Chapter 38: Valuable Yam

Chapter 38: Valuable Yam

Qin Xiaoyao furrowed her brow and shook her head.

Five copper coins for ten catties? So cheap – would she really be willing to spend one hundred coins to hire them to dig?

"Then... it can't possibly be five coins per catty, right?!" Li Daniu asked in disbelief.

But Qin Xiaoyao nodded under her astonished gaze.

"It's indeed five coins per catty," she confirmed.

The couple's expressions changed drastically as their gaze fell upon the yams on the ground. They seemed to see not mere firewood sticks but copper coins instead.

Five coins per catty – oh my, that was incredibly valuable!

There were quite a number of yams in this field, likely more than a thousand catties.

Isn't that... worth more than five taels of silver? !

Both had been calm just now, their hearts indifferent to the matter. But in an instant, their emotions stirred.

Yet, it was only for a moment before they both suppressed their feelings.

One feared Qin San Ya and the thought that she might reveal their secret if angered.

The other genuinely had good character, believing that one should not be tempted by things that did not belong to them.

Qin Xiaoyao observed their reactions closely. Seeing that they quickly regained their composure, she felt somewhat satisfied.

"I'm thinking, since this yam is found here, there might be more elsewhere."

"Our folks in Xialiu Village don't recognize this plant. If we do find it, then it would belong to me."

"As long as the dishes made with this yam can sell well at the Laifu Building, I won't have to worry about its demand in the future." Qin Xiaoyao said with a sense of self-satisfaction.

This left the couple filled with envy.

"Alas, I am alone and lack assistance. My mother-in-law is frail, and my sister- and brother-in-law are still young, unable to lend me a hand," Qin Xiaoyao lamented, letting out a sigh.

"I'll... I'll help you!" Li Daniu promptly offered.

At this point, she genuinely wanted to work alongside Qin Xiaoyao.

Putting aside other considerations, with this yam, she was sure to earn money by following Qin Xiaoyao.

Five copper coins per catty – if they found another such field of yams...

Even if she only received a mere two percent share, she would still earn one tael of silver.

This rate of earning surpassed what her own parents made selling tofu at the town's vegetable market.

Yes, her parents were tofu sellers. Although they resided in the town, their living conditions weren't exactly prosperous.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have married into a rural village.

Liu Daniu glanced at his wife, a rare expression of approval crossing his face. "Yes, Sister Song. Let Li Daniu work with you. If she earns money, just give her a share." "She can't be much help at home anyway. By working with you, she'll earn some income, and I'll have peace of mind," Liu Daniu said, turning to Qin Xiaoyao. Li Daniu nodded eagerly at Qin Xiaoyao. Qin Xiaoyao's amusement was evident. "Alright then! Daniu, from now on, you're with me!" she teased. Li Daniu, who had been all smiles just moments ago, sensed the potential danger and quickly wiped away her grin. "Hehe, yes. In that case, I'll have to trouble Sister San Ya to look after me in the future," she said, attempting to ingratiate herself. Regret already welled up in her heart, but alas, it was too late to change her decision.

(Daniu = Daniu, San Ya = San Ya, Qin Xiaoyao = Qin Xiaoyao, Li Daniu = Li Daniu, Liu Daniu = Liu Daniu)

Amid conversation, the trio resumed their busywork.

With Qin Xiaoyao's assistance, their progress in digging yams in the afternoon was significantly faster than in the morning.

When they finally finished, it was only around four o'clock in the afternoon.

"I'll take care of the yams. The two of you can clear this area and select some yam vines to replant."

"That way, we can come back and dig more in two or three years' time."

Wild yams have a growth cycle of about two to three years; after this excavation, they wouldn't be able to return anytime soon.

Upon hearing this, the couple promptly got to work.

Only then did Qin Xiaoyao begin to clean up the yams.

However, due to the sheer quantity, the two jute ropes she had brought were insufficient to bind all the yams together.

"I'll have to make two trips," Qin Xiaoyao said quickly.

Her morning estimate had been incorrect; there were far more than a thousand pounds of yams in this field, easily exceeding sixteen hundred pounds in total.

"Liu Daniu, why run back and forth? Sister, you can carry more, and the rest, I and Li Daniu can each take two bundles," Liu Daniu suggested.

"Yes, I... I can handle about a hundred pounds without issue," Li Daniu replied, meeting her husband's gaze.

Well, actually, she could manage over two hundred pounds, considering her build.

But the mountain path was tricky, and she was afraid that carrying too much weight would make her stumble.

"In that case, give me three hundred pounds," Liu Daniu said.

With so many yams, his wife was willing to take on only around a hundred pounds, leaving him to shoulder the excess.

Qin Xiaoyao smiled.

"There's no need for three hundred pounds; two hundred and fifty will do!" she interjected.

Then, she began sorting out the remaining yams.

Next, they proceeded to cut branches and trunks to use as ropes and poles.

After everything was in order, the trio shouldered their yam bundles and began their return journey.

Qin Xiaoyao, as usual, led the way, carrying two enormous bundles of yams that almost concealed her entire body.

In addition to the yams, she also carried three hoes on her back and held three sickles in her hands.

As she moved, she resembled a small mountain in motion.

Both Liu Daniu and Li Daniu, following behind her, were astounded.

This Qin San Ya truly possessed supernatural strength...

The impressive sight drew the attention of those working in the fields.

Having witnessed Qin Xiaoyao's strength, the villagers now regarded Qin San Ya with a newfound sense of awe.

Upon entering the village, the trio walked a short distance further before finally arriving at the Song residence.

At that moment, the courtyard of the Song family was filled with an inviting aroma.

It was the fragrance of lard.

Liu and Song Yun were busy weaving grass shoes beneath the eaves.

From the looks of it, they had been at it for a while, as both ladies had a pile of completed shoes beside them.

Both Liu Daniu and Li Daniu were startled.

Only now did they realize that the grass shoes on Qin Xiaoyao's feet might have been woven by the Song family themselves.

Upon seeing Qin Xiaoyao and the others return, Liu hurriedly stood up.

She then entered the kitchen to assist in preparing the syrup.

"Hard work! Come inside quickly!" Liu led the trio into the kitchen, her heart both shocked and pained by the sight of her daughter-in-law's load of yams on her shoulders.

Once inside, Qin Xiaoyao and the others successively unloaded the yams from their shoulders.

Next, we'll have some sweetened dessert soup.

With a bowl of sweet soup consumed, the three weary souls felt themselves instantly rejuvenated.

Spotting the large basin of lard on the stove, along with two big bowls of pork rinds, Liu Daniu and his wife had to make a great effort to tear their eyes away.

The Song family, it seems, is indeed rendering lard, and in such abundance.

"Aunt, I saw you and Yun-er weaving straw shoes earlier?" Li Daniu, feeling the heat intensify in her soles, promptly asked Liu-shi.

She truly hadn't expected that the Song family would possess such skills.

Madame Liu was taken aback at first, then she smiled.

"Oh, yes! San Ya taught us the other day. We learn slowly, so we've just managed to grasp it."

They could now be considered proficient in the craft.

She had already made comparisons. The straw sandals they, mother and daughter, were weaving were hardly distinguishable from those woven by her daughter-in-law.

Li Daniu was startled.

She looked at Qin Xiaoyao in disbelief.

Qin San Ya actually had such a skill?