Points to be Accumulated

When Manbao looked at the ground, she noticed there were more leaves than trees, which made her feel unhappy. She grabbed the other children and went to the bottom of the tree on the neighboring mountain. They gathered the rotten leaves directly from the ground and placed them into a basket to be carried to the pit for disposal.

Zhou Erlang didn't know what they were doing at first, but when he saw the children carrying a large basket of rotten leaves, he was furious. He exclaimed, "This basket is for storing rice, not for carrying rotten leaves!"

Manbao was startled and ran away with the other children. This angered Zhou Erlang, who shouted after them, "I'll teach you a lesson when we get back tonight!"

Upon gazing at the basket near the pit, Zhou Erlang felt distressed. He emptied the rotten leaves into the pit and patted them down. When he couldn't clean them completely, he had to set them aside and plan to wash them in the river later.

Zhou Dalang chuckled and said, "It must have been Manbao's idea." "This child always has such peculiar thoughts."

"What's wrong with that?" "The method of fertilizing we are using in our village now was taught to us by my uncle from outside," Zhou Sanlang said, feeling a bit regretful. "It's a pity that Manbao is a girl." Otherwise, if she were to farm, she would definitely be a good crop grower.

Zhou Erlang couldn't help but roll his eyes. "What are the benefits of farming?" It's tiring, and you have to be under the sun. I believe it would be better for Manbao to be a girl, pursue her studies, and then marry into a wealthy family in town. She wouldn't have to work in the fields for her whole life.

Manbao and the other children ran off, laughing joyfully, while the adults chased after them.

Manbao looked at her dirty hands and suggested washing them by the river, but Daya sternly refused, "My mother said you can play in the fields, but if you dare to go to the river, you'll regret it."

Datou and Erhou also nodded and advised, "Little girl, if you want to wash your hands, do it at home."

Manbao could only nod and say, "Okay."

The six brothers of the Zhou family were still busy in the fields, while Zhou Xi and Xiao Qian were at home conducting the final screening of the rice seeds.

They mainly plant rice and beans in the spring.

After screening the rice seeds, they would start plowing the fields. They would plow once before the rain, and then again after the field was flooded with water, before finally planting the seedlings.

Right now, everyone was still at leisure, but once February arrived, they would all be busy.

Manbao took a quick glance at the full rice seeds in the winnowing basket, then squatted in the courtyard to wash her hands with the other children.

Xiao Qian immediately watched as they fetched water.

The children loved playing with water, especially Manbao. She always enjoyed playing in the rain. Whenever she came back from school, she would join in washing vegetables, causing chaos and getting her clothes wet.

Xiao Qian had scolded Manbao several times for this.

Just as Manbao was about to splash water, she suddenly saw her sister-in-law behind her and was immediately startled. She obediently stopped and rubbed her hands, not daring to splash anymore.

Feeling guilty, she looked up and said, "Sister-in-law, are you selecting the rice seeds?"

Xiao Qian responded with a sound of affirmation and continued to watch her wash her hands.

Manbao had to obediently take her hands out of the water and run over to join in, but was stopped by Xiao Qian, who said, "Your hands are wet, and the rice seeds must not get damp."

Manbao could only stand aside and ask, "Sister-in-law, where do the rice seeds come from?" "Did you buy them?"

"We only bought two pounds; the rest are from our own seeds," Xiao Qian replied, carefully putting the screened rice seeds into a cloth bag. She then found a moment to talk to Qian, "Mother, when Big Brother bought the rice seeds, the grain shop said that this year's rice seeds can yield up to two and a half stones per mu."

Qian responded nonchalantly, "The grain shop says this every year, but how many actually achieve a yield of two and a half stones per mu?" "It's just something they say."

Manbao was curious and asked herself, "How much is the yield per mu in your area?"

Qian remained silent for a moment before saying, "I don't think you really want to know."

"Why is it lower than ours?"

"No, it's much higher," Qian said. "The scientific research data for rice yield per hectare has now been updated to 12,508 kilograms." Of course, the highest non-scientific data for rice yield per acre is only up to 10,646 kilograms in one location.

Manbao had purchased numerous items from the mall and knew that one kilogram was equivalent to two pounds. She calculated the weight in pounds and then converted it to pecks and stones. At that moment, her eyes widened in disbelief.

Qian continued, "You didn't calculate incorrectly." In your world's measurements, one stone is approximately 53 kilograms. Our yield per acre is eight times greater than yours.

Manbao was amazed and asked, "Why is your yield per mu so high?"

"Because we have high-quality rice seeds, we practice meticulous farming, and we use various nutrient solutions and fertilizers," Qian explained.

Manbao immediately said, "I want to buy them!"

"Reasons?" Qian asked. "Some items are beyond the host's purchasing authority." Even if you acquire them, what purpose would you have for using them?

Manbao looked at her mother and sisters-in-law selecting the rice seeds and immediately said, "I want to buy rice seeds!"

Qian responded, "The host can go to the mall to check the information on rice seeds, but I personally do not recommend making the purchase."

"Why not?"

"Because the future rice seeds can only be planted for one season." Although you can save some seeds for the next planting, the yield will decrease significantly and may even trigger various diseases, which could then spread to the local normal rice seeds. This is a change made by the future grain company to safeguard its own interests. In ancient times, people used to save their own seeds, but after thousands of years of change, humans have become accustomed to purchasing seeds from agricultural companies every year.

Manbao's enthusiasm waned, and she slumped her shoulders, asking, "So there's no way?"

"There is," Qian said, pulling out a dozen books. "Read more books to acquire scientific and cultural knowledge." "It can help you achieve many seemingly impossible dreams."

Manbao was excited and said, "I want to read all these books!"

Qian immediately took the books back and said, "Host, these books are not suitable for you at the moment." Learning requires a gradual acquisition of knowledge. I recommend you start with this book.

Manbao looked at the cover, which read "The Development of Farm Fertilizer from Ancient Times to the Present."

Manbao was dumbfounded.

Qian continued to hand her another book, saying, "And this one."

"A Thousand Methods for Making Flower Fertilizer?" Manbao asked.

"Yes, about improving rice seeds and such." Host, you are too young and your cultural knowledge level is not high enough. Let's start with something simple. Were you just wondering about fertilizing?

Suppressing her excitement, Manbao said, "Okay."

She returned to her room and reached for the book, but Qian said, "Host, this book 'The Development of Farm Fertilizer from Ancient Times to the Present' costs 25 points, and 'A Thousand Methods for Making Flower Fertilizer' costs 20 points."