Chapter 13: Black Market

Upon being questioned by Zhao Xiulan, Wu Jinhua momentarily froze before responding, "These days, how else can we get food? During the rationing, everyone gets a bit to eat, and we can survive. When spring comes, we can go to the mountains to forage for wild vegetables to get by. At least it can fill our stomachs. But since last year, the country has been hit by natural disasters, and the grain yield has sharply decreased. Life has become even harder for everyone. Our brigade's situation is relatively better. The people in our brigade work diligently, do a lot of work, and our grain harvest is higher than that of other brigades. Additionally, the brigade leader is foresighted and has stocked up enough reserve grain. Not to mention wild vegetables, even tree bark and roots are good! Some who have nothing to eat resort to eating clay, but then they can't pass it out. So, these days, it's too difficult to get food! What other way is there to get something to eat!"

Hearing Wu Jinhua's words, Zhao Xiulan remembered her experience of the famine three years ago. In recent years, there has been a shortage of grain throughout the country. If they were to go out to get food now, where could they possibly get it?

A touch of despair appeared in Zhao Xiulan's eyes, but Wu Jinhua just chatted for a few more sentences and then went on to cut the pigweed.

After Wu Jinhua left, Zhao Xiulan checked the information in her space. In this era, it is indeed relatively difficult to obtain food, but there are ways, such as going to the black market. There are many people there who illegally sell goods. As long as you have money, you can buy grain, clothes, or other things. However, for ordinary rural people, this is of no use because they cannot afford the high prices in the black market. The prices in the black market are several times higher than the normal cost. Many people in the countryside don't have that kind of money. Furthermore, the government prohibits these activities, and if caught, it is considered speculation and profiteering, and one could be sent to prison! Unless absolutely necessary, very few would take the risk to go to the black market.

Upon reading this information, Zhao Xiulan's heart suddenly brightened. Since there is a black market, it's not difficult! Her space has a lot of supplies, maybe she can trade some of them to get what she needs! It seems she has to find an opportunity to go to the county town.

There is no black market in the countryside, but there might be one in the county town; she has to look for it.

Zhao Xiulan stayed with the two cows until noon when the brigade only gave out a steamed bread. Disliking the hard and unpalatable texture of the steamed bread, she threw it into her space and took out something else to eat.

However, when eating, Zhao Xiulan was very cautious. She made sure that there was no one around before daring to eat. She couldn't afford to let others find the good things she had! She took out a cup of pure milk and a hand cake to eat, and then she added a grilled sausage, which was delicious and oily.

After gobbling it all up like a hungry wolf, her now satisfied stomach felt much more comfortable. These things she had eaten were very rare in this era, especially the grilled sausage. In the era of great famine, being able to eat meat was considered extremely luxurious.

After eating as if she were a thief, Zhao Xiulan tidied up and continued to watch over the two cows she had been assigned.