Chapter 706

Moving from Qin Family Village to Changshui Village, another warehouse was emptied.

The bed of the Liberation-brand truck was packed full.

After completing the handover procedures, Li Bin and the others returned to their unit by truck.

Cao Weiguo didn't return to the city with the truck; instead, he went to Wu Lingyun's home.

Wu Lingyun's grandfather was a large landowner, and his father was a former soldier...

Because of his family background, he was heavily discriminated against and ostracized in the village.

He was often bullied while doing farm work, and his life was a mess.

However, this man was educated and had a flexible mind.

While working in the fields, he heard Li Dasheng's wife chatting with others.

He learned that Cao Weiguo had spent a large sum of money to buy a table.

This allowed him to smell an opportunity to improve his life.

When Cao Weiguo came to procure goods, he approached him holding an inconspicuous, old folding stool.

It caught Cao Weiguo's attention at a single glance.

The material of that inconspicuous folding stool was actually yellow rosewood.

Both men were smart; they didn't need to speak, a look was enough.

When Cao Weiguo left the village, Wu Lingyun was already waiting at the village entrance.

Cao Weiguo, delighted by the find, traded twenty catties of white flour for the folding stool.

This folding stool had a significant origin; made of yellow rosewood, it was a palace utensil, crafted with great sophistication.

Through this folding stool, Wu Lingyun boarded Cao Weiguo's boat.

From time to time, he would bring out old items to trade with Cao Weiguo in private.

He secretly began a life where he no longer had to go hungry.

This time at Wu Lingyun's home, Cao Weiguo saw something good again.

A piece of Ming Dynasty Yongle lacquerware: a carved red plate with a flower-offering design in a rhombus shape.

The plate was rhombus-shaped with a matching ring base; the center of the plate was carved with pavilions, ancient pines, distant mountains, and flowing clouds, with an old man sitting in the pavilion looking outward.

In the courtyard, a young boy held flowers, with a flower basket on the ground to his left and a wine bottle to his right, while two old men watched from behind.

The scene depicted the legend of Han Xiangzi demonstrating his ability to make flowers bloom instantly in front of Han Yu, to guide Han Yu to immortality.

The inner and outer walls of the plate were carved with alternating floral patterns on a yellow lacquer background, including peonies, gardenias, camellias, chrysanthemums, and pomegranate flowers.

The outer bottom was lacquered in ochre, with the inscription "Made in the Yongle Reign of the Great Ming" carved in running script near the base on the left.

Cao Weiguo touched the carvings: "Brother Wu, this thing is not bad, name your price."

Wu Lingyun was not polite: "Ten catties of white flour, three catties of pork, fifty eggs."

For Cao Weiguo, these things were just a drizzle.

However, bargaining was still necessary.

He couldn't let Wu Lingyun's appetite grow too large.

The item in his hand was a treasure worthy of being placed in a museum.

But it depended on the timing!

In these times, even good treasures weren't worth much.

Even if taken to an antique shop, it wouldn't sell for much.

According to current market conditions, the price Wu Lingyun asked for was high!

Cao Weiguo said calmly: "Ten catties of white flour and three catties of pork are no problem, but I can only give you five eggs."

This price was very fair, and Wu Lingyun nodded with some disappointment: "Deal!"

Cao Weiguo put the item into his satchel: "I'll bring you the goods next time."

Wu Lingyun said mysteriously: "I've come across a piece of bronze ware, are you interested?"

Cao Weiguo: "Tell me about it."

Wu Lingyun perked up: "It's a plate, round, with two ears, and it has animal patterns on it."

Cao Weiguo asked: "How much do you want?"

Wu Lingyun: "If you're interested, ten yuan, and I'll find a way to get it for you."

Cao Weiguo said calmly: "Forget about money, bartering is fine."

Wu Lingyun was a bit disappointed, thought for a moment and said: "Then get me three bottles of Fen liquor."

Cao Weiguo: "I'll bring them to you next time, anything else?"

Wu Lingyun shook his head: "No."

"Be careful, don't be flashy."

Since there was nothing else, Cao Weiguo left a sentence and walked away decisively.

Without a bicycle, Cao Weiguo could only walk to the bus stop.

He waited for over an hour before the bus arrived.

The dirt road was full of potholes, and the bus swayed and shook.

When he got off, Cao Weiguo felt dizzy from all the shaking.

It took a while for him to catch his breath, then he shook his head and walked into the alley.

After turning several corners inside, when he came out, he had an extra net bag of apples in his hand.

After walking for over ten minutes, he arrived at the grain station located at Yongding Gate.

He saw Lou Xiaoe, dressed simply, at the grain station.

After her divorce, Lou Xiaoe returned to her parents' home.

Through her father's connections, she was arranged to work at the grain station.

Of course, Lou Xiaoe didn't go to work for the money.

First, it was to show her attitude of integrating with the working masses.

Second, it was to reduce talk about the capitalist young lady getting something for nothing.

Third, having a job kept her from being bored.

Seeing Cao Weiguo arrive at the grain station entrance,

Lou Xiaoe's eyes lit up immediately.

But neither of them spoke.

Cao Weiguo stayed for a few seconds and then left.

A few minutes later, Lou Xiaoe walked out of the grain station:

"Weiguo, why are you here!"

Cao Weiguo smiled: "Sister Xiaoe, you look really beautiful today."

Lou Xiaoe pouted coquettishly: "Stop with the sweet talk! Why aren't you at work?"

Cao Weiguo: "I missed you."

Lou Xiaoe's heart raced as she whispered:

"I get off work in half an hour."

"Find a place to wait for me."

Cao Weiguo looked at the bookstore nearby:

"I'll go to that bookstore."

Lou Xiaoe nodded: "Mm, I'll come find you after work." ===== CHAPTER 708 =====