Chapter 59

The discussion on the open ground was lively and animated. However, once Shuiqing appeared, it immediately quieted down to the point where you could hear a pin drop.

This was an unspoken agreement formed during their previous sales of chicken-head rice. With so many people around, even a slight disturbance during the weighing and counting could lead to interruptions or mistakes.

Everyone spontaneously kept their mouths shut and waited quietly.

Shuiqing looked at the neatly arranged bamboo baskets and crates on the ground, her joy evident more than anyone else’s.

She first announced the exchange rates: “The opened umbrella mushrooms have lost much of their freshness and tenderness. Consequently, they can be exchanged for the least amount of rice.”

Upon hearing this, the women waiting in line gradually relaxed their anxious hearts.

It was normal that the opened umbrella mushrooms, lacking in freshness and taste, could only be exchanged for a small amount of rice, especially since they were used to make soup with tender ones.

The older ones were chopped up to feed the chickens and ducks.

“So, for the opened umbrella mushrooms, it’s three pounds of rice.”

Many women were surprised, their mouths gaping in disbelief: Could they really snatch back those umbrella mushrooms that had been fed to the chickens and ducks?

One pound of opened umbrella mushrooms could be exchanged for three pounds of rice! Suddenly, they felt that the chickens and ducks at home were quite expensive!

Shuiqing continued, “For the unopened ones, it’s four pounds for one pound. The skirt mushrooms are also four pounds for one pound. Did you hear that clearly? If you have any ideas, feel free to speak up.”

“Are they dried or fresh?”

Shuiqing replied, “Fresh.” After all, most people preferred fresh mushrooms.

Upon hearing that they were fresh, Mrs. Li excitedly grabbed her daughter’s hand and stuttered, “Quick, daughter, go back and tell the whole family to hurry up and pick mushrooms on the mountain!”

Without waiting for her mother to finish, Lidiantian ran swiftly towards home.

At this moment, the other women were both delighted and anxious, wishing they could send messages to their families not to eat lunch and hurry to the mountains to pick mushrooms!

One pound exchanged for four pounds of rice! They would go mushroom-picking even in the evening.

“God bless, let it rain every day.”

“If not, it’s fine if it rains every three days.”

The crowd that had lined up to weigh their goods were no longer as leisurely as before; they ran back home as if their feet were oiled, fearing that one less word might mean one less mushroom.

With mushrooms to pick, and the mushrooms they picked could still be exchanged for real food, the entire village was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

At the same time, Fandamu, Fanqian, and Wang Mazao also had smiles on their faces, sweeping away the gloom of the past ten days.

During these days, except for Zhang Tuzi, who remained lazy and unaffected, the days for these three families were not easy.

Especially Wang Mazao, his half-month at home could be described as very difficult.

In the past, he had been the head of the household, and what he said was law. Who dared not listen to him? Who dared to argue?

But after the return, Fan Jin no longer accepted the chicken-head rice from his family, and apart from these few households, the village was lively, and he wanted to provoke them, and others didn’t pay attention to him!

His family mocked him even more, pointing fingers and insulting him, especially several daughters-in-law who dared to openly call him old and confused, greedy and narrow-minded. He had instructed his son to beat his daughter-in-law with a stick, but his son said he should rest well when he was old, and not cause trouble at home.

Did he cause all this? Clearly, several daughters-in-law didn’t respect him as their father!

He looked at the fat man walking at the front in red and purple clothes and said to Fan Qian next to him, “Today, a fellow student from Fan’s second son’s family has come. Let’s see how he defends himself!”

Fan Qian understood immediately and said confidently, “Later, we will expose his tricks in front of the villagers!

Not only will he not be able to stay in our village, but he will also have no place to stand in the academy, in the capital, or in front of his fellow students.”

Fan Daqi, who was leading the way, heard the conversation between the two behind him and sighed deeply, “I never thought my cousin, as a scholar, would not learn propriety, integrity, and shame, but instead learned to deceive and cheat, pretending to be more than he is!

But does he not consider that this is not a long-term solution? The food he exchanges can only sustain him temporarily. In the long run, if he runs out of food, won’t he be exposed? Moreover, the food may have been obtained on credit under the name of his wealthy brother!”

“Letting him ruin his own reputation is one thing, but now he’s dragging you, Brother Fugui, down with him. His intentions are truly malicious.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Fugui found it quite reasonable and vigorously nodded his head in agreement.

It had just rained, and his brocade shoes were now muddied as he walked on the muddy ground. Even the hem of his long robe was splattered with mud. Originally feeling annoyed about this, after hearing Fan Damu’s words, he suddenly felt that compared to the stains on his clothes and shoes, the blemish on his reputation was intolerable.

“We absolutely cannot let Fan Jin deceive and swagger under my name!”

“I initially thought to forgive him in front of our classmates, but upon further thought, his deceit towards the villagers not only tarnishes his and my reputation, but also the reputation of our academy’s scholars and all scholars across the realm!”

Fan Damu and the others echoed in agreement, “Exactly! Brother Fugui is truly selfless.”

“Mr. Zhao’s words are absolutely correct.”

“The reputation of scholars across the realm must not be tainted by Fan Jin.”

As they passed by their own homes, they each gathered their families to increase their momentum.

Fan Qian and Fan Damu’s families all appeared, but Wang Mazao’s sons and daughters-in-law adamantly refused to listen to him this time.

Enraged, Wang Mazao stomped at the door, cursing, “A bunch of ignorant fools! Not worth a damn, not even as good as eating shit!”

“When I become rich, don’t come crawling back to me, begging for recognition!”

“I won’t recognize you! Can’t you behave properly, causing trouble even at your age, harming your children and daughters-in-law?”

“Daughter-in-law, persuade your father to behave. Our lives were already not bad. Why make things worse?”

“To hell with all of you! Who dares teach me how to live my life?”

Seeing that Wang Mazao wouldn’t listen to reason, his curses grew even harsher, and each household slammed their doors shut.

“Just wait until I come back to beat some sense into you!” Wang Mazao, unable to move his sons and daughters-in-law, continued to curse bitterly, then stormed off with a dark expression.

Neighbors shook their heads silently at the difficulty the elderly had preparing meals.

It’s easier to live peacefully when the elderly are in good health.

Wang Mazao was creating such unrest at home; in the future, his family might have to split up like Fan’s younger son.

But perhaps it’s better to split up. Having such an unreasonable father who meddles in everything, how could his sons and daughters-in-law have any peace…

Zhang Tuzi was initially swayed but stopped moving after remembering the words of the old village chief.

Why bother being so diligent?

He might as well lie down; as long as there’s a place to lie down, whether the food is good or not doesn’t matter much.

Seeing Zhang Tuzi also unmoved, Fan Qian and the others cursed angrily.

Finally, they sorted it out: Wang Mazao’s family had only him, Fan Damu’s family had thirteen from the oldest to the youngest, and Fan Qian’s family had nine.

Bai Ziqian was also included.

He looked at the fat man in front, dressed in purple-red robes and an arrogant expression.