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

Chapter 490 Farm development is no longer about making money.

Xu Yue never worried that his country would not accept him.

He didn't think too highly of himself, nor did he misjudge his place.

He's just confident.

He restrained his temper abroad and did not act recklessly, and he was even more so in China, never crossing the line.

The key point is that it benefits the country.

Xu Chengyang listened to Xu Yue's words and said nothing more.

"One of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms talismans was indeed destroyed, and we are trying to find a way to repair it or remake one," Xu Yue said. "I'll go check on Academician Meng."

Xu Yue wanted to talk to Academician Meng, but unfortunately Academician Meng was not there and had gone to the desert farm.

As for talking to Han Lingxue?
just forget it.

Xu Yue went home immediately, without waiting for Zhang Ruoxi.

When I got home, I started looking through the books about farming families.

He decided to focus more on the supernatural abilities and formations of the farmers.

Farmers have unique insights into the wondrous use of the primordial spirit.

"Are you looking for me?"

A few days later, Academician Meng came to Xu Yue's villa and asked with a smile.

"Just chatting casually," Xu Yue said. "I mainly wanted to talk about the seeds."

Agricultural science institutes initially focused on researching seeds to improve yield, drought resistance, and cold resistance.

And these also utilized the farm's formation.

Tian Yizhi invested a lot of money in this and even established a "Taoyuan Seed Company".

Today, the company's seed sales are still quite impressive, especially in exports.

“Seeds?” Academician Meng said, “It’s rare that you still remember you have a seed company. Seed research mainly focuses on grain seeds, which are better than ordinary ones in terms of yield, drought resistance, cold resistance, and taste. We also research other seeds, such as vegetable seeds, sorghum seeds, and corn seeds, but we are not as good at wheat.”

There used to be a lot of wheat growing in Shuzhou, but now there are very few.

At least Taoyuan Farm doesn't actually grow wheat.

Therefore, research on wheat is somewhat lagging behind.

The biggest harvest was rice seeds, which is related to the dryland rice seeds grown on the desert farm.

The research on sorghum and corn is also quite good, mainly because the farm has a large-scale planting area.

The main purpose of growing sorghum is for brewing alcohol.

Corn is also used to brew alcohol, but it's mostly used to feed poultry and livestock.

"Are the seeds being sold not imbued with spirits?"

Xu Yue asked, "Academician Meng also practices the agricultural methods and is now close to the third realm."

This is why he devotes so much energy to research.

After all, he was among the first to practice the farming methods.

“Some seeds have been imbued with spirit, and some haven’t,” Academician Meng said. “The former are only a minority. Currently, when those seeds that have been imbued with spirit are planted in other places, their insect-attracting properties haven’t improved much.”

Xu Yue nodded.

The crops grown on the farm don't have that problem because they've set up insect-repelling arrays, so those pests simply don't exist.

But it's different in other places.

What should I do if it attracts too many insects?
There are many methods, but they are costly and not suitable for widespread adoption.

But there are still quite a few buyers.

Because it tastes better, it is naturally more expensive.

“Let’s look into it together later,” Xu Yue said after thinking for a moment. “It’s simply unrealistic to open farms all over the country in the short term. Besides, all the land in the country has been turned into spiritual land, so we can sell it to foreign countries.”

"Oh, you still have the mind to do research? That's a good thing then," Academician Meng said with a smile. "Do you think if all the land in the country were transformed into sacred lands, would all those pests leave the country?"

Pests are escaping abroad?

Xu Yue was stunned when he heard this.

If the farm has insect repellent arrays, then where do those pests go?

If this is the case in farmland across the country, then those pests can only go abroad?

“Farmers don’t just use insect repellent arrays; they also use pest control methods,” Xu Yue said with a smile. “What, are you worried that all the pests have gone to the city, or are you worried that if the pests become extinct, it will affect the ecosystem?”

"I don't think I'm being overly pessimistic," Academician Meng said. "What do you think?"

“These issues should be taken into consideration. We just need to focus on doing our own thing,” Xu Yue said. “These things can’t be accomplished overnight; they have to be done step by step. If the things you’re worried about do happen, there will be time to deal with them.”

Academician Meng nodded.

Besides, he's not a professional in areas like the environment and ecological balance.

Academician Meng then chatted with Xu Yue about the seeds.

Not only seeds, but also seedlings, and the two eventually went directly to the school laboratory.

Xu Yue doesn't know much about modern agricultural technology, but he is very knowledgeable about traditional farming methods.

His involvement was of great help to them.

A few days later, Yan Tian came to the school and found Xu Yue.

When did you become interested in research?

Yan Tian was somewhat surprised because he knew that Xu Yue's founding of the Agricultural Science and Technology College was partly due to a hands-off approach.

After shaking off his burdens, Xu Yue devoted most of his energy to cultivation.

Otherwise, how could his cultivation level have improved so rapidly?

Now that you feel invincible, you've become a bit complacent?

Or perhaps they felt his cultivation level was too high and worried they couldn't tolerate him, so they started to keep a low profile?

“The methods of farming are my foundation,” Xu Yue said. “However, many of the works on farming have been lost. Although I have tried my best to collect them, it is still far from enough. So I thought I could try to make up for it by drawing on modern agricultural science and technology.”

"That's it."

Yan Tian nodded; he did not doubt what Xu Yue said.

In later stages of cultivation, simply relying on arduous practice is clearly not enough, especially after condensing the primordial spirit.

After he condensed his primordial spirit, his cultivation made little progress, even after he went into seclusion to cultivate diligently, the result was the same.

After condensing one's primordial spirit, further advancement in cultivation requires a deeper understanding of the "Dao".

This is necessary for cultivating array formations and supernatural abilities, and it is also necessary for improving one's cultivation level.

What is Xu Yue's "Dao"?
He practiced the methods of farming, so naturally he followed the "way" of farming.

Almost all the writings about the "Tao" of the peasant family have been lost.

Although Xu Yue collected some, it was still too little.

He used to start with the ancient agricultural books that had been passed down, but that ultimately fell short.

Now they've set their sights on modern agricultural science.

It must be said that this is a method, but it is very difficult.

But what can be done?
In this respect, Xu Yue's foundation is ultimately inferior to those major sects.

If it were other cultivation methods, even those of the Yin-Yang school, the Special Administration Bureau could still offer assistance, but the Agricultural School truly has very few surviving texts.

Why this is the case remains a mystery.

The Confucian methods of self-cultivation have been lost.

Whether it was an ancient emperor or an ancient cultivation world, it's hard to say.

"Are you done talking?"

Xu Yue looked at Yan Tian and asked.

He's probably here to negotiate with Hive and Little Red Dot.

"These are the things you should need."

As Yan Tian spoke, he took out a lot of things and handed them to many people.

Each of them has six spirit pearls.

There is one of each of the five elemental spirit pearls, and one yin-yang spirit pearl.

This surprised many. "Here's a list. Take a look and see if there's anything else you need," Yan Tian said, handing Xu Yue a document. "Among those ancient artifacts, there aren't many magical weapons, and their power is generally average. As for whether there are any ancient magical weapons that haven't been revived, it's really hard to say."

"That's enough."

Xu Yue nodded.

Xu Yue had no interest in the remaining cultural relics.

The same applies to ritual implements.

A truly powerful magical artifact would surely conceal the beehive and the little red dot.

Unless it's the kind that hasn't been activated by spiritual energy yet.

As for other technologies and other things, they were completely useless to Xu Yue.

Those six spirit orbs actually exceeded Xu Yue's expectations.

There were also some precious metals and some ancient books.

After discussing this matter, Yan Tian naturally brought up some cultivation-related issues.

The only person he can consult now is Xu Yue.

They might be the only two people to have entered the Nascent Soul Realm, and Xu Yue has clearly gone further.

“After the primordial spirit stage, cultivation is something you’ll probably have to figure out on your own. My experience might not be useful to you,” Xu Yue said. “I cultivate Qi, and you cultivate martial arts. Although we eventually reach the same goal, there are still differences.”

Yan Tian nodded.

The problem is that among martial arts practitioners, only the legendary Zhang Sanfeng has managed to condense his primordial spirit.

Moreover, he is skilled in both spiritual and martial arts.

There may be some from further back, but where are there any ancient texts left today?

"My cultivation progressed so quickly largely thanks to the two waves of spiritual energy."

Xu Yue continued, but he didn't mention that Yin Shazhi had turned misfortune into good fortune.

Although he did not believe that Yan Tian's character would turn to evil after his cultivation progressed slowly.

But the fewer people who know about this, the better.

"Do you think it's related to the current scarcity of spiritual energy?"

Yan Tian clearly discerned another meaning in Xu Yue's words.

What makes Reiki Tide different?
Besides being rich in spiritual energy, the spiritual energy was also very gentle, so there would be no situation where the body was too weak to absorb it.

The latter is actually the key.

“It’s definitely related,” Xu Yue said. “In the past, why did the cultivation level decline with each generation, and why did not a single person condense their primordial spirit for hundreds of years? It’s because cultivation requires sufficient spiritual energy. If the spiritual energy in the world is insufficient, then we can only start with spiritual herbs and spiritual objects, but those things are limited and rare.”

"In scientific terms, this is the law of conservation of energy," Xu Yue said. "Cultivating the primordial spirit requires a much larger and purer amount of energy, but the world today provides too little, which is one of the reasons why cultivation is slow."

"Do you think we were born at the wrong time, or in a good era?"

Yan Tian couldn't help but sigh.

Perhaps it was bad timing, but if he had died a hundred years earlier, things would probably have been even worse.

Let alone cultivation, even survival is a problem.

You say you were born in a good era, but after finally condensing your primordial spirit, you are limited by the scarcity of spiritual energy and can hardly make any progress.

But then we saw hope.

After all, the world is recovering.

Will he live to see the day when the world is fully recovered?
Yan Tian left.

Xu Yue continued to conduct research with Academician Meng and his team.

The tone suggested they were doing research together, but it was more accurate to say they were exploring the ways of farming.

Xu Yue did not cultivate, but his knowledge of some of the supernatural abilities and formations of the farming family has increased significantly.

They also gained a deeper understanding of the wondrous uses of the primordial spirit.

He realized that he had really been putting the cart before the horse.

"came back?"

That day, Xu Yue was preparing to go to school with Zhang Ruoxi when Tian Yizhi arrived.

Previously, he went to the desert farm and then to other deserts to see how desertification was being addressed.

Although the environmental protection company is in charge of desertification control, Tian Yizhi is now more than just the general manager of the farm. In addition to Taoyuan Pharmaceutical and Taoyuan Agricultural Trade, he also manages other businesses.

Not only environmental protection companies, but also mineral water plants, seed companies, etc.

"What's going on over there?"

Xu Yue continued to ask.

Tian Yizhi's arrival was certainly not to greet Xu Yue and announce his return.

"The desertification control efforts are quite remarkable," Tian Yizhi said. "In terms of area, it's larger than all the previous deserts combined. Major deserts are now surrounded by green spaces. Perhaps, in a few years, our country will be able to eliminate desertification."

De-desertification?

This is something every country would want.

That's too difficult.

There are few places where desertification control has been effective, but desertification is getting worse everywhere.

"This matter will probably be reported on the news broadcast in the next couple of days," Tian Yizhi continued, "and will cause a sensation both domestically and internationally."

"Ok?"

Xu Yue was also a little surprised.

Is it worth reporting?
That's certainly worth reporting; the supply is considerable.

"Does the higher-ups want to increase the export of grass seeds and saplings?" Xu Yue asked doubtfully, "Or is it just to create momentum and intensify efforts to combat desertification?"

“Probably both,” Tian Yizhi said. “However, they have already mentioned to me the need to increase efforts in desert management. It seems that the higher-ups intend to turn the desert into an oasis first, and then consider turning it into a sacred land.”

“I feel that the authorities are worried that the center of the farm is too far from the desert,” Tian Yizhi said. “The land rent and other things are much cheaper there, and it’s more suitable for mechanization.”

Transforming a desert into an oasis and a sacred land is naturally easier to do, and there are fewer things to consider.

But it's different in other places.

Drawing on a blank sheet of paper is undoubtedly the simplest method.

Are you short of money?

Xu Yue suddenly asked a question.

"what?"

Tian Yizhi was somewhat taken aback, but he subconsciously shook his head.

He's definitely not short of money.

His salary has increased from the initial annual salary of 300,000 to [a higher amount].
Huh?
What is my current salary again?

However, salary isn't important; the key is the bonuses.

He's not after money anymore.

“You don’t lack anything, and I certainly don’t lack money,” Xu Yue said. “Why save that little bit of money?”

Tian Yizhi nodded; he naturally understood what Xu Yue meant.

“I’ve never considered myself a businessman,” Xu Yue said. “The development of the farm is no longer about making money.”

What else could he be but a businessman?
That's an entrepreneur, isn't it?

What is the difference between an entrepreneur and a businessman?
Tian Yizhi naturally knew this.

Xu Yue doesn't want to be a businessman; he wants to be an entrepreneur.

Perhaps he already is.

If the farm isn't developing to make money, then why?
Tian Yizhi then thought of the graduates who went to various states to open farm branches.

Instead of starting from the more convenient urban suburbs, but from the impoverished mountainous areas, Tian Yizhi suddenly realized something.

Xu Yue never intended to shift his focus to the desert from the very beginning.

"How are the school's graduates doing?"

Xu Yue then asked, "Those people graduated not long ago. Xu Yue went abroad shortly afterward, and Tian Yizhi wasn't in Taoyuan Village after he came back, so I really didn't know anything about it."

(End of this chapter)