The timeline system has gone awry; they insist that steamed buns are a magic pill.

"Cauliflower, why isn't Li Laosan in a hurry?"

As Chen Guilan wove the bamboo basket, she muttered to herself, "Didn't you say that if people weren't buying, he'd be anxious to lower the price? But Li Laosan doesn't seem to be in a hurry at all."

"He's faking it."

Han Caihua pursed her lips, put down the woven bamboo basket, and casually picked up some bamboo strips. "Except for the first day, anyone who buys any of his branches gets five cents. He really thinks money grows on trees. He says mushrooms can grow, so they can grow mushrooms."

"They said they'd pay you if no mushrooms grow."

"Who would believe that? Everyone knows who Li Laosan is."

"That can't be right, people from the agricultural technology station have already come."

"So what if mushrooms grow? If you ask me, it's uncertain whether they'll even sell." Big Foot Sister put down her bamboo basket. "Think about it, the agricultural technology station has already set it up; maybe the supply and marketing cooperative and the food station will just buy them directly from the agricultural technology station."

"That's true."

The crowd thought it made some sense. Some of the women who had bought mushroom spawn showed a hint of worry, while those who hadn't bought any were quite pleased with themselves. Luckily, they hadn't listened to the team leader; otherwise, they might have wasted their time and money.

Seeing everyone's smug expressions, Aunt Liu said to Shi Lanhua, "Now your son's mushroom branches won't sell. Let's see if you're still so smug."

"What's all this commotion about?" Han Guihua walked in with a smile.

"We're talking about Li Laosan, aren't we?"

"Li Laosan, you found out so quickly? Oh dear, several leaders from the supply and marketing cooperative came to see you, I wonder what they want?" Han Caihua said with a smile. "I was just about to go and take a look."

"What? Why are the leaders of the supply and marketing cooperative looking for Li Laosan?"

"Who knows?"

"Are you here to buy mushroom scions?"

"No way, why would the supply and marketing cooperative buy it? If you're talking about mushrooms, that would be more like it."

"Huh, could it really be someone buying mushrooms?"

The family members who had sold the mushroom spawn exchanged glances and quickly got up to wipe their hands. "Auntie, I have to go home for a bit, I'll be right back."

"Me too."

"I'll go home and take a look too."

Wang Xiuju frowned deeply; it seemed everyone was going to watch the spectacle.

"Hurry up, don't delay the work."

The family bought the mushroom spawn and immediately ran towards the educated youth settlement. Aunt Liu and the others resolutely refused to buy mushroom spawn and cuttings, while most of the other members who were observing exchanged glances. "Why don't we go and take a look too?"

By the time these people arrived, Li Qingqiu and Zhang Xinhong had already come to the male educated youth's bedroom at the educated youth settlement to see Xue Gu.

"Station Master Wang, Purchasing Officer Gao, Auntie, these are all reserved bacterial strains."

Li Qingqiu pointed to the snow mushroom rack. "These are the mycelium branches transplanted in the last few days. The mycelium will grow in about three to five days, take a little over a week to mature, and be ready for harvesting in fifteen to twenty days."

"Is that all?"

"That's too little."

Wang Hui, the head of the commune's supply and marketing cooperative, and the purchasing agent from the county saw that there were only a few dozen mushroom spawn branches in this row. "Is the expected yield possible?"

"One branch weighs about five pounds."

"About 50 branches here, weighing between 2500 and 300 jin."

Li Qingqiu explained, "Besides that, some other members of the brigade also have some, roughly the same amount."

"If the brigade members still have some, then the total yield is around 500 jin?"

"Yes."

"That's too little. We expected at least 5,000 jin."

Gao Ming knew how delicious snow mushrooms were; in winter, when there weren't many vegetables available, snow mushrooms were extremely valuable.

Their station manager took some to the region, and the leaders who tasted it all said it was good.

Several leaders from the regional revolutionary committee asked for some, saying they would take them to the provincial leaders to try. The feedback was excellent, which greatly increased the demand. This doesn't even include the foreign guests mentioned by the leaders.

Five thousand catties was a task assigned by the regional leaders, which is why Gao Ming rushed over in such a hurry.

"Five thousand catties?"

Not to mention others, Li Qingqiu was also shocked. He thought that the county could collect about one or two thousand catties.

After all, news spreads very slowly these days, not to mention logistics, especially on days with such thick snow.

"Five thousand catties is just the initial demand; there may be more to come."

Gao Ming wasn't exaggerating. There are so many leaders in the entire province. Five thousand catties is only enough for some of the top leaders to share. The lower-level leaders will have to wait for the next batch.

"Qingqiu, can you think of a way?"

Zhang Xinhong whispered, "This is a chance to make a name for myself. Maybe I can even get rid of the title of deputy."

"I can only do my best," Li Qingqiu thought to himself, his eyes darting around. If he didn't set conditions now, when would he?

Uncle Fuyuan, come quick! This fat sheep is waiting to be slaughtered!

"Let's first check on the situation of the commune members' families."

After discussing it, Gao Ming and Wang Hui went to check on several members of the commune who had purchased the mushroom spawn.

"The mycelium has already emerged."

"She's really good-looking."

"It's a pity there aren't enough."

Wang Hui and Gao Ming sighed again, while Li Qingqiu and Li Fuyuan exchanged a glance. "Uncle Fuyuan, it's your turn."

"You little brat, you've really gotten me into trouble."

When Li Fuyuan first arrived, Li Qingqiu pulled him aside and whispered a few words to him. Li Fuyuan thought it was unlikely, since the supply and marketing cooperative had never done anything like that before. But the kid said it wasn't a big problem.

"Several leaders."

Li Fuyuan rubbed his hands together. "Sigh, there's a reason why the promotion of mushroom branches isn't going smoothly. The commune members are worried that if they buy mushroom branches, no one will buy the mushrooms that grow. Our village can't compare to the commune or the county. Five cents isn't a small amount for some families. With these doubts, many people are hesitant to buy them."

"I see."

Gao Ming and Wang Hui exchanged a glance, and seemed to understand. "Our supply and marketing cooperative can guarantee to buy everyone's mushrooms."

"price?"

"At the current price, it's 45 cents."

"Station Chief Wang, don't be angry, but these commune members are ignorant and can't just talk the talk."

Li Fuyuan glared at Li Qingqiu. This kid, the way he said it, made it seem like the members of Lijia'ao had no sense of awareness at all.

"So what do you mean?"

"It would be better if you paid some deposit," Li Qingqiu whispered a reminder. "Sigh, we're just commune members, we're too short-sighted, there's nothing I can do about it."

"Okay, so one stalk of mushroom can grow five pounds of mushrooms, right?"

Almost there.

"If it's five jin, then the supply and marketing cooperative will give us a deposit of five mao first."

Wang Hui said, "Captain Li, do you think this will work?"

"Five cents?"

Li Qingqiu felt it wasn't enough, but Li Fuyuan shook his head slightly, deciding to stop while he was ahead.

"What do you mean?"

Some of the families who bought the mushroom spawn were caught off guard when the supply and marketing cooperative offered to pay them to order the mushrooms at 45 cents a pound. Those who bought the spawn were overjoyed, as it was as if they had gotten their money back for the spawn.

There's no worry about selling the mushrooms once they grow. The leaders of the supply and marketing cooperative have said that they will buy them at 45 cents per pound. As long as one spawn produces two pounds of mushrooms, they'll make a profit. Everyone is quite excited.

Looking at the branches that had already sprouted mycelium, they were all very excited. "No, I need to buy more."

"Yes, yes, ask around, does the supply and marketing cooperative still pay us when we buy mushroom spawn now?"

One by one, they did the math and realized that as long as the supply and marketing cooperative paid them, it was like getting mushroom branches without spending any money. As long as the mushrooms grew to more than a pound, they could make a profit.

This is easy to calculate; now all the observing members are filled with regret.

"The supply and marketing cooperative comes to your door to buy mushrooms and gives you 45 cents a pound. They also give you 50 cents as a deposit for each mushroom branch you buy. It's like giving away mushroom branches for free. As long as you grow good mushrooms, you're sure to make money."

"Yes, Aunt Liu just said that the supply and marketing cooperative doesn't necessarily need it. I just heard that the leader wants to buy 5,000 jin first, and then more later."

"My God, five thousand catties, that's a lot!"

"Can Li Laosan handle all the work?"

"No wonder Li Laosan wasn't flustered at all; the leaders came to his door to buy mushrooms."

"Wow, Li Laosan's family has gotten a lot of mushroom branches these past few days. They've made a fortune."

"That's true, but it's really not their fault. Nobody buys their bacterial culture."

Aunt Liu and the others were dumbfounded. They had just said that no one wanted to buy mushrooms, but the supply and marketing cooperative came to their door, offering 5,000 jin (2,500 kg) and a deposit. It was as if buying the mushroom branches was free, and as long as the mushrooms grew, they were guaranteed to make money.

Who has ever seen a business that makes money without any initial investment? This made Sixth Aunt, Big Foot Sister-in-law, and the others a laughing stock.

"I have to go to line up."

"Old Li said he only sells fifty branches a day."

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot, wait for me, I'm coming too."

Goodness, he was quick to run away after observing, and even faster after buying the mushroom spawn. This guy's mycelium has already grown, which means Li Qingqiu wasn't lying and that mushrooms will definitely grow. He's now at ease. Now the supply and marketing cooperative has promised to buy the mushrooms at a high price and even gave him a deposit.

The entire brigade went crazy, rushing towards the educated youth settlement. Li Qingqiu and Li Fuyuan saw Wang Hui, Gao Ming, and Zhang Xinhong off. "Take care, leaders."

"Qingqiu, keep a close eye on Xuegu."

"Don't worry, Auntie."

After seeing off the leaders of the supply and marketing cooperative, Li Qingqiu smiled at Li Qinghua, who hadn't spoken for a while, and said, "Second brother, you see, I told you it was good news."

"Good thing."

Li Qinghua said in a low voice, "Third brother, how about you get me some inoculum first?"

"what?"

"This is free, and they're even buying mushrooms at a high price. We're keeping the profits within the family."

Good heavens, Second Brother, you really are something! Li Qingqiu was both amused and exasperated. "Alright, how much do you want?"

"The more the better."

Li Qingqiu hadn't expected Li Qinghua to be so greedy. "I'll get you ten branches first. Xianle can manage ten a day."

"Alright."

"Then why don't we let Xianle work on it for a few more days?"

Ten branches? Li Qinghua thought it was a bit too few. Li Qingqiu rolled her eyes.

"We'll see."

Back at the educated youth settlement, Li Qingqiu was immediately surrounded by a crowd, all vying to buy the mushroom spawn. "No, we're out today. Come early tomorrow, there will be forty spawns."

"Why is it gone?"

"Yes, isn't that what you have in your room?"

"Those are experimental samples from a few days ago, they're not for sale."

Li Qingqiu waved his hand. "Those who want to buy, come early tomorrow."

"you……."

"What do you mean 'what do you mean'? We won't force you to buy if you don't want to."

What a joke! Fifty branches a day is the maximum Li Qingqiu can produce. Doing too much will tire her out. Decomposing mycelium is a delicate task. Once Li Qingmei and Li Xianjing have mastered it, we can increase the sales volume.

"This Li Laosan did it on purpose."

"Look how smug he is."

"There's nothing we can do. You didn't buy it before, and now that they're so smug, there's nothing we can do about it."

"What should we do now?"

"My family wants to buy more."

"How about we go look for the stone orchid?"

"Yes, Li Laosan will definitely listen to his mother."