Starting with vegetable greenhouses in 1988

Chapter 173 Trial Planting
With a solution found for the melon seedling problem, Teacher Chen relaxed and asked Li Zhe, "Mr. Li, if the mulch film for vegetable greenhouses can be transparent or black, can the greenhouse film be any other color besides transparent?"

Li Zhe smiled. With years of experience in greenhouse vegetable cultivation, he was essentially standing on the shoulders of giants; this problem was simple for him. Besides transparent film, there were also blue, green, and silver-gray films available. Different choices were made depending on the region, season, and type of vegetable.

It is truly remarkable that Teacher Chen was able to think of this problem so quickly.

“Professor Chen, that’s a good question. I think we can buy all the films on the market and do experiments, build a few small-scale experimental greenhouses, and see what changes different films can bring and which vegetable crops they are suitable for.” Li Zhe knew the basic characteristics and applicable scope of various films, but he wasn’t very clear on the specific data because he had only used transparent films.

Of course, he would also offer some correct advice when planting experimental crops, since he was the one who would bear the cost of the experiments.

Led by Teacher Chen, Li Zhe went to experimental greenhouse number 19. There he saw Zhu Yimin pruning rose branches with scissors, deftly cutting off weak branches, dense branches, and old leaves at the bottom.

Teacher Chen said with a smile, "Old Zhu is a nice guy. He often helps me with chores, and he has a lot of planting experience. I've learned a lot from him."

Hearing the commotion, Zhu Yimin stood up and said, "Teacher Chen, please don't say that! My experience with this kind of vegetable is all amateurish, it can't compare to the knowledge you have from a proper university. I'm so envious that I can learn planting knowledge by working with you."

"You two are both very capable." Li Zhe said with a smile as the sedan chair was carried by many people. He looked at the newly transplanted roses, which were growing well, 30 to 50 centimeters tall, with thick branches, lush leaves, and flower buds.

Li Zhe thought to himself: If these roses could be sold at 365 Vegetable Store on Valentine's Day, they would definitely attract many more customers, which would be like free advertising.

Speaking of the vegetable store, Li Zhe remembered something else and said to Teacher Chen beside him, "Teacher Chen, I recently opened a vegetable store that caters to international customers. You must have heard about it, right?"

“Yes, I’ve heard Wei Dong mention it. I heard the business is pretty good.” Teacher Chen nodded, waiting for Li Zhe to continue.

"Teacher Chen, besides selling vegetables, I also sell some related items, such as beef, pork, and chicken. Foreigners cook these meats differently than we do in China, and they use different spices. I was wondering if you could try growing some of them?"

Teacher Chen countered with, "What spices are needed?"

"Rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, saffron..." Li Zhe counted on his fingers and rattled off a bunch of names.

After thinking for a while, Teacher Chen said, "I do know the spices you mentioned. These are indeed spices commonly used by Westerners. However, the yield of these spices is generally not high. Rosemary yields less than a thousand catties per mu, and saffron yields only a few catties per mu."

Li Zhe had also learned that these spices, compared to vegetables, did indeed have lower yields per acre, but their prices were high. Rosemary was currently reliant on imports, costing over 100 foreign exchange certificates per kilogram. If he acquired the rosemary cultivation technology, he would have virtually no competitors in this market in the short term. As for saffron, it was even more expensive, with an import price as high as 3000 foreign exchange certificates per kilogram.

“Professor Chen, although these foreign spices have low yields per acre and a small market, they belong to the high-end market and sell for considerable prices. I think it is still necessary to study them.”

Teacher Chen said, "When I go back to Beijing next time, I'll see if I can get some spice seeds to try planting."

As for saffron, you'd better forget about it. Saffron has very specific growing conditions; it only thrives at high altitudes in slightly alkaline sandy soil, has a growing cycle of up to three years, is costly, and requires extensive processing and technical investment.

“Okay, let’s try planting common herbs like rosemary and thyme first.” Li Zhe’s greatest strength is that he listens to advice. Saffron belongs to the high-end market, and he doesn’t have the capability for it right now. We can talk about it later.

"Teacher Chen, there's one more thing. The lemons I sell in my shop are local, but a foreign customer who tried them felt they were more bitter than lemons from abroad. Is there any way to improve them?"

Teacher Chen replied, "I haven't studied this either. Give me two samples later, and I'll study them when I get back to Beijing to see if it's a problem with the variety, the soil, or the planting."

"Okay, then I'll trouble you." Although Li Zhe has plenty of planting experience, he certainly can't compare to Professor Chen when it comes to some professional knowledge, which is why he wants to establish a research team.

Next year, as the greenhouse cultivation scale expands, Li Zhe will recruit even more talent in the field of planting...

……

Zhang Yuzhen's home.

Lin Xiaohu returned home earlier than usual and went straight inside as soon as he got back.

Zhang Yuzhen didn't pay much attention at first, but after all the food was on the table, Lin Xiaohu was still nowhere to be seen.

Zhang Yuzhen knew her son well; he was usually very clever. He would always help with clearing the dishes when the meal was almost finished. What was wrong with him today?

"Xiaohu, dinner's ready," Zhang Yuzhen called out, then said to her husband who was setting out the bowls and chopsticks, "What's wrong with Xiaohu today? He went straight to his room as soon as he got home."

Lin Dingyuan laughed and said, "At this age, if a man and woman are unhappy, it's most likely a relationship problem. Maybe they had a fight with Zhou. It's normal for young couples to be happy one day and fighting the next."

Zhang Yuzhen also thought it was possible, and called into the house again, "Xiao Hu, come out for dinner!"

Lin Xiaohu walked out listlessly and sat down at the table, looking absent-minded. Zhang Yuzhen asked with concern, "Xiaohu, what's wrong? Did you quarrel with Qinghe? It's normal for young girls to have emotional outbursts, just be more understanding."

Lin Xiaohu nodded without replying.

Zhang Yuzhen still felt something was wrong and wanted to ask again, but then there was a knock on the door: "Knock knock..."

"I'll go open the door." Lin Xiaohu had no appetite, so he decided not to eat and got up to walk into the yard.

Seeing her son walking silently toward the door, Zhang Yuzhen reminded him, "Xiaohu, ask who it is before opening the door."

However, whether Lin Xiaohu didn't hear or didn't take it to heart, he didn't ask any questions and simply opened the door, where he saw a middle-aged woman standing outside.

"You quick-tongued wife!" Lin Xiaohu glared and scolded, "Who gave you the right to knock on my door? You're not welcome here!"

The quick-tongued wife pointed her right finger at the other person and said, "Lin Xiaohu, I'm your elder, can't you show me some respect?"

"Do you deserve it? If you don't leave, my mom will come out and beat you up!" Lin Xiaohu said, opening his arms as if to hug him.

The quick-tongued wife was startled and quickly retreated.

At this moment, a girl stepped forward, wearing a blue cotton-padded jacket and a red scarf, and said to Lin Xiaohu, "You, Lin Xiaohu, you actually dared to hit my aunt! Are you trying to hit me too?"

"Tiger Girl... what are you doing at my house?" Lin Xiaohu took a step back, gripping the door with one hand, as if he wanted to close it.

The quick-tongued wife stood next to Tiger Girl, hands on her hips, and said, "Lin Xiaohu, aren't you going to let us in?! Do you want the neighbors to hear? You have no shame, but our Tiger Girl does!"

"What's wrong, Xiaohu? Who's here?" Zhang Yuzhen heard the noise and came out with her husband.

Upon seeing her quick-tongued wife, Zhang Yuzhen rolled up her sleeves, pointed at her nose, and yelled, "You quick-tongued wife! You tricked my little tiger into working at the fan factory, causing him so much suffering, and you still dare to kick down my door! I'll tear your face to shreds today!"

The quick-tongued wife quickly hid behind Tiger Girl and shouted, "Zhang Yuzhen, if you dare to hit me, I'll go to the police station and report your son for indecent assault, and he'll be locked up!"

Zhang Yuzhen lowered her voice: "Nonsense! How could my son possibly... If you dare to spout such nonsense again, I'll tear your mouth apart right now!"

Lin Dingyuan sensed something was amiss. Normally, his son wouldn't be so "quiet" in this situation; he would most likely have immediately offered an explanation. He whispered, "Xiaohu, who's that girl next to the talkative wife? Do you know her?"

Lin Xiaohu's expression changed, and he lowered his head and said, "She is the niece of the quick-talking wife. We are coworkers."

The quick-tongued wife retorted defiantly, "What coworker? How dare you say that! If we were really coworkers, we would have come knocking on your door!"

Zhang Yuzhen also sensed something was wrong. She turned to look at her son and found him with his head down, silent. Her heart skipped a beat: Oh no, this is how her son always acts when he makes a mistake.

Seeing a figure outside the door, probably a neighbor coming out to see what was going on, Zhang Yuzhen stepped aside and said, "Hey, you go inside and talk."

"Fine, I'll go in then, who's afraid of you!" The quick-tongued wife snorted, but didn't go in immediately. Instead, she followed Tiger Girl inside.

After closing the courtyard gate, Zhang Yuzhen pulled Lin Xiaohu behind her and said, "Xiaohu, what exactly happened? Tell your mother the truth."

"It's nothing, we're just coworkers," Lin Xiaohu replied as always.

Upon entering the house, Zhang Yuzhen and her husband both looked rather grim. Since they couldn't get any information from their son, they had to think of other ways.

Zhang Yuzhen glanced at her quick-tongued wife, then at Hu Niu beside her, and asked, "Girl, what's your name? What brings you to my house?"

Tiger Girl stared at Lin Xiaohu with her big eyes, then looked at Zhang Yuzhen and said, "Hello, Auntie. My name is Tiger Girl, and my father is the workshop director of the Wan'an Town Electric Fan Factory."

I met Xiaohu while working at the factory. Since he was new, I took care of him. Later, he took the initiative to pursue me. This scarf was a gift from him, and he even treated me to a meal at a restaurant. Gradually, we started dating.

A while ago, Xiaohu had a misunderstanding with my dad, and they had a fight. He started to hate me too, and now he won't admit anything..."

Zhang Yuzhen saw that the girl didn't seem to be lying, so she turned to her son and asked, "Xiaohu, is what this girl is saying true?"

(End of this chapter)