Colorful years

Based on his extensive experience, Zhang Zhong carefully selected a campsite that was relatively flat and well-sheltered from the wind.

Zhang Erniu threw himself into the work of setting up the tent with great enthusiasm. Everyone had a different mindset, but they all shared the same dream.

Zhang Zhong felt a heavy sense of responsibility. He knew that this land reclamation was of great significance to the entire production team, so every decision he made was carefully considered.

With boundless enthusiasm and anticipation for a bountiful harvest, Zhang Erniu threw himself into the work with all his might.

Zhang Zhong gently patted Zhang Erniu on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Erniu, we must work even harder and not let everyone down!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Erniu nodded vigorously and replied loudly, "Brother Zhong, don't worry, I'm very strong, I definitely won't let you down!"

The gentle glow of the setting sun fell upon them, illuminating their resolute and upright figures as they embarked on a pioneering journey filled with unknowns and challenges.

Zhang Zhong and Zhang Erniu faced the arduous task of reclaiming fifty mu of mountain land and producing 15,000 jin of corn, with countless difficulties and obstacles in their path.

The lack of manpower was the first hurdle they had to overcome. It would be incredibly difficult for the two of them to complete such a massive reclamation and planting project.

The fifty acres of mountain land stretched out endlessly. From reclaiming the wasteland and sowing seeds to the later field management, every step required a large investment of manpower and resources. However, in reality, they were fighting alone, appearing particularly small and lonely on this vast land.

The pressure of time was like a heavy mountain weighing on their hearts. They had to complete the clearing and planting within the limited season and ensure that the corn could grow and mature properly. Time was their scarcest and most precious resource.

Every minute and every second is crucial; any delay could cause us to miss the optimal farming season, thus affecting the yield and quality of the corn.

Furthermore, the harsh natural environment greatly increased the difficulty of their task. The mountains of Zaoguowan are steep and treacherous, with jagged rocks, making climbing and labor extremely dangerous. Dense bushes and weeds not only severely hindered their movement but also concealed various unknown dangers. The cold weather conditions were also extremely unfavorable for corn growth, further increasing the difficulty of planting and maintaining it.

Under such arduous conditions, they had to overcome the shortage of manpower, race against time, and cope with the numerous challenges posed by the harsh natural environment. Every step was fraught with hardship and uncertainty, which was not only a great test of their physical strength and endurance, but also a severe challenge to their will and wisdom.

However, even in such dire straits, Zhang Zhong and Zhang Erniu never wavered in the slightest. With unwavering faith and indomitable spirit, they bravely faced one challenge after another.

Before deciding to cultivate these fifty acres of mountain land, they conducted a comprehensive and meticulous survey and planning. The terrain of this mountain area is extremely complex, with significant undulations, and the soil is barren and full of gravel, which undoubtedly brought unprecedented challenges to the cultivation work.

At first, simply clearing the weeds and rocks from the mountain surface was an exceptionally arduous task. Due to the vast area of ​​the mountain, they had to invest a great deal of manpower and time, wielding sickles, hoes, and other tools, clearing the weeds and rocks bit by bit. Sweat soaked their clothes, but it did nothing to stop their progress.

The subsequent land leveling work was even more challenging. The slopes of the mountains varied, so to ensure the smooth progress of planting, they adopted a terraced method. This required precise measurements and calculations; the height and width of each terrace had to be repeatedly considered and adjusted to ensure it met planting requirements.

During construction, they encountered layers of hard rock. Since large machinery couldn't operate there, they had to rely on manual drilling and blasting to remove the rock. The rubble was then pushed down the valley to make way for subsequent planting.

Faced with the problem of poor soil, Zhang Zhong adopted soil improvement measures tailored to local conditions. He burned a large number of shrubs and weeds into ash, which he then used as organic fertilizer on the newly reclaimed land.

This measure effectively improved soil fertility, laying a solid foundation for subsequent planting work.

They worked tirelessly day and night, and after more than a month of arduous efforts, fifty acres of mountain land were finally successfully reclaimed.

To speed up the sowing process, Zhang Zhong decided to enlist the help of his wife, Shi Damei, and eldest son, Zhang Ming. Shi Damei had extensive farming experience and was an expert in sowing. Zhang Ming, on the other hand, was young, strong, and energetic, making him a great helper.

Zhang Zhong made a detailed division of labor based on the terrain and soil conditions of the mountainous area. He assigned Shi Damei to select high-quality seeds and pre-treat them to improve the germination rate.

Based on her years of experience, Shi Damei carefully selected plump seeds free from pests and diseases, and then prepared them for germination by soaking them in warm water.

Zhang Ming then assisted Zhang Erniu in taking on the important task of tilling the land. The two worked together to make the land soft and fine, creating favorable conditions for sowing.

Zhang Zhong himself oversaw the overall situation, planning and guiding his wife and son's work. At the same time, he also personally participated in the sowing process, teaching Zhang Ming how to control the sowing density and depth to ensure that each seed could thrive in a suitable environment.