Chapter 236 (continued)

Qing Mengzhu: "Right? There's only one bamboo in the bamboo grove that can be used to make tea, none of the others will do. Chunxi and I have confirmed this several times, and we're actually hoping for a surprise."

Zhao Hexi: "Didn't you take special care of that bamboo? Or did you just plant it anywhere in the bamboo grove and let the cows graze on the leaves?"

Qing Mengzhu: "Of course not. I specifically put up a fence a few days ago to keep the cows and hazel grouse away."

Zhao Hexi: "That's a bit better. If we couldn't get any water but the cows could eat it, I'd be spitting blood."

Qing Mengzhu patted him on the shoulder, indicating that he shouldn't worry unnecessarily.

While they were talking, the drone had already started spraying bamboo vinegar, and the air was filled with that sour smell.

This bamboo vinegar solution is made with well water; it should be even more effective.

Zhao Hexi looked up at their company's large agricultural drone. "Why does this year's bamboo vinegar taste milder and less pungent? Is it a weaker version of bamboo vinegar?"

Qing Mengzhu: "No, on the contrary, this year's bamboo vinegar is of better quality than last year's, and its effects should be even better."

Zhao Hexi: "I remember bamboo vinegar can't kill insects?"

Qing Mengzhu shook her head. "Bamboo vinegar mainly regulates plant growth and promotes the absorption of fertilizers. Also, if we spray pesticides now, it will amplify the pesticide's effect. As for killing insects, the effect should not be obvious; at most, it will drive the insects away from this field."

Zhao Hexi: "It's already very good that it can regulate plant growth. I think the vegetables are growing well this year, and the yield should be higher."

Qing Mengzhu held up one finger. "At least a 30% increase."

Zhao Hexi calculated the profits. "That's right, farming is really profitable for us."

The two chatted for a few minutes, then Zhao Hexi went to get back to work, while Qing Mengzhu watched as the person continued spraying bamboo vinegar.

Now, with large agricultural drones, their efficiency in spraying pesticides has increased significantly.

So many fields, it only took two days to spray them all.

Seeing that the technicians were spraying the bamboo vinegar solution quite well, Qing Mengzhu stopped watching.

He went to the fields to check on the vegetables, and after the inspection, he went to his own field to pick vegetables.

Ming Chunxi's company is located in the town, and it only takes a few minutes to drive home.

They eat together every day, morning, noon, and night.

Qing Mengzhu planned to pick some vegetables to take back and cook lunch.

The lotus flowers in the pond have already bloomed, their dark red color is truly dazzling.

When Qing Mengzhu passed by, he couldn't help but take a second look. Seeing the green shrimp swimming in the pond, he simply went down into the pond and scooped up some.

Their shrimp farming is now divided into two parts: one part continues to be raised in their own pond, which they manage themselves.

The other part was handed over to the company, where Chen Yi and his team were responsible for raising them.

The shrimp on both sides were slightly different, but the quality was very good. Qing Mengzhu's shrimp this year were almost at the "Superior Grade."

He felt that if the shrimp could be raised for a longer period of time, even if they didn't reach the "Superior Grade" quality this year, they should be able to succeed next year.

The shrimp larvae have already been bred this year, and the remaining adult shrimp need to be harvested gradually, otherwise they will die naturally due to their limited lifespan.

Qing Mengzhu, naturally, didn't hold back when faced with such prawns, and scooped up a whole bagful after going down into the water.

Lively prawns jumped and splashed water all over Qing Mengzhu's face in the net.

He couldn't help but squint his eyes and move the shrimp a little further away, not only not minding, but his face was full of joy.

Besides eating these shrimp themselves, we can cook some for the little ones later.

It's been a few days since I gave the little guys a snack, so they should enjoy the shrimp today.

When Qing Mengzhu went down into the pond to catch shrimp, her foot touched a lotus root, and her eyes lit up immediately.

They haven't eaten much lotus root shoots this year, but now is the perfect time to eat them. Since they've already come across them, Qing Mengzhu didn't stand on ceremony and bent down to pick up the lotus root shoots.

Perhaps because he became Intermediate Grower, or perhaps because they were using better fertilizer and water than before, their lotus shoots are growing exceptionally well this year.

Qing Mengzhu could easily find several lotus root segments with a simple touch.

He carefully selected the tenderest and crispest lotus roots.

Unfortunately, lotuses have a limited lifespan. After planting them this year, they will probably have to clear the pond and replant them next year.

They grow commercial lotus. If they don't replant, the yield of lotus roots and seeds will decrease, and the profits from planting will become lower and lower.

Replanting also has its advantages. They can select higher-quality lotus seeds or rhizomes, or treat the harvested lotus seeds or rhizomes with Seed Gene Agent to grow higher-quality lotus roots next year.

Qing Mengzhu was multitasking; while thinking about next year's lotus root planting, she had already harvested a large handful of lotus root shoots.

There were only the two of them eating lunch, with maybe four small animals at most. They didn't need to pick too much. Once he saw that he had enough lotus roots, he took the vegetables and went back.

Ming Chunxi has returned, and the two of them went into the kitchen together to prepare lunch.

Ming Chunxi looked at the lotus root shoots. "The lotus root shoots are growing well this year."

Qing Mengzhu: "Yes, they're crisp and tender, and there are so many lotus root shoots at the bottom. If we didn't want to save them for the long lotus roots, we felt like we wouldn't be able to finish picking all the lotus root shoots even if we went out to pick them every day."

Ming Chunxi: "How should we eat lotus root shoots? Or should we make pickled beef and lotus root shoots?"

Qing Mengzhu nodded. "Beef with pickled peppers and lotus root, garlic shrimp, tiger-skin green peppers, and a hazelnut egg and loofah soup, how about that?"

Ming Chunxi: "Okay, I'll wash the vegetables. You prepare the shrimp first; the Dharma Protector are getting impatient."

Qing Mengzhu looked outside and, sure enough, the little guy was squatting at the door. The Dharma Protector was the most anxious, drool dripping from his mouth.

Upon meeting Qing Mengzhu's gaze, the Dharma Protector began to whine and whimper, its paws stomping back and forth as if it were tap dancing.

Qing Mengzhu couldn't help but say, "You're such a spineless coward!"

The Dharma Protector don't care; Dharma Protector still have a sweet tooth.

Everyone was craving shrimp, otherwise the red fox and the otter wouldn't have made a point of coming over and squatting down to wait for the shrimp to eat at their usual sleeping time.

Qing Mengzhu first separated some of the shrimp, boiled them in water, then took them out and gave five to each of the little guys.

The red fox and the otter only eat shrimp at noon, nothing else.

Besides eating shrimp, the Guard and Dharma Protector also had loofah, hazelnut, and egg soup mixed with rice, which Qing Mengzhu and the others had shared. It also contained some meat and offal.

The two dogs Courtyard Guard the house and patrolled the mountains and fields every day, and Qing Mengzhu and Ming Chunxi took great care of them.

Soon, the little ones all went to eat by the courtyard wall.

Qing Mengzhu have also finished preparing their meal.

In the summer, they all ate in the courtyard. When the sun was shining, they would move the table under the eaves, where they could eat while enjoying the breeze and not feel hot at all.

The two have similar tastes, and the table was filled with dishes they both love; the aroma alone was enough to whet their appetites.

Qing Mengzhu first tasted a garlic shrimp, then ate a piece of lotus root, and squinted her eyes contentedly.

Delicious! The shrimp is delicious, and the lotus root is delicious too!

After satisfying her craving, Qing Mengzhu remembered something and said to Ming Chunxi, "Oh right, I'm going to Qiongwei City in the next few days. Ping Lin and the others said that the durian flowers are blooming too much, and they're wondering if they should cut back the blooms. They want me to go and take a look."

None of Ping Lin and his group had experience growing durians, and durians were quite expensive, so no one dared to take the plunge. They had no choice but to consult Qing Mengzhu.

Qing Mengzhu hadn't visited for a while, so she decided to go and take a look. If the cost was too high, she would reduce the amount to allow the durian tree to concentrate its nutrients and improve the quality of the durians.

Qing Mengzhu's eyes sparkled as she invited, "I see you've all been busy lately and haven't had much time off. How about we go to Qiongwei City for a few days to relax?"

Ming Chunxi's gaze fell on the ring on his ring finger, and she recalled the moment of the proposal, "Okay, want to go to the beach?"