Reborn in the 1980s: Nine Stunning Beauties Get Pregnant Before Marriage

The old man in the gatehouse nodded in agreement: "Fifteen cartloads were hauled, I've been counting them all. It's just... they were hauled a bit too fast."

Although Xiao Li felt something was off, he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

They settled the bill with Chen Yongqiang based on the registered amount: fifteen truckloads, fifteen yuan per truckload, for a total of two hundred and twenty-five yuan.

"Come and pick up another load next week, but not as much as this time." Xiao Li was quite satisfied with Chen Yongqiang's efficient work and the benefits he received.

To save himself trouble, he handed over the job of hauling the distiller's grains to Chen Yongqiang.

"Don't worry, I'll be there on time." Chen Yongqiang replied with a smile, not expecting it to be a long-term business.

If we can consistently produce distiller's grains, then starting a livestock farm can be put on the agenda.

Of course, it's essential to maintain a good relationship with the distillery.

As he left, Chen Yongqiang discreetly slipped two packs of Daqianmen cigarettes into Xiao Li's pocket.

As Chen Yongqiang drove his tractor along the road, a smile appeared on his face.

This time, when hauling away the lees, he naturally took advantage of the available space and hauled away some extra.

However, the loss wasn't much, only about three cartloads. He thought to himself, "The wool comes from the sheep's back; that wild boar's stomach wasn't free."

Chen Yongqiang found a secluded and deserted place and put the last cartload of wine lees into his spatial storage.

Then take out the bicycle and the two barrels of diesel fuel and put them on the back of the truck. These are the things that are ostensibly to be taken back to the village.

Instead of rushing back to the village, he drove his tractor to the secondhand market in the county town.

Building a house requires a lot of tools, so I have to go and find some.

"Buying tools at the secondhand market doesn't require industrial coupons or permits, and the prices are much cheaper than through official channels."

It is most suitable for individual buyers like him who need a lot of tools but want to avoid cumbersome procedures and save costs.

This was the best way for many ordinary people and craftspeople to obtain tools at the time.

When we arrived at the flea market, there weren't many pedestrians on the street at this time of day.

Chen Yongqiang drove the tractor slowly forward, glancing at both sides of the street as he drove.

Some stalls are piled high with all sorts of old items, while many others are simply stalls with a tattered burlap sack spread out on the ground, with various items scattered around.

Seeing a wooden shelf in front of a shop filled with all sorts of construction tools, Chen Yongqiang parked the tractor by the roadside and turned off the engine.

Upon hearing the sound of the tractor, the shop owner immediately came out from the back room to greet him.

These days, anyone who can afford to drive a tractor is a real big customer.

"Hey buddy, what do you need? I have all the tools I need!"

"Let me take a look first," Chen Yongqiang said, picking up a plastering trowel and checking if the wooden handle was sturdy.

"My stuff is good quality and cheap. This iron trowel, take it for 1.2 yuan."

Chen Yongqiang picked up the trowel next to him: "What about this one?"

"A trowel costs 1.8 yuan. Are you building a house, folks?"

Chen Yongqiang nodded: "That's a plan."

"Building a house is a big deal! One or two tools aren't enough." The boss perked up and turned around to take things out one by one from the shelves and corners.

"Look, you can't build a wall without this big trowel! This is a plumb bob, used to ensure verticality. With this complete set, the work will be much smoother!"

The shopkeeper picked up a sturdy-looking two-pronged rake: "This is best for clearing foundations and mixing mud. If you really want some, buy a few more, and I'll give you a discount."

The boss was quite shrewd in business; he brought out seven or eight items and piled them up on the ground—all essential tools for building a house.

Chen Yongqiang was skilled at hunting, but only a novice when it came to building houses. He figured it was better to be prepared than to lack tools.

"Boss, I really want it, give me a fair price."

Seeing his straightforwardness, the shopkeeper immediately took out his abacus and started clicking away: "The trowel is 1.2 yuan, the trowel is 1.8 yuan... that's 17 yuan and 2 mao in total. Since you bought so much, let's make it 17 yuan, how about that?"

Chen Yongqiang then pointed to two plastic buckets used for holding concrete under the shelf: "Let's include these two buckets as well."

"These tin buckets last a long time, so they're a bit more expensive, three yuan each. Adding the seventeen yuan from before, that makes a total of twenty-three yuan." The shopkeeper adjusted the abacus beads and announced the total price.

Chen Yongqiang didn't haggle any further and simply took out his money to pay. He had to get back to the village before dark.

After settling the bill, Chen Yongqiang began loading the tools into the truck bed.

The shop owner also lent a hand, and while they were moving things, he suddenly lowered his voice and asked, "Hey, do you need cement to build your house?"

These days, buying cement involves a lot of complicated procedures.

Chen Yongqiang paused, "You still have cement here?"

The shopkeeper glanced around and said, "Keep your voice down. We do have some, but not many, just five packs."

This thing is sold clandestinely; it can't be sold in the light of day.

"What's the price?" Chen Yongqiang asked.

"Fifty kilograms, three yuan and fifty cents a bag, no bargaining. All good cement, not damp," the shopkeeper quoted.

Chen Yongqiang did the math and realized that each pack was one yuan more expensive than those sold through official channels.

Without hesitation, he said, "I'll take them all. Also, could you make more? I need a lot more."

The shop owner looked troubled: "I can't say for sure. This stuff is very tightly controlled right now. I can only say I'll try my best to keep an eye out for you, and if I find any, I'll keep them for you."

Chen Yongqiang then counted out seventeen yuan and five jiao and handed it over. The boss took the money, and the two of them together lifted the five bags of cement onto the back of the tractor and covered them with an old burlap sack.

Only after the transaction was completed did Chen Yongqiang start the tractor, and with a low rumble, it slowly drove away from the secondhand market.

As the tractor traveled along the dirt road back to the village, Chen Yongqiang pondered:

"I never imagined that those inconspicuous little shops in the flea market could actually do all sorts of business."

He needs a lot of cement to build his house, and these five bags are far from enough.

The price is a bit higher than through official channels. However, even if he wanted to go through official channels, he would still need connections and approvals, so it might not be any easier.

This trip to the county town was quite fruitful. I successfully bought a tractor, got in touch with the winery, and now I'm even seeing some progress on the scarce cement.

"Next, we'll see if the village's brick kiln can be successfully established."

Now, every step is moving in the direction of his planned strategy.

"However, we're still short of money to build the house," Chen Yongqiang thought to himself.

After buying the lees and other miscellaneous tools, he only had five or six hundred yuan left in cash.

"There's still a shortfall of at least a thousand dollars." He needs to think of another way.

The wild boar meat from the space can still fetch another five or six hundred yuan. As for the rest, we'll have to find a way to get it from Qinglong Mountain.

However, a house can't be built in a day or two, so Chen Yongqiang still has time to earn that money.