Rebirth of Bayi Fishing and Hunting in the Northwest

In the evening, several people came to the sales office of Team 4.

Ma Jinbao came early as usual. Others would let the sheep eat until dark, and only come back after their bellies were full, so that they could gain weight.

He was fine. He felt that his sheep were no match for the sheep in Lao Ma's shed, and no one in the team wanted to buy them, so he just lay down. Every day before the sun went down, he hurriedly drove the sheep back, locked them in the pen, and then went to the store. If he knew anyone there, he would have a couple of drinks. If he didn't, he could sit there for half the night.

Of course, when there were few people, he would buy wine himself. He still had some money, and if he didn't have any, he would take a sheep to the free market in the suburbs of the county and sell it, and then he would spend the money himself.

Some people who come back from work would prepare something to eat in their own yard or watch TV. Some people who don’t have a TV at home and don’t want to listen to the radio like the hustle and bustle of the store, so they come here to chat with others.

Of course, it was also related to the TV in the store. The TV in the store was placed in the yard, and anyone who came could watch it. There were also small benches prepared. Of course, if you came early, you could sit on the benches. If you came late, you could find two broken bricks outside and put them together to sit and watch.

Ma Jinbao got a glass of liquor today, but he was reluctant to drink it all in one gulp. He just held the glass and sipped it bit by bit.

Someone rushed over and said to the boss:
"Lao Zhang, get me a bottle of vinegar. We are out of vinegar at home."

"A full bottle and a half." The boss, Lao Zhang, looked at the beer bottle he was holding and took it skillfully and said, "Is it full?"

"Full." The man was a little wet, and from the smell he looked like a melon picker. He must have just come back from pressing melon seeds in the fields.

"Hey, Baiqiuka, have you finished pressing the melon seeds?" Ma Jinbao saw the person coming, smelled the scent, thought for a moment and said with a smile, "I heard that the price of melons is good this year. How are they? Have you sold any?"

“Selling shit!” The man called Baiqiuka spitted. “Wang Caimi went to sell it two days ago for 1.5 yuan! Yesterday, Lao Zhao from the team went to the snack factory to ask, and they offered 1 yuan, but he didn’t sell it. I heard that the snack factory didn’t accept it this morning!”

Ma Jinbao chatted with this man named Bai Yanjun mainly to ask him if he still wanted the melon pulp, as he could use it to feed the sheep.

Ma Jinbao's son's family also grows melons, but of this stuff the more the better, and the sheep will eat it if it is dried.

I just didn't expect to hear such news, it's so bad.

"That's right. The melon seed and snack factory won't accept it, and the middlemen won't accept it either. Where can we sell it?" Another villager who was sitting and watching TV was also worried. His family also planted 20 acres of melons. Originally, he thought he could earn enough money to buy a tractor this year, but now he can't sell it.

"The Li family told you not to plant melons this year, but you insisted on planting them. Who can you blame?" The other one smiled proudly, "Look at me, I didn't plant melons this year, I planted sugar beets. As long as the sugar factory is there, they will harvest the sugar beets. Although they are cheap, they can be sold!"

"Then why don't you plant sunflowers? Don't the people in the Li family plant sunflowers? You're also a coward!" Bai Yanjun didn't leave with the vinegar bottle in his hand. He glared at the man, "If you have the guts, plant sunflowers too? Let's see if you can sell them..."

"Hey, Baiqiuka, you didn't know? Those who grew sunflowers, including the captain's family, were taken to the county today. Li Long contacted someone and sold them for two yuan a kilogram."

"Two dollars? That's not even as much as the three dollars and a half I paid for melons last year!" Bai Yanjun didn't expect his information to be outdated, but he still said stubbornly, "If melons are priced the same as last year, what's this sunflower worth?"

"Are you still thinking about last year's price? It's good enough if we can sell it this year! At least they've sold it, and growing sunflowers is much easier than growing melons. Whatever, at least they've sold it!"

Although Bai Yan is a tall and strong soldier, no one is afraid of him, otherwise they would not have named him Bai Qiu Ka.

A white ball card means it is nothing and can accomplish nothing, it is a waste.

Although Bai Yanjun was a little angry, he did not start a conflict and was still trying to argue.

Several more people came over and joined the discussion.

In general, everyone knows that if we can't find a place to sell the melon seeds we harvest this year, then all our work will be in vain.

As for where to sell, some suggested going to Beiting, some suggested going to Kuitun, and some simply said going to Wucheng.

But Mr. Zhang in the salesperson asked, where did you go to look for?
No one spoke.

These people are good at farming, but if they are asked to go out and find ways, they will be at a loss.

After going around in circles, many people thought of Li Long, but no one spoke up.

After all, the Li family had repeatedly advised them not to grow melons. These people didn't know that Li Long and his team had actually found a buyer and were now preparing to purchase a large amount of goods.

The next morning, those who came to the purchasing station to sell things saw an extra line of words on the blackboard at the door.

"I'm buying melon seeds. Special grade is 1.5 yuan, first grade is 1 yuan, and anything below first grade is not accepted."

"Huh? Are they starting to collect the melon seeds?" A second-hand vendor had sharp eyes and saw it immediately.

Anyone who can't read please ask:

"How do I collect it?"

The one who could read read it out loud.

"This... is really cheap, is it for sale?" someone wondered.

"Never mind, we'll find out if we go to the countryside and ask. But what's the connection between this special grade and this first grade?" someone asked.

"Wouldn't it be better if we go in and ask Lao Gu and Xiao Sun?" Someone immediately stepped forward and said to the person in front of him in line, "I won't cut in line. I just want to ask you something... Lao Gu, is there any connection between these special grade melon seeds and the first grade?"

"Those above grade one have no impurities. If there are too many impurities, we will not accept them." Gu Boyuan said as he checked the peels he had just spread out. "Special grade means the seeds are all flat, without any uneven spots, you know? This is the best to eat."

"How is this possible!" someone complained immediately, "When picking melon seeds, there are flat and rough ones. How can there be only flat ones without rough ones? Isn't it annoying to pick them one by one?"

Gu Boyuan smiled but didn't respond.

Sun Jiaqiang wanted to say something, but he didn't say it in the end.

He had nothing to do at the moment, so he stuck his head out and looked around, but didn't see the person he wanted to see.

I don't know whether she will come today.

I didn't feel it at first, but after a long time, I really felt a sense of attachment to him. When he's not here, I think about him, and when he's here, even if we don't talk, I feel happy just watching him.

When Tie Jinbing and his sister came again, it was almost noon. This time they came to sell a few copper basins, and no one knew where they got them from. Two of the copper basins were intact, and one was flattened and deformed.

Hearing someone discussing the issue of beating melon seeds, the Iron and Gold Soldier who was parked at the door suddenly became interested, but after hearing the price, he shook his head.

"It's too low, we can't collect the money at all. I heard that it was selling for more than three yuan last year, how can we possibly collect it for more than one yuan this year?" He expressed his opinion.

Others also had different opinions and ideas, but at this time everyone was a competitor, so it was hard to say who was speaking the truth.

Tielanhua came to the counter carrying a pair of copper basins. Seeing Sun Jiaqiang smiling, she also came out with a smile on her face.

Gu Boyuan thought this girl was pretty good. No matter what her family was like, at least she was really good to Sun Jiaqiang.

She really likes Sun Jiaqiang.

But it’s hard to say whether the positive result can be achieved in this kind of environment at home.

"Red copper, not bad." Looking through the basins one by one, Gu Boyuan nodded and said, "One dollar and a half per kilogram, would you like to weigh it?"

This question is about the price. Does Tielanhua want to sell it? "Weigh it." Tielanhua didn't go to see her brother this time. She was the one who found the things, so naturally she had the final say on the price.

Besides, she could feel the kindness shown by Gu Boyuan. She knew her family's situation well. Every time she came here, the prices were fair, much better than the purchasing station in the market.

After weighing the items and collecting the money, Tie Lanhua held the bills in her hand, nodded to Sun Jiaqiang, and turned to walk out.

Tie Jinbing was chatting with the people in line about buying melon seeds. When he saw Tie Lanhua come out, he naturally stretched out his hand. Tie Lanhua was also used to it, so she handed over the few bills in her hand.

"Go ask that guy surnamed Sun, can't you raise the price of these melon seeds?" Tie Jinbing took the money and said casually, "What are you talking about? The price is so low, how can you raise it?"

"If you want to ask, go ask it yourself!" Tie Lanhua retorted and walked out of the courtyard. Tie Jinbing felt very embarrassed by what his sister said. He wanted to catch up with her and teach her a lesson, but Tie Lanhua had already walked away.

As Tielanhua grew older, she became more capable. In fact, most of the things that were collected and sold here these days were obtained by Tielanhua. Their father was proud but not very capable, their mother was timid and cowardly, and Tiejinbing and Tieyinbing were usually arrogant but not very capable. If the family wanted to live a good life, they could only rely on Tielanhua.

Although the money from the things Tie Lanhua collected and sold was always given to his father by Tie Jinbing, he was still a little afraid to teach Tie Lanhua a lesson.

The main thing is that I’m afraid that Tielanhua will quit her job, and the family will have to go back to their old hard life.

How is that possible?
I have to find money from here to marry a wife.

At noon, Gu Boyuan went to the big yard to eat, and Tielanhua came to the purchasing station carrying a small basket.

Sun Jiaqiang was cooking inside. When he heard the noise, he came out with a spatula and saw Tielanhua.

"We had steamed buns at home for lunch, and I brought a few for you." Tielanhua said naturally, "Are you making fried spicy eggs?"

"Well, our boss said that eggs are the best way for ordinary people to get nutrition." Sun Jiaqiang quoted Li Long's words, "I will fry a few, mainly for convenience, after all, lunch is so short. If I have time in the afternoon, I will cook some bones..."

The reason I said this is mainly because I want to show that I have money to eat meat, but I just don’t have the time.

Tielanhua smiled. She knew what Sun Jiaqiang was thinking. She put the fragrant bean curd rolls on a plate beside the stove, looked at the food in the pot and said:

"Hurry up and fry it, it's going to get mushy."

"Hey, hey." Sun Jiaqiang hurried over to stir-fry.

"Brother Sun, can you buy the melon seeds? Isn't the price too cheap?"

"Yes." Sun Jiaqiang smiled and said, "Don't worry, the price of melon seeds has dropped. Our boss said that this year there are more melons planted, but the roasted seeds factory harvested less. Many people can't sell them. They can't even sell them for a few cents. No one will buy them, so we harvested them here, saying that...

Of course, if they want to sell at a high price, that’s up to them. We buy the ones that can’t be sold.”

"Then how can we improve the special grade?" Tielanhua wanted to do this. It's really troublesome to do small things and it's not easy to make big money.

She just wanted to make a fortune and shut up her family members, so that she could find her own happiness without any obstacles.

The things on the blackboard of the purchasing station were written by Li Long. The price was very low, and he didn't feel guilty about it. He was just a backup for these people. If they could contact Bai Xiuming or Dong Zhichao directly, it would be fine, but it was highly likely that neither Bai Xiuming nor Dong Zhichao would take the melon seeds they sent.

Except for a few people in Team 4, most people would not flatten the melon seeds and clean out the impurities inside.

They think that the land they have been farming for decades has been like this, so it is good enough. They think it is troublesome and not worth it.

After writing the notice, Li Long didn't care about it anymore. The melons were just beginning to be harvested, and he also heard that Wang Caimi had sent the melon seeds to the Shicheng Roasted Nuts Factory first, and there were a few others who had the same idea as him.

The result is that the snack factories have already received enough snacks and no longer need to take any more.

He was the one who took the bait willingly.

According to Li Long's idea, it would take at least three to five days for there to be any response after the notice was posted. However, he did not expect that someone would come with a truckload of melon seeds that afternoon.

Although Gu Boyuan had heard Li Long talk about picking melon seeds and he roughly knew the standard, he still felt that it would be better for Li Long to be here. Li Long himself also said that the goods should be received quickly, without overstocking, and should be processed in a timely manner.

When Sun Jiaqiang called Li Long over, Gu Boyuan had already told the tractor that was threshing melon seeds to stop in the backyard.

On the one hand, there were people queuing up in the front yard to sell goods, so it was inconvenient to park here. On the other hand, many people wanted to see how the melon seeds were collected, and they gathered around, affecting the normal business of the purchasing station.

What surprised Li Long was that the person who came to deliver the goods was Fan Mingcheng, a second-rate dealer he knew.

He often rides his bicycle everywhere to collect things, such as copperware and coins, Cynomorium songaricum, licorice skin, etc. As long as the purchasing station collects them, he will take them.

A bag of cashmere was once brought to Li Long, and Li Long accepted it. It is still in the warehouse.

"Old Fan, you are really good. You used to use a bicycle, but now you use a tractor to harvest the melons? Not bad, you have really made great progress!" Li Long said with a smile.

"No, no, we just need to pick some melon seeds. It's inconvenient to use a bicycle, so I thought of carrying more in one trip." Fan Mingcheng explained with a smile.

"Then I'll be frank with you. If the quality is not good, I won't accept it." Friendship is friendship, business is business. Li Long pointed at the bag and said, "I have the standard outside. I need to take a look at yours."

"Okay, if you can collect it, that's the best. If you can't, give me some suggestions for adjustment. I'll go back and fix it, and then pull it back once it's done."

When it comes to making money, you can't be afraid of trouble. Fan Mingcheng has this awareness.

He got on the truck bed, and Li Long casually pointed at a bag. Fan Mingcheng came over and opened the bag to show Li Long.

Li Long grabbed a handful and took a look, then shook his head and said:
"Old Fan, you just collected them from the farmers and didn't take care of them, right? There are a lot of shrunken seeds here! Did you collect them before they were ripe?"

"Haha, did you figure it out? Let me tell you, this person heard that someone went to the Shicheng Roasted Nuts Factory to sell melon seeds early, so he also collected them in advance. But when he dried them and went there, the factory didn't want to accept them anymore..."

"Wait a minute, I'll take a look." Li Long reached his hand to the bottom of the bag and grabbed a handful. He thought he should take a look with a poke, but for now, he decided to forget about it.

"Too much dirt." Li Long stopped looking at the other bags and said, "One is to winnow out the empty seeds, and the second is to sift out the broken stones and dirt inside. Otherwise, this can't even be rated as level 2, let alone level 1.

"These melon seeds are processed and fried before being eaten. If you make them shrunken, that's fine. But if you knock a tooth off by hitting a stone, who will be held responsible? Your reputation will be ruined!"

Fan Mingcheng had actually expected this, and he was not annoyed. He smiled and said, "If I ask you to clean it up, what level will it be?"

"One level at most."

"What about the special grade?" Fan Mingcheng naturally wanted to make more money.

"The melon seeds are not broken off, they are all flat and easy to pick into your mouth. Only those that are top grade are free of impurities. You can take them back and sift them again. As for how to make them flat, that is not my business."

Fan Mingcheng listened to Li Long carefully and asked some details, including what kind of sieve to use for screening.

After asking, he drove away on his tractor. People in the front yard watched him take away another truckload of melon seeds. Some people laughed at him, but Fan Mingcheng didn't get angry. He drove the tractor and said:

"What should I do if the quality is not up to standard? If they don't accept it, I can only go back and do it again. Let's see tomorrow."

The next day, Fan Mingcheng came again. Apparently, he had packed up the cart of more than a ton of melon seeds that day, and this time he came with full confidence.

But before he came, someone else had already come over to pick melon seeds.

This time it was also a second-rate dealer. He did not have the strength of Fan Mingcheng, so he came here on a bicycle carrying two sacks of melon seeds.

When Fan Mingcheng drove the tractor to the backyard, Li Long was looking at the two sacks of melon seeds. There was a large iron sieve in the middle of the yard, and the melon seeds were poured on it. With a simple pull, the condition of the seeds could be seen.

"Brother, you cleaned the melon seeds very well." Li Long said with a smile, "Well, it's no problem to get a first-class rating."

The old man was also a little surprised. He collected two bags of melon seeds and carefully screened and cleaned them when he got home. Why couldn't they be rated as special grade?
"This is what the special grade ones look like." Li Long knew that there would be more people asking how to get the special grade ones, so he specially got a bag of melon seeds for the old man to see.

Fan Mingcheng also hurriedly got out of the car to take a look. The bag of melon seeds was clearly black and white. The most important thing was, as Li Long said, not a single one was missing.

"Only goods like this can be sold at a high price." Li Long said, "As long as it's like this, I will definitely give you a special grade."

Not easy.

Fan Mingcheng and the older brother looked at each other and both understood that this was not easy! (End of this chapter)