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

Chapter 97: Friends from afar, learning and communication

This time when they went to the mountains to pick wild tea oil seeds, Fang Wei also asked Zheng Hu and others to bring back some tea oil tree branches.

"These branches are all collected from 10-year-old trees. The mother trees are healthy and strong, and the quality is excellent."

His words dispelled Gao Qingshan's worries. In his designated area, it was not difficult to survive.

A year later, he can consider improving the team's tea oil trees and cultivating new economic forests (chestnut forests).

"Team Leader Fang, I'll be busy in the woods during the day and will compile some of my experiences into a document at night. I'll leave it to you when I leave. The young people around you are all very good. If you learn more knowledge, they will all become successful in the future."

Gao Qingshan was moved and said a few words from his heart to Fang Wei.

He, Mr. Luo, Mr. Wen and others are all members of the breeding team, and they all have the benefits that others should have.

Whether it was the distribution of rations, meat, or even the distribution of tea oil this time, they all had a share.

But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Although he still has many regrets in his heart, what is coming will eventually come.

"Hmm? Are you guys going back soon?"

Fang Wei reacted quickly and immediately realized that the transferred personnel were about to return to work.

This was expected, but he hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

By the second half of this year, the situation in most parts of the country has improved, and the return of diverted personnel is foreseeable.

However, he thought that this matter would not be implemented until at least the beginning of next year.

"There is no specific policy yet, it's just my personal guess."

Gao Qingshan smiled and waved his hand. He and Fang Wei had similar estimates. They would leave this small mountain village by the end of this year or the beginning of next year.

Fang Wei nodded silently, then called aside a few friends who were studying with him, and told them to seize the time to study and ask more questions if they didn't understand anything.

Then he left the [Afforestation Area] and planned to visit the [Pig Farm].

"Little scholar, it's so hard to find you. Come on, follow me to the team headquarters. Secretary Tang is waiting for you."

Halfway through the journey, Fang Wei met Zheng Xianfa.

Zheng Xianfa ran over hurriedly and said that Secretary Tang from the commune had arrived and asked to see him.

Fang Wei followed the other party to the team headquarters.

"Fang Wei, you've made quite a fuss. Zhejiang has contacted the county and the commune. They're very interested in your improved [Nongken 58] new rice variety and are planning to send someone over to exchange ideas and learn from it."

When Tang Ze saw Fang Wei, he asked him to sit over.

He then explained the purpose of his trip and asked the second team and the breeding group to do a good job of reception and try their best to satisfy the comrades coming from Zhejiang.

Fang Wei was very surprised and immediately thought of Sun Zhenxing.

He had previously sent the other party several kilograms of the third-generation rice seeds of [Nongken 58]. It must be these seeds that caused the trouble, which is why the other party came all the way to learn and exchange.

"Secretary Tang, may I ask when the comrades from Zhejiang will arrive? If they arrive during the autumn harvest, we'll have a lot of work ahead of us."

Fang Wei actually wanted to turn this matter down, but he couldn't say it directly, so he could only bring up the autumn harvest.

The path he has taken cannot be replicated by others, and the so-called communication and learning is a pure waste of time.

"It won't happen by then. The comrades from Zhejiang will arrive in three days. Fang Wei, you'll be in charge of this matter. The commune will allocate the required money and grain to you immediately, and will also allocate some meat."

Tang Ze didn't notice Fang Wei's subtext. Because the county attached great importance to this matter, he was naturally under a lot of pressure.

But since they were coming in the name of learning and exchange, the commune couldn't handle the reception, so it had to be handed over to the second team and Fang Wei.

The agricultural production technology in Zhejiang is more advanced than that in local areas. It is very meaningful for us to be able to come to the remote county to study and exchange ideas.

"Okay, Secretary Tang, I will ensure that the task is completed."

Fang Wei sighed in his heart and could only accept this matter "happily".

Tang Ze nodded with satisfaction. He was still very confident in the young man in front of him.

"Comrade Fang Wei, regarding breeding work, what are your plans going forward?"

"I do have some ideas, but they're not mature yet. I plan to start implementing them next spring and strive to cultivate better quality rice seeds."

Fang Wei did not mention the hybrid rice issue. He discovered that leaders all liked to whip the fast bull.

It is better to keep some things in your own hands and not publicize them too early, so as to avoid constant pressure from those above you.

To be honest, I am just a farmer and I don’t get paid a penny. All I want is to live a better life. There is no need for me to run forward desperately.

"I'm glad you have an idea! I'm waiting for your good news."

In fact, Tang Ze had no intention of urging Fang Wei. His current performance was already sufficient. As long as he could deliver another outstanding performance in the autumn harvest, he would be able to be promoted to the county smoothly.

Asking this is more out of curiosity.

Afterwards, the two chatted about some other things and Tang Ze left the second team.

"Little scholar, you are truly remarkable. You actually have technicians from other provinces coming to learn from you. Don't worry about the reception work; the team will handle it all. Just communicate well with the visitors and don't let them look down on you."

Zheng Xianfa felt very honored. This was the first time such a thing had happened in Yaoling Commune, not to mention the entire county.

The fact that people took the initiative to come and learn and communicate meant that the third generation of rice seeds [Nongken 58] developed by the young scholar were extraordinary, and he should pay attention to it.

Before, no one was very interested in the [Nongken 58] japonica rice, but the fact that people from Zhejiang came to exchange and learn about it made Zheng Xianfa start to re-examine this rice variety.

Maybe try planting it later?
During dinner, Fang Wei discussed this with his elder brother. Fang Ping thought it was perfectly normal. After all, the first generation of [Nongken 58] rice seeds had come from Zhejiang, and now that there had been a breakthrough in seed breeding, it was only natural for them to come and see it.

seeing is believing.

the next day.

Fang Wei went to the Yao village to look for Pan Lianhua and played for a day. When people from Zhejiang came later, he had no free time and had to accompany them from morning to night.

Pan Lianhua could understand that business was more important, and she was not ignorant.

On that day, a group of five people led by Sun Zhenxing arrived at the second production team of Xiatang Brigade, Yaoling Commune.

"Hello, Professor Sun! We've exchanged letters before, and today I finally meet you in person. You're younger than I thought. I originally thought you were a white-haired old professor like Mr. Wu."

Sun Zhenxing wore a pair of glasses and looked to be in his early forties.

Fang Wei smiled and walked forward to shake hands with the other party, appearing very enthusiastic.

"You are just as I imagined, very young and full of energy. Please forgive me for coming in such a hurry this time."

Sun Zhenguo had thought about writing a letter to Fang Wei, but because the matter progressed too quickly, he left in a hurry after receiving the notice. How could he have the time to write a letter?
Besides, mailing is very slow. Even if he wrote the letter, it might not arrive by the time the person arrives.

After everyone had introduced themselves to each other, Zheng Xianfa took them to find accommodations. The team had no trouble arranging accommodations for five people, including meals. Sun Zhenxing and the others had been eating at the team leader's home for the past few days.

Several team cadres took turns to be responsible for the meals of Sun Zhenxing and others.

After everyone settled in, Zheng Xianfa called Sun Zhenxing and others to his house for dinner, and also called Fang Weiyi to go along.

After dinner, Sun Zhenxing insisted on going to the experimental field despite being tired from the journey.

Fang Wei thought it was fine. If he wanted to go and see it, he could go and see it. It was not something to be ashamed of, and there was no secret at all.

"It's [Nongken 58], it looks really good!"

Sun Zhenxing and others looked at the heavy ears of rice, took off their shoes, rolled up their trouser legs and walked into the rice fields.

After careful examination, they confirmed that this was the "Nongken 58" rice variety from Zhejiang. However, compared to the original "Nongken 58," the rice before them appeared stronger, and the yield was estimated to be much higher.

"Team Leader Fang, could you give us some basic information about this rice variety?"

Back on the ridge of the field, Sun Zhenxing began to understand the situation.

They were all agricultural experts, having participated in the cultivation of [Nongken 58] that year. They had many questions about the scene before them and were eager to know the answers.

Of course, no one would be foolish enough to ask about the specific cultivation process.

Traditional cultivation methods are the same; they require detailed data on the rice variety, such as yield, growth cycle, climate requirements, and water and fertilizer consumption.

"Everyone, since [Nongken 58] hasn't been widely promoted for cultivation in this area yet, the data I have here is based on experimental fields. The details are as follows."

There is nothing to keep secret about this. The data is in Fang Wei's mind and he can tell it without any hesitation.

As he recounted this, Sun Zhenxing and the others' mouths dropped open wider and wider. It was completely baffling. Was this still the same [Nongken 58] japonica rice they were familiar with? Why did it sound like a completely new variety?

Fortunately, they have plenty of time and can slowly understand many details.

"Team Leader Fang, we plan to calculate some data ourselves starting tomorrow. Do you think it would be convenient for you?"

Sun Zhenxing digested the large amount of information he had obtained and then made a request.

Fang Wei didn't care about these and nodded in agreement without hesitation.

Soon, five more busy figures appeared in the fields of Team 5. When they first arrived, these people were dressed cleanly, but now their clothes were dirtier than those of the other members of the cooperative.

"Incredible!"

"Incredible!"

This is what the five of them said the most these days, because various data showed that [Nongken 5] has far surpassed the original rice varieties and reached a height that they have not yet reached.

After staying in the second team for 10 days, Sun Zhenxing and others were completely desperate. According to their current research route, it was impossible to cultivate the third generation of rice seeds of [Nongken 58].

So they discussed it and decided to walk on two legs.

One way is to continue to cultivate the Zhejiang-based [Nongken 58] rice variety, which, after negotiation between the two parties, was called the [Nongken 58-Z] series.

Another way is to introduce the third-generation rice variety [Nongken 58] developed by Fang Wei, which is called the [Nongken 58-X] series.

evening.

Sun Zhenxing and others invited Fang Wei to drink. While drinking, he formally proposed the plan to introduce the [Nongken 58-X] series of rice varieties.

"That's definitely no problem. If Professor Sun's family hadn't sent me the first generation of seeds, I wouldn't be able to get the rice seeds I have now. However, this matter still needs to be coordinated with the team and the commune. I don't have the final say."

Fang Wei has a scale in his heart. He will remember the source of his water and he will definitely not refuse Sun Zhenxing.

Sun Zhenxing was very happy and felt that he had not chosen the wrong person, but he accidentally got drunk.

The next day, Sun Zhenxing and his colleagues went to the commune, where Tang Ze met them. They talked for an hour, and then went to the county.

The two sides reached consensus on the introduction of rice seeds, agricultural technology cooperation and other matters, and will strengthen exchanges in the future.

"Team Leader Fang, we'll be leaving tomorrow. You're welcome to visit Zhejiang later. By the way, I'll mail you some of the latest version of the [Nongken 58-Z] rice seeds you requested when I get home."

After the two sides said goodbye, Fang Wei only made one request, asking Sun Zhenxing to mail him some of their newly developed rice seeds.

That is the latest version of rice seeds of the [Nongken 58-Z] series.

Before leaving, Sun Zhenxing made a special promise that they had gained a lot from coming here to exchange and learn.

After he returned to Zhejiang, he indeed sent Fang Wei 10 kilograms of rice seeds and a piece of high-quality ham.

This is all later, so let’s not talk about it for now.

After seeing off Sun Zhenxing and others, Fang Wei's life returned to normal.

The rice in the fields and the experimental fields have entered the fruiting period one after another, and the "sterile plants" he cultivated have also completed artificial pollination and entered the heading period.

He selected three varieties for pollinating wild male sterile rice, including the first, second and third generation rice seeds of [Nan Guang No. 1], and marked them separately.

Sterile plants cannot complete self-pollination and must have the participation of pollen from foreign rice seeds in order to bear fruit.

"Third brother, what on earth is this hybrid rice you're planning to develop? Why can't we understand it?"

Zheng Hu and his friends often followed Fang Wei. Even though Fang Wei explained the basic concepts of hybrid rice, they still couldn't understand it.

This is not surprising. After all, their foundation is too poor and some knowledge is difficult for them to understand.

"Don't worry. This hybrid rice experiment will take many years. You'll slowly figure it out."

Fang Wei did not force his teachings on them, but hoped that they would gradually understand through practice.

Then he went to the [pig farm]. The live pigs would be delivered in two days, and he needed to review the pigs selected by his uncle.

"Uncle Wu, these seven pigs you picked out are all very good, fat and strong. Come, weigh them."

[Pig Farm] There are currently 25 pigs left. The piglets from that year have grown up and are ready to be slaughtered.

Fang Wei casually ordered a big fat pig to be weighed, and it weighed 234 kilograms, which fully met the standard.

The pigs raised by the team this year are nothing like before. The pigs raised before looked very thin, but now all of them are "big fat ones", which is completely different.

This is due to sufficient feed, and the key is the attribute bonus of the [Pig Farm].

Pigs grow rapidly, have a high food conversion rate, and gain weight quickly. These pigs never get sick, and each one is as strong as a puppy.

"Just these seven pigs. The day after tomorrow I'll let Hu Zi and the others go with you. I won't go."

Fang Wei didn't take the handover of live pigs seriously. With Zheng Hu around, he could just give the inspectors at the given level two packs of cigarettes and there would be no problem.

The key point is that the pigs raised in the team are really good. Even if the other party is acting against their conscience, it is not easy to arbitrarily grade them.

(End of this chapter)