When the pears are green

At this time, Zhang Pingan was standing anxiously at the entrance of the village. He had already told his friends that he was going to sell tofu in the village today.

When Jiang Qingzhou appeared in his sight pulling the cart, Zhang Pingan hurried over and asked while helping Jiang Qingzhou push the cart: "Cousin, will we sell tofu at this time in the future?"

Jiang Qingzhou shook his head and replied, "Not necessarily. Your cousin is not feeling well. I don't want her to get up too early. She may come to sell tofu in the afternoon."

Zhang Pingan couldn't help but envy Song Li after hearing this, muttering softly: "My cousin is really good to me, unlike my eldest brother and second sister who only bully me."

Jiang Qingzhou stopped and turned around with a smile to explain to Zhang Pingan who was frowning: "Ping'an, I treat Xiaoli differently from Brother Jixiang and Ruyi to you."

Zhang Pingan immediately retorted: "How is it different? We are all family, we just don't sleep in the same room."

Jiang Qingzhou was speechless and said softly: "Ping An, you will understand when you are older, let's go."

Zhang Pingan thought for a while, and no longer worried about what he would understand when he grew up, and led Jiang Qingzhou to the village's threshing ground. It was the slack season, and many villagers gathered there to chat.

"Tofu for sale, white and tender tofu, come and buy it." Zhang Pingan shouted as he walked. Before he even reached the threshing ground, he was surrounded by a group of villagers.

One of the slightly plump women asked Zhang Pingan: "Zhang Peng's boy, how much is the tofu? Open it up and let us have a look."

"My cousin said that tofu is five cents a pound, and it can also be exchanged for grain. A pound of soybeans can be exchanged for one pound and eight ounces of tofu, and a pound of wheat or corn can also be exchanged for one pound of tofu." After Zhang Ping'an said this, he lifted a corner of the cloth wrapped around the tofu so that the villagers watching could see the tofu inside.

Someone came up to the tofu, took a look at it, and said loudly to the people around him: "This tofu looks really good."

"Ping'an, cut a small piece for me to taste. If you don't let us taste it, how can we know whether it tastes good or not? It's five cents a pound. If it doesn't taste good, we'll be losing money." The plump woman urged, and after hearing this, the people around her all said they wanted to try it.

Zhang Ping'an immediately put the cloth back on the tofu and said to the slightly plump woman who led the group with a smile, "Aunt Li, it's not that I don't want you to taste it, but you take a bite, and he takes a bite. My cousin and his sister worked so hard to make the tofu, but you guys have already tasted it all before we can even sell it. How can we sell it?"

Aunt Li blushed and scolded Zhang Pingan a few times, then twisted her waist and left the crowd, making everyone laugh.

Some villagers thought the price of tofu was too high. They stretched their necks to take a look at the tofu covered with cloth, and then left the cart in groups of three or five.

Jiang Qingzhou saw that there were still a few people gathered in front of the cart, so he smiled and lifted the cloth to allow them to see more clearly.

"Young man, cut me a pound. My wife and children like to eat it. Although it's a bit expensive, it's still okay to have it once in a while." The square-faced middle-aged man said, and took out five copper coins from his patched purse and handed them to Jiang Qingzhou. The people around him looked at the middle-aged man with envy.

Jiang Qingzhou took it with a smile, then gently cut a piece of tofu with a dagger.

"Uncle, this is the scale that measures one pound and two ounces." Jiang Qingzhou held up the scale bar and showed it to the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man looked down, took the tofu on the scale and said with a smile: "You are a very open-minded young man. I will buy tofu from you next time I want to."

Some people were tempted and went home to get food to exchange for tofu.

Zhang Ping'an's friends came over after hearing the news, and looked at the tofu curiously. Jiang Qingzhou cut three small pieces for them to share. The three children licked their lips and ran home to pester their parents to buy more tofu.

Except for the remaining two catties, the fifteen catties of tofu were quickly sold out. Not many villagers were willing to pay copper coins, so Jiang Qingzhou got a total of fifteen copper coins, and the rest were soybeans or wheat.

Jiang Qingzhou first sent Zhang Ping'an home, and then gave the remaining two kilograms of tofu to Song Li's grandparents Zhang Xiaoshou.

Zhang Xiao put the tofu on the chopping board, and tremblingly picked up the knife to cut half of it and pass it to Jiang.

Seeing this, Song Li's second sister-in-law put down her knife and said to Zhang Xiao in a sarcastic tone, "Dad, he is the nephew of my eldest sister-in-law, so he must have something to do with her. Maybe she eats more than the rest of us. I heard that Ping An and he sold tofu together. Third sister, why don't you talk about your own daughter? Why does she only associate with my eldest uncle's family? Aren't we close to my second uncle's family?"

"Grandpa, I have something to do at home. I'll go back first." Jiang Qingzhou ignored the sarcastic woman. After talking to Zhang Xiao, he pulled the cart home directly.

Jiang Qingzhou happened to meet Chen Yuan, who was on his way to handle a case elsewhere. Chen Yuan asked the reporter to wait for a moment. He handed the land deed to Jiang Qingzhou and asked Jiang Qingzhou to help rent out the land.

After a few quick words, Chen Yuan and Li Sheng hurriedly followed the reporter to the scene of the incident.

After Jiang Qingzhou returned home, he told Song Li, who was washing clothes, about the situation of selling tofu.

"Xiao Li, do you want to bring some more to sell tomorrow?" Jiang Qingzhou asked.

Song Li thought for a moment, then smiled and said to Jiang Qingzhou who was sitting next to her, "You can bring more tomorrow, but there won't be as many buyers in Zhanggou Village as today. Many people buy them to try them out, and no one will keep buying them. You should be mentally prepared. I heard that my cousin's wife's family is next to Zhanggou Village, and it seems to be called Xiaoxia Village. You and Ping'an can go there to sell them tomorrow, and take the unsold ones to Zhanggou Village."

"Just do as Xiaoli said. Xiaoli is really good at judging people. Ping'an is indeed a good candidate for business. He is not only eloquent but also meticulous." Jiang Qingzhou took over Song Li's clothes, asked Song Li to take a break first, and washed the rest himself.

Song Li took the clothes again and said while washing: "I put hot water in, it's not too cold. I didn't know Ping An was so capable before, I just thought that our family has a close relationship with his family, so he is the most suitable person to find."

Jiang Qingzhou smiled after hearing this, and then went on to talk about his encounter with Chen Yuan and Song Li’s second aunt.

"You don't have to pay attention to her. My mother doesn't like her either. Grandma and grandpa gave their family the best, but she always nitpicks with my mom and uncle. If grandma and grandpa were not still alive, I would not give her the tofu even if it was thrown away. Constable Chen acts very quickly. I believe he will propose marriage in a few days." After Song Li finished speaking, she smiled and glanced at the red deed in Jiang Qingzhou's hand.

In the afternoon, Jiang Qingzhou went to Liu's house. After hearing this, the Liu brothers immediately agreed. They carried the plow and followed Jiang Qingzhou to check the land. After confirming the edge of the land, the two brothers began to plow the land. If they didn't plant the wheat, they would really miss the season.

After dealing with Chen Yuan's affairs, Jiang Qingzhou and Song Li slaughtered the five rabbits in their home, leaving only a pair of baby rabbits for breeding next year.

After the rabbit skin was shed, Jiang Qingzhou first soaked the rabbit skin in a basin of water, then rubbed it clean with wood ash, and finally stuck the rabbit skin on the last board with bamboo sticks to dry in the sun.

"Xiao Li, what does you want to do with the rabbit skin?" Jiang Qingzhou asked with a smile Song Li who was squatting in the corner looking at the rabbit skin.

Song Li looked up and replied, "Making clothes is not enough, make shoes first, they will definitely be warm to wear."

"Okay, you and Qingye make a pair each. I have a bad temper, so I don't need them." Jiang Qingzhou rubbed Song Li's head, then went to the kitchen to soak the soybeans for making tofu tomorrow.

The next morning, Jiang Qingzhou sent two pieces of tofu to Jiang Heng and Jiang Ji's families. Jiang Ji, who was thinking quickly, asked Jiang Qingzhou: "Qingzhou, Xiao Ming and Xiao He's uncle's house is not far from here. Can we let them order tofu from you and sell it there?"

"Of course you can. We won't sell in villages where we don't have any acquaintances. But we have to book in advance. Uncle Ji can discuss it with Uncle Heng. Just tell me before dark." After Jiang Qingzhou finished speaking, he couldn't help but admire Jiang Ji.

Jiang Ji nodded, smiled and sent Jiang Qingzhou out the door.

After Jiang Qingzhou returned home, he pulled the cart to Zhanggou Village to meet Zhang Pingan. According to Song Li's instructions, the two went to Xiaoxia Village first.

Song Li helped Li Yi and Master Li pack their things at home. Li Yi squatted in the corner and wiped away her tears sadly.

"Master, let Li Yi stay here first. She stays alone in the study and has no one to talk to on weekdays. It's really boring." Song Li tried to persuade Master Li. She liked Li Yi very much and wanted Li Yi to stay and accompany her.

Master Li looked at Li Yi in a dilemma. After all, Li Yi was a girl, so it was unreasonable for her to stay in someone else's house for a long time. But Song Li was right. She had to teach on weekdays, and Song Xing and Jiang Qingye also had to study. It was indeed very boring for Li Yi to stay in the study room.

"Sister, grandpa and I are together." Li Yi stood up with red eyes and hugged Master Li's arm.

Master Li rubbed Li Yi's head with concern, thinking whether to find a playmate for Li Yi. He remembered the boy named Zhang Feng who he had met two days ago and claimed that he was the only one left at home. The boy was close to Li Yi's age and looked honest and kind. He could go to the study room to play with Li Yi on weekdays.

Master Li also wanted to find a little girl for Li Yi to play with, but Li Yi was now dressed like a boy. After thinking it over, he decided it would be more appropriate to find a boy. With him watching over her in the study, nothing would go wrong.

Having made up his mind, Master Li found an excuse to go out.