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Chapter 134:129 Private Chat_i

“Greetings, Master Qin!”

The pair bowed in unison, performing the proper courtesy.

In this world, social hierarchy was strictly observed, with commoners required to show reverence to the privileged class through formal greetings. If they encountered someone of high status and power, they would even need to kneel and pay homage with a grand salute.

“Master Qin, following your guidance, we established a buffer zone and raised a large number of chickens and ducks in it, and we have initially achieved results. A large portion of the locusts entering the village has been intercepted and become food for the chickens and ducks.”

Xu Zhenchang reported on the progress.

“At least nine-tenths must be stopped for it to be considered a success. Can only some be stopped? Take me to see.”

Qin Niu wasn’t very satisfied with the outcome after hearing this.

The three of them arrived at the entrance of the village and saw two fields fenced off according to Qin Niu’s instructions, with nets set up at both ends. Locusts migrated in batches from the outside.

They surged forward in relentless waves, seemingly endless.

There were about two to three hundred chickens and ducks kept within the buffer zone.

Having clearly satiated themselves, they only casually chased after the incoming locusts, driven by predatory instinct.

“We don’t have enough ducks!”

Qin Niu immediately identified the crux of the problem.

“I’ve already sent people to purchase ducks. It shouldn’t take long to bring back over a thousand.”

Wang Furen said from the side.

This shrewd Wang Furen must have spotted a new business opportunity, hence his haste to make arrangements.

“Given the current number of locusts, a thousand might not even be enough. Wang Uncle, having been in commerce for many years, must be familiar with various places. What is the going rate for a duck now?”

Qin Niu’s expenses were considerable. Faced with this wave of insect calamity, he too wished to turn a profit.

Ducks consumed more and digested faster.

Their egg-laying rate was higher than chickens.

They were also flexible hunters, on both water and land.

Using them against the locusts was a major asset.

Seizing this opportunity to purchase a large number of ducks, he could make a substantial profit when reselling them later.

“A fully grown duck locally costs 17 wen each, while a year-old hen goes for about 30 wen each.”

“What about half-grown ducks?”

“They are not easy to purchase locally. If you need a large quantity, you can go to Pingshui for lake ducks. It’s estimated that you could find them for about seven or eight wen each.”

“In that case, I commission Wang Uncle to purchase three thousand half- grown ducks for me, just enough to help our Shuangfeng Village stop the locust disaster. You won’t be running about for nothing; I’ll settle the labor and travel expenses later.”

Qin Niu still had some silver money.

The locust disaster was formidable. Merely buying a thousand ducks would likely be insufficient.

Half-grown ducks ate more than mature ones and had plenty of vitality, making them more effective at catching locusts.

“It’s an honor for Wang to contribute to Shuangfeng Village. I’ll set off first thing tomorrow morning. Pingshui isn’t too far from here. If I take a shortcut, I should be able to return in at most three days. However, I’ll definitely need to take the main road back, which is nearly two hundred li away, so I estimate that we’ll need to rent four or five horse carts to transport the ducks back. This expense is expected to be five or six coins of silver money.”

Horse carts were considered a luxurious mode of transport, favored for their speed but quite expensive.

“Then calculate, approximately how much money will suffice for all the expenses?”

Wang Furen did some quick calculations.

“Twenty-five taels of silver should be more than enough. If there’s no price hike for ducks, the total cost might even be lower.”

“Here are twenty-six taels of silver. Take it, Wang Uncle, and handle this task tomorrow. This matter affects the whole village’s grain supply. You can select a few able-bodied men from the village to accompany you. I’ll settle their wages afterwards.”

Qin Niu was generous, handing over twenty-six taels of silver to Wang Furen on the spot.

He wasn’t worried about Wang Furen taking the money and absconding.

If he dared to flee, Wang Wanyan—Wang Furen’s property—would all belong to Qin Niu.

“Village chief, wouldn’t you like to buy some ducks too? You might be able to make a tidy sum!”

Wang Furen turned to Xu Zhenchang.

“I won’t be buying any. With the locust disaster still unresolved and huge household expenses, if this year’s harvest is poor, I need to save more money to pay the Yan Family land rent.”

Xu Zhenchang dare not take that risk.

He had leased a lot of land, and the annual rent was substantial.

When it came to amassing wealth, this young upstart certainly couldn’t compete with Wang Furen.

“The village chief is a prudent man, valuing credibility—very good!”

Wang Furen praised Xu Zhenchang before going back to arrange for manpower to accompany him in buying ducks, something he did not mention further.

Two days passed in a blink of an eye.

After Wang Furen departed, Wang Wanyan also had a rare couple of days without anyone to oversee her.

She had the servants make some meat pies and sent some over to Qin Niu.

“Master Qin, I don’t know if these meat pies are to your taste!” This time, Wang Wanyan brought over half a basket of meat pies. If Wang Furen saw this, he would probably feel the pinch again.

“Just call me Air Niu! The house isn’t finished yet, and there’s nowhere clean to ask you to sit!” Qin Niu always had a special feeling for Miss Wang.

“Standing to chat is quite alright! I think the layout of your estate is wonderful. Once it’s built, it will surely be extraordinarily comfortable to live in.” She stood in the front courtyard, surveying Qin Niu’s new residence.

Upon seeing Xiao Qing, she immediately waved and said, “Xiao Qing, come eat some meat pies! I had Aunt Wu make them just now, and they’re still warm!” Xiao Qing, having had some exposure to the world, wasn’t timid at all.

Walking over, he smelled the scent wafting from the meat pies in the basket and swallowed his saliva in secret.

She looked at Qin Niu.

“It’s okay, go ahead and eat! Store the rest properly and return the basket to Miss Wang.”

Qin Niu, now different in strength and wealth from before, calmly accepted the small gift from Wang Wanyan.

Because he indeed had the ability to reciprocate the favor.

“Thank you, Miss Wang! You’re really beautiful!”

With permission granted, Xiao Qing unceremoniously grabbed a meat pie and started munching on it.

And didn’t forget to compliment Wang Wanyan on her beauty.

“Hehe, you’re quite the sweet talker! If you like them, I’ll have Mother Wu make some more and send them over tomorrow.”

Wang Wanyan was quite fond of Xiao Qing.

Xiao Qing, carrying the basket, walked away.

Only Qin Niu and Wang Wanyan were left standing in the front yard, watching the craftsmen build the house.

“Air Niu, do you think we’ll be able to stop this year’s locust disaster?”

She asked with some concern.

And she had reverted to her previous way of addressing Qin Niu.

This made Qin Niu very happy.

“Hard to say. I feel there’s something eerie about these locusts, they’re not ordinary locusts, and the timing of their appearance is too precise. It’s as if an invisible hand is behind the scenes, trying to cut off everyone’s food supply. For now, the extent of the locust disaster is unknown. If it’s widespread, then the entire territory of the Black Tiger Gang will be thrown into chaos.”

Qin Niu had a foresight and insight far beyond his peers.

Since the beginning of the locust disaster, he had keenly sensed a major crisis.

“Sigh! I’m just an ordinary villager, powerless to do anything in the face of such a disaster. I really admire you—quietly becoming an Insect Master and finding a way to stop the locust disaster at a critical moment.”

She looked at Qin Niu with admiration in her eyes.

“Haha, that’s nothing! I grew up here and have deep feelings for Shuangfeng Village. Now that the villagers are in crisis, isn’t it only right that I help solve it? It’s just a shame that my level as an Insect Master is still low, and I can’t contribute much.”

Qin Niu sighed.

If only he had a group of exceptionally powerful insects, then even the worst locust disaster could be stopped.

“You’re already impressive! Otherwise, Cai Xian from Daoyuan Village wouldn’t have taken a fancy to you at first glance and even proactively come over with a marriage proposal.”

She took the opportunity to bring up the matter of Tang Caixian’s proposal.

“Hey, I’ve never taken that seriously. Miss Tang probably doesn’t go out much and acts entirely according to her preferences, with a touch of capriciousness. Give it some time, and when she meets a truly outstanding man, she’ll forget all about me.”

Qin Niu hadn’t taken the matter too seriously.

Many daughters of wealthy families, used to a life of luxury from a young age, lack experience and real societal exposure.

Just like children who haven’t grown up yet, their ideas are naive and childish.

“That may not necessarily be the case! Miss Tang is quite talented, having gone to the city from a young age to learn singing and dancing from famous performers. Even now, she frequently goes into the city, and she’s not one of those inexperienced little girls.”

Unexpectedly, Wang Wanyan knew her so well.

“Furthermore, her cousin Tang Yan holds a high official position in Black Tiger City. He occasionally invites her to attend some high-level banquets. While performing dances for the guests, she gets plenty of opportunities to meet various dignitaries. In terms of experience and exposure, I admit that I’m far behind her. The fact that she would humble herself to the point of actively proposing to you shows that you must possess some extraordinary charm.” Wang Wanyan had her own opinion; she didn’t think Tang Caixian was simply playing house.

“I was ignorant of all these things. I underestimated her. But to say that I have an extraordinary charm that has attracted her, I don’t believe it. Give it some time, and once her enthusiasm fades, the truth will reveal itself.”

Qin Niu still had some unspoken thoughts.

His standards for choosing a spouse were high; it wasn’t just any beautiful girl pursuing him that would get his agreement.

“You just don’t realize your own worth! A long time ago, I noticed you were different from other young men. You love to learn, you’re cautious and meticulous, stable and reserved. Back then, though you were poor, you still had great spirit and ambition. These are your unique charms. Hehe… and now, it seems your charm has increased quite a bit.”

She chuckled with her hand covering her mouth, sneakily glancing at Qin Niu.

“You’re just flattering me with sweet words! On the contrary, you’re intelligent, kindhearted, and decisive—truly admirable!”

Qin Niu met her bright and shiny eyes, boldly voicing some of the feelings he had suppressed for many years.

“Miss, the second lady is urging you to go back!”

At this moment, Mother Wu called from outside.

This was out of concern that Wang Wanyan would stay too long at Qin Niu’s house and become the subject of gossip.

And she feared for her loss of chastity even more.

After all, both were at the age of blooming youth, when hormones were at their peak.

“All Niu, I’ll come see you next time! If I get the chance, I would also like to learn insect control with you.”

She waved her hand and said goodbye to Qin Niu.

“No problem, as long as you’re not afraid of them.”

Qin Niu agreed readily.

Many girls screamed at the sight of a single cockroach.

Though there were some female Insect Masters, most were still male.

“Xiao Qing, bring the basket back to Miss Wang.”

“Alrighty!”

Xiao Qing had actually emptied the basket a while ago but hadn’t come over, afraid to disturb his master’s conversation with Miss Wang.

“All Niu, you can call me Wan Yan from now on! Otherwise, I’ll have to properly address you as Master Qin!”

Wang Wanyan received the basket, her beautiful eyes fixed on Qin Niu.

“Then… I’ll be so bold!” Qin Niu nodded in agreement.