1980: I have a spiritual spring

Chapter 9 Strong as an Ox
in the afternoon.

After feeding the 1000 chicks again, Qiao Erhe roughly calculated that the chicks consumed about 20 jin (1000 catties) of feed per day, based on the feeding situation that day, and that the feed consumption would increase as the chicks grew.

Generally speaking, laying hens only start laying eggs at around four months old. Even with the help of diluted spiritual spring water, it will still take at least three months before they start laying eggs.

In this way, the amount of feed consumed by the laying hens in these three months, even if it's not 10000 jin, is probably not much less.

However, the siblings only had enough money left to buy less than 2,000 kilograms of corn. If they wanted to keep the chickens from laying eggs until they started, they had to increase the proportion of vegetables, insects, earthworms, and other feeds they gave them.

With diluted spring water to help regulate the environment, these laying hens should have a balanced diet.

In addition, we need to find a way to earn some money in case of emergencies, so that there won't be a major problem if the feed supply for the laying hens runs out.

Thinking of this, Qiao Erhe looked at Lao Liu and Lao Qi, who had just returned from school, and instructed them: "Lao Liu, Lao Qi, from now on you two will be responsible for catching bugs to feed the chickens. You can get your friends to catch them together. If you catch a lot of bugs, I will give you a reward."

Qiao Qitan's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he asked, "Second Brother, what's the reward?"

Qiao Erhe laughed and said, "How about I give you some White Rabbit milk candy?"

Qiao Qitan asked in surprise, "Second Brother, are you serious?"

Qiao Erhe nodded and said, "Of course it's true. One hundred worms can be exchanged for one White Rabbit milk candy. If you want to eat White Rabbit milk candy, you can exchange worms for it."

Qiao Qitan said excitedly, "Great! I'll find some people to go catch the bugs right away."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Liuduo also said with some eagerness, "Second Brother, I'll also find someone to go catch bugs with me."

In those days, White Rabbit candy had a fatal attraction for children. Being able to exchange ubiquitous insects for White Rabbit candy was a great thing, so it's no wonder that Qiao Liuduo and Qiao Qitan were so happy.

Qiao Erhe laughed and said, "Go!"

After the sixth and seventh brothers ran off happily, Qiao Erhe picked up a shovel and joined the team digging the trench. The trenches they had dug before were only a dozen centimeters deep and wide, so the digging speed was naturally very fast. But now they had to dig trenches that were at least a meter deep and wide, which would not be completed in a short time.

During the excavation, Qiao Erhe once again felt the changes within himself.

He used to be considered to be in his prime, and he was a very capable worker during the production team period, not inferior to anyone. But no matter how young and strong he was, he would still feel tired when doing physical labor.

But now it's different. His body has been cleansed by the spiritual spring water, and his physical fitness has been enhanced many times over. Anyway, he feels quite relaxed when he does work. He not only doesn't feel tired, but he also feels like he has inexhaustible energy.

And so, Qiao Erhe worked with increasing enthusiasm, and before he knew it, he had sped up his work speed.

Soon, Qiao Sihai, who was working intermittently, noticed that something was wrong with his second brother and couldn't help but ask, "Second brother, there's no rush to dig this trench, why are you working so hard?"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Dajiang looked over and discovered that in less than half an hour, the second brother had already dug a trench more than two meters long. The speed was indeed frightening. He wondered why the second brother was working so hard.

Qiao Erhe laughed and said, "I didn't risk my life. I just wanted to challenge my physical limits."

Qiao Sihai gave his second brother a thumbs up and said with admiration, "Second brother, you're amazing. I doubt anyone in the whole village can match your strength."

Qiao Erhe said, "In the past, most people relied on physical strength to make a living, but now times have changed. In the future, people who rely on physical strength to make a living are destined to have no future. Only those who rely on their brains can truly become rich."

Qiao Sihai scratched the back of his head and said, "Anyway, I think you're really amazing, Second Brother. Whether you make a living with strength or with your brain, you're better than others."

Qiao Erhe smiled and said, "Alright, enough of this nonsense, let's get to work!" Qiao Sihai chuckled and continued swinging his hoe.

Qiao Dajiang was also in his prime, and he quickened his pace as well. Even if he couldn't catch up with the second brother, he couldn't fall too far behind.

Qiao Erhe continued shoveling soil at the same pace. The three brothers worked enthusiastically until it was time for dinner.

……

in the kitchen.

Looking at the porridge in the pot and the side dishes on the table that were not very oily, Qiao Erhe couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Although his family didn't lack fish to eat now, oil was absolutely essential if they wanted to cook the fish well.

Unfortunately, their oil jar was almost empty, so it was unlikely they could stew fish like before.

It seems we need to buy some oil, otherwise Qiao Erhe, who is used to the diet of later generations, will not be able to stand eating this bland food every day.

Fortunately, the main crops grown in Cenhe area are grain, cotton, and oil, so the supply of vegetable oil is quite abundant. As long as you have money, you can buy oil, and unlike other places, you don't need oil coupons to buy it, which is quite a good benefit.

After quickly drinking two large bowls of porridge, Qiao Erhe looked at his mother and said, "It's about time that the seventh child turns ten. Do you think we should pick a day to celebrate?"

In Cenhe, birthdays are divided into "full birthdays" (every tenth) and "scattered birthdays." Generally, "full birthdays" are valued. For example, when a child turns 10, it is called "passing the tenth birthday." This is the first full birthday in a person's life, which means that the child is about to pass through childhood and enter adolescence.

Therefore, children over ten years old are highly valued in the Cenhe area.

Especially in later generations, when children turned ten, their parents would hold a grand banquet for guests and hire a band to perform, making it a very grand occasion.

In Cenhe area, the custom of celebrating a child's tenth birthday is not done on the actual day of the child's tenth birthday, but rather on a suitable day one or two years in advance. This custom is quite rare in the whole country.

Qiao Qitan, the seventh child, was born in 1972 and is now indeed old enough to be ten years old.

Huang Hongmei nodded upon hearing this and said, "Our family hasn't had a happy occasion for three years since your old man passed away. Why don't you siblings discuss and set a date for our seventh brother's tenth birthday celebration?"

Qiao Erhe said, "Then let's set it for this Sunday. After that, the wheat will need to be planted."

Qiao Dajiang said, "I have no objection."

The other younger siblings also expressed their agreement.

Seeing this, Huang Hongmei immediately agreed, "Okay, let's set it for this Sunday."

Qiao Qitan, the main character, was overjoyed to hear this, while Qiao Liuduo looked on with envy.

Of the seven siblings, only Qiao Liuduo did not turn ten years old, because her father passed away when she was of legal age, and she naturally could not turn ten during the mourning period.

……

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(End of this chapter)