Chen Lan planned to try sowing rice seeds in the valley this year, which she had purchased from the system. The seeds were the finest Northeast region variety from her previous life, named "Long Geng 13." This variety belonged to the category of cold-region early japonica rice, known for its high yield and premium quality, making it exceptionally suitable for cultivation in cold climates like the Northeast, with an average yield of 720 to 750 kilograms per mu.
While explaining and demonstrating to Uncle De and Chun Cao, Chen Lan patiently taught Uncle De and Uncle Fu, Chun Cao, and a group of young wives. Once they were all proficient, Chen Lan decided to entrust the task of seedling cultivation to Uncle De and Uncle Fu.
She then said to them, "Uncle De, Uncle Fu, I've stored the rice seeds in the granary. Once the nutrient soil is prepared, you can soak the seeds. Uncle De, you're an experienced farmer. I'll leave the tasks of soaking seeds, disinfection, germination, and finally sowing to you both."
Uncle De and Uncle Fu, aware of her busy schedule, immediately agreed. "Xiao Lan, you go ahead and tend to your matters! We'll take full responsibility for seedling cultivation. Just you wait and see! We guarantee to handle it perfectly."
Seeing that everything was arranged, Chen Lan prepared to leave. After taking a couple of steps, she remembered something and stopped. She then asked Chun Cao, Qian Yingzi, Liu Man'er, and the other young wives, "Sister Chun Cao, does any of you want to learn to drive a tractor?"
Upon hearing this, Chun Cao, Qian Yingzi, and Liu Man'er, along with the other young wives, became excited and asked in unison, "Xiao Lan, can we really learn to drive tractors too?"
Chen Lan looked at them with slight confusion and retorted, "Aren't you all residents of the valley now? Why wouldn't you be able to learn? Besides, when I arranged for you all to attend the reading club, it was so you could learn to recognize more characters, which would make learning new things faster. Although you haven't learned many characters yet, you can keep learning. I guarantee you'll be able to read a book in the future."
Seeing their hesitant expressions, Chen Lan continued, "Didn't we make it clear to everyone before? Most of the young men in the valley are injured and cannot do heavy labor; you all know this, which is why you traveled so far to this valley. We agreed that in the future, the farming in the valley would primarily be undertaken by all the young women. Think about it carefully now, how will you farm enough for so many people in the valley for a year without machinery? You'd work yourselves to death and still wouldn't be able to produce enough!"
Chun Cao, Qian Yingzi, and the others felt that Chen Lan's words made sense. They no longer hesitated and eagerly signed up to learn to drive tractors with Chen Lan.
Chen Lan looked at Uncle De and Uncle Fu with a hint of apology. Seeing her expression, Uncle De waved his hand magnanimously, saying nothing.
Uncle Fu smiled and said, "Xiao Lan, your work is the most urgent. It's the busy farming season, so don't dally. Hurry and take them to learn properly. The ability of the valley's people to eat their fill in the future depends on them."
Seeing that Uncle De and Uncle Fu did not object and were instead very supportive, Chen Lan wasted no more time. She turned and led Chun Cao, Qian Yingzi, and the other young wives out of the greenhouse. In the distance, she saw her mother-in-law, Mother Cui, and a group of old men, older girls, young teenagers, and young wives heading towards the greenhouse. This eased Chen Lan's worries about Uncle De and the others lacking helpers.
She then quickly led Chun Cao, Qian Yingzi, and the others away from the greenhouse.
Chen Lan then took Chun Cao and the others to the newly reclaimed wasteland where Ming Wei and Xiao Xue were. Ming Wei was teaching Xiao Xue how to operate a bulldozer, while Ru Yi was already independently operating a multi-functional agricultural tractor to level the land.
Chen Lan looked up and saw another person driving a multi-functional agricultural tractor in the distance, engaged in rotary tillage on the newly opened land. Chen Lan was perplexed. Besides herself, and Xiang Xi and Xiao Shuan who were planting spring wheat, who else could drive a tractor, and so skillfully? She wondered who it could be. Su Dan Novel Network.
As she was pondering, the tractor drove closer. Chen Lan looked closely and exclaimed aloud, shouting, "It's Mai Zi! It's Mai Zi!"
The tractor quickly approached Chen Lan. Lin Mai stopped it skillfully, got off, and approached Chen Lan, lowering her head shyly and softly calling out, "Sister Xiao Lan."
Chen Lan happily patted her shoulder and said with a smile, "That's wonderful! Mai Zi, you're amazing! You can drive a tractor now! Confess, when did you secretly learn?"
Lin Mai's small face blushed as she whispered, "After the large kitchen dispersed last year, I was bored and asked my brother to teach me."
Chen Lan thought back; she hadn't seen Lin Mai and her brother much during that period and had assumed they were resting at home due to the hard work of farming. She hadn't paid much attention, not realizing they were secretly learning a skill.
Chen Lan smiled and patted Lin Mai's shoulder again, saying, "Great! Mai Zi, from now on, the work in the large kitchen can be handed over to others. You'll work with us in the fields. Do you have any objections?" She then looked at Lin Mai, awaiting her answer.
Lin Mai nodded happily and said shyly, "Thank you, Sister Xiao Lan, I will definitely work hard!" She then bowed to Chen Lan.
This made Chen Lan laugh. "Alright, hurry up and get to work!"
Watching Lin Mai joyfully drive the tractor away, Chen Lan withdrew her gaze and walked to a piece of newly reclaimed wasteland. She squatted down and examined the soil, finding it loose and fertile.
Soil of this quality, which is well-aerated and drained, has moderate nutrient supply and retention capabilities, is drought-tolerant and flood-tolerant, and has strong resistance, is very suitable for rice cultivation. This land was perfect for growing rice.
She then stood up and called out to Ming Wei. Ming Wei had Xiao Xue stop the tractor and get off, telling Xiao Xue to continue operating it slowly on her own. Ming Wei then walked over to Chen Lan and asked, "Sister-in-law, what do you need me for?"
Chen Lan was direct. "Ming Wei, take Chun Cao with you to the shed and fill up the remaining agricultural tractors with fuel. Bring them all over to this area. The fuel barrels are quite full, so be careful when refueling."
Ming Wei nodded and left with Chun Cao.
Chen Lan turned to Qian Yingzi and the other young wives and encouraged them with a smile, "Sister Qian, please wait a moment. I've sent Ming Wei back to drive the tractors. You all must learn well when they arrive. Didn't you just see? Those few girls only learned for a few days, and now they can all drive!" She added, "This thing is really very simple, I guarantee you'll learn it in no time."