They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 336 Visiting the Cotton Fields in Qingyang County

Zeng Xiaoyan chuckled and said, "That's right. Otherwise, how could we just take the money if we were only dividing it up? We have to do something to make it proper. My second sister-in-law is eager to do it for me. She keeps saying that I should rest properly, but I say that this work is not tiring at all and I don't need to rest. Which of the aunts, grandmas, and sisters-in-law in our village doesn't go to the fields when they are pregnant? And they are all fine. My second sister-in-law also said that I am different from others because I come from a wealthy family and my body is naturally more precious. I just ignored her."

"Does she really think I don't know what she's up to? If we leave this to her, we're in big trouble!"

Xu Zhichun and the others laughed when they heard this.

Thinking about Zhao's personality and way of doing things, Xu Zhichun felt a chill run down his spine.

Zhao lacked a sense of propriety.

If she were truly "working for" Zeng Xiaoyan, she wouldn't just do her job honestly. She would ask all sorts of questions, wanting to see everything clearly and remember it all. When she got back, she would probably describe it to her family in the same way and let them try it out.

As for what would happen if her family members found out and set up a stall in the city to sell their wares, perhaps even at a lower price, Xu Zhichun wouldn't care.

They have no guilty conscience.

If it weren't for the village head's disapproval and her aunt's ability to control her, who knows how many times she would have run to Xu Zhichun to beg for all sorts of things.

Neither Xu Zhichun nor Aunt Zhu'er wanted to work with Zhao Shi.

Even Xiao Muxiang knew this, and upon hearing Zeng Xiaoyan's words, she quickly said, "Third Young Madam Liang, if you need to rest, just rest. You don't need to ask anyone to take your place. There's not much work to begin with, and I can do more, really! No problem at all!"

Everyone found it even more hilarious.

Zeng Xiaoyan laughed heartily: "Good, good, good, look how scared you are!"

Mu Xiang said awkwardly, "Ah, no, no, I wasn't scared."

"Okay, okay, I understand!"

"hey-hey."

Amidst laughter and conversation, the group discussed and arranged everything. Xu Zhichun decided that the next morning, Yang Xiaoan would drive her, Granny Qin Qing, and Chunfen to the Loujia Village farm, and Zhang Quan would drive them to Qingyang County.

Muxiang stayed behind with her much-grown puppy, Xiaoshan, to guard the house. The Gao family compound was very safe once the front and back gates were closed. Muxiang wasn't spoiled, so she was fine being left alone.

The next day, when they went to Qingyang County, Liang Xiaoman drove the carriage and took Zhang Quan with him, who sat on the edge of the carriage. They could take turns driving.

Only some finishing touches remained in the fields. Mao Xiaofeng was an expert farmer, and with him and Liu Guang methodically overseeing the remaining work, that was enough. No one could cause trouble under Mao Xiaofeng's watchful eye.

Liang Xiaoman wanted to travel more and broaden his horizons, and he also suggested that Aunt Zhichun accompany him and Zhang Quan, two men, to make a more impressive and intimidating impression.

In case something happens on the way, having more people means having more strength.

Xu Zhichun thought about it and realized it made sense.

It's true that Chunfen is strong and a good fighter, but she's small and thin, so she has zero intimidating power.

We can't just resort to violence all the time; it's better to achieve our goals through deterrence.

We arrived at the village before lunch.

When Steward Mao heard that the master had arrived, he hurriedly came out to greet him and quickly ordered the kitchen to prepare a meal.

"I guessed that Madam might be coming in the next few days, and sure enough, she came, hehe."

Xu Zhichun smiled and asked, "How are the cotton seedlings growing?"

"It's about three inches long."

"Then we've come at just the right time. I'll go check this afternoon; we can start preparing for the transplanting. Is the cotton field all ready?"

"Yes, the fertilizer has been prepared as instructed by Madam."

"Thank you for your hard work, Manager Mao." "Hehe, it's my pleasure."

Xu Zhichun introduced Liang Xiaoman and Steward Mao.

The two greeted each other amicably, secretly sizing each other up. Neither dared to underestimate the other, for reasons that were surprisingly similar.

Manager Mao was already frightened by Xu Zhichun's combination of warnings and reprimands, and now he behaves very well in front of Xu Zhichun, not daring to have any wicked thoughts.

Although Steward Liang looks young, his young age only proves that he is remarkable, has extraordinary abilities, and is not to be trifled with. Otherwise, why would Madam Xu promote him?

Liang Xiaoman thought about the same thing. Manager Mao must have some outstanding qualities, otherwise why would Aunt Zhichun hire him as manager? She must seize the opportunity to communicate with him and learn from him.

My master said that only by observing more, moving around more, and learning more can we accumulate more and more experience, and only then can we do better and go further.

The two of them had similar thoughts, and they were very polite and friendly when they talked afterwards, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

Chunfen loved this village. She was happy to come. After lunch, she told Xu Zhichun and ran out to play.

As evening approached and the sun was about to set, Steward Mao led Xu Zhichun to see the seedling nursery.

Liang Xiaoman and Granny Qin Qing also went along.

In the eyes of Manager Mao and others, cotton seedlings were precious. They were very careful when taking care of them, doing exactly what Xu Zhichun instructed them to do without daring to relax at all.

Although Xu Zhichun didn't understand this at first, there were plenty of books of this kind in her space. After diligent study, she now understands it and can easily call herself a half-expert.

These seeds are all excellent varieties, not only producing cotton bolls well, but also having a strong advantage in resisting diseases and pests. As long as you cultivate them carefully, the seedlings will definitely be strong and healthy.

Looking at the vast expanse of lush, green, and robust cotton seedlings, Xu Zhichun was overjoyed.

According to the standard of three leaves and one heart, these cotton plants are at the right time for transplanting.

"Everyone has worked hard. Once the cotton seedlings have been transplanted, everyone will be rewarded."

The servants following behind were overjoyed and expressed their gratitude one after another. "Don't worry, Madam, we will transplant them well and make sure that every cotton seedling grows well."

"Of course! These are cotton seedlings, they're very precious!"

Manager Mao also smiled and thanked everyone on their behalf, saying, "Madam is so kind and generous. What would we be if we didn't do our jobs properly?"

"Yes, yes, Steward Mao is right!"

The next morning, when it was time to transplant the seedlings, Xu Zhichun and others went to the field themselves.

Xu Zhichun began to guide them step by step, instructing them to remove the potting soil along with the seedlings using a mini shovel, to handle them gently, to plant them in shallow holes in the ground, and to water them thoroughly to help them establish roots.

The sun was too strong, so we used rolls of coarse linen that we had prepared beforehand to spread out and use stakes to support and fix the cotton seedlings section by section, shading them row by row and piece by piece.

The farmhands and tenants all found it novel.

After all, I've never seen anyone do this when they've grown so many crops.

Although this coarse linen is rough, it can still be used to make clothes. It's perfect for wearing while working, and it would be such a waste to use it to shade the seedlings.

But since their employers demanded it, they dared not say anything and could only continue working while feeling the pinch.

"These cotton seedlings are so precious!"

"Absolutely! More precious than a person."

"Cotton is valuable to begin with."

"That's true. Madam is very knowledgeable; she says this approach is definitely the right one!"