"You're already thinking about meat before we even sell our pig." Zhou laughed at her. "Since you like meat so much, I'll build you a pigpen. You can raise one every year. There will be enough for you to eat during the New Year next year."
"Our grandma is the best at lying, aunt. If you raise a pig, by this time next year, grandma will ask you how much silver a pig can be sold for. It's better to sell it for money. Eating meat is just to satisfy your taste buds. You will definitely not be able to eat much." Shuwen warned Chunxiao in Zhou's tone.
When Chunxiao heard this, she laughed so hard that her stomach hurt. "This aunt's letter you mentioned" really sounded like Zhou's.
Zhou twisted Shuwen's ear and said, "You're already showing off right after buying a book. You've even learned to tear down your grandmother."
"Oh, it hurts, it hurts, grandma, I won't say anything more, please let go, I won't say anything more."
"Well, people are watching us on the street." Yan Bingfa smiled and shook his head. "The salt can be stored, so just buy some."
Finally, Chunxiao bought a jar of 10 jin of oil and 10 jin of salt, and two jin of sugar at the grocery store. She originally wanted to buy some cotton, but the price of cotton suddenly rose to 70 wen. "Boss, we only paid 45 wen for cotton some time ago, why does it cost 70 wen now?" Did the price skyrocket or something?
"Forty-five wen is the price of several-year-old cotton. This is this year's new cotton, and it costs over fifty wen to buy back, and that's the regular price. Last year's old cotton was sixty wen per jin, and the 45 wen cotton is gone. There's still some old cotton from last year, but not much, at sixty wen per jin. Do you want any? This cotton is in great demand."
Chunxiao waved her hand and left the grocery store with a few people. "Mom, was the cotton we bought before old?" She really didn't understand.
"We can't afford new cotton, so we always buy old cotton. Look, the price difference for this pound is dozens of coins. There's nothing wrong with old cotton, it's just damp and the color isn't as pretty. As long as it's not used and broken up before being sold, it's okay to be old. What's the problem?"
It turns out there's such a thing about buying and selling cotton. "Mom, what do you mean by breaking it up before buying it?"
"It's used cotton. Some merchants buy it back and tear it apart to make new quilts. Oh, I'm not exactly sure about the details. I heard it from the villagers who went out to work. That kind of cotton is cheap, about 40 coins per pound. But after it's been used, it won't be as warm after all."
Chunxiao felt a chill in her heart when she heard this. The mattress she had bought before should not be that kind of mattress that had been used by others and then reused. She felt like she was getting goosebumps.
Seeing her like this, Zhou naturally knew what she was thinking, "Our quilt is definitely not that kind. I've always said that kind of quilt is not warm. Look at how warm your quilt is."
I hope so. "Dad, cotton is so valuable, why haven't I seen anyone in our village growing cotton?" In her impression, there is indeed no memory of villagers growing cotton.
Yan Bingfa looked at her childishly and asked, "Do you think money is that easy to make? If it were, every family would be growing cotton. But cotton can barely produce dozens of kilograms per acre, and you have to tend to it constantly. It's better to grow wheat, which is easier. Otherwise, why would it sell for such a high price?"
So that's how it is. Chun Xiao nodded in understanding.
"But I heard that if this cotton is shipped further north, the price will double. It's so cold there. We haven't seen what the situation is like, we've only heard about it." Yan Bingfa rubbed his cold hands. "Why are you still buying cotton? The previous cotton hasn't been used up yet. Your mother still has half a bag in her room. That's what I wanted to say just now."
"Keep some on hand, it'll come in handy."
Since the four of them didn't have anything in particular to buy, they began to wander the town's shops and stalls. Chunxiao bought a fur hat with ear protection for Yan Bingfa, a fur neck scarf for Zhou, and a candy figurine for Shuwen. Time flew by as they wandered around looking around.
"Let's go, it's time to go to the market, it's almost time."
"So fast?" Chunxiao still felt a little unsatisfied.
"You kid, do you have to spend all the money before you're done?" Yan Bingfa had no idea what to do with her. She spent 120 coins on a hat and insisted on buying it for her even though she said she didn't want one. It really hurt him. If she didn't leave, who knew how much more money she would have to spend.
Chunxiao finally got the chance to go shopping with her parents, and now that she had some money in her hands, she naturally wanted to buy more things for them. However, Zhou was not used to her spending lavishly, so she held her hand and pulled her away.
Shuwen was licking his candy man happily at the moment. Today he bought a book and ate the candy man, and he was very satisfied.
When they arrived at the market, Yan Dahe and his family were already waiting there. Shuwen saw Shuduo and Pan'er each holding a candied haws and enjoying themselves, so he hurried over and said, "Are the candied haws delicious? Auntie bought me a candy figurine."
"Is the sugar man delicious?" Pan'er looked at his sugar man and wanted to try it.
"sweet!"
"This one is sweet too." Shuduo plucked a hawthorn and handed it to him, "Brother Shuwen, let me give you one to try."
"Forget it, just eat it. I can't break off a leg for you since it's all sweet anyway."
"Dashan and the others haven't arrived yet?" Zhou looked into the distance. "There are so many people at the market today. Could it be that they can't see us?"
"How could that be? You saw us the moment you came over. You must be enjoying yourself while shopping." Dahe looked at the old couple. "My dad's hat is great. It keeps his ears warm. It looks so warm. And mom's fur collar looks so luxurious. Chunxiao must have bought it for you."
"If it wasn't her who bought it, then who would? They just spend money recklessly." Zhou scolded while smiling, "But you know what, with this around my neck, I feel warm all over."
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