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Watching Wang Jinhe’s frustrated expression, Su Yu couldn’t help but chuckle and said, “What’s going on in that head of yours again?”
“I just feel like this might not be a good idea,” Wang Jinhe said somewhat awkwardly.
“Why not? It’s only bothering you because you care,” Su Yu didn’t believe that Wang Jinhe’s actions were due to not liking Su Shan. She believed it was precisely because she liked Su Shan that he cared so much.
Wang Jinhe, hearing Su Yu’s words, relaxed a bit and said, “I’m just afraid that Shan Shan might think I don’t like her.”
“Why would she think that?” Even though the real Li Yan had returned, Su Shan still felt a bit uneasy about her marriage. If she could find someone here whom she liked and who liked her in return, it would be even better.
“Wouldn’t she?” Wang Jinhe looked at Su Yu in confusion.
“Don’t worry, what you’re thinking won’t happen,” it seemed that Wang Jinhe hadn’t dealt with enough matters, leaving her with time to think about such things.
“That’s good,” Wang Jinhe finally felt reassured.
After expressing her thoughts to Su Yu, Wang Jinhe had fewer worries in her mind. She planned to see who would be more suitable for Su Shan that day.
“Now, the only remaining grain seeds are for the villagers. Tomorrow, I’ll go see Uncle and ask him to inform everyone to come and take their grain seeds,” Su Yu said.
“How much do you plan to sell it for per catty? You can’t just give these grain seeds away for free, right?”
“Let’s sell it for the same price we sell to the court, twenty wen per catty,” she didn’t expect to make money from this; it was already cheap enough.
Su Yu looked disapprovingly at Wang Jinhe, “Twenty wen per catty is too little. Some people will take it for granted.”
“But…”
“Twenty-five wen per catty is the lowest price. If they want it, they buy it; if not, forget it,” Su Yu, being a merchant, didn’t want Wang Jinhe’s hard work to be taken for granted by those people.
Seeing Su Yu’s firm stance, Wang Jinhe knew that it was futile to argue with him. She could only nod helplessly, “Okay, twenty-five wen then.”
Su Yu finally nodded in satisfaction, “Good.”
The next day, Wang Jinhe went early to find Xie Kui. Seeing him approaching, Xie Kui was somewhat surprised, “Xiao He, when did you guys come back? Why haven’t I heard any news?”
“We’ve been back for several days, but we’ve been busy and didn’t have time to come and see Uncle.”
“Did you come today for something specific?” Every time Wang Jinhe came to see him, there was always a reason—either about the seedlings or buying fruits.
Wang Jinhe smiled, “I’m here for a reason this time. The grain seeds from my side have already been sent to the court and the Governors’ office. Yesterday, everyone else took theirs, and what’s left is for my family. I’ve also set aside some for the village. Please inform the villagers, the price is twenty-five wen per catty. Those interested can come and buy from my house.”
“Alright, please save some for the twenty mu of land on my side,” the village chief hastily requested.
Last year’s harvest allowed him to gain over two thousand catties of grain. This year, planting Wang Jinhe’s grain seeds would add another two hundred catties. Just the thought of it made him excited.
This year, he also bought ten mu of paddy fields, all for planting some of Wang Jinhe’s grain seeds. Next year, they would be able to enjoy rice with every meal.
“If the villagers have any objections, just tell them that the grain seeds I sold to the court went for twenty wen per catty. Whether they want it or not is up to them,” Wang Jinhe looked at Xie Kui, concerned that he might face criticism from the villagers.
“Don’t worry about that. Last year, when we collected so much grain, they were already envious. Twenty-five wen per catty is not expensive. With an extra three to four hundred catties of grain per mu of land, how could anyone complain?” Anyone with a clear mind would do the math.
“We’re troubling Uncle.”
“Don’t be polite with me, leave it to me.”
After Wang Jinhe left, Xie Kui hurriedly informed the villagers for a meeting. Rong Shi, watching him so anxious, couldn’t help but feel helpless.
Selling Wang Jinhe’s grain seeds for twenty-five wen per catty might stir up objections from some villagers again this time.
After the villagers had gathered, Xie Kui spoke up, “Xiao He has returned. She came to me today and said that those who want to buy grain seeds from her can go to her place.”
“Village Chief, how much does Xiao He sell her grain seeds for per catty?” Xie Kang asked.
Last year, his wife, Lin Shi, gave birth to a son, and he earned a lot of money, making their lives better. Now, upon hearing the village chief mention the matter of grain seeds, he spoke up.
“Twenty-five wen per catty. If you want to plant, bring money to buy from Xiao He,” the village chief replied.
“It’s so much more expensive than outside,” someone grumbled.
Hearing this, Xie Kang scornfully said, “Why don’t you mention that Xiao He’s grain seeds can yield a few hundred catties more than those outside?”
“Who knows if that’s true.”
Hearing these words, Xie Kui frowned and said, “If you want to buy, buy it. If you don’t, go buy grain seeds from outside. But let me make it clear: when the harvest comes, don’t come blaming Xiao He for not planting with you.”
“But she’s selling it too expensive.”
“What’s expensive about it? Xiao He sold 180,000 catties of grain seeds to the court, and it went for twenty-five wen per catty. The court bought so much all at twenty-five wen. If you buy ten or more catties for twenty-five wen, what’s there to complain about?” Xie Kui said unreservedly.
Upon hearing Xie Kui’s words, the people around fell silent. If the court bought so much at this price, what grounds did they have to complain?
“All right, I’ve informed you of the matter. If you want to buy, go ahead. Of course, if you don’t want to, that’s fine too. I’ll tell you in advance: Xiao He’s family acquired another thousand mu of land from some wealthy merchants last year. The amount of grain seeds left at her place is uncertain. Think carefully before making a decision. Time waits for no one,” Xie Kui didn’t exaggerate. The amount of grain harvested by Wang Jinhe’s family last year was openly known.
The imperial court took 180,000 catties, and those wealthy merchants probably took another 20,000 catties. In addition to Xiao He’s family planting their own crops and many mouths to feed, it wasn’t easy to predict how much was left.
Xie Kang was already calculating how much they needed to plant.
“You can all disperse.”
After returning home, Xie Kang found Lin Shi, who was tending to the child, and said, “Wife, get some money for me.”
“What’s wrong?” Lin Shi put the child down and fetched money for Xie Kang.
After Xie Kang explained the matter of buying grain seeds to Lin Shi, she hurriedly got money for him.
“Husband, hurry up. Xiao He’s seeds are all good.” Because they followed Wang Jinhe’s family in farming, growing vegetables, and melons, they were able to earn so much money. Now that Xiao He had left them grain seeds, they naturally wanted to buy.
“All right, I’ll go now.”
“By the way, let’s go find Xiao He later and ask her to help us hire a few more people,” Xie Kang suggested.