Chapter 141: Buying Locusts ( 2 )

Chapter 141: Buying Locusts ( 2 ) While the Yang brothers went to inform the villagers, the Village Chief’s family, Fu Chen’an, and Yao Zhi went to the village hall.


When they arrived, the soldiers had packed up and were ready to leave. Seeing Fu Chen’an, they saluted him and said in unison, "Greetings, Squad Leader Fu!"


Fu Chen’an raised his hand and asked, "Have all of you eaten?"


"Squad Leader Fu, we have eaten."


Although he knew that the soldiers had only drunk some gruel given by the villagers, Fu Chen’an didn’t say anything. He would give them some steamed buns when they went back to the barracks.


Half an hour later, the villagers finally arrived. When they saw that everyone had been called over, one of them asked, "Village Chief, why did you gather everyone here?"


"Did something happen? I still have so much work to do at home. Please make it fast," another villager asked.


The villagers were chatting in low voices with their friends and families. Despite their low voices, when everyone talked at the same time, the sound was loud.


The Village Chief raised his hand and said, "Everyone, please listen to me first."


A few minutes later, the village hall finally returned to tranquility. Except for some hushed whispers, no one was talking.


The Village Chief glanced at everyone before he said, "Everyone, I gathered you all today to announce something. I know that everyone is busy sweeping the locusts, so I will make it short."


"Squad Leader Fu wants to buy the locusts from you all. The price is 2 wen for 10 jin of locusts. If you dry your locusts, you will get 7 wen for 20 jin of dried locusts."


As soon as he finished his words, the villagers broke out in commotion. Everyone couldn’t believe that someone would want to buy locusts.


"Village Chief, you are not lying to us, are you? Locusts are pests. Besides eating our crops, they don’t have other uses!"


"I know it sounds unbelievable, but it’s true. You don’t have to care about what Squad Leader Fu wants to do with these locusts. You just need to tell me if you want to sell them or not," the Village Chief replied.


"Of course, we will sell them! Only a fool would refuse money!"


"Village Chief, although dried locusts are more expensive, it takes a long time to sun-dry them. I will just sell them directly for 2 wen for 10 jin."


Hearing this, the Village Chief said, "You can roast these locusts using a pan over a small fire. As long as they are dried properly, you will get paid accordingly."


When the villagers heard this, their eyes lit up. If they could dry the locusts by roasting them, then it wouldn’t take a long time. After all, firewood was free. They only needed to pick it up in the mountain foothills.


Families with many children were the most excited.


The children could help them collect the locusts and firewood. The adults only needed to roast the locusts. If they divided the work, they might be able to get 500 jin a day.


That was a total of 175 wen, which was equal to 22 days’ worth of wages for working in town!


When they reached this conclusion, the villagers were no longer skeptical. Who cared if these locusts had a good use or not? As long as they could earn money, they would do anything!


"Village Chief, my family will sell them!"


"My family will do it, too!"


With more and more people agreeing to collect the locusts, the Village Chief raised his hand and said, "After you collect or dry your locusts, you can bring them to my place. I will weigh them and pay you."


After they heard his words, the villagers quickly took their leave and went to inform their families in other villages. The more they could sell, the better.


When everyone had left, Yao Zhi turned to the Village Chief and took out a pouch from her sleeve. "Village Chief, I’m sorry for troubling you with this matter. This is 10 taels of silver. If it’s not enough, just let me know."


"Yao Girl, you don’t have to be so polite with my family and me. Your husband has helped us a lot over the years. It’s only right for us to help you with this small matter," the Village Chief’s wife said as she accepted the pouch.


Now that they had settled the matter regarding collecting the materials, Fu Chen’an said, "Village Chief, I need to go back to the barracks to report, so we will take our leave now."


Hearing this, the Village Chief bowed to them and said, "Everyone, on behalf of the villagers, I thank you for your help."


The soldiers returned his bow and replied in unison, "Village Chief, you are too kind. This is what we should do."


After they exchanged a few words, the soldiers followed Fu Chen’an and Yao Zhi.


They didn’t leave immediately but returned to Fu Chen’an’s home first. While the soldiers waited in the yard, Yao Zhi quickly filled two waterskins with boiled water and added 5 drops of spiritual spring water to each waterskin.


When she came out of the kitchen, Fu Chen’an was waiting in the yard. Seeing her, he walked over and took the bamboo basket from her.


Yao Zhi let go of the bamboo basket and handed the two waterskins to him. "Husband, I added some medicinal extract to this water. Drink it every day to nourish your body. Also, take good care of yourself and remember to rest."


Fu Chen’an listened to her nagging patiently and nodded. "I will listen to you and take care of myself."


"When everything calms down, I will go visit you in the barracks."


"Okay."


Before leaving, Fu Chen’an gave his wife a hug and said, "Wife, I will miss you."


This was the first time Yao Zhi had heard such words. Her face flushed instantly. But before she could respond, her husband had already let her go and left in large strides.