Chunxiao looked at Tian, who nodded. The two agreed and were about to pay.
"But since you ordered so much at once, the delivery time will definitely be more than eight days, at least 20 days. If we take this business from you, we will be busy even during the Chinese New Year."
"We can extend the delivery date, but please make sure the goods are well made. We will pick them up around the 15th of the year."
"That's the best, that's the best." The woman clapped the abacus beads in her hands happily.
Chunxiao paid the money to Tian and collected the receipt. When Shuwen saw them come out with smiles on their faces, he knew that the matter was settled.
A few people went to the grain store in the town and found out that the price of grain had indeed increased, and it had increased a lot. The previous price of refined rice was 15 cents per catty, but now it has become 20 cents. The price of fine flour has also increased from 14 cents per catty to 18 cents per catty, and the price of soybeans has also increased from 9 cents per catty to 11 cents per catty.
"Shopkeeper, how come your grain prices have increased so dramatically!"
"Miss, I'm afraid you haven't bought grain for a long time. The price of my grain didn't rise overnight. Even at this price, it's a very fair price. We need government approval to buy grain now, and we have to go through the government to sell it later. Only if they don't accept it can we buy and sell it freely."
Chun Xiao was shocked. The price wasn't determined by the government. Without a free market, how could the price be any better? "Shopkeeper, besides grain, is there anything else?"
"Girls, are you going to buy some food or not?" The shopkeeper was a little impatient when he saw that they kept asking and had no intention of buying food. "You can find out the details by going to the town government office and asking. There's a notice posted there."
Chunxiao then took Tian to the town government office again, and sure enough, she saw the notice on the wall outside. Fortunately, it was only grain and no cotton. Chunxiao was extremely relieved. If it was only grain, it would be easy. She would just not sell it if the price was not good. She would just dry it and keep it there and wait for the right time to buy it. But she didn't know what the price of the soybeans would be at that time.
New Year's Eve is just a few days away. Tian agreed to Zhou's request to prepare some New Year's goods for her family. Chunxiao's family also wanted to prepare New Year's goods, so the two of them took Shuwen for a walk around the town. They bought whatever they wanted. Although she had no money now, she still had to buy some food and things she needed.
On the 26th day before the New Year, it started snowing again. Both villages had been settled temporarily and there was no need to worry about them, so everyone stopped going out and prepared to spend the New Year at home peacefully.
Happiness and Meiman gradually understood Chunxiao's life rhythm and were no longer as nervous as they were in the past few days, so they felt more and more lucky.
They were now living better than most people in the village, not like servants at all. Every day they just weeded and watered the soybean fields, cooked and washed clothes, and didn't even have to chop firewood; the house was already full. Now that it was snowing, they sat inside with Chunxiao, sewing. Their daughter was quite capable, and aside from her poor needlework, nothing seemed to bother her. Fortunately, her skills were put to good use.
"When mine is done, I'll make two pairs for each of you." Last time, the people in the village forgot to mention the shoe-making matter. I wonder if they will make shoes for themselves.
"Miss, the weather is bad now, so we can't make anything else. Otherwise, we can make a few more clothes for you."
"I know the styles of clothes we have there. They're slightly different from here, but they look pretty good. How about making two?"
Chun Xiao heard this and said, "Sure. I have some cloth in the box in my room. If you want to make it, just go there and get some. We have both coarse and fine cloth."
Today is the 26th, and my aunt and her family didn't come this year. It's strange. Yesterday, Tian also asked why there was no movement from my aunt. I guess she was afraid that she would be asked to pay back the money if she came, so she simply didn't come.
The Spring Festival is the most important festival of the year. Even if the family is not well off, the adults will buy a few pounds of meat for their children. Chunxiao's meat had been delivered long ago, and Tian also asked Dashan to deliver meat and vegetables before the festival. No matter what, at least everyone can have a happy New Year.
This year's New Year was naturally celebrated at Yan Dashan's house, and it was even more abundant than last year. However, the weather was really bad this year. After the snow, it was sunny for a day and then it started to rain again. Fortunately, the restaurant was closed, so Shuwen no longer had to run around in the rain every day.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Chunxiao stayed at Zhou's house again and watched as villagers flocked to pay their respects. This year, most of them brought gifts, either meat or eggs, and Zhou gave each child five copper coins as lucky money.
"Mom, there are many more people this year than in previous years."
"That's right. I told my family that Xiang wanted to work at the farm."
"Have you chosen the right person yet? It's not good to drag this out any longer. Those who weren't chosen will probably get upset. We should make a decision so that those who weren't chosen can make plans to start working sooner."
"Your eldest brother and the others have discussed a list in their minds. Isn't it the New Year? After the fifth day of the New Year, the quotas will be distributed. I heard that 12 people were selected. You really don't need anyone over there."
"I don't need anyone on my farm. All 126 acres are planted with cotton, and more than 20 people can barely make it. We'll hire people from nearby farms to grow grain outside, and we'll need about a dozen people. This year, Shuwen Shufeng has to take care of the farm, and my eldest and second brothers have to take care of both. I'll let Uncle Musheng's two brothers and Xingfu Meiman look after the fields here. Once Dongsheng brings them out, I'll bring Xingfu Meiman out here. Next year will be much easier for me. I'm afraid I won't be able to get involved in the braised meat this year. I'll have to rely on my two sisters-in-law."
"Your second sister-in-law is almost due. I'm asking your second brother to stay home this month and leave anything to your eldest brother. Childbirth is a very dangerous thing for a woman, so we all need to be more careful. After the 15th, we'll bring the midwife from the Zhang family over to live with us. That way it's safer."
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