Someone muttered hesitantly, "Then... how much do you sell it for per pound now?"
Niu Erbao immediately quoted a price.
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately erupted in uproar.
"What?! You still want this price?!"
"It's a bit cheaper than in town, but it's still expensive!"
"How is this any different from robbery?!"
Just then, Xu Jianguo and Xu Jianjun arrived after hearing the news. When they saw the several large baskets full of vegetables that should have belonged to them, their eyes instantly turned red!
"Xu Kuo! You really did hide so many vegetables!" Xu Jianguo pointed at the vegetables, trembling with anger.
Xu Jianjun's eyes darted around, and he sarcastically provoked Niu Erbao and the others who were helping to sell vegetables: "Hey Erbao, and you guys too! You've all seen this! If Xu Kuo can treat his own brother like this today, he can treat you like this tomorrow! He's a heartless businessman who eats people without spitting out the bones! Once he's used you up and squeezed you dry, you won't even have time to cry!"
Niu Erbao and the others' expressions changed slightly as they looked at Xu Kuo.
Xu Kuo didn't even glance at Xu Jianjun, and loudly announced: "From today onwards, all those who work for me, Xu Kuo, will have their family's groceries provided! They can take as much as they want, free of charge every day, according to the number of people!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Xu Jianguo and Xu Jianjun, his tone icy: "As for certain people..."
"Don't even think about getting a single vegetable hair from me!"
"Whoosh—!"
These words were like a thunderclap, stunning the entire audience!
Niu Erbao and the others were stunned at first, then overjoyed!
"Thank you, Master!"
"Brother Kuo is a true hero!"
"We didn't follow the wrong person!"
Their faces flushed with excitement, and they worked with even more energy. Free vegetables! At a time when vegetables are more expensive than meat, this is an incredible perk!
Those villagers who hesitated to join Xu Kuo's team or even made sarcastic remarks are now filled with regret!
Seeing the excited looks on Niu Erbao's and the others' faces, and then looking at their own empty baskets, they were all filled with regret and self-reproach! If they had known that following Xu Kuo would bring such good fortune, they would have definitely clung to his coattails back then!
Xu Jianguo and Xu Jianjun were so angry they almost vomited blood!
“Xu Kuo! You…” Xu Jianguo pointed at Xu Kuo, his fingers trembling.
"Who cares about your lousy vegetables!" Xu Jianjun shouted defiantly, his neck stiff. "We'll go to town and buy them ourselves!"
Xu Kuo chuckled and gestured for him to leave: "That's perfect, take care. If you want to buy vegetables, go queue up somewhere else."
"you!"
Xu Jianguo and Xu Jianjun were speechless, their faces turning pale and then red. Finally, under the complicated gazes of the crowd, they could only slink away. No one felt sorry for them as they watched their disheveled figures.
After the farce ended, the remaining villagers looked at each other in bewilderment. Although they harbored deep resentment towards Xu Kuo and felt the prices were exorbitant, they were indeed out of vegetables. The market in town was not only more expensive but also had long queues, and there was no guarantee of buying anything.
"Give me five catties of cabbage..."
"I want three catties of radishes..."
"Sigh, never mind, I'll just weigh out two pounds of potatoes..."
Ultimately, the instinct for survival overwhelmed their anger and resentment, and the villagers could only grit their teeth, take out their money, and line up to buy the expensive vegetables from Xu Kuo.
Looking at the gradually emptying vegetable baskets and Niu Erbao, whose hands were pounding with cash, Xu Kuo's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.
Once the vegetables at the village entrance had been mostly sold out, Xu Kuo called Tan Wang and a few other shrewd and capable men aside and whispered, "Tan Wang, take these baskets of the best vegetables and go to the town's vegetable market immediately. Find a few good spots to set up a stall. The price... should be 10% lower than the current mainstream price in town!"
Tan Wang's eyes lit up, and he instantly understood Xu Kuo's intention: "Mr. Xu, what are you doing...?"
Xu Kuo nodded, his gaze deep: "Secretary Wen needs our help to bring down these inflated vegetable prices completely!"
"Understood!" Tan Wang nodded emphatically, and led his men, pulling several carts loaded with carefully selected vegetables, speeding towards the town.
As soon as Tan Wang and his men left, the villagers who remained at the village entrance began to worry again as they watched the dwindling vegetables on Xu Kuo's side.
"Sell it in town? Is that even possible?" someone muttered.
"That's right! I heard that Xu Kuo's stall at the town's vegetable market was ruined by Shi Jixing and his gang a long time ago, so now he has nowhere to set up his stall!"
"Won't Tan Wang and his group have made a wasted trip by bringing so many good dishes? They probably won't even be able to get in."
The murmurs weren't loud, but they reached the ears of the young men who followed Xu Kuo. They were also a little uncertain, since Xu Kuo's stall in town was indeed gone.
Xu Kuo seemed not to hear the discussions. He simply counted the remaining men and instructed Niu Erbao, "Erbao, take these men and three cartloads of vegetables and go to town."
"Huh? Master, are we going too?" Niu Erbao was taken aback.
"Go to town? We don't have a stall, we can't get into the market!" Several people nearby also became anxious.
“Who says we can’t get in?” Xu Kuo’s lips curled into a mysterious smile. “Listen to me, you’ll see when we get there. Remember, find Tan Wang and follow his instructions.”
Looking at Xu Kuo's determined eyes, Niu Erbao, though full of doubt, nodded vigorously: "Okay! I'll listen to Master!"
He immediately called over several other strong men, and they quickly loaded three large carts with vegetables, mainly slightly inferior cabbages, radishes, and potatoes. Amidst the villagers' skeptical or curious gazes, they headed towards the town.
"Hey, you're actually going?"
"I doubt it! Just wait to be sent back!"
"Xu Kuo has lost his mind..."
The villagers were talking about it, all feeling that Xu Kuo was wasting his efforts.
...
The town's market was still bustling with people, but the atmosphere was somewhat eerie.
A few stalls displayed wilted vegetables at outrageously high prices; many inquired, but few bought. Most people were observing, or simply wandering around the market empty-handed, hoping to find something cheaper.
Niu Erbao and his men pulled the cart, enduring all sorts of scrutinizing glances, their hearts pounding with anxiety.
They bypassed the main trading area, their minds filled with even more confusion. What exactly did Brother Kuo want them to do here? Were they really just going to find any random spot on the roadside to sell? Wouldn't they get kicked out by the market management?
Just then, they saw Tan Wang standing by a relatively secluded open space at the edge of the market, where there was still a fair amount of foot traffic at the entrances and exits, waiting for them.
In the open space, seven or eight stalls were already neatly arranged, all brand new! Next to them stood a small wooden sign, simple in appearance, but the words on it made Niu Erbao and the others' eyes widen instantly!
"Special approval for temporary sales points for agricultural and sideline products!"
"Tan Wang! This...this is?!" Niu Erbao's voice trembled slightly.
Tan Wang grinned and patted him on the shoulder: "Brother Kuo had it all arranged long ago! Secretary Wen specially approved this spot for us! We'll sell right here! We have our own 'vegetable market' now!"
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