HCB Chapter 240 The embroidered grass looks just like the real thing.
Chapter 240 The embroidered grass looks just like the real thing.
Despite these restrictions, Xia Yu's family still sold more than two thousand watermelon seedlings. Not only did people from their own village buy them, but people from other villages also came to buy them. Zhang Youtie patiently explained the potential problems that might arise after the watermelons hit the market, but it still couldn't dampen their enthusiasm for buying them.
"I don't grow much, so even if I can't sell it all, it'll be good for my family to eat." This is what many people actually said.
"Okay, just keep that in mind. Don't complain to us if any problems arise later," Zhang Youtie said.
"No, we can't do that..."
The people in the old house also wanted to plant a few acres, but Zhang Youtie dissuaded them from the idea.
"Dad, there will definitely be plenty of watermelons on the market this year, so the price won't go up. Listen to me, if you're just growing them for your own consumption, just plant a few in the vegetable garden or along the edge of the field. We need a lot of chili peppers to supply hot pot base to restaurants, so we can intercrop them in the wheat fields. Let's plant these at the old house this year."
Hearing his third son's words, the old man smoked his pipe and thought for a long time before finally deciding to listen to his son and plant chili peppers. As for watermelons, he would plant a few in the vegetable garden and along the edge of the field, just enough for his family, as his third son had suggested.
Of course, there were also some quick-witted individuals who, after listening to Zhang Youtie's words about watermelons, discussed it with their families and found it very reasonable. They decided to follow the Zhang family's lead and plant whatever the Zhang family grew. But like Grandpa Zhang, they also bought a few watermelon seedlings to grow for their own consumption.
Busy days always pass quickly, and before we know it, it's watermelon season.
Everyone who grew watermelons was beaming with joy. Although their watermelons weren't as big as the Zhang family's, which weighed over 20 jin (10 kg), the larger ones were still 12 or 13 jin (6.5-7.5 kg), and the smaller ones were 8 or 9 jin (4.5-5.5 catties). Some families who doted on their children had already cut them open and eaten them; they were very sweet and juicy.
But this festive atmosphere disappeared after they sold watermelons in town and county once. This year, many people are growing watermelons, and even more are selling them.
"Sigh, I was in town today, and no one wanted to buy watermelons even for 20 cents a pound, let alone 50. I ran into several watermelon sellers; three from our village alone," said villager A.
“You still dare to ask for twenty coins a pound? I went to Ming’an County today, and sold five for ten coins a pound. I had to bring the rest back. One of them even broke on the way. It breaks my heart,” said villager B.
"When we bought the seedlings, my third brother said the price would definitely be low this year, but I didn't expect it to be this low!" said villager A.
A dozen or so men from the village squatted on the drying ground, sighing and discussing what to do. They didn't know what to do in this situation.
"Why don't we go ask Third Brother if he has any connections?" one of the villagers suggested.
"Is this a good idea? When we bought the seedlings, Third Brother didn't allow us to buy so many. We were just too greedy."
"We'll just go ask. If they have it, great. If not, we'll figure something out ourselves. At worst, my family will just stop eating rice and eat watermelon every day."
"..."
So a group of more than a dozen people went to Zhang Youtie's house in a grand procession.
When they arrived, Zhang Youtie was still eating. Seeing so many brothers from the village, Zhang Youtie quickly put down his chopsticks and greeted them.
"Why is everyone here today? Have you eaten yet?"
“We’ve already eaten, Third Brother, you eat, you eat,” said Zhang Shanqi, the leader.
Everyone who comes here knows that the Zhang family built a big house this year, and Zhang Youtie is very busy every day.
"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony. There are benches in the yard, please find a place to sit. I'll finish these two bites first; I'm really hungry today," Zhang Youtie said with a smile.
"Third Brother, you're too kind. We arrived unexpectedly."
"Yes, Third Brother, take your time eating, we're not in a hurry."
Despite saying that, Zhang Youtie quickly finished his meal, wiped his mouth with his hand, moved a small stool, and sat down in the courtyard with everyone.
Everyone looked at each other, somewhat embarrassed to speak. Finally, Zhang Shanqi, who had come here, made a bold move and told Zhang Youtie about the problems they were facing.
After saying that, he scratched his head sheepishly, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Third Brother, we were too greedy back then and didn't listen to your advice. But now that all the watermelons are ripe and plentiful, the market price isn't going up, and we can't sell them. So we wanted to ask you if you have any suitable options."
After hearing his words, Zhang Youtie frowned deeply and thought for a long time before speaking.
"I'll go ask about that tomorrow, but I can't say for sure whether it will work out. After all, my family's house was sold by someone else last year."
"Thank you, Third Brother. We're just grateful that you could ask around. Whether it works out or not, we'll be thankful for your help." Zhang Shanqi quickly spoke up after hearing Zhang Youtie's words.
Hearing them say that, the others chimed in with their own opinions.
"Yes, Third Brother, your help in asking is a huge favor."
"Thank you, third brother."
Seeing the excited expressions on everyone's faces, Zhang Youtie pressed his hands down, signaling everyone to be quiet.
"Everyone, please don't get excited. I'm just asking, and it's not certain if it will work out, so please don't have too high hopes. Also, please take a count tonight to see how many watermelons you need my help with. That way, it'll be easier for me to talk to the other party when I go to ask. Also, please make sure to count the ones that weigh more than ten pounds and the ones that weigh less than ten pounds."
“Okay, we’ll go ask each house now, and we’ll deliver the amount you requested first thing tomorrow morning,” Zhang Shanqi said excitedly.
"Okay, go ahead!" Zhang Youtie nodded.
The courtyard, which was just a moment ago chaotic, was completely cleared up in a flash.
Liu then brought out a bowl of mung bean porridge and a scallion pancake from the kitchen and placed them in Zhang Youtie's hands.
"Eat some more, you weren't full just now, were you?"
"My wife understands me best," Zhang Youtie chuckled, taking a big bite of the fried dough.
Upon hearing his words, Liu looked nervously in the direction of Xia Yu's room.
"Keep your voice down, my little sister is still in Xiaxia's room."
"Hey, that's my own sister, what's there to be afraid of?" After saying that, he took a purse out of his pocket and handed it to Liu.
“I think our daughter’s embroidery skills have improved a lot recently. Look at this grass, it’s embroidered just like the real thing.”
Liu took the purse from Zhang Youtie, examined it carefully, and then burst out laughing.
"You can say that to me, but don't praise her in front of our daughter. She said she embroidered orchids on this purse, but didn't you see there's another flower on it?"
"..." Zhang Youtie didn't say anything, mainly because he didn't think there was any difference between orchids and grass.