An eight-year-old kid emptied his scumbag father's warehouse and followed his grandparents into

A dozen or so children ran up first, and Jing Chunxi and the others followed slowly behind.

The first platform on the dock steps is not very spacious, only about two feet wide, but it is better than standing on the steps to discuss business.

The ground on the platform was still a little damp, but not like the puddles of water that we saw when we first got off the boat.

Before Jing Chunxi could say anything, Ah Qi and six guards followed Xiao Man and caught up.

Ah Qi's face still had a trace of fatigue, obviously he had just been busy on the boat. Seeing a large group of children around the young lady, Ah Qi wanted to catch up with them.

The truth was that Xiaoman had just gotten off the boat and was anxiously looking for him to ask for someone. He had no idea what she wanted the person for, so he still didn't understand the current situation.

Jing Chunxi quickly grinned at him.

He also noticed that the children were all cheerful, some even jumping around, but they made no move to attack the young lady. Even the usually reserved Qiyue and Jiuyue were giggling, as if they had found something for free. He felt something was amiss, even confused. But he knew it couldn't be a bad thing.

"Uncle Qi, please find a large vacant yard right away, preferably with four or five rooms for storing things. Also buy two large scales, an abacus and some paper and pen, and prepare to harvest the dried bamboo shoots." Jing Chunxi pointed to several bundles of dried bamboo shoots in a child's basket and said to Ah Qi.

"You still want to rent a house? ... How long will it take?" Ah Qi was a little surprised by the young lady's sudden decision. As a renter and peddler, he thought the young lady had suddenly decided to stay in this small town for a while.

He scratched his head and asked in confusion, "Miss, aren't we in a hurry to get on the road?"

"Let's rent it today!" After hearing what the lady said, Ah Qi understood. It was no big deal! He could handle it. So he said confidently, "No need to rent it. We'll just weigh it here at the dock. That way it's closer to the boat, and we can ask them to help carry it aboard."

Ah Qi thought his idea was a good one. He was just collecting some dried bamboo shoots, so why bother with the back and forth? He could just go straight to the boat to save time and make things easier.

Another guard also asked: "Miss, how many bamboo shoots do you want to collect? Just fill the cabin." As soon as he finished speaking, the children around him quieted down, all looking at Jing Chunxi, waiting for her answer.

Jing Chunxi smiled widely, knowing that they had misunderstood her. She pretended to put on a stern face and looked unhappy: "Seventh Uncle, just do as I say. You only need to rent the house for one day, and someone will come to take it away after dark!" Although her tone was harsh, there was a hint of cunning in her eyes.

Ah Qi suddenly realized that this was another business deal with Young Master Tao! He quickly touched his head, trying to hide his embarrassment, and said, "Oh! Oh! I see. We'll do it right away."

He waved his hand and asked everyone to follow him. Looking at the situation, it was only a few hours until dark, and there was still a lot to prepare before harvesting the dried bamboo shoots. He was secretly anxious because time was running out.

Jing Chunxi stopped him quickly: "Uncle Qi, don't be anxious, listen to me. These bamboo shoots must be tender and dry. Good ones are three cents each, and those of slightly worse quality are five cents each for two pounds. We won't accept those that are too bad and will pass them off as good ones. As long as they meet the requirements, we will take as many as we can." As she spoke, she gestured with her hands, fearing that Uncle Qi wouldn't understand.

Ah Qi nodded and wanted to leave again. Jing Chunxi pointed at the children and said, "Uncle Qi, don't be so anxious. Wait until I finish what I want to say. Take them with you later and let them know where the house we rented is." As soon as she finished speaking, the children's eyes lit up.

She then asked Chuntao, "Do you have any copper coins?" Chuntao was puzzled and didn't know what the lady was going to do, but she still took off her purse.

She asked Tang Shuang to open her hands and poured the silver into them. In the purse, besides a few large silver ingots, there were also a few pieces of silver and quite a few copper coins. Chun Tao looked at Jing Chunxi in confusion, not knowing what she was up to.

Jing Chunxi asked Chuntao to put the silver ingots and small change into her purse, and watched her put them back into her arms. Then he said, "Give them five each."

The finger was pointed at the children, who, upon hearing this, became less excited and quieted down, somewhat bewildered. They thought the young lady had dismissed them with five copper coins and no longer wanted the dried bamboo shoots.

One of the children muttered quietly, "You don't keep your word!"

Jing Chunxi smiled, knowing they had misunderstood, and said, "Be obedient. I've taken all the copper coins. I have something for you to do."

The older sister's voice was gentle but firm, as if she wasn't lying. The older boy took the first step forward, stretched out his hand, and the five copper coins fell into his palm. He held the copper coins tightly, a happy smile on his face.

The other children, realizing they had met a distinguished person, also extended their hands, but without jostling or scrambling, and in a relatively orderly manner, they lined up one by one, waiting to receive their own copper coins.

Jing Chunxi added, "This uncle will rent the yard later. You will be responsible for notifying those who have bamboo shoots to sell and ask them to bring them over quickly. Be quick, as we won't be able to collect them after dark." As soon as she finished speaking, the children's eyes lit up, as if they saw hope.

"Ok!"

"understood."

"We're running fast."

……

The children received the coins, expressed their gratitude, and patted their chests to promise that they would do it. They discussed it one after another, their faces filled with excited smiles.

The older boy was worried that they wouldn't believe him, so he said, "We'll go home first and inform our parents, then we'll go our separate ways and notify all the villages near Jianning City. Just call a few households at the entrance of the village. The villagers will surely spread the word about such a good thing, and they'll come here soon." As soon as he finished speaking, the other children nodded in agreement.

Jing Chunxi nodded and couldn't help but glance at the older boy. He was quite clever. She secretly praised him. Although he was young, he knew how to get things done. She smiled slightly and said, "Okay, I'll do as you say."

Who knew the older boy would use his cleverness to the fullest. He suddenly looked at Ah Qi and said with a grin, "When there are a lot of people bringing in dried bamboo shoots, each family will need a cart. There are only a few of you, so it might not be enough. I'll ask Anai and Baba to help. Can they share the coins as well?"

Jing Chunxi was bewildered, not knowing who Anai and Baba were to him. But he understood the meaning. This guy had actually smelled a business opportunity and recommended a short-term job to them!

There are more than 20 grown men on my boat! But Ah Qi didn't say it out loud, he just laughed: "There are still quite a few people on my boat! Enough." He laughed secretly in his heart, this kid is really smart, he dares to think of anything.

I thought the older boy would blush, but he remained calm. He didn't show the frustration of being rejected. He suddenly said, "My grandfather's family is all gone. I have an empty house with a big yard and five rooms. We could move some firewood in there. Would you like to rent it?" There was a hint of anticipation in his voice. He glanced at Ah Qi, then at Jing Chunxi.