Su Qiaoxiu jumped down with a muffled "humph". Although she fell and landed on her butt, her feet and legs were fine, and other than a slight pain in her butt, it was the best result. Su Qiaoxiu didn't dare to stay. She looked at her home, turned around and stepped into the night, and soon disappeared in Xiaohe Village.
She had no idea how dangerous it was for a single woman, especially a good-looking one, to be alone outside. No, maybe she also knew it, but in terms of the desire in her heart, she just wanted to take another gamble.
…
In the early morning, when the sky was turning pale, everyone in Lijia Village had already gotten up. After finishing their morning exercises, they sat next to their families and ate a simple breakfast to fill their stomachs that had been hungry all night. After eating and packing they things, waited for the city gate to open and enter the city.
The sun hasn't been out for the past two days and the weather has been a bit chilly. If they hadn't rested in a sheltered spot against the city wall last night, they would have frozen to death. Despite this, everyone wrapped their bedding in oilcloth when they rested. It was almost late autumn and the fog was very severe even in the cold wind.
As more and more people gathered at the city gate to sell their goods, the gate opened on time at the end of the morning hour. People entering the city formed a long queue. More than ten households from Lijia Village and Xishan Village were among them. They paid the entry fee in order and entered the city smoothly one by one. Although their clothes were worn out, they were still clean. There were many people entering the city, including many poor people. They were not conspicuous among these people and were not subject to too many inspections. After entering the city, everyone followed the village chief's instructions and walked into the city in an orderly manner.
Most people have never seen such a prosperous scene. Except for those who came yesterday, many people in Lijia Village, young and old, felt that their eyes were not enough. Even so, no one left the team without permission. The main street that you walk along when entering the city is the main market. With this street as the center, there are several markets in the east, south, west and north. The place they were going to was the North City, which was also the Livestock Market, which they had inquired about yesterday.
Yesterday evening, Li Youzhi, Li Da and others had already figured out the route and walked it themselves. Now they are leading everyone towards North City.
Gulan's carriage was always following behind Old Man Li's mule cart, and was in the front and middle of the team. It takes about an incense stick of time to get from main street to North City. There are all kinds of shops along the way, hawkers are constantly shouting, and people are rushing in.
It had been a long time since the people in Lijia Village had seen such a lively scene. For a moment, they felt as if they were in another world. Thinking of the nameless dead bodies on the road, it is no exaggeration to say that it feels like a lifetime ago. As they walked, everyone looked at the items on the stalls with great interest. There were many people in the market and the lines did not move fast, so there was plenty of time to buy what they needed.
When they arrived at North City after stopping and starting many times, almost everyone had something in their hands. Even Gulan, who was driving the cart, directed Xiang Yunjin to get off the cart to buy candied haws, meat pancakes, etc for the children.
The North City was not small in size, and the Livestock Market was at the innermost part of the North City. However, everyone's purpose was not the livestock but the horse-drawn carriages, so they stopped at the door of a wood workshop in the North City. This woodworking shop looks to be quite large, so they guess it should have the number of carriages they need.
Everyone gathered at the wall on one side of the wood shop waiting. Only the village chief Gulan, Old Man Li, Li Da, Li Kui and others went in. Xiang Yunjin was also given an important task by Gulan to take care of the three children.
Although this place is not as crowded as the main street, there is still a lot of traffic, and taking pictures of beauties is not uncommon at any time, but Gulan is not at ease. Although the three children were very well-behaved, Gulan was still worried and repeatedly reminded them not to run around. Only after Xiang Yunjin gave him a reassuring look did she follow the village chief into the woodworking workshop.
Just like the facade of the woodworking shop, this woodworking shop is indeed very large. The yard in front alone covers several acres. There are many sheds of various sizes built in the yard, which are filled with finished wooden products, ranging from large wooden carts and carved furniture to small wooden bowls and chopsticks.
When a guest comes in, the waiter in charge of reception will come to greet him immediately.
"Hello, guests. What would you like to buy? We have everything here. I guarantee you will be satisfied." The guy looked through them and finally set his sights on the two oldest people, the village chief and Old Man Li. There was a smile on his face that was as refreshing as spring breeze. It was not overly enthusiastic, but just the right amount, and very comfortable.
"Thank you, young man. We really want to buy some things. Do you have a carriage?" As the village chief, it was natural for him to step forward at a time like this.
"Yes, we have a carriage. Come with me." When the waiter heard that the customer wanted to buy a carriage, the smile on his face deepened instantly.
After a while, Gulan and the others stood under a wide thatched shed, which was filled with carriages of various sizes and varieties.
"Guest, all types of carts are here. Whatever you want, big or small, with or without a canopy, simple or luxurious, we have them all. You can take a good look. The most important thing is that our prices are definitely the most affordable and cost-effective in the entire North City. You will definitely not lose out if you buy one. How about you take a look at this one..."
The guy was introducing the carts in the garage, chattering non-stop. He was a talkative guy, no wonder he was kept by the manager as a receptionist.
Gulan and the others were observing one by one as the waiter introduced. First of all, luxurious and gorgeous ones are the first tier to be eliminated. Although they are really beautiful, the prices are also really high. Carts that are too small were also eliminated. There are many of them, and carts that are too small cannot carry much stuff or many people. They are cheaper, but not practical. If the cart was too big, they were afraid that it would be too heavy and the horses would not be able to bear the load of goods and people. In the end, everyone unanimously chose a cart of medium size, made of wood and with a frame. It was a little more expensive than the one Gulan had bought in Lingshan Town before, and it was also relatively larger. The guy also said that anyone who bought a cart from their workshop would receive a free cart cloth. They felt a lot better thinking about that.
In order to make this deal, the guys did their best to praise the carts in their workshop to the skies.
"Sir, this cart is really good and the price is reasonable. I dare say that this is the only cart in North City that offers this price."
"Can't it be less?" The village chief asked excitedly. The cart model and the space in the cart were indeed good.
"Old man, two taels and one cent for a cart is really not expensive. You might as well go out and ask whether what I said is true or not. We in the Dong's workshop have always been honest and fair."
"What if we buy more?"
"Grandpa, how much do you mean by 'more'?" When the clerk heard that they bought a lot, his expression immediately changed and he asked hurriedly.
"Seventeen," the village chief said the number he had already calculated, and this number also surprised the guy.
"Seventeen carts..." the guy repeated in a higher voice involuntarily, his face showing more joy and excitement. If this order comes through, the reward from the owner will be higher than his monthly salary. How can he not be excited!?