After the second day of the second lunar month, time quickly flew by to mid-March of 1951. It was time to prepare for spring planting. Chen Lan decided to attempt growing a season of wheat and rice today, so she needed to get the greenhouses ready by clearing out the vegetables and preparing the soil for seedlings.
Spring wheat also needed the land to be prepared, with sowing scheduled to begin at the end of March or the beginning of April. The task of sowing spring wheat had to be completed around the Qingming Festival, otherwise, they wouldn't have good weather to harvest the wheat in the fall.
Coincidentally, spring wheat was a crop that required rotation. The one hundred and thirty mu of land where corn, soybeans, and peanuts were planted last year could all be used to grow spring wheat this year. Last year, when the corn, soybeans, and peanuts were harvested, the straw was directly ground and returned to the field. The land was also plowed and tilled during the autumn harvest, so now only fertilization was needed.
The black soil here was very fertile. For the base fertilizer for the wheat this year, Chen Lan did not plan to use any other fertilizer. She would decide on top-dressing based on the growth and development of the wheat when the time came. Now, they just had to wait for the soil to thaw about five to ten centimeters deep before they could start tilling and sowing.
Chen Lan had already purchased the spring wheat seeds and the wheat sowing machine from the system, and they were stored in the system's warehouse.
The wheat seeds were a late-maturing variety of Northeast spring wheat, "Ke Chun 111362," developed by modern breeding. This variety of spring wheat takes about ninety days from sowing to harvesting, with an average yield of approximately 305 to 340 kilograms per mu, classifying it as a high-yield variety.
The sowing machine was a wide-band strip seeder. This type of machine ensured consistent row spacing and even seed distribution, preventing double sowing or missing seeds.
Fortunately, the temperature was slowly rising now, and it was estimated that the ground would start to thaw before long. Su Dan Novel Network.
One day at the end of March, as Chen Lan was leading the old and young people in the valley in a vigorous spring plowing effort, Xiang Xi and Xiao Shuan, along with Xu Mingxuan's comrades and their families, returned to the valley dusty and tired, being the first to arrive.
When Xiang Xi and his group arrived with their people, Chen Lan was teaching Ming Wei, Xiao Xue, and Ru Yi how to drive a multi-functional agricultural tractor outside, leveling the land for spring wheat. It was Chun Cao who ran over to call her.
Chen Lan hurried back home with Chun Cao. As soon as she pushed open the living room door, she saw many unfamiliar faces. People were sitting and standing, filling the room.
Xiang Xi was telling Uncle De and Uncle Fu, who were entertaining guests, about his and Xiao Shuan's experience searching for people. About a dozen people clearly looked like Xu Mingxuan's comrades. Although they had injuries in different places and were still very disheveled, their upright postures indicated that they were once soldiers who had fought bravely on the battlefield.
Chen Lan couldn't help but feel a sense of solemn respect. She quickly smiled and nodded politely to them as a greeting.
Seeing Chen Lan walk in, Xiang Xi immediately grinned at her and proudly showed off, "Xiao Lan Zi, your brother has fulfilled his mission and returned first! Aren't you surprised and happy to see me?"
Chen Lan looked at Xiang Xi, who loved to preen the most. He was now thin and tanned, his clothes in a mess. Looking at the other men and women, old and young, they were not much better. Her nose couldn't help but sting. She sniffled and decided to lighten the mood by teasing him.
So, she nodded and said very seriously, "Since you and Xiao Shuan are both back, our valley's spring plowing has already begun. The young women and wives in the valley have all been mobilized, and everyone is working together, but we are still short of hands. Your return is just in time to be of great use!"
Just as Chen Lan had predicted, she immediately heard Xiang Xi's wail. Xiang Xi complained, "Xiao Lan Zi, look at what I've become. Can't you let me and Xiao Shuan rest for two days to recover?"
Chen Lan shook her head and said very seriously, "I also want you to rest for a few more days, but we are truly overwhelmed right now. Even Ming Wei, Ru Yi, and Xiao Xue are out in the fields with me tilling the wheat fields. Farming time waits for no one! If we don't plant it quickly now, and miss the farming season, we won't be able to harvest grain in the fall, and all our hard work for the year will be in vain."
Hearing this, Xiang Xi knew there was no room for negotiation and immediately became dejected, saying nothing more.
Just then, Grandma, along with Mother Cui and Mother Liu, and a group of people came out carrying a large basket of steamed buns and rolls, and each person held a large bowl of stew.
Chen Lan and Grandma quickly invited everyone to sit down and eat. Grandma smiled and explained, "We're a bit rushed today. Please eat something to tide you over for now. After dinner, I'll make arrangements for everyone, and we'll prepare something this afternoon. Tomorrow, we'll have a proper feast to welcome them."
Xu Mingxuan's dozen or so comrades, along with their parents and children, quickly stood up and politely said, "You are too kind. This meal is already very good; there's no need to go to any extra expense."
Grandma smiled and didn't say any more, just kept urging them to eat their fill and not be shy. There were still plenty of steamed buns and rolls, and the stew pot was still full, so she told everyone to eat to their heart's content.
While Xu Mingxuan's comrades were eating, Grandma quietly came to find Chen Lan to discuss matters. As soon as Grandma saw Chen Lan, she asked anxiously, "Xiao Lan, Xiang Xi and Xiao Shuan brought eleven families home, totaling over fifty people, old and young, men and women. We only have these few houses, and it's too late to build new ones now! What should we do?"
Chen Lan thought for a moment and said, "With so many people, we'll have to make two houses available. How about this? Grandma, let's first clear out the sewing workshop. We'll have Aunt Xiao Shan and Xiao Mai move into our house for now. I'll ask Grandpa to help store the sewing machines and fabric and other materials. After the houses are built, we can bring them out again when the sewing workshop resumes operations."
Grandma asked anxiously, "Then, what about the other house? Who should move out? Xiao Lan, I don't even know how to ask. It's difficult for anyone to give up their place!"
Just then, Mother Zhao Tie, who was coming out of the kitchen with a basket of steamed buns, chimed in, "Auntie, what's so difficult about asking? Our family will move. I actually wanted to chat more with Aunt Xiao Zhou, so we'll move to the fourth house to keep her company."
Mother Zhou Sixi, who came out behind Grandma Zhao, carrying a large basin of steaming hot stew, also immediately responded upon hearing this, "As comrades of Mingxuan, it doesn't matter where we live. Our family will move to Aunt Xu's house and be neighbors with you. That way, my grandson won't be the last to be sent to kindergarten every time. Now that we're closer, we'll definitely be the first."
And so, the housing issue was resolved as the two elder women were talking. However, the schedule for building the houses also needed to be finalized as soon as possible.
Chen Lan felt like she was almost going crazy with busyness.