TPWBI Chapter 91

Yang Yi rode Little Gray, bringing Little White along, and arrived at the planting area office.

Qing heard the movement and stepped out, her face breaking into a bright smile: “Divine Envoy, I knew you would come to see me today.”

Yang Yi slid down from Little Gray: “Judging by your expression, it seems this heavy snow didn’t cause much damage.”

“Not quite that optimistic,” Qing said, though her expression remained very relaxed. “Those crops suited for tropical planting didn’t survive this heavy snow.”

Earlier, Yang Yi had already discussed these issues with Qing. Some vegetables and grains have geographical limitations.

While observing the growth of various crops, Qing had also noticed that some vegetables and grains were not suitable for this climate. Although they could grow, the yield and flavor were clearly inferior.

This was even more apparent in winter. Some crops that are not cold-resistant on Earth performed poorly here. No matter how they were tended, they drooped.

Qing could barely keep them alive using her talents. But this heavy snow completely overwhelmed them.

Although it was somewhat disappointing, it was expected. They hadn’t planted much initially—just a variety to accumulate experience.

“How about the cold-resistant vegetables and fruits?”

Qing led Yang Yi into the office, where there was a specially arranged kang bed that was very warm to sit on.

“Divine Envoy, rest assured. Their vitality is very strong.”

Qing placed two plates of tomatoes in front of Yang Yi. The tomatoes were bright red, each bigger than an adult man’s fist, looking extremely tempting.

This was one of Yang Yi’s favorite vegetables. Back on Earth, he only liked eating them cooked. If he occasionally ate them raw, he would sprinkle them with sugar.

Here, he just liked to break one open and take a bite. The natural fragrance and sweetness instantly refreshed him.

The texture was especially good. Visually, they looked incredibly appetizing.

Tomatoes also had a very high yield and were one of the important foods in the tribe.

“Divine Envoy, taste these two kinds of tomatoes. These are the first batch of fruit. This plate is from the greenhouse, and this plate is grown outside.”

Yang Yi examined both carefully, then picked up one with his hand and held it to his nose to smell it.

“Is it my imagination, or does the one grown outside look prettier and smell better?”

Qing laughed: “Divine Envoy, you’ll know once you try.”

Yang Yi put down the one grown outside, broke open the tomato from the greenhouse in his hand, and took a heavy bite. Juice instantly filled his entire mouth.

“The taste is really good. There isn’t much difference from the ones we grew before.”

“Try this one next.” Qing broke open the other one and handed it to Yang Yi.

Yang Yi took a sip of tea, then continued biting into the other tomato. His eyes immediately lit up.

“This one tastes even better than the greenhouse one!”

Yang Yi had never imagined that the taste of tomatoes could vary so much.

The ones he had eaten before, he thought, were already very satisfying. For a long time, they had been his indispensable fruit.

The people in the tribe were also very fond of tomatoes, especially after the domesticated poultry began laying eggs.

Tomatoes stir-fried with eggs became one of the most popular dishes. During the trade fairs, various tomato-based dishes made some tribes and trade caravans willing to exchange goods for them.

Yang Yi had thought that the previous tomatoes were already the best, but he didn’t expect there could be even tastier ones.

Qing was also very happy: “I just checked the vegetable fields. The ones that can withstand the wind and snow taste even better. The only downside is that the yield is slightly lower, probably a reduction of around twenty percent.”

“Quality and yield are rarely both perfect,” Yang Yi sighed. “But for them to withstand such cold weather, they are already exceptional.”

Currently, the lowest temperatures could drop to over ten degrees below zero. This area had a damp cold that made it feel even colder.

The daytime was tolerable. With sunlight, it was relatively warm. But at night, it was extremely cold.

Although it hadn’t rained recently, snow could still be found on the vegetables in the fields.

Exposed water, if not carefully managed, would quickly freeze into ice.

During transportation or walking, it was very easy to slip.

Therefore, the cleaning team was required to clear the roads every day to prevent accidents.

“Although the yield is lower, when we trade them, the price is set higher, which can make up for the difference,” Qing explained.

At this trade fair, many tribes and caravans exchanged large amounts of grains and vegetables, making them one of the important goods of the event.

Their byproducts, in particular, drove everyone crazy.

If it weren’t for the tribe’s own needs limiting the supply, they could have exchanged for even more.

In winter, finding food was still quite difficult. Many animals would come out to compete for it.

When the Green Python Tribe learned that they could grow vegetables even in winter, they placed orders early, wanting to have some fresh fruits and vegetables.

Now, although the people of the Green Python Tribe had already left, the two tribes still frequently interacted and exchanged what they needed.

The Green Python Tribe also had a pursuit for food. Compared to cured meats and dried vegetables, they preferred fresh produce.

“Will it get colder in the future? Can the crops withstand it?”

Qing was very confident: “If it’s about the same as previous years, there shouldn’t be any problem. As long as we use straw to protect their roots so they don’t get damaged, and clean the snow in time.”

“We truly are fortunate,” Yang Yi sighed.

“But since we’re using the land continuously, it can easily lead to soil depletion. You must make sure to read through the books and try to use methods like crop rotation to maintain soil quality. Don’t let this land get ‘eaten up.’”

Fields needed to rest and recover. Unscientific planting, taking without giving back, would only cause the fertile land to be drained dry.

Qing nodded earnestly: “We’ve been actively applying fertilizer to maintain the soil’s fertility. And I’ve brought in someone with a soil affinity. They can sharply sense the condition of the land.”

The tribe’s composting techniques were already fairly mature. They had even set aside a special area for making green manure.

After drinking a cup of brown sugar ginger tea, which warmed his whole body, Yang Yi went into the fields to conduct a detailed inspection.

He didn’t need Qing to accompany him. He simply wandered around on his own.

This was one of his favorite tasks. Not just for the sake of supervision, but to satisfy his desire for planting.

Watching the vegetables and grains in the fields grow little by little until the harvest, such a sense of achievement was hard to put into words.

Especially during the final harvest, there was a special sense of happiness.

Because of this, whenever Yang Yi felt stifled or troubled, he would take a walk in the vegetable fields. From time to time, he’d pick a fruit or dig up a potato, and all the negative emotions in his heart would quickly dissipate.

Though it was very cold now, Yang Yi wore thick clothes and kept walking, so he could still endure it.

“Grandpa, Grandpa, the radishes now taste even better than before!”

A group of children was pulling radishes in the field. One little one hopped over to a man, holding up a radish in his hand with joy.

Looking closely, Yang Yi saw that the one being called Grandpa was Tu Meng.

Surrounded by his rabbit grandchildren, Tu Meng stood smiling. Rabbits were known for their fertility. Tu Meng’s clan was no exception, making them one of the most numerous gifted clans among the beastfolk.

“In a while, we’ll all get to eat these!” Tu Meng took the radish and laughed so broadly that his eyes nearly disappeared.

“Grandpa, will we always be able to eat such delicious radishes in the future?”

“Of course!”

A group of little ones clapped their hands in delight.

“That’s wonderful! Even in winter, there’s so much food to eat. We don’t have to be afraid of going out and being eaten by wild beasts! I’ve never had such a happy winter before.”

“And we can wear such nice clothes. They’re especially warm. My feet don’t get cold anymore. I can still come out to play.”

“The house is so warm, too. Grandpa, the kang in your house is so comfortable. Mom said we’ll never again have to worry about freezing to death while sleeping at night!”

“Before, I really hated winter. Now I don’t hate it as much anymore!”

“Grandpa, it’s so great that we could come here. Isn’t this really the place where the gods live?”

Tu Meng squinted his eyes with a smile as he looked at the fields of radishes before him, his expression full of satisfaction.

He felt that the beastfolk’s decision to join the Spark Tribe was the best decision they had ever made.

“This isn’t the place where the gods live, but we have the envoy sent by the gods. As long as we work hard and diligently, we can always have everything we have now.”

“The Divine Envoy is a great man!”

The children cheered, their mouths chattering nonstop, yet their hands didn’t pause, busily pulling out radishes one after another.

Even at such a young age, they clearly understood how much their lives had changed.

Hearing their conversation, Yang Yi’s lips unconsciously curled upward, his heart warming.

Everyone’s recognition of his efforts was the greatest spiritual reward for all the painstaking planning he had done.

Looking at this land that had once been a barren wasteland, now gradually built up step by step according to his vision, that sense of accomplishment was beyond words.

“Divine Envoy!” Tu Meng quickly noticed Yang Yi. “You’re here, too!”

The children instantly stopped what they were doing, their round eyes staring at Yang Yi.

So many little ones, each adorably cute, looking at him with such enthusiasm made Yang Yi’s heart tremble with affection.

“The weather is very cold. Everyone, when you’re outside, be sure to keep warm. When you return, drink some brown sugar ginger tea to drive away the chill. Don’t let yourselves fall ill.”

“Thank you, Divine Envoy!”

The little ones were overjoyed, wishing they could run back immediately to drink a bowl.

Although they had planted quite a lot of sugarcane and pressed a fair amount of sugar, it was still far from enough, especially since much of it had also been sold at the trade fair.

Therefore, sugar was still relatively scarce and remained a precious item.

Seeing how adorable they were, Yang Yi pulled out one of his usual tricks for coaxing children—rock sugar.

Making rock sugar required more steps than making brown sugar, making it even more valuable, so it was usually reserved for trade. The people in the tribe seldom had a chance to eat it.

Even though the rock sugar Yang Yi had brought wasn’t as flavorful as the sugar pressed from their own sugarcane, it still made the children so happy that they jumped and danced with joy.

Even Tu Meng gazed at Yang Yi with longing eyes. Anything sweet was nearly irresistible.

“In the future, we’ll have more candies we make ourselves, so everyone can eat them often,” Yang Yi promised.

The little ones instantly cheered.

“Divine Envoy, you really are a kind and great man. When I grow up, I want to have children for you!”

One little one shouted. Instead of laughing, the others eagerly chimed in.

“Me too, me too, Divine Envoy! I want to have children for you, too. I can definitely have lots and lots of children.”

Yang Yi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He patted the head of the child beside him: “I don’t need you to have children for me. As long as you study hard, I’ll be very happy.”

“I’ll study hard. I’ll also have children for you!”

At this moment, a child squeezed into the far corner pouted unhappily and shouted loudly: “None of you can have children for the Divine Envoy!”

“Why not?”

Yang Yi was also curious what reason this little one would give.

That child suddenly became the center of attention. He immediately felt a little shy, but soon puffed out his chest proudly:

“Because the Divine Envoy is going to have children with the Chieftain!”

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