Chapter 221 (continued)

Qing Mengzhu was persuaded by his last sentence, "Alright, then you can hire someone to help take care of them. They can roam freely on the mountain most of the time, and you can also set up a feeding point."

Zhao Hexi: "Okay, I'll make arrangements after the New Year."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Qing Mengzhu suddenly remembered, "You came so early, not just to bring me strawberries, right?"

Zhao Hexi: "Of course not. Didn't you say you'd go to the frontier to inspect new farms after New Year's Day? I'd like to go with you."

Qing Mengzhu thought for a moment, "If we both leave, will we be too busy with things at the company?"

Zhao Hexi: "No, we'll have Maike oversee things. I think she's bold and meticulous, and very capable. She can stay here and just call us if anything happens. Anyway, transportation is so convenient now; she can fly back in just a few hours."

Qing Mengzhu had no objections. "Then I'll do as you say."

After saying that, Qing Mengzhu added, "Let's finish up the New Year's Day arrangements first. Make sure everyone gets the pay they're owed and the holidays they're entitled to before New Year's Day."

Zhao Hexi: "I know. Last year, even with all that busyness, things didn't get messed up, so they won't be this year either."

Zhao Hexi's management skills have also improved, not to mention his experience from last year.

Zhuxi Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.. had a smooth and successful New Year's Day, and the entire company, from top to bottom, was very happy.

After the New Year's Day holiday, Qing Mengzhu and his group flew directly to the border region.

Ming Chunxi and Zhao Hexi had both worked overtime in preparation for this frontier expedition, so they started catching up on sleep as soon as they boarded the plane.

On the plane, Qing Mengzhu reviewed the information about the frontier farm again, rehearsing the potential problems they might encounter during the inspection trip.

Qing Mengzhu was quite cautious about this frontier inspection, and mentally reviewed it several times, anticipating all sorts of problems.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they landed, Duan Yu'ang was waiting for them at the airport with his men.

Duan Yu'ang wasn't originally here, but knowing they were coming, he came specifically to greet them.

With Duan Yu'ang there, Qing Mengzhu didn't need any of the strategies she had prepared beforehand, and they made it to the farm without any problems after leaving the airport.

After getting into the car, Duan Yu'ang handed over his tablet. "There are several farms now, see which one you're most interested in."

Qing Mengzhu didn't stand on ceremony with him. "Shall we go to this 134-hectare farm first? This farm was originally a state-owned farm?"

Duan Yu'ang: "Yes, after the restructuring, it was contracted out to an outside company. But last year and the year before, there was a severe drought for two consecutive years, so that company terminated the contract."

The border region is sparsely populated and the objective conditions are indeed a bit worse, but the rent is very cheap and the land is very flat, so mechanized farming can be carried out directly. Qing Mengzhu is very interested in this.

He's never grown anything in such a large area before; this is a good opportunity to give it a try.

Qing Mengzhu had already investigated the situation of several farms, and now she could raise specific questions for each farm.

Now that Duan Yu'ang was here patiently answering his questions, he asked all the questions he wanted to ask.

This place is so big. Qing Mengzhu could see the distant horizon from the car, and the scenery was completely different from that of Vine City.

In Vine City, if they want to acquire some land, they have to do everything they can to rent contiguous plots of land, and then try to level the field ridges to facilitate mechanized operations.

There are no field ridges or roads here; as far as the eye can see, there is only soil suitable for cultivation.

Presumably, once the crops are ready, they can drive their trucks directly to the fields, and all kinds of tractors, harvesters, and seeders can be driven right there.

Just thinking about that scene made Qing Mengzhu feel a surge of excitement.

Ming Chunxi gently patted his back from behind, offering silent comfort.

Qing Mengzhu looked up and smiled at Ming Chunxi, indicating that she was alright.

Soon, they were standing on solid ground.

A heavy snowfall had just occurred here, and the snow was up to their calves.

The wind was strong; they had only been down there a short while when they were completely drenched in it.

Duan Yu'ang told them, "This is the situation here. It's all black soil underneath, the soil is very flat, and water resources are relatively abundant. The downside is that some areas are a bit saline, and there's a lot of wind and sand."

Qing Mengzhu kicked away the snow under her feet and looked down to observe. "There's still grass underneath; plants are really resilient."

Duan Yu'ang: "There was grass in the summer, but you can't see much this season. But the grass isn't dead; it will sprout and bloom again when the snow melts in spring."

Qing Mengzhu looked around through her sunglasses. "This is great, better than I imagined. As long as there's water, this place can be used for farming."

Duan Yu'ang chuckled, "If the place wasn't good, I wouldn't have called you here. So, did I rip you off?"

Qing Mengzhu: "No, thank you, Boss Duan. I'm extremely satisfied with this place."

Duan Yu'ang said cheerfully, "I knew you'd be satisfied. We hope you can move in here. If you cultivate enough land, we can even waive the rent for you and help you apply for subsidies."

Qing Mengzhu: "We don't need rent-free accommodations or subsidies. As long as the geographical and cultural environment here is good, allowing us to cultivate the land with peace of mind, that's enough."

When planting crops in other places, in addition to considering the soil and water conditions, the local customs are also very important. If you encounter a place with a fierce local culture, your crops may be damaged as soon as they mature, and you will have nowhere to turn to for help.

Duan Yu'ang understood his implication and assured him, "Don't worry, we're here. I can't speak for everything else, but the cultural environment will definitely be excellent."

Qing Mengzhu smiled and said, "I know, that's why we came all this way."

After exchanging a few words, Duan Yu'ang asked curiously, "Have you thought carefully about what you want to plant before coming here to grow crops?"

Qing Mengzhu pointed and said, "I've already decided what to plant on each plot of land. For example, up ahead, near the farm's edge, I want to plant a ring of ryegrass. Ryegrass likes cool, fertile places, so planting a ring around it will help conserve water and soil and resist wind and sand."

They have seeds of "Superior Grade" ryegrass, enough to cope with the environment here.

Duan Yu'ang nodded. "Anything else?"

Qing Mengzhu said enthusiastically, "We can plant dozens of acres of onions and scallions on the north side, and carrots along the edge."

Duan Yu'ang: "The carrots here are good; they're sweeter than carrots from other places."

Qing Mengzhu smiled and said, "I know. The carrots and tomatoes here are quite good. I'm also planning to plant tomatoes. I've already grown the tomato seedlings, and I can bring them over to plant in the spring."

Qing Mengzhu continued, pointing to other places. "Our strawberries are also quite good. I think the climate and soil here are quite suitable for growing strawberries. We'll bring the seeds over to plant them. Although we can't transport fresh strawberries to Vine City, we can make freeze-dried strawberries, dried strawberries, or strawberry jam."

Zhao Hexi: "Then we'll have to plant one a year."

Qing Mengzhu: "The strawberries are of good quality, so it's fine to grow only one type per year."

It was too cold. They couldn't stand outside for long and went back to the car to warm up.

Before getting on the bus Qing Mengzhu thought that since the weather was so cold, most of the germs and pests would probably freeze to death, which was an advantage, as it would save a lot of pesticides.

Qing Mengzhu was very satisfied with the place. Before it got warmer, he took out a document from the materials he had brought and said to Duan Yu'ang, "I'd like to go and see this farm again."

Duan Yu'ang glanced at the 178-hectare farm. "This farm is quite large, isn't it?"

Qing Mengzhu shook her head. "Not entirely. This farm has many rivers and swamps on one side, and I'd like to see if we can grow Rice."

Qing Mengzhu's eyes lit up. "Our Rice is growing quite well too; we could consider finding a farm specifically for Rice."

Besides Rice, they also grow soybeans.