I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel-Chapter 170 - 167: Xiao Yanzi Makes Another Earth-Shattering Move

Although somewhat unwilling, Yan Jinzhi’s words might be true. Jiang Mingyue didn’t dwell on it for long. She took advantage of the temporary emptiness at home to transplant two banana trees and two peach and plum trees, leaving another space for an apple tree. She couldn’t have more than five trees, and she wouldn’t move the apple trees from the orchard. She decided to wait; if the next batch still didn’t bear fruit, she’d chop the other eleven kinds down for firewood, as if they were just teasing her.

No choice; by that time, she’d have to buy some more saplings, choosing among the fruit trees that could keep bearing fruit. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

After watering the plants, Jiang Mingyue entered her space again. She now had a large stockpile of corn wine and didn’t know if Xu Modun would encounter grain problems later. Jiang Mingyue planned to harvest the current crop of wheat and then rotate to planting sweet potatoes and potatoes.

Sweet potatoes and potatoes have a high yield, three to four times that of rice and wheat. She would store some; perhaps they could help him later.

Additionally, Jiang Mingyue kneaded some dough to make hand-pulled noodles, to cook for breakfast later.

Lightning, after chasing butterflies for a while, saw her and came to nudge her for some chicken. "No way, it’s not mealtime yet."

She also slaughtered a few chickens to prepare for brewing matsutake chicken soup, but upon finding that the matsutake had run out, she went to the acre of forest to check. This time, instead of matsutake, there were more precious morels, which made her extremely happy.

In the past life, matsutake sold for 1,200 yuan per kilogram, while morel fetched 90,000 yuan per kilogram. It was a national banquet delicacy, renowned for its nutritional benefits. The saying, "Eat morel every year, and still walk the mountains at eighty," shows its esteemed position among the people. Furthermore, the S-Class interstellar medical research institution has officially proven that morel can effectively enhance immunity, combat fatigue, resist viruses, and inhibit tumors; it’s truly valuable.

But her family couldn’t eat it all. Jiang Mingyue picked four baskets, kept one for the family, and sent the other three baskets back with Yan Jinzhi to Wuyun Mountain.

Ever since discovering the precious wild mushrooms in the forest, Yan Jinzhi would take three-fourths of them. He truly appreciated them! However, he would always bring money for the mushrooms next time. Jiang Mingyue guessed he must have been using them to fortify everyone’s health. These people worked tirelessly for the country, and providing them with such excellent ingredients was something Jiang Mingyue was willing to do, even for free.

After washing the morels clean and setting them aside, Jiang Mingyue contemplated cooking. She prepared some chickens for slow stew and also chopped them up to steam with eggs into a morel chicken egg custard. The taste was simply exquisite.

The third sister made a box of tofu a few days ago, keeping some soft tofu for cooking carp tofu soup. Jiang Mingyue taught Jiang Zhenmei to make the rest into fragrant dried tofu, which was very popular. Additionally, Jiang Mingyue stir-fried some chive-flavored dried tofu, prepared braised pork that Xiao Ran couldn’t forget, and also cooked wild garlic with amaranth, chilled pig ears salad, chilled bracken, and spicy shredded potatoes. That would be enough.

Yan Jinzhi was here at Wuya Mountain, a place he and Little Yueliang had previously scouted. It had natural resources like limestone, though not abundant. A small lime kiln would suffice, and two people could work in shifts.

Jiang Jianjun gathered many strong laborers from the village to help, quickly achieving the effect Yan Jinzhi needed. Working together with the brick factory had fostered this collaboration. Yan Jinzhi was satisfied with this progress. Once the limestone was loaded, they started the fire, adjusting the heat as needed. It would take two days to produce lime, and the kiln would need to cool for about four to six days, depending on the season. The cycle was similar to that of a brick kiln, producing a batch a week.

Jiao Longhe was very excited and, along with another peer from the village, set up a simple cornstalk nest near the lime kiln to guard the first batch. They wanted to be the first to know about anything happening. Although Yan Jinzhi thought it unnecessary, he didn’t object, seeing their enthusiasm. They’d probably lose sleep if they went home instead.

When Qiao Mingtang was brought over by Xiao Ran, they were just starting the fire. He was amazed that his brother knew even this. Privately, he resolved to work harder; he didn’t want his brother to leave him in the dust, lest his grandfather be displeased.

Moreover, Yan Jinzhi had registered the lime kiln, and documentation would be sent to Jiang Jian Country later. He even provided reference prices.

When everyone returned, with two esteemed guests in Mrs. Jiang’s eyes, she brought out a jar of buckwheat wine Jiang Mingyue had set aside long ago, encouraging everyone to drink heartily. Such hospitality!

Qiao Mingtang’s eyes lit up. They’d longed to taste the wine in Dr. Lu’s hands, only ever allowed a sniff, which tantalized them endlessly.

And now, looking at the dishes on the table, what a feast: morel chicken soup, steamed morel egg custard, carp tofu soup, chive-flavored dried tofu, braised pork with potatoes, pine-needle roasted chicken, wild garlic sautéed amaranth, chilled pig ear salad, chilled bracken, and spicy shredded potatoes — ten delicious dishes. Though their base’s meals were nice, there was no comparison. Qiao Mingtang’s mouth watered; alongside the buckwheat wine, he felt on top of the world, eager to boast to Huo Ming, likely leaving them envious for three days.

"No need to be polite — make yourself at home."

Yan Jinzhi said. Qiao Mingtang, unable to wait, joined in after Mrs. Jiang took the first bite. He really dug into the food and drank the wine, delicious enough to disregard decorum.

After the meal, Qiao Mingtang, accompanying Xiao Ran for a walk, didn’t expect another shocking surprise from his family leader.

The Jiang family’s courtyard was no longer a place of fire festivals, nor was it pitch black. It was actually illuminated — truly bright, like the clear moonlight — no, several times brighter, bright enough to read by.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" He knew the Wuyun Mountain training ground court was as bright as daylight at night, thanks to a special power line arranged by his leader’s expertise and modified bulbs, but a small village without electricity? And at Little Mingyue’s house?

Xiao Ran was equally astonished, unable to speak, wide-eyed and curious, sometimes gazing up at the "descending moon" high on the pole, sometimes circling it curiously.

"Sister, what is that?"

Jiang Mingyue lifted him high. "This is an electric light, a lighting device that converts solar radiation into electric energy. You might not understand all this now, but that’s okay. Yan was just like you when he was young, but through hard work and persistence, he was able to design and improve this solar-powered lighting equipment."