"But there's no downside, is there?"
Manager Li's smile faded, and he pointed directly to the Jiang Family Rice Shop next door: "Actually, I think instead of wasting your time here, you should ask them why they won't sell to you even if you offer them money."
Huo Mingchen glanced at the Jiang family rice shop next door, whose doors were tightly closed.
Manager Li continued, "Prefect Huo, it's not that I'm disrespecting you. I know you're a benefactor to us all and have done a lot for us, but I don't think I've done anything wrong. After all, I know how chaotic things are outside, and every grain of rice here will be invaluable in the days to come."
"To put it bluntly, I might earn money but not live to spend it, so I don't beg you to buy my things. I can even close my rice shop, and I don't think I've done anything wrong."
At this point, he simply cupped his hands in a very perfunctory bow and said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I'll go inside and settle the accounts first."
Huo Mingchen was turned away this time.
When Cheng Shanshan found out, she actually felt that what Manager Li said made sense: "There's nothing wrong with his considerations. The key is that all that grain is his now, and there's nothing he can do if the other party doesn't want to sell it."
What she really wanted to say was that she wouldn't want to sell either.
After all, what use is silver?
In situations where food is scarce, it is sometimes even worse than grass roots and tree bark.
Huo Mingchen understood what he meant: "So I can't say anything, and I can't even force him. But if this continues, some people might not be able to hold on."
"Actually... I'm very curious about the Jiang family's attitude."
Cheng Shanshan considered for a moment before continuing, "Does he also want to sell, or does he want to hoard it and sell it at a higher price later?"
"I'll ask about it later."
Huo Mingchen took a sip of water, allowing himself a brief respite.
However, he didn't linger and hurriedly went to the Jiang family's house.
All Cheng Shanshan could do at this moment was to cook delicious food for him. Although she had a lot of things in her space, she couldn't control the aroma from spreading, so she wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble.
These past few days, she's been having Bai Shi and Aunt Dong prepare cold food, trying to avoid cooking.
But Cheng Sijin couldn't stand it anymore: "I'm not a rabbit, how can I eat cold dishes every day? I want to eat something hot!"
Bai comforted her, saying, "Shanshan said not to fire, so just make do."
"No, I want to eat meat!"
Cheng Sijin knew where Cheng Shanshan had hidden the meat she had hoarded, and she was eager to use it.
But as soon as he reached out, the rice ball ran over, baring its teeth and glaring at him, which scared him so much that he didn't dare to move.
Seeing this, Cheng Shanshan warned, "Cheng Sijin, if you insist on causing trouble, I don't mind kicking you out immediately."
No, no, no.
Cheng Sijin immediately begged for forgiveness: "Father was wrong."
Cheng Shanshan ignored him and turned to Cheng Shisi: "Let the guards go hungry these next few days. If they're full, they'll be less alert."
One should not have the intention to harm others, but one must be wary of others.
During times when even food is scarce, some people with conjunctivitis can become quite frightening.
In short, prevention is always better than cure.
Cheng Shisi immediately straightened his posture: "Don't worry, sister, the guards are very well-behaved now, I will definitely keep a close eye on them."
Looking at his adorable face, Cheng Shanshan couldn't help but reach out and ruffle his hair: "Good boy."
After making the arrangements here, she checked the surrounding traps and mechanisms one last time.
This place is not as secluded as a cave; a slight mistake could lead to problems.
As she did these things, she didn't notice a dark figure watching her...
...
On the other side.
Inside Jiang's Rice Shop.
The gate here was always tightly closed, and there was never a sound.
However, it suddenly opened today, and a middle-aged woman dressed in a flamboyant red outfit came out, accompanied by a burly man who was at least two meters tall.
The two people's physiques formed a stark contrast.
The woman shook her handkerchief and looked at the people outside with disgust: "Why do you all smell so bad? It's just because you haven't eaten, not because you haven't slept or taken a bath. You're all disgusting."
These words immediately drew criticism.
Some people might say they're not even getting enough to eat.
Where does she get the energy to take a shower? This woman is just talking without any sense of the pain.
However, as soon as those people took a step forward, the two-meter-tall burly man immediately glared at them coldly, and his powerful aura forced them to shut their mouths.
Seeing this, Manager Li hurried over to check: "Oh my, Madam Jiang has finally opened the door. If you hadn't come out, I would have thought you were going to become one of those little green animals."
"What did you say?"
The burly man stepped forward and stomped his foot so hard it shook the ground.
Madam Jiang glanced at her lightly, her voice low and alluring: "Big Fish, step back."
The two-meter-tall, burly man, who was called Big Fish, immediately nodded and stepped back: "Yes."
Shopkeeper Li coughed lightly, trying to calm himself down: "Um... I mainly want to see what price you're selling it for."
"This number."
Lady Jiang stretched out her hand.
It formed the shape of the Chinese character "δΈ€" (one).
Manager Li exclaimed in surprise, "One hundred taels? That's ruthless! Oh dear, you truly live up to your reputation as a venomous woman, Madam Jiang. You're more formidable than me."
He originally thought he was capable enough.
I didn't expect there to be someone even more ruthless than me; it looks like he's going to raise prices too.
Madam Jiang ignored him and looked directly at the crowd watching from afar. Her voice was calm and unhurried: "Jiang Family Rice Shop, today's rice price is one tael of silver per dou (a unit of dry measure). Limited to two hundred portions. Come over if you need any."
"One tael of silver?!"
Although this is a price increase.
Compared to the fifty taels given by the Li family manager, it was practically an act of charity.
So a huge crowd gathered around, but before they even got close to the big fish, he stepped forward and looked down at them with an air of superiority: "My master said there's a limit of two hundred points. If you want them, hurry up and line up. Do you want me to straighten you all out?"
They were all lined up neatly.
Everyone went to queue up.
After all, with its mountain-like figure and massive hands, the Big Fish could easily crush a person if it made a move.
Cheng Shanshan watched this scene from afar.
Actually, her attention wasn't elsewhere, but rather on the person named Jiang Niangzi.
She is so beautiful.
Every gesture she makes exudes charm and beauty.
Her ink-black hair was slightly wavy, and the extravagant gold earrings and hairpins were very selective and could easily overshadow her, but they looked perfectly natural on her.
She hadn't seen such a beautiful woman in a long time.
As she was observing, it seemed that Lady Jiang also sensed her gaze. After their eyes met, she slightly raised her red lips and beckoned to her.
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