Chapter 14: How much was the Ginseng sold for?

"Don't worry, when the time comes, you won't have the heart to let it go," Lin Heng said with a smile, leading the dog ahead.

The town is quite far, so we'll have to push harder.

The three of them walked more than twenty kilometers in one go, crossing over ten mountains.

"Finally, we've reached the main road," Lin Heng sighed, sitting on a stone by the side of the road. He looked at the rushing river outside and took a deep breath.

Xiong Ba climbed down and panted, exhausted.

"Is this Shuangqiao Town?" Chen Xiulan asked curiously, noticing the red brick houses in the distance. This was her first time in the city.

"Yes, if we walk another seven or eight kilometers, we'll reach the city center," Lin Heng nodded. The smaller paths he took were much faster than the main roads, saving almost twenty kilometers, though the roads were rough and full of mountains.

"The land in the city is so flat, it stretches endlessly," Lin's father said enviously. He had heard about it before, but now he understood what a flat plain looked like.

"From here, if we go northeast, we'll enter the Guanzhong Plain. That's where it's really flat," Lin Heng smiled. The area around Taibai City had some ups and downs, but after seeing so many mountains, everything else seemed flat.

"Here, take this and wipe off your sweat," Chen Xiulan handed Lin Heng a handkerchief.

Lin Heng didn't take it but leaned his head toward her. Xiulan hesitated for a moment, then gently wiped his sweat.

"Let's eat some dry food and keep walking," Lin's father said, glancing at Lin Heng, and handed over some flatbreads he had prepared.

Lin Heng tore off a small piece and handed it to Xiong Ba. "Eat quickly."

"Woof!" Xiong Ba was already starving and gobbled down the food.

Lin's father glared at Lin Heng and was about to speak when Lin Heng spoke first, "How about we spend fifty cents for a ride? There are often donkey carts going to the town around here."

"No way! We've already walked twenty kilometers. What's another eight or nine?" Lin's father refused mercilessly.

"We'll walk, it's not tiring," Xiulan also shook her head.

Lin Heng was speechless. He knew they were just trying to save money.

After a short rest, they continued walking. After about two more hours, they finally reached the city. The sun was already slanting in the west.

Lin's father looked at the red-brick white-wall streets full of people and felt a little intimidated. Xiulan felt the same way. It was her first time in the city.

Especially when she saw the cars and women dressed in colorful clothes, with batwing sleeves, jeans, lace trims, styles that never existed in the countryside.

There were also beautiful women wearing short skirts and short sleeves, revealing their white arms and legs, which contrasted sharply with the conservative and backward rural village.

Lin's father didn't even dare look at people, lowering his head and staring at the ground.

Xiulan clenched the corner of her clothes, feeling a bit uncomfortable. She felt her outfit was much inferior compared to the city people, and people would occasionally look at her, making her uneasy.

Lin Heng grabbed her hand and held it in his palm. "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

It was also his first time in the city, feeling afraid of being looked down on or stared at with strange eyes. He naturally understood his wife's feelings.

Xiulan's palm was sweating. Once she was held by Lin Heng, she immediately felt a sense of security.

Now, Lin Heng held his head high and walked confidently, without any trace of shyness. He was very familiar with this place, having worked here for several years in his past life. It was here that he lost fifty thousand yuan when his business failed.

Not long after, Lin Heng led his wife and father to the state-run purchase shop.

"We're here to sell goods. Can we contact the manager Jin Fuqiang? I have something valuable, and it's something he needs," Lin Heng asked an employee who was walking over.

"Okay, please wait a moment," the female employee glanced at Lin Heng and then walked inside.

Soon, a middle-aged man in his thirties with a slight belly walked over. He looked at the three of them and then stopped his gaze on Lin Heng. "What goods? How do you know I need it? Who are you?"

"My name is Lin Heng. Is Manager Jin here?" Lin Heng smiled.

Jin Fuqiang glanced at Lin Heng, noticing his farmer's attire, yet he seemed so confident, like a big company boss. Even the dog he was holding was majestic.

"Please follow me," Jin Fuqiang said, extending his hand with a smile.

Once they were by the side, Lin Heng took out the ginseng, removed the moss, and placed it in front of Jin Fuqiang.

"Manager Jin, how's this 15-year-old ginseng?" Lin Heng asked with a smile.

"Good quality, absolutely great!" Jin Fuqiang was overjoyed. This was exactly what he was looking for: a nine- to ten-year-old ginseng.

Ginseng was rare in Mount Taibai, and ginseng of over ten years was even rarer. Sometimes, they couldn't find even one for several years.

He had been looking for it for a big leader to replenish their vitality, and the news had only been spread a month ago. He never expected to find it so quickly.

"How about nine hundred yuan?" Jin Fuqiang raised his head and offered Lin Heng a cigarette.

Lin Heng knew he needed the ginseng, so he understood its value. He was afraid Jin Fuqiang might try to lower the price.

"Let's keep it at the normal price of eight hundred yuan. I'm not in it for the money; I just want to make a friend," Lin Heng casually said.

Since his rebirth, he knew that Jin Fuqiang was a person who valued gratitude, and it would be worthwhile to befriend him. He also knew that Jin Fuqiang's future was promising, which could help him with his future farming ventures.

When Lin's father heard this, he became anxious. "How can you sell something and still lower the price?"

Chen Xiulan was also a little anxious.

"Ha-ha, then I'll make you my friend. As for the price, I'll give you nine hundred yuan, no need to bargain," Jin Fuqiang said with a shake of his head, instructing someone to process the ginseng and handle all their other goods.

Jin Fuqiang then invited Lin Heng and his family to sit down and drink tea, clearly wanting to learn more about Lin Heng's background.

After a while, Jin Fuqiang's gaze toward Lin Heng changed. He couldn't help but ask, "Are you really just a farmer?"

"Don't misunderstand, I just don't believe someone with your insight is from a farming family," Jin Fuqiang quickly added.

The things Lin Heng said were so sharp that they didn't sound like something a farmer would say.

Lin Heng shrugged and smiled. "Yes, I've read some books, so what I said is mostly from those. Recently, I'm preparing to get into farming and build an orchard, so I've been learning more about it."

He wasn't surprised that Jin Fuqiang was shocked. The answers he gave were from his past life, naturally leaving a deep impression on him.

"And that's a good thing! The country is supportive of such efforts now. If you need anything, feel free to contact me," Jin Fuqiang said, pouring Lin Heng another cup of tea.

He felt that Lin Heng had such insight and knowledge that his future would definitely be extraordinary, and it was worth befriending him.

After chatting for a while, the staff finished processing Lin Heng's goods, and the list was reported.

"Altogether, it's 921 yuan. Please take a look," Jin Fuqiang handed the list to Lin Heng.

After Lin Heng confirmed it, Jin Fuqiang took the money from his drawer and handed it to him.

Lin Heng handed the money to his father and Xiulan. Lin's father didn't take it and said, "You keep it."

He was shocked by Lin Heng. His son was able to talk confidently with a leader like that. Was this his true level?

For the first time, Lin's father truly realized the importance of education. The ideas Lin Heng shared were things he had never heard before.

Lin Heng put the money into the pocket sewn into his clothes and said, "Manager Jin, we're leaving now. Goodbye."

"Why don't you stay for a meal before leaving? I'll be off work soon, and we can chat more," Jin Fuqiang wanted to talk more with Lin Heng. He thought Lin Heng was a very knowledgeable person.

"No, we'll come back next time. We have to head back to Huangtan Town this afternoon, so there's no time," Lin Heng smiled.

"Okay, then. Take care, and when you come again, be sure to let me treat you," Jin Fuqiang said reluctantly, sending them off.

(End of Chapter)