It was already cold by the end of October.
Even though this winter isn't as severe as last year, the cold wind still makes people shiver.
The men of Shanshui Village have the best clothes at home. Farmers usually give new fabric to the head of the household to make clothes, mend the torn ones, and alter the torn ones for the children. Even so, the men in the procession still wear clothes patched on and on, with hardly any intact pieces.
Despite their worn-out appearance, the clothes were still clean and tidy, though a bit thin, as they were still wearing light clothing even though it was already winter.
The men, their faces beaming with smiles, pulled their carts to the drying ground in front of the school, waiting to set off together.
The drying yard at the front of the village was now bustling with activity, and the men were more excited than ever before.
Firstly, it had been a long time since they had gone to the prefectural city to sell rabbits. During this period, they had planted potatoes and medicinal herbs, which represented not only their hopes but also their future. This time, in addition to selling rabbits, they would also be selling kudzu root in the prefectural city.
Although it's not certain that they'll sell, and the price might not be good, it would be best if they could sell. If they can't sell, we can still eat them; it's just a matter of putting in some effort.
The second, and most important, thing is to buy fabric to make winter clothes!
It wasn't just them; the whole family made them, and everyone had a set of winter clothes!
The men who arrived early stamped their feet to warm themselves while chatting enthusiastically.
When Fan Qian brought Fan Erzhu and Fan Sanzhu over, their conversation paused for a moment.
Fan Qian, all smiles, called out to Boss Xu in the crowd, "Boss Xu, what are you guys chatting about? I think you're even happier today than the last two times."
Old Master Xu is the most kind and honest person. He won't be cold to you when you talk to him. This is an experience that Fan Qian has gained.
Old Xu didn't like Fan Qian, but since they lived in the same village, they couldn't afford to get too estranged. He replied honestly, "Winter is coming, so I'm planning to buy fabric to make winter clothes."
As he spoke, a smile involuntarily crept onto his face.
The men can make a new set of clothes every two or three years, but the women in the family can't count how many years it takes to make a set of clothes. Now they only have two sets of clothes to rotate, and they're long gone. The children are even worse off. They take what their fathers and mothers have, and the younger siblings take what their older brothers and sisters have. Some children haven't even had a new set of clothes of their own by the time they get married.
The mother said that Tingting was working at the herbal medicine shop, earning 600 coins a month, of which 540 coins were handed over to the public fund. The family also had income from selling rabbits, and they were among the first in the village to grow potatoes, so they didn't have to worry about food. The mother and grandmother discussed it and decided to take the opportunity to buy a set of winter clothes for everyone in the family!
The children in the family were even happier than during the New Year when they heard this. They were so excited that they couldn't sleep, and they were just waiting for him to go to the prefectural city to buy fabric and bring it home today.
Upon hearing that he needed to buy fabric to make winter clothes, Fan Qian's expression changed several times before he chuckled and said, "Not bad, not bad, we really do need to make winter clothes."
“It’s not just my family; they all make winter clothes. I asked Fan Xiaoliu, and he said that grain prices have risen sharply after the flood, but fabric prices have not only not risen, but have actually dropped by a few coins. Why don’t you take this opportunity to make a set of winter clothes as well?” Old Master Xu suggested sincerely.
Xiao Liu bought the fabric in the prefectural city last time to make new clothes for visiting girls. On their way back, they asked about the price of the fabric several times, and they were very tempted. However, they never thought that they would be able to make new clothes for themselves so soon.
Fan Qian, Fan Erzhu, and Fan Sanzhu all looked extremely grim.
Fan Sanzhu tugged at his father's sleeve, his face darkening, and asked, "Dad, was he deliberately trying to provoke us?"
After Mother and Grandma had such a big fight about not having rice to cook, they ended up exchanging Zhaodi and Second Uncle and Aunt for a thousand catties of black flour. Who in the village doesn't know that?
The villagers didn't know he had money; in their eyes, his family was barely making ends meet. Advising them to make winter clothes under those circumstances was just an insult!
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