"You want me to help you sell these wheat seeds to various places."
Fang Qing nodded.
Old Master Zhou sat up straight, his businessman's mind already rapidly calculating the pros and cons.
Selling seeds is indeed more profitable than buying grain to make a profit from the price difference.
What price are you planning to set?
“If the price is too high, the common people might not accept it. We’ll sell it for four copper coins a pound. This is the price for the first year. Once people accept the brand, we will naturally raise the price. We certainly won’t let you do business at a loss.”
She spoke in a crisp voice, making her seem like a little adult, yet the things she said were not things a child could have considered.
Grandpa Zhou laughed heartily, finding the bean sprouts increasingly endearing.
"So how will we divide the profits between our two families?"
He unconsciously softened his tone, speaking as if coaxing a child.
"Since it's Grandpa Zhou who's been running around doing all this, then naturally you should get the lion's share of the profits. How about you get 70% and I get 30%?"
She looked so innocent, and Mr. Zhou shook his head with a smile.
“If you divide it like this, your family will lose money. You sell seeds for the good of the people, but you can’t let yourself suffer losses. You work harder than me at farming, so it should be 70% for you and 30% for me.”
Fang Qing was being polite to him, but upon hearing this, she said, "How about we split it in half?"
Hearing her say that, Mr. Zhou laughed again.
"Okay, let's divide it like this. However, I'm afraid the seed business won't last more than a few years, since everyone will be using their own seeds after planting."
Fang Qing shook her head.
“Mine are original seeds. The seeds you save yourself are naturally different from mine. After you plant them, you will know the difference between original seeds and self-saved seeds. Moreover, I plan to make a signboard. Over time, people will recognize my signboard, and this business will continue for a long time.”
"Once we grow bigger and stronger, our reputation will grow, and the price will naturally rise. At that time, I will earn more by selling wheat seeds than by selling wheat."
Master Zhou thought about it and realized that this made sense.
So he wouldn't lose out. He figured there were plenty of people willing to cooperate with Fang Qing like this, and missing out on this opportunity would be his loss.
In any case, the profits from selling seeds were much greater than the price difference he made from buying grain, so he immediately agreed.
Fang Qing discussed the packaging for selling the seeds with Mr. Zhou, and they agreed to embroider the "Sunny Day" brand on the burlap sacks.
Master Zhou drafted the document, and both parties signed and affixed their fingerprints.
In one morning, the Zhou family hauled away 40,000 catties of wheat, and Fang Qing would receive 80 taels of silver according to the division of profits.
However, Master Zhou couldn't come up with that much money right away, so he only prepaid ten taels of silver.
No sooner had the Zhou family's cart hauled away twenty mu of wheat than the villagers learned of Fang Qing's cooperation with the Zhou family on grain seeds.
They initially felt guilty, but now that Fang Qing is selling grain seeds to others but not to them, how can they not be angry?
The first to arrive were Zhang and Wang Cuihua, who brought several people with them, and they cornered Fang Daniu in the wheat drying yard.
"Fang Daniu, what's wrong with you? We're from the same village, why don't you sell us your wheat seeds? Why are you doing seed cooperation with an outsider?"
"You must give us an explanation today."
"Yes, give us an explanation, or you'd better give us back our land!"
"Give us back our land!"
Fang Qing was calculating how much money she could make from these 120 acres of land when she suddenly heard these noises and frowned as she came over.
"The lease agreement was signed in black and white, stipulating a 20-year lease term. Now that you want to take it back, you have to compensate me for my losses."
Fang Qing's words made everyone feel embarrassed.
“Bean Sprout, it’s not that we’re making things difficult for you, but look at our fellow villagers. You can’t just abandon us and go help outsiders.”
"What 'outsider' or 'insider'? When I collaborated with Grandpa Zhou, I was always paid," Fang Qing said.
"We can also contribute money; whatever he offers, we'll offer double!"
A hint of a smile appeared in Fang Qing's eyes.
"Oh? That's not a good idea."
"What's wrong with that? We'll pay double!"
"Alright, Grandpa Zhou and I agreed to charge four coins per pound for the seeds. Since everyone wants double, I'll compromise and charge everyone five coins."
Everyone agreed immediately when they heard the price was good.
Zhang wanted to stop it, but it was too late.
How come it's only five coins? She clearly just wanted to freeload.
"No, this price is not acceptable..."
But her voice was drowned out by the enthusiastic shouts of everyone signing up.
Fang Qing asked Zhao Shi'an to help her remember people's names.
When Fang Xiaodong's father heard that Fang Daniu's family was selling wheat seeds, he hesitated at home for a long time before finally coming over.
He stood at the back of the crowd, unsure whether to come over, until Fang Daniu spotted him.
"You're here! Come over here and write down your name."
Fang Xiaodong's father felt embarrassed.
"Da Niu, I'm sorry about what happened before. I was being petty..."
"Don't say that. It's just a conflict between children. It shouldn't ruin the harmony between us adults. Besides, it's my child's fault. I should be the one apologizing to you."
"No, that's not right. It's Xiao Dong who's being unreasonable. I'm too embarrassed to take your wheat seeds."
"No, there's enough wheat seed this time, everyone will get some."
Fang Daniu made Fang Qing remember his name.
It wasn't a big conflict to begin with. Since we're willing to talk it out, it's over. Let's all keep things peaceful and make money together.
Everyone was tired after a long day of work. After dinner, Fang Daniu couldn't help but mention the price Fang Qing had paid for the wheat seeds for the villagers.
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