Chapter 313

Ding Heli felt that kudzu root being sold dried rather than fresh or cooked at eighteen wen per pound was not very profitable for him. However, when compared to selling dried grains like corn, rice, or wheat, which fetched no more than eight wen per pound after being dried, the price of kudzu root seemed reasonable. Grains required constant care from planting to harvesting, while kudzu roots did not.

He looked at the men and conveyed the shopkeeper’s message: “The shopkeeper said that since we delivered early, our goods are considered new stock, and he will take as much as we have. However, he can’t guarantee the same for future deliveries.”

The men grinned broadly. “It’s great that they’re taking everything this time! At least we won’t have to haul it back.”

Though they had mentally prepared for the possibility of the shop not accepting the kudzu roots, the thought of taking them home was disheartening, especially since they planned to buy fabric and weren’t sure if they had enough money. Selling the kudzu roots would allow them to buy more fabric, giving them peace of mind.

“We’ll bring less next time.”

“If it doesn’t sell, we can make kudzu flour and keep it for ourselves.”

“Uncle Ding, where should we move the herbs? Let me help!” Fan Xiaoliu shouted.

“We have a lot of herbs, so the shopkeeper said to move them to the back yard where there’s more space for weighing.” Ding Heli led the way.

The men quickly followed, unloading the goods with smiles. Used to farm work, the bags of herbs were light to them, and they moved everything to the pharmacy’s backyard in no time.

In the backyard, several apprentices were already waiting. After confirming the herbs, two apprentices weighed them while another recorded the weights.

Hu Wenhua came out and told the men to sell the rabbits next, leaving Feng Da, Feng Er, Mancang, and Manku to watch over the herbs.

The men followed without hesitation. They had already weighed everything before leaving, and each household knew how much they had, so they trusted Ding Heli and Fan Jin to handle it.

Having not sold rabbits for a while, some households bought more than usual, so this time the sales were quicker than before.

Finishing early, Li Wen suggested, “Let’s go check for any notices at the yamen gate.”

This was always a concern for the village elders, hoping for tax relief after the disaster. They no longer hoped for disaster relief grain, but with the severe flooding, the court should reduce taxes.

“Right! Even if it’s not three years of tax exemption, any reduction would help. The court can’t ignore the people’s suffering.”

“Let’s go check. And I need to buy a hairpin and red ribbons for my daughter at the general store.”

“Same here, my sister asked for a hairpin and red ribbons too.”

The group, led by Hu Wenhua, who could read, headed to the government office.

Meanwhile, Fan Qian and his two sons had separated from the group upon entering the city.

Fan Jin and Ding Heli went to sell herbs, and the villagers went to sell rabbits. They had nothing to sell and didn’t want to waste time like last time.

They went straight to the side gate of the yamen. After informing the gatekeeper, they waited a long time before seeing the tardy arrival of Fan Damu.

Fan Damu, looking impatient and yawning, asked, “What is it? The city is not safe lately, with many wealthy households being robbed. Why did you come?”

The chaos in Nandu had reached Guangning Prefecture. Though delayed, it had arrived.

County Magistrate Wu was overwhelmed with complaints and pleas from merchants and wealthy households to catch the culprits, and the yamen had increased its defenses. Fan Damu hadn’t slept well for days and had no time to deal with these peasants.

Fan Erzhu, bowing, stated their purpose, “We came to ask, Uncle, if there’s any news about tax relief from the court. Have you heard anything?”

Mention of this perked Fan Damu up.

Fan Damu’s eyes darted around as he sighed, “The court hasn’t issued any decrees. Even if Magistrate Wu cares for the people like his children, he can’t do anything.”

In truth, the court had issued a decree, but Magistrate Wu had suppressed it. Only the southern part of Guangning Prefecture was severely affected by the floods; the eastern, western, and northern parts had some harvest, albeit less than usual. The taxes collected from these areas would fill Magistrate Wu’s coffers. With the post-flood grain prices soaring, selling the grain would yield a hefty profit.

But how could he share this with them? They were supposed to obediently gather grain or silver to pay their taxes. Fan Qian and his two sons felt a chill in their hearts.

They had painstakingly planted seven or eight acres of land, yet the court wasn’t reducing their taxes at all. How could they survive?

Wanting to curse but not daring to, Fan Erzhu lowered his voice and pleaded, “Uncle Damu, could you please speak to the magistrate on our behalf to reduce our taxes?”

Before Fan Damu could refuse, he hastily added, “Uncle Damu, don’t worry. The other families in our village have money and grain; they don’t need your help. Only our family needs your assistance!”

Fan Damu hesitated, remembering what Fan Qian had mentioned about the villagers selling rabbits. A peculiar feeling stirred within him.

“Do they really have money and grain?”

“How could we lie to you, Uncle Damu? You wouldn’t believe how profitable those rabbits are. The villagers sell a batch every now and then, earning at least one or two taels of silver per batch. They’re making a lot of money!

“Oh, and they’ve started selling medicinal herbs again. They brought several large sacks this time. Uncle Damu, you’re not in the village, so you don’t know. Nowadays, every household is well-off, with plenty of money and leisure!”

“Yes, they earn enough from one batch of rabbits to buy winter clothes for the whole family! They look down on us.”

“Who knows how much silver they’re making from the herbs? They don’t have anywhere to spend it, so they must be saving it all. Imagine how much savings they must have!”

As Fan Damu listened, his initial vague thoughts solidified. A glint of malevolence flickered in his beady eyes.

Meanwhile, Li Wen and the group, having found nothing on the bulletin board outside the yamen, turned back towards the general store. As they did, they noticed three familiar figures.

“Strange, didn’t Fan Qian say they were going to buy salt? What are they doing at the back gate of the yamen?”

“Probably looking for Fan Damu. They are cousins, after all. Let’s not worry about it. We should hurry and buy our stuff so we can meet up with Uncle Ding and the others.”

“We don’t get to sell rabbits often, so we should buy everything we need in one go.”

“Yes, let’s get the hairpins and red ribbons first!”

The group dismissed thoughts of Fan Qian and his sons, cheerfully heading to the general store.

Each had been asked by their daughters or sisters to buy something. These young girls, after finally earning some money, wanted to buy things they liked. The men couldn’t bear to let them down by not fulfilling their promises.

Hu Wenhua thought of a gentle, graceful figure. Even though he knew he couldn’t give the gift, he still followed the others into the general store with a spring in his step.