The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 337 - 326: Bustling

Chapter 337: Chapter 326: Bustling

Luojiang County is busiest at only two times, after the autumn harvest and before the New Year.

In past years, the post-harvest bustle could be delayed until the Double Ninth Festival, since after harvesting the grains, there was still the matter of preparing for tax payment.

But this year there were no taxes, and the levies had been reduced appropriately, so everyone had some spare time before the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Villages like Qili Village, which had decided to plant winter wheat, took advantage of this interval to visit the county town.

So the streets were very lively, rivaling the hustle and bustle of the New Year preparations, and thus Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang flanked Manbao on either side and walked her forward.

As for everyone else, they naturally stuck with their own parents.

Zhou Erlang knew that it was the Mid-Autumn Festival today and that business would surely be exceptionally good, so how could he afford to miss this opportunity to make money?

Zhou Dalang wasn’t willing to miss out either, so last night they soaked twice as many beans, and got up at dawn to grind the beans into tofu. Only with the tofu ready, Ms. Feng and the others also prepared the vegetables they were going to sell today.

Due to the high turnout of people heading into town, the Zhou Family brought three times more goods to the city than usual.

The County Magistrate Fu, being unusually generous this time, announced that entry into the city would be free today, and anyone without weapons could enter, free of charge!

With more people coming into the city today, naturally there were more sellers. Fortunately, the gang leader who usually patrolled the streets collecting protection money, after eating countless tofu from Zhou Erlang, specially reserved his usual spot for him.

Zhou Erlang, who had arrived late due to carrying many goods and people, was overjoyed. He directly gave the man three or four large pieces of tofu, and of course, the protection money as well.

After setting up his goods at the stall, Zhou Erlang looked up to see his family members filling the space in front of his stall and immediately waved them away disdainfully, "Go about your business, I’m fine here."

Zhou Dalang then said, "I’ll stay with you, and let Third take the kids to have fun."

Junior Ms. Qian said to Zhou Sanlang, "Sister-in-law rarely comes to the county town, you should take Second Son with you to Jishi Hall, it’s just ten coins."

Ever since Ms. He saw Ms. Chen’s difficult labor, she had been somewhat uneasy. Junior Ms. Qian knew about her worries, and seeing that they had come to the county town, thought it best to have a doctor look at her.

Zhou Sanlang naturally agreed and scooped up Second Son into his arms, protecting Ms. He as they headed to the pharmacy.

Junior Ms. Qian and Ms. Feng decided to take the remaining children for a walk, not intending to buy anything particularly expensive, but their homes could use a replenishment of needles and thread.

If they could get some leftover scraps from the fabric store, that would be even better.

Zhou Xi was, of course, with them.

They had many children to watch, but Datou, Daya, Second Son and Erya were regulars in the county town, even more familiar with it than their own mothers.

With them also able to help watch over their younger siblings, the older children took charge of the younger ones, and with the adults keeping an eye out, there was not much to worry about.

After the group had discussed and agreed, they set off.

Junior Ms. Qian and her group quickly led away a line of children, clearing the space in front of the stall considerably.

Customers drawn to the stall by the crowd quickly moved in to ask, "What’s so bustling about your stall?"

Zhou Erlang immediately greeted them warmly, "Various vegetables, also tofu, live fish and fried small fish."

Picking up a wooden bucket, Zhou Erlang gestured to the live fish inside and said cheerfully, "Caught yesterday from the river, they were kept overnight, which lessened the earthy taste but they’re still very fresh. It’s Mid-Autumn Festival today, why not buy one to try?"

Customers who initially came to buy vegetables hesitated before asking, "How much per pound?"

"Not expensive, not expensive, ten coins a pound, cheaper than pork. Eating fish regularly promotes longevity!"

"Is that claim backed up?"

"Of course it is, said by someone very capable, who has read lots of books." — His little sister, Manbao.

Zhou Silang, finding himself with nothing to do, turned to look at Manbao, only to see her sneakily picking out and eating small fish from a basin. He silently took Ms. Fang’s hand and said, "Let’s go wander around on our own."

Ms. Fang hesitated, "Shouldn’t we stay and help?"

"Big Brother and Second Brother are enough. Don’t worry, Second Brother has been running a stall for so many years, there won’t be enough customers for him to attend to."

Manbao wasn’t just eating by herself; she was also picking out small fish for Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother.

Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang looked around, Manbao would feed them a fish, and they’d eat one. After Zhou Dalang and Zhou Erlang dispatched another group of customers, they finally noticed what was happening.

Zhou Erlang swatted Manbao’s hand away, took a dry leaf, packed some small fish in it, handed it to her, and said, "Go and have fun now, we need to leave early today."

Manbao accepted it with delight, contented, and walked away with Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother.

They didn’t go straight to find Second Miss Fu to play, but started wandering the streets first.

This very morning, Manbao had taken twenty coins from both Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother’s savings, and then she decided to just follow them and enjoy the food courtesy of their budgets.

In their rush to leave this morning, each had only eaten a bowl of thin porridge and tofu.

After walking for a while, Manbao felt hungry again, and not to mention Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang who had secretly snatched the small fish to eat.

So, when they reached a wonton stall, Manbao couldn’t move on.

Zhou Wulang also swallowed his saliva and stepped forward to inquire, "How much for a bowl of wontons?"

It was before noon, and the stall wasn’t yet crowded with diners, so the owner had the chance to glance at the three children and said with a smile, "Six coins a bowl."

Zhou Liulang whispered, "That’s expensive, I think it was five coins before."

Although he had never eaten them, he had often come to the county to sell candy and had always seen others eat them. He’d wanted to try them more than once.

The stall owner overheard and explained, "That’s considered cheap. Back in May and June, it was ten coins a bowl. Even though the harvest is over, the grain prices have risen, at six coins a bowl, we’re barely making a profit."

Manbao thought it made sense, as their own vegetables were selling for a bit more than usual.

Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang obviously knew this too, so after only a moment of hesitation, they said, "Give us three bow—no, two bowls."

Zhou Wulang said to Manbao, "Let’s eat less, in case we find something else tasty later."

Manbao felt that Fifth Brother had a point and nodded in agreement.

The stall owner, accustomed to the situation, cheerily prepared two bowls of wontons for them and even gave them an extra bowl.

Manbao thanked him happily, took the empty bowl, and sat to one side waiting for her brothers to share the food with her.

Fu Wenyun pushed open the window facing the street, and looking down, she saw her.

There was no helping it; Manbao stood out, so fair and plump, among the swarthier rural folk, attracting attention.

Fu Wenyun couldn’t help smiling and turned to Qiuyue, "Quick, invite Manbao up."