farmer's little girl

Chapter 57 Suspicion, Widow Du sells land
After Mei Zhuangyi and Han Jin left, the Mei mother and daughter looked at the things scattered on the kang. These were brought back by Mei Zhuangyi from the south.

Some were for Mei and Lu Minghai, some were for Lu Guangyi, Lu Guangzhi and Wu Lang, and more were for Lu Jiaoyue.It may be because the Mei family has few daughters, or it may be that the uncle and nephew just have a small relationship. Mei Zhuangyi never forgets to bring back any delicious and interesting things he sees.

This time, what I brought to Lu Jiaoyue was not only two bolts of silky satin, but also a box full of hair flowers, earrings, hairpins, rouge and other small things.They are not worth much, but they look very delicate, and they are all styles that are not available in the north.

Mei sighed and said: "Whoever marries your little uncle in the future will be blessed."

Lu Jiaoyue was taken aback for a moment, then smiled, didn't she?

After leaving Daxi Village, it was already dark.

Especially now that it is winter, the sky is already dark early.Fortunately, it was not the first time that Han Jin drove a horse-drawn carriage at night. There were two 'Qi Shi Feng' lamps hung on the eaves of the carriage, which could illuminate the road ahead.

On the carriage, Mei Zhuangyi huddled in the carriage, only opened the door to reveal a crack, and talked to Han Jin.

"Tell me honestly, how do you know so clearly about my eldest sister's family?"

Han Jin knew that Mei Zhuangyi would ask such a question. This friend's nerves were always so sharp.

He didn't hide anything, so he talked about the communication with the second room.

Hearing that his nephew went to work as a coolie in the goods yard to save money for the family, and was finally hired by Han Jin to work in a gambling shop, and that his niece embroidered things and sold them in order to save money for her elder brother to marry a wife, Mei Zhuangyi couldn't help but cursed with distress: " This Lu family is really outrageous, fortunately my sister and the others have also separated, so they don't have to worry about life in the future."

Then he asked, "Is that all?"

Han Jin nodded solemnly and said, "If not, what else can there be?"

Mei Zhuangyi climbed out of the carriage and bumped Han Jin with his elbow: "Good brother, show loyalty, know how to help me look after my eldest sister's family, it's a good thing I saved you back then, this business was really too good." Good deal."

Han Jin laughed wryly at being teased by his friends.

Speaking of this rescue, it's going too far.

When Han Jin first entered Wannian County, he went to work as a coolie at the wharf in order to support himself, but he was pushed out by others and bullied by some hooligans.At that time, he was just a kid, and he didn't know how to endure. In order to resist this kind of oppression, he confronted that group of people.He was alone, but the other party was a group of people. At the worst time, he was chased and beaten as soon as he showed his face. In the worst time, he lay in a ruined temple and almost died.

And it was Mei Zhuangyi who saved him that time.

At that time, Mei Zhuangyi was at the age of rebellion and love to play. Hearing that the county was very lively, he secretly came to Wannian County alone.It's a pity that he didn't come to the county very often, the only two times he came with his father when he was a child, so he got lost, and somehow ended up at the dilapidated temple where Han Jin stayed.

Seeing a half-grown boy lying in it with injuries all over his body, Mei Zhuangyi became curious as to why he was beaten so badly.Because of this curiosity, he rescued Han Jin.

In order to save Han Jin, he spent all his money.

At that time, Han Jin was eighteen and he was fourteen.

The friendship between the two was formed at that time, and after so many years, it can be called irreversible.

Han Jin sent Mei Zhuangyi back to Lihualing. When he got off the car, Mei Zhuangyi said, "I'm really sleepy today, and I wasted an afternoon with my sister. I'll go back to rest today, and I'll go to find you tomorrow." you."

Han Jin nodded and drove away.

When Mei Zhuangyi returned home, all the family members gathered in the upper room, Liu Shi hugged him and cried, and asked him if he ate and drank well outside, so he didn't mention it.

On the next day, Mei Zhuangyi came to Han Jin.

His face was full of energy, and he looked as if he had slept enough and was full.

As soon as the man sat down, he pulled Han Jin to talk about what he saw and heard when he went to the south this time, which was more detailed than what he told the second roomer of Lu's family, and it was all related to business.

"I found out along the way that the further south you go, the more prosperous you are. Compared with the other side, our place is really a barren land." People who have never been outside will never know what the outside world is like , it seems that Wannian County is very prosperous, but compared with the outside, it is not worth mentioning at all. "Every time I go to a place, I will inquire about the local prices. The farther south I go, the cheaper the food, especially the price of rice, which is nearly three times lower than ours. The best rice here costs about 30 yuan. Wen is a catty, but in the south where rice is rich, it is about ten wen, and if there is a bumper harvest, the price of rice will be even lower."

Han Jin was taken aback, "Do you want to do food business?"

Mei Zhuangyi nodded without telling his friend, "Not only rice, but also sugar, tea, things that we don't have here, but the south is not only abundant but also cheap. Now I finally know why some big businesses are making so much money every day. Well, the price difference between the south and the north can’t be paid off. There are also things like silk and satin, which are not suitable for planting mulberry trees here, and of course we can’t raise silkworms and reel silk, so the prices of such things are extremely high, but over there They are ordinary things that common people can wear. But I also thought about it, we have limited capital and no reliable next home. Even if we can get the things back, it will be a big problem to find a market. But there is no such thing as food. Worry, food is in short supply at any time, and you can sell it quickly when you come back, so you don’t have to be afraid of keeping your capital in your hands.”

He paused, and then said: "Of course, if you want to make money, it's better to make money from salt, iron, silk, and tea. We can't touch salt and iron. These things are controlled by the court. As for tea, it's not easy to store. The tea hills are all rounded up by tea merchants, and we can’t get in. Silk brocade and cloth can be made, but it’s a pity that the cost is too much, and I have to find a place to sell it, so I think about it. I don’t know what you think if you think the food business is doing well.”

Han Jin's eyes flickered, and he pondered: "Have you ever thought about a question? Food has always been a very sensitive thing. During the time you went out, I also asked the people below to inquire with passing merchants. Our Dagan country has a vast territory, and it is inevitable that there will be disaster-stricken places. If we really transport a batch of grain back, will the safety on the road be guaranteed?"

After all, he has seen how crazy people will become when they are really hungry to the extreme.

In fact, in the past, Han Jin wouldn't worry about this at all. He didn't think he was too smart, and his brain was not as flexible as his friends.But ever since Lu Jiaoyue told him about the warning dream, he couldn't help but become interested in this business.In fact, everyone knows that being a grain merchant can make money, but how many can really make it big.It's just because there are too many things involved in it, and no one dares to touch this without some confidence.

Mei Zhuangyi was taken aback, he had thought about this issue, but he didn't expect Han Jin to care about it.He had told his friends more than once to let him pay more attention to business matters, but he never showed much interest, why did he suddenly care about it.

Pressing down the messy thoughts in his mind, he said to Han Jin: "I have considered these, but our capital is not big after all, and the only thing that is easy to do and can do is this thing. If you get something else back, so The income is limited, and it's not worth going outside. Besides, how many times do you think we can do this business? I know myself, we don't have the confidence to make this business bigger, we can only make small troubles, and now we are making decisions from above , I just want to save some capital and change to other things when the time comes."

Han Jin fell into deep thought, and had to say that what Mei Zhuangyi said made a lot of sense.

Those who can make a lot of money need too much capital. With the little money in their hands, the goods they can get back are limited, so naturally they can't make too much money.Other odds and ends are limited to transportation, storage, and finding the next home to sell, and it is very difficult to operate.And the food is simple. First, it is cheap. With the money in their hands, if they get a batch back, it can be more than three times more expensive. In addition, this thing is solid, and they don’t worry about loss on the road. Just don't get wet and mildew.

The only concern is the issue of safety on the road.In particular, food is also heavy, but it is not easy to transport it back from the south.

"Then how do you plan to bring it back?" Han Jin asked.

Mei Zhuangyi showed a smile, "Take the water route, don't forget that we have a pier here, leading to the canal. The firm where Yang Qingshan works has a way in water transportation, and he can help us go with the firm's goods. It's just him I said, if you get the things back, you will share [-]% of the profits with him."

A profit of [-]% is not much, after all, even if there is something, it is useless work if it cannot be transported back.And solving the problem of transportation undoubtedly solved a crucial problem for them.

But Yang Qingshan?
Han Jin always felt that this name appeared frequently in the mouths of his friends.

"When spring starts and the river thaws, Yang Qingshan and his firm will go to the south. They are not going alone this time, but several firms will join together. At that time, there will probably be four or five boats. He can help us Get a place on the boat. I calculated it, we have limited money, and we can’t bring much food back. But it’s the first time we’re doing it, so we shouldn’t be too greedy.”

"Is this person reliable?"

Mei Zhuangyi was taken aback for a moment, and said, "Are you worried that he will trick us?"

Han Jin didn't hide anything, and nodded: "I always feel that this is a bit too coincidental. There are such kind-hearted people in this world who gave the way and took you to the south to see the situation. Now even the transportation way is given Have you found it?"

In their line of work, the upper class can't see it, but the lower class can see a lot.Such as singing double reeds, playing a thousand dances, dancing immortals, slaughtering lambs, eating black people, etc., the list goes on and on.Although Wannian County is a bit small, but it is small enough to see the big, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world, and there will be no good things like falling gold from the sky.If there is a big pie in front of you, the first thing to do is not to jump on it, but to consider whether the pie is poisonous.

Mei Zhuangyi may be smart and tactful, but after all, he is not as calm as Han Jin, who has seen strong winds and waves.Especially with Lu Jiaoyue's dream warning, he couldn't allow him to be negligent.

It was only at this time that Han Jin realized that he was too negligent.Maybe it was because he was not interested in business at all, or maybe because he was too reassured about his friends, before Lu Jiaoyue told him about the dream, he didn't put any thought on this business.

Mei Zhuangyi stood up, with a serious expression on his face, and paced back and forth in the room.The steps are getting faster and bigger, showing that he is not calm.

This state lasted for a long time, if Han Jin hadn't always had a good concentration, he would really be dazzled by him.

Suddenly, Mei Zhuangyi stopped, came to sit down in front of Han Jin, and said with a wry smile, "Maybe I was really impatient and didn't notice this."

As for why impatient, self-evident.

"Tell me what happened between the two of you again, and it's best not to miss a single bit."

Mei Zhuangyi told the whole story between himself and Yang Qingshan.From acquaintance, to a little friendship, to frequent exchanges, as well as his usual impressions, opinions and cognitions of this person, including this time on the road to the south, he also talked a lot.

All are trivial things, but many problems can be found in some very small things.

"This person is timid, but he is greedy for money. From my daily observations, he doesn't look like someone who has the brains to trick us. And I was the one who tricked him into talking about this matter, and he didn't take the initiative to find us."

Han Jin disagreed a little: "But don't forget, the reason why you moved this idea is because he made a slip of the tongue after drinking, and people can play tricks. Well, you can't hear anything just by listening to it. , I’ll have someone check him out.”

"Okay." Mei Zhuangyi let out a sigh of relief, and changed his enthusiasm when he came just now, "Check it out, and we can feel at ease. Jinzi, fortunately, you remind me that if something really happens by then, I will But..." He didn't dare to think about it.

Han Jin smiled wryly, if Jiaoyue hadn't told him about the dream, he wouldn't have thought of this.At this point, he became more and more suspicious that there was something wrong with Yang Qingshan.

It's just that there is no problem in the end, but we have to check it first.

Since that day, Hu's complexion was not very good for many days.

Mrs. Qiao guessed that she must have suffered, so she gloated at her misfortune.She naturally didn't know that after she and Lu Mingshan went to the second room that day, there was a big commotion in the first room.If he knew, he would probably regret going to eat that meal by himself, and it would be better to stay at home and watch the play.

Press the button and don't mention it, at this moment, another thing happened.

Widow Du brought people to Daxi Village to look at the land.

In the cold winter months, it is reasonable to say that this matter could have been carried out quietly, but Widow Du was unlucky. When she brought someone to see the land, she was seen by a villager in the village.

It was freezing cold, so Widow Du didn't come to Lu's house, but took her to the field with her, and she couldn't help but fall in love with her.After watching for a while, seeing that something was wrong, this 'good-hearted man' came to Lu's house.

They didn't say it clearly, they only mentioned the suspicious point, and old man Lu naturally understood the meaning.

After sending the man away, he didn't dare to delay, put on a thick jacket, and rushed to the field in a hurry.

The land of Lu's house is not far from the village, so the old man Lu arrived before Widow Du left.

After asking, I found out that Widow Du really planned to sell the land. This time, the person who came to see the land with her was a dentist in the town who specialized in land sales.

Widow Du really had no choice.

Ever since Du Lian injured his hand, he has stayed at home to recuperate.In order to heal his hand injury, Widow Du, no matter how high or low, bought anything that was good for the injury and gave it to him to eat.Just eat every day and make up for it every day, and the money for selling grain will soon bottom out.The family still has enough food for next year, but the food cannot be moved, otherwise this winter will be difficult to survive.

I can't help but feel a little bit stretched, seeing that it's coming to the New Year's Eve soon, spending money everywhere, especially to give a New Year's gift to Mr. Du Lian, which is another big expense, so Widow Du came to sell the land up.

I don't plan to sell more, just sell two acres. With the money of these two acres of land, it can last for a year or so.

The old man Lu regards this land as his lifeblood. Although he married the land to his youngest daughter, it is because he subconsciously believes that the land is still in the hands of the Lu family, and now it is just exchanged from him to his daughter. .The reason why Lu Guili was married to Tian as a dowry was not only because she was worried that she would lose her livelihood if she married into the Du family, but also because of guilt.

But now that his daughter is still fine, someone sold his land, how could old man Lu bear it.

He couldn't help but stepped forward to stop him, but was scolded by Widow Du.

She scolded the old man Lu for being lenient, and his surname was Lu, so he took care of them to the Du family.The old man Lu naturally wants to say that this place is a dowry for his daughter. It stands to reason that the in-laws have no right to dispose of the dowry.

Of course, Widow Du was not unprepared, she said that Lu Guili also agreed to this matter, if you don't believe me, let the old man Lu ask his daughter.

The old man Lu was furious and went back. He didn't dare to delay, so he asked his grandson to go to Du's house to ask about it.

After asking in the past, Lu Guili did agree.The family has no money, and Du Lian was injured again. Seeing that life is unsustainable, why not sell the land?
When Old Man Lu heard the news, he was very angry and fell ill that night.

It's not really a serious illness, it's just that I got angry for a while, and I was eager to go out during the day and the wind blew again, and I caught a cold.He didn't think it was serious at the time, and he was not willing to send someone to ask for a doctor, so he persisted for two days, and his condition worsened.

The fever made her whole body scald, Cui was so anxious that she sent her eldest son to ask for a doctor.The doctor came and prescribed medicine, and after drinking a few doses of medicine, the fever subsided.It's a pity that age is not forgiving. After all, it hurts one's vitality.

(End of this chapter)