Mountain Looting: Targeted by a Leopard at the Start
Chapter 209 - 208: The Whole Year’s Plan Starts in the Spring, Shocked Agricultural University Students and Teachers!

Chapter 209: Chapter 208: The Whole Year’s Plan Starts in the Spring, Shocked Agricultural University Students and Teachers!

The sale of gold went smoothly, so the farm’s cash flow didn’t need much consideration for the time being.

Xu Yang started to ponder the matter of recruiting employees again.

He still needed to hire two more people.

Xu Yang felt that as the farm grew larger, the surroundings might not be peaceful, and having more animals could attract the attention of criminals.

He thought it would be best to hire employees who could handle a fight.

He had also discussed this with the staff.

After all, Ma Wen and Wang Wu were from a nearby county seat, close to the farm, and were relatively willing to come over.

If they were from the city or other towns, they definitely wouldn’t be content to work on a small farm since the farm was just a workplace to them, and their homes certainly weren’t nearby.

Xu Yang inquired of Ma Wen,

"Look for someone who is strong and sturdy, preferably good at fighting, someone who can handle a wild boar."

"It would be best if they are also quite bold."

"See if you can find someone like that."

Xu Yang’s words took Ma Wen by surprise.

The farm’s employees excelled in different areas.

For example, Wang Wu, a graduate of the Agricultural University, was relatively knowledgeable about the state of crops and basic agricultural knowledge, and he was creative.

Ma Wen, on the other hand, was experienced and tended to stick to conventional methods, capable of handling a variety of tasks.

Li Shan was good-natured and devoted all his energy to the farm, understanding every corner of it.

Wang Wu thought Xu Yang was joking.

Hiring a farmhand who can fight?

This wasn’t about running a clubhouse.

Though the request seemed outrageous, it was actually quite reasonable.

There wasn’t much choice, if the farm were to expand, Xu Yang was really worried about the problems he had seen online.

For example, having crops stolen,

Or someone stealing animals.

So, they still needed to hire some physically strong people.

After some thought, Ma Wen said,

"There are actually such people, those would be the soldiers who have been discharged or retired and returned to the town."

"But we’d still have to know what they were like in their previous unit, it really depends on the individual."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yang nodded, "Alright, help me scout for someone; compensation can be as usual, I think our benefits are quite competitive."

"We’ve got six more greenhouses now, and we’re about to expand onto new land, so we can’t manage without hiring more people."

"Fortunately, much of it is automated, so it’s not as labor-intensive. Everyone gets busy for a while, then has some downtime, with six people we can definitely handle it."

Once Xu Yang had settled the matter, he started recruiting employees again.

Ma Wen also inquired around town.

Somehow, word got to the village, and villagers approached wanting to join the workforce, even reaching out to Xu Yang’s parents.

But Xu Yang was aware of the applicants; they were not so diligent, always liking to complain about their jobs whenever they met.

Xu Yang decisively refused them.

There’s a difference between griping and complaining; some people gripe about work and life with a positive and optimistic attitude, just bantering. Others are full of negativity, affecting those around them.

Two days later, as the snow had almost melted and it wasn’t snowing anymore, Xu Yang planned to start the spring plowing.

Just in time, the Agricultural University started the semester, and practical classes also began.

Many students went to the fields next to theirs to till the land.

Xu Yang’s farm was bustling as he began to plan out the planting areas.

"This large area, we’ll plant grass."

"This plot will be for colored potatoes."

"Over there, I want to have a sunflower garden."

"Leave that area open for planting peanuts, you plant peanuts in late April."

"And leave that side open too, to plant Gem Corn after the Grain Rain."

Xu Yang was well aware of the planting times for each type of crop; grass, potatoes, and sunflowers all being planted in March, with the rest in April and May, nicely staggering the schedule.

Even though it was just the start of spring, the farm’s orders had already come in.

Capital City Resort had placed another large order for potatoes, and Yanbian Scenic Spot wanted his blueberries.

With the right connections, business was good.

Besides, Xu Yang had rented some additional land; the farm expanded to 300 acres.

acres was already considered fairly large for a farm.

The main issue was keeping up with investments, or else he would have built several more greenhouses.

The greenhouses were divided into intelligent and cold greenhouses, with a cold greenhouse being just a framework with a covering tarp and nothing inside.

Xu Yang planned to add a few more cold greenhouses during the autumn planting in July-August, so he could harvest another batch of crops.

No sooner said than done.

Million-level horsepower tractors rolled out, with Wang Wu at the wheel, responsible for plowing.

The plowing machinery behind them was especially imposing, its serrated blades cutting through the soil and immediately turning it over.

Though it was a small farm, it genuinely felt like working in the Beidahuang.

At that moment, a kilometer away, Agricultural University students were tilling their assigned plots of land.

After all, it was their own land, though only a small piece, they were definitely invested in it.

From afar, they noticed the commotion on the farm.

"Holy crap! What’s that?"

Wu Kai stuck his hoe in the ground and rested his hands on the handle, looking over at the farm with pure envy.

Two other Agricultural University students crowded around as well.

"I can’t believe it, such a big tractor? Doesn’t our school have one this big?"

Typically, the educational resources at a university are very good, with many valuable equipments and instruments.

But even their graduate institute didn’t have such a large tractor.

"Is that Brother Yang’s? My goodness, that’s so boss!"

Another person exclaimed in shock.

"Forget it, I’m done working; I huffed and puffed for two hours to turn over just this little bit of ground, while over there the tractor has plowed through everything in one pass."

Both engaged in spring planting,

Yet one person’s work on the farm outpaced the work of their entire institute, and by a wide margin.

After all, a million-dollar piece of equipment was there.

Xu Yang, having nothing better to do, just stood by and watched.

Leopard, the dogs, and the Sika Deer were all there.

Everyone was watching the excitement.

"It’s really nice, the plowing speed is so fast."

"Later, sowing and harvesting will be fast too."

"But with something worth a million, it must be put to good use; we should look for some gigs later, work for others, and earn whatever we can."

Xu Yang looked at the tractor, feeling quite satisfied.

The farm had a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.

At this moment, somebody from the Agricultural University approached, and Xu Yang had Xiao Hua go back to the yard while he went to meet the newcomer.

The visitor was Liu Boliang from the Agricultural University, responsible for the grass.

Liu Boliang had helped him a lot, and they collaborated happily.

The grass seeds were also provided by him.

"Mr. Xu, it’s been a long time. That tractor of yours is impressive—it must have cost a million, right?"

Liu Boliang looked at the large tractor plowing the field, somewhat shocked.

Hearing this, Xu Yang smiled and said,

"Just bought it; the farm needs it."

"I have needs on my side too, and I could help out."

Liu Boliang waved his hand, "The students are responsible for their own plowing, each to their own plot; no need for anything so elaborate."

"Your farm has a lot of work and is busy."

Xu Yang looked towards the farm’s fields, "This year I plan to plant more grass, and when the time comes, I’ll still need to get some seeds from you."

Liu Boliang was very willing to participate in this matter, as the quality of the grass Xu Yang planted was quite excellent, worthy of deeper collaboration.

"No problem, the seeds I provide you will definitely be the best."

"Logically, the income from grass isn’t that high; why think about expanding the scale?"

Hearing Liu Boliang’s words, Xu Yang replied,

"The animals on the farm really like the grass area; they all love running over here, so I thought about planting more to give them more space to move."

"Moreover, the income from grass is very stable, thanks to your channels, and I’ve got more orders too."

Liu Boliang nodded, "That’s because you grow it well."

The two continued their casual chat.

After a while, the Agricultural University students all came over.

They greeted Xu Yang and then came over to watch the tractor plowing.

Being a large tractor, it was a form of heavy machinery, and it was quite satisfying to watch.

"Brother Yang’s farm has expanded again!"

"Yeah, several more greenhouses have been added; they’re all smart greenhouses, right?"

"Must have invested at least a million."

"This farm is really nice."

The students exclaimed in admiration.

Just then, another Agricultural University teacher made his way over and stood in front of Xu Yang.

This person was Li Xiaohua, a teacher at the Agricultural University.

Li Xiaohua greeted Liu Boliang, then turned to Xu Yang and said,

"Mr. Xu, here’s the situation: next week I have a major class and need to take the Animal Science Institute students out for field practice."

"I’ve picked this place."

"The people at the Animal Science Institute admire you quite a bit, and I was thinking, could we have you come and give a lesson, to share some knowledge about animals with everyone?"

"It won’t take up much time; just ten minutes or so will do, just a brief talk with no preparation necessary."

Upon hearing Li Xiaohua’s words, Xu Yang was a bit surprised.

A lecture?

He was aware of the Animal Science Institute, which focused on professional studies related to animals.

They also have students raise animals, such as rabbits, chinchillas, hamsters, and the like.

Xu Yang thought it wasn’t a problem at all, and said,

"Sure, no problem."

"Just one thing: the Animal Science Institute students aren’t all bringing animals with them, are they? Just don’t have the class on my farm; I’m worried if the animals run off, they will be hard to find."

Hearing this, Li Xiaohua also laughed, "Yeah, we’ll make requirements, and the class will be over by Field #3."

Field #3 referred to the neighboring Agricultural University’s land.

Xu Yang agreed.

After all, talking about animal knowledge wasn’t a big deal.

At that time, he could take the Sika Deer and the dogs, and he could even bring the fox.

As for the little leopard...

It would be great to bring it, but if the students took videos, it might be hard to explain.

At that moment, Wang Wu was driving the tractor across the open field.

The seat inside was very comfortable.

He noticed the Agricultural University students and teachers outside, and suddenly felt a bit vain inside.

After all, Wang Wu himself was a graduate of the Agricultural University.

He felt observed and worked especially hard.

Students were at the age where they were curious about everything, and the more they watched, the happier they became.

After a while, Wang Wu drove the tractor over; he came down from the vehicle and greeted Xu Yang,

"Farmer, it’s all plowed."

Xu Yang nodded, "Okay, leave the field like this for now, and we’ll prepare to sow in a couple of days."

Wang Wu then came over to greet the others.

The farm used to have fewer people and was comparatively quiet.

Today, however, it was very lively, with constant laughter and talking.

As the saying goes, the whole year’s work depends on a good start in spring.

A new year had begun, and it was time to get busy.