Thinking about it, Jiang Yimian went to discuss it with Old Man Liu and the others. They didn't object and readily agreed.
The Qingming Festival is just around the corner. As the saying goes, around Qingming, it's time to plant melons and beans.
They also need to prepare seeds of melons, fruits, beans, and the like, plus they need to dig ditches for the newly reclaimed land. They'll be very busy. If they don't share the work, they won't be able to finish even if they had three heads and six arms.
For farmers, the land is still the most important thing, even more so than doing business.
Although both families now receive wages for making konjac and soap for the Jiang family, they are, after all, farmers who were terrified of hunger in the past. This year, they are finally exempt from paying taxes, so naturally they want to cultivate more land and harvest more grain.
Jiang Yimian knew what they were thinking and naturally understood.
Seeing that everyone agreed, she went down the mountain while there was still time.
I plan to finalize the helpers today, and then start working on other things tomorrow.
As soon as we came down the mountain, we could see a large crowd gathered in front of the big threshing ground in the center of the village, chattering and making quite a scene.
Jiang Yimian was a little curious, so she went over as well.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a stall selling chicks, ducklings, and piglets, with two calves also visible.
As Ms. Zhang squeezed through the crowd and was about to leave, she saw Jiang Yimian walking over and hurriedly greeted her happily, "Jiang girl, you're here to buy ducklings and chicks too! Come on, let me help you choose."
She's the best at picking these kittens. Every year, the ones she chooses for her family grow up to be plump and big, and none of them get sick. Everyone else is incredibly envious.
If it weren't for the fact that Jiang Yatou came alone and probably wouldn't be able to choose, she wouldn't have bothered with this.
Jiang Yimian was taken aback, but did not refuse, and followed Xiao Zhang into the crowd.
The man selling the chicks was an old man in his fifties or sixties. When he saw the group of people approaching, he quickly said, "Don't worry, all my chicks, ducklings, and piglets are top-quality goods. Just pick one."
As soon as he finished speaking, many people gathered around and started picking through the bamboo basket.
Madam Zhang wasn't in a hurry; she just looked at Jiang Yimian and asked, "What are you planning to buy?"
Jiang Yimian thought for a while before saying, "Buy a few ducklings and some piglets."
Old Liu had mentioned to her last time that he wanted to buy some ducks and pigs to raise, but he hadn't found any suitable ones yet. Today, he happened to come across some, so he could buy them all at once.
The small depression is spacious, with a lotus pond and a stream, making it a good place to raise ducks. As for piglets, it's not too much trouble to just put up a fence in front of a few houses and build a simple straw shed.
Xiao Zhang nodded, then went to the baskets to pick out ducklings. In no time, she picked out ten healthy ducklings and was about to continue picking when Jiang Yimian quickly stopped her, "Thank you, Auntie, that's enough."
Only then did Ms. Zhang give up, and she felt satisfied looking at the exceptionally spirited duck.
Chen Guixiang, standing to the side, was clearly annoyed and said irritably, "Little Zhang, you're not buying anything, so why are you joining in the fun? It's like you're good at picking things out. There are plenty of good chicks and ducklings here, why do you need to pick them?"
She looked at the chicks and ducklings and they all looked the same, so there was no need to pick them. Only Xiao Zhangshi liked to show off and talk nonsense.
Although the others didn't say anything, they were all somewhat unhappy.
Everyone in the village knows that Xiao Zhang is always good at picking these things; the other party takes all the good ones, leaving behind not all the ones that are prone to disease.
They're all from the same village. Instead of helping them, they're causing trouble.
Xiao Zhang glanced at the group before looking at Chen Guixiang and laughing, "What? I'm just good at picking and showing off, but I won't help you pick. Didn't you say these chicks are all good? Then why do you care how I pick them? Just buy them."
She can pick whatever she wants for anyone, which infuriates Chen Guixiang. It's her own fault for not knowing how to choose; she deserves to buy something that's been drugged.
Chen Guixiang was so angry that her face turned green, but she couldn't refute it. She could only say in a harsh voice, "Who needs you to choose? I can choose myself."
Upon hearing this, the young women simply waved to Zhang Shi and said with a smile, "We know you're the best, so help us choose some too! Don't be angry, even if Chen Guixiang doesn't want you to choose, we're all willing."
Then, Zhang helped the other women pick out a few that looked decent, but none of them were as good as the ones they had just picked.
She was very enthusiastic about picking on Chen Guixiang, but she didn't help her at all, only making the other party very angry.
Old Li, who was selling things, was also a little surprised to see the ducklings that Xiao Zhang had picked out for Jiang Yimian. This young woman had a good eye; she had chosen all the best-looking and most energetic ones.
Although he was surprised, he showed his displeasure on his face. "What? My little brat isn't good enough? These are all top-quality. If you don't buy them, I'll go to other villages."
He wasn't entirely lying; apart from a few skinny, listless ones mixed in, at least none of them were sick.
He didn't know whether the child would get sick after buying it.
Upon hearing this, Chen Guixiang quickly replied, "Yes, yes, everyone knows that you, Lao Li, are the most honest. They're just talking nonsense."
After saying that, he glared at Xiao Zhangshi and Jiang Yimian with annoyance before looking away.
Who cares if Little Zhang helps with the selection?
Jiang Yimian found it amusing and ignored the other party. She picked out two more piglets and was about to pay when her gaze fell on the mule pulling a cart to the side.
The mule was pulling a cart behind it and was grazing nearby with its head down. Its coat was shiny and it looked quite energetic; it would be good for hauling goods.
When they go to town to sell things, they always carry baskets that are stuffed full. Having a mule makes things much easier for them.
We won't have to wait for the oxcart at the village entrance anymore, and it will be much more convenient to go to town.
Thinking about it, she asked, "How much for this mule?"
Old Li sized up Jiang Yimian, his eyes darting around before he spoke, "This mule of mine is a real horse mule. It's strong and smart, just like an ordinary horse. I'll sell it to you for ten taels of silver, along with the cart."
Jiang Yimian raised an eyebrow and said calmly, "Six taels of silver. I'll buy it if you're willing to sell."
Although she hadn't gone to town to inquire about the price of mules, she estimated that a good mule would cost around five or six ounces.
It's true that a good mule can be as good as a horse.
Mules are divided into donkey mules and horse mules. Horse mules are strong, have great endurance, and although they are quick-tempered, they are very intelligent.
Donkeys and mules are good runners, have small appetites, and are gentle in temperament.
Each has its own characteristics, incorporating the advantages of both donkeys and horses.
Mules, in particular, are best suited for running in the mountains and fields, and they require less fodder than horses, making them the top choice for farmers.
However, mules also have drawbacks. They are not as fast as horses and cannot reproduce, which means that mules can only be used by villagers.
Wealthy families usually buy horses, but rarely mules.
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