Chapter 167 Visiting the County Government
Aunt Zhu'er stopped him and scolded him for looking for trouble.
How many people from the village would go to the city for no reason? These tomatoes were sent directly to Shopkeeper Tang. Even if he sold a small amount himself, it wouldn't be such a coincidence that the villagers would come across them.
Besides, even if they came across it, it wouldn't be a big deal. How would they know it was growing in their own garden? Couldn't they just say it was fruit they bought from a middleman and resold?
Locking the vegetable garden properly tells everyone that there are good things in there, doesn't it?
Qi Tian quickly said that he was right and thankfully his wife was smart, otherwise he would have done something wrong.
Zeng Xiaoyan couldn't help but feel upset again, because of her second sister-in-law who was always causing trouble but could not do anything for her.
After dinner, everyone chatted for a while before going their separate ways.
Xu Zhichun took a small basket and filled it with ten bright red tomatoes, and a small bag of fried meatballs that he had specially reserved for Zeng Xiaojuan to take back.
"Let Qiaoer have a taste."
Seeing Qiao'er's cheeks gradually becoming plumper and more fleshy, and becoming much more beautiful, everyone felt an inexplicable sense of accomplishment.
This child was raised by everyone together.
Zeng Xiaojuan thanked him and did not refuse. She held Qiao'er in one hand, and Zeng Xiaoyan carried the basket for her, and they went back together.
She owed them so much, there was no need to refuse, just keep it in mind.
The next morning, Xu Zhichun got up earlier than usual and went to the field behind the yard to pick tomatoes.
Xu Zhichun had counted them beforehand. She had a total of ninety-six tomato plants, which looked like a small patch. They were full of red, half-red, and green fruits of all sizes. Countless small yellow tomato flowers bloomed among the green leaves.
Looking at how vibrant it is, it seems the harvest will last for a long time.
Shopkeeper Tang said that he needed it every two days, which was forty or fifty kilograms, and she was a little worried.
They can’t be sold out.
She doesn't want to sell it in the market if there are other sales channels.
Especially after what happened at Sifang Restaurant yesterday.
Then it seems that the only option is to make it into tomato sauce, which can at least extend the shelf life.
Carrying a backpack and a basket, picking forty or fifty kilograms of tomatoes is easy and quick.
After picking the tomatoes, Xu Zhichun hurried back to make ice jelly.
Chunfen had no worries in her mind and slept soundly. Xu Zhichun usually didn't call her, and she would wake up naturally when she had slept enough.
It was just the right time to feed the chickens and pigs before she got up.
When entering the city today, Xu Zhichun specially took a basket and filled it with eight large tomatoes, and filled a clean small white ceramic jar with half a jar of ice jelly, and a small cloth bag with about three or four pounds of agar-agar seeds, and set off with Zeng Xiaoyan and others.
After dropping off Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu'er, Liang Mingliang sent Xu Zhichun to the Lotus Restaurant to deliver ice jelly and tomatoes.
Forty pounds of tomatoes cost exactly one tael of silver.
Xu Zhichun was very happy to receive the heavy little piece of silver. On a whim, he discussed with Shopkeeper Tang, "How about we pay for these tomatoes on a monthly basis? Shopkeeper Tang, you can give me the banknote then."
Anyway, she was not in a hurry to use the money, and she was not afraid that Manager Tang would default on his debt.
Shopkeeper Tang nodded with a smile: "That's fine, it's convenient this way."
"By the way, didn't Shopkeeper Tang say before that he wanted to increase the amount of ice jelly? Now we can add some, I wonder if Shopkeeper Tang would like to add more."
"Yes, yes," Shopkeeper Tang's eyes lit up. "Our boss also has a restaurant and teahouse in the neighboring Qingyang County. It's convenient to travel there by mule cart. Once you deliver it, we'll immediately send someone to Qingyang County. It will only take a little over an hour. 30 kilograms, is that okay?"
Xu Zhichun nodded: "Okay."
The lantern fruit is ripe now, and there are many in the mountains. Besides, everyone can find it on their own. Not only in the nearby mountains, but also in farther places, so there is no shortage of it.
There is more powder for making ice jelly in the warehouse space.
She is not worried about not having enough raw materials, but she is worried that she will not be able to handle it.
If it's 70 kilograms, it's okay with the ready-made powder. Otherwise, Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu'er will have to take turns getting up early to help.
Shopkeeper Tang said with a smile, "Since that's the case, why don't you send an extra thirty kilograms of tomatoes? We can send them to the restaurant in Qingyang County together."
"Okay, that's all I have. No more."
Ninety-six tomatoes weren't enough to meet Shopkeeper Tang's needs, but he could cheat. He had some in the warehouse. Organic fruits and vegetables, returning to their original flavor, full of tomato flavor.
Well, how about doing a "natural mutation" next year and planting two cherry tomatoes?
Shopkeeper Tang was quite happy to hear this, saying "Okay, okay!" What did this mean? It meant that their Lotus Restaurant was exclusive again.
Saying goodbye to Shopkeeper Tang, Xu Zhichun said, "Brother Liang, please take me to the back door of the county government office."
"ah?"
Liang Mingliang was startled.
Xu Zhichun smiled and said, "I'm going to take some food to the county magistrate's wife."
Liang Mingliang hesitated and whispered, "Zhichun, have you made an agreement with the county magistrate's wife?"
Xu Zhichun smiled and said, "Because of my Mingxuan, I have met the county magistrate's wife once before."
"oh."
That's okay.
Liang Mingliang drove the car steadily and took her to the entrance of the alley.
"You go back first, I'll go there myself later."
"OK."
Xu Zhichun went forward and knocked on the door. Soon someone came to open the door and saw her with a puzzled look on her face: "Who is this lady looking for?"
"Excuse me, is Madam Ji's sister-in-law here? Could you please pass on a message saying that Liang Mingxuan's sister-in-law from Liangjia Village is here to visit?"
The maid at the door was completely confused. What was this "whose sister-in-law in the village"? When did Aunt Ji start such roundabout dealings with the villagers?
But since she could mention Nanny Ji, she must really know her.
This is the backyard of the county government office. We are the boss of our own territory in Qingshan County. Only a fool would dare to come here and fool around.
"Wait a minute, I'll go ask Aunt Ji."
"Thank you very much."
Not long after, Nanny Ji arrived in person and led Xu Zhichun in with a smile. "So it really is Madam Xu, come in quickly!"
Xu Zhichun smiled and said, "It doesn't matter who leads the way. I didn't expect Madam to come in person. I feel bad about it."
"Mrs. Xu, please don't say such polite words."
Nanny Ji waved her hand and smiled, then instructed the maid at the door, "If Madam Xu comes in the future, bring her in and entertain her. Don't let Madam Xu wait outside."
The maid was very surprised and quickly bowed and agreed, "Yes, Madam Ji."
Nanny Ji led Xu Zhichun to a small flower hall and sat down, and ordered the maid to serve tea and fruit plates.
"It's very hot. Madam Xu, have a cup of tea and eat some fruit. This watermelon is very fresh."
"Thank you, Mammy."
Xu Zhichun tasted a piece of watermelon and praised it.
To be honest, she had secretly eaten a lot of watermelons, cantaloupes, and Hami melons this year. There were so many in the warehouse, too many. She couldn't finish them all, and there was no way to share them.
The watermelon had seeds, so Xu Zhichun took the opportunity to smile and say, "This watermelon is so sweet! We haven't seen anything like this in our village. It's really good. Ma'am, can I take a few seeds back to try planting next year?"
(End of this chapter)
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