Reborn in the 1980s: Nine Stunning Beauties Get Pregnant Before Marriage

Chen Yongqiang then changed the subject: "Uncle Qin Shan, you've tried our sweet potatoes, what did you think?"

Qin Shan chuckled and replied, "They're delicious and big! I'd like to plant some next year too. I've been keeping the ones you gave me in the cellar; I can't bear to eat them."

Chen Yongqiang continued, "You can eat as much as you want; I'll give you some sweet potato vines later."

"That's what I wanted to tell you. Next spring, I plan to work with these hardworking villagers to plant this high-quality sweet potato."

Qin Shan looked at Chen Yongqiang, seemingly not understanding. "To...plant together with everyone?"

Chen Yongqiang said calmly, "This sweet potato variety is good, with high yield and a sweet and glutinous taste. If it can be planted in large areas and reach a certain scale, it will be a viable option, whether for personal consumption or for sale in towns or even counties."

Qin Shan finally understood, and his eyes lit up: "Yongqiang, you really have a big heart!"

Chen Yongqiang had already figured it out: "Relying solely on farming and depending on the weather for a living, living hand to mouth year after year, is not a sustainable solution. Our land here isn't bad, and our people aren't bad either; what we lack is a reliable approach and a leader who can unite everyone as one."

"After much thought, I've realized that for this to succeed, it won't work if I shout myself hoarse. You'll oversee the technical aspects and take care of things in the fields, while I'll mainly run around looking for sales channels and resolving any issues that are difficult for everyone to handle. What do you think?"

Chen Yongqiang's words placed a heavy burden and immense trust directly on Qin Shan's shoulders.

His mind raced, thinking of his empty rice bin. "Yongqiang, if you really trust me, I, Qinshan, will have no problem with it! I can't promise anything else, but I'm good at putting in the hard work in the fields and taking good care of things! You point me in the right direction, and I promise I'll follow you to the end!"

What Chen Yongqiang wanted was Qin Shan's honesty and hard work. "As for the specifics, we'll discuss it after the New Year, before spring. We'll gather all the interested and hardworking people together."

The system's task required him to lead some villagers to get rich first.

But putting that reason aside, Chen Yongqiang also had his own reasons.

One person can't earn all the money. Bringing together the hardworking and honest villagers to form a united force can not only accomplish the task but also truly improve everyone's lives, and solidify one's position in the village. It's a win-win situation.

"Okay, whatever you say!" Qin Shan looked at Chen Yongqiang, and the image of this young man grew even more impressive in his mind. He was not only capable, but also had a broad mind.

If Chen Yongqiang hadn't already been with Lin Xiulian, Qin Shan would have wanted to marry his daughter to him.

Over a bowl of hot water, two men set the initial tone for a momentous event that could change the lives of many people on this ordinary night.

Lin Xiulian had already prepared the meal, and Chen Yongqiang wanted Qin Shan to stay and eat with them.

Upon hearing that he was invited to stay for dinner, Qin Shan quickly waved his hand, "No, no, my family has definitely saved some food for me; the children are waiting. I'll head back now. Just call me anytime if you need anything!"

Chen Yongqiang knew that Qin Shan was embarrassed to keep eating for free, so he didn't insist that Qin Shan stay. He saw him to the door and then turned back.

A simple egg noodle dish, paired with homemade pickled vegetables, makes for a perfect dinner.

Lin Xiulian picked out a large bowl of noodles for Chen Yongqiang and served herself some: "What you were saying to Uncle Qin Shan earlier, were you really going to lead everyone to plant those sweet potatoes? It sounds like a thankless task."

Chen Yongqiang slurped up a mouthful of hot noodles: "Going it alone, with only a few acres of land, even the best crops can't grow into a gold mine."

"The goal is to develop this valuable product on a large scale. When we grow more sweet potatoes, we can find wider avenues to sell them at better prices."

Lin Xiulian listened and slowly ate her noodles. She was pregnant and couldn't be of much help. Since Chen Yongqiang had said that, he probably already had a plan in mind.

"I'm just worried that you're overworking yourself and worrying too much. You're very opinionated now, and I can't stop you from doing what you want. Just think more about yourself and don't just think about others."

"I know what I'm doing. If this is handled well, it will not only help others, but also make our family better off. It's not a long-term solution for me to go hunting in the mountains all by myself." Chen Yongqiang knew that hunting in the mountains would be banned in a few years.

After the land was divided, the villagers had free time and went to Qinglong Mountain to forage for wild products, which seriously damaged the ecology.

He now roughly understands why the Mountain God System would issue such a task.

If farming could make money, no one would go to dangerous mountains.

The next morning, Chen Yongqiang brought some rice and noodles to Ding Wanru's house.

When Ding Wanru saw Chen Yongqiang carrying things in, she said, "There's still food at home, you don't need to take any for me."

Her gaze swept over the practical food, a mix of sweetness and nervousness, like a thief caught in the act, and she subconsciously glanced outside the courtyard gate.

Chen Yongqiang placed the things on the stone table in the courtyard and looked at her: "I need your help with something."

"It's cold outside, let's go inside and talk." Ding Wanru led him into the main room.

Chen Yongqiang stated his purpose directly: "Wanru, I want to learn from you how to process medicinal herbs, especially how to make them into pills that are easy to carry and store."

Ding Wanru's gaze swept over Chen Yongqiang's muscular physique, a look of doubt on her face: "You're as strong as an ox, and you're perfectly healthy, so why are you learning this?"

She knew this man's physique all too well; his boundless energy always overwhelmed her during intimacy, leaving her feeling utterly exhausted and on the verge of death.

Chen Yongqiang had already prepared his explanation: "It has nothing to do with my health. I often go into the mountains, where there are many snakes and insects, and bumps and scrapes are inevitable. I've learned some emergency skills, just in case."

As Ding Wanru listened, the doubt in her eyes gradually dissipated: "Processing medicinal herbs and combining them into medicines is no child's play. There are specific procedures and temperature requirements. If you really want to learn, you have to calm down and start from the most basic knowledge of identifying herbs."

"If you're willing to teach me, I'll definitely learn seriously and won't be impatient. I'll memorize what I need to remember and practice what I need to practice." Chen Yongqiang was also practicing for his own body-tempering pills, since he previously knew nothing about pharmacology.

With Ding Wanru's patient guidance, Chen Yongqiang learned very quickly.

He was quick-witted and accurate to the point, and since this matter concerned his future usefulness, he studied it with extra care.

Ding Wanru first taught him to recognize some of the most basic and commonly used herbs, including those for stopping bleeding and reducing inflammation.

Then came the practical part: the two moved to the inner room that Ding Wanru had specially used to process medicinal herbs.

Ding Wanru demonstrates how to finely grind dried herbs into powder using a mortar and pestle.

Chen Yongqiang stood beside her, very close, and could almost feel the rhythm of her wrist movements.

"You give it a try," Ding Wanru said, pushing the earthenware bowl in front of him.

Chen Yongqiang took it and, imitating her, began to stir vigorously.

With Ding Wanru's gentle corrections and guidance, he quickly mastered the technique.

After preparing the medicinal materials, they were boiled and simmered into a paste. Chen Yongqiang scooped out a small lump of the paste and rolled it into a pill the size of a longan.

"You learn so fast." Ding Wanru picked up a pill made by Chen Yongqiang and looked at it.

Chen Yongqiang responded, "You're the best teacher."