Song Tan’s Chronicle - Chapter 67

Song Tan raised an eyebrow and looked at Zhang Yanping with clear, penetrating eyes. He felt as if his once kind-hearted cousin had not only changed her personality but also gained an insightful gaze.

However, Song Tan’s face soon softened into a forgiving smile. “Brother Yanping, do you have any recommendations?”

Zhang Yanping felt a bit awkward.

When it came to thorny plants for a protective barrier, there were many options. But Zhang Yanping had ruled out more common plants like goji berries and sea buckthorn, which could be found in many nurseries.

Admittedly, these plants didn’t offer the same protective qualities as golden cherry.

The golden cherry plant was particularly unruly, with large and small thorns and fuzzy bristles covering its entire body.

From leaves to fruits, it was a fortress of thorns.

Its branches were long, flexible, and tough, intertwining to form a dense, high, and thick barrier that was nearly impenetrable.

If anyone managed to get through, they would certainly be a brave soul. So, he felt his recommendation was justified.

Yet, his cousin’s knowing demeanor made even his thick skin feel a bit embarrassed.

But this didn’t stop him from continuing with his idea:

“You see, golden cherry saplings are hard to find, right? But your cousin, not to brag, just happens to know a nursery that has them.”

He leaned in closer, his fair, round face looking especially earnest.

“Look, Tan Tan, isn’t this a skill in itself? Don’t think I’m just fooling around like Mom does.”

“Since we’re family, I won’t charge you a commission. Just let me stay here and eat well without having to do farm work.”

Song Tan smiled. “Brother Yanping, I would agree in normal circumstances. But don’t forget, you’re here for labor reform.”

“If you don’t work, Aunt will think you’re a burden to us.”

Look at how sturdy Brother Yanping is! Not putting him to work is a huge waste.

Song Tan gently persuaded:

“Brother, we don’t have heavy labor tasks, just small chores.”

This was true. They mostly needed help with planting, tea picking, vegetable harvesting, and digging irrigation channels.

Oh, and planting the golden cherry, feeding the pigs, chickens, and ducks, and training the puppies.

Overall, these tasks were lighter than digging hills.

Song Tan wanted to take it step by step.

Today digging irrigation channels, tomorrow planting golden cherry, later transplanting rice seedlings—reasonable, right?

So, she spoke more persuasively:

“If you go home, Aunt will nag you every day. Even though you found the import fruit channels, she still thinks you’re freeloading. Don’t you feel wronged?”

It wasn’t that Aunt and Uncle were harsh; they just believed that unless you were working hard, it wasn’t proper work.

As for finding import fruit channels… Those were pricey! If not for the booming market, they wouldn’t have dared to try.

“But it’s different here. Mom likes you. Just lend a hand a little, and you’ll be treated like royalty!”

“And our vegetables, you know the taste. Isn’t it worth it to do some light work in exchange for three big bowls of delicious food?”

Zhang Yanping opened his mouth but had nothing to say.

He knew that if he lazed around, even his Aunt wouldn’t tolerate it, as they were truly busy.

After pondering, he finally said, “Qiao Qiao said there were purslane buns at home. Heat two for me, and I’ll contact the nursery.”

He added, “Tan Tan, golden cherry can also be propagated by cuttings or seeds. If you’re not in a rush, you could find a plant in the wild, take cuttings, and it’ll be good in two or three years.”

Song Tan sighed—propagation was possible, but even with spiritual energy, it wouldn’t grow instantly.

“We’re in a hurry. The chestnut grove is far, about four acres, with over 500 trees.”

This wasn’t large locally, with many larger chestnut groves on the surrounding hills.

Over time, most families didn’t rely on chestnuts for income, and their care had become lax.

Some trees were cut down, some left uncared for.

In Song Tan’s memory, they had to watch the chestnut grove carefully to prevent theft.

But now, mature chestnuts often went unnoticed.

If someone came to buy, they would gather some to sell. If not, they didn’t bother.

There weren’t many strong laborers left in the village. Most who could work had gone away for jobs by the chestnut harvest.

Without fertilizers, it was hard for farmers to maintain them.

“Right now, we don’t have enough people to guard it day and night. The black fungus and silver fungus take up part of it, and we plan to interplant other crops. We can’t wait for golden cherry to grow slowly. We need mature plants.”

Zhang Yanping frowned. “If you want them grown in a year, you’ll need three-to-five-year-old saplings, which aren’t cheap.”

“Especially since you need the thorny ones. Most nurseries cultivate thornless varieties.”

“Each sapling would be around fifteen yuan. How many do you need?”

Song Tan thought about the grove’s perimeter. With spiritual energy, mature plants could be spaced two meters apart, forming a double-layer fence inside and outside.

“We need about 200 plants.”

Zhang Yanping considered and hesitated. “Tan Tan, you’re investing a lot in this. Are you planning to farm long-term?”

He didn’t believe her excuse of just taking a break and casually farming.

Song Tan nodded. “Brother Yanping, don’t worry about the money. I’ve been selling vegetables daily. The vetch you ate today goes for twenty yuan a pound.”

The money from selling wild vegetables covered the pickup truck, and the vetch sales added a couple of thousand yuan.

She projected another thirty thousand yuan from local and bulk orders.

Despite the extensive plans, the investments were gradually paying off.

Not to mention the tea! This spring’s tea alone would be profitable.

Zhang Yanping wasn’t surprised by the price and didn’t doubt her plan. He nodded.

“It’s worth the price. As long as you have a plan.”

Then he picked up the phone. “I’ll contact the nursery now.”

“Oh, and heat those purslane buns for me.”