Chapter 221: Entry Fee Has Increased

Chapter 221: Entry Fee Has Increased

It turned out that the entry fee had risen when he entered the city.

And it had doubled.

In his case, with both himself and his goods, it used to be three cash coins. This time, it was six.

Thinking about the load of firewood he had, which didn't earn much money, Wang Dashan was so angry he almost turned back.

But he held back, paid the fee, and entered the city.

Once in the city, at the place where he sold firewood, he found out that many things had become more expensive.

Especially the grains at the grain store.

The prices for coarse rice and coarse flour were now twenty-two cash coins per catty, and they could rise further at any moment.

Other items related to food had also increased in price.

Everyone was talking about it, thinking that a famine was coming.

Hearing this news, Wang Dashan felt an immense weight on his heart.

Fortunately, there was some good news.

The price of firewood had also gone up.

Previously, two bundles of firewood sold for five cash coins, but now the price had risen to eight cash coins—a significant increase.

After selling his firewood, Wang Dashan pushed the cart with the firewood for the Song family to Yongan Lane.

On the way, he encountered some regular customers who asked him to deliver firewood.

For those he met earlier, he agreed immediately, saying he would deliver it after returning.

For the rest, he could only do it the next day.

Although some complained about the rise in firewood prices, most people understood.

After all, many things had become more expensive recently.

Arriving at the Song residence,

Wang Xiaomei came out quickly upon learning that Wang Dashan had arrived.

Seeing that Xiaomei was fine, Wang Dashan finally felt relieved.

"Knowing you're alright, I'm at ease."

"Mm." Wang Xiaomei responded, touched.

"I'm doing well at the Song residence; Auntie and Sister take good care of me."

"How is everything at home? How have you and Father been these past few days?" Wang Xiaomei asked.

The situation in the countryside must be worse than in town.

She had been worried about them these past few days.

"It's okay. Both Father and I are fine," Wang Dashan replied with a smile.

"Oh, by the way, today when I entered the town, I found out that the price of firewood has gone up!"

"From now on, if Father and I work harder, we can earn more money!" He eagerly shared this good news with his sister.

However, Wang Xiaomei did not smile; instead, she frowned.

"But the price of grain has also risen, and quite significantly. Also, almost everything related to food has become more expensive," she said.

Upon hearing this, the smile froze on Wang Dashan's face.

Wang Xiaomei realized then that her brother already knew about this.

"Do we still have any grain at home?" After a pause, Wang Xiaomei asked again.

Wang Dashan hesitated.

"We still have some." He quickly forced a smile, not wanting to worry his sister.

But Wang Xiaomei's eyes showed doubt.

After all, the grain at home was what she had given them, and she hadn't given much each time.

"How much is left?" She asked again.

Wang Dashan paused.

Under his sister's persistent gaze, he finally spoke after a while.

"About twenty catties."

Then he quickly added, "If we save it, it should last us another half month."

"The locust plague isn't entirely bad; Father and I have caught quite a few locusts recently. Dried, they can help stave off hunger."

Wang Xiaomei's expression changed.

"So, you've been eating locusts all this time?" he asked immediately.

His sister-in-law had said that the locusts during the plague were poisonous.

Moreover, given their family's situation, his elder brother wouldn't have the heart to use oil to fry them.

Just drying them and eating them would not only taste bad but also increase the toxicity.

Wang Dashan didn't respond, which was as good as admitting it.

"No more eating them!" Wang Xiaomei quickly said.

Only now did she understand why her elder brother's face looked dark today.

It was clearly from poisoning and hunger.

"Xiaomei—" Wang Dashan started, wanting to reassure his sister not to worry about him.

But after calling out two words, he closed his mouth at the look in his sister's eyes.

Then he lowered his head.

It was his incompetence as an elder brother that he couldn't even support himself and his father.

Yet he kept talking about redeeming his sister, still relying on her help.

Seeing her elder brother lower his head, Wang Xiaomei sighed.

"Those locusts are poisonous. If they're not processed at high enough temperatures, the toxicity will be even stronger. I'm afraid something might happen to you and Father," she explained.

Wang Dashan was taken aback.

"It's true. That's why my sister-in-law didn't let us fry the locusts to eat."

Wang Xiaomei looked at Wang Dashan.

"If there are any locusts left at home, neither you nor Father should eat them anymore."

"After drying them, there's not much left, and they won't fill your stomachs."

"I still have some coarse rice flour here," she said.

Wang Dashan immediately looked at Wang Xiaomei.

"But—" he wanted to argue.

But when he met his sister's gaze again, the words he wanted to say were held back.

"Also, when the Liu family bought the courtyard, I went to talk to Brother Danni."

"They agreed that if you and Father need it, they can rent you a room."

"The rent is only one hundred coins per month."

Wang Dashan was startled.

Just as he was about to refuse, Wang Xiaomei continued: "After the locust plague, famine will break out, and life will become even harder for everyone."

"If Xiashui Village evacuates like Qian Village, you and Father should move to town."

"If our whole family is in town, we won't be separated."

Wang Dashan didn't argue this time.

Because his sister was right.

Ever since the locust plague, the village has been in turmoil.

Many villagers have already started discussing evacuation.

Uncle Er came to talk to him about this last night, saying that if he couldn't find work in the city, he might leave Lingquan Town with his family.

He even asked if he wanted to take his father along.

His father refused without hesitation, saying he didn't want to leave his hometown or abandon his daughter.

For this, he praised his father in his heart.

Then he turned down Uncle Er.

As long as his sister was still in Lingquan Town, he wouldn't leave.

But if even his uncle had thoughts of leaving, there must be many others in the village with the same idea.

In that case, many villagers might really leave.

If the villagers left, staying in the village would indeed be unsafe for him and his father.

Seeing her elder brother's expression, Wang Xiaomei knew he had listened.

She continued, "Living in town will be safer and more convenient."

"When the time comes, you and Father can still go out of town to gather firewood."

"There are several mountains outside the town; you can directly go to the mountains without returning to Xiashui Village."

Wang Dashan was moved once again.

"Alright. If the village chief really organizes an evacuation, I'll take Father to the Liu family." Wang Dashan finally said.

The rent of one hundred wen per month is indeed not expensive. He and his father can afford it themselves.