Chapter 67: Scaling Up
It's something that doesn't need to be taken care of once it's planted in the ground, and it only costs two cents per pound, which is a great deal for everyone!
Those families who did not grow potatoes were extremely regretful and envious.
So many people came to Zhao Liya and others to ask whether they would harvest the crops grown by their relatives in other villages.
Of course Zhao Liya accepted everyone who came.
She needs a lot of potatoes for seeds, and potatoes are easy to store. If a lot is harvested, she can make some potato vermicelli this winter.
Everyone cheered up again, and many people went to tell their relatives in other villages. The news spread gradually, and other villages got the news and started digging potatoes and bringing them back to sell.
Among them are the villagers of Bajiaozhai.
There were also many families in Bajiaozhai who planted potatoes. After hearing the news, they hurried to dig them up and bring them here to sell.
Li Xiaoying's family also planted some leftovers, and they hurried to dig them out. They borrowed a scale in the village to weigh them first, and found that there were more than 360 kilograms, which was more than 700 coins. The whole family was overjoyed.
With this money, the family will have winter clothes, and there will be some money left to buy two kilograms of salt and two kilograms of sugar for the New Year.
Qu Yutao was already very skilled at these tasks, so Zhao Liya simply handed the responsibility to her, including purchasing, weighing, and transporting. With the help of Ruan Guishu, Li Guangwu, and Li Guangqing, nothing could go wrong.
Obviously, there is not enough space to store so much sugarcane at home, but fortunately, the sugarcane workshop has been fully completed and there are many warehouses that are perfect for storage.
Zhao Liya and Hu Ling went to the village headman of Zaihu Village to discuss purchasing another 400 mu of land to expand their sugarcane fields next year. The headman was delighted and promised that he would handle the matter perfectly.
Zhao Liya also mentioned her plan to buy some land in Bajiaozhai: "I plan to plant potatoes, a few hundred acres. Does Uncle Li know Bajiaozhai well? Can I buy land in their village?"
Although the village head wished all the benefits would fall to his own village, he knew it was unlikely. Today there were potatoes, tomorrow there might be something else. Bajiao Village was a brother village after all, so it was fine for them to share in the benefits.
Zhao Liya asked him about Bajiao Village, and he was quite happy, so he said with a smile: "Those old men in charge of Bajiao Village are still men of their word. Humph, if they dare not keep their word and bully our boss, we in Zaihu Village will not let them off!"
This made Zhao Liya and Hu Ling laugh.
Zhao Liya smiled and said, "That's great. With you guys making the decision for us, we can be considered as people with a family and backers! Then let's do it this way. We plan to go to Bajiao Village tomorrow. If you are free, can you accompany us? If not, that's fine too."
Uncle Li naturally wouldn't refuse and was eager to go. He slapped his thigh and said, "Go, of course I have to go! Don't be shy to tell me which piece of land you like. I'll take care of it for you!"
Zhao Liya was delighted: "Thank you so much!"
"Oh, of course, of course!" Uncle Li was very curious: "Miss Zhao, I'm a little curious, why do you grow so many potatoes? They taste good, but why do you grow so many?"
Zhao Liya smiled. "Well, I'll keep you in suspense for now. These potatoes are really delicious. When I'm done with this busy period and have some free time, I'll teach you all how to cook with potatoes. There are so many ways to enjoy them! Potatoes are high-yielding and don't require a particular soil. If you don't have much paddy land at home, you can plant more of them. Tell me, can they be eaten as food? At least you won't go hungry!"
Uncle Li's eyes lit up. "Oh, it really is! So, this thing is really good! If Miss Zhao could teach us how to make a few more potato dishes, it would be even better!"
Zhao Liya nodded: "Yes, of course."
"Haha, then I, an old man, would like to thank Miss Zhao first!"
"You're welcome!"
Uncle Li didn't ask Zhao Liya why she planted so many potatoes. Since this was a way to make money, it was understandable that she was unwilling to talk about it for the time being.
He was just asking out of curiosity, not necessarily wanting to know.
Anyway, we will know in the future, right?
They did what they said. The next day, Zhao Liya, Hu Ling, Uncle Li and Uncle Ruan Gui went to Bajiaozhai together.
When everyone saw Miss Zhao and Mr. Hu coming, they more or less guessed why. And because they could make money by purchasing potatoes, they had a good impression of them and became even more enthusiastic.
As soon as Zhao Liya and her group entered the village, they were greeted enthusiastically by countless villagers, who flocked to them with smiles on their faces. Someone had already rushed to tell the village head and clan leader.
As someone who had been to the Zhao family, Li Xiaoying was also an important person who was received by the village. Of course, someone ran to tell her. She was surprised and happy, and hurried over to say hello.
Li Xiaoying was very proud to be able to talk to Zhao Liya and see everyone's envious expressions.
Zhao Liya and Hu Ling were a little stunned by the scene!
Fortunately, both of them have seen big scenes, otherwise they would be scared.
Zhao Liya was a little amused and helpless: With this situation, it will be difficult to end this matter if it is not completed!
Fortunately, things went very smoothly.
This is like two families getting married. It is impossible to rashly find a matchmaker to propose marriage right from the start. Basically, the two families have already inquired about each other privately, have a certain understanding of each other, and even contacted each other, discussed, and reached a certain intention before sending a matchmaker to the door.
This was a natural fit and a perfect match.
Zhao Liya and Hu Ling announced their intention to buy land in Bajiao Village to grow potatoes, much to the delight of Zheng Li, the village's leader. He patted his chest and promised them the land they could choose from. He also remarked that the villagers in his village were all hardworking and capable, just as hardworking as those in Zaihu Village. Just wait and see, and you'll see. This provoked an angry glare from Zheng Li, the head of Zaihu Village, who then retaliated with insults. The two old men then engaged in a verbal exchange.
It's settled, and it will be done within three days.
Zhao Liya and her friends bought another 1,000 mu of land, expanded the sugarcane field by 400 mu, and bought 600 mu in Bajiaozhai.
There happen to be dozens of acres of land in the middle of Bajiaozhai that have been reclaimed by three families, and now crops such as corn, soybeans, beans, and peppers are planted in the land.
Zhao Liya discussed with them the idea of buying the land for three taels of silver per mu so that they could connect it into one piece, and they sold it without hesitation.
This was cultivated land, so the price was quite reasonable. Zhao Liya was very satisfied that the other party didn't ask for a higher price.
This time, the yamen raised the price arbitrarily, with the lowest price being one tael and ninety-one per mu, with one cent added per mu. The three thousand silvers obtained were quickly spent on one thousand nine hundred taels, leaving one thousand two hundred taels, which was enough for various subsequent expenses.
Fortunately, the two village heads came forward. If someone had taken it randomly, they probably wouldn't have been able to buy the land for even two taels of silver per acre.
(End of this chapter)
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