Returning to the village to farm starts with activating the spiritual veins.

Chapter 9 Preparations for Going Up the Mountain

Sun Ran's family's 1.5 mu of paddy field is used to grow two crops of rice a year, one in the morning and one in the evening, with a total yield of about 800 kilograms per mu.

But this is the weight of the rice before it is hulled.

If husked into rice, it would weigh less than 600 kilograms.

A 1.5-acre paddy field can yield a maximum of 900 kilograms.

Although his mother, Zhou Yue'e, has been the only one taking care of the two children at home for the past few years, she doesn't eat much rice.

But to think that you can make money from the grain grown in paddy fields is wishful thinking.

Seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, plus other miscellaneous expenses.

If it weren't for the subsidies, we probably would have had to pay extra for that kind of grain ourselves.

So they just grow their own food in these rice paddies, hoping to eat it with peace of mind.

To truly make money, you definitely have to rely on other businesses.

As for what to rely on?

As the saying goes, "Those who live near mountains live off the mountains, and those who live near water live off the water." Since their village is called Qingshan Village, it must be located near the mountains surrounding the village.

There are more than 3000 mu of land belonging to the village on the nearby mountains.

There are about 200 acres of terraced fields, and the rest is all mountainous land.

There are over 2000 mu of bamboo forests and over 700 mu of mountain forests planted with fruit trees and other plants.

In the early years after the reform and opening up, from the distribution of land to individual households, to the later contracting and division of family property, etc...

To this day, besides the 1.5 mu of terraced fields and the roughly half-mu vegetable garden behind the house, Sun Ran's parents also have about 5 mu of bamboo forest and more than 10 mu of mountain forest.

If the harvest is good, these fields can generate an income of around 100,000 yuan a year.

The income is definitely not high, otherwise Sun Ran's father and his elder brother and sister-in-law would not have gone out to work.

Of course, if they stayed in the village, it wouldn't be difficult for them to contract more land.

After all, there aren't many people left in the village now.

However, farming is ultimately dependent on the weather, and no one can expect favorable weather every year.

So Zhou Yue'e stayed in the village alone, taking care of the small plot of land at home and also looking after the two little children.

But so much land, even bamboo groves and fruit trees in the mountains, is managed extensively, and there is still a lot of work to be done.

So, my uncle's family used to help them out quite a bit.

Sun Bolang, the only able-bodied man in his large family in the village and also the village head...

His skills in farming and doing farm work are naturally top-notch.

How could he tolerate being mocked to his face by his nephew for being old and frail?

impossible!

He immediately started competing with Sun Ran.

When it comes to rice planting, I'm too old to bend over like you young folks, but in other things, how could I be worse than you?

No way! We have to settle this with a winner!

Especially since his family's terraced fields were even larger, by the third day, Sun Ran had to come and help him transplant rice seedlings, which made him even more embarrassed.

After finishing his work for the day, he firmly grasped his nephew's hand and refused to let go.

We have to have a good competition with him, no matter what. We've finished the work in the fields, so we'll go up the mountain to compete tomorrow!

I can't beat you, you little brat, at bending over to plant rice seedlings, but I refuse to believe I can't beat you at climbing mountains!

So, with the surrounding family and many well-meaning villagers as witnesses, the uncle and nephew made their bet.

Tomorrow we'll go up the mountain to clear the orchard, and then the two of us will have another good competition!

"Why are you arguing with Ranran for no reason? We're all family."

After a long day of farm work, Sun Boliang was still sitting at the dinner table in the evening, indignant. Liu Huiying couldn't stand it anymore.

"Well, that's because he said I was weak!"

While rubbing his lower back, Sun Bolang stubbornly retorted, "Don't you know how bad my back is?"

"Pooh!"

Liu Huiying spat at him, her face flushing slightly: "Mom and Dad are right here, what nonsense are you spouting!"

"How could I have said anything wrong!"

Sun Bolang was still somewhat unconvinced: "Tomorrow I'll show that brat what it means to be an experienced veteran!"

"Well said!"

With a loud slam, the old man next to him slammed his hand on the table: "That little brat needs to be taught a lesson."

"Let him know why the flowers are so red!"

"Cheers! I'm rooting for you!"

As he spoke, he raised his small wine cup and clinked it against his son's, then tilted his head back and slurped down the wine in one gulp.

He still remembers exactly how his grandson extorted him the day before yesterday!

With such a good opportunity, shouldn't we get our revenge?

"That's right, let him know he's still too green to compare to me, hmph!"

Sun Bolang also tilted his head back and downed a small glass of wine.

After finishing his drink, he turned around and saw his wife chuckle: "Huiying, why don't you give my back a good massage with some medicinal wine tonight? I can't reach it myself."

Liu Huiying rolled her eyes after hearing this: "Are you just looking for trouble?"

"Don't we usually have to rest for a few days after transplanting rice seedlings before going up the mountain to clear the orchards?"

"Now look what's happened! Just to compete with your nephew, you're neglecting your own health, huh? I don't have time for that. You can wipe it off yourself!"

"Oh, honey~"

"roll!"

Liu Huiying glared at him, then ignored him and turned to talk to her mother-in-law.

"Mom, Ranran's getting on in years, shouldn't we start thinking about his marriage?"

"Hehe, you're right."

The old lady nodded with a smile: "Now that Ping'an and An'an can run around freely, it's about time he started thinking about it."

"You and Yue'e can discuss it further later, see if there are any suitable families in the surrounding villages, and introduce them to them..."

"Okay, I'll take care of this. I'll talk to my sister-in-law about it tomorrow..."

Sun Bolang, who was standing nearby, was furious.

He wouldn't even help me apply some medicated wine, but he's so eager to help that brat find a wife.

How can that elbow bend outwards?!

He picked up the wine cup, about to pour it into his mouth, when he turned his head and saw his father, his eyes darting around: "Dad, why don't you help me wipe it?"

"No problem, I've got your dad covered!"

The old man patted his chest and immediately agreed. As long as he could teach that brat a lesson, it was no problem!

"Come on, Dad, let me toast you. Thank you!"

Sun Bolang was delighted to hear this, quickly grabbed a small wine cup, clinked glasses with it, and happily downed the wine in one gulp.

That's only because of my dad, he's reliable!

Watching the father and son enjoying their drinks, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law couldn't help but roll their eyes.

These two, father and son, are hopeless!

Turning their heads, they started discussing again which girls from the surrounding villages were suitable...

Meanwhile, on the other side, Sun Ran was unaware that his grandmother and third aunt were worrying about his marriage.

"Here, this one's yours, and this one's mine..."

He was sitting at the dining table, sharing spicy strips with his two little ones.

Since trying it yesterday at noon, not only Sun Ran, but even these two little guys have fallen in love with the taste of spicy strips.

Sun Ping was a little better; he only took a few bites.

That's not right, little girl.

Even though she doesn't usually eat spicy food, and even though she had to hiss and pant while eating and fan her mouth, she still kept eating with great joy.

The main point is that it's about someone who's bad at the game but loves to play!

She even went to her great-grandfather's supermarket early this morning to buy... well, she brought back a bag.

However, there is one advantage.

Sun Ran discovered that only the spicy snacks he bought and then shared with others had the effect of restoring energy.

The bag that the little girl brought back this morning seems to only have spicy flavor left.

"I have to say, you're really something. You don't eat properly yourself, and you're even leading An'an astray."

At the dinner table, Zhou Yue'e couldn't stand it anymore and smacked her son on the head with her chopsticks.

"And another thing, why are you arguing with your uncle for no reason? He said he wanted to make a bet, and you actually did it?!"

"Didn't he force me to do this?"

Sun Ran sat there looking aggrieved, her eyes darting around, leaving Zhou Yue'e at a loss for words.

Why is it that neither of these two, an uncle and nephew, can give anyone peace of mind?

What she didn't know was that her son's eyes didn't show any guilt at all.

Instead, he was focused intently on the mission description that only he could see...

[Task: Competition and Examination]

As a true disciple, your cultivation has recently increased significantly. The sect leader, seeing your potential, is delighted and also intends to test and guide you.

Task requirement: Win the competition.

Quest Reward: 1 random basic spell

……

Sun Ran was now somewhat speechless about his own cheat system, and had no time to care about how the sect leader and true disciples came to be.

Anyway, we already have a Supreme Elder...

He was more concerned about the mission reward.

This cheat code finally rewarded me with something good!

Magic!

Thinking about the effects of the spiritual spring and then about the spell, Sun Ran couldn't help but drool.

He couldn't help but picture it in his mind: what if he raised his hand and a fireball flew out?

Or they might just gesture with their fingers, and a bolt of lightning would strike down from the sky.

Wouldn't that make your mouth water?

If he learns that, he'll be walking around like a madman when he goes out!

What's more, it was agreed during the bet that if he won, he could choose any fishing rod from his uncle's collection.

My uncle, Sun Bolang, has a great passion for fishing.

From a young age, I loved following him around, going to the streams and rivers at the foot of the mountains to catch fish and play games.

At first, it wasn't fashionable to buy any fishing rods. We would just go up the mountain to find suitable bamboo, cut a few pieces, and use a piece of foam or goose feather as a float.

Later, platform fishing gradually became popular, and then I went to buy fishing rods and floats.

Then, a few years ago, carbon fiber fishing rods were no longer a novelty, and my uncle started to get fascinated with making his own fishing rods again.

The village is surrounded by bamboo forests, and there are many varieties of bamboo suitable for making fishing rods, so my uncle is now in his element.

He even went so far as to seek out a famous bamboo craftsman in the area to become an apprentice, and his skill in making fishing rods improved day by day.

While it certainly can't compare to mainstream commercial fishing rods in terms of weight, the key is that fishing with this handmade rod makes you look cool!

So I've been eyeing those fishing rods for a long time too.

In this way, wouldn't this task be a win-win situation, allowing you to earn money twice?

A cheat code is great!

You understand me!

As for the outcome of this bet...

Sun Ran chuckled, picked up a spicy strip, and put it in his mouth.

Oh dear, is it a bit too much to bully my uncle by eating spicy snacks every day to restore my stamina and cheat like this?

That's an unfair victory...

Thinking about him, she turned her head with a smile: "Come on, let's continue sharing, I'll take one..."

"Uncle, you're cheating! It was clearly your turn to be assigned, how come it's still yours?"

"Oh? Really?"

"Um!"

……

As night fell, lights were on in a dozen or so houses scattered throughout the village.

In the stillness of the night, the chirping of insects could be heard intermittently from the surrounding mountains, forests, and grasslands.

"...Ah! Dad, be gentle!"

Suddenly, a scream pierced the night sky...