12dz Chapter 496 Omitting the Intermediate Ring
Chapter 496 Omitting the Intermediate Ring
When Li Xiangyang got home, he pushed open the gate to the yard and saw Li Xiaoyun feeding the chickens.
"How was the harvest?" Li Xiaoyun put down the feed in her hand and greeted her with a smile.
"I've set quite a few traps. Let's see how they go tomorrow," Li Xiangyang said, lightly brushing the dust off his clothes. "I think this time we're sure to have a good harvest."
Li Xiaoyun handed him a damp towel: "Wipe your face first. Wangchen just fell asleep and was making a fuss about waiting for you to come back. It was so hard to get him to sleep."
Li Xiangyang wiped his face, feeling refreshed: "That out-of-town fur merchant that Boss Liu mentioned is offering a high price. If we can catch a lot of foxes and otters this time, our business will take off."
After dinner, the two sat in the courtyard to enjoy the cool evening air. It was a gentle breeze in the early summer night, with the sounds of frogs and insects filling the air.
“I think everyone in the village can learn this hunting method,” Li Xiangyang said thoughtfully. “It’s less dangerous than hunting directly, but the rewards are just as good.”
Li Xiaoyun nodded: "Why don't you teach the villagers? That way, everyone can have more ways to make money."
“Yes, that’s what I was thinking too,” Li Xiangyang gently patted his wife’s hand. “If the results are good after we see them tomorrow, we’ll promote it throughout the village.”
The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Li Xiangyang got up.
In the courtyard, the morning mist was thick, and Li Xiaoyun was already busy at the stove.
"You're up so early?" Li Xiangyang walked to his wife's side.
Li Xiaoyun turned around and handed him a bowl of steaming noodle soup: "Last night I heard you say you had to get up early to check the traps, so I got up early to prepare something for you to eat."
Li Xiangyang took the bowl and drank it all in one gulp: "You rest first, I'll go wait for them at the village entrance."
At the village entrance, Wang Ergou was already waiting. Upon seeing Li Xiangyang, he waved and said, "Brother Xiangyang, I just saw Li Daqiang and Zhang Weiping coming over."
Soon, the four of them gathered and headed into the mountains.
On the way, Wang Ergou asked, "Brother Xiangyang, how much do you think we'll get today?"
Li Xiangyang smiled and said, "Based on the number of traps set yesterday, there should be at least three or four foxes."
Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou headed straight for the place where they had set up the trap the day before.
Before we even got close, we could see a trap moving in the distance. A bright red fox was caught in a wire noose and was struggling desperately.
"We've made a haul!" Wang Ergou exclaimed excitedly in a low voice.
Li Xiangyang cautiously approached the fox, grabbed the wire with one hand, and quickly pressed down on the fox's neck with the other. With a gentle pinch, the fox stopped moving.
"Good heavens, the fur is so good!" Wang Ergou squatted down and stroked the fox's glossy fur. "This will definitely fetch a good price."
Li Xiangyang put the fox into a sack: "Let's continue checking the other traps."
The two followed yesterday's route, checking each trap one by one.
Surprisingly, five out of the dozen or so traps successfully captured foxes.
"Five!" Wang Ergou's face flushed with excitement. "Brother Xiangyang, your method is incredibly effective!"
Li Xiangyang smiled and patted him on the shoulder: "This is just the beginning. Let's come back in a few days; maybe we'll have even more to gain then."
The two rearranged the triggered traps, making sure everything was back to normal, and then, carrying a sack full of spoils, headed towards the village entrance.
When they arrived at the village entrance, Li Daqiang and Zhang Weiping were already waiting there. They had also made a good harvest, with six otters in three large sacks.
The four returned to the village and went to Li Xiangyang's yard. Li Xiaoyun was so surprised to see how much they had brought back.
"So many?" She couldn't believe her eyes. "How much is this worth?"
“According to the price Mr. Liu quoted, the pelts of these foxes and otters are worth at least several hundred yuan,” Li Xiangyang replied with a smile. “If that out-of-town businessman offers even more, they’ll be worth even more.”
Li Wangchen ran out of the house and, seeing the animals in the yard, curiously approached them: "Dad, what are these?"
“They’re foxes and otters, son,” Li Xiangyang patted his son’s head. “Dad earns a living from these.”
Li Wangchen nodded as if he understood, but his eyes remained fixed on the furry animals.
“Alright, let’s get started,” Li Xiangyang rolled up his sleeves. “Xiaoyun, go call a few aunties to help. We need to skin them and process them quickly.”
Before long, several women from the village gathered in the courtyard. They divided the work among themselves: some were responsible for peeling, some for washing, and others for drying.
While working, Li Xiangyang explained the hunting method to the villagers watching: "It's actually very simple. You just find the routes where the animals frequently travel and set traps there. As long as you use the right method, you can have a catch without hunting yourself."
The villagers nodded in agreement, and several young people even took the initiative to ask for specific instructions on how to arrange the items.
"That's a great idea!" said Old Zhang from the village, puffing on his pipe. "No need to risk going up the mountain to hunt, and you can make money too. Who wouldn't want to learn it?"
Seeing everyone's enthusiasm, Li Xiangyang had an idea: "Here's what we'll do. In a couple of days, I'll organize a training session to teach everyone how to identify animal tracks, how to set traps, and even how to process the hides. Once everyone in our village learns, we'll all have more ways to make money."
The proposal was met with enthusiastic support from the villagers.
By the time all the hides were processed, it was already afternoon. Li Xiangyang treated several villagers who had helped him to a meal, and then saw them off.
In the courtyard, Li Xiangyang, Wang Ergou, Li Daqiang, and Zhang Weiping sat together, discussing their next steps.
“I need to go to the county town tomorrow to tell Boss Liu we have the goods,” Li Xiangyang said, “and see when that out-of-town businessman is coming.”
Wang Ergou nodded: "Then I'll go with you. We still need to ask Boss Liu how much goods that merchant wants and what the price is."
Li Daqiang and Zhang Weiping also expressed their intention to continue setting traps in order to gain more rewards.
The next morning, Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou rode their bicycles to the county town.
When they arrived at Boss Liu's purchasing shop, Boss Liu was taking inventory of the goods. Upon seeing Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou, he warmly greeted them: "Hey, Brother Li, Ergou, what brings you here today?"
Li Xiangyang smiled and said, "Brother Liu, didn't you mention last time that a businessman from out of town wanted to buy fox and otter pelts? We've already prepared a batch and wanted to ask him when he'll come to buy them."
Boss Liu's eyes lit up: "You got them so quickly? How many?"
“Five foxes and six otters,” Li Xiangyang replied. “The pelts have all been processed and are in good condition.”
"Good heavens," exclaimed Boss Liu, "Your efficiency is incredible. That out-of-town businessman will arrive next Wednesday. Just bring the leather then, and I'll introduce you."
Li Xiangyang nodded: "Okay, next Wednesday then. Brother Liu, is that businessman's offer really higher than the locals'?"
Mr. Liu lowered his voice: "Of course, it's more than 10% higher than ours. That's why my regular customers are rushing to prepare their orders after they found out."
After leaving the purchasing shop, Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou strolled around the streets and bought some wire and tools to prepare for their next hunt.
On the way back to Xiaoliang Village by bicycle, Wang Ergou suddenly asked, "Brother Xiangyang, do you think we can trade directly with that out-of-town businessman in the future, cutting out the middlemen?"