Chapter 211: Chapter 210: Willing but Unable

Liu Qi said his grandfather went to see the clan leader early in the morning, saying there was an important matter to discuss. “Maybe they are discussing the matter of spring plowing and breeding.”

After speaking, he looked at Qin Yao expectantly; this year, everyone was counting on her to guide them on how to breed seeds, aiming for the high yield of five hundred pounds per mu that her family achieved last year.

Qin Yao, concerned about grain hoarding, didn’t have time to speak much with Liu Qi. She grabbed Liu Ji, who was attempting to sneak into the village head’s house for breakfast, and hurried to the clan leader’s house.

Sure enough, the two old men were together, but they were not discussing breeding.

Qin Yao entered, not having had a sip of water, and expressed her concerns about the village’s households having insufficient grain reserves to the two elders.

“You want to hoard grain?” The village head and the clan leader asked in unison, their eyes lighting up in a way that was completely different from the trouble-averse look she had imagined.

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow, testing the waters, “Are you two thinking about this as well?”

The village head and the clan leader quickly nodded, what a coincidence this is!

The two elders quickly pulled Qin Yao to sit down, telling her they were planning to use the stone money she handed over to the village last year to buy some grain to support a few particularly impoverished clan members in the village.

As for the road-building plan, it would have to be postponed.

But they were worried other clansmen would oppose using the money for grain instead of building the road, and they were discussing strategies.

The money has accumulated to one tael and six maces; at the current rough rice price of three cents per jin, they could buy five hundred and thirty-three jin.

In the past, they would have had the heart but no means.

But this year, the village just happens to have this money, so they want to use it to assist the clansmen first.

After all, to lend grain, there needs to be grain to spare, even though they are the village head and clan leader, they can’t force the big households to lend grain to other villagers, at most they can give a word of encouragement, ultimately it depends on individual consciousness.

Qin Yao glanced at Liu Ji, look, this is the perspective of a leader!

The village head and the clan leader, with their age and experience, considered things more long-term than the young people in the village. The government said that the grain gap in May and June could be filled, but who knows if that’s true or false.

In the end, one’s own life is something you have to worry about yourself.

This point aligns with Qin Yao’s thoughts, the three of them deliberated, if we hoard, we should hoard more, the whole village should hoard together, wouldn’t it be better to have more grain than less?

With Qin Yao thinking of hoarding grain first, the village head and clan leader gained a bit more confidence in the villagers, and by noon, they summoned the available villagers to ask for everyone’s opinions.

Unfortunately, the situation was completely different from what they had anticipated.

Those with enough grain reserves were unwilling to spend the money.

Those with slightly inadequate reserves wanted to borrow a little from other relatives.

Those with insufficient reserves smiled bitterly, saying they wanted to hoard but didn’t have the money.

In the end, everyone looked at the clan leader and village head, how should we handle this?

The village head spread his hands angrily, “Handle it yourselves!”

They have reminded everyone they could, and if the villagers are not willing to collectively buy grain, then each family should prepare on their own, blessings and misfortunes are up to fate.

The clan leader let out a long sigh, “Why don’t you learn from Miss Qin and Liu Ji? They don’t lack grain, but they know to hoard some, don’t hold back on the bit of Silver Coin, what if this year’s autumn harvest also has a poor yield?”

The fields have been plagued with insect damage, and mental preparation for reduced yields should be made in advance.

The families without money are the poorest in the village, and upon hearing this, could only smile bitterly, with their current conditions, not even anyone willing to lend them money.

They have to wait until after spring plowing to go into the city to find short-term work, to see if they can earn a bit of a meal.

The clan leader and village head exchanged glances, seeing that Liu Dafu and Old Liu, both reputable in the village, were present, they straightforwardly revealed their initial plan.

“Everyone is from the same village, with ancestors from the same family, and should naturally help each other.”

“Originally, this money was meant for road repair, but given this situation, it’s always better to consider sooner, and the village head and I wanted to ask everyone if we could temporarily lend this road repair money to those few families to buy grain?”

Everyone knew which families they were talking about and collectively looked at those clansmen who couldn’t even dress properly in sackcloth.

Under Qin Yao’s clear hint, Liu Ji was the first to raise his hand in agreement.

Those impoverished clansfolk looked at him in surprise, as if they never expected Liu Laosan, whom they looked down on the most, to make such a move.

Liu Ji puffed out his chest, thinking to himself that he was no longer the same Liu Ji as before.

The current him is Liu. Child Student. Ji!

Old Liu, gratified, looked at his third son, also raising his hand, “Our family agrees too.”

Liu Dafu also agreed.

With leaders set, gradually, several more families raised their hands in agreement.

In the end, the majority agreed, and the clan leader and village head took out the money, in front of the clansmen, lent it to the few poorest families, and marked receipts as proof.

Of course, the money won’t be handed directly to them; the village needs to find someone to buy the grain first, then disburse the equivalent amount of grain they borrowed.

This money is said to be borrowed, but everyone knows in their hearts it’s village relief.

It’s good if they have the money to repay, but they shouldn’t overly rely on it if they can’t.

The villagers who opposed left the ancestral hall feeling disgruntled, and two groups argued for quite a while before settling down.

But some heeded the warning and decided to listen to the village head and clan leader, preparing to hoard some grain.

Old Liu’s family was still a bit undecided, and invited Qin Yao and her husband back to the old house for a discussion.

Knowing the couple hadn’t had breakfast yet, He cooked a bowl of vegetable porridge for each of them.

Previously, they could add an egg; now it’s just vegetable porridge, showing a clear decline in living standards.

Evidently, the old household was getting nervous about the insect damage, as they’ve started to cut back on meal portions now.

Liu Ji, accustomed to a plentiful meal at home, found it tasteless but still finished the bowl of porridge.

After the meal, Old Liu discussed the family’s situation. Last year’s grain was still available; if it weren’t for corvée labor, they’d have enough to last until next year, so he was unsure about hoarding.

Qin Yao answered with great conviction, “Hoard, hoard as much as you can, if nothing happens you can eat it yourself, if something does happen it can save lives.”

It might even be possible to make a small profit. But Qin Yao didn’t say that.

The people in the old house were straightforward, saying too much would only add unnecessary worries to them.

Old Liu asked Qin Yao how much she planned to hoard.

“Depends on the current grain prices, at least enough for a year’s supply.”

Everyone calculated in their hearts, Qin Yao’s family’s yearly supply would need three thousand jin.

This amount is still manageable to buy, just worried others might also start hoarding, causing city rice shops to hike prices.

Actually, they are already increased, fine rice is twelve coins per jin now.

Old Liu looked at Mrs. Zhang, who said, “Our family can at most take out three taels of Silver.”

This meant they wanted to hoard grain with Qin Yao.

Qin Yao nodded in understanding and directly pointed to Liu Ji, “You will be in charge of procurement.”

Liu Ji, who was daydreaming, had not expected such a good opportunity, a flash of joy in his eyes, and he quickly agreed.

This was a great chance to hide some private funds!

But how could Qin Yao let him succeed?

She gave Old Liu a look, and Old Liu pushed Liu Fei in front of Liu Ji,

“Old Three, look after Old Four, teach him well, you two go to the county town first, if there’s none, then to the neighboring county.”

Liu Ji’s heart skipped a beat, but he showed no sign, putting an arm around Liu Fei’s shoulders, saying brotherly, “Don’t worry, I will definitely teach him well.”

Liu Fei shook off his hand, “Don’t touch me!”

Disdainfully backing off four or five meters, staying far away from Liu Ji.

Seeing the fire and water incompatible stance, He and Mrs. Qiu frowned.

Can these two work together?

Qin Yao gave them a reassuring smile, this isn’t such a big deal, don’t worry.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep