Chapter 131: Milestone

Chapter 131: Milestone

The next morning, the orchards reclaimed by Deng Shirong and Deng Yunqiang's families began planting lychee trees. This marked a significant milestone for Thatchfield Village, drawing nearly everyone in the village, regardless of age or gender, to witness the event.

Families who had decided to follow the team leader's lead in reclaiming orchards and planting fruit trees were particularly attentive to the process.

The helpers were seasoned farmers from the village. Although they had never planted lychee saplings before, the principles of fruit tree planting were similar. With Deng Shirong's guidance, they quickly grasped the techniques.

Once they saw how it was done, the others understood the process and volunteered to help. Some even went home to fetch their own tools.

Originally, the plan was to complete the planting in one day. However, with so many volunteers, all 1,000 lychee saplings were planted in just over three hours. They also watered the plants and applied organic fertilizer meticulously, achieving remarkable efficiency.

After helping Deng Shirong's family, many villagers moved on to assist Deng Yunqiang's family, eager to gain more experience. By midday, all the lychee saplings on Deng Yunqiang's land were planted.

Over the next few days, about one-third of the households in Thatchfield Village began clearing trees and grass in preparation for reclaiming their own orchards.

Of course, the remaining two-thirds of the village held back. After discussing with their families, they felt the investment in orchards was too high, and the returns uncertain. Preferring stability, they chose to wait and observe the results of their neighbors' efforts before committing.

In later generations, rural families would relax and celebrate the New Year until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. However, in this era, work typically resumed after the fifth day, with tasks like planting sugarcane, peanuts, cassava, taro, and transplanting seedlings.

As long as one was willing, there was always work to be done.

In the kitchen, Bu Dashi was learning to cook from his cousin Deng Yunzhen, while Zhang Xiuping tended the fire.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Deng Shirong had asked his nephew Bu Dashi to come and learn cooking. Since Bu Dashi had no prior experience, Deng Yunzhen, who was more than capable, took on the teaching role, sparing Deng Shirong the task.

"Cousin, when making yellow fried pork, you must cook the whole piece of pork first. Don't cut it into pieces before cooking. You can't just fry it without boiling it first—it won't be as flavorful," Deng Yunzhen explained.

She continued, "You need to cook it a bit longer so the pork isn't tough and tastes better."

Bu Dashi asked, "How long should it cook?"

"That depends on the size of the pork. For this piece, about half an hour should do," Deng Yunzhen replied, poking the meat with chopsticks before placing it on the chopping board. "When frying, don't cut it into small pieces. Slightly larger pieces will make it more fragrant."

After Zhang Xiuping scooped up the broth and cleaned the pot, she didn't linger to listen further. Having been married into the Deng family for nearly two months, she had already mastered the art of making yellow fried pork. While she wouldn't claim her version surpassed her father-in-law's, it was certainly on par with her sister-in-law's.

In the living room, Bu Dafang and Jiang Dehu were asking Deng Shirong about lychee tree management techniques.

After returning, on the second day of the Lunar New Year, Bu Dafang had asked her sister-in-law to help care for the children and rented out their land. She and Jiang Dehu had come early to assist with the work.

Deng Shirong had managed a lychee orchard in his previous life. Although the varieties he planted weren't the best, he had gained valuable experience in cultivation and management. Teaching Bu Dafang and Jiang Dehu, both beginners, was no challenge for him. He shared his knowledge methodically.

By the time they had digested his explanations, it was time for dinner.

The meal was relatively simple: stir-fried pork, braised fish, and a few plates of vegetables and pickles. However, for Jiang Dehu, Bu Dafang, and Bu Dashi, it was a feast.

Moreover, under her father's guidance, Deng Yunzhen's cooking had improved significantly. She was no longer stingy with oil, and even the simplest dishes tasted far better than what Jiang Dehu's family was used to.

As he ate, Jiang Dehu couldn't help but marvel. Even if Uncle Jiu paid only half the current salary, the job—with its generous meals—would still be highly sought after.

After dinner, Deng Shirong asked, "Ah Hu, does anyone in your village have puppies?"

Jiang Dehu replied, "My cousin's dog had a litter of five puppies last year. Do you want to raise a dog, Uncle Jiu?"

Deng Shirong nodded. "I plan to raise a few—one to guard the house and two or three for the lychee orchard. It'll help prevent trouble."

Jiang Dehu said, "That's easy. I'll go home tomorrow and ask my cousin to save a puppy for you. Once it's two months old, you can take it."

Deng Shirong agreed. "Good, let me know tomorrow."

Raising dogs for the lychee orchard was a practical decision.

Although Deng Shirong had planted thorny bushes around the orchard to deter intruders, a locked gate alone wouldn't stop determined thieves. But with two or three dogs patrolling the orchard, combined with the existing barriers, the orchard would be much safer.

Deng Shirong wasn't being overly cautious. Even in later generations, families would build small houses on their lychee orchards and stay there during the harvest season to guard against theft.

No matter the era, petty thieves were always a concern. While Deng Shirong didn't rely on the lychee orchard for his fortune, he wasn't about to let thieves take advantage.

(End of Chapter)