Chapter 210 I Have an Emergency Plan
Mrs. Zhou originally thought she could make more money by selling beans, as the price was good when they were just harvested in early summer.
The couple laughed as they counted the coins. Old Zhou even said that it was a good thing he didn't listen to Gu Xixi, otherwise he wouldn't have earned so much.
But after three or four days, they gradually couldn't laugh anymore.
There are more and more people selling beans in the county. In addition to vegetable farmers like them, there are also ordinary people who grow beans that they can't finish eating at home, and they carry baskets and sell them on the streets.
The price of beans drops several times a day. It is one price in the morning and is cut in half near noon.
In the afternoon, the vegetables are not as bright in color, so they are sold in piles for one penny, otherwise they will not be sold today.
In the past two days, beans are sold at a lower price.
The Zhou family has been eating beans for all three meals recently. Not only are the children making a fuss and refusing to eat, even the two adults are afraid of eating them.
Lying in bed last night, Lao Zhou comforted his wife, "Don't worry, just sell as much as you can."
"In the past, we kept those few plots of land and grew crops. We didn't have this way to make money, but we did it anyway, didn't we?"
"At least I can earn some money from selling vegetables every day, which is much better than before."
It is not easy for ordinary farmers to make money. In addition to selling some grain for money after the summer harvest every year, common methods include raising chickens and saving eggs for money, or directly exchanging them for needles, thread and other daily necessities from peddlers.
As for hunting, collecting herbs, selling vegetables and other tasks, they all require skills and not everyone can do them if they want to.
Otherwise, Uncle Gu and his family would not have occupied the position of vegetable farmers and refused to teach others.
Mrs. Zhou sighed, "That's true, but I just regret it."
"We should really plant fewer beans and more cilantro."
"Look at the coriander we have. Every morning we put down the load, it's sold out in no time."
"Three times! The price of coriander is so much higher than that of beans!"
At this moment, facing Gu Xixi again, Mrs. Zhou felt heartbroken when she thought of the price difference between coriander and beans.
"It's all my fault. I didn't listen to you and planted those beans. Now... oh!"
Gu Xixi was not angry. She often went to various orchards to provide technical guidance. Naturally, she knew about the Zhou family planting more beans.
The reason why it was not stopped was that this small flaw was harmless and did not constitute a mistake.
Instead, it can give farmers a lesson called "market".
It is said that one learns something once, but only when one experiences it personally can the experience be deeply engraved in one's mind.
Gu Xixi said, "The beans have already been planted. Instead of regretting, we should think about how to turn waste into treasure."
Old Zhou knew a few words and understood what Gu Xixi meant.
The taciturn man hurriedly asked, "Turning waste into treasure? Is there a way to turn unwanted beans into treasure?"
Mrs. Zhou asked, "Is that what Xixi just mentioned, pickled vegetables?"
The money they spent on buying the vegetable seeds has already been recovered, and they thought that even if they could sell these unwanted beans, even if they didn't make any money, it would be a blessing from God.
Unexpectedly, Gu Xixi proposed to turn waste into treasure.
The couple's eyes were skeptical, but also filled with eager anticipation.
Gu Xixi smiled and gave another choice, "There are three methods. The first one has the lowest profit, but it saves effort and has the lowest cost. That is, don't pick the beans, let them grow and age naturally, and then peel them."
"The second way is to pick them and dry them into beans. In autumn and winter, people need to stock up on winter vegetables. In addition, local people like to eat hot noodle soup and stew. If you take them out at that time, you don't have to worry about not being able to sell them. The cost is low and the profit is moderate."
"The third option is to make pickles. It has moderate costs but the highest profits, but it is risky."
The Zhou couple asked in unison, "What risk?"
Who wouldn’t be tempted when hearing that it offers the highest profit?
Gu Xixi said, "Sour beans and pickled coriander are best when they are fresh."
"So you have to gamble that in about ten days at most, after the Northwest Army has been reorganized, the county will be open as usual."
Lao Zhou frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "Let's bet!"
Gu Xixi reminded, "Why don't you discuss it? If we exceed the time limit and still can't go into the city to sell the goods, we will have to lose the money for the seasoning."
Old Zhou raised his head and smiled carefreely, "It's not a waste. At most, we can keep it for ourselves to eat slowly. It's better than leaving it to rot in the field."
He told Gu Xixi frankly, "We are almost at the border. Even if we have to fight, we will fight outward. As long as the Northwest Army is not defeated, the fire will never reach Qingtian County."
"Besides, even if there is no war, we still have to live our lives as usual. People in the county town don't farm. If the city gates are kept closed and we are not allowed to enter, what will they eat?"
Gu Xixi smiled and nodded, "I only told you the pros and cons, you just need to consider it carefully."
She had a new respect for Old Zhou.
In the past few village meetings, Lao Zhou never showed up and never spoke. Usually when everyone gathered outside to eat and chat, Lao Zhou was nowhere to be seen.
He seems to be a person with no sense of existence, but he can make bold decisions every time he faces a choice.
Lao Zhou looked at his wife and said, "Sour beans and pickled coriander. I've never tried them before, but just hearing about them makes me salivate. Let's start making them when we get home."
Mrs. Zhou rolled her eyes at him and scolded him, "What are you doing? You men are like that! Do you think cooking is such a simple thing? Just put your hands on it and it will be ready?"
Lao Zhou was stunned, then reacted, "You can't do this?"
Mrs. Zhou said angrily, "We only have pickled cabbage and pickled mustard greens with salt. Where have we ever eaten the two kinds that Xixi mentioned?"
Just by hearing the taste described by Gu Xixi, Mrs. Zhou didn't have the confidence to make it.
Gu Xixi was well prepared. She took out a folded piece of paper and said, "I remember that Brother Zhou can read. This is the recipe for pickled vegetables. The ingredients, cooking steps, and how long to pickle are all clearly written on it."
Old Zhou and Mrs. Zhou looked at each other, both showing surprise.
The two of them bowed to Gu Xixi repeatedly.
Mrs. Zhou said ashamedly, "I didn't listen to you completely, but you were still willing to help us."
"Now I really understand what it means to help someone in need."
"You are truly magnanimous. Some people in the village say that about you. It is obvious that they are blind and deaf, making random guesses and spreading lies one by one..."
Seeing his wife was emotional and said something too much, Lao Zhou hurriedly tried to dissuade her, "Okay."
"Don't say these unpleasant words in front of Boss Gu."
He said to Gu Xixi solemnly, "There are always some gossiping fools everywhere. Don't bother yourself because of them."
Gu Xixi smiled, "I understand."
Mrs. Zhou had already opened her heart to Gu Xixi, "In fact, everyone is convinced by you. Only those few people are jumping around. They are just grasshoppers after autumn. They look tough, but in fact, they are just jealous."
"There's also the matter of the old bachelor. Although no one knows what happened, it was Lao Qian who did it. They didn't dare to blame Lao Qian, but instead said that you were amazing and that no one dared to marry you."
"Bullshit!" Mrs. Zhou spat and laughed, "Don't you have a ready-made Mr. Chen at home? He is the most outstanding man in our village!"
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