Even in these years of famine, the boy was in excellent health, and his exposed arms were full of muscles.
He was obviously a rare wealthy family in Shihe Village, and he could live a good life even in these years of famine.
"Zhang Shitou, hurry back! You can't afford to offend these people. If you continue to be so willful, even your father can't save you."
Li Feng was shocked and said angrily: "Do you really think that your family is invincible in Shihe Village and that they are powerful in other places?!"
Shen Ningsi glanced at Li Feng, "Master Li, who is this?"
Before Li Feng could say anything, the young man at the end of the road spat on the ground.
"What right do you, a mere woman, have to ask my name?"
"Zhang Shitou!"
Li Feng didn't bother to scold him, and quickly responded to Shen Ningsi's words.
"Madam Gu, this is the son of Mr. Zhang, the wealthy man from Shihe Village. Mr. Zhang is a man of great merit to our village. Almost all of his family's stored grain was used for disaster relief. We thought the famine would be over soon, but we didn't expect it to last this long."
Li Feng sighed, "His family has had a hard time lately. Madam Gu, please don't bother with him for the sake of his father."
Shen Ningsi's eyes softened when he heard this.
Anyone who can do such a thing as using all the food stored in his home to support the villagers must be a good person.
Even Zhang Shitou was arrogant. Ultimately, he was worried that these people would waste the villagers' food.
"Don't worry, Master Li. I know right from wrong."
After Shen Ningsi finished speaking, he walked up to Zhang Shitou and said, "Everyone knows that your Zhang family opened the granary to provide disaster relief. But do you know that Lord Li also sent all the grain stored in the scriptures to you?"
Seeing the young man in front of him slightly stunned, Shen Ningsi was not shocked at all.
Li Feng's features were sharp and angular, and he looked extremely traditional. He had been feeling guilty for not being able to save the villagers of Shihe. He would not speak of his actions and seek the villagers' praise.
This person is the type to do things quietly.
"I'm Shen Ningsi from the neighboring Wanning Village. I don't know if you've heard of my name, but I'm not here to travel, eat, drink, and have fun. I'm here to save you with food and to teach you how to properly grow watermelons."
“Shen Ningsi?”
Even in years of famine, people still talk and chat. The villagers of Shihe Village had heard of Shen Ningsi's name a few days ago.
"My sister-in-law lives in Wanning Village. A few days ago, she brought some small pieces of food and said they were potatoes! They were a food that Shen Ningsi had researched. I ate them and they were really sweet and full!"
"And this Shen Ningsi is Gu Hong's wife. Do you know who Gu Hong is? He's even become a high-ranking official in the capital!"
Shen Ningsi looked at the young man Zhang Shitou quietly. He had obviously heard the villagers' talk and his expression eased a little.
He was a straightforward man, and he bowed directly, "I was talking nonsense, I hope Madam will not take it to heart!"
"Nothing."
Shen Ningsi smiled and said, "Looking at Master Zhang like this, I believe he is very popular among the people in Shihe Village, and everyone should listen to you."
"Not really, not really."
Shen Ningsi didn't take his polite words seriously. As soon as Zhang Shitou appeared, the villagers all stood behind him, which confirmed the status of the Zhang family in the hearts of the villagers.
"Master Zhang must also want to make life better for the villagers. So, why don't you negotiate this deal with us on behalf of the villagers?"
Shen Ningsi lowered his eyes and looked at the villagers with pale faces, "Are you willing?"
"Madam, what kind of business do you want to discuss with me? Your Wanning Village now has enough food to fill its stomachs. What else do you need us to do for you?"
Shen Ningsi looked like a stone. He saw that the man had a simple smile on his face, but his eyes were extremely bright.
"If you really want to help us, Madam, you can just hand over the planting method. We will give you some of the potatoes we grow."
Shen Ningsi just smiled and said, "There is no such thing as a free lunch. Master Zhang, are you worried that I will ask you to do something immoral?"
"Ma'am, you're joking."
As the two of them interacted with each other, they got to know each other's background thoroughly.
"Since Master Zhang doesn't want to discuss this in private, let's talk here."
Shen Ningsi had no intention of hiding it from the villagers.
But she was really not feeling well, and standing here would probably make her face even paler.
Pinching his palms hard with his nails, Shen Ningsi finally perked up a bit.
"I don't plan to grow potatoes in Shihe Village. You are more suitable for growing fruits here."
Seeing Zhang Shitou's face suddenly darken, Shen Ningsi smiled and said, "Mr. Zhang, don't be angry for now."
"We in Shihe Village are willing to exchange half a pound of potatoes for two pounds of fruit from you. You planted fruit in the early stage but didn't have food. After two months, Wanning Village will unconditionally supply you with potatoes."
"Madam Gu, potatoes can fill your stomach, but can fruit? Not to mention that you're trading half a pound of potatoes for two pounds of fruit!"
Shen Ningsi raised an eyebrow. "Looking at Master Zhang, you must have heard that we've grown potatoes. Then you should know that the yield of potatoes is 30 dan per mu of land, which can feed dozens of people. If potatoes are planted everywhere, do you think potatoes will still be so valuable, Master Zhang?"
Shen Ningsi stared closely at the other person's eyes, "By then, it will be the fruit that will be more valuable. As long as the problem of hunger is solved for the people, naturally more attention will be paid to the taste."
"If Shihe Village doesn't want to grow watermelons, I can find other places to grow fruit with a little more effort. However, your Shihe Village is too dry and the sunshine hours are too long. If we grow potatoes, the yield will be far less than our Wanning Village."
The villagers didn't understand what was said. They looked at Zhang Shitou and didn't offer any opinions.
Shen Ningsi just looked at the other person quietly, without any intention of urging him.
"But Madam Gu can't be teaching us to grow fruit out of kindness. Do you have any other requests?"
Shen Ningsi smiled lightly, she liked talking to smart people.
"The days of famine will eventually pass. I can guarantee that this kind of fruit is produced nowhere else except your Shihe Village."
"Once everyone has enough to eat, the surrounding counties will definitely find ways to come and buy watermelons. My only request is that all the watermelons from you villagers be supplied to me first."
"You can only sell it to others if I don't want it."
Zhang Shitou curled his lips and smiled, "Don't worry, Madam. We will definitely be the first to supply you! Not to mention selling it to you, even if we give it to you for free, I'm sure the villagers will be willing to do so!"
Shen Ningsi smiled and looked at Zhang Shitou, raising his arms and shouting, "What if I can get more than ten tons of watermelon every year?"
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