"While we can eat our fill, we cannot be satisfied with just that!" Minister Wu sighed.
The common people's demands were too low; they never thought of living a wealthy life, only of having enough to eat and wear.
But they couldn't think that way. They had to ensure more people could eat white rice and fine flour, even live a life with fish and meat.
"It's still not enough. We must continue to work harder. Zizhen, many people are still counting on you," Minister Wu turned his gaze to Shen Zizhen.
The new improved varieties that Minister Shen had researched in the past two years were indeed good and had begun to be promoted nationwide.
But it was clearly still not enough.
"I know, Minister Wu. I will not let down the expectations of the country and the people," Shen Zizhen promised.
"The improved seed varieties our village is using now are the ones Teacher Shen improved when he was in Nanling Village a few years ago," Su Changjiu interjected.
"Have the new grain seeds not been promoted yet?" Minister Wu frowned.
"Not yet. I heard the neighboring county promoted them this year, and our county will do so next year," Su Changjiu said. "Because the varieties our county is using were developed by Teacher Shen a few years ago, and they are better than those in other counties, they were put last."
Only then did everyone remember that Shen Zizhen had stayed in Hongxin Brigade, now Nanling Village, for a few years.
They didn't know that Shen Zizhen had been diligently researching during that time.
"Zizhen, you are excellent!"
"The country has trained me. This is what I should do."
"In this world, nothing is as important as agriculture. Only when the land produces more can everyone live a prosperous life!"
Minister Chang, who was standing nearby, was displeased upon hearing Minister Wu say this.
"If you ask me, to live a good life without lacking money, we must develop the economy. While planting grain is important, we cannot neglect the economic aspect."
"Are you trying to sabotage me?" Minister Wu was unhappy.
This Old Man Chang was becoming more and more detestable, going against the grain at this moment.
Su Xiaotian couldn't help but laugh as she listened to the two bicker. Was this a typical case of one's position determining their perspective?
One was from the Ministry of Commerce, and the other was from the Ministry of Agriculture. Standing in different positions, their thoughts were naturally different!
"Did I say something wrong? Look at the South. Why have their lives improved so quickly? Isn't it because they developed their economy?"
Seeing that the two old friends were about to argue, Dong Yuanzhong quickly said, "You two are so old, over a hundred years combined. Are you acting like three-year-olds?"
He had long said that these two were burdens and should not have been brought along, but they insisted on coming!
What a nuisance!
Since Dong Yuanzhong had spoken, the two had no choice but to listen, even if they were unwilling.
"Our village is also processing handicrafts now. Little Si has entrusted people to purchase them, so everyone's life is a bit better than in other places."
Minister Chang was pleased and said with a smile, "That's right. Farming and grasping the economy are not mutually exclusive; only then can we live a good life."
Dong Yuanzhong asked, "Little Si has such ideas? Not bad, not bad. I see this young man will be capable in the future."
Even Dong Yuanzhong had heard about how popular Su Xiaosi's Rongfa Business was.
He heard that this young man also planned to open Rongfa Business in other cities, showing great ambition.
With his support, Nanling Village's life could indeed improve considerably.
"However, we cannot only think about Nanling Village. Outside of Nanling Village, many people still live difficult lives. If possible, we should unite these people and form a large-scale industry. Only then can we walk the path of common prosperity."
Dong Yuanzhong nodded approvingly, but at the same time, he stated his requirements.
Su Changjiu said, "People from other villages have also approached our village, wanting to do handicrafts with us. But we are worried that if too many people do it, Little Si will be under too much pressure."
"Don't all process the same thing. Each village can process different items. For example, the East Village can process knitted gloves, and the West Village can process scarves. The South Village can also make cotton vests. This way, everyone's products will have a market."
Minister Chang immediately shared his thoughts.
"I understand, Minister Chang. You are right. Later, I will discuss it with Little Si again to see if we can find a new path."
Su Xiaosi was outside, doting on his little nephew and had no time to come in and talk with the elders.
At this time, time was very tight. The secretary came in to urge them several times, and Dong Yuanzhong had to get up to attend a meeting.
Minister Wu and Minister Chang also had other matters to attend to in the afternoon and left one after another.
Li Xiurong and Yang Liming were not too familiar with the Su family, so they also found excuses to leave.
Only Fan Shufang had nothing to do in the afternoon and stayed behind.
With fewer people, they started talking together, and since they were all familiar with each other, their conversations became more casual.
The men sat together, drinking and chatting, while the women drank apricot skin water and chatted while cracking melon seeds.
When Fan Shufang saw Su Xiaocao, she thought the girl was quiet and good-natured. She wondered if she had a boyfriend and considered introducing her to her two troublesome sons.
They were already twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old and still unmarried and not looking for partners. She didn't know what their intentions were.
As for Su Xiaocao's job, it didn't matter. If a deal could be made, there would be ways to solve it.
With this thought in mind, Fan Shufang couldn't help but ask Su Xiaocao a few more questions.
The more she asked, the more satisfied Fan Shufang became.
Her two sons had stubborn personalities, one more than the other. A quiet and gentle girl like this was precisely what they needed to temper their stubbornness with softness.
When she learned that Su Xiaocao was not yet in a relationship, Fan Shufang became even happier.
She was only a few years younger than her sons, not too much of a difference.
She was good-looking, polite, and educated.
Although her family background was a bit lacking, their own family had humble origins, so this was not a problem.
This was simply a perfect candidate for a daughter-in-law, tailor-made for her family.
At this moment, Fan Shufang looked at Su Xiaocao as a mother-in-law looking at her future daughter-in-law, becoming more satisfied the more she looked.
It was as if they were a match made in heaven.
She began to plan to call her sons back for a blind date after returning home.
Fortunately, this girl would be staying in the capital for a few months, so there was enough time to arrange it.
Su Xiaotian was unaware that her second grandmother had set her sights on Su Xiaocao.
Of course, even if Su Xiaotian knew, she wouldn't find anything wrong with it.
After all, it was not surprising that her second grandmother would take a liking to Su Xiaocao.
Xiaocao was an outstanding girl in every aspect.
Any mother-in-law would be satisfied with a girl like this as a daughter-in-law, wouldn't they?
Meanwhile, Su Changjiu, sitting and talking on the other side, had a thousand thoughts churning in his mind.
He felt that there was something between Xiaocao and Su Sangong, but he couldn't be sure.
He had been observing the two children for the past two days and hadn't found anything unusual.
But for some reason, he always felt a sense of unease.
He even considered taking Xiaocao back and not letting her stay in the capital for training.
However, he also knew that this was a rare opportunity, possibly related to the child's future, and he couldn't block her path to development.
As a result, for the next few days, his heart felt heavy, and he had no mood for eating or shopping.