CHAPTER 125: 125 APPLICATION

"Group Leader Ma. Of course, I trust the farm and you two leaders, but it’s too early to leave now. I was thinking with so many people helping, it wouldn’t be too late to leave after we finish harvesting."

"Honestly, we’ve been working hard for half a year, and we are about to harvest. We also want to feel the joy of the harvest."

Ma Changshun nodded, "As long as you have enough time." It wasn’t the first time he had seen reports about fertilizer. He really wanted to get some, and since this kid had already found a way, maybe he could really bring it in.

"The farm will definitely reward you this year, plus you’ve reclaimed ten more acres, and I’ve seen the soybeans are quite good. The bonus won’t be small by then."

Tan Shaoting smiled and nodded, "Thank you, Group Leader Ma."

"Cough, no need to thank me. You’ve also seen our farm’s cornfield; look at these tiny corn cobs. I’ve seen many places, and the kernels on the cobs are sparse and shriveled. It’s not even a matter of not harvesting anything; we can’t even recover the seeds we sowed.

Maybe the feng shui at your place is really good.

Otherwise, why is there such a big difference?"

Tan Shaoting didn’t respond because with just the two of them farming these two hundred acres, it seemed unrealistic to feed all the farm workers. However, the two of them would definitely save some of the grain. The rest would directly be handed to the authorities. How to distribute it and how much to distribute was for those above to decide.

The two of them found Feng Baoshan and explained the situation.

"This idea is very good. To be honest, I’ve also asked the city leaders about it, but they said they had no plans here.

Xiao Tan, how confident are you?"

Tan Shaoting smiled bitterly, "Director Feng, I have no confidence at all. Even though I know the workshop supervisor at the fertilizer plant, because the quantity needed is not small, he can’t make the decision.

So, I still have to give it a try—there’s no other way; too many people are eyeing it.

But even so, I still want to try. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be content.

So, regardless of the outcome, the two of us will make a trip."

"Su Yuanyuan is going too?"

Tan Shaoting nodded, "Yes, I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving her alone at home. It’s better for the two of us to go together so we can discuss if anything comes up."

"Alright, I agree. Come to me for a travel letter whenever you want to leave."

"Thank you, Director Feng. There’s one more thing I’d like to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

"We’re planning to start the autumn harvest in mid-September. The corn we harvest will be handed in directly as cobs. I know Director Feng knows the difference between fresh corn cobs and dried corn kernels, so we’re willing to make up the difference."

Feng Baoshan nodded, "Okay, just go by the usual figures from previous years. That’s how we calculate when selling corn to others."

This made Tan Shaoting satisfied. This way, the two of them would have time.

"Xiao Tan, are you handing over all the grain to the farm?"

Tan Shaoting nodded, "Su Yuanyuan has already talked to me about it. We’re just keeping food for the two of us for next year; all other grain will be handed over to the farm."

The director’s question was out of courtesy. In the current cooperative system, it was supposed to all be for the farm anyway.

Feng Baoshan nodded in satisfaction.

"Director Feng, about the ten acres of wild land Xiao Tan and the other reclaimed. They also planted soybeans, and I went to see them. The soybeans are very good."

"I know, and they will be rewarded for their actions. At this time, their good performance is even more commendable.

Group Leader Ma, I don’t think the remaining ten people in your group will be enough. Since their grain will all be given to the farm anyway, I’ll have each of the other five groups send ten people over.

This way, we can finish harvesting in less than five days.

Also, you’ll be in charge, along with the accountant, to weigh and load the corn directly in the field and then report the data. This way, it can be directly transported to the warehouse."

Ma Changshun nodded, "Yes. Should we just husk and take down the corn directly?"

"Yes, there’s plenty of manpower."

Indeed, with these sixty-plus people working on two hundred acres, it was equivalent to each person handling a bit over three acres. That’s quite fast.

The two of them left the farm office, "Xiao Tan, you and Su Yuanyuan just focus on counting."

"Alright. But I need to keep our cornstalks, or it’s too cold when we come back in winter."

"Keep them for yourself. But the sweet potato vines and potato leaves should be left for the farm office, although you have livestock, so you can keep some."

"Okay, we’ll keep the bean stalks."

Ma Changshun shook his head, "You can’t hold on to those. Once the soybeans are harvested, they’ll be directly loaded and sent to the farm office. Keep more sweet potato vines for yourself."

By the time they reached the Ma Family, it was already noon.

"Xiao Tan, stay for lunch?"

"Thank you, Group Leader Ma, but I’ll head back. Su Yuanyuan is waiting for me for lunch."

Ma Dongmei happened to overhear this and snorted, "You two aren’t even a couple, yet you’re waiting to eat together?"

Tan Shaoting frowned. If Su Yuanyuan heard this, who knows how upset she’d be?

"Please show some respect. We’re not at the age to think that way yet.

Group Leader Ma, I’ll head off first. I’ll come find you when it’s time to start harvesting the corn in a few days."

Ma Changshun glared at Ma Dongmei and nodded to see Tan Shaoting off.

"You’re such a grown young woman, yet you have no sense of shame? Constantly gossiping about others?"

"Dad, why would you say that about me? Didn’t I tell you? I’m interested in Tan Shaoting. He has so much grain; why shouldn’t I marry him?"

"You? He doesn’t fancy you. Just be sensible and don’t mess around. Otherwise, who would marry you in the future?"

"Why wouldn’t he fancy me? You’re the group leader."

Ma Changshun decided not to argue with her. There’s no reasoning with her. He’d let her mother have a good talk with her. Without any sense of propriety, who would want her in the future?

"Dad, I’m really into Tan Shaoting; no one else will do."

Ma Changshun paid her no mind. If she were younger, he would have slapped her already.

Ma Dongmei was very angry; why wasn’t she being managed? Didn’t he always speak well of Tan Shaoting? If he’s good, why not make him his son-in-law?

And then saying he doesn’t fancy me? How is that possible? I’m good-looking; several young guys tried to talk to me secretly.

No way, I must find a way to talk to Tan Shaoting. Maybe he’s just young and hasn’t thought about it that way.

I refuse to believe that after talking to him, he could still refuse me.

Ma Dongmei was very confident. In her mind, if she was interested in Tan Shaoting, it was his fortune. Refusing to accept that he wouldn’t consider her was just impossible.