Chapter 10: Chapter 0010: County Town Trip 2_1 Chapter 10: Chapter 0010: County Town Trip 2_1 “Ah! Daughter, let me be honest with you. The famine is so serious, even cornmeal is now classified as refined grain. Good stuff like rice and white flour is extremely scarce, only available in small quantities during festivals, and still, the demand far exceeds the supply.”
The old woman sighed softly.
“My daughter-in-law has just given birth and she can’t eat a bite of refined grain. The baby, born three days ago, is crying from hunger because her milk supply hasn’t come in. If you have some connections, could you please help me? I won’t lie, getting high-priced grain in the black market at several dollars per pound isn’t guaranteed. I won’t treat you unfairly on the price.”
Food is the people’s heaven. In this era, grain is indeed more precious than money.
Feng Qingxue had read about the black market in her materials. The state strictly prohibits buying and selling illegally.
Simply put, it bans private transactions among the people.
But, under hunger, there are many who dare to take risks. It’s common knowledge that the black market exists, whether it’s transactions in alleys, under trees, at bridges, or at train stations. The locations often change.
Some even negotiate deals during the day and trade goods at night.
Everyone is having a tough time, unless they strictly obey the national regulations. Usually, they turn a blind eye.
Because Feng Qingxue has a lot of stored goods in her space, she thinks of selling some grain. Although there isn’t enough grain, having money helps. Thankfully, grain is more important than money. Now that the old woman inquires, her request fits with Feng Qingxue’s intentions.
She loves to read and understands micro-expressions, so she can tell if the old woman is lying.
The old woman isn’t lying, so she speaks softly.
“Do you need rice and flour? Eggs?”
The old woman was taken aback, a trace of joy flashing in her eyes before she quickly returned to calmness. She quickly nodded, “Daughter, do you really have it?”
Feng Qingxue patted the basket at her feet.
The old woman was overjoyed, grabbed her hand, and whispered, “I want it all.”
After saying this, she raised her voice, “Silly girl, I walked up to you because you looked familiar. I didn’t realize that you’re a relative from my mother’s side. How can relatives not come and visit? Get up, come to my house and have some hot water.”
Even with money, one can’t necessarily buy the precious refined grain on the black market now.
So, the old woman did not want to let Feng Qingxue go.
“Auntie, I didn’t recognize you.” Feng Qingxue said, standing up and strapping the basket to her back. “But I have someone to meet later, so I won’t be going to your house.”
After saying this loudly, Feng Qingxue whispered, “Let’s find a quiet place to trade, we don’t need to go to your house.”
Caution is always necessary, especially since she’s an unarmed girl.
The old woman nodded without objection.
“My dear, I’ll go home to get the money and a bag. Where should I meet you?” The old woman was experienced in black market trading.
Feng Qingxue thought for a while, “I’ll wait for you under the old elm tree nearby. There are too many people here.”
“Alright, you go ahead, I’ll follow.” The old woman obviously also knew the landmark tree.
“Just to clarify, Auntie, what price can you offer? If the price is right, I won’t look for others.”
“In the black market, grain tickets are five dollars a pound, refined grain like rice and white flour are a dollar more expensive, and eggs are also five dollars a pound. My dear, I will pay six dollars a pound. No matter how much you have, I’ll buy it all, please don’t sell to other people.”
Note: During the three years of hardship, black market prices are extremely high. According to records, grain tickets are priced at five or six dollars per pound, dried yams are six dollars per pound, refined grain and eggs are five or six dollars per pound, coarse grain is two or three dollars, limited to the black market only, not representing the price level of the entire 60s and 70s era. I understand the price level well.