The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 317 - 288 Opposition, Enticement, Toughness_1

Chapter 317: Chapter 288 Opposition, Enticement, Toughness_1

Wang Shuping agreed with her husband’s words, tidied up the laboratory, and went home to rest.

The third experiment had been completed under the couple’s eager anticipation; the data was correct and ready for report writing.

Thinking that they would be able to work in Qijia Village in the future, the couple felt immensely happy.

Being able to work while being with their daughter was something they found incredibly exciting—it was more than enough reason for He Jingyu and his wife to be thrilled about the prospect of joining the Huo Family!

Upon reviewing the report submitted by He Jingyu, Director Wu was elated. The enthusiasm of Qijia Village had proved that choosing it had been the right decision!

"Are you sure that the soil there is really suitable for cultivating water peaches?" Director Wu asked. He was also aware that He Jingyu’s daughter was doing her youth service in Qijia Village. He understood that the couple wanted to see their daughter, but this was related to the agricultural promotion of Huai City, which had to be handled with caution and not impulsively!

He Jingyu guessed Director Wu’s concern and smiled, "Director Wu, I am a scientific worker. I only speak with data, not emotions. It’s true that my daughter is in Qijia Village and I indeed wish to accompany her there. But when it comes to major project policies that concern Huai City, I would not act recklessly."

Hearing He Jingyu say this relieved Director Wu, who then asked, "What do you suggest we do next?"

"Director Wu, if the city has concerns, we could first contact the Agricultural Science Institute in Nan City. We could start by transplanting the few hundred two-year-old water peach trees that I previously cultivated. My wife and I will take good care of them, and by next year these trees can bear fruit. After everyone has tasted the water peaches, we can then decide whether to promote it on a large scale. Although slow, this approach is very safe," He Jingyu suggested. He knew all too well that current officials feared making mistakes and preferred security over innovation.

The fact that Huai City had reached its current state was proof that its officials still had ambition.

Upon hearing this, Director Wu agreed wholeheartedly, "Alright, you write up a report and we’ll take it for discussion. We’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible."

"Yes, Director Wu," He Jingyu nodded.

After returning, He Jingyu wrote the report overnight. The next day, it was presented to the leaders for discussion and unanimously approved.

Thus, He Jingyu and Wang Shuping split up to take action!

He Jingyu led a team to Nan City to transplant peach saplings, while Wang Shuping went to Taoyuan County Qijia Village to make preparations. Before the saplings arrived, they cleared a space in Qijia Village to plant the water peaches.

The back mountain area was the furthest, but it had the best slope and sunlight, and the soil conditions were also the best. Therefore, the couple decided to plant there.

Data on paper always met with some skepticism.

To plant was to grow the finest water peaches, to convince villagers and officials with the taste of fresh, premium water peaches.

Armed with documentation from Huai City, Wang Shuping sought out Niu Peng in Taoyuan County.

At first, Niu Peng had his reservations, but after listening to Wang Shuping’s thorough explanation, he chose to trust the couple.

Even for He Tiantian’s sake, the couple would not falsify information on this matter.

The village chief Qi had rallied the villagers to plant water peaches, and most people agreed, but a small portion did not.

The lead dissenter was Qi Shuli, who, while puffing on his dry tobacco pipe, said, "Village Chief, look, other villages haven’t taken on this task. You can’t let our village work for nothing just for the sake of your official cap!"

Secretary Qi had known that things wouldn’t go smoothly and had already thought of countermeasures. He wasn’t angry at all and calmly said, "Have you thought about the life at Goat Gully?"

"We have!" the villagers answered.

"Then do you want the road to be built?" Village Chief Qi asked again, "It would only be a three-hour walk to the county town!"

"We do!" The crowd looked at each other and nodded.

"Think about it, without anything good to offer, would anyone build a road for us?" Village Chief Qi continued, "We have lived here generation after generation, isolated from the world, so far from the county town. Remember Goat Gully? They just grew apples and not only did the supply and marketing cooperative purchase them at high prices, but they also received praise from the commune and even had a road built for them. We’re all the same, so why is there such a big difference?"

The crowd fell silent!

Qi Shuli took several deep drags from his tobacco pipe and said, "Planting fruit trees would occupy farmland. Now, who has enough grain? We’re counting every grain of rice to cook. If these fields were used for grain, we would have more to distribute."

Some people nodded thoughtfully when they heard this.

Village Chief Qi smiled and continued, "I’ve thought about what Accountant Qi said, and we’ve tried it before. In earlier years, we also developed those barren hills, but none were successful. Does Accountant Qi really think this time would be different?"

Da Jiao, chiming in, said, "Yeah, we were there when the land was being cleared. Those hilltops are strange—no matter how much water you pour, it all seeps away. You can’t grow crops there."

Some of the older people knew about these matters.

While the discussion was ongoing, Niu Peng arrived with Wang Shuping and her assistant, Xiao Wang.

Niu Peng said cheerfully, "Don’t worry, everyone. According to the instructions from the city and county, we won’t be planting water peaches on a large scale for now. We’ve decided to plant a hundred peach trees on the back mountain in a trial orchard to see how it goes."

"The back mountain?" The crowd buzzed with the news. The back mountain was considered to be the geomantic treasure of Qijia Village.

’Now they want to open a peach orchard, won’t it affect the geomancy?’

But they didn’t dare to voice their concerns in front of the officials for fear of being accused of feudal superstition!

"Yes!" Niu Peng continued, "The back mountain has the best soil and is the most suitable. The required area is not large; just four to five mu of mountain land. The workload is small, and with everyone’s help, it should take just two or three days to complete."

The people fell silent once more, glancing at Village Chief Qi and Qi Shuli in turn.

"I agree with this decision," Village Chief Qi announced, "A small boat turns easily. By responding to the instructions from the city and county, we can also protect our Qijia Village’s resources."

The crowd reasoned that this was a decision made by both the city and the county. Even if Accountant Qi disagreed, what could he do? Now even Accountant Qi did not dare to object outright!

If Accountant Qi was reluctant to take the lead, they certainly did not wish to either.

Being a leading bird might catch a few more insects, but it could also be the first to be shot by a gun!

Seeing no opposition, Niu Peng added, "Now, the experts will be living here all the time to look after these fruit trees. It won’t trouble Qijia Village. In fact, if we succeed in cultivation, Qijia Village will be the biggest beneficiary."

Niu Peng wouldn’t make empty promises of benefits before the water peaches had grown.

And so, under the decisive stance of Niu Peng and Village Chief Qi, the villagers banded together. Under Wang Shuping’s direction, they carved out five mu of land on the mountain.