If they stored charcoal in their home, when winter arrived, it would be more convenient. Getting charcoal in winter wasn’t as easy as in summer or autumn. Not only was it freezing cold, but wet firewood was heavy and had to be dried before use, which was a hassle.
Being farmers, the villagers thought it over and felt too embarrassed to cause trouble with Zhang Fangyuan. After all, they had earned some money from making charcoal this autumn, which helped offset the poor harvest.
"But with so much charcoal, how are we going to sell it all?"
Zhang Shicheng, along with his wife and child, came to Zhang Fangyuan’s house for a meal. Looking at the clear and rainless sky, he couldn’t help but worry. He wondered if this year would be another warm winter like last year. While the villagers didn’t openly call Zhang Fangyuan foolish, after all, he had provided them with a way to earn money, they were secretly watching to see how things would turn out.
In previous years, late autumn would bring continuous rain, and people in the city would start using charcoal early. But this year, even at this time, the midday sun was still scorching, and it was so hot that Zhang Shicheng only wore two thin layers of clothes.
Xu He was also uneasy, but if even his own family expressed doubts, he feared it would add to Zhang Fangyuan’s burden. So, he kept quiet and instead encouraged the family, even advising his own family to stockpile some charcoal.
As noon approached, the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen. For lunch, they were having fresh fish from the village pond and an old hen stewed with ginseng for nourishment.
Zhang Shicheng was chatting with Zhang Fangyuan in the house when the courtyard gate was opened by Huangqi. He craned his neck to look and saw his eldest brother, Zhang Shixin.
"Your eldest uncle has the sharpest nose."
Zhang Shicheng chuckled.
"I passed by his place yesterday and invited him, but he said he had to go to the city today. I thought he wouldn’t come," Zhang Fangyuan said as he stood up to greet him. "Uncle, you’re back so early?"
Zhang Shixin hurried into the house and gulped down a cup of tea: "It’s gone up again!"
Zhang Fangyuan and Zhang Shicheng asked in unison: "Grain prices have risen again?"
Zhang Shixin put down the teacup and nodded, his eyes shining: "Thankfully, I listened to Fangyuan and didn’t sell our grain to those merchants early. Otherwise, we would have lost big. The autumn harvest wasn’t great, and if we run out of grain later, we’ll have to buy more. The money that used to buy two catties of rice can only buy one catty now."
Just thinking about it made him click his tongue.
Zhang Shicheng, peeling sunflower seeds, asked, "Are you planning to sell some now?"
Zhang Shixin grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and stuffed some into his pocket. No one said anything to him: "I won't sell it. Do you know why grain prices have risen again? I got some shocking news in the city today!"
"What is it?"
Zhang Shixin’s expression turned serious: "There’s a plague in Ningjiang Prefecture! It’s terrifying, it’s spreading like wildfire. The city is in an uproar. The news just broke, but within a few hours, everyone knew."
Zhang Shicheng couldn’t help but sigh, his eyes glazing over: "Why is there so much trouble these days!"
"The county magistrate has sent people to strictly guard the main roads. They’re checking everyone entering and leaving Siyang, not allowing anyone from Ningjiang Prefecture to come over," Zhang Shixin said, shivering. "It’s good to be strict. If even one infected person gets in, Siyang will be in trouble too."
Then he turned to Zhang Fangyuan: "Merchants from Ningjiang Prefecture aren’t allowed to come here for business. Fangyuan, isn’t the merchant who buys your silkworm cocoons from Ningjiang Prefecture? If so, I advise you to stop collecting cocoons from the villagers for now. Maybe pause silkworm farming for a couple of cycles. Otherwise, you won't be able to sell the cocoons."
Zhang Fangyuan frowned. This was indeed a problem: "This year’s last batch of silkworms is already spinning cocoons. If we stop now, we’ll have to wait until next spring. By then, the plague might be over."
"This isn’t something that can be resolved in three to five months. You should be more cautious. The family has worked hard to get to where it is, don’t let it collapse in such a disastrous year."
Although Zhang Shixin loved to take advantage of situations, his words were sincere. After all, he had some foresight. Among the Zhang family descendants, Zhang Fangyuan was the most successful. If he fell, there would be no one left to take advantage of. Naturally, Zhang Shixin also hoped for Zhang Fangyuan’s success.
"Alright, I’ll write a letter later and see if Boss Song is passing through Ningjiang Prefecture."
The kitchen had finished preparing the dishes, and Xu He brought in the stewed chicken soup. As he approached the door, he overheard the conversation between the men inside.
He furrowed his brows, also worried about the silkworm cocoons. If Song Yong couldn’t come to Siyang due to the epidemic, they would lose another source of income. The cocoons they had collected would pile up, and with the charcoal stockpile, the family’s burden would become even heavier.
The mention of the plague made people pale with fear. Xu He’s mind was in turmoil, but he also noticed something unusual about his husband.
A while ago, Zhang Fangyuan had brought back a large batch of medicinal herbs, including some for preventing epidemics. Xu He wasn’t sure if it was just a coincidence or if Zhang Fangyuan had foreseen something. This small detail gave him a strange sense of reassurance about the charcoal situation.
And his reassurance wasn’t misplaced. While the people of Siyang were still panicking over the plague in Ningjiang Prefecture, the weather, which had been scorching hot for so long, suddenly reached its peak and then plummeted.
A cold, foggy autumn rain swept across the land. Just yesterday, people were wearing light clothing, but now, without exaggeration, they were bundling up in thick cotton and linen clothes.
"The weather changed so quickly!"
Thank you for the chapter!!
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