Chapter 146: Teach a Man to Fish

When Su Hanchu saw the candied haws, his eyes lit up and he quickly took it.

"I was thinking, since the villagers won't have much to do in the next six months, could we teach them the mushroom growing technology? Then I can sell the mushrooms they grow, so they can earn some money and we can also do business."

Upon hearing this, Jun Moye looked at the mushrooms that were growing well and spoke.

"This method is not unfeasible, but at this early stage, people's hearts are unpredictable. If there are really villagers growing mushrooms and we come to sell them, then we must make arrangements in advance to avoid any bad conflicts later, which would make us feel uncomfortable."

Su Hanchu nodded slightly while eating the candied haws.

"Well, let's make a deal. I'll bring this up when we have dinner at the headman's house later."

Jun Moye was a little surprised when he heard this.

"Are you bringing it up so soon? What if it doesn't sell well?"

Su Hanchu swallowed the candied haws in his mouth and spoke with a smile.

"There is nothing in this world that cannot be sold, there are only people who cannot sell things. As long as the mushrooms I grow are good, I will definitely be able to sell them."

Jun Moye looked at her arrogant look and reached out to scratch the tip of her nose.

"Yes, yes, my wife is the most powerful. Then I will wait for my wife to make a lot of money to support me."

After hearing this, Su Hanchu looked at him and teased.

"I didn't realize that Master Jun had the potential to be a gigolo."

Jun Moye looked at her with a smile between his eyebrows.

"There's nothing I can do. I'm lucky to have married a capable wife."

The two chatted while watering the mushrooms.

It was not until Chuntao came back and reminded them that it was time to go to the headman's house for dinner that they got up and went to the headman's house.

At Zhou Lizheng's house, because the courtyards of the two Zhou brothers were built next to each other, the courtyards were very spacious and it was no problem to set up three or five tables.

Aunt Zhou greeted the two of them warmly.

"Mo Ye and Han Chu are here, come and sit here."

The two of them hurriedly sat down with a smile.

"Aunt Zhou, you are too polite."

The food was served quickly.

Zhou Lizheng poured the wine.

"Mo Ye, Han Chu, Uncle Zhou toasts you with this cup. Thank you for everything you have done for Guanping Village."

Jun Moye hurriedly picked up the wine glass and spoke.

"Uncle Zhou, you are so polite. We are all from the same village. I just did what I should do as a villager of Guanping Village."

After a few pleasantries and a few drinks, everyone was happily eating. Su Hanchu spoke slowly only after he saw that everyone had almost finished eating.

"Uncle Zhou, today we were in the carriage discussing how the villagers would be able to do their work. I have an idea. Please listen to it."

Uncle Zhou spoke quickly when he heard this.

"You speak, Uncle Zhou is listening."

Su Hanchu put down his chopsticks, thought for a moment, and then spoke.

"I studied mushroom cultivation a few days ago. These mushrooms have recently grown and are growing well. I can teach the villagers the techniques for growing them from seeds. Then I can take the grown mushrooms at wholesale prices and sell them myself."

When Zhou Lizheng heard this, his eyes lit up.

"That's absolutely fantastic. However, we've always relied on picking mushrooms from the mountains. If the entire village were to grow mushrooms, wouldn't there be too much? We wouldn't be able to sell them."

Su Hanchu smiled and spoke after hearing this.

"Uncle Zhou, please rest assured. How to sell them is my business. However, regarding this cultivation technology, I have a condition. The mushrooms grown by people who learn the cultivation technology from me can only be wholesaled to me, and they need to sign an agreement.

Because I'm in the mushroom business to make money. After all, my Jun family has so many people who need food and drink, so I'll agree on a price with everyone in advance. How much will I sell it for later? That's my business. Let's be frank. If you're willing, come to my Jun family to learn. If you don't want to, that's fine too."

Zhou Lizheng spoke hurriedly after hearing this.

"How could I not be willing to do that? Everyone finally has something to do and can earn money. This is a great thing. Don't worry, you two. Uncle Zhou will definitely explain this matter clearly to everyone and won't cause you any trouble in the future."

It was impossible for him to explain and negotiate with the villagers one by one. It would be best for the village head to come forward and explain things to everyone, Su Hanchu said with a smile.

"Then I'll trouble you, Uncle Zhou. It's not dark yet, so why don't you come with us to Jun's house to check out the mushrooms? We'll set the wholesale price, and then I'll trouble you to communicate with the villagers.

After all, these mushrooms grow very quickly. From the initial cultivation of the mushroom fungus to the growth of mushrooms, it only takes a little over a month. Moreover, these cultivated mushroom fungi can grow mushrooms many times, so we have to be busy finding a way to sell the mushrooms."

Uncle Zhou stood up quickly after hearing this.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go now."

Su Hanchu asked Chuntao and Qiukui to stay and help Aunt Zhou clean up the dishes at home, and then he went back to Jun's house with Uncle Zhou.

Soon we arrived at Jun's house, the house where mushrooms were grown.

I saw oyster mushrooms of different sizes in various shapes, some were semicircular, some were umbrella-shaped, and some were wavy. As soon as I entered the house, I could smell the full fragrance of mushrooms.

Su Hanchu gestured to Ping'er to bring the basket, and spoke while picking.

"Uncle Zhou, this mushroom is easy to grow and tastes delicious. Take some home today and try it. If you like it, go back and do some work for us."

Uncle Zhou looked at the full basket of mushrooms handed to him and quickly refused.

"You don't need too many. Just a few will do."

Su Hanchu spoke with a smile.

"These are mushrooms we grow ourselves, and they're not very valuable. Uncle Zhou, please don't be polite. If all the villagers start growing them in the future, I'll have to trouble you to lead them and prevent others from causing trouble."

Uncle Zhou no longer refused after hearing this.

"What are you talking about, kid? Since I'm the head of Guanping Village, it's my duty to do something that benefits the villagers. So, tell me what wholesale price you're going to set? I'll go door to door tomorrow to discuss it. That's good, so everyone can rest assured. Otherwise, everyone will be worried and have nothing to do in the future."

Su Hanchu thought about it.

"It's only two cents per pound. We invite everyone to come to our house to see it. These mushrooms are being cared for by Chuntao Qiuku. They know how long it takes to grow and how many mushrooms you can pick at one time. If you have any questions, you can ask them."

Zhou Lizheng listened and nodded.

"Okay, I'll explain everything to everyone tomorrow. But Hanchu, when can you teach everyone how to grow these mushrooms? I can't guarantee this for others, but your Aunt Zhou definitely needs to learn. It's only two cents a pound. As long as we can grow them, we won't have to worry about not making money."