Chapter 1321: Staying For the Time being

Editor: Henyee Translations

They decided to purchase a few more intelligent dogs to rear in the future, which would prove beneficial for their patrols.

Considering the vast expanse of land, constructing a tall wall using green bricks was an unfeasible endeavor. At most, they could enclose certain areas, and some spots were simply challenging to fence off.

When it came to planting potatoes, there was little cause for concern. If someone was unfamiliar with them or lacked knowledge, they were less likely to become targets.

However, fruits like watermelons and cantaloupes were highly sought after and therefore prone to theft. Unless every family in the village planted them, these fruits would be pilfered no matter where they were grown.

If villagers occasionally plucked one or two to satisfy their cravings, it was tolerable. However, vigilance and patrolling were essential, as failure to do so would result in more than just a few missing fruits.

Furthermore, they needed to ensure they had a variety of farming tools on hand, including plows, cattle, iron plows, and iron rakes.

Songshi mentioned that he had already signed ten contracts with tenants, but it seemed insufficient. Before the new year arrived, he planned to visit reliable individuals and secure an additional five contracts with strong laborers, which should be adequate.

Songshi nodded, carefully recording the details one by one, before allowing the tenants to enter and meet with him.

The tenants living in the small green brick courtyard were similar to the farmers, exhibiting timidity and nervousness. They were apprehensive that any disagreement with their boss could lead to their eviction.

With no shortage of potential tenants, competition among them was fierce, and the landlord had the power to dismiss them unilaterally.

Given the excellent living conditions provided by their generous landlord, there was little reason to seek accommodation elsewhere. Being tenants in another household would necessitate building their own houses.

Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan greeted everyone as usual, offering a few brief words of advice on maintaining good behavior and fulfilling their duties.

During their employment, individuals could retain their positions as long as they performed well. Those who did not meet the expected standards risked termination by year-end. Finding suitable replacements was not a concern.

The constant threat of dismissal kept most employees from taking any impulsive actions.

Qiao Xuan believed that the terms offered to the tenants were quite enticing. As long as they possessed some level of competence and aspired to lead a respectable life, they were unlikely to jeopardize their employment.

Leaving the fields fallow was not an option, and it provided an opportunity for cultivation. Additionally, it allowed Songshi to gain experience. In the following year, they intended to cultivate potatoes, watermelons, and other crops. Familiarity with these crops would reduce their management worries.

After all, Qiao Xuan planned to return to Shaoding Village and head south in the spring. Enhancing her superpower was vital for the growth of the mulberry garden and flower fields. It was an investment.

Her ability to harness and manifest her superpower depended on this development.

So, Qiao Xuan discussed with Shao Yunduan and requested that Songshi organize the tenants to cultivate 500 mu of cabbage and 300 mu of white radishes, which had a shorter growth cycle. With Qiao Xuan’s superpower, they could reduce the growth time by 10 days, 8 days, or even half a month.

These seemingly small time savings held significant advantages in the market. Furthermore, vegetables nurtured by her superpower were not only tastier but also of higher quality and longer shelf life. In winter, the capital’s residents particularly valued carrots and cabbages. They wouldn’t have to worry about sales when the time came.

Even if they couldn’t be sold immediately, they could transform the surplus cabbages into spicy pickled cabbage, and white radishes into dried radishes, allowing for gradual sales.

Songshi, eager to keep busy during the winter, readily agreed when he heard the plan.

“Don’t worry, Old Master and Madam. I will make all the necessary arrangements diligently. I will oversee daily operations, handle vegetable cultivation, hire and manage labor, acquire farming equipment, tend to the cattle, erect fences, plow the fields, and everything else. Nothing will be left unattended!”