I Got Rich in Period Fiction
Chapter 263: Disappeared in Front of Her Eyes

Chapter 263: Chapter 263: Disappeared in Front of Her Eyes

If Qiao Qingyu considered spending two hundred thousand yuan last year to buy seeds somewhat acceptable, spending fifty million yuan now for subcontracting fees surely heightened her caution.

Moreover, she did not have a good impression of Wu Xiujie and his team, and she had her own plans, which she certainly did not agree with.

Still, within the bounds of policy, Wu Xiujie managed a tricky move and contracted the barren sandy land Qiao Qingyu intended to plant with Barley Grass this year.

If that land were all sown with Barley Grass, it would undoubtedly have the most notable effect on improving the soil climate of the area.

Wu Xiujie’s lavish spending raised suspicions not just in He Xiuyu but in Qiao Qingyu as well, who always felt he had ulterior motives.

But it must be said, the Black Poplar trees he planted last year did survive to some extent.

He Shan’s visit this time was also to take a firsthand look at the land contracted by Wu Xiujie.

So, bright and early in the morning, he prepared to leave, only to find Li Mingguang neatly dressed, with a small water bottle, already waiting at the door.

Needless to say, this must have been He Xuerong who slipped out to tell him last night.

Li Mingguang’s words grew sweeter, "Grandpa He, Aunt Qiao, Uncle He..." greeting everyone in turn, then clutching his water bottle, his voice tenderly added, "I’ve already asked for leave from kindergarten, I promise I won’t be any trouble."

He Shan stretched out his hand to pat his little head, laughing, "I always hear Rongrong mention you, you’re a fine little fellow."

Li Mingguang pursed his lips and smiled, "Thank you for the praise, Grandpa He."

Qiao Qingyu felt that after a year, Xiao Hu had become much more sensible, and many of his little faults had improved after last year’s incident.

The family quarters of the base were not too far from the land Qiao Qingyu had contracted.

He Xiuyu also frequented it.

Driving the Jeep loaded with these people quickly reached their destination.

Spring plowing had just ended, nothing had sprouted in the land yet, but it no longer felt desolate.

Xichuan’s land was different from North City’s; North City had plains, with straight furrows stretching to the horizon. Here, near the loess high slopes, the terrain was undulating.

Honestly speaking, some areas really weren’t suitable for mechanized planting.

It was half manual and half mechanized.

However, looking north, one could see the grasslands fogged with green, and the surviving Willow Woods had sprouted green buds.

Poplar trees were naturally resilient species, especially the improved Willow Wood.

Today, there was no one in the fields.

Usually, it was quite lively here.

Qiao Qingyu had given Wang Laogen and others a holiday, from starting spring plowing to now nearly two months had passed, and everyone had worked tirelessly; she had even paid this month’s salary in advance.

After getting out of the car, He Xuerong and Li Mingguang dashed off toward the grassland like the wind.

He Xiuyu instinctively went to support He Shan.

Met with a glare from He Shan, He Xiuyu smiled, watching his father’s nimble movements.

Today the sun was brilliant, with no wind, rain, or sand.

Here on the barren slope, the soil was irredeemable, so no one bothered to waste energy on it.

But as Qiao Qingyu watched, she envisioned turning this place into a tourist spot with built hostels in the future.

Up the slope, there were quite a few red poppy flowers, and down the slope, expanding Barley Grass by several hundred acres, then creating an artificial lake in the grasslands, and planning to establish a sea buckthorn orchard with the introduction of sea buckthorn. In five years, the Willow Wood would also be mostly grown, and then, the scenery here could become a demonstration area; gradually expanding into Xichuan and, a few years later, if she still had the energy, shifting the battle to the adjacent Gelle State.

He Shan, hands clasped behind his back, looked contentedly at the scenery before him.

And to think, Qiao Qingyu was a capable girl, having accomplished such a significant endeavor. Which girl of her age had the vision to do such things?

The work that Qiao Qingyu did now seemed unremarkable, but five years later, it would undoubtedly be astounding.

He Shan felt immensely proud, his lips curving into a smile.

He strolled leisurely into the Barley Grassland, smiling and saying, "I’ve been here several years ago, during this season when the sandstorms are the fiercest. That’s right, where I live now, the sandstorms are truly fierce..."

Qiao Qingyu didn’t ask the old man where he lived. She no longer had any Barley Grass Seeds, as the Station Chief Monk of the Mobei Prairie had nearly sent her all the seeds from the entire prairie.

Fortunately, He Shan’s central focus at work wasn’t on sandstorm prevention and greening.

His area was also under the jurisdiction of Xichuan. The local government had its own arrangements.

He glanced at He Xuerong and Li Mingguang, who had run to the middle of the grassland, and said to He Xiuyu standing beside him, "Let’s go ahead and take a look."

Qiao Qingyu did not call out "Dad" at this moment.

Even though she had already become He Xiuyu’s legitimate wife.

"Uncle He, then I’ll go check on the two children."

He Shan nodded with a smile, leading He Xiuyu toward the vast land he had originally planned to visit.

It was not visible from here; one had to cross three hills.

Qiao Qingyu also entered the grassland, pondering whether she should contact a farm to buy a few lambs. Even if not for selling, could she slaughter them for meat?

She really wanted to eat hot pot and roasted lamb chops.

Later, she would need to look up some information. She had learned a bit about farming, remembered instances of raising pigs, chickens, ducks, and geese, and knew that in spring, eggs could be incubated on a heated brick bed.

After a few dozen days, chicks and goslings would emerge from their shells, something she had witnessed in person.

For raising pigs, they were typically caught in spring and then slaughtered before the Chinese New Year in winter.

If well raised, they generally could grow to over two hundred pounds.

She hadn’t had much contact with lambs, but Station Chief Monk probably knew a lot more.

Thinking this reminded her not to forget to phone Station Chief Monk when she got home to see if he had any lambs or ewes for sale.

But then came the issue; she obviously needed to build a sheep pen and couldn’t just keep the sheep in the base courtyard.

So, should she discuss with Old Xie about establishing a farm at the base?

After considering it, she thought the plan was feasible.

At this moment, Qiao Qingyu also reached the two children.

She was carrying a basket woven from willow branches.

This season, many wild herbs were sprouting, and she had recently seen wild sprouts peering through the gaps in the grass.

Last year, she had planted vegetables, flowers, and sea buckthorn wherever she felt like in the garden.

Even though she had given the dandelion seeds to her elder brother and others, she hadn’t thought to scatter some dandelion around the corners of her own vegetable garden. By next spring, they would become valuable, suitable for eating raw with sauce, making dumplings, or even frying with eggs...

And indeed, dandelions are very resilient plants; they can take very good care of themselves without any attention.

She had planted them at the edge of the garden at the beginning of the month, but they would take at least half a month to appear.

However, she had not expected this piece of Barley Grassland to offer her so many surprises.

Not only were there dandelions but also bitter herbs, and last year, she had even discovered the presence of soft ground, a type of fungus similar to wood ear.

Soft ground wasn’t big and would appear after rain, preferring to stay under grass roots. If you couldn’t see it, even if soft ground was all around, you wouldn’t see any; but if you spotted one, you would realize, oh my, this area is full of soft ground.

It was really magical.

However, it hadn’t been much last year, and Qiao Qingyu didn’t take it seriously.

This year was different; after a rain, she could come and collect soft ground.

Seeing Qiao Qingyu digging up wild herbs, He Xuerong and Li Mingguang went to the car to fetch their little shovels to help.

The two kids ran towards her with shovels, and Qiao Qingyu immediately stood up and shouted, "Walk slowly, no running!"

The two children now really listened to Qiao Qingyu and indeed slowed down. But little did they expect, the next second, He Xuerong and Li Mingguang suddenly disappeared from her sight...