Chapter 138 - 138 Chapter 133: Competing Visitors_i (2/2)

This is all due to urgency.

“Twenty Wen Money will do, this year hasn’t been easy for you either.”

Qin Niu had collected six taels of Silver Money, and had cut off the tail end.

He gave Xu Zhenchang a bit of a discount as well.

In a total of seven days, he had earned six taels of Silver Money, which was the benefit the termites had created for him with their increased strength.

Their usefulness was far greater than just that.

This time, by taking the opportunity of pest control, not only had they received very good practical training, but they had also truly solved a difficulty for the villagers.

The largest grower in the village was Xu Zhenchang.

By cleaning up the pests in Xu Zhenchang’s fields, it was as if they had eliminated the Locust Army within the village on a large scale. The other fields benefited as well.

Otherwise, the locusts in those more than eighty acres would breed like crazy and migrate everywhere, which the villagers were incapable of dealing with.

“Thankyou, Master Qin!”

Xu Zhenchang, who must have been a bit strapped for cash recently, did not refuse and took the twenty Wen Money.

During hard times, even a single Wen Money can be difficult for a hero to come by.

Most of his fields in other villages were likely not saved, which was a considerable loss. On top of that, a large amount of extra expenses for pest control and the resulting reduced harvest meant he had to tighten his belt for the year.

“Right, there are two more things I’d like to discuss with you. The three neighboring villages all want to borrow our ducks, but I didn’t dare agree and told them to discuss it with you and Brother Wang. Additionally, the Yan Family has also requested your help with pest control. These past few days, seeing that our village’s pest troubles haven’t settled, the Yan Family didn’t send anyone over. If you agree, I’ll reply to the Yan Family and they will send someone to negotiate with you.”

Xu Zhenchang had a rather close relationship with the Yan Family.

Qin Niu’s pest control efforts for Xu Zhenchang had been effective.

Xu Zhenchang, in order to please the Yan Family, would definitely reveal this to them.

But the Yan Family had some decorum in their actions.

Clearly as anxious as ants on a hot pan, they did not come over to grab the benefits of the ordinary villagers of Shuangfeng Village.

The decisionmakers of the Yan Family possessed great wisdom.

Perhaps in the eyes of the Yan Family, Qin Niu could at most treat ten or so acres a day, and even if they snatched him away, it wouldn’t solve much of the problem. Becoming enemies with the entire village over such small benefits wasn’t worth it.

Besides, Qin Niu might not agree.

Every villager from any village has a sense of village protectionism.

Any good opportunity usually prioritizes the local village first.

“Master Qin, is it convenient to see you now?”

The voice of Wang Furen came from outside.

“Uncle Wang, please come in!”

Qin Niu found Wang Furen and Xu Zhenchang quite interesting, as they often acted in concert with a certain tacit understanding, moving together.

“Oh, the village chief is here too!”

Wang Furen’s words were somewhat insincere, as he must have known Xu Zhenchang was there.

Everyone typically said these pleasantries.

“These last few days, I asked Master Qin to help me with pest control, and now everything’s been taken care of. I’ve brought his wages to him.”

Xu Zhenchang said with a smile.

“Speaking of this, I just want to slap myself on the cheeks. You younger folks really have agile minds. I live right next to Master Qin, how did I not think of this method? Village chief, I’m always half a step behind you in everything. You must give me more pointers in the future.”

Wang Furen expressed his frustration.

“Haha, Brother Wang, you’re too modest! I should be learning from you.”

Xu Zhenchang would not dare to accept such high praise.

“Master Qin, now that you’ve finished helping the village chief with the pests, could you please help me? The reward will follow the rate you set. Seeing those incessant locusts in my fields, I’m just so anxious! I dream about catching pests at night.”

Wang Furen’s fields were not extensive, covering just over ten acres.

However, they were good lands, and during normal years with sufficient rainfall, the yield was extremely high.

“Uncle Wang, didn’t you buy a bunch of ducks to release into your fields for pest control? Was the effect not good?”

Qin Niu asked curiously.

“All, let’s not talk about it. Those ducks indeed help get rid of some pests, but locusts perching on high stalks that can fly are out of the ducks’ reach! Only those locusts that fall to the ground can be preyed upon by them. It’s better than nothing, I suppose!”

Wang Furen sighed.

The ducks couldn’t deal with locusts on the stalks, so they could only watch helplessly as the locusts nibbled on the leaves of crops like corn and wheat.

“I see! We’re all friendly neighbors, Uncle Wang, if you have this need, I should certainly lend a hand. Clear the ducks away, I’ll take care of the pests for you tonight. Just show me the areas that need pest control, and that will do.”

Qin Niu readily took on the job.

There was money to be made, so of course, he would take it!

“I’ll have Wan Yan take you there! I’m getting on in years, not as spry as I used to be, really old!”

Wang Furen once would not let his daughter meet Qin Niu.

Now, on the contrary, he was actively pushing his daughter towards Qin Niu.

A businessman is a businessman.

Pursuit of profit is always their nature.

Qin Niu certainly had no objections and happily agreed.

Wang Wanyan accompanied him around the fields for a tour, and with a beautiful companion, there was a different kind of scenery.

It was clear to see, she seemed very happy walking in the fields with Qin Niu, occasionally laughing like silver bells, both engaged in delightful conversation.