Yangliutun is located not far from the three-way intersection leading from the county seat to the provincial capital and Lin County.
On this day, the market was so big that even people from the provincial capital and Linxian County came here to attend. Folks from all over the country brought their local specialties to the market to exchange for household goods. City dwellers, on the other hand, came to buy authentic local specialties.
Legend has it that in the early days, every household in Yangliutun had a unique skill. They wove baskets and winnowing baskets for farm use that were so sturdy they would bounce back to their original shape even if accidentally stepped on. They also wove rattan mats in a variety of patterns and designs, and even sold them to the capital.
Every time there is a big market in Yangliutun, the village’s woven products are always sold out, especially rattan mats, which are the best-selling products.
This year's market was much like every other year. The long dirt road was lined with tiny stalls, stretching as far as the eye could see. The wider streets were lined with two rows of stalls, and everywhere on the ground, there were pieces of wrapping leather and bamboo baskets filled with mountain products like mushrooms. There were also agricultural and sideline products brought from home, including homespun cloth and insoles.
There were many snack vendors at the intersection. In front of the popcorn stand, children stood in the distance, gently covering their ears. Some elders brought their grandchildren to watch the candy figurine making.
Everywhere, you could see couples of wives, young and old, gathered around homespun cloth stalls, gesturing and bargaining. Older women clutched banknotes, haggling over prices. Older men wandered around, browsing. Children clung to their parents' clothes, their eyes fixed on those selling candy and popcorn. Many, clearly from the city, squatted before stalls haggling over mountain products, cured meats, and wild game.
Zhang Guoqing parked his car far away and followed the crowd inside, intent on heading towards the stalls selling whole grains and mountain products. He encountered many acquaintances, and after a few greetings, he quickly found a stall to inquire about.
The seller was obviously an old hand. When he knew he wanted fine grains, he didn't rush to talk about the price. Instead, he took out a small bag from the broken bamboo basket behind him and handed it to him.
Zhang Guoqing opened it and breathed a sigh of relief. After agreeing on the price and delivery time, and seeing it was getting late, he paid the deposit and hurried to a nearby stall.
The other party may have recognized Zhang Guoqing and kept looking at him with a smile.
Before Zhang Guoqing could say anything, the young man immediately lifted the two large sacks in front of him. He also waved to the old man selling bacon and dried game not far away, gesturing with his hands.
Zhang Guoqing looked at him and couldn't help laughing, "Why? You gave it to me for free?"
The young man chuckled foolishly. Seeing the old man coming over with his load, he hurried forward to help and whispered in his ear, "Uncle, let's sell all of this to Zhang Guoqing from Zhangjia Village."
Upon hearing this, the old man immediately turned around and looked at Zhang Guoqing. "Are you Zhang Dayou's youngest son, Zhang Guoqing? Why do you want all this?"
His nephew didn't wait for Zhang Guoqing to reply and quickly pulled him, "I know you want to give it away. Since you bought all of this, how about I give you a little less?"
Zhang Guoqing smiled at him without saying anything. He stepped forward, took the old man's burden, and chatted with him for a while. He learned that the old man was from the village next door to his uncle's. After a few words, and after discussing his two uncles' recent situation, Zhang Guoqing not only bought all the wild game from his stall, but also arranged to visit his home in a few days to buy more.
Upon learning that Zhang Guoqing was also buying a considerable amount for others, the young man stammered with excitement, and his face was still red when he saw him off.
The old man hit him hard on the head with his pipe. "Look at you, you idiot. What are you looking at now that everyone's gone?"
The young man covered his head and muttered in dissatisfaction. "That's Zhang Guoqing, a celebrity. If he'd taken better care of me, I could have earned enough money to renovate the yard before the New Year."
If they became closer, he would be Zhang Guoqing's brother. Who wouldn't look up to him? Zhang Guoqing's uncle's cousins had said that his cousin was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need, and he was a very righteous person. Plus, word had spread that Zhang Guoqing was backed by his wife's family. Who wouldn't want to know him?
Zhang Guoqing checked his watch; he still had some time. He closed the car door and decided to go for another drive, looking for anything interesting or rare to bring back for Jiaojiao. This confinement period, sitting down and isolated from the world, had bored her to death.
I stopped by and saw quite a few exquisitely crafted gadgets. Talented people are everywhere, and besides finely crafted baskets and insoles, there are also wave drums and lifelike wood carvings.
When he walked back, apart from the furs he had just bought, he was already too busy to carry all the furs on his shoulders, hanging on his body, and holding in his hands.
In her left hand, she held a newly purchased large bamboo basket filled with smaller baskets, stacked baskets of varying sizes, toys for her son, and a miscellaneous assortment of roasted pine nuts and other snacks. Even more striking was her right hand, which held aloft a stick made of sorghum stalks. It was filled with two rings of candied haws, and on top of that, a dozen or so sugar paintings and figurines were tied.
Reliving his childhood brought him joy. Ignoring the mocking glances of passersby, Zhang Guoqing cheerfully dodged the crowd, got in his car, and drove towards the county town.
"Jiaojiao, look at what this is?" After Zhang Guoqing finished moving the bags into the cellar, he came home, carrying the large bamboo basket and the stick he had bought, and hurried to Zhou Jiao to show her his treasure.
Zhou Jiao had just finished her needlework and was sorting out the gifts Zhao Chuangguang and his wife had brought her last night. Zhang Guoqing drove back and greeted her, only to see him moving things in and out, leaving Zhou Jiao pacing the living room anxiously.
Now I finally saw him coming towards the living room, and then I saw what was hanging on his shoulders and holding in his hands. I burst into laughter immediately. This image is rare to see in a century.
Zhou Jiao reached out to take the stick, fondly touching the red candied haws, the lifelike sugar figurines, and several sugar paintings on it. Then she looked at the baskets of various sizes and the lifelike wooden animal carvings he took out from the large bamboo basket. She looked at him excitedly, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Zhang Guoqing pointed to the inner room and said, "What should I do, son? You can't go today. Dad and the others will be here soon. It's almost the end of the year, and there are big fairs every three, six, and nine days. There are plenty of opportunities."
Zhou Jiao nodded helplessly, wondering what they had bought.
Zhang Guoqing excitedly discussed his evening's transaction. He'd arranged with the stall owner to deliver food by oxcart around 8 or 9 tonight. He'd take whatever he could get, even if the price was higher; at least it gave him another line of business. Just looking at the other person, he knew he had a lot of connections.
Zhou Jiao nodded repeatedly. Food was the most important thing. She should take advantage of the time she was in the county to collect more. She now had more relatives and people she cared about, and her sense of crisis was even more serious.
"Did you tell the other party to keep his mouth shut?"
"He's a shrewd man. I told him it was a friend who wanted it, and told him to keep it quiet. Just wait for the transaction tonight."
"Also, Dad originally planned to go to the neighboring province with Uncle Dashan. Now that the plan has changed, have I told you where to go and who to meet?"
Zhang Guoqing raised his lips slightly and whispered, "Dad explained everything last night. He even gave me Liu Sanyuan's workplace address, and I still have to send him something. I plan to let Mom take care of my son for a few days while I take you and Uncle Dashan with me."
Zhou Jiao looked at him cheerfully. She really wanted to go out for a walk.
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