A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

Gu Xixi passed through several villages along the way that had survived the devastation of the plague and were in dire need of rebuilding.

The Lunar New Year celebrations have just ended, but these places show no trace of the festive spirit that remains.

The children gathering firewood would stop and watch curiously when they saw strangers. Their little faces were thin and sallow, but they could not hide their pure vitality.

The woman, carrying a baby on her back, led a sheep in one hand and carried a wooden bucket in the other. Her face bore the marks of years of hardship. Yet, when she looked up at her home in the distance, a glimmer of hope still shone in her eyes.

……

What Gu Xixi and the others saw and heard along the way solidified their beliefs.

She wants to make changes in this vast Northwest land, so that the flowers of agriculture can gradually bloom throughout the entire Northwest.

When we reached the vicinity of Yunling County, about three miles from the county seat, the scenery was completely different from the places we had passed through before.

Caravans on horseback pass by from time to time, and camels can be seen occasionally.

It was early morning when the city gates opened, and the further you went, the more bustling it became.

Residents near the county town carried loads of various agricultural products, livestock of all sizes, live chickens and ducks, and even live fish soaking in buckets of water...

Speaking with a local accent, they discussed the prices in the city that day with acquaintances.

As expected of a gateway for trade with the Western Regions, Qingtian County boasts a vibrant atmosphere unlike anything found in its surrounding areas.

After entering the city, Gu Xixi headed straight for the city center, following the map given to her by Madam Meng.

In the center of the city, there is a straight and wide main street that can accommodate four carriages side by side, called the Middle Street.

This is not only the city center, but also the largest economic center in Yunling County.

Radial outwards from Zhongjie Street are four smaller markets selling mules and horses, secondhand goods and timber, tea and rouge, exotic products, and seedlings.

These four markets, like satellites surrounding Zhongjie, seem unrelated, but in fact, they have some little-known connections.

If you were to ask an outsider who doesn't know anything about this, they would say that the seedling market is the least profitable and the least noticeable.

However, this business was monopolized by merchants from the Western Regions, who even established a chamber of commerce.

Gu Xixi found an inn to stay in.

Zhongjie Street is lined with high-class restaurants and inns.

Therefore, most businessmen and tourists choose to stay in the surrounding area, which is not far from Zhongjie Street, but much cheaper.

However, Gu Xixi's trip was short.

I've heard that the people from the Western Regions in the seedling association are very united.

As she was new to the area and had never dealt with local merchants before, it was inevitable that they would have doubts about her.

In particular, the Pinpo fruit tree was monopolized by merchants from the Western Regions.

Buying so many Bodhi seedlings at once, and selecting the best ones, will probably not be as smooth as buying and selling ordinary seedlings.

Therefore, you can't skimp on accommodation.

Gu Xixi is going to make a high-profile move this time.

She lived on Zhongjie Street, partly to make herself known to others, and partly to enhance her social standing.

After that, it will be convenient for everyone, no matter who notices her or wants to test her abilities.

In the afternoon, Gu Xixi went to the seedling market as planned.

The seedling market is huge; each shop is essentially a small nursery.

Gu Xixi walked into a shop with a painted sign bearing the character "An" (安).

The shopkeeper, a man of considerable business acumen, greeted her with a smile, "What would you like to see, young lady?"

His tone was casual, clearly indicating that he wasn't in a hurry to close the deal with Gu Xixi.

Gu Xixi took a few steps inside and looked around. "There's an empty space in the house, but I always feel like something's missing."

"I want to plant fruit trees."

The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Then you've come to the right place."

"Look at us here, we have crisp pears, fragrant pears, and snow pears. We also have common apricots like plum apricots and red apricots, as well as this golden apricot, which has larger fruit than other apricots. When fully ripe, it is sweet, juicy, and melts in your mouth."

"Pear trees symbolize longevity, and apricot trees are a homophone for 'fortune,' both bringing good luck. They are also extremely elegant when they bloom in spring. They are the most suitable fruit trees to plant at home."

Gu Xixi carefully examined the saplings recommended by the shopkeeper.

Although the saplings have no leaves at this time of year, experts can still tell whether the product is as advertised.

The shopkeeper continued his introduction, "There are also peach trees over here, and this particular peach tree is quite remarkable."

"The tree has a beautiful shape, bright flowers, and crisp, sweet fruit with small pits. The governor has planted several of them on his estate."

At this moment, Gu Xixi had already formed a definition of what this store was like.

She turned to the shopkeeper and smiled, "I heard you have Bodhi fruit in your shop, but I haven't seen it."

The shopkeeper was taken aback. He had assumed it was just a small-time customer who would buy one or two saplings.

An's Nursery usually deals with large orders, and its customers are mostly gardeners and managers from various high-ranking families.

If I weren't free right now, the shopkeeper wouldn't be making so many recommendations.

The shopkeeper sized up Gu Xixi, his expression turning serious. "Judging from your accent, you're not a local, are you?"

Gu Xixi said, "I'm also from Northwest China, living in Qingtian County, not too far from here."

The shopkeeper said, "We do have Bodhi fruit trees. How many do you want? Our shop doesn't do business with individual customers."

"Two hundred trees," Gu Xixi said calmly. "These are the first batch."

"More will be added later, no less."

The shopkeeper stared in astonishment, and his posture immediately became upright.

He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Gu Xixi and said, "I cannot make this decision myself; I must inform the boss."

"Could you please provide your address? Our boss can visit you another day to formally discuss this matter."

"We have to reschedule?" Gu Xixi chuckled and shook her head. "It seems the efficiency of the business community in Yunling County is nothing special."

"Never mind, I'll go check out other places." She said, turning and walking out.

"Please wait a moment, sir!" After a brief struggle, the innkeeper said, "Please wait a moment, I will invite the boss right away."

Gu Xixi watched the shopkeeper hurry inside, a sly smile creeping onto her lips.

Before she came, she knew that the Western Region Pinpo fruit trees in Yunling County were only sold to three types of people: noblemen, acquaintances, and people with connections.

Gu Xixi does not meet any of the above three criteria.

So she deliberately quoted a number of two hundred, hoping that the shopkeeper would be reluctant to refuse immediately.

Before long, a man dressed in exotic attire came out.

The man was much younger than Gu Xixi had expected. He was tall and imposing, with a full beard that obscured his original appearance. Only his high nose and a pair of gray-blue eyes stood out.

The man's eyes lit up when he saw Gu Xixi, and he ran over with open arms. "Oh, beautiful Oriental Rose, how can I help you?"

Gu Xixi was speechless: "..."

She initially thought the other party would directly refuse, or worse, kick her out.

But what's going on now?

Gu Xixi asked, "You're An Qingyu, Boss An?"

An Qingyu tilted his head and asked happily, "You know my name?"

Gu Xixi took a breath and greeted him politely, "I have long admired your name. My surname is Gu. I'm sure your manager has already told me why I'm here."

An Qingyu nodded with a smile, "Although I personally really want to agree to your request."

"But, unfortunately, no."