Summer has arrived in the blink of an eye.
The weather was hot, and the sun hung high in the sky like a giant fireball, scorching the earth.
During this period, Xu Chuan took in three more servants, all of whom were young and strong men in their twenties.
They were all refugees.
One of them, Zhou Ming, has management talent.
A quick mind can help handle many trivial matters and mediate disputes.
The other three were all martial arts practitioners, but they came from ordinary families and were busy with miscellaneous matters, so they had not yet opened up the thirty-six acupoints.
However, they all adhered to the bottom line and did not act recklessly by relying on force.
That's why Xu Chuan took a liking to him.
They became the guardians of the Xu family's home, fields, and forests.
If Xu Chuan supplies them with a large amount of medicinal food, qi and blood-nourishing herbs, all three of them have a chance to become third-rate martial artists, or even second-rate martial artists.
Several simple thatched huts appeared around the Xu family's house; these were theirs.
The thatched huts were only for their living.
As for food, they ate together with Xu Chuan and the others in the Xu family courtyard.
"Brother Chuan, the watermelons in the melon patch are all ripe. When are we going to harvest them?"
Chen Ergou rushed to the Xu family's house, his expression a mixture of excitement and agitation.
After all, this was his first time seriously doing business.
"I went to check this morning. We can pick them tomorrow and sell them to the surrounding villages the day after."
Xu Chuan smiled and said, "Let Zhao Dalong, Sun Fugui, and Qian Youcai go together. They have some martial arts skills, so dealing with a dozen or so adult men shouldn't be a problem."
"Well, that way, I won't have to go looking for my brother."
"After all, I don't want to see his sullen face that looks down on everyone."
"Second Uncle Gou."
Xu Mingyuan came out of the room and greeted him with a smile.
Chen Ergou stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder, cheerfully saying, "Ah Yuan, aren't you excited to go sell melons with Uncle Ergou in the surrounding villages the day after tomorrow?"
"Uncle Er Gou, you're just getting excited. It's just selling melons, not some huge business."
Xu Mingyuan said calmly.
"Hey, how dare you talk to your Uncle Gou like that? You're asking for a beating."
Chen Ergou pretended to raise his hand, but Xu Mingyuan was not afraid at all.
He could tell at a glance whether it was a joke or not.
No matter what, Chen Ergou would not teach him a lesson in front of Xu Chuan.
The day after tomorrow.
Xu Mingyuan and Chen Ergou set off.
Bai Jing's face was full of worry, and her eyes showed some reluctance.
After all, Xu Mingyuan was only seven years old and was going on a long trip that would last for several days.
A mother worries when her son travels a thousand miles.
Xu Chuan sighed inwardly, took Bai Jing's hand, and comforted her, "With Er Gou and Da Long here, everything will be alright."
Zhao Dalong cupped his hands in a fist salute to Xu Chuan and said, "Patriarch, rest assured, we will ensure the Second Young Master's safety and that he returns unharmed."
Xu Mingyuan replied, "Mother, I'll only be gone for a few days; I'll be back soon."
"Let's go."
Of these, the Xu family accounts for 35% and the Chen family accounts for 65%.
Everyone in Dongxi Village knew that the Xu family grew good melons, so before Chen Ergou and his group even left Dongxi Village, many families bought a few to take back and try.
In the blink of an eye, hundreds were sold.
"Father, I want to eat some watermelon."
Feeling the heat, Xu Mingxuan ran over.
Xu Chuan smiled and readily agreed, "Okay, let's wait for Father to help cool the watermelon down first."
He found a large wooden bucket, poured in water, dropped in a white crystal, and then put a watermelon weighing eight or nine pounds into the bucket.
The watermelon bobbed up and down in the wooden bucket.
Xu Mingxuan put his hand in, then looked at Xu Chuan in surprise, "Father, this water is so cold."
"Right? In half an hour, we can eat chilled watermelon."
"Yay!"
Xu Mingxuan then ran to the side to play with Li Zhi.
Li Zhi is no longer as thin as a rake; he has returned to the appearance of a normal three- or four-year-old child.
He was chubby and had a rather handsome face.
Xu Chuan thought for a moment and then put in two smaller watermelons.
Half an hour passed.
He called Xu Mingwei over, pointed to the melons in the bucket, and said, "Shitou, go and give one to Uncle Chen's family and one to your Second Uncle Gou's family."
"Yes, Father."
Xu Mingwei carried two watermelons out the door and soon arrived at Chen Ergou's house. After delivering them, he went to Uncle Chen's house.
"Grandpa Chen, this is a chilled melon my father brought. It's hot in the summer, have some to cool down."
"Iced?" Uncle Chen touched the watermelon and exclaimed in surprise, "It really is! Your father is becoming more and more capable."
Xu Mingwei smiled shyly.
"Please thank your father for me."
After Xu Mingwei returned, Xu Chuan, Bai Jing, and Li Er and his son were all watching the drama unfold.
He walked over and casually picked up a slice of watermelon from the table.
Then he sat down next to Xu Chuan and took a bite.
Instantly, pale red liquid splattered.
"So sweet."
...
Two days later.
The melon-selling team returned.
The trip went very smoothly, and all the melons were sold out.
Chen Ergou's family.
When Xu Yan saw the silver that Chen Ergou brought back, her eyes crinkled into crescent moons with laughter.
The silver and copper coins were counted several times.
This is just the money from selling watermelons; there are also other seasonal watermelons, which can add up to a considerable amount of money.
As for the thirty acres of mountain forest fruit trees, the earliest harvest will be next year or the year after.
"Wife, let me tell you, our melons are selling incredibly well. In other places, as soon as people hear they're from Brother Chuan's family, they basically don't even haggle."
Chen Ergou leisurely took a sip of tea, a smug smile on his face.
"That's great, then you can raise the price next time."
"No, I suggested it, but A-Yuan rejected it. He said this melon is already more expensive than usual and can generate a considerable profit, so there's no need to ruin our reputation for it."
"Furthermore, he also gave a gift to those who bought five or more at once."
What gift?
"It seems to be some kind of stone; putting it in water lowers the temperature, making chilled watermelon."
"So that's how the chilled watermelon Shi Tou brought last time came about."
Xu Yan was quite surprised. She felt that there were many business opportunities in this stone, especially in the summer, when it should sell very well.
"Where did that stone come from? Are you asking?"
"I asked, but A-Yuan didn't know either. It was Brother Chuan who gave it to him, and there weren't many."
Chen Ergou rolled his eyes and stretched out his legs on the bench.
"My wife, now you see how capable your husband is! Come and massage my shoulders and legs; I've been so tired these past few days."
Chen Ergou wanted to assert his authority as a husband.
Xu Yan glanced at him, letting him figure it out for himself.
Chen Ergou was exhausted.
That woman!
They've made money and still treat me like this? They're really difficult to deal with!
"By the way, we're having dinner at Brother Chuan's place tonight to celebrate this trip's success."
.........
night.
Xu Yan naturally wouldn't let this opportunity pass, and asked about the origin of the white stone.
Xu Chuan only said that he found it by chance in the mountains and forests and unexpectedly discovered its usefulness.
This isn't exactly a lie.
However, after some investigation and research, he discovered a saltpeter mine nearby.
We simply don't have the capability to mine it yet, so we have to put it on hold for now.
Most importantly, that area was an unclaimed forest, which, strictly speaking, belonged to the Qingjiang County government.