Chapter 104: The Transaction |
Watching them walk away, Zhao Pu couldn't help but shake his head. "They're gone."
It was unclear whether he meant the people carrying the stretcher were gone, or the person on the stretcher was gone.
Going upstairs, two people were still standing at the door of Unit 202, guarding the entrance like sentries. Seeing them ascend the stairs, their eyes held a hint of wariness.
Passing by the two men, they arrived at Zhao Pu's home.
Sitting in the living room with his back to them, Zhao Shu Huan called out, "Dad, I've boiled all the bark. Later, you need to go soften the pieces drying in the kitchen."
"Ahem." Zhao Pu cleared his throat.
Zhao Shu Huan turned his head and, upon seeing Qin Ziwen, hurriedly called out, "Uncle Qin!"
"I'm only about ten years older than you, why does everyone call me uncle? It makes me sound old," Qin Ziwen said with a wry smile.
Zhao Shu Huan gave an embarrassed smile.
Zhao Shu Huan nodded. "Yeah, we can't go to the riverbank now, so my dad found me this part-time job. This bark can be used to make rope, and some bark can even be eaten. It has many uses. There are people specifically collecting processed bark."
Qin Ziwen looked at it for a moment. "What's the price?"
"Ten jin of properly processed ordinary bark can be exchanged for two jin of meat. If it's bark for special purposes, the price is higher. For example, willow, osmanthus, or elm bark can be exchanged at double the rate."
"And how many jin of bark can you process in a day?"
Zhao Shu Huan thought for a moment. "Two or three jin, I guess. Finding the trees is what takes most of the time."
Zhao Pu chimed in from the side, "Some of the older kids in the complex have nothing to do. This counts as a job. It just so happens someone is collecting this processed bark now."
Qin Ziwen pondered. "I have a job here. I'm collecting vegetable and melon vines and roots in bulk. They need to be complete and suitable for planting and transplanting."
"Mr. Qin, what are you prepared to trade with?"
"Meat."
After careful consideration, Zhao Pu slowly said, "Mr. Qin, actually, if you trade directly for mature plants, it's not very cost-effective."
He stole a glance at Qin Ziwen's expression and, seeing no displeasure, continued, "First, mature plants can bear fruit directly. As long as you keep them, they're like hens that lay eggs. It's equivalent to buying a laying hen from a rural household; the price is bound to be inflated.
Secondly, the mature plants others find are mostly wild specimens. Mr. Qin, you should know that the high yields of many modern fruits and vegetables are built upon generations of improvement and cultivation. Purely wild plant varieties actually don't yield that much, and their taste isn't as good either.
I think it would be better to trade for some seeds instead. Some people have potatoes sprouting at home, leftover pumpkin seeds, chili seeds..."
"I understand," Qin Ziwen nodded.
It seemed this matter still had to be taken to Wei Zhaohua.
Zhao Pu said, "Mr. Qin, if you trust me, I can ask around at the other Building Heads in my name to see if we can trade for some suitable seeds. The price for seeds shouldn't be high."
"Alright, then I'll trouble you with this, Doctor Zhao."
Leaving Zhao Pu's home, Qin Ziwen went downstairs again and came to Wei Zhaohua's place, proposing his idea of wanting to buy seeds.
Wei Zhaohua said, "I don't have many at home. I've basically planted all that can be planted. The ones I had left, I gave them all to you last time."
Qin Ziwen asked, "Then, if we were to purchase seeds from other people's homes, what do you think a fair price would be?"
Wei Zhaohua gave him a deep look. "You must have a building at home that can accelerate crop growth."
Qin Ziwen did not answer.
Wei Zhaohua continued on his own, "A single seed, from taking root to sprouting, to flowering and bearing fruit, takes at least several months at the shortest. Such a long time, plus watering and care... farming really doesn't make money. Since ancient times, how many farmers who tilled the land ever got rich? Working themselves to the bone, they barely managed to keep themselves fed and clothed.
The seeds I gave you last time, if you plant them at home, should actually be enough. Yet you still want more. That means you have a dedicated place for sowing." Finally, Wei Zhaohua added specifically, "I just sometimes lack emotional intelligence; my IQ isn't poor."
Wei Zhaohua stared intently at Qin Ziwen, as if waiting for an answer.
Qin Ziwen gave an affirmative hum and admitted, "My home does indeed have a building that accelerates crop growth."
Wei Zhaohua smiled in understanding. "No wonder you came asking me for seeds then."
He took two steps, grabbed Qin Ziwen's arm, and pointed to the fifth floor of Building 8. "That's your place, right?"
Following the direction of his finger, Qin Ziwen saw his own home.
The windows and balcony had completely vanished, leaving only bare walls, standing out conspicuously among the other buildings.
"I joined a Gathering Team yesterday," Wei Zhaohua said seriously. "I heard some of them discussing that your family must be quite wealthy. You must have used some kind of card to even hide your windows. As for the rest... they didn't say it outright, but in their hearts, they definitely have thoughts. You need to be careful."
Qin Ziwen turned to look at this bespectacled man with a serious expression. "I understand, Brother Wei."
Wei Zhaohua hesitated for a moment. "You're quite familiar with Doctor Zhao. Could you help me ask if he has a way to get some honeysuckle or licorice? My father-in-law has been coughing quite badly recently. We can't find these medicines in the complex."
Qin Ziwen said directly, "I happened to gather some earlier. I'll bring it to you in a bit."
Wei Zhaohua was grateful. "Thank you. As for the seeds, don't show your face for that. I'll think of a way later to see if I can exchange for some for you."
"Alright, then I'll trouble you with this, Brother Wei. I'll cover the resources spent on trading for the seeds myself."
Wei Zhaohua shook his head. "No need, no need. Actually, seeds aren't worth much right now. It's mainly that the time needed to grow them out is too long."
With that, he patted his chest. "Leave it to me."
After bidding farewell, Qin Ziwen returned home. He first retrieved some honeysuckle, dandelion, and licorice from the Pharmacy. The preservation effect of this Pharmacy was indeed quite potent. After several days, these medicinal herbs were still fresh, looking as if they had been picked just a day or two ago.
He put the herbs into a bag, then went downstairs to deliver them to Wei Zhaohua.
Wei Zhaohua took the herbs and thanked him profusely again.
Returning home and closing the door, Qin Ziwen's expression turned sharp.
The exterior of his home was indeed somewhat conspicuous.
All the other neighbors had windows. Only his home had the windows on both sides completely concealed by the Expansion Card. While this provided safety, it also made his unit stand out among the many others.
However, what's done is done. One can't give up eating for fear of choking.
Locking the door, Qin Ziwen lay down on the bed.
He had been busy since yesterday until now without any rest.
As he closed his eyes, his body automatically entered a dormant state. The Crowned Eagle walked over, tiptoeing carefully into its nest. As its size had increased, the original bird nest was a bit small now. It adjusted its posture and slowly squatted down. Suddenly, as if sensing something, it sharply turned its head, its gaze sharp as it looked toward the door.
......
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