Chapter 234: Deal Struck

Chapter 234: Deal Struck

"I hope that Big Mountain can take my older brother and second brother with him for a while," Qin Xiaoyao said.

"It doesn't need to be too long, just half a month."

"After that, they can divide the market in the city center and the eastern part of the city themselves."

Once the city gates are closed, my older brother and second brother won't be able to go to the docks either.

At that time, they will also need to find new jobs.

But given the current situation, shops are closing every day within the city. How easy would it be to find work?

Wang Xiaomei didn't immediately agree.

After hesitating for a moment, she nodded.

"Alright! With Brother Qin and Second Brother together, it'll be safer." She said.

Qin Xiaoyao's lips curved upward. "Alright then."

"When Sister-in-Law comes to work later, I'll talk to her about this. And I'll ask Older Brother and Second Brother to come over and help build a few more sheds."

Indeed, she was quite optimistic about Wang Dashi's idea of door-to-door sales.

The city center and the eastern part of the city are both far from the three markets where they are currently selling bean sprouts.

And at present, various supplies are scarce.

If someone delivers goods to their doorstep, many people would be willing to pay for them.

They might even place regular orders.

She doesn't expect this business to last long; it just needs to hold out until next spring.

If they can build a few more sheds for bean sprouts, even if the businesses selling water, century eggs, and straw shoes don't work out, she won't lack for daily earnings.

In fact, it might even bring in more money.

After all, with the current shortage of food, the price of bean sprouts has risen.

Moreover, by expanding the market, why worry about not making a fortune?!

Hearing that Qin Xiaoyao wanted to build more sheds, Wang Xiaomei's eyes instantly lit up.

"Sure thing, thank you, Sister-in-Law!"

After chatting with Qin Xiaoyao for a bit, she went back to work.

A little later, Sister-in-Law Qin came to work.

Before Qin Xiaoyao could tell her about this matter, Sister-in-Law Qin started complaining.

Her complaints were naturally about the early closure of the northern gate.

Indeed, the situation was as Qin Xiaoyao had anticipated.

Today, both the northern and western gates were closed early.

And the government quickly posted an announcement within the city stating that the gates would be closed starting tomorrow, with no set reopening date.

"Your older brother and second brother were just getting by working at the docks. Now that the gates are closed, how will they manage?" Sister-in-Law Qin wore a worried expression.

Qin Xiaoyao smiled and then told her about what Wang Xiaomei had asked him to do.

"Selling bean sprouts door-to-door in the city center and the eastern part of the city?" Sister-in-Law Qin was somewhat surprised.

After thinking about it, she felt it might work.

Mainly because the bean sprouts her sister-in-law grew were indeed good.

"Yes! If they're willing, I'll build a few more sheds in the yard."

"I think it's a good idea! I'll ask them when I get home!" Sister-in-Law Qin immediately said.

Qin Xiaoyao nodded.

Then he asked Sister-in-Law Qin about something else.

"Is there any new information from Zhang Laosan?"

Now that the city is sealed, the Zhang family hasn't left yet, so they probably won't leave.

"No." Sister-in-Law Qin replied without looking up, focused on selecting bean seeds.

The Zhang family has been quite well-behaved lately. Even when Father-in-Law goes to West Market alone to sell bean sprouts and straw shoes, they haven't bothered him. (At least that's what she heard.)

They haven't come to see her or her husband either, which is good.

"Oh." Qin Xiaoyao responded, his thoughts swirling.

It's good they didn't leave...

Later that evening, after the Song family finished dinner, Qin Dazhuang brought his two sons over.

It was regarding building the sheds.

"How many sheds does Little Sister want to build? We'll handle it!" Qin Dahu said.

"I can come help after I sell my bean sprouts tomorrow morning." Qin Dazhuang chimed in.

Ever since the locust plague, they had stopped buying and slaughtering pigs at home.

Now, he only collected some bean sprouts and straw sandals from his daughter every day to sell in West Market.

Once he sold everything or when it was time, he could finish early. It was much more leisurely than before.

"This time, let's build a few more and occupy that entire area."

"Even if we can't grow that many bean sprouts, we can use it for stacking firewood later," Qin Xiaoyao said with a smile.

Not counting this time, they had already built two sheds previously.

This time, they might as well do it all at once and occupy that entire area. That way, her mother-in-law wouldn’t think about planting vegetables there next year.

Their house wasn’t far from West Market. If they needed any vegetables, they could simply buy them from the market next year; there was no need to go through the trouble of growing them themselves.

Most importantly, the vegetables in ancient times hadn’t been treated with pesticides or fertilizers. The ones bought from the market were not much different from those grown at home.

"Alright!" Qin Erhu agreed readily.

He and his elder brother were worried about running out of work, but their youngest sister had already arranged something for them.

Since their youngest sister needed their help now, they would certainly do their best.

After chatting for a while, the three of them went straight to the courtyard to start working.

Qin Xiaoyao also joined in, helping to record the materials needed.

Thus, the Song family’s new project began.

The next day.

Qin Xiaoyao went to Liang Kee early in the morning to meet Deputy Manager Wei Er.

As soon as she arrived, Deputy Manager Wei Er came forward and led Qin Xiaoyao to the backyard.

In the backyard, current Manager Pan of Liang Kee was already waiting.

Deputy Manager Wei Er introduced the two, and then they got down to business.

"Thanks to Lady Qin's trust, we at Liang Kee will take your 4,400 catties of grain," Manager Pan said to Qin Xiaoyao.

"When can Lady Qin deliver the goods?"

This time, Wei Er had hit the jackpot, encountering such good fortune.

It was fortunate that the boy didn’t have enough money and came to him; otherwise, he wouldn’t have gotten a share of this deal.

Naturally, the sooner a transaction is completed, the better.

Yesterday afternoon, the government issued an announcement to close the city, and grain prices would continue to rise.

Today, some grain shops had already raised the price of coarse rice flour to thirty coins.

Further increases were just a matter of time.

Seeing the other party’s eagerness, Qin Xiaoyao didn’t hesitate.

"It can be done tonight," she said.

After thinking for a moment, she added, "Where should I deliver it?"

Manager Pan’s eyes flickered as he exchanged a glance with Deputy Manager Wei Er, then smiled.

"Since Liang Kee is buying the goods, naturally, they should be delivered to Liang Kee."

"How about this: after midnight tonight, Deputy Manager Wei Er and I will wait here for Lady Qin, how does that sound?"

Although they were privately intercepting the goods, they couldn’t give anyone a handle on them.

Qin Xiaoyao’s eyes flashed with understanding.

"Alright! I’ll arrange for someone to deliver the goods on time," she said.

She was confident in her skills and didn’t believe these two could take her goods.

Of course, she wouldn’t come alone.

If she brought her father and two brothers, the four of them could make two trips and deliver all the goods.

Manager Pan’s eyes lit up.