The profit share was originally supposed to be paid at the end of July, but Huang Minghe was out of town, so the matter was put on hold. Chunxiao wasn't worried. After working together for so long, she still trusted Huang Minghe. On the 6th, when she was delivering goods, Huang Minghe returned and approached her to discuss the profit share. This time, she received 1,733 taels, another 17 silver notes. She was overjoyed. The most worry-free thing in the world was having plenty of silver.
The wheat harvest had already begun at the farm, and it looked like it would be finished in the next two days. The wheat harvest had also begun in the village, and every day back home it was a busy scene. Her cousin now went to the farm with her every day, and had become familiar with the women who worked as farmhands, and her mood was getting happier every day.
On the 12th, Chunxiao met the two merchants who had negotiated the price for cotton. From the moment they entered the farm, they noticed that the cotton production was extraordinary. They also started out as farmers. "Boss Yan, what are the prospects for your farming?"
"Boss Gu, look at my cotton field. What do you think its potential is?"
"Boss Yan, this is the first time I've seen such a grand spectacle in your field. I can't guess why. Did you use any special method? According to my decades of experience in cotton harvesting, I've never seen so many flowers blooming in one acre of land." The boss, surnamed Gu, kept staring at the edge of the field and was reluctant to move his eyes.
"It's really exaggerated, never seen before." Both of them were surprised.
"It's true that I used some special planting techniques, but they're just a little trick. Boss, since you're here to buy cotton, let's sit down and talk. I don't need much to compare it to the price outside. The price you two agreed to with my niece last time wasn't a fair price. You have to give me a fair price if you want to buy it. You can see that my land is very profitable. If you're not sincere, there's nothing to talk about."
A few of them walked to the living room and sat down. The merchant named Gu looked at her and smiled. "Boss Yan, you don't know that although the price of cotton is good now, selling it outside is extremely risky. It can be confiscated at any time. Naturally, we have to share some of the risks. In this way, you have a lot of cotton here, which saves me a lot of effort. I also sincerely want to buy it. How about raising it to 60 wen per jin?"
"60 wen?" Chunxiao smiled. "This is the price for all old cotton. You two said you were sincere about buying it, so I guess you're giving me a discount. I'll be frank: I won't sell it for less than 70 wen."
The two looked at each other.
"We sold cotton last year. We took it to Tongzhou and sold it for two coins. I won't tell you how much you earned. After all, that's your ability. I don't want to go all the way this year. 70 coins, if you want to take it, then take it. If not, I'll find another buyer."
Seeing her calm expression, the two knew she must have made up her mind long ago. "Business is all about bargaining and making money through harmony. Since Mr. Yan is well aware of the market, I have nothing to say. Let's do as you said. 70 wen per jin. We'll come at the end of September and we'll exchange the money and the goods."
"Okay, I'll be waiting for you two then."
The deal was done, and Chunxiao felt relieved. Although she didn't earn as much as before, at least it was stable and safe, and she didn't have to worry about it. She was a person who knew how to be content. As long as she could earn enough money to eat and drink, it was enough. There was no need to become rich overnight.
In mid-August, cotton picking finally began, and all three sides became extremely busy. Their manpower had to be divided into two parts, one to pick cotton fluff, and the other to cut branches. Zhou, Tian, and Zhang all went to Chunxiao's field to help. In order to know the yield of an acre of land as soon as possible, some villagers also ran to help spontaneously. The village was bustling for a while, but at this time, bad news came. The government office issued a notice that this year's tax grain would be increased. In previous years, the tax grain per acre for wheat and rice was 40 catties, which increased to 50 catties this year. The tax grain for cotton increased from 20 catties to 30 catties.
For a time, public resentment was boiling. Although they had complaints, they could not disobey the notice issued by the government and could only accept it silently. Fortunately, the grain output of Yanjia Village this year was more or less increased, and this increased part could be used to offset tax grain.
The Dongsheng family was also harvesting cotton with them. Seeing how busy everyone was, Dongsheng's father also hired three women as temporary laborers. Although the labor was small, it would eventually become more or less sufficient over a few days. As the villagers watched them harvesting cotton, they gradually began to grow impatient.
While harvesting cotton, the Lucun village hired more than 20 temporary workers to work with the permanent workers to cultivate the land outside, fertilize and leave the land fallow, and plant winter soybeans at the end of the month.
By September, the cotton in the village finally began to produce bolls, and everyone had a happy smile on their face.
By mid-September, the cotton in the village had been basically picked, and cotton buyers had come to the village. However, this time they did not come to buy cotton, but to apologize.
"Mr. Yan, it's not that we don't keep our promise, but your county issued a notice yesterday that grain, cotton and linen are not allowed to be traded freely. They can only be sold to Tongyuan Trading Company in the county. I'm afraid this notice will be issued soon. It's a pity for this deal." The two of them also looked regretful.
"What is the origin of this Tongyuan Trading Company? Is it owned by the county government?" It is most likely owned by the government office, otherwise how could it be so grand.
"We don't know about this either. We just came here to apologize. If there's a chance in the future, we can work together again."
"Thank you for the trouble. Since it's not your fault for breaking the promise, there's no need to apologize. I hope we can have another chance in the future."
"Aunt, what should we do now?" Shufeng looked at the two people walking away, "How can this Tongyuan Trading Company be so powerful? If we sell all the grain in the county to it, will it be able to collect it?"
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