"So much?" Shopkeeper Li was taken aback, believing that they would at most have a few hundred to a thousand pounds.
"Yes! If you can’t take it all, I’ll ask other families if they want some."
"No, don’t!" As soon as Yang Chuxia said that, Shopkeeper Li hastily yelled, "We can handle it! We’ll take whatever quantity you have."
Yang Chuxia was startled, "Can you make that decision? Don’t you need to consult with your boss?"
Shopkeeper Li laughed, "There’s no need. If our boss were here, they would surely have the same view as me. This product is fresh, so we can’t let it fall into the hands of competitors, right?"
With a little thought, Yang Chuxia understood Shopkeeper Li’s meaning.
However, considering that the wine house would need more than ten thousand pounds, especially since Ju De Lou was not their only establishment, he realized that even after dividing the product nationwide, they would not need much per location.
"Alright, everything is prepared at my home, just let me know when you’re ready to pick up the goods!"
Without intending to delay, Shopkeeper Li said directly, "I’ll have someone go pick it up tomorrow. Weighing and loading will be done at the same time, and we will exchange payment for goods then."
"In that case, I’ll be waiting for you at home, Uncle Li."
After discussing business with Shopkeeper Li, Yang Chuxia and Ye Zi’an went to visit Constable Hong and Broker Liu, giving each of them two sweet potatoes to try.
Then they returned together to Yangshu Village.
The next day, Shopkeeper Li came as promised. The white sweet potatoes weighed over eight thousand pounds. Yang Chuxia opted to round the amount up to eight thousand. Based on thirty wen [an ancient currency] per pound, this amounted to 240 taels [a unit of weight or currency]. Split between Yang Chuxia and Ye Zi’an, they each received 120 taels.
Realizing how valuable it was, he thought about planting more the next year, but he had to be cautious not to overproduce and lower the price.
Seeing Yang Chuxia make so much money from a single sweet potato, many were envious.
Ms. Luo was especially envious, but she mainly wanted to follow suit and plant some herself for extra income. Yang Chuxia didn’t object, as he didn’t harbor any bad intentions and didn’t think she would cause any trouble.
Seeing that Yang Chuxia agreed, Ms. Luo was so happy she felt like floating while walking.
Others in the village wanted to grow their own white sweet potatoes as well and even offered to buy seeds. Yang Chuxia consulted with Land Officer Yang about this and allowed some people in the village to plant the crop.
Those not given the opportunity were extremely disappointed.
However, Land Officer Yang soon informed them that they would be able to plant broad beans that year, with Yang Chuxia’s family managing the harvest. The entire village was overjoyed at the news, as their lives were improving significantly compared to previous years. They had collected pine nuts, caught shrimp and crabs, and frequently helped Yang Chuxia with work, earning quite a bit of money in the process.
"Oh, Auntie, you’re back!"
One day, as Yang Chuxia and Xiu’er were shelling corn, they saw Ms. Wang step down from a cattle cart. Ms. Wang’s niece, Wang Yunxia, had recently married, and Wang had gone to visit her maternal family. Yang Chuxia had also planned to go, but due to many tasks at home, she stayed behind.
"Indeed, I’m back! Your maternal grandmother’s house has been crowded these past few days, and I didn’t sleep well there." As Ms. Wang spoke, she headed into the house.