Chapter 96: The Grand Finale

Chapter 96: The Grand Finale

It was now mid-winter, and the northern country was covered in ice and snow, but the ecological farm was bustling with activity.

The farm was slaughtering pigs for the New Year, and members could exchange their labor points for fresh pork.

Members of this brigade could also use their labor points to get cured meats, smoked chickens, and ducks, as well as cold-smoked meats, though most preferred the smoked variety, so fewer people bought the cold-smoked meats.

Members of the Xiangyang Brigade and the Leap Forward Brigade also enjoyed discounted prices from the brigade, allowing them to buy pork, cured meats, eggs, and salted duck eggs at lower prices. They didn't lack these items in their daily lives either.

In the past, such conditions didn't exist. This year, the brigade had meat, and any household that wasn't struggling to make ends meet tried to buy more.

Besides eating it during the New Year, they needed it to entertain visiting relatives and friends, and to bring when visiting others.

Going back to one's hometown, visiting aunts, uncles, and cousins—carrying meat made one look much more respectable.

Everyone wore smiles on their faces, even those who were previously poor households. This year, they bought new clothes and shoes for their children and led them to the Cannery compound to buy meat.

On the road, people either carried meat or baskets of eggs, some holding smoked chickens and ducks in one hand and cured meats in the other, greeting acquaintances from afar with smiles.

"Here you are!"

"Buying meat? Don't rush, there's plenty for everyone."

Members of this brigade stood chatting about the good life this year, comparing how many points each family earned, and how some families originally had more but spent too much on meat throughout the year, ending up with fewer points at the end.

Members of the Xiangyang Brigade and the Leap Forward Brigade listened enviously; they joined the farm later and couldn't participate in the profit-sharing, so they had to pay for the meat.

They truly envied the members of the Forward Brigade, who, being in the same brigade as Factory Manager Tang and Factory Manager Feng, were directly boosted. It was said that even infants received ten yuan in dividends at the end of the year, let alone those who could work.

Those with fewer dividends in the Forward Brigade envied those with more, and these two brigades envied them.

And the members from other places who came to buy eggs and pork looked at them with envy, "You two brigades are so fortunate, being next to the Forward Brigade and joining the farm this year. I heard you have more grain than you can eat, having fine flour and rice every day? By the way, what does the rice taste like? Is it the same as millet?"

"Oh, we don't eat rice. It's the Xiangyang Brigade that grows rice; you should ask them."

The Xiangyang Brigade immediately responded, "Oh, we've exchanged all our rice for meat and feed. I think our wheat and corn taste better; we're not used to the taste of rice."

Their words were filled with prideful disdain, and everyone could tell, leading to a round of teasing laughter.

Someone else envied the Leap Forward Brigade, "Does your brigade have hundreds of acres of medicinal fields that have joined the farm's partnership?"

"Oh, not that many, maybe just a few dozen acres," the member of the Leap Forward Brigade quickly humbly replied, afraid of arousing jealousy. The brigade leader had instructed them to be discreet and not show off, to avoid making enemies.

This person really exaggerated; they only joined with three hundred acres, including mountainous areas and forests. How did it become hundreds of acres?

They worked busily for several days, and the Cannery even worked overtime to pack two batches of goods.

One batch was transported by their own trucks to Qingzhou Port, and another was picked up by a transport company with large trucks.

The day before the Minor New Year, Professor Cheng accompanied leaders from Provincial University, University Jin, and University Hua, while Ji Hongyue accompanied leaders and officials from the provincial, city, and county education bureaus to the farm.

Seeing such a large group, Tang Yuan was startled.

What were they here for?

To take advantage of the farm's pig slaughter and meat distribution?

Aren't they celebrating the New Year?

Ji Hongyue gave Tang Yuan a meaningful look.

Tang Yuan had already seen Professor Cheng and hurried over to support her teacher, smiling and concerned, "Teacher, why did you come suddenly? Why didn't you call me to pick you up? Where is my teacher's wife?"

Professor Cheng smiled, "We'll talk about personal matters later. Let me introduce you to some school leaders."

Professor Cheng introduced several leaders from the admissions offices of the universities and two professors from the agricultural college, while Ji Hongyue introduced the leaders from the education bureau.

The education bureau accompanied the admissions office leaders.

They had a mission; Tang Yuan and Feng Chen were well-known figures within the province, young and full of ideas, capable of earning foreign exchange for the country, and with great potential for the future.

They could allow them to study in the capital, but they wanted to ensure they returned to work in the province.

While talent working anywhere contributed to the nation, their achievements would count as the province's political performance if they stayed within the province.

Feng Chen, who was busy inspecting motors and other machinery, hurried back to help Tang Yuan entertain the guests.

If it were up to him, he wouldn't like these formalities, but with more and more people arriving, he didn't want his wife to be overburdened, so he took the initiative to help.

Everyone was proper, and the leaders from University Jin and University Hua didn't directly try to persuade Tang Yuan and Feng Chen to join their schools. Instead, they chatted about the farm and the factory.

It wasn't yet mealtime, so they went to tour the Cannery.

The Cannery had gradually stopped operations, except for the smoked meat workshop, which was still working.

Although foreigners didn't celebrate the Chinese New Year, they hoped the Cannery would continue shipping, but Tang Yuan refused.

She had her own New Year to celebrate; everything would wait until after the tenth day of the first lunar month.

The Cannery stopped operations on the Minor New Year and resumed on the tenth day of the first lunar month. This was the rule she set for the factory, regardless of how many orders they had; money couldn't be earned endlessly.

At noon, they enjoyed a sumptuous meal of pork dishes, various braised meats, and offal, making everyone feel that life at the ecological farm was truly wonderful.

Afterward, they toured the biogas pool, biogas power generation facility, pig farm, mushroom greenhouse, and herbal processing room.

They also visited the pig farm's warming room, where pregnant sows and newborn piglets resided.

"Wow, these little piglets are really living in luxury."

"There’s also the chick hatchery, which is a temperature-controlled workshop with dedicated incubators."

Even free-range chickens in the mountains don’t rely on hens to sit on eggs, as that method is slow and unsafe, with low survival rates, and sometimes the eggs can be stolen by weasels or rats.

Apart from a few hens that incubate chicks during the suitable temperatures of summer and autumn, most of the work is done by the elderly women using incubators.

Hatching chicks produces many unsuccessful eggs, commonly known as quail eggs, which some people enjoy eating.

So, not a single failed egg from the farm's chick hatching process goes to waste; they are all eaten by the community.

In winter, the mushroom greenhouses and warm planting gardens are bustling with activity. The newly constructed semi-underground greenhouses have stakes buried, frames built, and are covered with straw mats and thick white plastic sheets, relying on ground heat, biogas, and electricity for warmth, completely eliminating the need for coal, making it environmentally friendly and non-polluting.

The mushroom greenhouses now grow not only button mushrooms but also oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and newly cultivated monkey head mushrooms, which have significant nutritional and medicinal value.

Additionally, there are light-sensitive vegetables like garlic sprouts, chives, and bean sprouts, as well as cold-resistant vegetables like baby greens and spinach. They do not grow any off-season vegetables, and the costs are kept low for now.

These vegetables are mainly for their own consumption, and at most, they transport some mushrooms to the county and city during the New Year, but they don’t sell them far away.

Nowadays, unless for export, the cost of long-distance transportation within the country is too high, and it would result in losses rather than profits.

Green vegetables are available in southern China during winter, so they wouldn’t be transported to the north for sale.

The cost of transporting vegetables exceeds the price they fetch.

The visiting leaders smiled and said, "We’re lucky to have such a treat."

Two professors from the agricultural college, who had specifically accompanied the admissions officers from University Jin and University Hua, dove straight into the ecological farm, exploring on their own without joining the tour.

They saw the fruit trees grafted by Tang Yuan and Feng Chen—hawthorns and jujubes, apricots and plums, wild grapes and various grape varieties, and mountain pears and duck pears.

Although the time was short, they could see that the farm was aiming to develop new varieties and had already achieved some initial success.

Through their inquiries, they learned that the farm understood how to water and fertilize based on the plant growth cycle and knew how to perform artificial pollination!

For example, the farm would appropriately intervene during the flowering period of the medicinal fields.

Da Ya proudly introduced them, "Our factory manager is researching Chinese wild bees. These bees are strong, collect more nectar, and live longer. If we can domesticate them, we’ll have honey and save money."

The farm is poor, with many loans, so Tang Yuan says to save wherever possible.

Of course, this is mainly due to Feng Chen’s abilities; if it were someone else, she wouldn’t dare make such claims.

Feng Chen can even tame monkeys, so wild bees are certainly possible.

They keep a group of wild bees in the mountains, which build nests near caves. Feng Chen guides them to move and then harvests the wild bee hives.

Wild bee hives are a valuable traditional Chinese medicine ingredient, effective for treating and assisting in the treatment of many ailments, and are very rare.

The two agricultural college professors listened with amazement and great interest, wishing they could stay for a couple of months if it weren’t for the approaching New Year.

They enviously remarked, "The Provincial University is fortunate to have direct access to students here for classes."

They realized that this ecological farm covers all aspects of professional courses.

Teaching classes here would truly be twice as effective with half the effort, whether the teacher is lecturing or the students are listening.

The students’ experimental fields are all accounted for, and there’s no fear of them being destroyed.

Even three-year-old children in the farm know not to touch the crops in the fields.

Professor Cheng and his colleagues stayed for three days. The leaders from University Jin and University Hua, perhaps moved by the simple rural scenery or embarrassed to compete, entrusted the task of persuading the two to Cheng Xianian, asking him to sound out their intentions.

Of course, they couldn’t let the two say things like the Provincial University is large and they don’t want to be far from home; they needed to give them a choice between two options.

Cheng Xianian took on the task and, while the snow fell and the canteen steamed sticky rice cakes and pounded glutinous rice, he chatted with Tang Yuan and Feng Chen.

Tang Yuan indeed expressed her and Feng Chen’s thoughts, feeling that the Provincial University was suitable, allowing them to balance their studies and careers.

Cheng Xianian smiled and said, "If it were other students, I would advise them to prioritize their studies, as life has its priorities, and one must excel in studies before pursuing a career. But you two are different. You give me the impression that you’ve already excelled in your studies in ways unknown to others, and now is the time to pursue your careers."

He shook his head and laughed, not knowing why he had such a contradictory feeling. These two students were too wise, too insightful, with a clarity and transparency that comes from experiencing ups and downs and overcoming hardships.

They know what they want, are not overly ambitious, and are not anxious. They know how to seek externally and introspect internally.

Perhaps a university degree and diploma are just icing on the cake for them, much like how they refused to set up the cannery in the city initially.

Whether or not they attend a university doesn’t affect their lives or careers.

Because they have choices, this isn’t their only option, not a bet that risks everything, but something they can handle with ease.

Life should be like this.

Of course, ordinary people don’t have their capabilities and thus cannot be as carefree, having the same attitude toward University Jin, University Hua, and the Provincial University.

Tang Yuan and Feng Chen didn’t feign modesty; they knew Cheng Xianian hadn’t finished speaking and listened attentively.

Cheng Xianian continued, "I know you want to do something practical for your hometown and your fellow villagers, and you have already done so. In my view, you have already achieved real success. But if you go to the capital to study, after graduation, in a few years, you can do more practical things for more people."

Staying here, you can only do practical things for the people of your hometown, benefiting them.

Going out, you can benefit more people and bring prosperity to more communities.

Cheng Xianian hopes you will go out, for those with greater ability should shoulder greater responsibility.

He hopes more people will benefit, and he hopes you can stand higher.

Who among scholars doesn’t want to leave a name in history?

Seeing Cheng Xianian speak so earnestly, Tang Yuan smiled, "Teacher, you’re praising us so highly. Aren’t you afraid we won’t have the ability to live up to it?"

Cheng Xianian smiled and said, "You two are quite capable. With your current knowledge and skills, you've already surpassed many people. Saying that you should go to university, in reality, you could even be teachers or professors."

Listening to her negotiate with foreign businessmen, Cheng Xianian felt inferior.

He believed Tang Yuan could teach many people now; many university professors he knew didn't have her level of insight.

"Then..." Cheng Xianian put away his smile and looked at them seriously, "Tell me, which universities and majors do you want to study?"

Tang Yuan hadn't thought much about it; she and Feng Chen, Ji Hongyue had already discussed it.

Ji Hongyue applied for the Philosophy and Politics program at University Jin and was accepted.

She intended to use her knowledge from her previous life to influence the country's economic situation, shape the overall economic perspective, and strive to make China take fewer detours and avoid being exploited by capitalist countries.

Feng Chen, although she didn't know why, she found that his science and engineering skills were very strong, and he had deep knowledge in machinery and weapons.

He had some very advanced military theories, which made her suspect he might also be from the modern era, but she had no evidence. When she probed him with questions about modern leaders, sports stars, and entertainment celebrities, he showed no reaction and seemed completely unaware.

Sigh, she would just have to wait until their wedding night to find out.

So, Feng Chen applied for the Mechanical Engineering program.

In fact, after the leadership learned about his skills in modifying vehicles and firearms, they really wanted him to work directly at a military research institute.

Of course, he could still attend school while working there.

In short, as China entered a new phase, the country was eager for talent and hoped to make the best use of everyone's abilities.

In the end, both Tang Yuan and Feng Chen chose University Jin.

Cheng Xianian told everyone that the leaders of University Jin were overjoyed, laughing heartily and shaking hands with the two, saying, "Welcome, welcome," and then turning to the leaders of University Hua, "These two students have made a careful decision, so please don't be upset."

The leaders of University Hua almost rolled their eyes.

Tang Yuan explained to the leaders why she made this choice.

Her reasoning was that she knew many foreign businessmen and could better understand international affairs. She had a keen intuition and judgment about international economics and trends, which allowed her to offer better advice to the leadership. Therefore, she was more suited to contribute in this area rather than in technical fields.

The leader of University Hua wanted to say, "What about Feng Chen? I see he loves researching machinery and is very suitable for technical work, so why not come to our University Hua?"

Why did he choose University Jin?

But University Jin probably wouldn't keep him long; he would likely be recruited by the military department.

Over the past few days, they toured the farm thoroughly, leaving no corner unexplored.

Their tour was different from that of businesspeople; as admissions officers from prestigious universities, each had their own academic expertise.

They (mainly an associate professor from University Hua) discovered that the farm's generator and flour mill were modified, with higher power output and greater safety.

The biogas tank was also more advanced and safer than those in other provinces, equipped with a desulfurization device not yet available domestically.

Their biogas stove was also modified, featuring safety valves and gas leak alarms, which were highly advanced.

When asked, these modifications were all done by Feng Chen.

Why would he go to school?

He could directly become a university professor.

Or work as a technician at a mechanical factory.

Anyway, he wasn't a good fit for University Jin!

They waited for Feng Chen to explain, hoping to persuade him, but he didn't say a word.

For Feng Chen, wherever Tang Yuan went, he would go too, so choosing one over the other was no issue for him, and he had no qualms about it.

Therefore, there was no need for an explanation.

Finally, the leader of University Hua shook hands with the two of them gracefully, smiling and inviting them, "Once you're in the capital, if you have time, come visit us next door. We welcome you to exchange ideas."

Tang Yuan smiled, "Certainly, certainly. Our farm may be small, but it has its own unique style. In the future, we plan to open a rural tourism site and develop some scenic spots in the mountains behind us, with plenty of beautiful scenery. Teachers can come to our farm for a vacation when they're tired from work."

The farm provided food, accommodation, and recreational activities, offering a brand-new experience.

It would be free for them, but they could help promote the farm, attracting more paying guests in the future.

The leaders naturally agreed, all smiling, "If I have time, I'd love to visit often."

Tang Yuan took the opportunity to add, "You can bring your families to play. We will also develop an amusement park in the future."

First, she painted a rosy picture.

With Tang Yuan's deliberate mediation, the leader of University Hua felt less upset and viewed the leader of University Jin more favorably.

Tang Yuan repeatedly invited them to stay for two more days, and when they had to leave, she packed a large bag of local specialties for each of them.

Meat cans, fruit cans, mushroom cans, dried mushrooms, cured meats—each person received a full bag.

The leaders were taken aback, "This won't do, this won't do. Taking so much would be inappropriate."

Each person taking two items would be fine, but taking so much was really unacceptable.

Tang Yuan smiled, "No problem, these are samples. Please help promote our farm among your colleagues and friends."

As they got into the car, everyone waved goodbye affectionately.

The leader of University Jin reminded them again, "Remember, report on March 18th."

The leader of University Hua couldn't help but comment, "With the admission letters freshly written, they won't forget."

They all brought their admission letters.

Ji Hongyue also left, taking New Year's gifts south to spend the holiday with his parents.

Before leaving, he and Tang Yuan, Feng Chen made plans to head north together next year.

Tang Yuan held onto Feng Chen's arm, waving at the convoy until it was out of sight, then stomped her feet, "Oh, it's so cold."

Tang Bingde, Dad Tang, Mother Tang, and others couldn't stand the cold and had already headed back to the village, chatting along the way.

Only Daya and Zhou Xiaojie were still waiting not far away.

Zhou Xiaojie: "Director, they're long gone, let's go back!"

Tang Yuan waved at them and smiled, "It's so cold, why haven't you gone back yet? You go ahead, Feng Chen and I will take a walk."

Zhou Xiaojie wanted to say that walking in such cold weather wasn't a good idea, it could lead to chronic coldness in the legs.

Daya laughed and tugged at him, "Don't be a bother, let's go find Grandma Feng to listen to storytelling."

Feng Yi and other educated youth like He Jianming and He Songtao mostly went home for the New Year. Those who got into university would report to school after the holiday, while those who didn't would return to work and study hard to try and pass the exams the following autumn.

Zhou Xiaojie had previously moved from the brick kiln factory to the county construction team, and after helping build the factory on the farm, he stayed at the Cannery.

The farm also established a maintenance team, which needed to regularly inspect buildings, pigsties, and more, requiring technical skills. Zhou Xiaojie passed the assessment with excellent results and was admitted.

Initially, to help Daya get away from her stepfather, he and Daya got married. Later, they kept in touch, encouraging each other to learn and read.

Despite their busy schedules and infrequent meetings, their friendship gradually blossomed into affection.

It was Daya who initially invited him to stay on the farm.

Now, they weren't officially married and didn't live together; Zhou Xiaojie lived in the dormitory, while Daya stayed with Grandma Feng.

Though young, both had endured hardships, worked diligently, and were ambitious and grateful, making their lives fulfilling and enjoyable.

They took Tang Yuan and Feng Chen as role models, respecting each other and discussing things, earning the affection of Grandma Feng, Dad Tang, and Mother Tang.

Watching them leave, Tang Yuan smiled, "That's really nice."

Daya was no longer the frail and thin girl she used to be; now she had grown taller, with fair skin and a pretty face.

Zhou Xiaojie was no longer the scrawny boy either. Though not very tall, he exuded a sense of security in his work and life.

Everyone said you could trust Zhou Xiaojie; if you gave him a task, it would be done well.

He was diligent, polite, and often praised by the women, who said they would throw a grand wedding for him and Daya when they got married.

Feng Chen held her slightly cold hand in his pocket to warm it, his voice low and gentle, "Yes, everything is good."

Everything was good, just right.

Even if this transmigration might merely be a delusion preceding his demise, experiencing this life was still splendid.

In the days following his transmigration, every moment was treasured.

Whether working alone in the mountains or selling meat in the city, he enjoyed this new world.

He felt that living this life was truly delightful.

But since meeting her, he felt it wasn't enough.

He became greedy, wishing time would slow down, just a little more, so he could grow old with her slowly.

This life, no matter how long, was never enough.

Every day was a brand new day.

Thinking about this, his emotions welled up, and he couldn't resist pulling her into his arms, letting her lean against him, shielding her from the biting wind.

Tang Yuan enjoyed his warmth and care, laughing softly, "Feng Chen, let's get married."

Feng Chen, with his keen hearing, seemed not to hear clearly, "Hmm?"

Tang Yuan giggled and said loudly, "I said..."

Just as she started, Feng Chen quickly raised his hand to shield her mouth from the wind, "It's windy, let's talk about it at home."

Tang Yuan grabbed his large hand, forming an arc to block the north wind, and continued, "Let's get married!"

The wind was strong, but Feng Chen heard her.

He stopped in his tracks, his heart pounding.

For a moment, neither spoke, only the thumping of their hearts, making even the harsh wind seem gentle.

Feng Chen lowered his gaze, his dark eyes filled with countless stars, as if they were falling from a distant void.

His voice trembled slightly, yet he was overjoyed, "Yuan, really?"

Tang Yuan's voice was playful and light, "Of course, I've decided. I want to know your secret!"

Feng Chen laughed.

Tang Yuan: "Choosing a date is not as good as seizing the moment. Today is a good day. Let the captain write our marriage contract, we'll have a banquet tomorrow, and then we'll be husband and wife."

Feng Chen picked her up; she was tall and dressed in thick winter clothes, but he lifted her easily.

He laughed, his voice filled with joy. What he had always wanted was never the marriage certificate, nor the official registration, nor even the consummation of their union.

What he had always wanted was just her acceptance and approval.

As long as she was willing to be with him wholeheartedly and without reservation.

His voice deep and magnetic, "In my heart, you have always been my wife."

Tang Yuan hooked her arm around his neck, smiling as she examined him, "My husband is so handsome!"

Feng Chen: "My wife is also incredibly beautiful."

Tang Yuan: "Shouldn't we still set up a banquet in the mountains? Otherwise, might the monkeys be upset?"

Feng Chen: "Every time we go to the mountains, you end up in my bed. The monkeys already think we are married."

Tang Yuan: "Feng Chen, I am so happy."

Feng Chen: "I am too."

Every day with you is a happy day.

Holding his beloved in his arms, he walked step by step toward a bright future.

The love of his life, to grow old together.