Chapter 323: The Lords’ Predicament

Chapter 323: Chapter 323: The Lords’ Predicament

Since Blue Star’s Great Biological Evolution, microorganisms had changed drastically. Even if they looked the same as before, starving humans would rather boil grass leaves than risk eating fungi like mushrooms. Eating edible leaves wouldn’t kill them, but eating evolved fungi would.

There was one exception: Tang Huai.

The last time everyone gathered to fish at the reservoir, Xiaqing noticed something. Though Tang Huai and the people from Territory Land No. 7 acted like strangers, their attitudes and movements betrayed a sense of familiarity.

What did this mean?

It meant that the note Ji Li had slipped Tang Huai last time had led to something. Tang Huai had reached some kind of deal with Territory Land No. 7.

’Her idol, Zhang San, is likely researching why Tang Huai hadn’t died from eating the mushrooms. In the near future, an antidote or some kind of conditioning medicine might appear on Territory Land No. 7’s list of tradable goods.’

Xiaqing looked forward to that day, hoping it would come soon.

When she arrived at the road sign, just as she expected, it wasn’t just Ji Li she saw. Tang Huai was also leaning against the sign for Second Territory.

Xiaqing handed the corn and a small bag of chrysanthemums to Ji Li. "These are some chrysanthemums I picked a few days ago. You can make tea with them, but they’re Yellow Light. Brother Ji, take them back for Brother San to try."

"Okay." Only after taking them did Ji Li ask, "What do you want to trade for?"

Xiaqing asked, "Brother Ji, could you ask Brother San if he has any extra fertilizer? I still haven’t gathered enough."

’I know this isn’t nearly enough for fertilizer, but as long as the fertilizer from Territory Land No. 7 isn’t outrageously expensive, I can add other supplies Zhang San needs to complete the trade. If it’s ridiculously priced, I’ll just have to find another way.’

’You have to be generous with fertilizer when you’re farming. It’s the only way to get a good harvest.’

"I’ll go back and ask."

As Ji Li was turning to leave, Tang Huai called out to him. "Brother Ji, has Brother San been busy lately? Kou Fanming from our team, the one who was struck by lightning, still can’t move the lower half of his body. We were hoping Brother San could take a look at him."

"I’ll go back and ask." Ji Li gave the same reply and turned to leave.

"Take care, Brother Ji." Tang Huai saw Ji Li off, then immediately greeted Xiaqing with enthusiasm. "When are you harvesting the late-planted corn in your field? If you get too busy, just give me a shout."

Xiaqing turned back, looked at the faded scars on Tang Huai’s face, and replied expressionlessly, "We’ll see when the time comes."

’From his mention of Kou Fanming, I knew that wasn’t what he really wanted to talk about. Kou Fanming is Tang Zhengsu’s mad dog, and he’s caused plenty of trouble for Tang Zhengpo’s family over the years.’

’So, Xu Pin must have sent him. Wanting to enter my territory to "help" is probably another task from Xu Pin. It’s possible Xu Pin is monitoring our conversation somehow, which is why I’m giving Tang Huai an out.’

’I don’t want Xu Pin to think Tang Huai is completely useless and replace him with someone new to guard Second Territory.’

Tang Huai’s expression instantly lit up at Xiaqing’s reply. "Great, just call me then. Can your sheep chase away birds? How about I go back with you to guard the corn?"

’Give this guy an inch and he’ll take a mile.’ Xiaqing expressionlessly refused, "No need."

After entering the Wild Grass Wall and walking for a while, Xiaqing stopped, cocking her ear to listen for any sounds from Second Territory.

Tang Huai was still standing under the road sign; he hadn’t left. From the sound of it, he seemed to be smoking, but Xiaqing wasn’t an Olfactory Evolutionary, so she couldn’t catch the scent of smoke from this distance.

Then, Xiaqing heard a faint command coming from a walkie-talkie. "Go to Territory No. 12. Get close-up video of the Evolutionary Eagle."

Tang Huai was reluctant. "That’s Xin Yu’s tamed beast."

Xu Pin’s voice was even colder. "I don’t care if it’s Xin Yu’s tamed beast. I only care how many days Tang Ning has left to live."

Then, Xiaqing heard Tang Huai’s heavy footsteps. He was venting all his anger by kicking the Wild Grass Wall.

’Tang Zhengpo needs to know that Xu Pin not only hit Tang Huai but is also threatening him with Tang Ning’s safety.’

Xiaqing immediately sent a message to Luo Pei before heading home to deal with the corn and make lunch.

Inside No.1 Territory, Luo Pei, who was lying in bed, smiled after receiving Xiaqing’s message. "As expected of a High Level Hearing Evolver. The intel she gathered is more comprehensive. I’ll have more to talk about when I call Chairman Tang back this afternoon."

Xie Yu, who was sitting nearby eating grapes, spoke up. "Tang Zhengpo definitely knows, but if Brother Luo mentions it to him, it’ll better demonstrate our sincerity and strength. How about having Tang Zhou go with Chairman Tang to Hui Yi Base One to pick up the wheat seeds?"

Yang Jin, who was half-sitting on the windowsill sunning himself, shook his head. "I’ll go. I have some business to take care of anyway."

"The military department or Fiery Mountain?" Xie Yu tossed half a bunch of grapes to Yang Jin. "You’re injured. I’ll go."

Before Yang Jin could speak, Luo Pei agreed. "Let Ah Yu go. I’ll take the next turn. You two should get some proper rest."

With the right antidote, Luo Pei’s body was recovering quickly. He would be back to his peak condition in a month at most.

Yang Jin nodded. "Ah Yu, stay in the territory and wait for news for now. I’m going back to the Safe Zone this afternoon to keep an eye on the Qian Lin matter."

Xie Yu wore a mischievous grin. "Not going to see Sister Qing before you leave?"

Yang Jin smiled. "She’s busy. We’ll talk after I’ve dealt with Qian Lin."

"Ugh..." Xie Yu shoved the remaining grapes at Luo Pei. "I’m not eating anymore. I can’t stand it. This is making me cringe."

In Third Territory, Xiaqing was doing the Weasel’s work—plucking.

Sick Wolf’s luck was a bit off; the three birds it caught were all Red Light. Still, Xiaqing cleaned them and stewed them in a pot for it, adding some cabbage leaves—its favorite—and half an egg yolk just before it was done.

As for Xiaqing, she was having scrambled eggs with cucumber.

’I’ve become obsessed with eggs recently. Scrambled, boiled, steamed—they’re truly a magical food, delicious no matter how you cook them. Once the chickens start laying more, I’m going to pickle a large jar of salted eggs to enjoy over time.’

Xiaqing happily ate her scrambled eggs while listening to the other Lords chat about what to do with their corn stalks.

"One point per jin is too cheap. I’m keeping my corn stalks for fertilizer." Kuang Qingwei, who was good with numbers, laid out the math for everyone.

"The price of earthworm castings in Territory No. 49 has already gone up from one point per jin to three points for two jin, catching up to the animal manure from the Alliance of Teams. The price of fertilizer probably won’t drop by next spring, so tilling the stalks back into the soil is more cost-effective than selling them and buying new fertilizer."

Mrs. Zhao asked, "How much is crab shell fertilizer now?"

Kuang Qingwei replied, "Still six points per jin."

Qi Fu lamented, "With the crops we’re harvesting, we’ll soon be unable to afford fertilizer for the next planting."

Xiaqing nodded.

The farming knowledge broadcast had explained that for wheat to grow well, each mu of land required at least 500 jin of organic fertilizer from livestock, poultry, or human waste, and 600 jin of plant stalk fertilizer, for a total of 1,100 jin.

The number sounded exaggerated, but it was the minimum standard.

According to Li Si’s *Mung Bean Cultivation Guide*, the soil fertility was currently insufficient. The total amount of fertilizer needed per mu had to reach two thousand jin for crops to grow well.

Therefore, how to gather enough fertilizer for their reclaimed farmland was a difficult problem facing every Lord.