Chapter 952: Large-Scale Farming
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Binglan was thrilled when she found the strawberries. Since it was lunchtime, she returned to the village with Luo Jin’an. Su Binglan then got someone to bring Miss Chen and Wei Shu to the village.
Wei Shu was now the chief of Black Mountain Village, and his wife was Miss Chen. When they heard that Su Binglan had summoned them, they hurriedly stopped working and ran over.
The couple usually chopped firewood in the Black Forest to use in the dumpling restaurant.
Some of the women would wrap dumplings together and freeze them. They would later send the frozen dumplings to the restaurant for the kitchen staff to cook.
No one expected the shop to be so popular that they struggled to keep up with the demand. Afterward, the villagers thought about making and freezing the dumplings first so that they could prepare more.
Still, the restaurant would quickly run out of dumplings to sell. The restaurant was small initially, but business boomed, and people soon had to line up outside.
Later, Wei Shi expanded the restaurant by combining two shops and adding a second floor. Although there were ample amounts of tables and chairs on each floor, they would still be crowded all day. That was mainly because the dumplings were delicious and affordable.
Black Mountain Village used to only consist of seven to eight families, and they were all members of the Wei family. Later, Luo Jin’an gathered his scattered family members and moved them to Black Mountain Village.
Ultimately, the village expanded from just several households to more than twenty. Everyone lived harmoniously and constantly helped each other. Whenever the village wanted to do something, Wei Cheng, his wife, and the others would discuss it together.
Although Black Mountain Village did not look big, everyone lived earnest lives. They also loved Su Binglan because she had vindicated the Wei family. Moreover, she had given them skills to cook and make a better living for themselves.
When Wei Shu and his wife entered the house, they saw Su Binglan and Luo Jin’an washing some red things that they had never seen before. The former couple was stunned, wondering what those red things were. Even so, Wei Shu and Miss Chen suspected those things to be edible.
Su Binglan smiled when she saw the couple. She said, “Come and try these strawberries, Uncle Shu and Aunt Chen. I’ve already washed plenty of these and will call the rest of the villagers over to try them.”
Miss Chen walked over curiously, asking, “These are strawberries? Are they edible?”
Su Binglan handed a bowl of washed strawberries to Miss Chen and Wei Shu. “Of course they are. Here, try some and tell me what you think.”
Miss Chen could tell they tasted good just by looking at them. After taking a bite, she tasted the sweetness and was stunned. “Wow, these are so tasty!”
Even Wei Shu was full of praise, “I love how they taste. I’ve never tasted anything like it.”
Su Binglan explained, “Jin’an and I found these at Black Mountain Forest.”
Wei Shu was puzzled, saying, “But my wife and I cut firewood there all the time. We’ve never seen these before.”
Although the strawberries were vibrant, the couple still did not notice them in the forest. Su Binglan knew it was because she had special powers and could unlock a barrier in the forest. She was the only one who could find the strawberries.
Su Binglan said, “It’s okay, though. We can grow these things ourselves and then plant them in larger areas.”
Miss Chen was excited. “Can we really do that, Madam Binglan? If so, these things will sell out quickly.”
Su Binglan knew strawberries did not exist in this era as no one had discovered them before. She knew it would cause a sensation if the Black Mountain Villagers sold strawberries.
Wei Shu was excited when he thought about what his wife said.
Su Binglan asked, “Isn’t Wei Dahai and Wei Xiaohai coming?”
They were Miss Chen and Wei Shu’s sons. Miss Chen explained, “Since many businessmen have been visiting lately, most of them eat at the restaurant. Dahai and Xiaohai are busy helping out.”
Su Binglan nodded. “Then I’ll have to trouble you to call them over, Aunt Chen. I’d like everyone to try these strawberries, especially since Jin’an and I have plucked so many. I’ll give each family a basketful to taste and then teach you all how to grow them.”
After teaching the villagers to grow strawberries, the village would develop even quicker. Soon after, Miss Chen and Wei Shu called everyone over.
The villagers were excited as they tried the strawberries. They were also happy to see Su Binglan and Luo Jin’an again. When the villagers gathered and talked, it created a lively atmosphere.
“These strawberries are delicious!”
“So, these are what strawberries look like.”
“They’re so delicious that I can’t stop eating them.”
“I’ve never seen fruits like these before.”
“If people had found them earlier, they would have been popular long ago.”
“You’re right. It’s great that Madam Binglan always finds things like these.”
“Yeah, she was the one who discovered the hawthorns, too. Now, everyone makes and sells candied hawthorns in town. Business is booming.”
“Yeah, most people enjoy eating hawthorn dumplings, too.”
Everyone chatted while they ate, and Su Binglan could feel the liveliness. She said smilingly, “You can eat as many as you want. I’ll also give each of you a basket of strawberries to share with your families.
“By the way, I’ll also teach you all how to grow some. Soon enough, your village will be responsible for producing and selling these fruits.”
The villagers stopped eating and listened to Su Binglan with sparkling eyes. They did not want to miss out on any information and were eager to learn how to grow strawberries.
After all, they knew they would significantly benefit if they could grow strawberries for themselves.