Chapter 123: Rumors About Yi Zhonghai

In the evening, Yang Qing returned with a basket hanging from his waist.

As he moved, frog croaks could still be heard.

Upon seeing Chen Xuesen, Yang Qing gave a warm welcome.

"Today you're in for a treat; I caught nearly two jin of grasshoppers, one jin of cicada, three snakes, and five frogs."

"Also, from some traps set yesterday, I collected nearly two jin of mole crickets."

Knowing they were coming, Yang Qing also put in hard work, leaving in the morning and not returning until night.

Wu Sujie shivered all over as she listened to Yang Qing's words.

"Are we eating these today?"

Jiedao provides subsidies, doesn't it?

Why are we given these to eat? Are you trying to waste our subsidies?

Chen Xuesen, despite his broad experience, showed little reaction and explained to his female student.

"At a time like this, being able to have a meat meal is already good; you're still picking at it?"

"Believe it or not, Brother Yang, if we take these to the Pigeon Market to sell, we could get at least a dozen yuan."

The three students let out a "wow" together.

"So many?"

"Then are we being too extravagant?"

Yang Qing waved his hand.

"Not extravagant, not extravagant; we caught them to eat."

"It can't be counted as money."

"At a time like this, what food can be sold cheap at the Pigeon Market?"

"Even a jin of white flour costs over a yuan."

"If you calculate it like that, who in this world can still afford a meal?"

"These are caught from the fields, they're free."

Chen Xuesen was very pleased to hear Yang Qing's words; he is a person who knows how to treat others.

Dealing with such a person is much more comfortable.

Emotional intelligence can be very useful at times.

Chen Hong, due to recent habits, has become accustomed to these things.

The old lady, seeing the basket full of grasshoppers, happily took it.

"I'll handle the mole crickets and grasshoppers, soak them in brine, remove the dirt, disinfect, and get rid of the insects."

Honestly, it's too extravagant to use table salt.

You should know that in the year '60, salt required a ration ticket.

It wasn't until the following year, '62, that the salt tickets were abolished.

One person gets one jin per month; the Yang Family's three members get three jin.

However, Yang Qing uses little salt when cooking, keeping dishes light, so each month he can save more than a jin.

Seeing Wu Sujie's surprised expression, Chen Hong explained.

"We're using the salt left over from previous mole cricket and grasshopper processing."

"Our family has been eating these for over a month now."

"We recycle this salt."

Speaking, she went back to the room, fetched a jar, and carefully poured the water from the jar out.

The water was slightly yellow.

After the water was poured out, Chen Hong scooped a ladle of water from the water jar, poured it in, gave it a rinse, and then poured it into the night bucket.

The mole crickets and grasshoppers were each rinsed once and all were thrown into the brine.

Now they finally understood; the others were being frugal, and they had been mistaken.

While Yang Qing and the others were sorting these edibles.

Xu Damao came in, bringing Lou Xiao'e along.

He was thick‑skinned; after learning the old lady's identity, he again flattered his way forward.

Yang Qing was unperturbed, pretended nothing had happened, and maintained a superficial brotherly rapport.

Even though both sides knew there was no turning back.

"Yang Qing, look what I brought for you."

Xu Damao held up a salted fish as if fearing no one would see it.

Yang Qing walked over and caught it directly.

"Look at you, you came and still bring something."

"Sister‑in‑law Xiao'e, you haven't come to give me a lesson in a long time."

Being teased by Yang Qing, Lou Xiao'e blushed, and Xu Damao felt extremely disgusted.

He realized Yang Qing was joking with him, and that someone else would throw a mouse into his house at night.

"Go, go, go, stop always making moves on your sister‑in‑law; San Da Ye is the teacher, you don't go after the ready‑made, you think of my daughter‑in‑law every day."

"You've ruined my daughter‑in‑law's reputation."

"Jia Family sister‑in‑law is pregnant; Brother Dong Xu is magnanimous and doesn't mind."

"My family's basket can't do it, our reputation is thin, and my father‑in‑law is also strict."

With a few words, Xu Damao shut Yang Qing's mouth.

Yang Qing was delighted.

Fine, little E's sister-in-law will be kept in a golden house by you.

He said, letting the person in.

Some did the Household Chores, others helped.

The work was bustling.

Yang Qing started cooking, and Xu Damao came over.

Have you heard your wife became a Jiedao commissioner?

Specifically in charge of vegetable planting?

Yang Qing nodded.

Everyone knew about this last night, and you only just found out?

What's up, any ideas?

Xu Damao gave him a sideways glance.

Hey, why would I care? I'm not lacking food.

Just lately Yi Zhonghai has been quiet; could he be plotting something bad?

For example, this matter concerning your wife.

If he tries to sabotage you, your wife might not do well, which could affect her position?

Yang Qing thought, it's indeed possible; this task is already somewhat difficult, and if Yi Zhonghai meddles again, it could very well fail.

He turned his thoughts and asked softly.

Have you heard any legends lately?

Xu Damao perked up.

What legend?

Yang Qing lowered his voice.

The story that Jia Zhangshi and Yi Zhonghai cannot avoid telling.

Xu Damao became excited upon hearing that.

Damn, you've heard this rumor too?

I heard it a few days ago too, but I don't know who started this rumor.

Yang Qing gave a hehe laugh.

You don't see what I do; in our circle, this is no longer a secret.

It's because your steel mill is strictly managed, plus Yi Zhonghai's position there, that nothing happens; who would dare to frame him for no reason?

But if this rumor had some evidence to back it up…………

Yang Qing stopped speaking, but Xu Damao understood.

Exactly, this rumor sounds false at first listen; I don't know which fool made it up, it's really crude.

But if we tweak it a bit, hehehe……….

Xu Damao was inwardly excited to no end.

He didn't know that the fool in his words was He Yuzhu, the one who killed him; he never would have thought He Yuzhu would frame Yi Zhonghai.

And He Yuzhu, who was cooking at home, wondered why his fabricated rumor had yet to provoke any reaction.

What a good name, the story that Yi Zhonghai and Jia Zhangshi cannot avoid telling.

How attractive is it?

But why won't it spread?

Although he was anxious inside, he didn't dare to inquire about the details.

If this matter were exposed, he'd be finished; Yi Zhonghai would surely retaliate against him.

Shall we join forces with Xu Damao?

Thinking this over, he shook his head; no, Xu Damao is too unreliable, and we have a grudge—who knows if after spreading the rumor he'd sell him out.

Forget it, Ma De, wait a bit longer; a gentleman's revenge can wait ten years.

Just then Liu Shumin returned with lunchboxes for her mother and younger brother.