Era: I was a farmer at the foot of Yaoling Mountain

Chapter 118 Material Basis, Big Pot Meal
After the Waking of Insects, the weather gradually becomes warmer.

Bursts of spring thunder woke up the earth that had been dormant for a whole winter, and Fang Wei, Zheng Hu and others began to arrange spring plowing work.

In fact, every year is the same, sowing, germination, raising seedlings, transplanting, etc., looking forward to the harvest of the year in the repetitive work.

For this season's early rice, the team decided to plant the third-generation rice seeds [Nanguang No. 120] in acres of fields.

Of the 100-mu experimental field, 10 mu was used to plant the sterile line + [Youhongsan], 10 mu was used to plant the sterile line + "Gongmi", and the remaining 10 mu was used to plant the newly discovered sterile plants.

There are also 70 acres of land used to grow the second generation of [Gongmi] rice seeds.

These sterile plants were obtained through various channels, such as Company Commander Yang, the purchasing station, Wu Maosheng and Sun Zhenxing. Wei Guanghua also helped find some from Lin County.

Researching hybrid rice is a long, complex and tedious task that cannot be accomplished by people without patience.

The planting this time is different from the previous ones. Among them, 10 acres of experimental fields are mixed with sterile plants and [Youhongsan]. The interval planting method is adopted to make the two types of rice close to each other, which is convenient for pollination of sterile plants.

Thus, a sterile line was produced.

Another 10 mu of experimental fields are planted with a mixture of sterile lines and tribute rice, and the planting method will also adopt the interval planting method to cultivate hybrid rice seeds.

Here, [Gongmi] is intended to be used as a restoration line, and the rice seeds produced contain genes from three varieties of rice: [Sterile Plant], [Youhongsan], and [Gongmi].

As for what specific characteristics will be manifested, it remains to be seen.

But for Fang Wei, regional attributes will definitely be engraved in the genes of the new rice varieties, such as disease resistance, drought resistance, yield-boosting characteristics, strong plant characteristics, etc.

Therefore, he only needs to care about the basic yield of hybrid rice and the final taste of the rice.

The higher the basic yield, the higher the upper limit of hybrid rice yield in the future.

The better the taste, the greater the market for hybrid rice will be in the future.

It may seem simple, but the current plan was actually the result of a lot of analysis, especially pairing experiments in previous seasons.

Not to mention [Youhongsan], it has been proved in previous hybridization experiments that the rice seeds bred from the hybridization of the two will still maintain the characteristics of stable male sterile plants.

During the planting process of [Gongmi] last year, attempts were made to hybridize it with sterile plants, and it showed the characteristics of a restorer line in the third season.

Fang Wei was attracted by the superior taste of Gongmi and hoped that this characteristic could be incorporated into the new hybrid rice.

After continuous cultivation, we now have enough sterile rice seeds to temporarily stop. We have selected the [Youhongsan] rice seeds as the maintenance line, and the quantity is also sufficient to support subsequent experiments.

Only the quantity of [tribute rice] is relatively small, so we have increased our cultivation efforts this season.

A few days passed quickly.

The spring sowing work in the fields and experimental fields was completed. Fang Wei had a little free time and started to take care of his own affairs.

In the morning, he took a walk around the team and then rode his bike to the commune.

"Sister Yufen, are you busy?"

"Well, wait for me for a moment. Go sit over there. I'll come find you when I'm done."

Fang Wei found Jiang Yufen, but she was busy with the inspection, so he asked her to find a place to rest first and talk later.

"Okay, you get busy first."

Fang Wei guessed that the other party would not be able to finish the work in a short time, so he went to the supply and marketing cooperative.

There are very few goods in the store, mostly daily necessities.

After looking for a long time, he didn't buy anything, and then went to wait for Jiang Yufen.

"Are you anxious to wait?"

"It's okay, it didn't take long. Sister Yufen, do you have any way to get some cloth coupons? Even if it costs a little money, it's fine."

Fang Wei went to see Jiang Yufen to buy a new ticket. If she couldn't solve the problem, he would have no choice but to try his luck at the black market in the county.

He hasn't been to the black market in all these years.

"Hush! I know about this. Wait for me for a few days. I'll come to you when I have news."

Jiang Yufen looked around and then replied in a low voice.

Fang Wei may not know that the county has recently started to rectify underground transactions and has dealt with several people who have been engaged in reselling for a long time. She has to be careful now.

"Okay! Then I'll go back and wait for news."

"Yeah, don't run around these days. Just stay home and wait."

Jiang Yufen winked at Fang Wei, who understood immediately and guessed that there was something going on.

It was not until he saw Jiang Yufen again two days later that he learned what had happened in the county.

"I've got the cloth coupons for you. Do you think they're enough? If not, I'll find a way when I get back."

While talking, Jiang Yufen took out a stack of cloth coupons from her pocket, enough for Fang Wei and Pan Lianhua to make two new sets of clothes each.

"That's enough! Thank you, Sister Yufen. How much did you spend on these cloth coupons? I'll give them to you now."

Fang Wei was very happy. Jiang Yufen was much more sophisticated than his female classmate Jiang Yulin, and her behavior was impeccable.

Since the other person had helped him, there was no reason to ask him to pay for it, so after thanking him, he prepared to pay him.

"It's free, but could you get me some cheap rice? Not much, just 200 kilograms."

Jiang Yufen got these cloth coupons by doing a favor to someone and didn't spend any money.

But favors must be repaid. If you can get some affordable rice back, not only can you repay the favor, but you can also bring honor to yourself.

"It's no big deal! Well, wait for the team's tractor to go to the commune to do some business, and I'll bring it over to you."

The thing the Fang family has the most is rice. He can go and grind the rice and give it to the other party.

"No, I'll come get it myself. You don't know, things at work are complicated, so it's better not to let them see it. Okay, I have something else to do, so I'll leave first."

Jiang Yufen is a man of action and has a strong personality, otherwise she wouldn't be able to be an inspector.

Fang Wei took some time out to make an appointment with Pan Lianhua and went to the county town.

The two of them bought some cloth at a department store and got exactly two sets each, one of which was for their wedding day.

These days, there aren’t so many formalities for getting married. There aren’t any wedding dresses or gowns. What’s more, some people just live in a room with their own bedding rolls, and that’s considered a marriage.

Fang Wei didn't want to compromise Pan Lianhua, but he also wouldn't be unrealistic. The wedding should still be based on the principles of generosity and simplicity.

"Third brother, do you want to buy a watch?"

Carrying the cloth they bought, the two continued to wander around the department store.

Fang Wei went to the watch counter and looked carefully. Actually, there wasn't much to choose from, as the variety was very limited.

"Comrade, please take out your watch and let me see it."

He then pointed at the SH brand watches on the counter and said to the salesperson.

Although the salesperson didn't smile much, his attitude was okay.

"Is this the men's SH watch? It's an all-steel model, priced at 120 yuan, and comes in 10 industrial rolls."

The salesperson took out a watch and placed it on the counter while introducing it. "And this women's watch, let me see it too."

Fang Wei then pointed to the women's model of SH brand watch. The salesperson glanced at Pan Lianhua standing next to him, then lowered his head and took out the women's watch as well.

"This is an SH brand all-steel women's watch, priced at 125 yuan."

The salesperson did not give too much introduction and waited patiently for the customer to make his choice.

Pan Lianhua quietly tugged at Fang Wei's sleeve, then leaned over to whisper in his ear, "Third brother, this is too expensive. Just buy a men's pair."

"Don't worry about it, just listen to me."

Fang Wei smiled and waved his hand, then looked up at the salesperson and said, "Comrade, please issue the invoice. I want both watches."

"Okay, let me confirm. These are one men's and one women's SH brand watch, right?"

"Correct!"

"Go over there and pay the money, then come back and pick up your watch."

The salesperson confirmed it and then lowered his head to issue the ticket.

After issuing the invoice, he clamped it with an iron clip, hung it on the wire above his head, and threw it out with a "whoosh" sound, directly arriving at the checkout counter.

Fang Wei went over and paid 245 yuan and 20 industrial certificates, and came back with two watches.

To be honest, he had to thank Tang Ze. If it weren't for him, he wouldn't be able to buy anything with the money.

He then spent another 164 yuan on a 26-inch bicycle. He bought it for Pan Lianhua, so she could use it after they got married. Finally, he looked for a sewing machine and bought one for 133 yuan.

The trip cost him 442 yuan in one go, far exceeding the annual cash income of most farmers.

He didn't need to buy quilts, sheets, pillows, thermos and washbasin, as Pan Lianhua's family would provide them as a dowry.

After leaving the department store, Fang Wei called Deng Yuanen, and the three of them went to a restaurant to eat. He ordered four dishes, which cost a total of 2 yuan, and also ordered a pound of rice, which cost 3 cents and a pound of food coupons.

The meal cost a total of 2 yuan, and all three of us were full.

"walk home."

After eating and drinking, Deng Yuanen drove the tractor, carrying Fang Wei, Pan Lianhua and the purchased things, and returned to the village.

Tian Guihua and Fang Ping ran over to help unload things. After the sewing machine was set up, Tian Guihua touched it gently and couldn't let it go.

She has always dreamed of owning a sewing machine like this, which would be very convenient for her to mend clothes or make clothes for her family.

"Sister-in-law, if you need anything, you can come and use it anytime. Otherwise, it will just become a decoration."

Fang Wei saw this scene and said with a smile.

"Yes, sister-in-law, I don't know how to use a sewing machine yet. You have to teach me in the future."

Pan Lianhua also said this, and Tian Guihua couldn't help but smile.

She was actually worried. What if her younger brother didn't pay much attention to her and his older brother after getting married? Now it seems that her worries were unfounded. Neither her younger brother nor Sister Lianhua were the kind of people who didn't care about feelings.

"Third brother, let's hurry up and paint the house before the rainy season comes."

Fang Ping was also very pleased. Such a trivial matter could reflect his third brother's true thoughts.

It seems that the third brother will not become estranged from his family just because he gets married.

The two brothers discussed continuing to repair the house, and Pan Lianhua followed Tian Guihua back to cook.

After dinner, Pan Lianhua returned to the village.

Fang Wei and his elder brother worked hard and finally cleaned the house in less than half a month.

[Repair the house, points +1260, total points: 149477 points.]

The house was tidied and the furniture was built, including two bicycles and a sewing machine.

In addition, Fang Wei and Pan Lianhua each had a watch, but they had put it away for the time being. On their wedding day, the newlyweds would wear the watches on each other's wrists.

The rest are daily necessities such as pots, pans, and bowls. Most of these things, including bedding, will be given as dowry by Pan Lianhua's parents.

"Okay, Third Brother, just wait until August to become the groom."

Fang Ping walked around the house a few times and felt very satisfied.

Our family's conditions are not as good as those of urban families, but we are unique in the entire Xiatang Brigade.

In fact, Fang Wei still saved a lot of money. For example, he didn't spend any money on furniture. He and his elder brother did it themselves, and the high-quality wood was donated by the villagers.

After finishing my own personal affairs, it was time to plant rice.

The entire second team was mobilized, men, women, young and old all joined in, and everyone got up very early.

Several large pots were set up on the open space in front of the team office, and the fire was burning brightly.

In one of the pots, steamed buns were being steamed, and in the other pot, sweet potato and corn porridge was being cooked, emitting bursts of sweet aroma.

A group of women, including the women's director and Tian Guihua, were busy working in the makeshift kitchen. They had stir-fried vegetables for the morning meal, and the spicy dried radish everyone had contributed was divided into small plates, topped with half a piece of fermented tofu.

The team is providing breakfast today, and these big pots are left over from the days when we ate in the canteen.

Guan Chongyang was in charge of serving meals. Those with young children at home also brought them to line up together. Many members recalled the taste of the big pot meals.

After the return of grain from last year arrived, the team bought it all back. Although the grain was mostly coarse grains, we couldn't let it go to waste, right?

Flour and cornmeal were put to good use today, and everyone actually enjoyed them.

"Eat your fill. It's easier to work after you're full."

Guan Chongyang was shouting loudly. He was a person who liked to be lively, so he took the initiative to come and join in the fun.

Fang Wei and Fang Ping squatted in the distance, drinking porridge and eating steamed buns with pickles. It was a very comfortable breakfast. Tingting did not join them, but ate with Tian Guihua.

Later, strong laborers began to go to the fields.

Others began to transport the seedlings. Rows of seedlings were inserted into the mud, and soon they were lined up in a neat row.

Fang Wei and several other team cadres, including Zheng Hu, Zheng Bao, and Fang Wenshu, also took the lead in working in the fields. The old accountant was not included because he was not capable of doing heavy work.

After a busy morning, the progress is encouraging.

noon.

The team cooked rice and a variety of stir-fries. Although there was no meat, the food was rich in fat and spicy enough, and everyone enjoyed it very much.

A few days passed in a flash, and the rice planting work was successfully completed. Many members were still thinking about the "big pot meal" in the team.

"Third brother, a lot of the grain we sold back to China was consumed. Let's have some big pot meals for a few more days during the summer harvest."

Zheng Hu has been very busy these days. Not only does he have to participate in the labor personally, but he is also responsible for organization and coordination. He is even more tired than the team leader Fang Wei.

Fang Wei put more of his energy into the experimental field, but fortunately Fang Ping and others were already familiar with the entire process, so nothing went wrong.

(End of this chapter)