Immortality: Raising an Ant Queen to Cultivate by increasing stat points - Chapter 142

Chapter 142: Chapter 137: Forming a Good Connection (Part 1)

Translator: 549690339

“Master Qin came up with the idea of using ducks to combat the locusts, which is excellent. However, the chickens and ducks raised in our village are limited; even when combined, there are only a few hundred, which is utterly insufficient against the massive swarms of locusts. If possible, we would like to rent or purchase Master Qin’s flock of ducks. As long as our Daoyuan Village stops this locust plague, it would essentially cut off the locusts’ path into Shuangfeng Village, and your village would no longer need the ducks.”

Tang Jingyuan had clearly done his homework before coming.

“Aren’t ducks available for purchase everywhere? Chief Tang doesn’t need to buy mine, right?”

This was Qin Niu deliberately probing.

Because they had started purchasing ducks early, the supply was plentiful and the price was very low at the time.

The three thousand ducks they had acquired fed well these past few days on the nutritious locusts, growing rapidly day by day.

Now that Shuangfeng Village’s locust problem was almost under control, it was time to move the flock of ducks elsewhere to find food.

However, since they were still only half-grown, it would be difficult to sell them at a high price.

Qin Niu was in no hurry to sell.

Renting them out to earn provisions and silver money was quite suitable.

“Ah, don’t even mention it! Our village lacks a wise person like Master Qin. Only after seeing you bring back so many ducks did we reluctantly gather the village’s chickens and ducks to combat the locusts, to little effect. As a result, no one is willing to spend a large amount of silver money to buy ducks.

A few days later, upon witnessing your success in using a large number of ducks to stop the locusts and effectively putting an end to the plague, we belatedly thought of following suit. But by then, it was too late to act.”

Pingshui is well-known for its ducks.

Located in a lake region with flat terrain and abundant water sources, many locals raise hundreds or even thousands of ducks.

Yet, when we sent someone yesterday at full speed, not a single duck or even a goose was available for purchase.

They had all been bought out.

After asking several large breeders, they all said it would be at least over a month before ducklings were available for sale. As for half-grown ducks, it would be at least three months later.”

Chief Tang felt that, due to outdated concepts and insufficient wisdom, he was lagging behind others in this matter.

This was a great loss.

And very frustrating.

“I deeply sympathize with Daoyuan Village’s plight and understand your current difficulty. I hadn’t planned to sell this batch of ducks; they were originally purchased to help Shuangfeng Village eliminate the locust disaster. My connection with Tang Family from Daoyuan Village is quite significant, as the Tang brothers built this house for me, and I am well acquainted with the Tang Bin siblings. Since you’ve come to me for help, it’s only right that I lend a hand.

I’m willing to rent these three thousand ducks to Daoyuan Village.

Qin Niu was indeed happy to help Daoyuan Village.

If Daoyuan Village’s locust plague didn’t stop, Shuangfeng Village would never have peace.

A fire at the city gates indeed spells disaster for the fish in the moat.

“Thank you, thank you! I really appreciate it, Master Qin! How exactly will the ducks be rented?”

Chief Tang was very pleased to hear Qin Niu was willing to rent the ducks to Daoyuan Village.

With such a large duck army, they would undoubtedly be a formidable weapon against the locusts.

“Well… this…”

Qin Niu hesitated, slightly struggling to make an excessive demand given the situation.

“Master Qin is kind to rent the ducks to Daoyuan Village, so whatever the charge should be, just name it without any reservations,” Tang Jingyuan said.

“Ten ducks rented out for one day at the cost of one Wen Money, does that seem fair to you, Chief Tang?”

Qin Niu gave his price.

This was also considering the relationships with Tang Caixian and the Tang brothers.

After all, one inevitably cannot escape the nuances of personal relationships.

“That’s totally acceptable. Thank you for your consideration, Master Qin.”

Tang Jingyuan was also worried about Qin Niu demanding a high price.

The price Qin Niu quoted was not high at all.

The daily rental for three thousand ducks came to three hundred Wen Money.

In normal times, surely no one would rent them, but in this crisis, even if the rental were one tael of silver money per day, people would still rent them.

“Since Chief Tang agrees, I will clarify some matters in advance to protect both our interests.”

“Please speak, Master Qin!”

“The ducks are being rented to you, but I reserve the right to take them back at any time. Of course, before doing so, I will certainly notify you in advance to discuss it properly. However, I must make it clear that I have the right to reclaim them whenever I wish. Similarly, you also have the right to return them at any time.”

“No problem.”

Tang Jingyuan nodded in agreement.

“Second, if you’re renting the ducks, you must take good care of them. If they die or get lost, compensation will be required at their current market rate, which changes daily and can only be calculated based on the prices of that day.”

“Completely reasonable.”

“Those are my only two conditions; nothing more. You can send someone to take the ducks away right now.”

Qin Niu had only laid out the most basic terms.

“Tang Bin, go back to the village immediately and bring some people with cages to fetch the ducks.” Tang Jingyuan, an old fox, didn’t ask Tang Caixian to leave.

He knew very well that the smooth progress of their negotiation with Qin Niu owed a great deal to Tang Caixian’s presence.

She didn’t need to say anything; her mere presence beside him naturally earned a few favors from him.

“Master Qin, here’s a modest gift from me; I would like to ask for your guidance on how best to utilize these three thousand ducks.”

“There’s no need for money; consider it a good deed between our villages. I’ve observed the terrain of your village; the locusts are sweeping in from the north, and Daoyuan Village is shaped like a long pocket. There’s a mountain pass where it borders Shanghe Village, with a river to the right, following the mountain, and farmland and a road to the left. Locusts are afraid of water, so they won’t cross the river.

Creating a buffer zone similar to what we have in Shuangfeng Village at that location should be very effective.

Additionally, you have a great advantage as you can divert river water to flood the fields at the entrance of the village, turning them into a vast expanse of water. However, you’ll need to leave a patch of land in the middle for the locusts to land on.

Ducks are agile in the water and will be more efficient at catching locusts.

Flooding some low-lying areas to divert water will also help to effectively reduce the width of the ducks’ defense line.”

Qin Niu spoke at length, and his strategy earned great admiration from Chief Tang.

This young man was extraordinary.

“Thank you, Master Qin, for your advice! If our Daoyuan Village manages to halt the locust plague, we surely won’t forget your kindness.”

Chief Tang expressed his gratitude with a bow.

“You’re too kind,” Qin Niu said, waving his hand indifferently.

“Then I won’t disturb you any longer, Master Qin. I take my leave!”

Having achieved his mission, Tang Jingyuan rose to say goodbye.

However, Tang Caixian remained seated.

“Cai Xian, it’s rare for you to visit; it’s good for you to talk more with Master Qin. I’ll be on my way.” The seasoned chief, noticing she didn’t rise to leave with him, understood her intentions perfectly.

He would, in fact, be very pleased if Tang Caixian and Qin Niu could start a romantic story of their own.

“I’ll go back to the village with my brother later; you go ahead with your tasks, Chief!”

After sending off Chief Tang, her sparkling eyes turned to Qin Niu.

“Master Qin, I’ve missed you in the days we haven’t seen each other. But knowing that your status has changed from before, I didn’t dare to come and disturb you.”

“In the eyes of others, my status might have changed, but Miss Cai Xian is no ordinary person. Why care about such empty titles? You’re welcome to visit often if you’d like. I’m usually quite busy and rarely at home, but Xiao Qing is always here.”

Qin Niu replied to her with a friendly demeanor.

“Heh, you’re still the same young man I set my sights on back then. When your new residence is ready, I’ll bring some flowers and plants over to help add to its charm!”

She turned her gaze towards Xiao Qing, who was busy outside.

But she said nothing more.

“By the way, what do you think about the matter I mentioned last time?”

She was referring to the matter of her proposal.

“I won’t consider entering into a marriage!”

When Qin Niu had said this before, the Tang Family might have thought it was just his impoverished arrogance.

But saying it now was entirely different.

It was an assertion of absolute strength.

“I could marry into your family instead!”

Her face blushed, and she said with her head lowered.

“Miss Cai Xian, if I speak harshly, please don’t take it to heart,” Qin Niu said, looking at her solemnly.

Her lovely face turned somewhat pale, anticipating Qin Niu’s possible rejection.

At that moment, she felt humiliated and crestfallen.