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

"Is it possible to ask you to help us collect dried bamboo shoots, sweet potato flour, and cassava flour?" Jing Chunxi suddenly had an idea and wanted to reduce the burden on himself and the guards and reduce their workload.

She looked at the couple and their two children in front of her and thought that if she could get the locals to help with the purchase, it would not only save time and energy, but also provide them with some extra income, killing two birds with one stone.

Ah Qi suddenly added, "We're collecting dried wood ear mushrooms and dried mushrooms."

As long as the young lady gave the order, it would definitely be accomplished. Although he didn't collect much wood ear mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms today, the price was only three cents higher, and they were dried and crispy, so they would definitely sell well in the capital.

Ah Qi knew that these mountain products were rare in the capital and were very expensive. If he could collect more, the profit would definitely be considerable.

Because we didn't know the exact time of our return trip, it was difficult to notify the mountain people in advance to haul the goods out. This meant that if they wanted to collect more, they would have to stay here for a few days, which would cost them time, energy, and money. It would be much easier to spend the money and have the locals, who were familiar with the area, haul the goods directly when they arrived. They wouldn't have to stay here too long.

"Help with the harvest?" Upon hearing this, the couple exchanged glances, afraid to speak. Although their village was close to the county town, they had only ever traded their own produce and vegetables. They had never dared, and no one had ever given them, the opportunity to do so. Their eyes held a hint of hesitation and uneasiness, a bit of disbelief, and even less the willingness to accept the job.

For a long while, the couple still didn't dare to speak. Instead, the older boy asked tentatively: "No matter how much we charge, can the lady really charge us three cents?" His voice was a little childish, but also revealed a sense of cleverness.

The child showed no fear at all. He was thinking, if they could get three cents for everything, they could lower the price a bit. If they bought in large quantities, they would still make a profit. Even if they couldn't get five cents for two pounds, eight cents for three pounds would always be fine.

Jing Chunxi nodded and said, "I'll give you an extra two taels of silver for every 10,000 kilograms you harvest, but it must be of good quality and sun-dried well. The cassava flour and sweet potato flour must be clean and free of sand." There was a hint of encouragement in her voice, and she also stated her requirements for the goods, hoping that the couple and their child would seize this opportunity.

The couple looked bewildered, clearly unsure how to calculate the figure. Their eyes revealed a hint of bewilderment, knowing this was an opportunity to make money but feeling lost as to where to begin.

"We harvested nearly 50,000 kilograms of dried bamboo shoots today," Ah Qi suddenly said, trying to give them a hint. He looked at the couple, hoping they would understand the benefits this deal would bring them.

Another guard nearby said, "Less than two hundred households were brought in today." He also wanted to make this deal, but he also wanted to contribute to the success of the business. The more things they collected, the more money they would get.

When the boy heard this, his eyes lit up again. He squinted his eyes and thought for a while, then suddenly grabbed his father's hand tightly, forcing his father to squat down and listen to what he whispered.

He discussed with his father in a low voice, almost inaudible, but his eyes showed determination. From time to time, he counted on his fingers towards his father, as if he was calculating something.

Looking at his excited expression, you can tell that he wants to do this deal. He must have calculated that this deal can bring huge profits to their family.

The woman couldn't hear their whispers, but her eyes were fixed on the father and son, her face full of concern. The little boy pressed his mother's hand to his face, his face full of admiration, and kept staring at his brother and father. Although he didn't understand what his brother was saying, he knew it must be something very important.

The father and son finally finished whispering. The man thought for a moment longer before standing up and facing Jing Chunxi and Ah Qi. He asked, "Can you come and collect before the New Year?" His voice was filled with a hint of anticipation and a hint of worry. He knew the mountain people's thoughts well: everyone wanted to sell their things before the New Year to save money for a good New Year.

Ah Qi also looked at Jing Chunxi and reminded him, "Today is the eighth day of the twelfth month. It will take at least nine days to get to Jian'an County." There was a hint of helplessness in his voice, as if to say that there really wasn't enough time.

Jing Chunxi realized that the twenty days he had just blurted out to the children was too short. According to this calculation, the round trip to Jian'an County would take eighteen days, and they would also have to stay there for ten to ten days to conduct business. There was no way they could make it back in twenty days.

It was her mistake! Fortunately, she hadn't left yet, so there was still time to make amends.

After finishing their sugar-coated glutinous rice cakes, all the guards gathered around and stood behind them. They were also curious and even more excited. Would they be able to go home for the New Year? There was a hint of anxiety in their eyes. After all, the New Year is the time that everyone who travels outside looks forward to the most.

Ah Qi and Jing Chunxi both frowned. They both did a quick mental calculation: even if they were only staying in Jian'an County for ten days, Chinese New Year would be just a few days away. They couldn't possibly be traveling on New Year's Eve. It seemed they would have to wait until after the Lunar New Year to return.

The two looked at each other and shook their heads.

"We'll probably arrive around the Lantern Festival," Jing Chunxi said apologetically to the couple and their children. She felt this was already the earliest possible departure date. Even so, they'd have to leave on the fifth or sixth day of the Lunar New Year. There was a hint of apology in her voice; there was really no way to advance the date.

The father and son exchanged a glance, both faces etched with disappointment. The man said, "Everyone in the mountains wants to sell their things before the New Year, hoping to save enough for a good New Year." His words tinged with resignation. This was the mountain people's tradition, and their hope. If they could get the money before the New Year, even if they offered a lower price, the villagers would be willing.

The whole family looked solemn and disappointed, as if the money that was about to be in their hands was about to fly away.

The older boy was extremely discouraged, and the light in his eyes suddenly disappeared, just like a clear night sky suddenly covered with dark clouds and the stars disappeared.

He lowered his head, a hint of frustration in his eyes. What should he do now?