to hesitate about? I'm not that fragile, and I don't need you to be with me every day."

When Xu Yue went back and told Zhang Ruoxi, she shook her head and said...

She naturally knew why Xu Yue hadn't agreed directly.

“I’ll have Xu Wei plant some there first, and we’ll see how the quality is before making any decisions,” Xu Yue said. “If it’s not very good, we can rent land in New Jersey to plant more.”

"They didn't plant rice all over there?" Zhang Ruoxi said. "They should plant more. We need to check not only the quality of the grapes, but also the quality of the wine that will be made."

(End of this chapter)