Chapter 210: I Have an Emergency Plan

Zhou Dasao originally thought selling green beans would earn more; in early summer, when they were just harvested, the price was still okay.

The couple counted their copper coins, laughing happily; Old Zhou even said they were lucky not to have fully listened to Gu Xixi, otherwise they wouldn't have earned so much.

But after three or four days, they gradually couldn't laugh anymore.

In the county town, more and more people were selling green beans; besides them, these vegetable farmers, even ordinary households that grew more than they could eat also carried baskets and hawked along the streets.

The price of green beans dropped several times a day; in the morning it was one price, by noon it was halved.

In the afternoon, the vegetables weren't as brightly colored, so they sold for a penny a pile; otherwise they wouldn't sell at all today.

In the past couple of days, green beans have become even cheaper.

The Zhou family has been eating green beans for every meal lately; not to mention the kids fussing about not wanting rice, even the two adults have grown tired of them.

Last night lying in bed, Old Zhou comforted his wife, "Don't worry, just take whatever money you can get."

"Before, we guarded those few fields to grow grain; we didn't have this way to make money, yet we still got by, right?"

"Now at least we can exchange some copper coins by selling vegetables every day; it's much better than before."

It's not easy for ordinary farming households to earn copper coins; besides selling some grain after the summer harvest for money, common methods also include raising chickens, saving eggs to exchange for money, or directly trading with peddlers for necessities like needles and thread.

As for activities like hunting, gathering herbs, and selling vegetables, they all require skill; it's not something just anyone can do.

Otherwise, Gu Daye's family wouldn't have monopolized the vegetable farmer's position, refusing to teach anyone else no matter what.

Zhou Dasao sighed, "What you say is correct, but I just regret it."

"I really should have planted fewer green beans and more coriander."

"Look at our coriander; as soon as we put down the carrying pole in the morning, it sells out before long."

"Three times over—the price of coriander is still this much higher than that of green beans!"

At this moment, facing Gu Xixi again, Zhou Dasao thought of the price difference between coriander and green beans, and her heart ached in twinges.

"It's all my fault; I didn't listen to you back then and planted those green beans, and now… sigh!"

Gu Xixi wasn't angry at all; she often went to various orchards to give technical guidance, so she naturally knew early on about the Zhou family planting too many green beans.

The reason she didn't stop them was that this small flaw was no big deal and really didn't constitute a mistake.

Instead, it could let the farming households take a lesson entitled "Market".

As the saying goes, experiencing something once teaches you for good; only by going through it yourself can it be etched deep into your heart.

Gu Xixi said, "The green beans are already planted; rather than regretting them, it's better to think about how to turn waste into treasure."

Old Zhou knew a few characters and understood Gu Xixi's meaning.

The usually silent he hurriedly asked, "Turning waste into treasure? Is there a way to turn unwanted green beans into valuables?"

Zhou Dasao asked, "You mean the pickled vegetables you just mentioned, Xixi?"

The money spent buying the vegetable seeds had already been recovered; they originally thought that even if these unwanted green beans could be sold off without profit, it would already be a blessing from heaven.

Who would have thought Gu Xixi would actually propose turning waste into treasure.

Facing the couple, who were half-believing, half-doubting, yet their eyes held a hopeful anticipation.

Gu Xixi smiled and then gave the options again: "There are three methods; the first yields the lowest profit but saves effort and trouble, with the lowest cost—just don't pick them, let the green beans grow naturally and age, then finally shell the beans."

"The second is to harvest them, dry them into green bean sticks; in autumn and winter everyone wants to store winter vegetables, plus locals love hot soup noodles and stewed dishes, so when the time comes to bring them out, there's no worry about not selling, with relatively low cost and moderate profit."

"The third is to make them into pickles; the cost is moderate, but the profit is highest—only there is risk."

The Zhou couple spoke in unison, "What risk?"

Hearing that the profit is highest, who could not be moved?

Gu Xixi said, "Sour green beans and pickled coriander—these two taste best when fresh."

"So you're betting that, at most about ten days from now, after the Northwest Army finishes its reorganization, it will reopen the county town as usual."

Old Zhou frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "We're betting!"

Gu Xixi reminded, "You won't discuss it again? If you exceed the time limit and still can't enter the town to sell goods, even the seasoning money will have to be thrown in."

Old Zhou lifted his head, gave a carefree smile, "That wouldn't be wasted either; worst case, we keep it for ourselves to eat slowly, which is still better than letting it rot in the field."

He frankly told Gu Xixi, "We're right near the border; even if there's fighting, it would be outward, so as long as the Northwest Army doesn't suffer defeat, the flames couldn't reach Qing Tian County."

"Besides, if there's no war, life must go on as usual; the people in the county town don't farm, so if the gates stay shut and we're not allowed in, what would they eat?"

Gu Xixi smiled and nodded, "I only lay out the pros and cons; you just need to consider them yourselves."

She looked at this Old Zhou with newfound respect.

In the past few villagers' meetings, Old Zhou never spoke up first, never spoke at all; usually when everyone gathered outside to eat and chat, you couldn't even see his shadow.

He seemed like someone with no presence, yet whenever faced with a decision, he could boldly make a choice.

Old Zhou looked at his wife, "Sour green beans and pickled coriander—although we've never eaten them, just hearing about them makes the mouth water; let's go back and start making them soon."

Zhou Dasao gave him a sideways glance and scolded, "What do you mean, do this, do that? You men always think making food is so simple—just move your hands and it's done!"

Old Zhou was taken aback, then realized, "You don't know how to make this?"

Zhou Dasao snapped, "Our family only pickles mustard greens at the start of winter and has salty snow-in-red; where have we ever eaten the two kinds Xixi mentioned?"

Just hearing Gu Xixi describe the flavor, Zhou Dasao had no confidence she could make it.

But Gu Xixi had already prepared; she took out a folded piece of paper, "I remember Zhou Dage is literate—this is the pickle recipe, with ingredients, steps, and pickling time all clearly written."

Old Zhou and Zhou Dasao looked at each other, both showing delighted expressions.

The two repeatedly bowed to Gu Xixi in quick succession.

Zhou Dasao said shamefacedly, "I didn't fully listen to your words, yet you're still willing to help us."

"Now I truly understand what 'sending charcoal in the snow' means."

"You are truly magnanimous; some people in the village talk about you like that, showing they are blind and deaf, making wild guesses, and even spreading lies one after another..."

Seeing his wife's emotions run high and her words going too far, Old Zhou hurriedly urged, "All right."

"Don't say these unpleasant things in front of Boss Gu."

He solemnly said to Gu Xixi, "Everywhere has a few muddle-headed gossips; there's no need to bring trouble on yourself for them."

Gu Xixi smiled faintly, "I understand."

Madam Zhou had already spoken candidly to Gu Xixi, "Actually everyone deep down respects you; only those few people are jumping around, they're just grasshoppers after autumn, looking tough but actually just jealous."

Besides the matter of that old bachelor, although nobody knows the details, the thing was handled by Lao Qian; they dare not speak ill of Lao Qian, instead they say you're formidable, and even claim no one dares to marry you.

"Nonsense!" Madam Zhou spat and laughed scornfully, "You don't have a ready-made Mr. Chen in your family? That's actually the most outstanding man in our village!"