Old Zhou decided to let his daughter apprentice under Mr. Zhuang as her teacher, which of course required proper preparations. Thus, the next day, even Eldest didn't go out for work.
Old Zhou directly had him borrow a handcart from the village chief and moved two bags of grain out from the storeroom.
The whole family stood at their doorways watching. Old Zhou seemed oblivious to the anxiety in his daughters-in-law's eyes, instructing Eldest and Third to secure the bags of grain, and then he told Zhou ErLang, "Once you get to the market, first exchange the grain for money, buy three days' worth of medicine for your mother, and get a piece of pork, belly pork specifically, but if you can find cured meat that would be even better."
Old Zhou thought for a moment and added, "See if there's anyone selling decent cotton cloth at the market. If there is, buy it to make a set of clothes for Mr. Zhuang, and don't forget to buy fabric for socks and shoes, something of good quality."
Zhou ErLang noted everything down.
Junior Ms. Qian and the others listened to the list of things to buy, their hearts twitching. That was two bags of grain after all.
Old Zhou was even more pained than they were, but with the sound of laughter drifting in from outside, he could overlook that pain. Having given all his instructions, Old Zhou waved his hand, signaling everyone to go about their business.
Manbao woke up early in the morning and then took Wulang and Liulang to pick wildflowers together.
By the time the family had finished their preparations, they, too, were ready. They filled the baskets Zhou ErLang had woven with wild grass and flowers, following cheerfully behind the adults.
Ms. Feng, who was accompanying them, looked at the contents of their baskets and couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing with all these things?"
Daya replied, "Aunt said we're going to sell them."
Ms. Feng's eyes widened slightly in disbelief, "These things are everywhere in the mountains, who would buy them?"
At that moment, Manbao, being carried by Zhou Wulang, declared loudly, "Second Sister-in-law, I would buy them. I'm willing to buy anything that looks pretty."
This really is a wastrel.
Unable to help herself, Ms. Feng asked, "Aunt, do you have any money?"
Manbao honestly shook her head, "Not now, but I will in the future."
She had great confidence in herself. Even Keke said she was very clever, so she must be really capable. Therefore, earning money surely wouldn't be a problem for her.
Ms. Feng didn't stop them, simply treating it as child's play, since they were carrying the stuff by themselves.
Upon reaching the market, everyone began looking for places to set up their stalls.
Zhou ErLang had made quite a few baskets and winnowing fans to sell. He confidently claimed a spot, placed his goods, let his wife handle the sales, and then reminded Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang, "Keep a close eye on Manbao and Datou. Don't let them run off."
Before Zhou Wulang could reply, Manbao patted her chest and assured, "Don't worry, Second Brother. I'll take good care of the boys. We won't go anywhere."
Zhou ErLang smiled and patted her head.
Then he pushed the handcart and went with Zhou Dalang to sell the grain.
This market was held every five days and was a gathering of several nearby villages in the relatively large Dali Village.
There was a mountain nearby with a Taoist temple at its peak, housing several Taoist priests. On the nineteenth day of the first lunar month, a very grand temple fair was held here, attracting even people from the county town to join from afar.
That was the grand temple fair. For other minor fairs, they were held on significant solar terms, a tradition that had been around for many years.
According to what Manbao overheard from the elders at the village entrance, these customs had existed since they were children.
Keke even lamented over this, explaining that it was a system specifically designed to collect biological knowledge, and their encyclopedia had another system dedicated to collecting those folk customs. The formation of the temple fair alone could generate countless sub-tasks, potentially earning a lot of points.
At the time, Manbao felt that Keke was a bit sad, so she happily offered endless sweet talk without cost, "But I like Keke the best. I don't care about other systems."
In short, this was a grand market where villagers exchanged what they had with one another.
So the question arises, did everyone use money for exchange?
Of course not!
Manbao saw Second Sister-in-law set up the baskets and winnowing fans properly, so they too quickly placed their baskets full of wild grass and flowers next to Ms. Feng's goods, and then they crouched down behind them, resting their chins in their hands while watching the passersby.
Zhou ErLang had been operating in the market for many years and had built up a good reputation, so it wasn't long before an old lady with a basket on her back came up and, picking through the winnowing fans, asked, "Can I exchange these for eggs?"
Ms. Feng thought for a moment before agreeing, "Are eggs still two coins for three these days?"