Chapter 292 Can It Really Get Better?
Time flew by and it was already December.
After another heavy snowfall, the ice on the river has reached a thickness of twenty centimeters.
Ming'an County has entered its coldest period.
With the workload reduced, Lu Qingqing gave the workers a break, leaving only a dozen or so people.
The situation outside is getting worse and worse; news keeps coming in that people are freezing to death in some village.
The number of corpses of beggars being found on the roadside is also increasing.
Lu Qingqing had the village head gather the villagers and sell a batch of brown rice at the previous grain price.
Several nearby villages have connections with Liuyun Village, so this matter couldn't be kept secret, and people from other villages came to buy it after hearing the news.
However, you can only buy two kilograms of brown rice at a time; you can't buy more than that. This is to prevent people from reselling it at a higher price.
That day, Liu Erzhu finally came to borrow money, stammering that he needed an advance on a month's wages.
"Is a month enough?" Lu Qingqing asked.
Mo Lang overheard that night that he needed six months' worth of wages.
"Almost. It was originally scheduled for March next year, but they're in a hurry now. They can't afford to eat anymore. They said they'd just give a portion of the dowry and bring the person over as soon as possible, otherwise they'll starve to death."
That's what they say, but whether or not the remaining dowry is given is entirely up to the son-in-law's conscience.
"Brother Erzhu, I trust your character. Here's what I'll do: I'll pay you three months' wages. Although they're having a hard time and need a small dowry to let their daughter marry into the family first, we can't take advantage of that."
You should give what's due to your in-laws. That way, after the disaster is over, you'll still be good in-laws, your wife will be grateful, and your family will be more harmonious.
How could Liu Erzhu not listen to Lu Qingqing? What she said was absolutely true.
Lu Qingqing asked him if he wanted silver or to exchange it for brown rice.
"Replace all the brown rice with brown rice!"
These days, grain is much more valuable than silver.
Brown rice is more expensive than polished rice used to be, and his in-laws are short of food, not money.
Selling brown rice at the original price is actually equivalent to multiplying the labor cost several times over!
Most importantly, if he could exchange all his wages for three months' worth of brown rice, he and his in-laws would be able to get through the winter.
"Alright, I'll change it to brown rice for you. Brother Erzhu, let me tell you something else. As for the betrothal gifts to your wife's family, we'll proceed as agreed. This winter, you can gradually supplement the grain supply to your wife's family, but don't give it all at once, so as not to give people the impression that we have plenty of food."
"Okay, I understand." Liu Erzhu was the leader of the mutual aid group, so how could he not know the current situation and that wealth should not be flaunted?
With the food in hand, Liu Erzhu quickly got married.
Unexpectedly, the matchmaker still started going to Liuyun Village.
Everyone says that marrying into Liuyun Village means you'll have enough to eat.
The young men of Liuyun Village have all become highly sought-after.
My daughters have all become gold nuggets.
The girls working in the workshops were so sought after that men would come begging to marry into their families!
Lin Zhuang, Shanzi, Li San, and many other young men got married one after another, and the girls were all from families that were well-off before.
Zhang Ying, who had been engaged to Lin Zhuang before, came to see him again, saying that she didn't want any betrothal gifts and asked if he could marry her, as she was to be matched with a man by the government in a month.
Then Lin Zhuang's new wife came out, adjusted Lin Zhuang's hat, and said, "Come on, your little sister is waiting. We agreed to have dinner together today, so don't keep her waiting."
Lin Zhuang didn't speak to Zhang Ying again, and the couple went to the Lu family together.
Tears of regret streamed down Zhang Ying's face.
Originally, she should have been the one to marry Lin Zhuang.
Originally, she was the one who had food to eat.
Liuyun Village celebrated for more than half a month, and most of the eligible young men got married. Even Yu Jun was approached by matchmakers many times, but he refused them all.
Several of the girls also married men who lived with their husbands.
The Little New Year has arrived in a lively and bustling manner.
The celebrations faded, revealing once again the harsh realities of life.
Mo Lang returned and said that villagers from nearby villages had gone up the opposite mountain in search of food, but they were discovered and arrested and taken to the mine.
If people are to be released, the only time will be when the world becomes clear and the mines are open.
The secret of the iron ore must never be revealed.
Then, the village heads from several neighboring villages all came to Liuyun Village to borrow grain.
As the year drew to a close, many villagers simply could no longer hold on.
We need to get some food to get through the New Year!
After discussing it with Lu Qingqing, Liu Lizheng decided that they would definitely borrow the grain.
Several villages are located around Liuyun Village, and not lending them would pose a safety hazard.
Liuyun Village will become a target.
Liu Lizheng said, "You should know that the workshops in Liuyun Village are connected with the government, and the grain is naturally delivered by the government."
The government said to sell at the original price so that more people can survive this famine. If you want to borrow, you can't just ask for a loan without proof.
The villagers are all saying they understand: whether it's taking land, houses, or even people as collateral, everyone already knows the details.
"In that case, let's sign the contract." Lu Qingqing handed out a contract to each person.
"Furthermore, esteemed village heads, the government's grain supply is limited."
To be honest, if we hold out until March next year, there will only be enough grain for ten villages. So, if the situation worsens and other villages try to take it, we must stick together and protect our grain.”
“Miss Lu, we understand, we understand.”
"Okay, you can tell the villagers not to worry about the land deeds and house deeds. I'll give them two years. A normal person can definitely pay them back."
"Thank you very much, Miss Lu."
After reaching an agreement with several surrounding villages, Lu Qingqing calculated the grain reserves and realized that by March of next year, it would be enough to feed twenty villages.
However, it's always necessary to calculate a few more steps.
After dealing with the matter, she felt a little relieved and stayed at home, rarely going out.
He taught Sixi and Qiaoxiu medical skills, how to treat patients, and how to perform acupuncture and rehabilitation on Lin Ye's hands.
In Liuyun Village, people still take turns keeping watch at night. Several times, they heard the sound of gongs, but by the time they rushed over, the people had already run away.
A few thieves, not enough to cause any real trouble.
Lu Yun asked every day: "Little sister, when will your second sister-in-law's hand be fully healed?"
I saw her eyes redden several times while holding a needle.
Lu Qingqing sighed, "Brother, don't ask anymore. This can't be rushed. Just take good care of him and comfort him. Maybe he'll be fine in a year or two."
No one can say for sure about Kang Fu's fate, and Lu Qingqing couldn't give a definite timeframe.
Lin Ye's hand was not only fractured, but his meridians were also damaged, and it is possible that he will never regain his previous dexterity.
Embroidering ordinary patterns is no problem for her, but for her, it must be the difference between mediocrity and genius, which makes her feel bad.
Lin Ye didn't usually show it; her smile was as sweet as ever, but she kept all the bitterness inside.
"So long!" Lu Yun frowned deeply.
"Don't worry, Second Sister-in-law may look delicate, but she has a very strong will!"
"Okay, I got it. You said you'd draw our portrait, and it'll look like us."
Lu Qingqing was stunned for a moment, then chuckled dryly twice.
She originally wanted to hire an artist, but after looking at the paintings of several artists, she decided against it, saying they were too abstract.
She thought she should draw it herself, since it seemed like she only knew how to draw comics.
So that was the end of it.
"Don't rush, I'll paint a family portrait after you have your baby."
Lu Yun is not so easily fooled now.
"You can't even draw two people, yet you're talking about drawing a family portrait?"
"Okay, I'll draw it tomorrow!"
"Okay, I'll be waiting for you."
...
The two were talking without noticing the person standing outside, and overheard everything they said.
Lin Ye clutched her wrist and went back into the house.
Will things really get better in a year or two?
Qingqing's tone seemed uncertain as well.
She was very scared and anxious.
Many embroidery techniques churned in her mind every day, and she was afraid she would forget them over time.
I've thought about how to insert the needle countless times, but when I actually do it, things go wrong.
The nimble hands seemed to be encased in a heavy shell.
I really want to tear it apart!
Tears involuntarily rolled down my cheeks.
She knew that Lu Yun's favorite person was Lin Ye, who shone brightly on the embroidery table, not an ordinary embroiderer.
What should Lin Ye do?
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