Mao suspiciously looked at Chen Xiaobei. Chen Xiaobei had to step forward, first using a wooden stick to tap the lid a few times, then gently moving aside a corner.
"I caught a few snakes on the mountain, so I kept them."
Looking at the three large snakes, as thick as a bowl, at the bottom of the jar, Mao sucked in a breath of cold air.
He quickly retreated two steps. Forcing down the panic in his heart, he smiled and said, "County Magistrate Chen has a refined hobby, raising both tigers and snakes."
Chen Xiaobei thought to himself, I intended to sell these for silver, but I haven't acted on it yet.
But I can't say that, or Mao would misunderstand. So Chen Xiaobei put on a sad face.
"Master Mao, you don't know, but villagers often go up the mountain to find herbs or something. If these things are left on the mountain, it's not safe. But if I kill them, I can't bear to do it."
Mao believed Chen Xiaobei's words wholeheartedly. He smiled slightly, "Yes, Captain Chen is right. Heaven cherishes all life. You are also accumulating virtue for yourself."
Chen Xiaobei invited Mao to sit down. Cui Hongyu politely brought a bowl of water.
Mao drank some water and smiled at Chen Xiaobei, "County Magistrate Chen, I've come to congratulate you."
Chen Xiaobei was stunned by this statement. "Master Mao, what good fortune have I received?"
"My friend, you don't know, Magistrate Hu has already reported to the prefectural office, and you will be appointed as the township head of Chenjia Township."
"The appointment from the prefectural office will be here in a few days."
Chen Xiaobei was even more confused. How could this happen? He was being appointed to an official position without consulting him.
Seeing his dazed look, Cui Hongyu quickly coughed softly and smiled, "My dear, this is the trust that Magistrate Hu and Master Mao have in you."
With that, Chen Xiaobei snapped back to reality. He immediately stood up and bowed respectfully to Mao, "Thank you, Master Mao. I will go to the county town tomorrow to thank Magistrate Hu in person."
While the two were talking, Cui Hongyu turned and went into the house.
Cui Hongyu first wrapped ten taels of silver, then used a cloth to wrap a few apples.
Coming out, Cui Hongyu placed these two items on the stone table.
Chen Xiaobei understood immediately. He smiled and cupped his fists at Mao, "Thank you for making the trip, Master Mao. Please accept this as a small token of my appreciation."
Mao's expression turned stern. "Township Head Chen, from now on, we are family. You are being too formal."
"Master Mao, please take care of me in the future." Chen Xiaobei smiled and clasped his hands.
Mao exchanged a few more polite words, but ultimately accepted the gifts. He put the silver in his satchel and then instructed a nearby constable to take care of the apples.
"By the way, I've ordered the township office to be cleaned up. You can go there anytime."
After saying that, he got up to leave.
Watching Mao leave, Cui Hongyu quickly brought out two bowls of rice from the house. "Husband, please eat quickly. It's getting late."
Chen Xiaobei was actually starving. He ate two bowls of rice like a storm, and only then felt his stomach settle.
After eating and drinking his fill, he leaned against the big tree and began to ponder whom to send with Da Laohei and the others to Qingniu Mountain tomorrow.
After much thought, Chen Xiaobei finally decided to assign this task to Chen Dayong.
Since entering the mountain, Chen Dayong had traveled many times to the iron cable bridge. He was familiar with the route. After crossing the iron cable bridge, Da Laohei didn't need a guide, so it was perfect to send Chen Dayong.
With this candidate chosen, Chen Xiaobei could go to the county town tomorrow with peace of mind to sell his apples.
Of course, he also had to thank Hu Fan. Although he wasn't interested in the position of township head, he was still an official. In his previous life, this would be equivalent to a village chief.
To be given such an important position was a great favor. How could he repay it? Giving money was naturally inappropriate. Giving a few apples seemed too little. Chen Xiaobei hesitated, and finally selected a ginseng plant and a lingzhi mushroom from his potted plants, carefully wrapping them. These two items were also quite rare.
The next morning, Chen Xiaobei drove the donkey cart into the city.
In addition to the apples in the two baskets, there were seven or eight fish in the large water缸, all of which needed to be delivered to the Zui Xian Lou.
Delivering the fish went smoothly, as they were regular customers.
After delivering the fish, Chen Xiaobei went to the market first. Old Wu, who sold vegetables, greeted him warmly.
"You kid, it's been a while since you've been here."
Chen Xiaobei reached into his basket and took out an apple, tossing it over.
"This time, I've come to sell fruit."
Old Wu stared at the bright red fruit in his hand, seemingly hesitant to take a bite.
"Old Wu, don't worry, I wouldn't harm you, would I?"
Seeing Chen Xiaobei's relaxed demeanor, Old Wu took it with a hint of doubt, and finally took a bite.
After one bite, Old Wu immediately took several more large bites. Seeing the smile on his face, Chen Xiaobei knew that the taste was definitely not a problem.
Before finishing the apple, Old Wu mumbled, "How much are you planning to sell these fruits for?"
Chen Xiaobei held up one finger. "One coin per jin, what do you think?"
Old Wu stared at the apple in his hand, hesitated, and finally shook his head.
"Logically speaking, your fruit is so delicious, it's not considered expensive. After all, a jin of vegetables also costs one coin."
"But there's a point. Vegetables are eaten every day, but your fruit, ordinary families can't afford to eat it."
He then looked at the baskets on Chen Xiaobei's cart.
"If you give me thirty or fifty jin, I'm confident I can sell them all."
So that was it.
Chen Xiaobei understood instantly. Old Wu thought he was going to entrust him with the sales responsibility again.
But then he thought, Old Wu's words were right. Vegetables are necessities, eaten daily, so Old Wu's sales were always guaranteed.
But apples are fruits. This means that wealthy families can buy them for leisure, or ordinary families can buy them as gifts. Both are acceptable, but the sales volume would not be as large.
Chen Xiaobei pondered for a moment and suddenly had a new idea. Sudian Novel Network.
Yes, the target should still be the restaurants.
With this thought, Chen Xiaobei bid farewell to Old Wu and headed to Zui Xian Lou.
Tian Wen, the manager of Zui Xian Lou, was surprised to see Chen Xiaobei return.
When he saw the two bright red apples he was holding, he was even more puzzled.
"Young Master Chen, what is this..."
Chen Xiaobei handed him an apple. "Manager Tian, please try it first."
Tian Wen took the fruit and took a bite.
A moment later, his eyes were filled with joy. "Mmm, delicious, delicious."
"Manager Tian, one coin per jin. Would you like to buy some?"
As Old Wu had worried, upon hearing that he was being asked to buy this, Tian Wen showed a hint of hesitation.
"Young Master Chen, please forgive my directness. If you were selling fish, I would certainly be very welcoming, but this... my restaurant doesn't use this in cooking."