[Chapter 307: A Bumper Harvest, New Plans, Major Construction]
The next day, Linton, Winnie, Michelle, and their entourage of 15 boarded a private business jet bound for Montana.
Madonna had stayed on the estate for an extra week but had returned to her busy schedule.
Vivian Chow had already started recording songs with Universal Music.
During the day, only Michelle Reis remained on vacation at the estate. Upon hearing that Linton had hired various experts to plan the farm's landscaping, she naturally showed great interest and joined the group.
Along with them were two professors and their assistants from the University of California, Davis.
UC Davis had a strong reputation in agriculture, especially in fruit tree cultivation, ranking in the top three universities nationwide.
Previously, Linton had his assistant contact the university's most renowned fruit tree professor Steven Cohen and grape cultivation professor Calvin Johnson.
He had hired them for $50,000 and $20,000 respectively to help plan the farm's fruit and grape cultivation, and they were on-site for an inspection.
David personally led the team to pick them up at the airport. In late April, after the National Weather Service personnel withdrew, David had taken 50 Thunder Guards to set up an overseas base in Danakil, Ethiopia.
He had stayed there for three and a half months, watching the base gradually take shape and get on track before returning to the farm in mid-August.
...
After over an hour's drive, Linton arrived at the farm he hadn't visited for over six months.
At this time, it was late harvest season; crop gathering was complete.
Some farm workers, under Farm Manager Tuck's command, were trading grain with a local brewery and sugar plant, while others were repairing and maintaining machinery in preparation for storage and next year's use.
The farm was buzzing with joyful energy -- another bountiful season had come.
"Though this year's planting area was slightly smaller than last year's, for some reason, barley and sugar beet growth exceeded expectations, with average yields up 30% compared to last year -- truly a remarkable harvest," Tuck reported cheerfully when greeting Linton.
"What about the prices for barley and sugar beets?"
"They're about the same as last year, basically unchanged."
"Prices didn't shift despite such an increase in yield?"
"Boss, it's not just about our farm; I've checked, and other farms' harvests are similar to last year, so grain prices haven't really changed."
Linton understood this was the effect of the energy infusion that improved the soil. Although the energy was confined to 4,000 acres around the farm center, its natural process nourished the land, enhancing fertility. While he knew this, he feigned ignorance.
"Did you use any new fertilizers or planting methods this year?"
"No, everything was the same as last year. Actually, because barley and sugar beet grew so well, we used less fertilizer this year."
"Regardless, you and the team deserve credit for the increased income. Have you calculated the farm's profit this year?"
"I have. It's around $23 million, more than double last year's $11 million."
"Impressive! Since the farm made money, I can't be stingy with you or the team. Notify everyone: bonuses for all farm workers will be doubled this year."
"Best boss ever!"
Tuck was sharp and immediately shared this great news with the workers. Soon, all the workers shouted in unison, "All hail the boss!"
The expert group nearby glanced over in surprise.
Hearing about the bumper harvest and doubling of bonuses, they silently gave Linton a thumbs-up.
It was Michelle Reis's first time seeing such a vast farm, and she was thrilled, her eyes shining.
...
After this brief excitement, Linton led the experts toward the 4,000-acre open land at the farm's center.
Arriving there, Linton's spiritual sensing quickly noticed wild grass thriving more luxuriantly here than elsewhere. It was late autumn; most grass elsewhere had withered, but here, the grass was still green.
Thankfully, the surrounding land was planted with crops this year, or this would have aroused suspicion.
The farm operated on a two-year crop rotation: one year planting grain and the next left fallow for soil recovery.
It was clear that next year, these 4,000 acres must be fully developed according to plan; otherwise, outsiders -- especially the 11 influential groups -- might raise doubts, possibly watching secretly.
...
After getting off the car, Linton pulled out the farm map clearly outlining the detailed functional zoning of this 4,000-acre center area.
The innermost 200 acres were designated as a landscaped garden.
Adjacent to the garden, in the direction away from the tower, was a 200-acre living support area.
Other areas around the garden included 50 acres of medicinal herbs, 50 acres of tea fields, and 200 acres of grain cultivation.
Further out were 2,000 acres of orchards and 1,000 acres of vineyards.
At the westernmost perimeter were 300 acres of cattle and sheep pasture.
"Professor Cohen, I've planned 2,000 acres for fruit tree cultivation here. Please help design the best planting plan. My requirements: as many fruit varieties as possible, focusing on taste, while also considering year-round scenery."
"Don't worry, that's my specialty. I'll submit a planting proposal soon."
"Professor Johnson, this 1,000-acre area is for grapes. Please select the best grape varieties and planting density based on the soil and climate. I want grapes suitable both for taste and quality wine production."
"No problem."
"Mr. Van Sweden, Ms. Delaney, I'm entrusting the central 200 acres to you."
"Dear Lord, that's huge! Are you really going to build a garden that big?"
"Of course! Why else would I have brought you all the way here?"
"Could you specify your exact requirements? How many people will live in the garden -- main personnel and service staff? How many houses do you want?"
"Let's plan for 600 people total: 100 main personnel and 500 service staff."
"Separate inner and outer courtyards?"
"What do you mean?"
"The main personnel and close service staff live in the inner courtyard, less important service staff in the outer."
"Yes, separate."
"How many small villas in the inner courtyard?"
"Small villas?"
"They're private estates for important individuals. For instance, when your kids grow up, and your women -- besides living in the main house -- they'd want private villas."
Seeing Winnie and Michelle Reis beside Linton, James van Sweden naturally understood not to apply the single-wife norm to him.
"Then 50 small villas."
"Fifty? That many?" James van Sweden and Topher Delaney were stunned. Was this guy trying to be like an ancient emperor with a large harem?
In fact, as they guessed, this employer already had 17 harem members.
"Fifty it is."
"Understood. Given the garden's size, we'll stay for a while and consider terrain, rivers, lakes, and other factors in our design."
"No problem. Winnie will stay here to assist you."
"Thank you for your understanding and support."
"What do you think the garden design fee should be?"
"Around $350,000," the two experts discussed and boldly quoted a high price.
"I'll pay $400,000, and I want two proposals to choose from."
"Sure."
...
At noon, back at the farm management office for lunch, considering the design experts would be conducting long-term surveys and the UC Davis professors were busy today, an overnight stay was necessary.
The farm office had no guest rooms, and the villas were definitely not available. Linton asked Manager Tuck to book rooms at a hotel in Parker County.
Interestingly, the two garden design experts requested rooms at the farm office itself to save travel time.
Such working spirit impressed Linton, but letting them stay in the villas was impossible. Tuck freed three employee dorm rooms for them.
...
To fully value the 4,000 acres, especially to build a comfortable garden residence, a lot of work needed doing.
First was supplying water, electricity, and communication -- basic modern life necessities.
Water was easy: the mirror lake in the center connected to the Clear River, providing pristine drinking water. A water tower would be built to distribute water to every household.
Electricity and communication were harder requiring huge investments from power and communication companies, which only provided services based on profitability, not obligation.
However, paying handsomely ensured smooth service, and Linton wasn't short on cash.
After paying hefty fees, Northwestern Energy Company and Northern Bell Communications Company sent crews to install systems.
Since the farm would be a long-term family base, Linton avoided overhead lines common in Montana and spent big to dig underground conduits along the road, laying power and communication lines separately to the living area.
In the communication cables, responding to the national Information Superhighway initiative, he added an optical fiber cable. He knew the internet wave would sweep across America and the world soon, and his garden wouldn't rank high without internet access.
Though fiber optic cable was expensive due to its recent introduction, it was more cost-effective now than digging again later.
He also spent heavily to have T-Mobile set up a mobile communication base station just below the iron tower, with antennas on top.
Once activated, the farm would have full mobile phone coverage, eliminating any worries about losing touch with the outside world.
Next, housing and facilities for fruit, grape, medicinal herb, tea, and grain workers had to be built; they couldn't all stay at the farm office.
Besides, the two areas were 5-6 kilometers apart. Since the garden was the energy nexus, Linton wanted to separate those working on-site from the general farm workers.
These people would also be the outer support staff for the garden and shouldn't live too far away.
He had already planned a 200-acre living support area around the garden's perimeter.
Before heavy snow arrived, partial living facilities would be constructed.
A real estate construction company from Helena, Montana's capital, was contracted to design a small township in the living support area.
Phase one included an employee apartment building, 50 small detached houses, a trading market...
When the snow melted next spring, workers could move directly into these new facilities to boost efficiency during garden, orchard, vineyard, and crop planting.
His privately purchased airplane was due for delivery next month, so airport construction was also a priority.
Despite being on his own land, all sorts of permits were required for the private airport.
Handling the paperwork alone could take forever, so luckily, a specialized company could save time and effort, albeit at a cost.
Before coming to Montana, Linton had Goodman find and appoint Flystate, a private airport construction company in Los Angeles, to manage all permits and construction.
The day after Linton's arrival, Goodman accompanied Flystate representatives to the farm to collect location, soil, and environmental data.
They confidently assured Linton that all approvals would be secured by year-end, with construction starting in March after the snow melted.
The build would take six months, launching the airport by September and greatly improving travel between Los Angeles and the farm.
Linton requested the airport be able to handle more than just business jets like the Gulfstream -- it should accommodate Boeing 737 medium-sized aircraft.
The cost was astronomical, with Flystate charging $50 million for approvals and construction -- enough to buy three Gulfstream IV-SP jets.
*****
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