Chapter 98: Only Two Families Followed Along
In the end, Luo Shi couldn’t stand their hesitation anymore and settled it with a firm decision. “Since the curved-beam plow was your eldest brother’s idea, we’ll listen to him. Let’s try making compost using his method. Whether it works or not, we have to give it a try.”
Wen Xiuyi looked at his mother with gratitude—she was still the one supporting him. In return, she shot him a sharp glare.
What the villagers of Gutong Village saw was this: after the Wen family finished plowing their land, aside from Old Wen leading Da Huang from house to house to help others, the rest of the family spent their days digging pits in the fields and collecting dry branches and rotting leaves. No one knew what they were doing.
Because of the curved-beam plow incident, the villagers were now curious about everything the Wen family did. People instinctively wanted to go take a look—what if it turned out to be another good thing? Maybe they could benefit again, just like with the plow.
After watching for two or three days, however, all they saw was pit digging and burying things. Nothing more.
Someone finally gathered the courage to ask what they were doing. Wen Xiuyi had already convinced his family that hiding things would only bring trouble. It was better to be open and earn respect.
But once they explained, most people didn’t believe them.
Everyone here had farmed for generations. They had never heard of compost made from dead branches and leaves. Fertilizer had always been plant ash and manure.
Still, a few people were half convinced—among them Tie Niu’s family, whose son often played with Wen Ying and Datou, and another boy’s family named Mao Tou.
Tie Niu’s family didn’t have much land. After paying grain taxes, their harvest barely fed the household for half a year. For the rest, his father and uncles had to take odd jobs outside the village.
Since the children were close and the adults got along well—Tie Niu’s uncles had even helped build the Wen house—Tie Niu’s father came to learn from Wen Xiuyi as soon as he heard about improving yields. If it worked, their family might finally have surplus grain.
Mao Tou’s family was in a similar situation, only worse.
Wen Xiuyi held nothing back. He explained the key points and principles of composting in simple terms they could understand. In the end, he added, “This is the method. If you trust me, follow along with our family. We’ll see the results next year. But I can’t guarantee anything—you’ll have to decide for yourselves.”
Since they weren’t close relatives, Wen Xiuyi couldn’t make promises. It was better to be honest upfront.
Both families were amazed by how much Wen Xiuyi had changed and learned. After listening, they said they would go home and discuss it with their families.
Wen Xiuyi wasn’t in a hurry. He only advised, “If you decide to make compost, start early. Spring plowing is only a month or two away, and compost takes time.”
They left immediately, whispering together along the road.
The next day, nothing happened. Wen Xiuyi only sighed.
On the third day, Tie Niu’s family began digging pits.
On the fourth day, Mao Tou’s family followed.
Some villagers mocked them, saying they were foolish to risk their limited land on nonsense.
What they didn’t know was how big a risk the two families had taken.
That night, Tie Niu’s father told his family everything. The adults were silent until Tie Niu spoke: “Datou and Ying secretly told me that Uncle Wen promised Grandma and Grandpa the compost would definitely enrich the soil and increase harvest. Datou also overheard Uncle Wen mention another method to raise yields when he was talking to Sister Yao and Brother Xiaojun. Datou only told me because we’re good friends.”
The family fell silent again. Finally, Tie Niu’s grandfather coughed and said, “Let’s follow the Wen family. At worst, things won’t be any worse than now.”
Trying was better than not trying.
Mao Tou’s family reached the same decision, but for a different reason. Mao Tou’s grandmother was old friends with Luo Shi. Their situation was even harder—more mouths to feed and less land. If not for the eggs their chickens laid and Luo Shi regularly buying their eggs and vegetables for pickling, their lives would have been worse.
Since the two families supported him, Wen Xiuyi took responsibility. He visited their fields several times and gave detailed instructions on composting—what materials to use and how to do it properly.
Different soils needed different fertilizer. Using the wrong kind could backfire.
Seven days before the New Year, the Wen family’s new house finally took shape. The walls weren’t high yet, but the structure was visible. If the brickmakers hadn’t stopped for the holiday, construction would have continued until New Year’s Eve.
On the last workday, Luo Shi paid the workers and foreman so everyone could enjoy the holiday.
Wen Yao finished her last pre-New-Year job and received a red envelope of two hundred copper coins. She wouldn’t take any more work this year.
The final days were for preparing the New Year.
Although the family had split households, they would all celebrate at the old home while Wen Xiuyi’s new house was still under construction.
Da Huang had been working hard, and Old Wen fussed over him constantly, checking the livestock shed three times a day.
As Luo Shi put it, he practically wanted to tie Da Huang to his belt.
Annoyed by how much Old Wen doted on the ox, Luo Shi decided to find Da Huang something else to do.
After dinner one evening, she suddenly announced that the whole family would go to the city the next day.
The younger generation cheered. Even the three brothers were happy—after days of hard work, they could finally rest.
Wen Nong raised his hand cautiously. “Grandma, should I still set up my stall tomorrow?” Recently, he had saved some money after giving Wen Yao her capital back. Although Li Shi confiscated it, it was still money. If they were going to the city, he didn’t believe his mother wouldn’t let him spend some.
