Qingcezhuang's grain is not only purchased by Liyue officials.
Some grain merchants also buy a portion.
Simply because their funds are limited.
The amount of grain they can purchase is still relatively small.
Besides, Liyue officials won't let private buyers purchase too much at once.
And the purchase price must match the official rate.
If someone offers a rate higher than the official price, the villagers will sell to them.
Otherwise, don't even think about buying grain from Qingce Village.
Liyue officials don't pay too much attention to this.
Even if private merchants buy grain, how much can they afford?
Could they possibly buy out all of Qingce Village?
Impossible.
Most of these merchants buy grain to sell overseas.
So there is nothing to worry about.
If they want to make money, let them make it.
Their sales are all retail; they cannot earn much.
Seeing these merchants arrive, Takumi didn't think too much about it.
Liyue officials had already come to buy this season's grain.
Most residents of Qingcezhuang sold their grain directly to the officials.
In addition, some of the fields were managed directly by the government.
So they were handling the harvest distribution.
Those who were owed payment received it, and those with work to do continued with their tasks.
Takumi did not bother with these matters.
Instead, he took Kamisato Ayaka to Mr. Zhang's house.
Upon arriving, the fragrance of wine filled the air.
Mr. Zhang was busy in his small workshop.
His youngest son was helping him.
Smelling the aroma upon entering, curiosity flashed in Ayaka's eyes.
This wine was very fragrant.
Hearing footsteps, Mr. Zhang looked up.
When he saw Takumi, a surprised expression appeared.
"Lord Takumi, you're here."
"Please come in!"
He immediately put down his work and greeted Takumi.
Seeing this, his youngest son quickly continued the task.
Takumi then asked:
"Master Zhang, have you worked out the recipes I gave you earlier?"
"Have you successfully brewed them?"
Hearing this, Mr. Zhang shook his head.
"Not yet!"
"The current materials are still fermenting."
"Right now, I'm brewing the wines that don't require long fermentation."
It had only been a few days.
Not nearly enough time for proper fermentation.
The wine currently being made had fermented only two days.
It was low-alcohol.
It was one of the simpler recipes Takumi gave.
The rest required more time.
Takumi understood immediately.
After nodding, he said:
"Then let me help you."
"Let's see if we can finish brewing those wines today."
"If everything goes well, the next step is to build a factory here."
"In the future, old man, you'll work there as the chief brewmaster."
Hearing this, Mr. Zhang's face filled with joy.
At his age, getting such a job was wonderful.
Kamisato Ayaka saw Takumi preparing to work.
She intended to help.
But Takumi waved her off.
"Forget it, little turtle, go do something else."
"Isn't Inazuma still short on food?"
"You can go to Granny Ruoxin and buy some."
"Just settle it directly."
"You can even bring a transport boat here. Have people load the grain and take it back."
Ayaka pouted slightly.
Mainly because Takumi called her "little turtle."
She disliked that nickname.
She was not a little turtle.
But she didn't argue.
Buying grain…?
That was true.
"I'll contact Lady Chiyo first."
"If necessary, I'll purchase a batch."
"It's a good opportunity anyway."
Ships could sail into Qingcezhuang now?
She wasn't aware of this.
"Go."
"Confirm with Chiyo first, then find Granny Ruoxin."
"They likely need grain as well."
"Just arrange for the grain ships to come up the river to Dihua Marsh and then here."
Ayaka nodded.
"Alright."
"I'll take a walk outside."
She glanced around the workshop, then walked out.
After she left, Takumi continued brewing wine with the old man.
While Takumi was busy, Ayaka went outside.
She strolled a bit, then took out her phone and called Chiyo.
The call connected.
Chiyo looked at Ayaka curiously.
"Ayaka? What's wrong?"
"Why call so suddenly?"
She was surprised Ayaka contacted her at this time.
Ayaka smiled.
"My lady, I need to ask something."
"Is Inazuma still purchasing grain?"
"Liyue had a good harvest this year."
"The grain output is excellent."
"And there's a sizeable surplus that can be sold."
Hearing this, Chiyo's eyes lit up.
"Liyue has that much grain this year?"
"Wait a moment."
"I'll have the general calculate our deficit."
She immediately asked the general beside her to make calculations.
To determine how much grain Inazuma still needed.
Ayaka waited patiently.
Soon, Chiyo returned with the answer.
"Our nation is indeed still short on grain."
"We can buy some."
"For the second half of the year, we won't have shortages."
"So purchasing around two hundred tons is enough."
"After that, we won't need more."
Chiyo explained the situation clearly.
Two hundred tons was the limit.
Combined with grain brought in by private merchants, it would be enough until the next harvest.
Ayaka nodded.
"Alright."
"I'll handle the purchase."
"The grain will be delivered to you."
Now that she had the numbers, she could proceed.
Not long after ending the call, her elder brother messaged her.
Clearly, he already knew.
And he also transferred the funds.