Chapter 417: Tricks
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Binglan, did I hear you right? Eight thousand pounds per acre? T-That’s…”
Grandaunt Su asked.
‘That’s unreal! I wouldn’t have believed it if someone else had said it. My husband is the village chief and always spoke seriously, paying particular attention to the words of a gentleman. Even so, I wouldn’t believe him if he said what Binglan said.’
Since that was the case, Grandaunt Su also felt the production rate was a little too incredible. Still, that was what Su Binglan had said. Grandaunt Su thought it was unreal but could not help but believe it. She was pretty excited.
She and Chief Su had also been farmers when they were younger. Although they had grown old and their sons and daughters were dutiful, they understood land and crops.
‘Even if one works hard for an entire year, watering and tending to crops in one acre of land could never produce so much food.’
Su Binglan nodded thoughtfully, “It’s true, Grandaunt Su.”
However, the number she mentioned was just a conservative estimate. The potato and sweet potato production rate should increase exponentially after her pocket dimension’s improvements. As for the specifics, she would only know after growing the potatoes.
Su Binglan had gone to the fields to check on the soybeans’ growth two days ago. She found that the soybeans were overgrowing.
‘The production rate should be very high since they all grew densely.’
Therefore, she was almost sure the improved seeds would yield much more.
Chief Su snapped out of his daze and happily smacked the table. “That’s terrific, Binglan!” He was so excited that he did not know what else to say.
Su Binglan continued, “We can also cook the potatoes and eat them with rice or make dishes with them.”
Grandaunt Su returned to her senses and sighed after hearing that. She said, “Then no one will starve again. The villagers will have enough to eat, even if they plant only a little.”
Chief Su nodded. “Hmm. We’ll have to wait until spring to tell everyone about this in case they get anxious.”
Even he could not wait to plant potatoes.
Su Binglan chatted with her first granduncle more before preparing to go home. However, it was only afternoon, so she thought about it and decided to visit the temporary embroidery shop.
After all, a few days had passed, and she did not know how much progress the workers had made.
Her footsteps stopped when she arrived at the house he had lived in with Luo Jin’an, which she now used as the temporary embroidery shop. Even though the house was small, she had many fond memories.
Luo Jin’an had been away for a few days, and Su Binglan wondered how he was doing. She did not think much about it since she was busy, but memories about her husband flooded her mind as she stood there silently, allowing herself to think about Luo Jin’an.
‘He’s a man of few words at times but always meticulous. He had a cold demeanor but could be careful and gentle.’
Su Binglan quickly calmed down after pondering. After all, now was not the time to think about this since she still had many things to do.
Soon after, she entered the old house.
Ding Wan was teaching everyone to make rag dolls at that moment.
She had taught everyone how to make handbags and backpacks a few days ago. After everyone familiarized themselves with those things, Ding Wan taught them how to make rag dolls.
Since she decided to teach these people first, they could teach newer workers whenever Su Binglan hired more people when the embroidery shop was complete.
Things would be more efficient that way. Everyone knew how talented Ding Wan was in embroidery. Her lessons were straightforward and efficient, helping everyone to learn quickly.
She wondered what the real embroidery shop would look like while teaching everyone.
‘Since Binglan wants me to be a manager, I must think about how to do it for her.’
Dong Xiaolei felt restrained and was silent when she first followed her mother to do embroidery work. However, she became more lively after getting to know the people around her over the past few days.
She was stuffing wheat husks into the rag doll and could not bear to part with it because of how pretty it looked.
Shi Cui said, “Even I want to hold on to it because of how pretty it looks, not to mention children.”
She was holding a needle and thread while quickly sewing her doll. Now that her hand had recovered, she could do things swiftly with no trouble. Her previous scars and cuts had formed scabs and fallen off, making her skin look new again.
Her hand was no longer swollen, and her new skin was soft. Even so, she still could not believe it was real. Now, she wanted to use her hands more and grow accustomed to this relaxing feeling.
Since her hand no longer hurt, it felt easier to thread the needle.
Shi Cui had become more open with everyone ever since her hand recovered, and she received a job at the temporary embroidery shop. She was also frank and generous like she was many years ago.
She no longer had the depressed and desperate look as when Ding Wan visited her. Now, Shi Cui could talk and laugh with everyone.
Everyone also found her words exciting and could not help but laugh whenever she spoke.
“Wheat husks as stuffings are great, but cotton is softer. It’s just that cotton is more costly.”
Ding Wan picked up the rag beside her and said, “Binglan bought these unwanted rags from a cloth shop in town. They’re cheap and can be bought in two bags, so you can stuff them into the dolls, too.”
Sun Damin had just finished making a new doll and felt accomplished. “This doll looks so adorable. I’ve never seen a lovelier one.”
She had made her doll based on what Su Binglan had given her. It was a cartoon mouse with a wide, open smile. It was simple to make but looked good, nonetheless.
Yang Luqin was also busy sewing with her head lowered. “These will undoubtedly be in high demand if we sell them. The children from wealthy families will love these things.”
“Everyone will like them,” Zhou Wen’e added, “We’ll make some expensive and more affordable ones. Still, the wealthy families will probably buy the more expensive ones.”
Meanwhile, Miss He only pursed her lips and smiled. She enjoyed listening to the people around her talk because of how lively it felt. She did not even feel tired. Instead, she felt like time would pass too quickly.
Su Binglan came in just as everyone was busy sewing. She said smilingly, “It looks like everyone is busy, huh?”
Everyone immediately showed respectful expressions when they heard the voice and saw Su Binglan.
“Miss Su is here!”
“Hello, Miss Su.”
Everyone hurried to get down from the brick bed. They would not treat Su Binglan like a child just because she was younger than them.
They knew how capable Su Binglan was as they would soon work in her embroidery shop and earn money relying on her abilities. That was why everyone was respectful and grateful to her.
Su Binglan waved. “Everyone, continue doing your work. There’s no need to be so formal. I’m just here to check on everyone.”
She joined the workers on the brick bed as she spoke so that everyone would feel less restrained..