Zhao Lizheng only realized now that the delicious food the Qiao family had given him earlier was actually fried mushrooms from the mountain.
He was startled at first, but after looking at himself, he found that there was nothing wrong with him.
They also learned that the Qiao family had used these items to exchange for money in town, and were "forced" by the villagers. So they taught the villagers to identify mushrooms and make dried mushrooms.
Zhao Lizheng was more open-minded than most people in the village, and he suddenly understood as well.
This was an innovation of the Qiao family.
It's a good thing that it can be sold and eaten, as long as we avoid the problematic ones.
Qiaojia has done what he was supposed to do; now, he needs to preside over the lottery.
There are sixty-one households, each with a large population, totaling several hundred people.
There are too many people, and it's easy for things to go wrong if they gather together. Also, it's noisy, and if opinions start to rise, it will be difficult to calm them down. So, we'd rather have the villagers who went up the mountain with the Qiao family to identify the mushrooms yesterday come instead.
In the middle of the village, there is a wide open space where villagers usually gather to discuss matters or relay messages.
Because this place is useful, it was paved with bricks, surrounded by a fence, and several large trees were planted. A pavilion and stone benches were also built, so the villagers like to come here to sit after meals.
As for those people who sit in the small dam at the village entrance, they are all talkative and enjoy watching people come and go, seeing what people from other villages are doing, what people from their own village are doing, and what they are bringing back. In short, they have a kind of wicked sense of humor.
Before long, all sixty people had arrived. The one from the Qiao family was Qiao Lian'er.
On the table in the pavilion, there were writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, which were then used by Scholar Wang to write his name.
Zhao Lizheng said to everyone, "There are eighteen wealthy families in Qingshui Town, fifteen in Daniu Town, twenty in Chuyun Town, and fifty in Yongguan County. It's hard to count the number of wealthy families, but I estimate there are fifty."
“Not every wealthy family will be willing to buy these mushrooms, so the number of families going will be reduced slightly. This is how I allocated them: fifteen families from Qingshui Town, twelve families from Daniu Town, fifteen families from Chuyun Town (which is farther away), and the remaining nineteen families from Yongguan County. Then we will draw lots again next year.”
Zhao Lizheng had considered rotating the positions, but with different numbers of people, some families would definitely not get a turn. Although rotation was possible, it would be a bit troublesome, so he decided to just draw lots.
The villagers had no objections.
This time, it wasn't Old Lady Song who came from the Song family, but the eldest son.
While Zhao Lizheng was speaking, he kept looking around.
Finally, they saw Wang Xiucai arrive. Song Laoda went to greet him first and led him aside.
He lowered his voice and said, "Wang Xiucai, how about this, when I draw lots, you can tamper with it and make me draw Qingshui Town. Other places are too far away and unfamiliar, who would want to go?"
As he spoke, he slipped small pieces of silver into the scholar's hand.
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiucai's face darkened, and he shook off Song Laoda's hand.
"Please have some self-respect. If everyone acted like you, where would the fairness of the lottery come from?"
As he was about to walk away, Old Song grabbed Wang Xiucai's sleeve.
“Scholar Wang, please have mercy. I’m the only one doing this, it doesn’t matter. Look at this little bit of silver, it’s enough for you to write so many couplets and documents for people.”
The coldness on Wang Xiucai's face intensified, and his brows furrowed.
“Boss Song, I’m giving you face. If you do this again, I’ll tell everyone about your behavior and make sure you get a severe punishment.”
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