Reclaiming Wasteland: Carefree Mountain Farmer

Chapter 19 Cows and Horses
As long as the weather isn't unpredictable, even if it rains halfway through the wheat harvest, farmers will adjust their harvesting strategies to suit the weather.

What I fear most is that it's unpredictable and fickle.

In the sweltering summer heat, Beijiwu worked tirelessly under the scorching sun.

After finding the most suitable feeling, Beijiwu turned the long-handled sickle into a lawnmower, using the strength of his abdominal muscles and arms and legs to control the wooden pole to rotate rapidly close to his belly, centered on himself.

With constant twisting of the wrist, the wheat basket is tilted backward, causing the wheat to fall and making room for the straw that hasn't been loaded onto the cart.

Wen Zhaohu couldn't sit still any longer and walked over to stand about six or seven meters away, watching the muscular man.

“Yesterday, one man was equivalent to seven or eight men. Today, he can do the work of twelve or thirteen men. He can cultivate eighteen acres of land a day.”

Wen Zhaohu was increasingly alarmed as he looked at the man. He really wanted to marry all his daughters to this man and replace Beijiwu with someone who would work for the Wen family.

Soon, Wen Zhaohu became even more determined to have his daughter-in-law or daughter use a sperm donor.

Whether it's cattle, horses, pigs, dogs, or humans, the influence of the older generation on the younger generation is undeniable. Wen Zhaohu knows this, the people of the grassland tribes know this, and the rural people of the Central Plains also know this.

Breeding bulls and fine horses both cost money; there's no such thing as someone else's bull or horse getting a free ride.

After working for a while, Beijiwu put down the wheat stalks and went to the edge of the field to drink water and rest.

After drinking three bowls of water, Beijiwu shouted at Wen Zhaohu, "Old man, it's time to settle the bill. Do you have any hoes or shovels? You can sell them to me."

Wen Zhaohu walked over with a smile, "There are only a few people in my family, and we don't even have enough farm tools. Those things break after a while."

Wen Zhaohu approached and said, "How about I give you my daughter to pay off your debt and have her warm your bed and do chores?"

Arctic Warrior shouted, "Get lost! Who wants your daughter! We'll take money or food, you've got to!"

Wen Zhaohu thought for a moment, "How about I give you that horse? It's seven or eight taels of silver. If it's not enough, you can buy it on credit. You can come back to work for a few days during the autumn planting season or next year."

Arctic Martial resolutely refused, "No, I need money to raise horses. If a horse dies in the winter, I'll be in debt. Are you trying to scam me, old man?"

"No, no, don't accuse me wrongly. I only said that because I saw you were tired from your journey," Wen Zhaohu quickly explained, indicating that he meant well.

Beijiwu continued drinking water, ignoring the wealthy man who was full of bad intentions.

Wen Zhaohu felt that this kid was too shrewd, but that was also good, as he had roughly figured out his bottom line after several tests.

This kid didn't seem to have any intention of renegeting on his debt.

Wen Zhaohu glanced at the wheat that was almost finished being harvested in the distance and said in a gentle voice, "There's still a lot of work to do after the wheat harvest. Will you come to help with the plowing?"

Beijiwu said, "I need to get my own house sorted out first. In the fall, I'll plant crops, which means plowing the land, returning the wheat roots to the field, and getting rid of the insects. I'll take it slowly and there's no rush."

Wen Zhaohu looked at Beijiwu with surprise, "You can farm?"

Beijiwu raised an eyebrow. "Are you stupid? Everyone knows how to farm."

Wen Zhaohu wasn't angry when he was scolded. He explained, "Working in the fields doesn't necessarily mean you know how to farm. Some people just work blindly and need others to teach them when to harvest and when to plant wheat. You understand the principles of tilling and pest control, so you definitely know more about farming than others."

Beiji Wu wiped his mouth and sat down on the ground to rest and recover his strength.

Wen Zhaohu walked to the side and said, "Why don't you come and help me manage the fields? I have everything at home, you can be the housekeeper."

"No way." Beijiwu refused outright, saying with annoyance, "Don't bother me! I'll finish this today and go home to do my own work tomorrow!"

Wen Zhaohu hurriedly said, "Keep working, I won't say anything more. You rest well. I'll have someone prepare money and a horse for you right away. I just remembered, there's still a hoe in the woodshed that we used to plant vegetables last time that no one has used!"

There are still many acres of land to be harvested. In order to prevent the other farmhands from bargaining, Wen Zhaohu must harvest most of the wheat fields so that others will have no leverage to negotiate prices.

Those who live in areas with limited land will definitely come here to work.

In the early days of land reclamation, when there were no oxen or farming tools, even if you had dozens of acres of land, you could only cultivate thirty or forty acres.

After finishing their own fields, any surplus labor would go out to do odd jobs. Around four or five in the afternoon, Bei Jiwu carried his shovel back to the fields.

"Brother Wu, everything is ready for you."

Gao Qiuyue led her horse over, with a hoe and a bag of millet on its back.

Beiji Wu put down the wheat scythe and said to Wen Zhaohu standing next to him, "This thing always makes my hands sweat and slip, otherwise I could have done two more acres. How many acres did you do today?"

Wen Zhaohu said, "I worked on sixteen and a half mu today, but I'll count it as seventeen mu for you. I'll go back and study this, and ask the carpenters in the village how to modify it."

Beijiwu said, "Sixteen mu will do. Any extra will be for food and horse rental fees."

Wen Zhaohu said to his daughter-in-law, "Okay, you calculate the cost, I'll go see if this thing works."

Wen Zhaohu was also capable of working in the fields. Before Beijiwu arrived, this old man was the main force in harvesting wheat.

Qiuyue took out a handkerchief from her bosom, which contained some loose silver and copper coins.

Looking at the woman's body, Beijiwu noticed that, due to being well-fed and watered, her healthy female body exuded a special charm.

Qiu Yue quickly noticed Bei Ji Wu's staring gaze, blushed, wrapped up the calculated silver and copper coins along with her handkerchief, and handed them to Bei Ji Wu.

"Here you go. Will you come again tomorrow?"

"Come on." Arctic Martial Arts still needs to make some money.

Qiuyue whispered, "Then I'll cook for you again tomorrow. Did you like the noodles today?"

"Delicious." Beiji Wu accepted his wages after a hard day's work. Even though he knew it was a scheme, he sometimes felt regretful for not falling for it.

Fortunately, it was broad daylight, so the two of them were somewhat restrained.

Qiuyue brushed a strand of hair that had been blown down by the wind. "I won't let my mother-in-law help me tomorrow. I'll make it for you myself."

"Alright." Beijiwu didn't want to stand there any longer, so he put away the silver and said, "I'm leaving, you should go back too."

Qiu Yue watched as Bei Jiwu mounted his horse, then looked up at him and said, "Be careful on the road."

“Definitely.” Beijiwu rode off on his horse.

Young bodies often get intoxicated due to excess blood and energy, but a gust of wind will calm them down.

Qiu Yue watched as Bei Jiwu rode his horse towards a place of beautiful mountains and clear waters, and then slowly returned to her monotonous mansion to live a quiet and dull life as a young mistress, where she could eat her fill and stay warm.

Beijiwu rode his horse back to Beitian Village. Because of the heat, he didn't rush to finish the journey, so as not to tire the horse out.

After taking a rest stop along the way, they rode back to Kitada Village.

Kitada was working with his son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter when he saw Kitakuri Takeshi riding back on horseback.

The Beitian family ignored the scoundrel, but Aunt Song from the East Village, who was working nearby, greeted him.

"Master Wu, why did you bring back a whole bag of grain today? How many acres of land did you harvest?"

Beiji Wu was in a good mood today and laughed, "Today, the rich man in Hutou Town bought a wheat harvester. I don't know how many taels of silver it cost, but it works quite well. He can only harvest two mu a day with it, but when I used it, I harvested sixteen mu in one day! The silver he received today, a little over one tael of loose silver, is equivalent to the price of three or four mu of wheat."

Beijiwu shouted from his horse again: "I only have this much money. If anyone asks me for money, I'll slap them across the face and let them taste blood! We're all from the same village. If you die, you die. Don't cause trouble for others."

After Beijiwu rode away on horseback, the group of people began to mutter curses under their breath.

Despite being a notorious bully hated by everyone in the village, no one dared to offend him.

(End of this chapter)