Chapter 59 Everyone Getting to Work
Finished
Then, she pointed to the plot of land. “While clearing the area, if you find large pieces of steel bars, metal sheets, or anything suitable for building fences, bring them all over to the fence–building group. As for the smaller recyclable items that the recycling station accepts…” Elizabeth paused and looked at them. “You can keep those for yourselves.”
The members of the trash–clearing group froze in surprise. Even the people in the land–plowing group and fence–building groups turned to look at her in disbelief.
The recycling station always paid very little, but even the smallest gain was still something. A tiny bit of profit was better than nothing.
Elizabeth explained, “Whatever you pick up belongs to you. You can save it and exchange it for something you need. There’s no need to leave it for me. As for the useless and non–recyclable trash, move it all to the garbage mountain. Understood?”
“Understood, Ms. Elizabeth!” Timothy and Selina responded the fastest, their voices clear and bright.
“Good.” Elizabeth looked at the two of them. “Then, for now, Timothy and Selina will serve as leaders of the trash–clearing group. If anyone has questions, you can ask them.”
Entrusted with responsibility, the two children blushed with excitement. They thumped their chests and promised earnestly, “Don’t worry, Ms. Elizabeth! We’ll lead everyone to clean the area completely!”
“Alright. You may begin.” Elizabeth nodded.
Next was the land–plowing group.
Elizabeth picked up a shovel and walked to a patch of hard, uncultivated soil. As she demonstrated, she explained, “Do it this way. Push the shovel deep, at least one foot into the ground. If you run into compacted clumps of soil, use leverage to pry them up, then break them apart with the back of the shovel or your foot.”
Her movements were swift and efficient. In just a few strokes, she had turned over a small section, revealing darker, moist soil underneath. “In the end, the land must be leveled. There should be no large clumps of soil left. The boundary between plowed and unplowed land must be clear, so it will be easy to measure later. Mr. Rose, you will lead them and check the quality.”
“Sure, leave it to me, Ms. Schofield!” Adam replied quickly. He gazed at the loosened soil she had turned over with admiration.
Finally, it was the fence–building group’s turn.
Elizabeth looked at the three thin but upright boys standing before her and asked gently, “How old are you guys?”
The tallest stepped forward, clearly nervous. “My name is Peter, I’m 18. This is Simon, 16, and this is Matt,
15.”
Afraid that Elizabeth might think they were too young, he hurried to add, “M–Ms. Schofield, we’ve been helping adults build shelters and repair fences since we were young. We have experience–we’ll get it done
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9:39 am PPP
Chapter 59 Everyone Getting to Work
right!”
The other two boys nodded vigorously, their eyes full of hope and determination.
Finished
Elizabeth smiled and pointed to the fence she had built earlier as a sample. “Having experience is good. Use this as your standard. The part buried underground must be more than 1.5 feet deep. The exposed height should be around four feet. Most importantly, it must be sturdy. You pass if it doesn’t fall over if I push it hard like this.”
As she spoke, she pressed both hands firmly against the sample fence and gave it several strong shoves. It did not move at all.
“Got it!” The three boys answered in unison.
“Peter, you will serve as the leader of the group.”
With the work assignments complete, the once empty field quickly became lively.
Under Timothy and Selina’s leadership, the trash–clearing group moved and sorted like busy ants.
The land–plowing group, directed by Adam, swung their shovels again and again, breaking through the hardened earth.
The three boys in the fence–building group began planning their route and headed toward the garbage mountain to search for suitable materials.
Elizabeth followed each group for a while, quietly observing. Though their movements were unfamiliar and awkward, their attitudes were extremely serious. Satisfied, she finally felt at ease.
She picked up a shovel and joined the land–plowing group herself.
The land she had already cultivated was fully planted with potatoes. There was no extra space left to test new seeds.
She needed to quickly open up a small experimental field and plant the strawberry, apple, watermelon, and grape seeds she had collected, along with the peppers and bean pod seeds Timothy had found later.
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