As Ding Yun agreed, the educated youths immediately began to list the things they lacked and what they wanted, chattering so much that Ding Yun could barely hear.
She had to raise her voice.
To quiet them down and have them speak one by one.
Then they began to report their lists in order.
"I want a bar of soap and a piece of bathing soap. If there were also cold cream and new hair ties, that would be even better."
"I want meat, either cured or salted meat."
"I want some fabric. Any fabric will do. I haven't made new clothes in almost three years."
"I want two towels."
"If there's any cheap old grain, I'd like to trade for some. Even broken rice is fine, as long as it's not moldy."
...
As more than ten people finished listing what they wanted, Ding Yun couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. What they wanted to trade for were all essentials for eating and using.
And not even particularly good food or daily necessities.
They just hoped it was edible and usable.
Their requirements were truly very, very low.
People were truly poor back then, and also genuinely frugal. Perhaps no one could have imagined how extravagant and wasteful some descendants would become forty or fifty years later.
"Okay, no problem. Next, I'll give you the specific prices. Old rice and old flour, and other old grains, will all be one mao per jin. For soap and bathing soap, two yuan for both combined.
The cold cream might not be of the same brand, but the effect is similar. It's one yuan each. If you want some, I can bring it for you. There's no rush, I have some available. You can try it out first.
Then decide if it's suitable.
Meat is a bit more expensive. Whether it's cured or salted, I'll charge one yuan per jin.
I can't go any lower.
Towels are two for one yuan. As for fabric, this needs clarification. The price varies depending on the material and style. If you don't require a specific color or style, and just want the cheapest, I can trade some for one mao per meter. If you have more specific requirements.
Then it will definitely be more expensive.
Let's discuss it slowly..."
Because their desired items were varied and individual requirements differed, Ding Yun quoted prices while verifying their specific needs and adjusting them accordingly.
Admittedly, compared to them.
Ding Yun wasn't making much profit.
She sold cured meat and sausages for two yuan per jin in the black market, and people were scrambling for them. Now she was only quoting one yuan, what more could they ask for? Pork that required coupons was still eight or nine mao.
So, no one present was dissatisfied with the prices.
They only regretted not having enough money.
If they hadn't been worried about the quality being too poor, some might have even wanted to empty their pockets to trade for goods.
But no matter what, everyone was quite enthusiastic now, expressing their thoughts and requirements. Some even reconsidered their initial requests after weighing the prices and made changes for more favorable options.
After these discussions, they intended to give Ding Yun the money and exchange items first. However, Ding Yun knew well that they were likely still a bit apprehensive. If they handed over their money and goods first, they would probably worry for days.
So, she thoughtfully stated that there was no rush.
It wouldn't be too late to exchange when she brought the items.
Then she took her leave.
That afternoon, to be precise, when everyone returned from work, Ding Yun's home was crowded again. It turned out that the women who had received soap and bathing soap earlier were too chatty. Not only did they tell their families,
But they also showed off to other acquaintances and friends while working in the fields that afternoon.
Although soap and bathing soap were not necessities for the villagers, grass ash and soap beans could be used as substitutes. But who didn't know that soap and bathing soap worked far better than grass ash and soap beans?
Was it that they didn't like them? It was just that they were hard to buy, impossible to obtain, and relatively expensive!
Now that they knew that others had traded a month's worth of green vegetables and radishes for a bar of soap and bathing soap, who wouldn't want the same treatment? If they didn't act quickly, this was a bargain, who wouldn't want it? Not taking advantage would be a loss.
However, Ding Yun didn't have many bars of soap and bathing soap left. Giving them all wouldn't be enough to share. Besides, how long would it take for Ding Yun to eat a hundred months' worth of vegetables?
She planned to stay here for a while.
But she didn't intend to stay for a lifetime.
So, after some thought, Ding Yun finally stated that if they wanted more, she could help procure some soap and bathing soap. However, it would definitely not be in exchange for green vegetables and radishes anymore. But other items could be traded, such as stored dried wild vegetables or dried mushrooms from home.
Dried radishes and the like were also acceptable, it didn't matter.
Upon hearing this, everyone had no objections. After a brief discussion among themselves, they decided on the specific quantities, estimating that a few jin of dried vegetables, a few jin of dried radishes, or a few jin of dried mushrooms could be exchanged for a bar of soap or bathing soap. They then hurried home to prepare.
In their opinion, the dried vegetables and dried radishes they had stored at home were no different from the fresh green vegetables and radishes from the fields. The effort expended was insignificant.
Moreover, the young lady didn't ask for much.
A bar of soap only cost three jin of dried vegetables, and a bar of bathing soap only five jin of dried vegetables. Calculated this way, it seemed more cost-effective than giving a month's worth of fresh vegetables and radishes.
The elderly ladies and aunties who had traded fresh green vegetables and radishes with Ding Yun earlier also had no complaints. After all, they were already using the soap and bathing soap, while those who traded their dried produce would have to wait a few more days.
After the crowd dispersed, Village Head Wang specially brought two steamed buns and spoke to Ding Yun about business:
"Xiao Huang, haven't you eaten dinner yet?
Eat these two buns first.
I've arranged work for you. Now there are a few options. One is to go with the village children to cut pig feed. Another is to chop pig feed with the elder sisters.
These are probably the easiest jobs right now.
Of course, the work points are also less.
Although work points shouldn't matter to you, it's not good to be too unconventional, is it?
I know you're not short of money or things, but if everyone is working and you're the only one not, it's inevitable that some people will become jealous. Don't worry, they won't let you chop or cut pig feed forever.
Our village primary school is being set up, and once it's ready, I'll definitely arrange a position for you. It will be even easier then, all intellectual work."
"There's also the issue of meals. I didn't build a kitchen for you, so now you have two options. Hmm, do you want to spend some money to hire people to build a small kitchen for you, or would you rather board with a family in the village?
Building your own will cost money, and you'll have to spend time cooking every day. Boarding with others has the advantage of saving trouble, but there are also disadvantages, of course.
Dietary habits, eating more or less, and so on.
All of these could lead to conflicts.
We've considered it before, letting the educated youths board directly with some village families to save trouble and avoid building small kitchens for them. But after not long, many conflicts arose, which gave me a headache. Of course, I'm not saying this about you. The choice is yours!
Alternatively, you could try boarding first. If you can adapt, then board. If not, it's not too late to build a kitchen.
Besides, a small kitchen can't be built in a day or two. Before the small kitchen is built, you'll still have to board with someone. So, what are your thoughts?"