Siheyuan, Rainwater is the master, Shazhu wins

Hearing Xu Huizhen's words, Niu Ye smiled and nodded. He certainly understood what Xu Huizhen meant.

So, he looked at He Yuzhu and asked gently: "Zhuzi, you just came back from outside, you probably don't know yet, right?"

He Yuzhu looked at Niu Ye with confusion, he really didn't know what was going on.

However, he still politely replied: "I don't know what happened? I just came back less than an hour ago, I definitely don't know!"

Niu Ye continued helplessly: "During the two days you were away, a lot of things happened in the capital, especially regarding the supply and price of food, everything has changed.!"

After hearing this, He Yuzhu thought, what does this have to do with me? He really didn't understand what he meant.

But he still hurriedly asked: "Oh, please tell me what's going on!"

Niu Ye picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea, and then slowly said: "Due to unknown reasons, the food supply can't keep up, so many people go to the black market to buy food, but there is no food on the black market. At this time, everyone is anxious, so people are panicking."

He Yuzhu frowned, thinking about what Master Niu said.

"I don't know who spread the news of my buying grain. I am sorry for you, but he came to me about this matter, and there are hundreds of people involved. I can't do anything about it, so I came to you in a hurry." said Uncle Niu.

So that's how it is. He Yuzhu thought there was a problem with food in the capital, and it had nothing to do with him. So this is the situation.

But now food is suddenly in short supply, and if he ships large quantities, something could easily go wrong.

"Uncle Niu, we agreed before that we would only give you and your family some food. If we ship in large quantities, we will be in trouble if we are caught at this critical juncture. The risk is ridiculously high. You don't want me to do this, do you?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Oh, I don't want to either. They are all relatives of my family. To be honest, their ancestors were wealthy. Although they are not so wealthy now, they can still take out antiques and calligraphy and paintings to buy food." Grandpa Niu sighed and said.

"So I took the risk to come to you. They are willing to exchange antique paintings and gold jewelry for food, but I don't know if you are willing."

Uncle Niu said in a low voice, and then he stared closely at He Yuzhu's eyes, trying to find a clue from the other's eyes.

"I also know that the price of food is high nowadays, and there is even no demand for it, so they offer twice the market price, hoping that you will give them a chance to survive."

Niu Ye then added, his voice still very low but his tone very firm.

After saying that, he picked up the teacup, took a sip gently, and moistened his throat. His mouth was really dry.

He Yuzhu listened quietly, without any expression on his face.

After a while, he slowly spoke: "Master Niu, there are millions of people in the capital. The food shortage is definitely short-term. Your relatives don't have extra food at home. Why do you have to take the risk at this time?"

There was a hint of doubt and confusion in his tone.

Uncle Niu sighed and shook his head helplessly: "Alas, Zhuzi, you don't know that many people in the city are out of food now, and they can't buy food even if they have money. Moreover, we old Beijingers value face the most. We would rather starve to death than beg for food. There is no other way this time, so everyone is thinking of taking out things from their homes to exchange for food." As he spoke, a hint of bitterness flashed in his eyes.

He Yuzhu looked at Uncle Niu and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

No matter how difficult life is, they won't go hungry. They are willing to sell their ancestors' things just for a few bites of food. I really admire these old guys.

But at the same time, he could also understand the difficulties of Niu Ye and others. After all, no one wanted to starve to death.

After thinking about it, he looked at Xu Huizhen. This woman should know something about this. After all, she runs a tavern and has many opportunities to deal with grain stores.

"Second Aunt, is the capital really like this now? I've only been away for less than three days. This is too unreal."

He Yuzhu looked at the scene in front of him and couldn't help but ask Xu Huizhen.

Xu Huizhen shook her head helplessly: "Zhu Zi, ordinary people really have a hard time. I don't have much stock left, and I can only operate for a few more days. I can't sell all the food and then starve myself."

Her words made He Yuzhu fall into deep thought.

He remembered that nothing like this had ever happened in history, but now there was such a serious food crisis. What went wrong?

"Uncle Niu, this matter is a bit tricky. Let me think about it and I will give you a definite answer tomorrow." He Yuzhu said seriously.

"Also, at this tense moment, I only accept one way of trading. When you go back, you must carefully count the amount of food in each household, and only you can communicate with the other party. No one except you can know. After the price is calculated and the things are prepared, we can exchange." He Yuzhu continued to explain.

"You are responsible for getting high-value items such as antiques and gold jewelry, and then prepare the total amount of food needed by each household and their home addresses. Notify me when you are done, and tell me the location of these valuables, and then I will get them. After I confirm the prices of the antiques and gold jewelry, I will deliver the food in person. In this way, our two sides will not have any contact in the eyes of outsiders, so we can both rest assured." He Yuzhu said seriously.

"Of course, I still say the same thing. If your relatives betray you, you must not tell me. Of course, I will not admit it at that time. As long as the police can't find that I have food, I will be safe. You understand."

He Yuzhu looked at Mr. Niu sharply, his tone firm and serious.

Uncle Niu nodded to show that he understood.

He Yuzhu continued, "Give me one night to think about it. If you agree with me, we will do it this way. You can also go back and think about it and see if my plan is feasible."

There was a hint of caution and consideration in his eyes.

Niu Ye was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Okay, it's settled. Zhuzi, you think about it. I'll come again tomorrow at noon. We'll meet at the tavern then."

After saying that, he stood up, looked at He Yuzhu, and turned and left.

He Yuzhu sat quietly in the chair, lost in thought.

He knew that this deal carried huge risks for both parties, but it was also a rare opportunity.

He needs to carefully weigh the pros and cons to ensure that his interests are protected to the greatest extent possible.

As for Niu Ye, he also needs to carefully consider whether to accept the conditions proposed by He Yuzhu. After all, it is to give money first and food later.

After all, this concerns their respective destiny and future.

The room was very quiet and everyone was looking at He Yuzhu.

"Okay, don't worry. I'll handle this matter alone. There won't be any danger. I'll go find out what happened in the capital. How could it become like this in less than three days?"

After saying this, He Yuzhu also left the tavern, leaving Chen Xueru, Cai Quanwu and Xu Huizhen there in a daze.